Kimberley contemplates a tattoo for the new year, while sharing wisdom from the season’s best podcasts. 

In this episode we learn:

1. systems don’t complicate your life, they remove friction

2. no is a complete sentence

3. let me look into that

4. design with intention, not just for attention

5. is this an insurmountable problem

6. when you are speaking to everyone, you are speaking to no one

7. the client’s wish list never aligns with the client’s budget

8. beware of toxic positivity

9. never be more concerned about your client’s money than you are about your own

10. feel awkward for 15 seconds, and see what the client says

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/membership

At High Point Market, in partnership with Daniel House Club and Sunpan, Kimberley talks to designers about growing your relationship and profitability with key vendors. They are an extension of your brand.

In this episode we learn:

- Work less, by relying on the expertise of key vendors.

- Grow profitability by working in harmony with vendors.

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/membership

At High Point Market, in partnership with Daniel House Club and Four Hands, Kimberley talks to designers about why you should ignore the client's budget, and specify better products.

In this episode we learn:

- Build your brand and wow your clients.

- Propose the best option, not the least expensive one.

- Go beyond the brief. Sometimes clients don’t know what they need.

A thoughtfully designed home can not only improve aesthetics, but it can actually facilitate a more peaceful and healing environment. Designer Sara Robinson learned this lesson in a dramatic way, after receiving her own breast cancer diagnosis. If everyone functions better when design is improved, the challenge for interior design professionals is to create the right balance regardless of style or aesthetic.

In this episode we learn:

-how to apply Motion + Emotion = Experience, a theory that blends a patient’s need to feel trust and calm with the staff’s need for things to move smoothly

- when balance is right, we are in a better state of mind to heal

- applying lean principles of studying a process, finding what is wasteful and eliminating the waste to make things much more efficient

- how design supports efficiency and the human experience

- reframing approaches to mundane spaces

- post-occupancy evaluation and utilizing feedback to inform your next design

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/membership/

Let’s talk strategy. Today’s guest, Casey Chastain, helps design and architecture firms align marketing and business development with their core business objectives. By identifying growth opportunities, streamlining bid processes, and ensuring all teams are connected to the firm’s overall strategy, design firms can unlock untapped growth potential.

In this episode we learn:

- lowering your price does not necessarily lead to more clients

- clients will hire you when they see value

- develop a clear value proposition for marketing and business development

- make sure new ideas align with overall business goals

- implement reporting tools that show how marketing and business development efforts contribute to revenue

- communicate goals with your team

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Sure, as interior design professionals we make homes look beautiful. However, to be truly successful and create clients for life, we have to dig deeper. Interior designer Kate Marker says she likes to tap into the feeling or mood her clients are hoping to live with, in order to satisfy their deepest needs. She does that by asking strategic questions and actively listening, so she can build meaningful relationships that last and last.

In this episode we learn:

- it takes time to know your clients and then tailor your designs to reflect their unique personalities

- keeping the lines of communication open is critical, so build in regular updates and check-ins

- listen actively to your clients' concerns and desires and let them know you hear them

- foster collaboration but don’t be afraid to be the expert and make strong recommendations

- we build trust through transparency

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Art provides a home with soul, infusing it with the client’s personality. Yet too many design professionals don’t make art selections on behalf of their clients. It’s not nearly as complicated to choose art as you might think. In this episode, we’ll talk about ways to bring more artwork into the lives of your clients.

In this episode we learn:

- art can be a piece you inherited, a painting you found at an antique store, a fun pottery collection, a textile from a trip (that could be a quilt, tapestry, or rug), kids’ art, etc.

- galleries can be intimidating, but flea markets, vintage shops, art fairs, and online art - resources can have amazing, meaningful pieces

- to create a color palette for a home, start with the art

- don’t worry about “matching” the artwork, opt for finding pieces that set the right mood

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Can becoming a regular TV contributor on local networks impact your business? Absolutely, says interior design professional Hellen Austen. Here’s what you need to know to get yourself on TV and create a lasting impression that translates into clients.

In this episode we learn:

- get on a local show

- you might have to pay for the opportunity

- when on air, speak directly to your ideal client

- being on tv isn’t glamorous but it does increase your name recognition

- don’t be afraid to cold call the networks

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Join Kimberley and Team BOD™ at High Point Market for a rehearsal of 20/20 Vision, Be the Expert. Yes, you can run a wildly successful and profitable business. It’s easier today than it’s ever been. In this episode, you’ll get a sneak peek at the 20 systems Kimberley shared to celebrate 20 years of Business of Design®.

You’ll learn what it takes to be the expert and how that benefits your clients. You’ll hear systems and strategies to implement, and the motivation required to boost yourself to the next level. If you weren’t able to join us live at High Point Market, here is your chance to be part of the celebration.

If you could wave a magic wand and go back in time, who would you add to your team first? A bookkeeper, like our guests today? A sales agent, like Kimberley? An assistant? An office manager? The choices are vast. Here’s what to think about as you build your team.

In this episode we learn:

- know the strengths and weaknesses of your employees and then build around their style of working

- assume the best of your employee, but look for opportunities to verify results

- create boundaries and expectations that are clearly defined

- allow failure to be part of your cost of doing business

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.

Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.

https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast