What do you wish you knew about marketing for designers?


By the end of this episode, you might just have your answer. 


There’s a lot of information out there about SEO, social media, and all things marketing, but it’s hard to sift through and none of it is focused on designers. 


Our industry is a little different from others. There are things that need to be done in a certain way and in a certain order to create the best platform for you to build your interior design business from. In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I’m sharing the steps for you to follow to start marketing your interior design business. 


I have a whole workshop on this, but I wanted to share some of the basics with you right here on the podcast. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• The power of advertising combined with referrals 
• How to get started with marketing as a designer 
• Why you need to create your messaging for a specific audience 

Whether you have no idea where to start or you want to brush up on your marketing skills, this episode has something for you. Tune in!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

What does it mean to “keep your shape” as an interior design business owner?


“Keep your shape” is a motto we use at the Interior Design Business Academy to talk about standing your ground. This comes into play in every area of your business: pricing, time, systems, offers, boundaries… you name it. We’re diving into it all in this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, and today is our lucky day because IDBA lead coach Valerie Priester is back for another episode to share her expertise on the subject.


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why you might struggle to keep your shape if you’re a people-pleaser
• How successful designers stand their ground on their pricing
• A simple hack to get better at keeping your shape 

If you have a hard time sticking to your boundaries then it’s probably costing you precious time and money that you need to run your business. Tune in to this episode to learn how to “keep your shape” from the experts.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you feel like you never have any free time and yet somehow you still don’t have enough jobs to turn a profit?


This problem is more common than you think, and in this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast we’re unpacking why that is. I sat down with our lead coach at IDBA, Valerie Priester, to talk about why designers get stuck with so many little jobs that they don’t have time to take on the big jobs they really want. If that sounds familiar, stick around because this is for you. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Signs that you have more of a scarcity mindset than you realize
• Subconscious triggers that are causing you to take on small jobs 
• Red flags to look for before you take on a job 

Tune in to learn how to get more dream jobs, work with more dream clients, and still have more free time on your calendar.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

How do you tell the difference between honest sustainable companies and those that are trying to trick you with greenwashing in their marketing?


This is just one of many questions you might have if you’re thinking about going green in your interior design business, so I've recruited the help of expert Megan Thompson to answer some of those questions and point you in the right direction. 


In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, we’re talking about how interior design impacts the planet through excessive waste and contributions to global emissions and what you can do to make a difference. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How many tons of furniture end up in landfill each year 
• Lies you’ve been told about sustainability in interior design 
• A quick and easy trick to know if a product is really “green” or not 

If you want to go green but you don’t know where to start, Megan’s got you covered.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you run a business or a hobby? 


In this episode of Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into how your mindset and approach to money can make all the difference in the success of your business. Join me as I share practical insights into essential financial practices and mindsets that will help you get paid what you're worth.


Topics covered in this episode include:

• The numbers you need to know to determine the health of your business on a daily basis
• Common pitfalls of being a hobby business that you have to avoid if you want success
• The impact of tracking your margins honestly and making sure each job is profitable

Are you ready to shift from hobbyist to business owner? Let's dive into the essentials that will help you turn up the volume on your profitability.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

How many times have you said, “If I just had more time, then I could get it all done”?


I think we’ve all been there, but I want to let you in on a secret: It’s not about how much time you have, it’s about how you manage it. In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I’m revealing five tips that will change your relationship with time so that you can improve your time management.


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How I’ve avoided working on Fridays, weekends, or evenings for the last 25 years
• Mindset hacks for better time management
• A time-saving way to organize your tasks 

If you’re constantly wishing you had one more day in the week or a couple more hours in the day, this is for you.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

What if you had a shortcut to identify the profitable and unprofitable practices in your business?


