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
119 episodes
117. The Trade-Offs No One Talks About When Growing a Design Firm
Growing your business should feel exciting—but if you've ever wondered why success suddenly feels heavier, this episode is for you.One of the biggest misconceptions in the design industry is that growth automatically creates more freedom...
116. Booked Out, Busy, and Still Not Profitable Enough?
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...
115. A Profitable Design Business Is Not the Same as a Scalable Design Firm
One of the biggest misconceptions I see in the interior design industry is the belief that profitability automatically means your business is healthy.It doesn't.You can have beautiful projects, happy clients, stro...
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114. Your Business Doesn’t Need You As Much As You Think It Does
What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your team, your workload, or your schedule?What if it's the fact that your business still depends on you for everything?In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest...
113. The Art Of The Principle: The Hard Conversations No One Talks About That Will Save Your Business
In this special joint episode of Success by Design and Design for the Creative Mind, Michelle Lynne and I kick off a new series called The Art of Being the Principal. We dive into what it really takes to lead a succes...
112. The Hidden Cost of Saying Yes to the Wrong Projects
What if the project draining your energy, your time, your profit, and your team was never actually the problem? What if the bigger issue is that you said yes to it in the first place?In this episode of Success by Design, I’m tal...
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111. The Decision That Will Either Grow or Stall Your Business This Year
If you’ve ever finished a project and immediately moved on to the next one, this episode is going to hit a nerve—in the best way.Because what if the thing keeping your business stuck isn’t your clients, your pricing, or your workload… bu...
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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...
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...
