Welcome to Design Coach Collective, a vibrant coaching firm founded by interior design experts Ginger Rabe, Rachel Larraine, and Tamara Romeo, who together bring over 60 years of experience to the table. Our mission goes beyond just building successful businesses; we're here to cultivate a thriving community of designers who value connection, collaboration, and continuous growth.
We’re on a mission to empower 2,500 new and upcoming interior designers to enter the profession and succeed. We understand that many designers graduate without the essential skills and knowledge to run a business effectively. That's where we come in—filling in those crucial gaps with real-world expertise, hands-on learning, and a supportive network.
What We Offer:
Personalized Mentorship: Work one-on-one with industry leaders who share raw, real-life experiences and insights you won't find in traditional programs.
Strategic Business Planning: Craft a solid, personalized business plan tailored to your unique vision and goals, providing the foundation for your success.
Hands-On Workshops: Dive into interactive sessions that cover the latest trends, technologies, and practical skills needed for today’s designers.
Holistic Design Approaches: Learn how to integrate mindfulness, sustainability, and well-being into your practice, creating a design business that reflects your values.
Networking and Community: Connect with top professionals and like-minded peers, building a supportive community that fosters growth, collaboration, and lasting relationships.
At Design Coach Collective, we're not just about teaching you how to run a business—we're about helping you become part of a larger, supportive design community. Whether you're an aspiring designer just starting out or an established professional looking to refine your skills, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Join us and transform your passion for interior design into a fulfilling, prosperous career while connecting with others on the same journey.
Scroll Below to Meet Your Coaches
MEET OUR COACHES
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Ginger Rabe
CO-FOUNDER
Ginger is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in interior design and design-build, bringing a wealth of knowledge, formal education, and a strong passion for her craft.
Throughout her 20+ career, Ginger has been featured in prestigious publications like Modern Lux Magazine, Discover Magazine, Kitchen & Bath Magazine, and California Homes Magazine, among others. She is not only a designer but also the owner of Seaside Drafting & Design, where she applies her drafting/design skills to develop construction documents for homes and other spaces, ensuring they meet city approval for development. Additionally, she co-owns Design Coach Collective, a venture dedicated to nurturing the next generation of interior designers.
Ginger’s influence extends to academia, where she serves as a college professor in the architecture department, sharing her knowledge and expertise with aspiring designers. She also gives talks on design and build, and has served on the board of the Southern California National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Her academic achievements include a Master’s Degree in the Built Environment with an Emphasis in Sustainability from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Her versatility in design allows her to adapt to any style, and she remains deeply involved in every project, and leading her team. Outside of work Ginger is involved with her family and community.
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Rachel Larraine Crawford
CO-FOUNDER
Rachel is an Enicinitas-based interior designer renowned for her unique blend of modern-contemporary and eclectic aesthetics. With a distinctive approach that integrates spiritual practices, Rachel creates harmonious and energetically balanced environments across residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail spaces.
Believing that our surroundings profoundly impact our quality of life and well-being, Rachel incorporates intention, mindfulness, Feng Shui, and Reiki into her projects. Her design concepts align with clients' objectives, optimizing space use and creating welcoming, positive layouts that foster balance and harmony. This holistic approach results in super-charged spaces that attract positivity into every aspect of life.
Since beginning her journey in Interior Design in 1999, Rachel has collaborated with entrepreneurs, artists, contractors, real estate agents, business owners, and fellow designers.
Rachel is the Communications Director for the San Diego Chapter of ASID 2023 - 2025, she holds an Associate Degree and Certificate in Interior Design and has been featured in publications such as San Diego Home and Garden, Modern Luxury, San Diego Magazine, and Style & Decor Magazine. She lives in Encinitas, Ca with her husband Tyson and their two boys, Quinn and X.
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Tamara Romeo
CO-FOUNDER
Tamara Romeo has masterfully combined over 15 years at the helm of her commercial interior design firm with a decades-long career in print advertising. As a seasoned business branding specialist, she has become a trailblazer in San Diego’s interior design scene. Her innovative strategies have redefined spaces ranging from offices and workspaces to multi-family and student housing developments across San Diego, Las Vegas, and the US, transforming them into places where people not only exist but truly thrive.
Tamara’s journey began in 2010 with the founding of San Diego Office Design, specializing in creating workspaces that foster culture, connection, and branding. Her passion for blending the comfort of residential environments into commercial spaces gave birth to what her team refers to as “resi-mercial design.” This evolution in focus led to the creation of Southcoast Design Group, a firm that embodies the best attributes of all environments they have crafted.
Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, San Diego Magazine, The San Diego Business Journal, and Modern Luxury Magazine, Tamara has been recognized with several honors, including “Business Woman of the Year,” “Best Interior Designers of 2019,” “Women of Influence in Architecture and Design in 2022,” and “Women of Influence in Construction in 2024.”
A fervent advocate of Kai Zen—the art of continuous improvement—Tamara invests heavily in ongoing education for herself and her talented team. A proud alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the Turner School of Project Management, she is committed to constantly advancing her team’s skills and expertise.
Outside of her professional life, Tamara is an enthusiastic animal lover and an avid traveler with a deep affinity for ancient history. Her travels to exotic locations worldwide not only enrich her life but also infuse her designs with authenticity and depth. Ask her about her latest global adventure—she loves to share her stories!