Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Talking about money with clients can be super awkward. But here’s the thing, the real problem might not be the clients, it could be you! In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca discuss their experiences and approaches to navigating these tricky money conversations with clients. They also share their new Interior Design Client Questionnaire tool that makes those money talks a lot less awkward. 

In this episode, they discuss:

• How to have less awkward conversations with clients about money and budgets
• Starting budget conversations early to avoid surprises later
• Clients often have outdated information about costs, based on what their family members paid in the past
• Examples of clients being disappointed when the actual project costs are much higher than they expected
• Interior design client questionnaire with over 100 questions to guide client discussions
• Strategies to screen out clients with unrealistic budgets early on
• Tips for staying calm when clients react to unexpected prices and how to educate them on costs

Mentioned:

See what’s new on our Blog: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/blog/

Submit one of your projects to be featured on our Blog: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/65eb93c448cd67003a74507a

Have you checked out our new Interior Design Client Questionnaire: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/interior-design-client-questionnaire

Furnishing Budget Calculator: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/furnishing-budget-calculator

Client Purchasing Guide: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/client-purchasing-guide

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Jeanne Chung — an interior designer who used to work in fashion for 20 years before switching to interior design. Jeanne shares her story of how she made this big career change, the challenges she faced, and how she built her business from the ground up.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Jeanne’s background in fashion design and her transition from fashion design to interior design
• Going back to school for interior design, starting her design business, and opening a design showroom with her husband
• Using blogging and attending industry events to get recognition and credibility in the interior design industry
• The impact and value of attending industry events like the High Point Market in growing her business
• The benefits and challenges of working with her husband in the business
• Using technology and AI tools (like Fireflies.ai) to improve efficiency in her work
• The importance of customization and original design in her projects
• Tips for designers on balancing creative and administrative tasks

Mentioned:

Follow Jeanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozystylishchic/?hl=en0

Cozy Stylish Chic on Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/cozystylishchic/ 

Cozy Stylish Chic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozystylishchic/ 

Check out Jeanne’s work on her website: https://www.cozystylishchic.com/

Jeanne is hosting the Insiders Tour at Fall High Point Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/InsidersTour

JK Chung Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkchunginteriors/

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Can you send me your template for that project? What do you put in your client contracts? Can you send me the exact document you use for your project management? It’s tempting to ask for the tools, templates, and processes of successful designers, but you know what? There’s more to being successful than copying someone else’s process or templates.

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca discuss the value of developing your own processes and finding your way in the design industry. They remind you that it’s not about copying someone else’s way of doing things—it’s about developing a process that works best for YOU.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The awkwardness of people asking for resources and the importance of setting boundaries
• The challenges of sharing design processes and the importance of not copying others’ work
• The vulnerability of sharing work with other designers
• Learning from resources like podcasts and building your knowledge
• The importance of avoiding comparing yourself to other designers and focusing on developing your unique process
• How the unique personality of each designer shapes their business
• The value of building a community of designers and developing genuine relationships instead of just asking for templates or tools
• Adapting and improving your process through self-awareness and continuous experimentation

Mentioned:

Have you checked out what’s new on the HYDC blog? https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/blog/

My Chief Architect Upgrade Journey: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/my-chief-architect-upgrade-journey/

What disclosures do you put on an interior design drawings? https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/what-disclosures-do-you-put-on-an-interior-design-drawing/

Have your project featured on the HYDC blog: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/65eb93c448cd67003a74507a

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Grow small and incrementally. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon! Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Rona Graf, the founder of Grace Blu Interior Design. Rona shares her journey from being a teacher to starting her own design firm and discusses the importance of slow and steady growth in building a sustainable business. She explains why businesses should focus on sustainable, incremental growth instead of rapid expansion and how rushing into growth can lead to challenges.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Rona’s background and her transition from teaching to interior design
• Starting Grace Blu during the 2007 economic downturn and the challenges she faced
• The importance of having a business mindset, not just a creative mindset
• Growing your business incrementally instead of rushing into expanding too fast
• Hiring people with skills where you lack expertise and delegating tasks and responsibilities 
• The importance of collaboration and learning from others in the industry
• The importance of saying no and not taking on every project
• Balancing the creative and business aspects of running a design firm
• Rona’s approach to managing client expectations and the importance of not showing them the messy, unfinished parts of the work
• How hiring a CFO has helped her forecast revenue, manage overhead costs, and make informed business decisions

Mentioned:

Design Biz Survival Guide Retreat: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/

Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcasts/

Follow Grace Blu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceblu/

Check out Grace Blu’s website: https://www.graceblu.com/

The E-Myth: https://amzn.to/47CoO8S

Rana experienced the luxury of the Palmilla to help understand her clients better: https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla

Email Rona for help, or templates, or mentoring: https://www.graceblu.com/contact

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca are back with another installment of the perennial favorite, the Just Stop series, where they call out things in the design world that seriously need to stop. They discussed Just Stops from the coaching industry (coaches who brag about their income without proving their value) to the frustrations with generic and ineffective outreach emails from vendors, the use of AI-generated renders without disclosing their authenticity, and much more!