Enter this episode of Interior Design Business! I’m here to give you the class on business finances that you never got in design school. Tune in to learn an easy way to understand your financial reports and use them to increase your profits. I’m sharing best practices, communication skills, tips for setting boundaries, and so much more. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• An easy-to-follow process for looking at your numbers
• How I do my bookkeeping 
• Surprising ways you’re losing profits 

I want you to be able to take what you learn in this episode and immediately apply it to your business so that you can watch your profits rise. Sound good? Let’s get started.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you feel like no matter how much care you put into your design business, you never seem to increase your profits?


This episode of the Interior Design Business podcast will teach you how to make your business more profitable without starting from scratch. I’m sharing some of the hidden money leaks lurking in your business, unexpected obstacles that are getting in your way, and five simple strategies to start implementing for better profits. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How many design hours you need to bill each week to be profitable
• Scary money stories getting in the way of your financial success
• Poor business practices that leave you owing money to your vendors

Whether you’re just starting out as a business owner or you’ve been doing it for years, you’d be surprised how many designers don’t know about the tips in this episode. Tune in to join those of us in the know!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

What are the appointment do’s and don’ts?


As you know, a first appointment is a rich opportunity to gain a potential client’s trust and business. How do you make sure that happens? That’s what I want to share with you in this episode.


I’m talking about what to charge, what to include, how long it should be, and lots of other appointment do’s and don’ts. If you’ve ever had a question about how to handle a first appointment, this episode has an answer for you.


No more giving away your time and value for free or spending hours on a potential client only to never hear from them again. Your first appointment should be setting you up for success and now it will!


Tune in to find out whether you’re doing any of these first appointment dos and don’ts!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

How do you stay in control of a job when your client is getting carried away?


A client that wants to add more work to their job is a good problem to have, but if you don’t know how to appropriately handle it, you’ll soon find yourself out of the driver's seat and wondering “how did I get here?”. 


In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m teaching you the simple steps to follow to make sure that you and your client are on the same page, you have a clear idea of the scope of work, and you are in control of your design job. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• The hidden mistake in your process that’s spinning you out of control
• A simple trick to help you take charge of your design job 
• The secret to gaining your ideal client’s confidence 

If your client is the one calling the shots, something’s gone awry. Tune in to find out where you’re going wrong and how to get your job back on track.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

These are the confessions of a recovering perfectionist. 


This episode of Interior Design Business is all about perfectionism and the surprising problems that it’s causing in your business. I’m sharing what I’ve learned about the dark side of perfectionism and how to overcome it so that you can be a better designer. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why your designs aren’t turning out the way you want them to
• How to know when to be done with a project 
• Lies that the voice in your head is telling you about your design work

Perfectionism helped me become a great designer, but it’s a double-edged sword. You’ll have to tune into the episode to find out exactly what I mean!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, find out the four major roadblocks to success that most designers face so that you can take the fast track to overcome them. 


The four roadblocks I’m sharing in this episode are things I’ve seen come up again and again for struggling designers. I’m coaching you through each roadblock in this episode so that you have the tools you need to troubleshoot your business and get things running smoother than ever. Think of this as your cheat sheet to success! 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• The importance of understanding your ideal client
• How to stop underselling yourself and giving your time away 
• How to leverage systems in your business

If you want a financially sustainable design business that pays you what you’re worth and provides your dream lifestyle, tune in.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

How many times have you wished you had a mini-me to help you get everything done? 


When you’re working at 2 a.m. and dreaming about that mini-me, you might think it’s a good time to hire someone, but in this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m going to explain why it’s not. I’m walking you through the problems you’ll encounter if you try to hire a mini-me or jack-of-all-trades, how to avoid making a knee-jerk hire, and what to do instead. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why you shouldn’t train someone to be a mini-me
• Why a jack-of-all-trades isn’t what you need 
• Getting the help you need, not the help you think you want 

Don’t make the same mistakes I did! Tune into this episode to find out how to build your business in a sustainable and productive way so that you can stop spending all your time on admin work and get back to what you love.
 

I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Networking doesn’t work, it’s just a waste of time. 

