In this episode, I reveal why knowing your strengths and building the right support team is essential for a sustainable design business. Learn how to identify which tasks drain your energy, determine what type of support to hire first, and make the mindset shift from doing everything yourself to leading a team that complements your unique abilities. Plus, discover why "Control Freak" isn't a personality type—it's just a sign you haven't found the right support yet.

Hope you enjoy the episode

Beth xx

When you know your strengths, you unlock the ability to work more efficiently, enjoy your work more, make better decisions, and grow your business beyond just you.

Not knowing your strengths leads to burnout. You end up trying to wear all the hats—bookkeeper, graphic designer, marketing strategist, admin fairy, tech support, and somehow still deliver amazing design work. It's exhausting and frankly, it's not sustainable.

To identify your strengths, ask yourself:
• What tasks light you up and feel easy?
• What do clients rave about when they work with you?
• Where do you consistently over-deliver?
• What do you lose track of time doing?

Conversely, identify what drains you:
• What do you procrastinate on for weeks?
• What tasks do you consistently think "I should have figured this out by now"?

Your zone of genius isn't just about what you're good at—it's about what energizes you.

The things that energize you, that's your zone of genius. That's where you belong. Everything else, that's where your support team comes in.

Different designers need different support, but these roles are common in successful design businesses:

• Sending invoices and following up
• Managing emails and calendar
• Handling onboarding steps
• Following up on proposals

You shouldn't be sending out your own invoices and chasing them two weeks later. This one is best for designers who get stuck in the admin weeds and want to free up time to focus on client and creative work.

Unless you love numbers, this one really is a non-negotiable. A good bookkeeper will keep you on track and make you feel less anxious when you open up Xero or QuickBooks.

This support is ideal for designers who avoid looking at their P&L or don't even have one.

If showing up on Instagram, writing captions, or sending newsletters feels like pulling teeth, this might be your priority hire.

Even a few hours a month from a marketing VA or copywriter can keep your studio visible and consistent. This one's really good for designers who know marketing matters but never make time for it.

For designers whose business feels held together with DMs, spreadsheets, and hope, systems support can be transformative.

This one is close to my heart because you know how much I love a good process. This one is great for designers who want to scale, but feel like chaos is holding them back.

When you're booked out and the next level isn't more hours but more help, bringing on design support makes sense.

Even just starting with one to two days a week from someone junior who can take drafting, sourcing, or supply communication off your plate. This one is best for designers who want to keep growing without dropping the ball.

You don't need to hire all these roles at once.

• Start with the hire that will give you the most energy or time back
• Ask yourself what would immediately take weight off your shoulders
• Consider what you would do with that freed-up time
• Look within your current network for freelancers or part-time support

Support doesn't always mean full-time or even part-time.

Being a great business owner isn't about being a hero who does everything. It's about being a leader who knows where they shine and gets the right people around them to do the rest.

This episode is essential for interior designers who are feeling overwhelmed by wearing all the hats in their business and ready to build a support team that allows them to focus on their zone of genius.

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a  HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.

I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.