Margaret Donaldson and Thomas Donaldson: Transferring Leadership Without Leaving Your Interior Design Business

Episode 1244 of A Well-Designed Business®

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1244: Margaret Donaldson and Thomas Donaldson: Transferring Leadership Without Leaving Your Interior Design Business

Today with Margaret Donaldson and Thomas Donaldson:

What happens to your interior design business when you’re ready for a different role? What happens to the value you’ve built, the clients you’ve served, and the employees who have helped make it successful?

For Margaret Donaldson, founder of Charleston-based MDI Luxury Design, these questions became increasingly important after nearly four decades in business. She had a successful firm, a talented team, and a strong reputation. But she also knew she didn’t want to spend the next chapter of her career managing every aspect of the company.

Enter her son, Thomas Donaldson.

Thomas had built his career outside the interior design industry, and neither of them had planned for him to become the firm’s CEO. Today, Thomas leads the business while Margaret remains actively involved as founder and creative director.

In this episode of A Well-Designed Business®, LuAnn talks with Margaret and Thomas about how their leadership transition came together, what Thomas needed to understand before accepting the role, and how they’ve worked to preserve the firm’s strengths while making room for new ideas.

They also discuss the importance of a capable leadership team, values-based hiring, and the willingness of a founder to let someone else make decisions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Margaret began considering the future of her firm even though the business was successful.
How Thomas evaluated the opportunity to lead a company in an industry he hadn’t previously worked in.
Why understanding and protecting the existing company culture mattered to both of them.
How to distinguish between established practices worth preserving and processes that need to change.
Why transferring leadership doesn’t necessarily mean retiring or stepping away from the work you love.

Margaret and Thomas offer a thoughtful example of what succession planning can look like when the goal is continuity, not departure.

Whether you’re thinking about your eventual exit or simply want to build a company that depends less on you, this conversation will give you plenty to consider.

Connect with Margaret and Thomas Donaldson:

MDI Luxury Design: https://mdiluxurydesign.com/

More about Margaret Donaldson and Thomas Donaldson:

Margaret Donaldson

Founder + Creative Director of MDI Luxury Design ASID, NCIDQ

Starting Margaret Donaldson Interiors was a total leap of faith! I was due with my first child in three weeks and had just left a design partnership I had been in for several years. Ready for a new adventure, I began my own business in my hometown of Charleston. I’m so glad I did, and I’ve never looked back!

After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Interior Design, I achieved my NCIDQ qualification. Also, as a longstanding member of the American Society of Interior Design, I have served in numerous leadership positions and been awarded merits for many projects over the years. My passion for creating spaces that ‘live well’ runs deep. Creating a beautiful aesthetic is the easy part. Beauty that is fully in sync with the functionality of a client’s lifestyle is what elevates our designs. We’ve designed every style you could imagine, from historic downtown properties to eclectic beach houses. I take so much pride in everything our team has been able to accomplish! Thirty-three years later, I’m still on this exciting, ever-evolving interior design journey that I love.

When not at MDI, I love traveling with my family. Experiencing different cultures inspires me, especially in the design process. We are always hunting for artwork or unique finds to bring home from our trips. We are also big Clemson fans (Go Tigers!) and enjoy spending time with family at our harbor front home.

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Starting Margaret Donaldson Interiors (now, MDI Luxury Design) was a total leap of faith Margaret Donaldson. Just three weeks away from welcoming her first child and having recently left a long-standing design partnership, she decided to take a bold step and launch her own firm in her hometown of Charleston. It was a decision she’s never regretted.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Interior Design, Margaret went on to earn her NCIDQ certification and has been an active, longtime member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Throughout her career, she has held numerous leadership positions within ASID and has been recognized with multiple project awards. Her passion lies in creating spaces that “live well”—beautiful environments that align seamlessly with the lifestyle and functionality needs of her clients. From historic downtown residences to eclectic beachfront retreats, she has led the design of a wide range of styles with thoughtfulness and intention.

More than three decades later, Margaret remains energized by the ever-evolving world of interior design. She takes deep pride in the work her team continues to accomplish at MDI.

Outside of the studio, Margaret enjoys traveling with her family, drawing inspiration from different cultures and always on the lookout for artwork or one-of-a-kind pieces to bring home. She and her family are avid Clemson fans and love spending time at their harborfront home in Charleston.

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As Chief Executive Officer of MDI Luxury Design, Thomas leads the firm’s strategic growth while continuing to build on the legacy established by Founder and Creative Director, Margaret Donaldson. As Margaret’s son, he joins the family business with deep respect for the design excellence, culture, and relationships that have defined the firm for nearly four decades.

Thomas brings a relationship-driven, thoughtful approach to leadership, shaped by his background in partnerships and business development within high-growth marketing and fintech companies. At MDI, he focuses on guiding the firm’s long-term vision while strengthening day-to-day operations—ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of quality, creativity, or client experience.

Thomas is deeply rooted in Charleston, SC and, when not in the office, enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three children, soaking in the natural beauty of the Lowcountry.

Connect with Margaret Donaldson and Thomas Donaldson:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

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