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.
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
100. 100 Episodes Later: The Real Reason Interior Designers Feel Stuck
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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 firm right now — especially one you want to sustain you long-term — this episode is going to feel personal.
Here’s what I know for sure: your problem is not your design talent.
I have never sat across from a designer and thought the issue was creativity. Your portfolios are strong. Your instincts are sharp. The demand is often there.
What’s missing is structure.
In this episode, I talk about why so many interior designers obsess over the creative process but build their businesses reactively. No clear delegation structure. No documented client journey. No financial model built for seasons of expansion and contraction. And when that foundation is missing, even growing revenue can feel heavy.
Because revenue growth is not the same thing as a healthy, scalable design firm.
We also unpack one of the biggest bottlenecks I see: the founder. If every decision runs through you, if every fire escalates to you, if you can’t step away without things wobbling, that’s not a talent problem — it’s a leadership design problem.
And here’s another pattern: the designers who scale sustainably make decisions earlier. They redesign before burnout forces them to. They build structure before chaos multiplies.
After 100 episodes, this is what I can’t ignore: talent is abundant, but intentional business design is rare.
If you’ve felt stuck even though your work is beautiful and your inquiries are steady, this episode will help you see why.
Because your business should be working for you — not the other way around.
Connect with Katie
LinkedIn
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
Website