Not true! Sorry if the title got your hopes up, but stick with me! Networking is not as hard as you think it is, it’s actually pretty fun, and I’m here to walk you through it. I’m going to turn networking from something you dread into something you look forward to. Don’t believe me? Tune in to this episode of Interior Design Business. 

Topics covered in this episode include:

• How to make networking fun 
• The value of building relationships in your everyday life
• Why you shouldn’t make a business pitch as soon as you meet someone 
• How to get more referrals 

If you want to learn how to make networking simple, repeatable, and fun, this is for you.

I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!

Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you charging enough for your product purchasing services?


I talk a lot about design fees and prices here on the Interior Design Business podcast, but in this episode, I want to discuss the product sales side of things. I’m teaching you why you should separate your design services from your product sales, how to change your mindset around product sales, and how to profit from your product sales. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• A good rule to follow when it comes to product sales 
• Why your mindset is getting you in trouble 
• How to be good with a client’s budget without being cheap

If you want my help figuring out whether you’re charging enough for product purchasing, tune in!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you feel like you’re always busy and yet you can never seem to get ahead?


The truth is that staying crazy busy isn’t helping you as much as you think it is and in this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I’m exploring why.


Successful business owners have teams of different people to do different jobs, leaving them with more time to work on the things that pay the big bucks. When you’re always busy working in your business, it’s impossible to find time to work on it, and that work is really important. 


I’m going to help you stop measuring your worth based on how busy you are so that you can let go of some of the everyday tasks you’re holding on to and free up your time to work on things that get you paid. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Where the most profit lies in your business
• The value of outsourcing small tasks 
• Why staying crazy busy doesn’t work 

If you’re exhausted from being busy all the time, don’t miss this episode.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you want to create more freedom in your life? What if I told you I know a simple and effective way to achieve that?


The answer lies in systems, which is what we’re covering in this episode of Interior Design Business. I’m teaching you how to shift into a systems mindset so that you can simplify and streamline any area of your life. 


I’m sharing examples of systems in your day-to-day life, how to make time to set up systems in your business, and what systems can help you get done. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How systems save you time and energy
• Mindset issues that get in the way of creating systems 
• Making time to create systems 

If you want to get back hours of your time and create a life of freedom, don’t miss this episode.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you using templates to create your letters of agreement?


If you are, it’s really important that you hear this episode! Templates can be helpful, but they aren’t the be-all-end-all of letters of agreement (otherwise known as contracts). 


If you use a template without thoroughly reading it through or making any changes, you’re going to end up in a world of hurt. The problem is that a template is never going to be able to cover the boundaries that you need in place for your unique business and every unique job that you do. 


In this episode of Interior Design Business, we’re going through how to use templates appropriately, the problems with relying on templates for your letters of agreement, and how to communicate your boundaries effectively to every client. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Things to look for in a template 
• Common mistakes designers make in their letters of agreement 
• The importance of setting boundaries in your letter of agreement

If you’ve been relying on templates to write your letters of agreement until now, don’t miss this episode.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you feel like you’re in control of your financial situation?


Growing up and even into early adulthood, I always thought that my financial situation was something that just happened to me. I didn’t have control and I had to make do with what I had. When someone told me that I was the creator of my situation and I could control what happened, it changed my life. 


If you feel like you’re always struggling and never making enough money, you’re not alone. You are the product of how you’ve been taught to think about money, but what if we could change all that?


In this episode of Interior Design Business, I want to show you how to take total responsibility for your financial situation and set yourself up for financial success moving forward. Together, we’ll look at ways you’re losing money, how to set up boundaries to protect your finances, and the importance of knowing your worth. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How everything changes when you realize you have control over your financial situation 
• Where scarcity is coming from in your business
• How to create abundance 

If you want to end the struggle and always feel like you have enough, tune in.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Let’s talk about selling. 


Don’t freak out! I know a lot of people hate this topic. There’s a lot of bad energy and negative stories around selling, but most of them aren’t actually true, so we’re going to unpack them in this episode of Interior Design Business. 


