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
82 episodes
80: Building a Resilient Design Business - Even When the Economy Isn’t (Part 3 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Welcome back to Success by Design! I’m wrapping up our three-part series, Your Interior Designer Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty, with one of the most important conversations we can have right now — how to build a ...
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25:53
79: Creating Demand in a Slow Market (Part 2 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Hey designers — welcome back to Success by Design! I’m Katie Decker Erickson, and this week we’re diving into part two of our three-part series, Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty. In this episode, I’m breaking ...
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19:11
78: Pricing with Confidence in a Shaky Economy (Part 1 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Welcome to Success by Design! I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series called The Interior Designer’s Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty. Let’s be honest—the economy feels weird right now. Clients are cautiou...
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19:41
77: The 2025 State of the Design Industry (And What You Need to Do About It)
Hey designers, it’s Katie Decker Erickson, and today I’m giving you something totally different — no fluff, no hype, and no sugarcoating. This is your five-minute State of the Industry for interior designers, and a heart-to-heart about...
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3:43
76: From Overwhelmed to Scaled: How My Client Shannon Grew Her Interior Design Business
Scaling an interior design business isn’t just about hustling harder—it’s about systems, boundaries, leadership, and strategic support. In this episode, I sit down with my client Shannon to share her journey from feeling overwhelmed to conf...
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27:51
75: Interior Design Debriefs: The 20-Minute Profit Booster
In this week’s episode, to wrap up our Project to Profit Series, I'm getting real about the one step most designers skip that could save you hours, protect your margins, and stop you from repeating the same costly mistakes project afte...
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14:02
74: The Secret to More Interior Design Referrals
What if one happy client didn’t just mean a beautiful portfolio photo — but also became the gateway to three more dream projects? That’s the power of a referral strategy for designers that actually works.In this episode, I'm sharing why ...
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19:38
73: Scope Creep Solutions for Profitable Interior Design
Scope creep: two little words that can drain your profits, stretch your timeline, and zap your energy if left unchecked. But here’s the twist—done right, scope creep can actually fuel your profit margins and strengthen client relations...
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17:40
72: Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & Clients
Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.In this episode,...
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14:21
71: The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design Services
If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior...
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11:25
70: How to Turn Consultations Into Paid Opportunities
This week, we’re kicking off a six-part series I’m calling "Turning Projects into Profit." As designers, we pour our hearts into projects that photograph beautifully, but sometimes those same projects barely move the financial needle. I know th...
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13:25
69: Design Heals: The Secret Sauce Top Designers Are Using to Charge More
What every designer needs to know about neuroaesthetics, biophilia, and charging what you're worth. In this episode of Success by Design, I'm sitting down with Mike Peterson, founder of Science in Design, to explore how neu...
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30:47
68: Vegas Market 2025: Bold Interior Design Trends and Statement Décor
What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas — especially when Success by Design gets the inside scoop from the market floor. In this week’s can’t-miss episode, Katie sits down with Diana Ruston on her team and fresh off the plane
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22:01
67: Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]
Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry...
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41:36
66: 7 Strategies to Attract Interior Design Clients Without Spending a Dime
What if the answer isn’t more ads, more hustle, or more burnout?In this week’s episode of Success by Design, I drop 7 zero-cost, high-impact strategies to attract interior design clients without spending a dime. ...
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14:02
65: Interior Design Business Tips to Thrive During Slowdowns
As an interior designer, you pour passion, creativity, and dedication into your business every single day. But what happens when the market slows, projects stall, or uncertainty creeps in? It’s not about if—it’s about when. But here's the good ...
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12:18
64: Wondering If Coaching Is Worth It? Rachel Says Yes—Here’s Why
Discover how Rachel Ogburn boldly transitioned from real estate to interior design, harnessing clarity, courage, and confidence to build a thriving and fulfilling business.In this episode, Rachel candidly reveals how she overcame deep-se...
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22:42
63: Designers, Step Away! How Strategic Breaks Unlock Your Full Potential
Want to boost your creativity, skyrocket your productivity, and reignite your passion for design? It might be time to step away.In this episode, I'm revealing why intentional, strategic rest isn't just nice—it's essential for interior de...
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15:35
62: Know Your Numbers: Cash Flow, Taxes & Accounting for Interior Designers
Ever wonder why some interior design firms seem to glide through the ups and downs of business effortlessly, while others always seem stressed about finances? I've learned the key difference is simple but powerful—knowing your numbers.
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19:48
61: Inside Out Interiors: Core Strategies for Designers
Ever feel like your interior design business runs you, instead of you running it? You're not alone. But what if the secret to effortless growth, standout projects, and loyal clients isn’t found in the latest trends or marketing hacks, but withi...
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21:53
60: Design DNA: Unlock Your Firm’s True Potential
Every interior designer has a unique “genetic code”—their style, values, and creative philosophy. But are you consciously tapping into yours to truly stand out and attract your ideal clients?In this episode, we’re diving deep into how yo...
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16:09
59: Building a Future-Proof Interior Design Business
In an industry constantly evolving with trends, technology, and shifting client expectations, building an interior design business that's both creatively inspiring and strategically sound has never been more critical. But how exactly do you cre...
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16:52
58: Beyond the Blueprint: Scaling Your Interior Design Business with Soul
Interior design is more than stunning blueprints, curated Pinterest boards, and beautifully staged reveals. True design excellence—and sustainable business success—begins when we move beyond surface-level planning and dive deeper into our purpo...
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17:46
57: Attracting Luxury Interior Design Clients w/ John McClain
Ever wondered how to attract seven-figure interior design clients? In this episode, I sit down with the talented John McClain, known for mastering high-value, luxury projects. This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
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42:09
56: Unlock the Secret to Packaging and Pricing Your Design Services for High-End Clients
Have you ever felt unsure how to structure your design packages or nervous about raising your prices, even when you know you're worth it? You’re not alone.Katie is exploring exactly how to craft irresistible, premium design packages tail...
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29:23
