Hey, hey, hey y’all! We’re back with Part 3 of our “Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design” series—and today we’re tackling something that stings a little... but only for a second.

You know that feeling when someone tells you there’s food in your teeth?  Yeah. It’s kind of like that. Awkward for a moment, but ultimately a gift. Because once you know, you can fix it. Same goes for today’s topic: Why your dream clients don’t know you exist… yet (and yes, that “yet” is doing some heavy lifting).

Here’s what we get into:

• The real reason the best designers are still getting overlooked
• Why pretty portfolios just aren’t cutting it anymore
• The shift in how clients are hiring (and what they’re quietly looking for before they ever reach out)
• Why visibility isn't about vanity—it's about service
• And the three questions I’m asking my own team as we clean up our visibility strategy

I’m sharing a story about a baker (names changed to protect the innocent) who thought she didn’t need visibility… until she did. HARD. And if you're silently hoping referrals will just keep rolling in? This is your heads-up that now is the time to start planting seeds.

 I’m also giving you a sneak peek into my free upcoming workshop, Booked by Design, happening August 4th! It's three days of helping you nail your message, get seen, and go from crickets to clients—without turning into a full-time content creator.

So whether you’re just starting out or you've been doing this for years and feel like your ideal clients are walking right past you, this episode is your gentle nudge (okay, maybe more like a sassy push 😉) to fix the food in your teeth and finally be seen.

Let’s make your brilliance impossible to overlook, babe.

 Sign up for Booked by Design (it’s FREE!): TheDesignBakehouse.com → Events Tab

 Ready to stop blending in and start converting dream clients? Join us for this 3-day Client Catching Workshop starting August 4!

Hey friend—this episode is for you if you’ve ever had a dry inbox and wondered, Where the heck are my dream clients?I’ve been there. Back when I started ML Interiors Group, I hustled hard, did great work, and just hoped the right clients would find me. And for a while… it worked. Kind of. But behind the scenes? Total chaos.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I call being “booked by accident”—when your leads are inconsistent, your clients are sometimes not the right fit, and you’re crossing your fingers instead of working a plan. If your business has ever felt like feast or famine, this episode is your wake-up call (and also a hug).

We talk about:

• The signs you might be booked by accident (yes, even if you’re busy)

• Why marketing isn’t optional—it’s a system, not a side task

• The three pillars of intentional visibility: Identity, Message, and Method

• How treating marketing like design (with strategy and intention) changes everything

I also share Sarah’s story—a designer who went from burnout and scattered marketing to landing a full-service client within a month—just by getting intentional and consistent. And let me be clear: this isn’t about bro-marketing or becoming an influencer. It’s about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a plan that fits you.

We’re not waiting around for a referral fairy with a waitlist and a bottle of champagne. We’re designing businesses on purpose.

Oh—and if this hit home, don’t miss my free upcoming workshop, Booked by Design. We’re going hands-on:

• Day 1: Nail your message so dream clients say, “Finally, someone who gets me!”

• Day 2: Get seen and get leads with marketing that actually works for designers

• Day 3: From crickets to clients – we’re doing live coaching and clarity work

Grab your seat at thedesignbakehouse.com under “Events,” or just hit the link in the show notes.

Remember: you are a CEO. And it’s time to start showing up like one—with visibility that’s as intentional as your design work.

Until next time, keep designing your business as beautifully as you design your spaces.

Welcome back to Designed for the Creative Mind, the podcast where we get real about what it actually takes to build a beautiful and profitable interior design business. In this episode, Michelle kicks off a brand-new series called Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design—a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered why your dream clients still aren’t showing up, even though you’re doing “all the right things.”

Michelle unpacks what’s really going on in today’s economy and why relying on referrals, a pretty Instagram feed, or a solid reputation alone just isn’t enough anymore.

Here’s what she covers:

• Why “just do good work and the clients will come” is outdated advice

• The difference between visibility and actual connection

• How to market like a guide, not a design hero

• Why marketing to your peers is a trap

• What clients are actually looking for (hint: it’s not a waterfall edge)

• The truth about consistency vs. constant content creation

If your leads have slowed down, are inconsistent, or just aren’t aligned, you’re going to want to hear this.

Free Live Workshop Invitation: Michelle is also inviting you to a free three-day live workshop called Booked by Design—specifically created for interior designers who are ready to attract aligned, consistent clients.

Here’s what you’ll learn over three days:

• Day One: How to nail your message and communicate your value

• Day Two: Marketing strategies that actually work right now (without reels or burnout)

• Day Three: A live Q&A and action-planning session so you know exactly what to do next

The workshop runs August 4–6 at 12 p.m. Central Time, and it’s completely free. You can register at thedesignbakehouse.com under the Events section, or click the link in the show notes.

Coming Up Next Week: Michelle dives into why relying on referrals isn’t a real marketing strategy—and what you can do instead. If you’ve been clinging to word-of-mouth alone, this one’s for you.

Final Thought: You can build a business that gets booked consistently. You can create marketing that doesn’t feel overwhelming. You can attract dream clients without burning out.

