Designer's Oasis

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:

[5:25] 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.

[8:30] 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!

[13:41] I share all about how to get comfortable with self-promotion even if it is inherently uncomfortable for you.

[16:00] 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.

[20:43] 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:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

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

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/52

Great marketing should make our consumers feel like they WANT to open that email and look at the blog post or podcast. We have all had those moments where marketing may have put us off because it was a little "icky" or overly done but today's guest Katie Boyce is going to help us with copywriting and brand messaging that feels just right!

In this episode, we discuss

👉 What a lead magnet is, why they are important, and how to decide that you need one (hint: we all do!).

👉 What type of lead magnet attracts the right client, what can set you apart and what really makes a good lead magnet.

👉 What comes after you create the lead magnet from putting it all together, the tech side, the nurture sequence, and all that comes along with having a successful lead magnet. She shares how the days after they are delivered the lead magnet are really key in conversions.

👉 Email service providers and tech tools you can use to build your welcome sequences and how to keep moving forward even if this part is intimidating for you!

👉 What emails should be included in a welcome sequence and how to build out an email sequence that will keep your subscribers interested and engaged.

👉 When it may be best to hire a copywriter and how a copywriter can help you really nail down your brand messaging to attract the clients you really want.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint
• BLOG: Lead Magnet Ideas for Interior Designers
• Check out Katie's Website & Services
• Follow Katie on IG @katieboycewrites
• 🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

WANT MORE?

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

⬇️ Free Resources

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📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/51

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

Have you been at this a while, but for some reason you can't seem to either get to that next level revenue goal you've set and you feel stuck at the level you're at?

Today's episode is all about the habits that keep you stuck and broke. Those habits that keep holding you back and are keeping you from really thriving in your business. I want to share what I see often that keeps interior designers in a perpetual loop and how to make mindset shifts to really make some adjustments and gain some clarity.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[5:55] Leaving money on the table is the first reason I have seen interior designers stay stuck, which can happen with scope creep and change orders. I share a few ways to address this in the future.

[9:17] I share how to use value-based proposals to ensure your clients can see what each level of service really includes.

[10:55] I share about tracking time and how important it is no matter how you are charging for your services.

[13:54] I dive into the importance of the follow up plan and staying connected with your prospective clients. I share how follow up is part of the selling process.

[20:00] I talk about all things undercharging. So many interior designers are perpetually undercharging and I share all the ways you may be doing this and how to make sure you are aware moving forward.

[28:45] I wrap up with questions to ask yourself if these topics resonated with you and how to start making adjustments.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• 3 Ways to Price Your Projects (Hourly, Flat Fee, & Hybrid)

• How to Make More Money with Time Tracking Part I - Why & How to track your time

• How to Make More Money with Time Tracking with Time Tracking Part II - How Audit your Project's Time

• How to Raise your Design Fees without the "Ick"

• 4 Ways Designer's leave money on the table

• 4 Myths About Selling

🎯 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

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📍 Pinterest

📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/50

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

Have you had doors close for you that you can later look back on and realize it was pushing you into a new place, a better place?

Today I am joined my Crerissa McKinnis, an interior designer from San Antonio Texas, and a member of the Interior Designers Business Blueprint program.

After attempting career paths toward being a doctor. And then a lawyer, she had what she calls a "god moment" and she knew that design was her calling.

She shares how she had many door close on her over the years - but her persistence has paid off. Today she runs a thriving interior design business she is proud of.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[5:50] Cerissa shares her story about getting started (at the young age of 16) when her parents were building their dream house.

[10:20] Cerissa and I discuss her educational and career path towards interior design ranging from wanting to be a doctor to a lawyer and settling on interior design.

[17:40] We discuss how Cerissa got started in a retail environment and how she sorted out what she enjoyed, what she didn't enjoy and what her next steps should be.

[24:20} We jump into Cerissa's move back into interior design through a family renovation and how she began advocating for clients moving forward.

[29:20] We discuss making the move from a full time job into your own business including the time and commitment it takes to build a "side-hustle" into a full time business.

[30:25} I ask Cerissa to explain how she is a dream caster for her clients and how she applies that to her clients to help them manifest their dreams inside their homes

[33:00] Cerissa shares what she would have done sooner or what she would have done differently when taking your business to the next level. We discuss where to invest, what was most helpful and what key components you should nail down as you grow.

[40:00] We discuss how important really knowing and speaking to your ideal client is and how it's necessary to revisit this as you grow to ensure you work with exactly who you are looking to work with!

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Industrious Interiors

• Instagram: @industriousinteriors

🎯 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

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📍 Pinterest

📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/49

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

Do you find yourself still on Instagram an hour and a half after you went on to post or engage with your followers? We all do!

