If you’re still billing by the hour, this episode is your wake-up call. Melissa breaks down exactly why the hourly model is holding your design business back—limiting your income, straining client relationships, and undermining your creative freedom. Instead, she introduces flat fees as a smarter, more profitable, and more professional alternative that aligns with the true value of your work.

You’ll discover how flat fees are not just a pricing model but a powerful positioning strategy. Melissa walks you through three of her proven flat fee formulas—percentage of project investment, square foot, and per room—showing you when and how to use each. You’ll also learn the critical components you need to price flat fees accurately and how to confidently communicate them to clients without ever falling back on hourly justifications.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:00) Why hourly billing leads to micromanagement, stress, and undercharging
• (04:46) How flat fees bring clarity for clients and consistency for you
• (06:37) The three most effective flat fee models and when to use each
• (13:50) Strategic pricing tips that make your fees sound lower (even when they’re higher)
• (17:03) What details you need to run flat fee formulas in under 10 minutes
• (29:53) How to confidently present and position your flat fees as premium and professional

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Loom Video Tool: loom.com

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you tired of chasing luxury clients who never seem to notice you? In this episode, you’ll learn why high-end interior design clients aren’t scrolling through Instagram looking for their next designer—and where they actually spend their time. Melissa breaks down the key mindset shifts and strategic actions you need to stop hiding behind your screen and start making authentic, profitable connections in luxury circles.

You'll discover how to step into the world of affluent clients with confidence, elegance, and authenticity. From charity galas and art openings to luxury gyms and country clubs, Melissa outlines exactly where to show up, how to show up, and why leading with genuine curiosity (not a sales pitch) is the fastest path to becoming the go-to designer for high-net-worth individuals.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (00:28) Why high-end clients move differently—and what that means for your marketing
• (03:02) The power of getting involved in charity events and how to use them to connect
• (04:49) Leveraging luxury gyms, spas, and wellness clubs to meet ideal clients naturally
• (07:14) Business and social clubs that offer high-value networking for designers
• (10:41) How to position yourself as the go-to referral for top builders and architects
• (13:36) The importance of showing up authentically in luxury circles (no pitch required)

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• EP126: Unlocking the Power of Profit Partnerships in Your Design Business
• Invited Clubs
• Google Alerts

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you stuck at a revenue plateau in your interior design business and wondering why you can't seem to scale beyond $300K, $500K, or even $750K? In this power-packed episode, Melissa walks you through the most common roadblocks that keep designers from hitting that elusive seven-figure milestone. Whether you’re doing it all yourself, undercharging for your services, or micromanaging your team, she uncovers the exact shifts you need to make to break through each revenue barrier.

You’ll discover how to hire effectively, charge profitably, and lead powerfully. Melissa also shares practical tools, action steps, and mindset upgrades that you can start using immediately to shift out of hustle and into high-level strategy. This episode is your ultimate roadmap to creating a sustainable, scalable design business that doesn’t depend on your every move.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:11) Why $300K is the DIY ceiling—and how hiring, even an intern, can get you unstuck
• (06:23) The hidden value of outsourcing your bookkeeping and financial tracking
• (14:33) The half-million dollar hesitation—how undercharging is capping your growth
• (16:58) How flat fees and procurement management fees can transform your profitability
• (20:34) Why leadership, not labor, is your key to moving from $750K to $1M+
• (22:27) The mindset shift required to operate as a CEO, not just a designer

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• MelissaGalt.com
• Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com
• Motion: https://www.usemotion.com
• ClickUp: https://www.clickup.com
• Studio Designer: https://www.studiodesigner.com
• Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com
• HousePro: https://www.houzz.com/pro

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

This episode of Design Business Freedom is your empowering guide for navigating slow seasons in your interior design business with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Melissa shares actionable insights for transforming lulls into launchpads—without discounting your rates, compromising your value, or spiraling into fear. You'll learn why slow seasons are part of the natural business cycle, and how to use them to elevate your brand, reconnect with your network, and set up systems that support long-term growth.

