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

Can you successfully run both a home staging business and an interior design firm?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Leia T. Ward to discuss the transition from home staging to full-service interior design—and what designers need to know before expanding into both worlds.

While staging and interior design complement each other creatively, they operate with very different business models, client expectations, and processes. Leia shares practical insights on building a recognizable brand, staying focused on your strengths, and creating strong industry relationships along the way.

If you’re considering adding services or evolving your business model, this episode offers valuable guidance.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why staging and interior design require different business strategies

• The unique advantages and fast-paced nature of home staging

• How defining your aesthetic strengthens your brand identity

• Why focusing on your own business is more productive than watching competitors

• The importance of mentoring and supporting newer designers

• How strong vendor relationships contribute to long-term success

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

What do you do when a client keeps changing their mind—and your process stops working?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Karin Kolb to unpack a challenging client experience and explore what happens when even strong project management systems are tested.

From constant second-guessing to endless revisions, some clients can push projects off track despite your best efforts. This honest conversation offers practical guidance for interior designers dealing with indecisive clients, shifting expectations, and projects that start to unravel.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the problem is the client, the process, or something else entirely, this episode will give you clarity and reassurance.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to reduce client second-guessing during the design process

• What to do when a client wants to change everything repeatedly

• Why “flip-flopper” clients create challenges for project success

• How to respond when a project starts going off the rails

• Why changing your process isn’t always the right solution

• How to maintain professionalism and confidence during difficult projects

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you building a profitable interior design business—but neglecting your own financial future?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting, to discuss why interior designers need to think beyond day-to-day income and start building long-term personal wealth.

Too many business owners delay investing, believing they’ll start “when the time is right.” But financial security comes from consistent action, smart habits, and a willingness to stop playing small.

If you want to create a business that supports both your current lifestyle and your future goals, this episode will help you shift your mindset around money and investing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why interior designers should start investing as early as possible

• How small financial decisions can create long-term wealth

• Why playing small limits both your business and financial growth

• The importance of building personal wealth alongside business success

• Why you don’t need to do everything yourself as a business owner

• How shifting your mindset around money can change your future

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Is hiring the right team member the key to growing your interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Shelli Warren to break down why hiring should be treated like a structured project—not a rushed decision.

As your business grows, the right hire can transform your workload, client experience, and profitability. But attracting, interviewing, and onboarding the right people requires strategy, clarity, and strong systems.

If you’re preparing to grow your team or improve your hiring process, this episode offers practical advice to help you do it right from the start.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How targeted hiring strategies attract stronger candidates

• Why it’s important to repel applicants who aren’t the right fit

• How effective interview questions lead to better conversations and insights

• Why hiring decisions should involve more than one perspective

• The importance of structured onboarding for new team members

• How the right hire can positively impact your entire design firm

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Do you want a more successful interior design business—but without the chaos behind the scenes?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explains why the polished results clients see are only the “tip of the iceberg.” Behind every successful project and beautiful portfolio is a foundation of strong systems, disciplined processes, and consistent team execution.

Great design businesses aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on repeatable systems that support profitability, efficiency, and exceptional client experiences.

If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level success and create a stronger business foundation, this episode is essential listening.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why beautiful projects are the result of strong business systems

• How team-facing systems support client-facing success

• Why even top-performing teams need clear processes

• The connection between systems, consistency, and profitability

• Why businesses fail to weak systems—not ambitious goals

• How methodical improvements create long-term business growth

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Can the same business systems work for both architects and interior designers?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues the conversation with Brooke Aitken to explore how Business of Design™ principles apply within an architectural practice—and why strong systems are essential no matter your creative discipline.

After nearly giving up on her business, Brooke found renewed clarity and direction through structured processes, but she’s still pushing for the next level of growth. This episode dives into contracts, timelines, client management, and maintaining high standards without compromising your values.

If you’re an architect or interior designer looking to strengthen your business foundation, this episode offers practical strategies you can apply immediately.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why simple, easy-to-understand contracts create better client relationships

• How to maintain quality standards without compromising your principles

• Why giving clients too much “homework” can slow projects down

• How tighter timelines improve project momentum and profitability

• Why strong business systems apply across creative industries

• How structure and process support long-term business growth

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Are you tracking revenue—but still unsure whether your interior design business is truly profitable?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting, to break down how interior designers can better understand their profit and loss statement—and use financial data to make smarter business decisions.

Revenue alone doesn’t tell the whole story. To build a sustainable, profitable business, you need to know which numbers matter, how often to review them, and how to use those insights to plan for the future.

If financial reports feel overwhelming or unclear, this episode will help you gain confidence with your numbers.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why revenue is a vanity metric without profitability behind it

• The key numbers interior designers should review on a P&L statement

• How often you should be reviewing your financial reports

• Why understanding past performance helps you plan future growth

• How to recognize the “season” your business is currently in

• Why investing in your future should start sooner than you think

• How small financial actions create long-term results

• Why business owners don’t need to wear every hat themselves

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Do you have the support and accountability needed to grow your interior design business?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Kelly Tivey, Justine Sterling, and Tracy Dyck to discuss the power of accountability, community, and strategic support in building a successful design firm.

Growing a business isn’t about one breakthrough moment—it’s the result of consistent action, strong systems, and surrounding yourself with ambitious people who challenge and inspire you.

If you’ve ever wished you had a trusted group of peers to help you stay focused and keep moving forward, this episode will show you why accountability matters.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why business growth requires a strategic, multi-layered approach

• How outsourcing the right tasks creates more freedom and efficiency

• Why successful business owners design businesses that support their goals

• The importance of surrounding yourself with ambitious, like-minded professionals

• How accountability helps you stay focused and motivated

• Why building the right support system accelerates growth and confidence

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Can architects use the same business systems that help interior designers succeed?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Brooke Aitken to explore how Business of Design® principles apply within an architectural practice—and why strong project management systems matter across all creative disciplines.

After nearly giving up on her business, Brooke found renewed momentum and clarity through structured processes, but she still wants to push her business to the next level. This conversation tackles how architects can adapt design business systems to improve project flow, client management, and profitability.

If you’re an architect or interior designer looking for more structure and predictability in your projects, this episode will give you practical insight.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why it’s possible to present a complete design scheme with confidence

• How architects can adapt design business systems to fit their services

• What to do when you can’t legally purchase and resell furnishings

• How structured project management improves scheduling and installations

• Why strong systems create better client experiences and smoother projects

• How process and clarity can reignite confidence in your business

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com

Want to get your interior design projects featured in magazines, blogs, and online publications?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Kelli Lamb to discuss how interior designers can successfully pitch their work to editors, gain media exposure, and use publication opportunities to grow their business.

While traditional print features still carry prestige, digital media and targeted online campaigns can be just as powerful for attracting ideal clients and building brand authority. Learn how to craft stronger pitches, connect with editors, and position your work for publication success.

If getting published is part of your marketing strategy, this episode will help you approach it more strategically.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why targeting the right publication matters more than mass pitching

• How to research editors and understand submission requirements

• What to include in a strong project pitch email

• Why building relationships with editors improves your chances of publication

• The importance of proofreading and professional presentation

• How digital media exposure can support business growth and visibility

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

Join us at Business of Design®.

https://businessofdesign.com