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

Are fear and self-doubt holding you back from growing your interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Tina Ramchandani to explore the very real fears designers face—around pricing, marketing, client reactions, and decision-making—and how to move forward despite them.

Fear is part of the job, but reacting impulsively can lead to poor decisions and missed opportunities. Learn how to pause, gain perspective, and make more intentional choices that support long-term growth and profitability.

If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself or felt stuck in indecision, this episode will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why identifying big-picture goals helps guide better business decisions

- How fear (“false evidence appearing real”) can limit your growth

- Why trying something new can help you break out of stagnation

- The reality that design and business growth are never a straight line

- How to tune out external noise and trust your own intuition

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Have you ever considered growing your interior design business beyond traditional services?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Michelle and Brandon Burbidge to explore how expanding into a design-adjacent business—like custom lighting—can open new revenue streams and elevate your brand.

By leveraging their existing design expertise, Michelle and Brandon successfully launched a lighting manufacturing company that complements their core business. This conversation reveals what it takes to diversify your offerings while maintaining quality, process, and profitability.

If you’re looking for ways to scale your interior design business and stand out in a competitive market, this episode will expand your thinking.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How design-adjacent businesses can create new revenue opportunities

- Why custom lighting isn’t necessarily more expensive than retail options

- How strong systems and processes lead to better project opportunities

- Why incorporating custom elements can elevate your design work

- How to identify quality differences in materials that may look similar

- Why process is essential—no matter what type of business you run

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

How can interior designers create spaces that truly support clients through every stage of life?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Jennifer Bertrand—HGTV Design Star winner—to explore how interior designers can incorporate social responsibility into their work through accessible, inclusive design.

From aging in place to designing for clients with special needs, Jennifer shares how thoughtful design decisions can improve quality of life while also expanding your services and impact as a design professional.

If you want to design with greater purpose—and tap into a growing niche within the industry—this episode will open your eyes to new opportunities.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to leverage visibility (like TV exposure) into long-term business growth

- Why designing with circadian rhythms in mind supports better mental health

- Key features of accessible design, including zero-threshold entries and curbless showers

- How thoughtful kitchen design can improve functionality for wheelchair users

- Why voice-activated technology is shaping the future of interior design

- How to incorporate social responsibility into a profitable design business

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What separates interior designers who lead successful projects from those who feel constantly challenged?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Ekaterina Solomeina to explore the leadership mindset required to run a thriving interior design business. From managing clients and trades to guiding your team, strong leadership is the foundation of consistent, profitable results.

The good news? Leadership isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can develop. Learn how to adopt a growth mindset, build resilience, and operate from a more empowered, “above the line” perspective in your business.

If you want to lead with more confidence and clarity, this episode will show you how.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why leadership is essential for every interior design business owner

• How a growth mindset helps you adapt and move forward

• How to connect your work to a clear purpose and communicate it effectively

• Why resilience is critical to long-term success in design

• How to use emotions as feedback instead of labeling them good or bad

• What it means to operate “above the line” as a leader in your business

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Do you know which of your interior design projects are actually profitable?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Julia Nikishina to break down one of the most important metrics in your business: profit per project. Without clear visibility into your numbers, it’s impossible to make confident decisions about pricing, sourcing, or growth.

Whether you charge hourly or flat fees, understanding where your time and money go on each project will help you refine your process, improve margins, and build a more sustainable design business.

If you want to take control of your profitability, this episode is a must-listen.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why profit per project must be measured in both product and design time

• How time tracking validates (or challenges) your pricing structure

• Why every team member has a real cost that must be accounted for

• How to evaluate both fixed-fee and hourly projects for true profitability

• The importance of tracking billable and non-billable hours

• How understanding your numbers leads to smarter business decisions

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you undervaluing your work—and unintentionally limiting your business growth?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Andrea Liebross to explore how your beliefs about your worth directly impact your pricing, client relationships, and overall success as an interior designer.

When your value feels unclear, it shows up in hesitation, undercharging, and missed opportunities. Learn how to strengthen your mindset, communicate your value with confidence, and position your services for greater impact and profitability.

If you’ve ever questioned your pricing or struggled to stand behind your value, this episode will help you shift your perspective.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The three pillars that shape your belief in your worth

• Why interior designers are truly in the business of transformation

• How limiting your offerings can hold your clients (and business) back

• How to define your value through the transformation you create

• Why your client’s emotional and financial readiness matters

• The importance of pausing to reflect on wins and build confidence

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you constantly chasing your next project instead of confidently signing clients?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Cheryl Horne to break down how interior designers can build a consistent, reliable client pipeline that drives steady revenue and long-term business growth.

The most successful design businesses don’t wait for work to show up—they create systems that attract, nurture, and convert ideal clients on an ongoing basis. If your pipeline feels unpredictable, it’s time to shift from reactive to proactive.

If you want more consistency in your projects and income, this episode will show you how to build momentum.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why a well-managed pipeline leads to more consistent revenue

• How to attract a steady flow of potential interior design clients

• Marketing strategies to increase visibility and inquiries

• Why converting prospects into paying clients should be a core focus

• How an editorial calendar keeps your marketing consistent and effective

• Why inconsistent prospecting leads to inconsistent results

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Do you know how to respond confidently in the moment with clients?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Mairlyn Smith to explore how improv training can help interior designers think on their feet, communicate more effectively, and handle client interactions with greater ease.

From presentations to problem-solving on site, your ability to stay present and respond thoughtfully can shape the outcome of your projects. Improv offers practical tools to build confidence, reduce fear, and improve how you engage with clients in real time.

If you want to strengthen your communication skills and show up more confidently in every client interaction, this episode will help you do exactly that.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How improv training helps you think quickly and respond with confidence

• Why saying “yes” keeps conversations and opportunities moving forward

• How improv builds fearlessness in client and project situations

• Why listening—rather than anticipating—is key to better communication

• How staying present improves problem-solving and client relationships

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you treating lighting as an afterthought in your interior design projects?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Genevieve Wild to explore why intentional lighting design is essential to creating high-impact, professional interiors—and why leaving it to the electrician can compromise your entire vision.

Lighting has the power to transform a space, adding depth, mood, and character that even the most beautiful furnishings can’t achieve on their own. Learn how to approach lighting as a strategic part of your design process to elevate your work and deliver better results for your clients.

If you want your projects to feel complete, cohesive, and truly exceptional, this episode will change how you think about lighting.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why lighting is critical to the success of every interior design project

• How to create intentional lighting plans that enhance your designs

• Why you should never rely on electricians to design your lighting

• How to highlight key features instead of over-lighting a space

• Why simple, user-friendly lighting controls outperform complex systems

• How to use layered lighting to add depth, mood, and character

• The value of creating lighting scenes for different functions and atmospheres

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you attracting the right clients—or saying yes to the wrong ones?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Porsche Williams to explore how a structured client intake process can elevate your interior design business, improve client experience, and protect your time.

Your intake process is more than just a first conversation—it’s your opportunity to position your value, set expectations, and determine if a client is truly the right fit. When done well, it leads to better projects, smoother workflows, and stronger profitability.

If you want to refine your client experience and work with more ideal clients, this episode is a must-listen.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the principal designer shouldn’t handle initial client inquiries

• How outsourcing intake can elevate your brand and perceived value

• Common red flags to watch for during the client intake process

• Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones

• The importance of collecting consultation fees at the time of booking

• How a strong intake process improves client relationships and outcomes

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com