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

Are your interior design photos attracting the clients you actually want?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Robin Zachary to explore the art of styling interiors for photography and why beautifully styled images are essential for marketing your design business.

Designing a space and styling it for a photoshoot require different skill sets. Learn how professional styling can transform your portfolio, create emotional connection, and help your projects feel aspirational yet authentic.

If you want your interiors to stand out online and attract ideal clients, this episode will help you elevate your visual storytelling.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why styling is a specialized skill separate from interior design

• How stylists create a natural, lived-in look for photography

• Why realistic, relatable interiors create stronger visual impact

• The importance of photographing your best projects consistently

• How styled photography supports marketing and client attraction

• Why keeping a library of inspiration ideas improves future shoots

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

How do you keep moving forward when life and business become overwhelming?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Sarah Von Dreele to discuss resilience, perseverance, and the mindset required to navigate difficult seasons in business and life.

Through her own powerful story, Sarah shares how patience, practical decision-making, and steady forward movement can help interior designers overcome setbacks and emerge stronger on the other side.

If you’re facing challenges in your business—or simply need encouragement to keep going—this episode offers both perspective and practical guidance.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why growth and healing often come from facing challenges directly

• How facts and data lead to better business decisions

• Why patience and small, consistent steps create long-term success

• The importance of leaning on trusted experts for guidance

• How to focus spending on activities that generate revenue

• Why resilience is one of the most important skills for business owners

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

How do you rebuild your interior design business in a new city—without starting from scratch?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Christian Warren to discuss what it takes to restart and reposition your interior design business after a major life change.

After building a successful business in Memphis and relocating to Los Angeles, Christian faced the challenge of beginning again while maintaining the elevated brand positioning she had already worked hard to establish. This conversation is packed with insight for designers navigating transitions, relocations, or reinvention.

If you’re rebuilding, rebranding, or entering a new market, this episode will help you move forward strategically and confidently.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to restart your interior design business in a new location

• Why you shouldn’t abandon the expert positioning you’ve already earned

• Where to focus your marketing efforts for the greatest impact

• How to maximize every opportunity when rebuilding your network

• Why confidence and consistency matter during periods of transition

• How to maintain momentum while adapting to change

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you trying to appeal to everyone—and attracting no one?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Rachael Bozsik to explore how interior designers can strengthen their brand positioning by narrowing their focus and speaking directly to ideal clients.

By leveraging the “4 Ps”—positioning, press, paid speaking, and partnerships—you can build authority, increase visibility, and create a more consistent pipeline of the right projects.

If you’re ready to stop blending in and start becoming known for something specific, this episode will help you refine your message and elevate your brand.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why niching down helps attract better-fit interior design clients

• How strong positioning sets your business apart from competitors

• Why press and visibility strengthen your credibility

• The importance of consistency in branding and marketing

• How strategic partnerships can generate qualified leads

• Why clarity in your messaging leads to stronger business growth

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Do your internal systems support the client experience you promise?

In this episode, Cheryl Horne is joined by Janeen Laudenback to discuss the behind-the-scenes procedures that help interior design firms operate smoothly, consistently, and profitably.

While client-facing systems are essential, strong team-facing procedures are what keep projects organized and your business functioning efficiently. From communication standards to onboarding new hires, this episode explores the operational systems every growing design firm needs.

If you want to build a more scalable and organized interior design business, this episode is packed with practical guidance.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What team-facing procedures are and why they matter

• How internal systems support better project outcomes

• Why communication is the foundation of an efficient design firm

• When and how to introduce policies and procedures to your team

• How to create a smoother onboarding process for staff and contractors

• Why documented systems help your business grow more sustainably

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are your project profits disappearing because of small decisions that add up over time?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Daniel House Club to discuss how interior designers can better protect their profit margins through smarter vendor relationships, clear client communication, and stronger operational systems.

Profitability isn’t just about pricing—it’s about the decisions you make throughout every stage of a project. Learn how to prioritize efficiency, avoid costly mistakes, and create a smoother experience for both your clients and your business.

If you want to run a more profitable interior design firm, this episode will help you focus on the details that matter most.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why chasing small discounts can actually reduce profitability

• How transparency around pricing builds client trust

• Why professional receiving and installation protect your projects

• How clear communication improves the client experience

• Why strong vendor relationships are essential to maintaining margins

• How operational decisions directly impact your bottom line

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Can stronger systems actually make you more creative as an interior designer?

In this episode, Dane Austin hosts a conversation with Sashya Thind about the connection between structure, process, and creativity in a successful interior design business.

Many designers fear that systems will limit creativity, but the opposite is often true. When your workflow, scope, and communication are clearly defined, you create more space for innovation, better client experiences, and stronger project outcomes.

If you want to grow your business without sacrificing creativity, this episode will show you how process becomes your foundation for success.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why structured processes create more freedom for creativity

• How building the right team can make your business easier to manage

• The importance of clearly defining scope of work and expectations

• Why charging for consultations positions you as a professional

• How hybrid pricing models can support profitability

• Why involving all decision-makers early prevents future issues

• How stepping into the role of expert leads to better project results

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you hesitating to make the changes your business needs to grow?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Helen Austen to discuss how decisive action, stronger boundaries, and better systems can transform your interior design business.

After beginning her career as a professional organizer, Helen successfully transitioned into running a thriving design firm by making bold decisions quickly and confidently. From pricing and contracts to client management, this conversation is filled with practical insights for designers ready to level up.

If you know your business needs to change—but you’ve been afraid to make the leap—this episode will inspire you to move forward.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why organizing clients’ homes creates a unique level of trust and intimacy

• How your contract acts as a business partner and protects your profitability

• Why your current systems may be unintentionally training your clients poorly

• How raising your fees can elevate both your business and client experience

• The importance of making fast, confident decisions in business growth

• How community and mentorship accelerate transformation for design professionals

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are constant client and project decisions draining your energy and confidence?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Nika Kabiri to explore the science behind decision-making and how interior designers can reduce the mental exhaustion that comes from making hundreds of choices every day.

From selecting finishes to managing client expectations, decision fatigue can quietly impact productivity, creativity, and leadership. Learn how to simplify your process, reduce pressure, and make clearer decisions with greater confidence.

If you feel mentally overwhelmed by the nonstop demands of running projects, this episode will help you work smarter and stress less.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why managing decisions is one of the most valuable services designers provide

• How to reduce the pressure of making the “perfect” choice

• Why presenting pros and cons helps clients make better decisions

• How systems, standards, and protocols reduce decision fatigue

• Why reversible decisions shouldn’t consume unnecessary energy

• When trusting your instincts is the smartest move

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What does a real day look like behind the scenes of a successful interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon takes listeners through a typical workday—from job sites and fabrication meetings to client communication and production planning—offering an honest look at the pace, pressure, and problem-solving required to run a thriving design firm.

This behind-the-scenes episode highlights the importance of organization, documentation, and staying proactive in every aspect of project management.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to manage multiple moving parts in an interior design business, this episode gives you a candid look inside the process.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why documenting site notes immediately improves accuracy and efficiency

• How detailed communication records protect your projects and business

• What a typical day can look like for a working interior designer

• Why organization is essential to successful project management

• How staying proactive helps prevent costly mistakes and oversights

• The importance of tracking conversations, decisions, and updates in real time

Thank you to our sponsor, Daniel House Club!

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com