Designer's Oasis

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I sat down with Gabriela Eisenhart of Silo Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. She and her team help clients nationwide infuse homes with their fresh, modern aesthetic that pushes boundaries while still being livable. We talked about the evolution of SIlo Studios how she manages a team today that helps move projects from concept to completion.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• We discuss client-centric design and how to reflect a client's style in their design.
• We dive into slow design and trying to utilize pieces that will last a long time and are more sustainable.
• Gabriela shares how she has grown her team and what it took to find the right balance.
• We share how getting feedback from your team helps you to grow a more sustainable business and streamline your systems and processes.
• We talk about imposter syndrome, family life, and building a business you love and can sustain

Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Part Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• Find Gabriela at Silo Studios
• Follow Gabriela on Instagram: @silostudiodesign

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/growing-an-interior-design-team-with-gabriela-eisenhart

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I got to sit down with Marisa Wilson, the creator of The Cool Girl's Guide to High Point, a fun and insightful resource designed to help designers navigate the expansive High Point Market. Her guide offers insider tips, must-visit showrooms, and advice from industry leaders, making it a go-to for anyone attending the event, covering 12 million square feet of showroom space.   In addition to The Cool Girl's Guide to High Point, Marisa runs Marisa Wilson Interior Design, her Charlotte-based residential design firm. She’s known for her playful yet thoughtful design approach, aiming to make the process enjoyable for her clients. Marisa also has a reputation for blending creativity with practicality, helping people create spaces that reflect their personalities​. So how can you make the most of your High Point Market experience?   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• We discussed the origins of the Cool Girl's Guide to High Point and how Marisa found herself helping friends, other designers and reaching out to others to build what is now an extensive guide.
• We talked about the top navigation tips for high point market.
• Marisa shared how to keep track of which showrooms had certain products throughout your time at market.
• We shared about the market Insider's Tours - who they are for, what they are about, and how to sign up.
• We both opened up about networking at High Point and how inviting and warm the environment is between designers.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Part Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• Marisa's Website: https://www.marisawilsoninteriors.com/
• Follow Marisa on IG: @coolgirlsguidehpmkt

  🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/navigating-highpoint-market-with-marisa-wilson

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I had a chance to sit down with Dan Mazzarini, Principal and Creative Director at BHDM Design & ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini. BHDM Design is an award-winning, bi-coastal, multi-disciplinary firm offering residential, commercial, and hospitality design services. ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini provides a curated selection of home and lifestyle products, shopped from all of his favorite resources. Through ARCHIVE, Dan educates, encourages, and inspires a global network of consumers to incorporate luxury to their everyday lives.   We talk about balancing diversifying your portfolio and niching down. We talk about having a signature style and creating "memory points" on projects. We also dive into a new project ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• We discuss how Dan transitioned from retail to hospitality and then built his freelance portfolio to start his own firm.
• We discuss whether it's important to build a signature style or diversify your portfolio or projects.
• We jump into how to choose which interior design projects are a good fit and how to find out if you have an emotional connection to the project.
• Dan shares the concept of creating memory points in design projects to stand out.
• We end with a discussion on mental health in the design industry and steps to take to protect your own.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Part Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• Follow Dan on Instagram @danmazzarini
• BHDM Website
• ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini

  🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/diversifying-your-interior-design-portfolio-with-dan-mazzarini

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I catch up with Rasheeda Gray, founder of Gray Space Interiors to discuss her transition from a corporate marketing career to interior design. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the value of insider tours at High Point Market. Rasheeda and I discussed her journey, including her gaining her first client in 2016 and making the decision to go full-time in 2018. Rasheeda shares her approach to balancing work with her husband's general contracting business and hiring a business coach. Rasheeda and I also discuss the progress in elevating black designers in the industry and her hope for continued growth and representation.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• Rasheeda shares how she started her early career in corporate marketing and describes her transition to interior design.
• Rasheeda and I discuss how to make an interior design business work while still working in a full-time job and building our design business on the side.
• Rasheeda discusses the need to hire for the first time in 2018 and how to reinvest in your business.
• We share what it means to get super clear on your priorities to help you decide when to say yes and when to say no to opportunities.
• We wrap up by discussing diversity in the interior design industry and how to elevate black designers.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Park Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself 
• The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
• Kate's Book Recommendations
• Black Interior Designer's Network

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/switching-to-an-interior-design-career-with-rasheeda-gray

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I share the importance of establishing healthy boundaries with clients. We all need that, right? It is essential in order to maintain a positive, professional relationship while protecting your time, energy, and well-being. Holding healthy boundaries is vitally important to avoiding burnout.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• I share how to start setting boundaries so that it feels easy and you are confident when sharing with your interior design clients.
• I discuss what type of boundaries you should be setting.
• I share why it's important to set boundaries to avoid feelings of resentment throughout a project.
• I dive into how setting boundaries requires risk and to feel that you are worthy of setting those boundaries and how to tackle this part.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• DOORS ARE OPEN! - JOIN TODAY: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Park Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• PODCAST: 3 Things I Obsess Over with Interior Design Clients

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/how-to-establish-healthy-boundaries-with-interior-design-clients

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I am sharing the top 3 things that I OBSESS over when it comes to my interior design clients. These are the things that I truly believe make your business sustainable and keep it fun and enjoyable without all of the overwhelm and frustration. So what are the 3 things I obsess over?   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• I share how to make sure clients are the right fit and what I do to vet each client.
• I discuss how I dig into finding out if a client has a realistic budget and timeline.
• I share the red flags that you shouldn't ignore!
• I dive into how to communicate well with clients before, during, and after a project to ensure there are no loose ends.
• I share my process for getting client feedback every step of the way throughout a project.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• DOORS ARE OPEN!: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Part Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• EPISODE 32: 7 Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
• SHOP: Renovation Reality Guide
• SHOP: Ultimate Email Template Suite

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/3-things-i-obsess-over-with-interior-design-clients

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   In today's episode, I walk interior designers through why I believe that a paid waitlist is a good idea when you have that ideal client you want to work with but you just aren't able to take them on immediately. By creating a paid waitlist opportunity, you offer both yourself and the client the ability to commit to working together. I have found that clients who are willing to be put on a waitlist, are going to naturally prioritize design over a timeline, which is exactly who I want to work with. I use a paid waitlist anytime I can't start on a project for at least 4 - 6 weeks.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• I share the benefits of building a paid waitlist for both yourself and your clients.
• I discuss the steps I would take to implement a paid waitlist and how to share with clients.
• I dive into how and why to charge for a waitlist project.
• I share how I support clients while they are waiting for their project to begin.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Part Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/how-to-create-a-paid-waitlist-for-interior-design-clients

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint   "Pivoting is a sign of growth"   In today's episode, I share why we sometimes need to pivot in business and then dive into how we can pivot. Often, when it comes to our own business, we find that we get stuck doing the same things repeatedly even if they aren't working anymore.   Just a few scenarios where this may happen include being unrealistic with client budgets, timelines, and expectations or our systems for creating and developing proposals and presentations. When we take some time to reflect on how we are doing specific tasks in our business, we find that they aren't as effective as they may have once been and it's time to pivot. This may include small micro-changes or it may involve big sweeping changes.   Here’s a glance at this episode…

• I share how to be objective when deciding what may be working and what may not be working for your business when looking to pivot.
• I discuss how to get comfortable with being different in the interior design business and how you offer or deliver services to client in your own way.
• I share how to allow your core values to guide your decisions to pivot in business.
• I talk about ways to apply creativity to problem-solving in your business while including your team in the brainstorming process.

Remember, pivoting is a sign of growth. It's acknowledging that something has an opportunity to improve, and it means you have your ear to the ground with clients, your team, and yourself, which is a huge part of creating a long-standing successful interior design business.   Mentioned in this episode:

• Join us at the A-List for Interior Designer's Summit on September 5 - 6, 2024!
• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• FREE Masterclass: 6 Park Framework for A Thriving Interior Design Business
• Dear Kate: Submit your questions for the show!
• BOOK: Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/how-to-pivot-in-business

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint 

Energy begets energy. Money is energy.  If we know that energy begets energy, what happens in your business when you sit down and you spend the time to commit some energy towards revenue generating activities and lead generating activities?

In today’s episode  we are talking about revenue-generating activities and what that means, how and when to do these activities and how they keep your business thriving! This episode was inspired by a listener question that we received from Julia,

 “Hi Kate, I’ve followed your advice and starting batching my days so that I have more focus and not drawn in 100 different directions at once. I’ve set aside Mondays as my Marketing & Money Mondays. The problem is, I don’t always know what to do with this dedicated time. Can you provide some specific examples of revenue generating activities that I can be focusing on during this time? Thanks so much. I appreciate everything.” 

 

Here’s a glance at the episode:

• We dive into a list of revenue-generating activities and get started with following up with leads.
• I share about putting together proposals and my methods for getting these done in a time efficient manner.
•  Invoicing clients can occasionally drop by the wayside when you’re deep into projects and a one-off invoice or an invoice outside of the regular schedule pops up so keeping these front of mind is necessary.
• I discuss how I make time to reach out and cultivate strategic partnerships on a regular basis.
• I share how utilizing facebook groups can help build your clientele and the right methods for trying to both share helpful information and build relationships while also promoting your services.
• Sometimes the key is in the follow up and continuing to follow up with past clients. I share how this has worked for my interior design business.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• REGISTER for the A-List for Interior Designer's Summit
• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
• Ask Kate a question!
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers

 🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint

Have a question you want to ask Kate?

Head over to designersoasis.com/askkate. We want to hear from you. We particularly love helping you with mindset shifts, dealing with tricky situations, and all things interior design business related. 

WANT MORE? 

🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles  

⬇️  Free Resources

 

FOLLOW ALONG

🤳Instagram 

📍  Pinterest 

📺 YouTube 

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FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis

EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/54

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint 

Today’s episode is all about looking back and sharing with you all the 5 things I would do differently if I was starting from scratch again. I reflected back on what I would tell a new interior designer getting started in the industry.

Here’s a glance at the episode:

• I share how important it is to truly invest in your business early on. I share how I invest in my business regularly now and how I wish that I had started to do this earlier.
• Perfectionism is the antithesis of progress. I share how it affects me as well and how it an hold us back from just getting started in business so dive in!
• I share all about how to get comfortable with self-promotion even if it is inherently uncomfortable for you.
• I discuss how important it is to get clear on your goals and what success really looks like for you! Remember - it’s key to build the business you want that fits into your lifestyle.
• I share with you how to be more selective with the types of clients you take on and how to determine where to spend your energy.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• REGISTER for the A-List Interior Designer's Summit
• JOIN: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint

 🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint

WANT MORE? 

🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles  

⬇️  Free Resources

FOLLOW ALONG

🤳Instagram 

📍  Pinterest 

📺 YouTube 

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***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts***

FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis

EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/52