Melissa covers smart visibility strategies, ways to reconnect with your ideal clients, and tips for leveraging quiet time to refine your operations and mindset. She also delivers a powerful reminder: clients buy certainty. That means your energy, presence, and belief in your value matter more than ever. Whether you're reworking your flat fee structure, leveling up your social media, or revamping your contracts, this episode offers a no-nonsense roadmap to emerge stronger on the other side.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:10) Why slow seasons happen—and why they don’t mean you’re failing
• (03:18) How to turn downtime into your most creative and strategic season yet
• (04:19) Visibility mistakes designers make—and how to stay top-of-mind with your audience
• (07:08) Ways to infuse your personal style into your brand presence
• (13:16) How to reconnect with your network and create new collaboration opportunities
• (17:28) Why staying in your CEO energy is crucial during slow times

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Amy Kartheiser: https://amykartheiserdesign.com/
• Emmy Couture Interiors: https://www.emmycouturedesigns.com/
• Isabel Ladd Interiors: https://www.isabelladdinteriors.com/
• Corey Damen Jenkins: https://www.coreydamenjenkins.com/
• Corey’s Masterclass: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/corey-damen-jenkins-teaches-interior-design

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your design business from the inside out? In this episode, Melissa Galt unpacks the #1 silent killer of success in your interior design practice—self-doubt. It’s not about trusting your team, clients, or vendors (though those are important); it’s about building unwavering trust in yourself. When you hesitate, question, or delay out of fear or uncertainty, the cost isn’t just emotional—it’s financial, creative, and strategic. Melissa shares powerful insights, real-life stories, and actionable advice to help you rebuild self-trust and reclaim your business growth.

You’ll hear the eight major ways self-doubt sneaks in and sabotages your design firm—from delaying key hires and over-offering client selections to undercharging and fearing bold moves. This episode will give you a massive confidence boost, along with practical steps to take control, own your value, and finally get out of your own way. If you’re ready to create more profit, more joy, and more freedom in your interior design business, this is your wake-up call.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:12) How self-doubt shows up as hiring hesitation—and why hiring before you're ready is critical
• (06:05) The hidden profit you’re leaving on the table when you doubt your product selections
• (11:45) Why saying yes to the wrong clients kills creativity—and how to fix your marketing instead
• (16:04) The real cost of undercharging and how to confidently state your fees
• (18:33) Why leading your clients (and not letting them lead you) protects your process and peace
• (26:37) How self-doubt around big goals keeps you stuck—and how visualization can unlock your next level

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Feel It Real by Denise Coates – book recommendation from the episode

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

In this powerful and mindset-shifting episode, you're going to break free from the outdated belief that interior design is a "nice hobby" or a side hustle. Melissa takes a deep dive into what’s truly possible in the world of interior design when you treat it as a serious business—one with the potential to earn six figures in your first year and scale into the multiple six and seven figures. You'll hear real success stories of designers who shattered income plateaus and made strategic changes that led to exponential growth—without burnout.

Melissa shares personal insights from her own journey, along with lessons from the countless designers she’s coached. Whether you’re new to design or have been in the game for years but feel stuck, this episode will ignite your ambition, remind you of your power, and give you the clarity and courage to aim higher. If you're ready to stop treating your talent like a part-time gig and start treating it like the business it is, this one's for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:05) Why six and seven figures in design aren't just possible—they're within reach
• (04:20) How one designer hit $1.5M in 18 months after going out on her own
• (06:36) The real ceiling in your business and how to dismantle it
• (13:02) Why doubling revenue doesn't have to mean doubling your workload
• (16:45) How to grow strategically even during a slow season
• (21:36) The three key traits every successful designer must have: passion, persistence, and ambition

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissagaultofficial

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

In this powerful episode of Design Business Freedom, you’re getting the ultimate reframe to shut down client discount requests with confidence and clarity. Melissa breaks down why interior design is one of the most valuable investments your clients will ever make—not just for a moment, but for decades of daily joy, beauty, and functionality. She shows you how to confidently articulate that value and stand strong in your pricing, without falling into the trap of unnecessary generosity or fee-cutting.

