Business of Design® Podcast | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

What does it really take to run a successful interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon introduces Run Your Business, her latest book and a comprehensive playbook for interior designers ready to move from overwhelm to control. Drawing on years of experience, Kimberley shares the foundational systems, strategies, and mindset shifts required to build a business that is both profitable and sustainable.

This episode is a high-level roadmap for designers who want more than just great projects—they want a business that works.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- What’s inside Run Your Business and how to apply it to your design firm

- Why your money mindset impacts every decision you make

- How systems create consistency, confidence, and expertise

- The difference between hourly and flat fee pricing—and how to choose

- Why a standardized interior design contract is essential for success

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Procurement is one of the most overlooked—and most profitable—parts of an interior design business.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explores how designers can take control of procurement to increase profits, improve client service, and streamline operations. Featuring insights from Daniel House Club, this conversation highlights how the right partners can simplify a complex process without sacrificing margin.

If you’ve been avoiding procurement or relying on retail, this episode will show you how to approach it strategically—and why it’s essential to running a profitable design firm.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why procurement is key to increasing profitability in your design business

- How to leverage trusted partners instead of doing everything yourself

- Why service—not just pricing—should guide your vendor relationships

- How to stay focused on your core strengths while managing operations

- Why in-person relationships still matter in a digital-first world

- How to stay open to new systems and opportunities that improve efficiency

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Is attending High Point Market worth the investment for your interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Tammy Covington Nagem, CEO of High Point Market Authority, to break down how designers can maximize their return on investment. From sourcing products to building relationships and expanding knowledge, Tammy introduces the “three-legged stool” of ROI: products, education, and networking.

If you’re planning to attend High Point Market—or wondering if you should—this episode will help you approach it strategically so you get real business results, not just inspiration.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to maximize ROI from High Point Market as an interior designer

- Why planning ahead is critical to making the most of your visit

- How to use exhibitor profiles to book showroom appointments

- What educational and networking events are worth attending

- How the MyMarket app helps you organize your schedule efficiently

- Why travel planning support can simplify your entire experience

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What if great design went beyond how a space looks—and focused on how it feels?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by interior designer Marie Cloud to explore how holistic interior design can elevate your work and deepen client satisfaction. By engaging all five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—you can create spaces that are not only beautiful, but emotionally impactful and memorable.

If you want to differentiate your design services and create experiences clients truly connect with, this episode will expand how you think about design.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to use sight (color, light, texture) to create visual harmony and mood

- How sound influences the rhythm and experience of a home

- Why tactile materials enhance connection through touch

- How scent can shape emotion and reinforce a space’s purpose

- Why incorporating small indulgences creates a more immersive client experience

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Struggling to turn marketing efforts into real, paying clients?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Vanessa McQuade to break down what actually works when it comes to interior design marketing. Because generating high-quality leads isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things, tracking results, and working strategically with the right partners.

From understanding your numbers to refining your niche, this conversation will help you move beyond guesswork and start making data-driven decisions that lead to real growth.

If you want better leads, stronger conversions, and measurable ROI from your marketing, this episode shows you where to focus.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why generic marketing fails—and how to create a unique market position

- The key metrics every interior designer should track (qualification rate, close rate, average sale, gross margin)

- Why niching down leads to stronger, more effective marketing

- How to track every lead back to its source—and measure true ROI

- How to evaluate your marketing performance against industry benchmarks

- The essential questions to ask before hiring a marketing partner

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Something went wrong on your project?

Of course it did.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon tackles one of the most frustrating—but inevitable—parts of running an interior design business: deficiencies. From errors and omissions to damaged goods and miscommunications, problems are not the exception—they’re part of the process.

The key isn’t avoiding them entirely (you can’t). It’s learning how to manage them professionally, protect your time, and maintain client trust.

If you’ve ever felt thrown off by project issues or worried about mistakes damaging your reputation, this episode will help you stay grounded and in control.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why deficiencies are guaranteed in every interior design project

- Why most issues can’t be fully prevented—even with experience

- How strong systems help reduce and manage project mistakes

- Why staying proactive is the best way to handle deficiencies

- How to protect your time, energy, and client relationships when things go wrong

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Standing out in interior design isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more you.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Kelly Collier-Clark, a designer known for her bold use of wall coverings and her unapologetically authentic voice. Together, they explore how taking creative risks, defining a niche, and showing up consistently can help you build a recognizable and profitable design business.

From overlooked spaces like powder rooms and bedrooms to the power of personal branding, this conversation is a reminder that your uniqueness is your biggest asset.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How bold design choices (like wall coverings and paint) can elevate your projects

- Why specializing in a niche can increase visibility and demand

- How focusing on overlooked spaces can set your work apart

- Why authenticity is key to building a strong personal brand

- How showing up consistently helps grow your interior design business

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What if not having all the answers is actually part of building a successful interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Sarah Von Dreele to talk about the reality of growth—how to move forward when the path isn’t clear, and why trusting the process is essential for long-term success.

From building strong relationships to creating space for creative thinking, this conversation explores how designers can balance day-to-day demands with bigger-picture vision.

If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your next step—or like you’re moving backwards—this episode will help you reframe that experience and keep going with confidence.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why building relationships and having real conversations fuels growth

- The importance of trusted advisors—both formal and informal

- Why feeling stuck or “off track” is part of the process

- How creating mental space supports better creative decisions

- Why stepping away from work helps you recharge and refocus

- How therapists, coaches, and mentors support long-term success

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Feeling overwhelmed in your interior design business?

In this episode, Cheryl Horne is joined by Danae Branson to break down how outsourcing can help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and grow your business more efficiently. From deciding what to delegate to finding the right support, this conversation will help you stop doing everything yourself—and start focusing on what actually drives revenue.

If you’ve ever wished for an assistant to “do it all,” this episode will show you where to start.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to identify which tasks to outsource first

- Why the work you avoid is often the best place to start

- How hiring experts improves efficiency and results

- Why time-consuming tasks should be delegated early

- Which billable tasks (CAD, 3D rendering, sourcing, procurement, client communication) can be outsourced effectively

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Struggling with a scarcity mindset or afraid to charge what you’re worth?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon reconnects with former Style at Home editor Angela Lawrence, who now calls herself a “money warrior.” Together, they explore how shifting your money mindset can transform not just your finances—but your confidence and decision-making as a business owner.

If you’ve ever hesitated to raise your fees, avoided financial conversations, or felt unsure about managing money, this episode will help you take control.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to understand what your money is actually doing for you

- Why you need to ask how your financial advisors are compensated

- How improving financial literacy builds confidence and control

- Why shifting your money mindset impacts your business growth

Ready to build an interior design business that supports your talent?

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com