In today's episode I catch up with Jessica Norby, a social media strategist on how to lose the social media overwhelm while still allowing social media to work for you and help attract the right clients to your business.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[5:00] Jess shares how the strategy for service based business models differs from larger product based online businesses in terms of building relationships via social media.

[7:10] We discuss how to get a user to stop scrolling past you on social media so that you can grab their attention and allow for that connection to your followers.

[10:00] We jump into how social media for smaller product based businesses is a long game and not something that just happens overnight. It's a longer strategy of having your ideal client learn who you are so they can know, like, and trust you.

[19:00] Jess shares the real story behind your reach on social media when you're comparing yourself to accounts with massive followings. Social media is a FREE avenue with live feedback through likes, saves, shares and messages. Reach for local business owners is about getting visibility to those around you both on social media and in real life within your community!

[29:05] We dive into the discussion of hashtags and geo locations. Do they really matter as much as they used to?

[35:30] We discuss planning for social media. We talk about strategy, batching, and planning content.

[39:00] Jess talks about analytics and best practices for seeing what is working and what may not be.

[45:00] Jess shares the struggles and challenges with being a small business owner and a mom while also wanting to be an asset to your community and help others.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Jess's Website

• Follow Jess on Instagram: @jessicanorbyllc

• Social to Selling Course

🎯 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

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/48

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

Are you tuned into your creative energy and how it ebbs and flows?

As designers it's part of our job to read our clients minds and also be able to have time for creative processes but moving back and forth between the two can be a challenge. Tuning into her creative energy patterns, Carly shares some great tips on how to move between heading up long strategic conversations or taking in feedback, and producing work of a consistent quality all while protecting your creative energy.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[05:17] We talk about the need to protect creative and social energy and how Carly started this process for herself.

[12:00] Carly and I discuss boundaries and how to start working through how you really want to work with clients. We discuss how the decision on when to take meetings, how often to engage with clients, and when you want to be social can make a huge impact on your creative energy.

[18:30] We discuss context switching and how for many of us, we lose so much time trying to switch our brains between a variety of tasks rather than go with our natural ebb and flow.

[21:45] Carly and I share about how we use hyperfixation playlists to focus on creative days to help stimulate creativity and focus on projects.

[25:25] We dive into cycle-related trends around creativity and what Carly has learned about her own PMDD and how she now factors this into her schedule and recognizes how negative feedback can impact interactions during this time.

[32:30] Carly shares her self-care list she has created based on time available for reference for quick pick me ups to get into a better creative space so that they are readily available without needing to make another decision!

[38:50] We discuss how to use the Shortcuts app (game-changer!) when we are distracted to help run through a set of prompts to see what kind of support you may need in that moment, and then suggests ideas that you know work for you.

[47:00] We wrap up with a run-down of tools that can help you fight distraction, hyperfixation, and create the natural rhythms in your business to support your creative work in the best way possible.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Spotify ADHD Hyperfixation Playlist (Carly's Fave)

• Spotify Binaural Beats Flow State (Kate's Fave)

• Schematic Design Co. Website

• Follow Carly on Instagram: @schematicdesignco

• PODCAST: 3 Things your Brand Needs to Communicate (well) with Carly Teigeler

• Blog Post: Makeover Your Week with Time Blocking

• Blog Post: Keeping Healthy Boundaries with Your Interior Design Clients

• Blog Post: 3 Productivity Tools I can't Live Without

🎯 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

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📍 Pinterest

📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/47

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

How much beauty comes out of the mess as a creative? When you have stuff all out on the table and you are "in" in, that's when the magic can happen.

On today's episode, I chat with Jenny Footle about how to remain present, listen to our bodies, and how to prepare for focused work, client meetings, and handling mistakes. We talk about how to really tune into our bodies and find ways to manage expectations of ourselves and our clients and find a pace of work that feels healthy and sustainable.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[03:30] Jenny shares how she got into her work and her organization Beautiful Feet Wellness.

[12:15] Jenny shares her techniques to help during those times when you are feeling like an imposter, being questioned by clients, and other times which leave you feeling anxious and how to pause in the moment and work through these feelings.

[15:26] We discuss taking time to pause between transitions in our days and lives. We talk about how to set the tone for how people interact with you and what pace you set for yourself.

[23:26] Jenny and I talk about creativity and creating space for creative expression. Allowing for play is critical for truly creating and digging into critical thinking. We talk about allowing for white space and the freedom of getting bored.

[39:45] Everything is a practice, not a perfect - we dive into how to take a pause between transitions so that you are able to be present in any moment.

[53:00] Jenny walks us through a few easy yoga positions to utilize when you just need to let go or release in the moment.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Jenny's Website → Beautiful Feet Wellness

• Follow Jenny on IG → @beautfiulfeetwellness

🎯 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

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📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/46

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

What we say to ourselves matters, right? We listen to ourselves, and we're counting it as evidence so being able to notice and think about how you can shift your thinking or reframe thoughts to support yourself is important.

