A School That Changes Lives, Including Yours.
The vision of HSID is to empower the creativity of aspiring designers and creative professionals with a quality, hands-on education to achieve personal growth and professional success in the interior design industry. Our interior design courses provide accelerated, application based instruction, which prepares designers for a variety of roles in the design industry. After over 25 years in the industry, HSID has a proven track record of successful designers working in the communities we serve.
We have locations in Portland, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis and a Virtual Program. We are looking for owners/partners in multiple locations.
The HSID Proven Success Model
- Successful graduates and a sustainable business model
- 86% job placement rate post graduation
- 96% retention rate
- Proven success partnering with local design communities in multiple markets
- Systemized, high quality educational materials supported by a technology infrastructure
- Successfully licensed through multiple state boards of education
- Comprehensive, documented and proven training methods
- Comprehensive corporate training, marketing and technology infrastructure
- High inbound demand with referrals and organic search
Expansion Goals. One City at a Time. Is Yours Next?
HSID Owner/Partner Qualifications
- Passion for design and experience in the design industry
- Entrepreneurial and positive mindset
- Passion for improving the lives of others
- Proven leadership and management skills and a drive for success
- Active and involved owner – no absentee ownership!
- Must have sufficient liquid capital and dedicated time to invest to build the foundation for growth
Inside Our Classroom
CEO Shares Her Vision
Stephanie Thornton Plymale is the owner and CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design. Heritage is headquartered in Portland, OR, and also operates in Denver, CO, Seattle, WA, Dallas, TX and also offers an entirely Virtual Program. Heritage School of Interior Design is an intensive program designed to fully equip students for a career in interior design by combining a hands-on education with a full complement of technical courses.
Stephanie owned an independent design firm for eighteen years, serving hundreds of residential and commercial clients, prior to taking over Heritage School of Interior Design. Stephanie is also a mother of three and has been married for thirty years to her high school sweetheart. In addition to her career with Heritage, Stephanie is the best-selling author of American Daughter, her memoir, and recently founded the Heritage Home Foundation, which serves our foster youth and homeless community.
Stephanie’s greatest joy in owning and operating Heritage is fostering and promoting the success of its students. Heritage graduates over 100 students each year and these students have gone on to win prestigious awards and start wildly successful businesses and careers. A key reason for our success is the broader community support we’ve received for Heritage and its students.
Stephanie recently joined the Board of Directors for Humble Design and is the Decor Stylist for Link2Us Magazine.
It’s long been Stephanie’s dream to broaden the reach and impact of HSID, creating opportunities for more students in new locations. That desire has led her to create an opportunity for new owners to join the HSID team and share in the joy of changing lives and empowering the success of others with our proven methodology and the support of a team dedicated to your success.
Success Stories
Rhonda Larson, Alumni & Owner and Executive Director of HSID Denver, Colorado
Rhonda had always been a maker, finder and curator of beautiful things, an artist in jewelry and metalsmithing, mixed media painting, bookarts, collage and assemblage, and a natural designer. Her life took an exciting turn when she decided to turn her lifelong passion for design into her career and discovered Heritage School of Interior Design. At the time she enrolled she had no idea that she would become a vital piece of the school’s expansion to Denver. While in Portland, Rhonda became an independent interior designer as “RL Design Studio” and shop owner of “Velvet and Burlap Home”. Stephanie and Rhonda grew close throughout Rhonda’s creative journey which is when it became apparent that Rhonda was a perfect fit for an Executive Director role at Heritage’s first new location. Rhonda had been looking for excuses to move back to Denver so this couldn’t have been a better opportunity! Learn more about Rhonda here.
Kim Bailey, Owner and Executive Director of HSID Dallas, Texas
Kim is an award-winning interior designer and since founding her own firm in 2004, she has won the Interior Design Society’s prestigious national Designer of the Year (DOTY) awards nine times. Combining creativity with her passion for interiors, Kim offers innovative solutions to enhance clients’ everyday lives, reflecting their personalities, and maximizing each home’s value. She guides the firm’s work across the North Texas region, proudly serving the communities of North Dallas, Frisco, Allen, Fairview, Prosper, and Plano, among others.
Kim is a highly sought-after interior designer who is known for creating beautiful and workable spaces for her clients, tailoring each design to the way they live—both now and in the future. With strong visualization skills and an eye for the details, Kim effortlessly balances style, function, and accessible design standards in her projects, often surpassing clients’ expectations. Learn more about Kim here.
Bridget Meiners, Owner and Executive Director of HSID Salt Lake City, Utah
Bridget Meiners, the proprietor and principal designer of Trestle Home Interiors, founded her company in homage to a childhood moniker. The term “trestle” signifies an integral component of the structural support system that underlies a bridge—a metaphorical nod to the invaluable support from her cherished family and friends throughout her journey, which lead her to Heritage School of Interior Design in Portland.
Recipient of a full scholarship to Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, Bridget earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science. Initially she had aspirations for dental hygiene school, fate took a different turn when she married her love, embarking on a journey to Texas where her husband commenced his medical residency. Learn more about Bridget here.
Teresa Gonzalez, Owner and Executive Director of HSID Los Angeles, California
Teresa Gonzalez, an HSID alumni, is spearheading the HSID expansion to Los Angeles, California. For Teresa, the practice of design — specifically in interiors — has always been where her passion lies. After spending 20+ years in the fashion industry, she decided to follow her passion with the opening of Plush Couture Interiors and to bring her love for details, textures, and finishes into spaces across the country. Whether by focusing on the intentional pieces of a room or bringing together a space holistically with custom millwork and furniture design, Teresa’s mission is simple: to make every space functional and inspiring without sacrificing a drop of beauty, and to take care of her clients every step of the way. Propelled by a long career in the textiles world, Teresa leads PCI with a desire to make every space one that feels as luxurious as it is. Learn more about Teresa here.
J.D. Nesbitt and David Giltner, Owners and Executive Directors of HSID Indianapolis, Indiana
J.D. is a serial entrepreneur and designer with nearly 20 years of experience in the design industry. His experience includes high-end residential, light commercial, custom hardware, publishing, graphic and kitchen & bath design both on the West Coast and in the Midwest. Much like the students he teaches, his career started on a different path. His first degree, and career, was in Corporate Accounting and then transitioned into Business Management for a high-end residential design firm. Attending classes primarily at night and on the weekends, J.D. took six years to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Interior Design while working full time and starting his own firm. Learn more about J.D. here.
With a nearly three-decades-long career, Dave embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. As the “Business & Entrepreneurship” course instructor, Dave brings a wealth of experience, having been self-employed since 1997 and successfully navigating multiple business ventures. Dave’s nearly 20 years in interior design and over 10 years in real estate and finance have given him a unique skillset. From publishing a print and digital magazine to launching a distinguished Kitchen & Bath showroom in Seattle, Dave has demonstrated exceptional expertise in creating, managing, and growing diverse businesses. Dave’s robust background in operations, marketing, and project management is positioned to guide students through the complexities of business planning and execution. Learn more about David here.
Highlighted Alumni Success Stories
Interested? Complete the form below:
HSID Owner/Partner
Corporate Office
Contact Info:
877.726.1158
2181 NW Front Ave
Portland, OR 97209
Follow Us:
…