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
57 episodes
55: Defining Your Ideal Interior Design Client
Ever wonder why some interior designers effortlessly attract dream clients, while others scramble just to stay busy? The answer might surprise you—it’s all about knowing exactly who your ideal client is and what they truly want.
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20:02
54: How Coaching Helped Zoe Master Pricing, Pivoting, and Hiring
Are you an interior designer wondering if coaching is right for you? Curious about taking your business from good to great—or perhaps from zero to thriving? Join Katie as she welcomes one of her coaching clients, Zoe Browne, to the podcast. Zoe...
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20:07
53: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trust for Interior Designers [The Table]
Are tariffs making you anxious? You're not alone. In this must-listen podcast episode of The Table, Katie is joined by industry heavy-hitters Laurie Laizure, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe to tackle the tariff turmoil head-on....
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39:33
52: Tariff Talk: Navigating the Hidden Costs Impacting Your Interior Design Clients
Think tariffs don’t affect you? Think again. On this episode of Success by Design, Mastering the Business of Interior Design, Katie breaks down exactly why interior designers must care about these seemingly distant policies—and how tarif...
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13:44
51: How Interior Designers Can Build Confidence and Set Boundaries
Ready to level up your confidence game and finally feel like the expert you already are? In this episode, I'm tackling the surprising psychology behind imposter syndrome, ditching the myth that giant leaps are the only way to build confidence, ...
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20:17
50: How Interior Designers Thrive (Not Just Survive!) Market Shifts
In this episode, Katie Decker-Erickson is bringing you actionable insights directly inspired by last week's powerful conversation with Rebecca Hay. Get ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity with strategies specifically tailored for in...
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8:10
49: Thrive During Economic Slowdowns- Proven Strategies & Mindset Shifts with Rebecca Hay
Feeling the squeeze of a market slowdown? You’re not alone. Interior designers everywhere are navigating shifting client expectations, tighter budgets, and the need to be more strategic than ever.We’re joined by celebrated designer Rebec...
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44:21
48: How Interior Designers Can Execute, Scale & Boost Profits
In this episode, we break down essential project management strategies to help interior The #1 mistake designers make that leads to project chaos—and how to avoid it.Ready to streamline your projects, increase efficiency, and maxi...
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8:18
47: The Only Woman on the Construction Site with Renée Biery
You’ve likely seen this scenario play out—a homeowner has an idea for their remodel, the GC calls it stupid, and while he has a point, the homeowner’s feelings are hurt and no one’s offered a viable solution. That is precisely where we come in....
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45:07
46: Proven Strategies to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients in 2025
In this episode, we’re diving into the marketing strategies you need to attract your ideal clients and scale your business in 2025. If marketing feels overwhelming, don’t worry—this episode breaks it into actionable steps t...
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8:53
45: Digital Marketing Strategy for Interior Designers with Jason Lockhart
For most interior designers, marketing is throwing noodles at the wall and seeing what sticks. A little Instagram here, a little TikTok there, and maybe some paid ads for good measure. But deep down, you know that’s not a great way to run a bus...
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44:07
44: Finances & Marketing for Interior Designers in 2025 [The Table]
As interior designers, we love being creative and bringing a client’s vision to life. Financials, budgets, and marketing strategies? Not so much. But our firms simply don’t exist without these key elements of business. Between the neve...
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42:06
43: 3 Steps to Building a Lasting Business Legacy
In this solo episode, we're honing in on what it takes to build a business legacy. That may sound like nailing jello to a wall, but there are specific, actionable steps you can take to make this happen!This isn’t just about scaling your ...
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15:29
42: Technology & Automation for Interior Design with Danny Marsh
Unless you’re a drafter, most of us in the interior design world loathe technology. But it’s a necessary part of the job when it comes to running a business. So… how can tech support the design process and in scaling a busines...
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38:17
41: Mindset Shifts to Scale Your Business Beyond 6-Figures with Laura Thornton
The mental gymnastics it takes to start a business is just… different from the mindset shifts it takes to scale a business to 6-figures and beyond. (Mindset plays a huge role in both personal and professional growth!) I’m thrilled to h...
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49:07
40: Thought Habits for Business Growth with Amy Kemp
Whether or not you’ve heard of thought habits, you’re most certainly familiar with the impact your self-talk has on your habits. But you may be surprised to hear just how impactful those thoughts of yours are on your business ...
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46:58
39: How to Sustainably Grow a Design Firm with Jeanne Collins
As an interior designer, there are a few business decisions that will critically impact your growth. Scaling your business to your lifestyle is an artform. It takes dedication, discipline, and determination. And Jeanne Collins knows this journe...
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37:59
38: 2025 Colors of the Year & Color Trends [Roundtable]
Welcome to one of our most anticipated conversations—the 2025 Color of the Year! Join color marketing experts from PPG, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore as they reveal their picks, what inspired the selections, what they’re noticing with de...
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41:02
37: The Future of Interior Design in 2025 [The Table]
Leaders in the interior design industry join me to discuss trends and predictions about the future—specifically 2025! You’ll hear from LuAnn Nigara, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe. They’re sharing what 2024 was like for thei...
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42:10
36: Fall ‘24 High Point Market Trends with Diana Rushton
‘Tis the season for the Fall High Point Market of 2024! We know you’re here for the tips, tricks, trends, and everything we learn at market every time we go. And this time is no different—except we’re switching things up a bit! Di norm...
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30:29
35: Creative Burnout & Inspiration with Jennifer Bertrand
Creative burnout hits even the best of us. And Jennifer Bertrand (that’s right, of HGTV’s ‘Design Star’) is here to share her story with us from not-the-right-fit clients to sources of inspiration to how she’s been able to sustain her current l...
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34:58
34: How to Scale Your Interior Design Business to 7-Figures
Finances, in general, are a scary thing. Finances in your business, well, they can be even scarier. So how do you get over that? And what are the key skills and habits that business owners need in order to break through and reach that ...
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25:43
33: How to Build & Design a Company Culture with Josh Dykstra
Even if you are a company of 1, it’s critical to think about the company culture you want to build! Which includes way more than just values and beliefs you post to your About page. But maybe you have questions like… how do you design a company...
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32:49
32: Art, Design, & Affordability [Roundtable]
For art to not remain an afterthought with interior and commercial designs, we must incorporate art into the conversation early. As designers, we have a unique ability to propel up-and-coming artists forward while also inspiring more c...
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53:33
31: How to Make Money as an Interior Designer with Laura Thornton
Whether your design firm is new or not, it’s high time you learn how to make money and run a profitable business! No more free consultations. No more asking for permission to raise your rates. And certainly no more burying your head in the sand...
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46:38