In today's episode, we continue our discussions around mental health with Sarah Lovell, an executive function and ADHD coach. We will help normalize procrastination and overwhelm and learn skills and tactical tips to get s#!t done!

Here's a glance at the episode:

[03:55] We get started with a discussion about what executive functioning is and how Sarah got started working with other female business professionals to prioritize, start and finish tasks, problem-solve, etc.

[08:20] I share my personal struggles with staying on task and how I have to set up my environment for the best productivity as possible. We discuss distractions and tactics for trying to minimize distractions with various tools.

[15:30] Sarah shares a few strategies from her toolkit to keep all the thoughts we have each day and organize them somewhere outside of just our heads and how to use visual systems.

[28:15] We chat about feeling in limbo when you feel "stuck" and how to create a list of things to do that can re-energize you and help you get back on track and create again.

[36:15] Sarah and I chat all about prioritizing tasks and deadlines along with asking for help when you need it.

[46:40] Sarah shares the concept of time tracking and time blindness which helps us visualize time when working on a project so that we can avoid going down an unnecessary rabbit hole.

[58:30] We wrap up with how Sarah structures her coaching and how you can find out more about her!

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Time Timer

• Clearly Reader Plug In

• Colored To-Do List Post Its

• Spotify Binaural Beats - Focus

• Find out more about Sarah: Executive Functioning First

• Follow Sarah on IG @executivefunctioningfirst

🎯 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

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📍 Pinterest

📺 YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/45

Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

In today's episode I have the pleasure of sitting down with Molly Crouch from In Her Company. Molly is a corporate-ladder-climber-turned-gentle-living-visionary who began to unravel the busyness in her own life after her youngest daughter was born.

Now she serves as co-listener and coach for busy women who want to discover the rhythms, routines and rituals that lead to a more sustainable life. Molly received her life coaching certification through Erickson Coaching International in 2020, and is a co-host for a quarterly women's retreat called TONIC + Bloom where guests are invited to a day of pause, play and restoration. Today we are here to chat about how rituals, routines, and rhythms can help you create a more sustainable business. Molly believes that it is important to re-frame our view of our relationship to the world, our clients, our families, our friends, so that we can find more balance.

Here's a glance at the episode:

[04:35] Molly shares her backstory and how she found her way into this line of work coming from a place with very little margin and how she created more space to really unravel the busy in here life.

[12:45] We dive into how it can feel to manage "all the things" and feel like the wheels will fall off if we let anything go.

[16:30] Molly and I talk about delegation and how challenging it can be when it comes to our personal lives vs our professional lives.

[23:05] Anxiety can be contagious and learning how to set the tone for our own atmosphere can make a difference for those around us as well.

[25:45] Molly shares how to build practices through rhythms and routines to find groundedness and learn to really be kind to ourselves. Molly shares the rituals that help us and how to build rituals and routines that can become truly life-giving.

[46:00] Molly and I discuss how choosing to work with the right clients is key in creating ease and calm in many ways and how this can influence your ability to say yes to the right projects.

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• In Her Company Website

• Follow Molly on IG @inhercompany

• Tonic + Bloom Retreats

• Join Molly's Newsletter for a weekly Rest & Reflect Series

🎯 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

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📺 YouTube

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Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

In today's episode I want to share the 7 money tips that I live by as an interior designer! Maybe finances come easy for you or maybe you're more like me where it needs to be built into your schedule and you need a clear list of what needs to be done, what needs attention, and what to focus on.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[04:26] I discuss making a ritual out of looking at your finances each week to create a habit and create a ritual of grabbing you favorite coffee or treat.

[07:45] I share how to start paying yourself first via auto-pay to create the habit that ensures you get paid and taken care of even from the start of your business.

[10:00] I dive into how to keep your money siloed and how I use this in my business to make sure my client money and my business money and profit stay separate.

[19:00] I discuss my method for how I use a recurring focused task on my calendar with a checklist to ensure that I can focus on what needs to be done without taking time as invoices, etc come in to stop and take care of those.

[26:30] I have questions for my bookkeeper throughout the month (as I'm sure we all do!) so I share how I manage these questions so that I can stay on top of what's needed.

[28:30] I am a big advocate of auditing your projects to really get a feel for income and time spent on each project and share my methods.

[32:54] I share my simple method of using email tags to set up a system for knowing what needs to be paid or needs attention on the day you are doing your money work!

Mentioned in this episode:

• JOIN: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

• Harvest $10 off of your first month

WANT MORE?

- Template Shop - 10% off ANYTHING in the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) - Blog - Free Resources

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- Instagram- Pinterest - YouTube

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EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/43