Hey y'all — welcome back to Design for the Creative Mind. I'm Michelle Lynn, and today we're kicking off a brand-new season called Myth Busting: What People Get Wrong About the Interior Design Industry. And even though I sound like an 80-year-old chain smoker mixed with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (thanks, Texas allergies), I wasn't about to miss this episode because we're starting with a big one.

There's a myth so many designers unknowingly build their entire business around: "I can figure this out through trial and error." And I get it — because that's exactly how I built my business in the early years. But here's the truth: trial and error is the slowest, most expensive, most exhausting "strategy" you could possibly choose. If you've ever felt like every project is a guess, every client pushes a different boundary, and every new inquiry sends you into a scramble… you're not imagining it. That's what running a business on guesswork creates.

In this episode, I walk you through what trial and error really costs you — not just in money, but in confidence, clarity, and peace. I talk about how emotional pricing drains your profit, how weak or inconsistent boundaries drain your sanity, and why every project feels urgent when you don't have systems. I also share the moment everything shifted for me and how structure completely changed my business, my margins, my client relationships, and honestly, my life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: • Why trial and error keeps your business in survival mode instead of CEO mode • How emotional pricing, inconsistent processes, and unclear boundaries erode profit and confidence • What clients actually pay for (hint: leadership, not guesswork) • Why systems create clarity, trust, calm communication, and predictable profit • How structure protects your creativity and gives you back your time, energy, and peace • What becomes possible when you finally stop guessing and start leading with intention • Why I created the Interior Design Business Bakery and how it fills the gaps designers have been left to figure out alone

If you've been hustling, guessing, Googling, patching together templates, and hoping the next project finally "clicks," this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. You don't need more trial and error — you need clarity, systems, structure, and support. And you absolutely deserve them.

I'm linking everything I mentioned — including the Interior Design Business Bakery — in the show notes. If this conversation hits you in the gut, if you're tired of feeling behind, or if you're craving a business that finally reflects your talent, this is your invitation. It's time to retire the trial-and-error era of your business and step fully into your CEO seat.

Until next week — stay creative, stay confident, and stay in your CEO seat.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Hey friends, welcome to the 200th episode of Designed for the Creative Mind — I can hardly believe we're here. When I first started this podcast, I honestly didn't know if I'd have the time or stamina to keep it going, and yet it's become something I look forward to every single week. Thank you for being here, whether you've listened to every episode or this is your first. In this episode, I'm getting real and vulnerable about the edges I've faced in my business — the burnout, the betrayal, the mistakes, and the moments I thought about giving up. I share how I learned to step back, trust myself, and reclaim the power to choose how I respond when things feel overwhelming.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• How to recognize when burnout is signaling that something in your business needs to change.

• Why trust and vulnerability are necessary, even when others let you down.

• How to pivot and make strategic decisions instead of operating on hope or fear.

• The importance of separating emotion from information and using numbers to guide business decisions.

• Why every obstacle, even betrayal or setbacks, can be a blessing in disguise.

• How purpose, grit, and grace can carry you through the toughest moments and help you lead with heart.

This episode is a reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward, and that even when you're exhausted, frustrated, or questioning your path, you are not alone. You can cry, cuss, pray, rest, and still rise. If you're standing at your own edge right now, know that it's possible to keep building, to pivot, and to find clarity and purpose in your business. Come sit with us at The Design Bakehouse — we tackle the hard stuff together, share real strategies, and create space for growth and connection. Thank you for being part of this milestone and for standing at the edge with me.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

In this episode, I'm talking about something we don't say out loud enough in the design world: being talented isn't the same thing as being profitable. You can be incredibly good at what you do — have the eye, the taste, the creativity — and still feel like you're struggling to stay afloat in your business.

And it's not because you're not good enough.

It's because most of us were never taught the business side of design.

I'm breaking down what really creates stability and momentum in your design business: how you position yourself, how you price your value, the systems that support your process, the way you lead clients, and the confidence you bring into your role. These are the things that make your work sustainable — financially, emotionally, and creatively.

This isn't about working harder. It's about working with intention. It's about stepping into the role of CEO — not just designer.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Why design skill is only one part of a thriving business

• The mindset shift from "service provider" to "creative leader"

• How pricing and boundaries directly support your creativity

• Why consistent visibility matters more than perfectly curated aesthetics

• How systems actually protect your creative energy

If you've been feeling like your business should be "easier by now" or like you're doing everything right but still not seeing the results you want — you're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. This episode is your reminder that your talent is enough, and now it's time to support that talent with structure. When you learn to lead your business with clarity, confidence, and direction, everything else starts falling into place.

