Every breakthrough starts with a story. For Heather McManus, it began on Long Island, where a love for art and design blossomed into a career built on bold decisions and resilience.
From her early days learning the craft of high-end upholstery to running her own firm, she’s made moves that reflect that famous Taurus determination. Heather’s fearless approach has helped designers break through industry barriers, rethink traditional sourcing models, and tap into the untapped potential of true collaboration—creating stronger businesses and bigger opportunities.
Now the founder of The Designers Collaborative and an award-winning designer based in New Jersey, Heather is the author of Love Where You Live: Dream Homes Made Real and a leading educator in the industry. She’s dedicated to helping designers navigate sourcing, pricing, and vendor relationships with clarity and confidence, championing bold collaboration and redefining how designers can succeed together.
Despite the challenges of dyslexia, she wrote her book to share her philosophy of creating homes that are both functional and beautiful. Her practical experience—spanning custom window treatments, furniture craftsmanship, and client-focused solutions—has been featured in national magazines, HGTV’s blog, and House Smarts.
Heather’s personal passions include nature, historic houses, her husband, and her two rescue cats, who remind her daily that life is as much about love and joy as it is about structure and design.
Success in the interior design industry isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about choosing a business model, navigating challenges with confidence, and creating profitability in every project.
“A great leader. A great speaker and communicator. What she’s done is phenomenal.”
—Suzanne