Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming.
That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design.
We’ll answer questions like:
How do I get more interior design clients?
What should I charge for interior design services?
What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers?
How can I grow my interior design business?
How do I build a brand as an interior designer?
How can I scale my interior design business?
What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business?
How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm?
Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business?
This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out.
If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place.
Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.
Episodes
112 episodes
110. What I’d Fix First If I Took Over Your Interior Design Business Today
In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what I would fix first if I stepped into your interior design business and helped you scale to seven figures. And here’s the truth most people won’t tell you—you don’t need to work more, take on ...
109. Lessons from High Point Market: How Interior Designers Actually Attract Better Clients
In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with designers at High Point Market—and it’s one I couldn’t wait to bring to you here because it hits on something so many of you are experiencing right now.If you’ve been saying...
108. Scaling an Interior Design Business Takes More Than Bigger Goals
In this episode, I’m unpacking something I see all the time in design businesses—and it might surprise you. It’s not that you need to think bigger. It’s that your business may not be built to support the growth you say you want.I know ho...
Ep. 107 The Smarter Way Interior Designers Increase Profit (Without More Clients or Higher Prices)
In this episode, I’m joined by Heather McManus, founder of The Designers Collaborative, and we’re diving into a conversation that challenges what most designers believe about profitability. Because if you’ve been told the only way to make more ...
106. The Hiring Mistake Keeping Interior Designers Overworked
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin and thinking, “I just need to hire another designer,” this episode might shift everything for you. I’m breaking down why hiring an assistant designer is often not the solution you think it is—and what’s act...
105. Why You Don’t Have a Million-Dollar Interior Design Business Yet
If you’ve ever thought, “I want more in my business, but I don’t know if I can handle more,” this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down one of the biggest reasons interior designers struggle to scale—and it’s not your talent or your work ...
104. Why Being Busy Isn’t Growing Your Interior Design Business
If you feel busy all day but your interior design business still isn’t growing, this episode is going to hit home. I’m breaking down why constant hustle isn’t the problem—and why your business might actually be designed to keep you stuck.
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103. Why Your Interior Design Projects Keep Going Over Budget
Have you ever wrapped up a project and thought… how did we get here again?You started with a clear vision, a solid plan, and a client who seemed aligned. But somewhere between the mood board and install day, the budget unraveled. Now the...
102. Why Interior Design Clients Keep Changing Their Minds (And How to Fix It)
Have you ever had a client approve everything… only to start unraveling the design a few days later?One change turns into five. The sofa shifts, then the rug feels off, then suddenly the entire room is back on the table. Your timeline ge...
101. Scaling an Interior Design Business Beyond Referrals
Referrals feel incredible as an interior designer. They’re proof your clients love your work and your reputation is strong. But there’s something most designers don’t realize—referrals alone are not a growth strategy.In this episode, I’m...
100. 100 Episodes Later: The Real Reason Interior Designers Feel Stuck
After 100 episodes of Success by Design, there are a few patterns I simply can’t ignore anymore.They’ve shown up in coaching calls, DMs, and quiet conversations after the mic turns off. And if you’re building an interior design ...
99. Why High Demand Doesn’t Mean You’re Ready to Scale Your Interior Design Business
If you’re booked out, have steady inquiries, and your revenue looks solid — but you still feel capped — this episode is for you. High demand does not automatically mean you’re ready to scale your interior design business. If you can’t take on m...
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98. Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY Business Advice as an Interior Designer
If you’re running a multiple six-figure interior design firm and finding that the business advice you used to love now feels surface-level, this episode is for you. DIY business advice isn’t bad. In fact, it’s incredibly helpful when you’re bui...
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97. Why Raising Your Rates Didn’t Give You More Freedom (And What Actually Will)
You raised your rates.You updated your website.You had the uncomfortable conversations.And you thought, This is it. This is the turning point.But you’re still working just as much. Maybe more.If that’s you,...
96. Why Your Team Keeps Asking You the Same Questions (And How to Fix It as a Leader)
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I swear I’ve already answered this,” while a team member pings you yet again, this episode is for you.Today, I’m unpacking one of the most exhausting leadership moments I see with designe...
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95. Why Your Interior Design Business Feels Heavier as It Grows (Even With More Revenue)
If you’ve ever looked at your business and thought, “Why did this feel easier when I was making less money?”—this episode is for you.Today, I’m talking directly to designers who are doing “everything right” on paper. The revenue...
94. How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Interior Design Business
Choosing a coach is a big decision—especially when your business is already successful, but something still feels heavy. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what coaching should (and shouldn’t) look like for interior designers. I s...
93. Why Indecision Is Holding Your Design Business Back (And How to Take Confident Action)
If you feel stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by options, or frozen because you’re afraid of making the wrong move in your design business, this episode is for you.In this conversation, I’m talking directly to designers who are waiting fo...
92. A Pep Talk For Interior Design Business Owners Who Want to Win In 2026
As we step into 2026, I wanted to record this episode before you opened your inbox, before you looked at last year’s numbers, and before you started telling yourself stories about what this year needs to be. This is your 2026 pep talk. Because ...
91. Lessons From Our Big Mistakes w/ Michelle Lynne
As this year comes to a close, I wanted to have a very honest conversation—one rooted in experience, not perfection. In this episode, I’m reflecting (with another seasoned firm owner- Michelle Lynne) on the mistakes we’ve made, the lessons we l...
90. Top Questions Every Designer Has About Growing Their Business - And My Answers
Today’s episode is one I’ve been wanting to record for a long time because it’s built entirely around the questions I hear every single week as a business coach. These are the questions that come up in strategy calls, Voxer messages, office...
89. Your 2025 Interior Design Business Audit
If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, this episode is where that shift begins. Today, I’m walking you step-by-step through the 2025 Business Audit Worksheet and showing you how to look at last year honestly — without judgment,...
88. Turn Your 2026 Vision Into a Design Business That Actually Works
Welcome back, designers! This is Part 2 of The Design Business Growth Blueprint, and today we’re shifting from the hard-number reality of Part 1 into something just as important - building your 2026 strategy like a true CEO. Not ...
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87: Your Business Reality Check Starts Here
In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the work most designers avoid: facing the truth about what actually happened inside your business this year. Before we can build your 2026 vision (that...
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86. What Are You Waiting For? How to Break Through Overwhelm and Actually Move Your Design Business Forward
In today’s episode, I’m getting real with you — lovingly calling you out and calling you up. If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, waiting for the “right time,” or drowning in overwhelm while nothing truly moves your business forw...
