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
116. Booked Out, Busy, and Still Not Profitable Enough?
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Most interior designers think they have a revenue problem.
But what if the real issue isn't how much money is coming in?
What if it's how much money is quietly leaking out?
In this episode, Katie breaks down one of the biggest profitability challenges facing design firms today: hidden profit leaks.
From scope creep and revision loops to owner over-involvement and untracked labor, many designers are losing thousands of dollars without realizing it.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why revenue and profitability are not the same thing
• The hidden profit leaks affecting most design firms
• How scope creep impacts your bottom line
• Why tracking time still matters—even with flat fees
• The role owner dependency plays in profitability
• How to identify margin erosion before it becomes a bigger problem
• The CEO mindset shift that helps protect profit
If you've ever felt like your business should be more profitable than it is, this episode is for you.
Connect with Katie
LinkedIn
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
Website
