About The Design Besties
The Design Besties is a nonprofit collective of designers driving change through events, education, and impact projects. Our latest initiative gifts professionally designed teachers’ lounges to schools in need, honoring the educators who shape us. Partner with us to build equity and beauty into spaces that recharge our teachers.
Elevating design. Honoring educators. Empowering communities. Elevating design. Honoring educators. Empowering communities. Elevating design. Honoring educators. Empowering communities.
Our Mission
We believe collaboration is the spark that turns creativity into impact. By bringing together designers, brands, and communities, we amplify purpose, elevate voices, and turn connection into lasting change. Every partnership, every project, every event we create is fueled by the idea that design isn’t just about spaces; it’s about stories, healing, and human connection.
That belief drives our Teachers’ Lounge initiative, where we reimagine educators’ spaces into restorative sanctuaries of care and comfort. It’s our way of giving back to those shaping future generations – proving that when design meets purpose, it has the power to inspire, uplift, and transform entire communities.
Meet The Team
Nikki Watson
CEO, STAGER, & INVESTOR
The founder of The Design Quad, the largest home staging company in the U.S., began her business with just $10 borrowed from her mom. Her expertise and creativity have earned her appearances on shows such as Buy it or Build it, Flip to a Million, House Hunters, Zombie House Flipping, as well as features on CNN. She is guided by her motto: “Create, Inspire, Serve.”
Rhobin Dela Cruz
CDO & ENTREPRENEUR
A New York-based entrepreneur with businesses in interior design, real estate, and short-term rentals. An award-winning interior designer, he has worked with GQ, TED, MTV, and Change.org, specializing in creating storytelling-driven spaces that leave a lasting impact.
Lori Johnson
ARTIST & ENTREPRENEUR
She is a Dallas-based artist known for her vibrant, textured works that radiate movement and energy. Her art has been featured on HGTV, Magnolia Network, and A&E, and she is also a long-time supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Whitney Atkinson
INVENTOR & ENTREPRENEUR
She is a former interior designer turned inventor and the founder of WUGS, the first-of-its-kind weighted rug system designed to stay in place (patent pending). Her innovative work has been seen on NBC, Fox, and featured in Furniture, Lighting, & Decor.
The Board Members
Jess Robb
Jess Robb is a publicist with a passion for design and storytelling, known for helping
designers and brands find their voice and connect with the right audiences. She began her career in fashion before moving into luxury design PR, where she discovered her love for shaping meaningful narratives. In 2015, she founded Robb Media Partners, working with leading lifestyle, consumer, and interior design brands to grow their presence and strengthen their press relationships. With a background in Economics from Pace University, Jess blends business insight with creativity to support her clients’ growth. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her family.
Website: http://www.robbmediapartners.com/
Instagram: @robb_media
Paula Oblen
With over two decades in boutique hospitality, Paula Oblen is a trailblazing designer, entrepreneur, and thought leader who pioneered Branded Destination Design—where hotel luxury meets residential comfort. As the founder and creative force behind Hotelements™, she helps property owners, interior designers, and investors transform short-term rentals into unforgettable, profitable guest experiences that boost satisfaction, inspire return bookings, and maximize ROI.
Long before Airbnb reshaped travel, Paula recognized the power of storytelling at the intersection of home and hospitality. Today, she continues to lead the movement for elevated vacation design, defining a new era of experience-driven, story-rich spaces that connect people and place.
Website: https://paulaoblen.com/
Instagram: @paulaoblen
Wendy Estela
Wendy Estela is a business attorney with 25 years of experience serving the interior design, building, and construction industries. As Principal of Estela Law and Founder of Designed Counsel—the industry’s first contract subscription service created by an attorney for designers—she provides contract drafting, negotiation, and risk management services to clients nationwide, from AD100 and Elle Décor A-List designers to emerging talent.
A sought-after speaker at High Point Market for brands like Sherrill Furniture, Feizy Rugs, and Universal Furniture, Wendy also serves on the Board of the Interior Design Community and as a Business of Home expert. Appointed by Connecticut’s Governor to the State Contracting Standards Board, she helped reform state processes. Based in West Hartford, she teaches negotiations and is licensed in Connecticut, New York, and Utah.
Website: https://www.estelalaw.info/
Instagram: @estelalaw
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