But it won’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

Babe, let’s get real — leads are slow right now. The inbox is quiet, the DMs are empty, and that “just post a pretty picture” strategy? It’s not cutting it anymore. But here’s the kicker: what’s haunting your business might not be the algorithm. It’s probably the marketing you didn’t do six months ago.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The hidden cost of inconsistent marketing (and how it creates feast or famine cycles)

• Why marketing should be a rhythm, not a reaction

• What happens when your visibility finally kicks in, but your business isn’t ready

• How to align your marketing with your capacity so dream clients will wait for you

• Tips for batching, repurposing, and automating your content to bend time in your favor

• Why building systems is the key to consistent leads (without burning yourself out)

You’ll also hear real talk about why scrambling for leads doesn’t work — and how to start marketing for the future, not just the present. If you’re tired of ghosting your audience or riding the feast-or-famine rollercoaster, this is your episode.

Ready to get consistent? Check out the Interior Design Business Bakery and join the Interior Designers Business Launchpad for weekly free training. And hey — if this one hit close to home, share it with a fellow designer and leave a quick review. Let’s get this message into more earbuds. You’ve got the vision — now let’s build the business that backs it.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Have you ever had a client hit you with, “You get that for how much?” If so, you’re not alone — and today we’re talking about one of the most common (and most avoidable) pricing mistakes in interior design: oversharing your trade pricing.

In this episode, I break down why being too open about your pricing creates confusion, resentment, and profit erosion — and how you can confidently communicate your value without overexplaining or apologizing for making a profit.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why oversharing trade pricing puts you in a weaker position

• The difference between trade pricing and a discount (and why it matters)

• How to talk about pricing confidently without overexplaining

• Why your clients are paying for your expertise, not your shopping skills

• The mindset shift that will help you own your margins without guilt

• How to handle it if you’ve already shared too much about your pricing

• Why transparency doesn’t mean exposure — and how to draw the line

If this episode hits home, take it as your invitation to start owning your pricing like the CEO you are. You are allowed to make a profit. You are allowed to set margins that support your business. And you can do it with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Want help making it happen? Inside the Interior Design Business Bakery, we’ll teach you exactly how to price, structure, and communicate your offers so you can stop fumbling and start thriving. Check it out at thedesignbakehouse.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with another designer who could benefit, and don’t forget to rate and review — it helps more than you know.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Ever feel like you’re wearing all the hats in your interior design business  and still answering client texts at 8 PM about grout colors? You might be stuck in what I call DIY Designer Syndrome: a mix of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and a dash of martyrdom that has you doing everything yourself.

In this episode, I’m sharing how this mindset hurts your business (and your life), why “being busy” is not a badge of honor, and how to start building healthier boundaries and systems that actually support your creativity and profitability.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why trying to “do it all” is rooted in fear and control, not smart business

• How being constantly available creates unrealistic expectations with clients

• Simple boundary-setting phrases you can use today

• What to automate, delegate, and systematize so you can focus on what matters

• Why boundaries are a sign of professionalism — not punishment

• The truth about hustle culture and why it leads to burnout, not success

• How to shift from being a bottleneck to being the CEO of your business

If today’s episode hits home, take it as your permission slip to make a change. You didn’t start your own business to be everyone’s assistant  or to burn yourself out recreating corporate hustle in a prettier office. You started it for freedom, creativity, and fulfillment. And you deserve to build a business that honors that vision.

If you want support setting boundaries, building systems, and creating a business that works for you, check out the Interior Design Business Bakery -the link is in the show notes. And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast to help spread the word to more designers. Thanks for listening, I’ll catch you next time.

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Hey friend, welcome back to Design for the Creative Mind! I'm so glad you're here. If you’re new around here, this season is all about Rookie Mistakes & Real Talk—a behind-the-scenes look at the most common missteps interior designers make in business (and how to bounce back when you make one).

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a hard lesson I learned the painful way—what happens when you don’t have a strong contract… or worse, when you do and you don’t enforce it.

If you’ve ever had a client overstep, ask for something totally out of scope, or shop your selections online… this one’s for you. I’ve been there (like, deeply), and I want to help you avoid the stress, the loss, and the awkward convos I had to navigate back when I didn’t know better.

What I cover in this episode:

• The (cringey but honest) story of how I lost thousands early in my career

• Why a one-page contract does not make you client-friendly—it makes you vulnerable

• Common red flags to watch for, like the “just one more thing” request or the feedback that takes forever

• Exact phrases you can use to set boundaries with clients who are overstepping

• What to do when your contract doesn’t cover something

• How I present contracts now to prevent miscommunication and build trust

• The recent updates I made to my own contract after a few client hiccups

I know contracts aren’t the sexiest part of our business—but they are absolutely essential. They’re not just paperwork—they’re your business armor. And when you know how to use them confidently, you lead your business instead of reacting to chaos.

So grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s talk about the contract catastrophe that changed everything for me—and how you can avoid it.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Today’s episode is one that’s coming straight from the heart (and maybe a little from the edge of a breakdown). We’re talking burnout—not the cute kind that gets fixed with a latte and a nap, but the crispy, crunchy, why-did-I-say-yes-to-this kind of burnout that so many interior designers are quietly dealing with.

I'm calling it Burnout Bake Out—yes, it’s on brand with our new Bake House theme, but also because when you’re fried and flaking apart at the seams, it’s not just burnout, babe. That’s what happens when the oven’s been on too long and no one remembered to set a timer.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what burnout really looks like for us as designers—taking on too much, ghosting ourselves, and losing sight of why we started our businesses in the first place. If you've ever fantasized about quitting and moving to a goat farm (yes, I’ve been there), this one’s for you.

What we cover in this episode:

• The rookie mistake most designers make that leads straight to burnout

• Why saying yes to every project is not a badge of honor

• The difference between being busy and being profitable (they are not the same)

• How I ended up juggling six full-home projects and almost lost my mind

• The exact script you can use when you need to reset expectations with a client

• Why clients aren’t hiring you to be perfect—they’re hiring you to lead

• How to bake in rest, white space, and recovery time into your business

• Practical ways to protect your energy and say “hell yes” only to the right projects

Let’s be real for a second...

Burnout is not your business model. Working yourself into the ground isn't a sign of success—it’s a sign that your systems, pricing, or boundaries need some love. And I want you to know: you’re allowed to rest. Renegotiating timelines doesn’t make you flaky—it makes you a pro.

If this episode hit home, send it to a fellow designer who’s just one “sure, I can do that” away from burnout. Let’s normalize the hard conversations, the boundaries, and the brave decision to pause when needed.

And if you’re ready for more support, tools, and some breathing room in your design business, come hang out with us over at thedesignbakehouse.com. There’s something waiting for you there.

Until next time, Protect your energy. Trust your gut. And remember—you’re baked for this.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Today’s episode is one that’s coming straight from the heart (and maybe a little from the edge of a breakdown). We’re talking burnout—not the cute kind that gets fixed with a latte and a nap, but the crispy, crunchy, why-did-I-say-yes-to-this kind of burnout that so many interior designers are quietly dealing with.

I'm calling it Burnout Bake Out—yes, it’s on brand with our new Bake House theme, but also because when you’re fried and flaking apart at the seams, it’s not just burnout, babe. That’s what happens when the oven’s been on too long and no one remembered to set a timer.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what burnout really looks like for us as designers—taking on too much, ghosting ourselves, and losing sight of why we started our businesses in the first place. If you've ever fantasized about quitting and moving to a goat farm (yes, I’ve been there), this one’s for you.

What we cover in this episode:

• The rookie mistake most designers make that leads straight to burnout

• Why saying yes to every project is not a badge of honor

• The difference between being busy and being profitable (they are not the same)

• How I ended up juggling six full-home projects and almost lost my mind

• The exact script you can use when you need to reset expectations with a client

• Why clients aren’t hiring you to be perfect—they’re hiring you to lead

• How to bake in rest, white space, and recovery time into your business

• Practical ways to protect your energy and say “hell yes” only to the right projects

Let’s be real for a second...

Burnout is not your business model. Working yourself into the ground isn't a sign of success—it’s a sign that your systems, pricing, or boundaries need some love. And I want you to know: you’re allowed to rest. Renegotiating timelines doesn’t make you flaky—it makes you a pro.

If this episode hit home, send it to a fellow designer who’s just one “sure, I can do that” away from burnout. Let’s normalize the hard conversations, the boundaries, and the brave decision to pause when needed.

And if you’re ready for more support, tools, and some breathing room in your design business, come hang out with us over at thedesignbakehouse.com. There’s something waiting for you there.

Until next time, Protect your energy. Trust your gut. And remember—you’re baked for this.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Hey there, welcome back to Designed for the Creative Mind! Today we’re diving into a topic that hits way too close to home for so many designers — the dreaded “time trap”. Yep, I’m talking about hourly billing and the never-ending stress of tracking every bathroom break like you're auditioning for TaskRabbit.

If you've ever stayed up late trying to remember how long that third round of tile edits took… this episode is for you.

• Why charging by the hour feels “responsible” but wrecks your profits (and sanity)

• How hourly pricing turns you into a technician instead of a trusted expert

• Why your efficiency should be rewarded, not penalized

• How to handle clients who want a minute-by-minute breakdown

• A real-life example of switching to a flat fee (and how it changed everything)

• How value-based pricing builds trust, boundaries, and breathing room for creativity

I’m walking you through my own journey of breaking free from hourly billing — the mistakes I made, the lessons I learned, and how I now coach other designers (like my client “Jess”) to make this shift with confidence.

Clients are paying for your genius, not your time. It’s time to stop selling hours and start selling transformation.

If you’re ready to ditch the time trap and step into your role as a creative professional (with pricing that reflects it), let’s chat. Book a call with me or my team and let’s get you out of hourly hell.

Remember — you're not alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck.

Until next time, keep rising — one decision at a time.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery  

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/ 

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production