You’ll learn how to shift both your mindset and your messaging so that you and your clients see design for what it truly is: a transformational upgrade with a return on investment that outlasts any vacation, luxury car, or designer handbag. From residential to commercial projects, Melissa gives you the exact soundbites, analogies, and positioning tools to communicate long-term ROI and educate your clients into appreciating—not questioning—your fees.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:05) How to quantify your value with a 24-7-365 impact that lasts 15 to 30 years
• (03:09) Why design is not a one-time purchase like a car or a vacation—and how to explain this to clients
• (06:23) The secret to reawakening client appreciation months or even years after a project ends
• (08:25) Why discounts devalue your work and train clients to expect more for less
• (10:30) A powerful ROI breakdown that turns a $150K investment into less than $28/day
• (13:23) How to reframe price objections with calm confidence, not defensiveness

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Design ROI One-Sheet Download

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling short compared to other designers, this episode is your gentle but firm nudge to stop measuring your worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Melissa pulls back the curtain on imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, sharing 20 practical, mindset-shifting steps to silence that inner critic and step fully into your brilliance. You’ll walk away with tools you can use daily to reset your thinking, build unshakable confidence, and create unstoppable momentum in your design business.

From naming your imposter something silly, to creating a “confidence kit” of your wins, to swapping perfectionism for progress, this episode will help you reclaim your lane and own it. Melissa also dives into how to curate your circle for maximum support, share your work before it’s perfect, and shift your focus back to your unique gifts. This is a masterclass in turning self-doubt into self-assurance—so you can stop comparing and start celebrating the designer only you can be.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:02) How to recognize the signs of comparison and imposter syndrome before they take hold
• (03:09) Why naming your inner critic can help you separate from it and take back your power
• (04:06) How to create a “confidence kit” that keeps your wins front and center
• (09:54) The freedom that comes from making peace with being a lifelong work in progress
• (14:31) Why perfectionism is your imposter’s favorite weapon—and how to fight back
• (27:40) How to surround yourself with the right people and release toxic influences

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

In this milestone 150th episode of Design Business Freedom, you're guided through a refreshingly simple yet strategic approach to overcoming slow seasons in your interior design business. Instead of succumbing to the overwhelm of "more marketing," Melissa Gault, your interior design business coach, walks you through the transformative power of choosing one intentional action to focus on for 30 days. This episode is packed with tangible ideas and real-life examples to help you bring in clients, cash, and confidence—without the hustle.

Melissa shares 12 proven marketing strategies specifically designed for interior designers and emphasizes the importance of alignment, authenticity, and consistency. Whether you're feeling a slowdown in inquiries, income, or inspiration, you'll walk away with a practical plan to shift from scattered effort to meaningful momentum. It's about simplifying your strategy to amplify your results—and this episode shows you exactly how.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:09) Why “doing more” during slow seasons leads to burnout, not bookings
• (03:40) How to select one of 12 proven marketing moves to focus on for 30 days
• (05:31) Why launching a digital newsletter can be a game-changing visibility tool
• (07:17) The power of story-driven Instagram content that attracts ideal clients—not DIYers
• (13:07) Tips for getting into publications and podcasts your clients actually pay attention to
• (26:11) How optimizing your Google Business Profile can improve local visibility fast

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Tricia Malloy Testimonial Writing Services
• Timeleft Dinners

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Believe it or not, I see so many designers flying without a net, which is what I call it when you work without a letter of agreement or with one that has absolutely no protection for you in it. A letter of agreement is just another word for a contract, but it sounds much friendlier. Most importantly, a letter of agreement will outline all stipulations, clauses, and information that you and your client need to set up a positive and professional project timeline.

Your business needs to have a document that provides protection for your profits and peace of mind for you as the principal of the firm while at the same time providing clarity and confidence to your client. And even though this is so important, the legalese that most contracts are written in often makes both designers and clients uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

My attorney-approved letter of agreement template is written in plain English and covers everything needed for protection from any snafus that may arise. And in today’s episode, I will walk you through my process of creating the right letter of agreement that is not going to overwhelm you or your clients but will still provide all of the clarity, confidence, and cohesiveness needed for your next project.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to craft a thorough and protective letter of agreement in plain English that will be easy for you and your clients to navigate
• Which clauses to walk your clients through when reviewing your Letter of Agreement
• The importance of presentation and ease of information when crafting your letter

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love to welcome you to our creative community, if you haven’t yet subscribed. We’d truly appreciate it if you drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and spreads the word about the podcast

Supporting Resources:

• View my Letter of Agreement template - https://melissagalt.kartra.com/page/the-right-design-agreement 
• For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website www.melissagalt.com
• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok @MelissaGalt

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.  Let them know we sent you.