Give this one a listen — it might shift the way you see your role in your business, in the best way possible.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

If you've ever felt unsure about how to find and build relationships with vendors, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Juliana and Debbie, and we're pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to source confidently, vet your partners, and make those connections that actually make your job easier — not harder.

We're talking about the first steps to take when you're new, how to walk into a showroom without feeling like an imposter, and what to do when a vendor just doesn't feel like the right fit. It's real talk, a few laughs, and a whole lot of practical advice from people who've been there.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How I started building my vendor list when I was brand new

• Why asking "dumb questions" is actually one of the smartest things you can do

• The difference between a showroom rep and a good showroom rep

• Rookie mistakes I see all the time at market (and how to avoid them)

• My favorite way to track what I sit on, love, and want to specify later

• Tips for organizing your photos and notes so market trips actually pay off

• How I use Instagram to find new vendors and get inspired

• What I always ask about pricing, freight, and lead times

• Why you should never feel "less than" if you don't know what something costs

• How I decide when it's time to walk away from a vendor relationship

I know firsthand how intimidating it can feel to start building vendor relationships — especially when you're newer in the industry or walking into a showroom for the first time. But here's the truth: those reps want your business. You have every right to be there.

When you find the right partners, it changes everything about how you serve your clients and how smoothly your projects run. I want you to feel confident, informed, and empowered to show up as the professional you already are.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Hey y'all — welcome back to the Design for the Creative Mind podcast! Today we're talking about something that might surprise you… when it's actually smart to break your own rules.

Your rules exist for a reason — they protect your time, your profit, and your sanity. But sometimes, breaking one intentionally can lead to big opportunities. In my case, one rule I broke turned into hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit — no joke.

So in this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on:

• Why your business rules and boundaries matter

• When they turn from protection to a cage

• How to know the difference between a strategic exception and a fear-based compromise

Because business doesn't live in absolutes — it lives in the messy middle.

IN THIS EPISODE, I SHARE:

• Why boundaries and rules eliminate decision fatigue (and chaos!)

• The difference between bending a rule for strategy vs. breaking it out of fear

• Real-life stories from my firm — the good, the bad, and the "what was I thinking?" moments

• The $100K+ example of breaking my "no weekend work" rule the right way

• The painful lessons I learned from breaking rules for the wrong reasons — like discounting from fear or saying yes to a client who wasn't a fit

• My personal framework for deciding: Am I doing this for strategy or for fear?

You'll walk away knowing exactly when to hold firm — and when to give yourself permission to flex.

Rules protect you — but they can also box you in. The real power comes from discernment: knowing when a little flexibility can actually strengthen your business.

If you've ever wrestled with questions like "Should I make this exception?" or "Am I being too rigid?" — this episode will help you decide with clarity and confidence.

Remember: flexibility isn't weakness — it's wisdom. Or as Kenny Rogers said, you gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Hey y'all, it's Michelle Lynn! Let's talk about something that's gonna ruffle a few perfectionist feathers—the 90% Rule. It's my way of saying that doing less is actually the fastest way to make more.

Perfectionism might feel like a badge of honor, but babe, it's a profit killer. In this episode, I'm breaking down how overdelivering and chasing "perfect" are draining your time, your energy, and your money—and how to flip that into efficiency, profit, and freedom. I'll walk you through how to decide where to give your full 100% and where 90% is more than enough. Because guess what? Your clients can't tell the difference—and they're already wowed.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• What the 90% Rule is (and why it works)

• Why perfectionism is not service—it's self-sabotage

• How "overdelivering" confuses clients and eats your profit

• The difference between excellence and perfection

• Real stories from ML Interiors Group (and how one change saved us 10–15 hours per project!)