I promise you do not have to be like a sleazy car salesman in order to sell. I’m here to teach you how to build a relationship with your potential client, create an offer that they want to say yes to, and set up the golden moment to make your sale. In this scenario, everyone wins! Your client is happy, you’re happy, and no one feels sleazy or taken advantage of. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Creating an offer that’s easy to say yes to 
• How to leverage the golden moment 
• A simple way to close a sale without feeling sleazy 
• How to make selling easy 

If you want to learn how to use the golden moment in your sales process, tune in.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Hands up if this sounds familiar: your cash flow goes up and down like a rollercoaster, you’re struggling to attract clients and even then they can’t make any decisions on their $5,000 budget, and you’re afraid to tell your friends or family how much you made last year because they’ll tell you to get a real job.


If your hand’s in the air, you’re not alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way. What you’re looking for is actually right in front of you, but it’s hard to get out of your own way long enough to see it. 


In this episode of Interior Design Business, we’re talking about some of the biggest ways we get in our own way as designers and I’m sharing some small steps you can take to start getting out of your own way. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why you might be playing too small 
• Saying yes to things that scare or challenge you 
• Stepping into an abundant mindset 

I’m going to help you get out of your own way so that you can make all your design business dreams come true.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Could you be leaving money on the table?


We’d all like to hope that we’re not, but it happens all the time, so how can you make sure it’s not happening to you? In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m taking you through the most common ways design businesses leak money so that you can look at each of these areas in your business and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.


A profitable design business doesn’t happen by accident, it’s something that you grow with intention, consistency, and the right strategies. Tune in for actionable tips that you can apply directly to your design business to start making more money right away. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How to make your design business more profitable
• Common ways design businesses lose money 
• Why hourly billing is limiting you

Don’t miss this opportunity to make easy money just by checking on some areas of your business.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you setting boundaries around money in your design business?


Every designer I’ve ever met (including me) struggles with boundaries because we’re all people pleasers. You’re in this business because you want to serve people and make them happy, but you’ve still got to be paid for it. I’m here to make sure you’re not short-changing yourself. 


If you have a hard time creating and sticking to boundaries, listen up. In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m walking you through how to create boundaries, communicate them to your clients, and hold your shape when someone challenges them. I’m going to help you get your money boundaries in place so that you can stop worrying about being underpaid. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• What happens when you don’t set boundaries 
• How to handle a client who wants you to lower your prices
• Getting comfortable communicating your boundaries 

Tune in to find out how to use boundaries to get paid what you’re worth.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

What do you do when you get into a design job and discover that you don't want to put your name on it because the client's taste is so bad?


You won’t be in the design industry long before one of these situations comes up, so it’s important that you know how to handle it. In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m sharing three ethical solutions to working with a client with bad taste. All of these options will protect you and your reputation as a designer while also treating your clients fairly, so you can use whichever solution feels best to you or try out all three over time! 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• What to do when your client is standing by design choices that you don’t agree with 
• How to say no to something you don’t want to put your name on 
• How to avoid bad client design choices reflecting on you 
• When and how to back out of a job 

I know we’re in the business of people-pleasing, but remember that people-pleasing won’t always serve you. If that’s something you struggle with, don’t miss this episode.


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

What do you say when a client asks you for your resources? Their questions might sound something like this:


“Where did you get the bar stools for my kitchen? My friend wants to buy them!”


“What’s the number of your painter? I need to get my daughter’s bedroom painted!”


Take a deep breath and remember they’re not trying to steal from you, they just don’t understand how your business works or how to ask for what they need. The good news is, you can educate them on that and you’ll probably end up with more business. Everyone wins! 


In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m teaching you what to say to clients who ask you to share your resources. It’s actually really simple when you know how to handle it properly—let me help! 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How to clearly and calmly answer a question about your resources 
• Things about resources  to include in your letter of agreement 
• The importance of having clear agreements with your contractors and subcontractors

Tune in to learn an easy way to handle clients asking for your resources!


I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!


Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.