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

What if your entire business was built around truly prioritizing the client?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Aashita Chadha, who shares how she transformed frustration with poor industry practices into a design firm centered on exceptional client experience.

From communication to transparency, this conversation highlights how putting clients first can differentiate your business and create more enjoyable, successful projects.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How empathy improves the client experience and project outcomes

- Why proactive communication builds trust and reduces stress

- How keeping clients informed strengthens relationships

- Why answering questions before they’re asked sets you apart

- How storytelling can help clients trust your design decisions

- Why adapting your communication style leads to better results

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Great design doesn’t happen alone—it takes a strong, reliable team.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Michelle Burbidge to explore how interior designers can build and lead an A-Team of trades and suppliers. Because your ability to deliver exceptional results depends on the people you bring to the project—and how you manage them.

If you want smoother projects, better collaboration, and happier clients, this episode will show you how to lead your team effectively.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

-Why having a trusted team of trades is essential for project success

- How the BOD™ 15 supports large, complex projects

- Why buying power strengthens your vendor relationships

- How treating trades as advisors improves collaboration

- Why listening builds stronger, more productive partnerships

- How to earn respect by asking for expert input

- Ways to build relationships beyond the job site

- Why recognizing and crediting your team leads to better results

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Hiring the right person can make—or break—your interior design business.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by recruitment expert Jessica Harling to break down how to hire with confidence. Because finding great talent isn’t luck—it’s the result of a clear, repeatable process.

If you’ve ever rushed a hire or struggled to find the right fit, this episode will help you build a smarter approach.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why hiring is a skill—and requires a structured process

- Why friends should go through the same hiring process as everyone else

- How a clear job description leads to better candidates

- Why hiring for tasks you dislike improves efficiency

- The importance of always recruiting—even when you’re not hiring

- How proper onboarding sets employees up for success

- Why a multi-step hiring process leads to better long-term results

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Want to grow your interior design business—and your personal wealth?

It starts with understanding your numbers.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by financial expert Audrey Faust to break down how designers can use financial data to make smarter decisions, reduce debt, and build long-term wealth.

Because profitability isn’t just about revenue—it’s about what you keep and how you grow it.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to calculate your net worth and why it matters

- When to pay off debt using the 7% rule

- Why mutual funds can be a smart starting point for investing

- The #1 reason most people don’t build wealth

- How consistent saving—even small amounts—adds up over time

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Can the way you design a space impact your client’s wellbeing—and even their success?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Patricia Lohan to explore how Feng Shui can be applied in modern interior design. This ancient practice focuses on harmonizing energy within a space to promote balance, wellbeing, and prosperity.

If you’re looking to add deeper meaning and impact to your designs, this episode introduces practical ways to incorporate Feng Shui into your projects.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- What Feng Shui is and how it works in interior design

- How to design bedrooms that support better sleep and relationships

- How artwork influences the energy of a space

- Why stagnant energy can block progress and success

- Simple ways to create more balanced, intentional interiors

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you busy all day—but still not moving your interior design business forward?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Robin Wycherley to explore how interior designers can take control of their time, increase focus, and intentionally design a business that supports both profit and personal goals.

By auditing past projects and understanding where your time and attention actually go, you can uncover what’s holding you back—and start making decisions that align with the business you truly want to build.

If you’re feeling scattered, overworked, or stuck in reactive mode, this episode will help you regain control and move forward with clarity.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why self-awareness is critical to growing a successful interior design business

- How auditing past projects reveals where your time (and profit) is really going

- The hidden cost of lack of focus in your day-to-day work

- How to block time to work on your business—not just in it

- Why short, focused time blocks (like 9 minutes) can increase productivity

- How to confidently say no to distractions that derail your goals

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Struggling to clearly explain what you do—and why it matters to your ideal client?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Ericka Saurit for part two of this conversation on refining your brand story as an interior designer. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to articulate your value, this episode will help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Great design isn’t enough—clients need to feel understood, connected, and confident in your expertise. Learn how to craft a compelling brand narrative that speaks directly to the emotional reasons clients choose to hire you.

If you want to attract better clients and position your interior design business more effectively, this episode is essential listening.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why emotional connection is key to winning interior design clients

- How to tap into the deeper reasons clients renovate or decorate

- What clients really want: to feel seen, heard, and understood

- How brand perception is shaped by feelings—not just services

- The “3 Es” framework for creating clear, compelling brand messaging

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you struggling to explain your value in a way that truly connects with clients?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Ericka Saurit for part one of a two-part series on crafting a powerful brand story for your interior design business. Because no matter how beautiful your work is, if you can’t clearly communicate your value, you risk being overlooked.

In today’s competitive market, words matter more than ever—even in a highly visual industry like interior design. Learn how to create a brand narrative that resonates, differentiates your business, and makes you memorable to the right clients.

If you want your brand to stand out and attract ideal clients, this episode will show you where to start.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why storytelling makes your interior design brand more memorable

- Why your words matter just as much as your visuals

- The key components of a compelling, unforgettable brand story

- A mindset shift that makes writing your brand message easier

- Where to begin when creating your brand narrative

- Why a brand is built on feelings—not just services

- The “3 Es” of effective brand copy

- Common “buzz killer” phrases (like “full-service design”) to avoid

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What can three real project emails teach you about running a better interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon randomly selects three emails from her inbox and shares what they reveal about project management, client communication, and decision-making in an active design firm.

From high-stakes requests to trade updates and important details hiding in plain sight, this episode is a practical reminder that strong communication systems are essential to profitable, professional interior design work.

If you want to manage projects with more clarity and fewer surprises, this episode will help you sharpen how you read, respond, and communicate.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why project emails often contain high-stakes requests for decisions

- How to use trade updates as the basis for client communication

- Why reading every email twice can help prevent costly mistakes

- How small details can impact timelines, budgets, and client trust

- Why strong communication habits support a more professional design business

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you doing more work than you’re paid for—and calling it “good service”?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Melissa Morris to tackle one of the most common profitability problems in interior design: overdelivering. What often starts as a desire to exceed expectations can quickly turn into unpaid work, scope creep, and burnout.

The root issue isn’t generosity—it’s a lack of clearly defined scope and boundaries. Learn how to protect your time, maintain control of your projects, and run a more profitable design business without sacrificing client satisfaction.

If you’re feeling overworked and underpaid, this episode will help you reset your approach.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How unclear scope leads to overwork, overwhelm, and lost profit

- Why perfectionism often drives overdelivering in design projects

- How to clearly define scope of work to protect your time and margins

- Why the first out-of-scope request is the moment to set boundaries

- How following a process prevents leadership bottlenecks

- Why time tracking is essential for understanding and improving profitability

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com