• Where to give 100%: client experience, communication, and installation

• Where 90% is plenty: backend systems, sourcing, and social media consistency

• How the 90% Rule frees you to take on better clients, protect your creativity, and actually enjoy your business again

You don't have to give 110% everywhere to build a wildly successful design business. You just need to know where it counts. When you stop trying to perfect every detail and start focusing on what actually drives results, you make more money, get more energy back, and give your clients a smoother, more confident experience.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Scope creep is the silent killer of profit in our industry. Most designers don't lose money because they undercharge—they lose it because they can't hold their boundaries. And I get it. Saying no feels uncomfortable. You don't want to sound difficult. You want your clients to love you. But here's the truth: boundaries aren't walls. They're leadership.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly why boundaries matter and giving you word-for-word scripts you can use the next time a client asks for "just one more thing." Whether it's another rendering, a quick showroom stop, or after-hours access, I'll show you how to hold your line with confidence—without sounding pushy or rigid.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• Why small "freebies" add up to thousands in lost profit

• How boundaries protect your profit, your time, and your sanity

• The people-pleasing and scarcity traps that keep designers saying yes

• Real-life scripts you can use when clients push for more than they paid for

• A case study of a student who went from burnout to respected professional with one simple shift

Boundaries aren't about being mean—they're about being clear. They create trust, stability, and respect in your client relationships. And when you stick to them, you stop leaking profit and start running a business that sustains you instead of drains you.

Download my free Client Boundaries Script Pack → designbakehouse.com/boundaries-script

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Being the most talented designer doesn't automatically make you the most successful—influence does. And I'm not talking about Instagram followers or being Insta-famous. Influence in business is about how your market perceives you: as the authority, the one they can trust, the one they want to work with before they even meet you.

In this episode, I'm breaking down what influence really means for interior designers, why it multiplies your results, and the quiet power moves that help you stop chasing clients and start attracting them. I'll share lessons from the IDS National Conference in New Orleans, stories from my own experience, and a real student transformation that proves influence—not just visibility—is what changes everything.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• Why talent alone doesn't guarantee success (and what does)

• What Jeffrey Shaw's keynote taught me about how clients make decisions

• The myths about influence (it's not followers, charisma, or luck)

• The four business habits that build influence:

  1. Consistency in pricing and positioning

  2. Clear and confident communication

  3. Showing up and staying visible (online and in-person)

  4. Delivering on your promises every time

• The habits that erode influence—like apologizing for your pricing, changing your services constantly, or ghosting your market until you need something

• A student case study: how cleaning up her positioning, pricing, and consistency completely shifted her reputation and results

When you build influence, everything in your business gets easier—clients trust your recommendations, pricing conversations feel smoother, vendors and contractors treat you as a priority, and referrals multiply. Influence shortens your sales cycle, strengthens your reputation, and reduces how much effort it takes to land the right projects.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

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

Indecision is one of the most expensive habits you can have in business. Every time you delay—whether it's raising your rates, hiring help, or investing in the support you need—you're leaving money, time, and momentum on the table. In this episode, I'm sharing why overthinking costs you far more than mistakes do, how to build decision speed as a profitable skill, and the tools I use (and teach my students) to stop spinning and start moving forward.

IN THIS EPISODE, I'M TALKING ABOUT:

• The four traps that keep designers stuck: perfectionism, scarcity thinking, people-pleasing, and over-researching

• Real stories from my own business where delayed hiring and decision-making cost me big

• Why 80% clarity is more than enough to move forward

• Tools to help you make decisions faster: setting deadlines, running the numbers, the regret test, and the 80/20 rule

• A student success story that proves indecision costs more than action ever will

Business growth doesn't come from perfect choices—it comes from consistent, timely ones. Every month you delay raising your rates, every time you put off hiring, every program you "wait until later" to join—that delay is costing you thousands. Indecision doesn't keep you safe, it keeps you small.

RESOURCES: INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. https://mysidemark.com/ MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month. https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/ 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

Hey y'all, in today's episode I'm pulling back the curtain on the silent profit killers that sneak into your design business and quietly drain thousands from your bottom line. These aren't the big, obvious issues like not charging enough or overhead being too high—these are the sneaky, day-to-day habits that fly under the radar but add up fast.

I'm sharing where I've personally lost money (yep, guilty), where I see designers leaking profit all the time, and most importantly, how to patch those leaks so you can keep more of the money you're already working so hard to earn.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT:

• The everyday ways scope creep hides as "little extras"

• Why untracked time is one of the biggest drains on your profit

• How inefficient procurement and vendor management quietly eat away at your margins

• The real cost of client decision delays (and how to stop them)

• Why discounting out of guilt isn't serving you—or your clients

• Practical fixes you can implement right now to protect your bottom line

Profit leaks don't show up neatly in QuickBooks. They don't wave a red flag. They just quietly chip away at your hard work until one day you realize your revenue looks amazing on paper… but your take-home isn't where it should be. Plugging these leaks is often easier and more profitable than landing five new clients—and it will completely change how you feel about running your business.

RESOURCES: INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. https://mysidemark.com/ MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month. https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/ 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