Furniture World News Desk on
1/8/2026
Heather McManus, Founder and CEO of The Designers Collaborative.
KINNELON, New Jersey – For design professionals looking to improve profitability in the new year, Heather McManus, CEO and Founder of The Designers Collaborative (TDC), is outlining how her designer-focused buying group is helping members unlock stocking dealer pricing and access valuable business resources.
“In some instances, design professionals don’t always get a seat at the table—so I made my own buying group and made sure there were enough chairs to be considered powerful and inclusive,” said McManus.
When McManus founded The Designers Collaborative, her goal was to help designers build stronger, more profitable businesses. As an interior designer and owner of Artistry Interiors, LLC, she sought a way to increase access to competitive pricing and business support tools. Nearly a decade later, the organization now spans North America with more than 500 members. The program provides opportunities to increase profit through stocking dealer savings, education, webinars, meet-ups, and business templates within an inclusive community of professionals.
TDC members include interior designers, decorators, and home stagers working in various business models—from solo practitioners to larger firms with retail spaces. The group also welcomes design school graduates and staging students seeking industry experience. Members use the program to source furnishings, lighting, rugs, and other products at prices below many trade programs.
“The Designers Collaborative is professionally run with a dedicated staff, policies, an advisory board, and a self-funded Emergency Fund which is ready to use in the exceedingly rare case of a member acting in bad faith,” McManus explained. “TDC is not like any other buying group, because the leadership and guidelines make it totally secure for members.”
TDC membership provides access to more than 300 vendors across a range of price points and design styles. Members gain insight into vendor programs, tools, and a peer network that supports collaboration and growth. “Working with our Account Holders is easy, and they offer their vendor accounts at the best price tiers to members,” said McManus. “We’re constantly adding new vendors, and if one isn’t currently offered, we can help you open an account and that member can become the new Account Holder. We often crowdsource opening orders using the power of 500+ members, so even our newest vendors find the value of working with our buying group.”
The program also provides support for Canadian members, including help with freight brokers and border-crossing documentation. McManus added, “Membership in The Designers Collaborative gives you incredible buying power—at the best possible pricing tier that suits your business and the way you want to buy from hundreds of vendors. And we don’t require any minimums—so all members can order as much or as little as you like.”
TDC maintains a private Facebook group for members to connect and exchange insights. The platform includes weekly updates, live discussions, and community-driven resources. “TDC offers so many ways to continue to learn with monthly webinars, custom digital tools that are resources for members, and bi-monthly Round Table Meetings with experts that focus on a topic designers struggle with,” McManus said. “We add new tools any time we see a question in the Facebook group get asked over and over again because that must be something the majority of our design pros are wrestling with.”
Members have access to exclusive tools such as the Trade Professionals List, Who Really Makes It List, and Ultimate Sourcing Guide, among others. These resources are designed to save time and provide practical support for business operations.
“2026 is an exciting time for TDC and for our members,” said McManus. “I am thrilled to be heading out West for an inspiration trip to visit brands and reconnect with our members at the Las Vegas Market! Stop by and say hello at a fun designer meet-up at Armen Living’s free headshot activation.” Complimentary headshots will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Las Vegas Market showroom B762.
McManus also invites design professionals to join a webinar titled “Design Spec on Selling Furniture Without a Showroom,” scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST. The webinar will explore strategies for selling upholstery and furnishings without a showroom, addressing both practical and mindset challenges faced by designers.
Additional events and brand collaborations are planned throughout 2026, including celebrations for TDC’s 10-year anniversary at the High Point Market in October. For event details, visit TDC’s Events page.
About The Designers Collaborative
The Designers Collaborative (TDC) is a buying collective with more than 500 interior design members. The program provides access to stocking dealer discounts and exclusive tools that connect members with over 300 vendors across price tiers and design styles. TDC members can buy at the same price levels as retail furniture stores while receiving account management support with logistics, freight, and vendor coordination. For more information, visit www.thedesignerscollaborative.com.
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