In this episode, they discuss:

• Shaun and Rebecca’s Hot Spot tour at High Point Market on October 26
• Coaches focus on their earnings instead of the results they help clients achieve
• The importance of routine check-ups and preventive care
• Using AI-generated renders and photorealistic images on social media without clearly labeling them as such
• Stop doing everything yourself in your business, especially for photo shoots
• Generic, impersonal outreach emails from vendors and sales representatives
• Personalizing your emails and messages and providing real value upfront
• Vendors making websites that are overly exclusive and difficult to access
• Hotels and hospitality design that lacks creativity and design appeal

Mentioned:

High Point Furniture Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/Fall/2024/RegistrationOpen 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Stephanie Nelson and Jessica Nelson from Etch Design Group, a full-service design studio. Stephanie and Jessica share their journey from colleagues to co-founders and how their unique skills and deep trust have allowed them to build a successful business. They also talk about harnessing the power of AI to streamline their design process and push the boundaries of their creativity.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Stephanie & Jessica met and started Etch Design Group
• How they divide responsibilities in their business
• The importance of communication and mutual support in their partnership
• Building their team gradually, starting with interns and eventually hiring full-time employees as their business grew
• Managing a remote team, trusting their team, and giving them autonomy
• Their fears and misconceptions about AI and embracing and exploring its potential
• AI’s impact on creativity, ethics, and control
• How they use AI to improve their efficiency, creativity, and profitability
• Why they prefer hourly billing and the pros and cons of using a flat rate
• Using AI for design inspiration, visualization, and rendering
• The potential of AI to transform the design industry 
• Different AI tools designers can use to enhance their business operations
• Details of their live webinars to help people with various AI tools and techniques

Mentioned:

KBIS: https://kbis.com/

Follow Etch Design Group: https://www.instagram.com/etchdesigngroup/

Check out Etch Design Group online: https://etchinteriordesign.com/

Hear more from Jessica & Stephanie on their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-lunches/id1727481441

It’s time to discover AI for Interiors online: https://aiforinteriors.com/

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriors/

Check out their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-for-interiors/id1734103554

AI Tools Mentioned:

Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/

ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/

Midjourney: https://www.midjourney.com/home

Prome AI: https://www.promeai.pro/

Listen back to Crystal Bright in Episode 125 for how she uses AI in her business

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

What are your project management strategies? How do you set expectations with clients and manage your deadlines? Shaun and Rebecca discuss their project management strategies and methods for setting expectations with clients and managing deadlines in the world of interior design. They also dive deep into the challenges of managing project timelines, client expectations, predicting and planning capacity to avoid overbooking, and much more.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Shaun and Rebecca handle multiple projects and manage client expectations
• Determining if you have the capacity to take on a new project and avoid overbooking
• Organizing and visualizing project workload and pipeline
• Handling challenges like clients being unresponsive or changing their minds during a project
• Setting realistic project timelines and communicating them effectively to clients and adding buffer time for client feedback and approvals
• Some project management tools – Gantt charts, Basecamp, Monday, etc
• Dealing with clients who constantly change requirements or are slow to respond and how that impacts workflow
• Taking time off as a business owner, and challenges and considerations around taking a long break
• Story of a problem Rebecca had with a third-party Dubsado template
• The importance of having backup systems and emergency contacts in place for your business

Mentioned:

PMO Work Management Software | monday.com: https://monday.com/work-management/pmo 

Gantt: https://www.gantt.com/ 

Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/ 

ClickUp: https://clickup.com/ 

Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com/ 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Crystal Bright, a virtual interior designer. Crystal shares how she grew her business in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crystal has completed over 400 projects in the past five years and helps other designers transition to virtual work. Crystal explains how she uses AI and tools like 2020 Design Live to streamline her virtual design process and provide high-quality services to clients. 

In this episode, they discuss:

• Crystal’s story of starting a virtual interior design business and growing a lot during the 2020 pandemic
• Crystal was offering kitchen plans on Fiverr initially at a low cost of just $15 but later realized her value
• Overcoming impostor syndrome, and gaining confidence in her design work through education and experience, and taking NKBA courses
• Virtual design and rendering software that Crystal uses – 2020 Design Live, SketchUp, Lumion, etc
• Pros and cons of flat rate vs hourly fee structures for design services
• Challenges of in-person design work vs remote work and balancing business and creativity
• How Crystal automates her client communication and uses tools like Canvas, Monday CRM, Zapier, etc, to simplify workflows
• How Crystal streamlines her virtual projects with Design Live
• Finding a balance between charging rates that clients can afford and appropriate compensation for her skills and expertise
• Strategies for negotiating project proposals 
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline client onboarding, interpreting clients’ questionnaires and design preferences, etc

Mentioned:

Follow Crystal:

@crystaldbright

https://www.instagram.com/crystaldbright/ 

@livingbrightinteriors

https://www.instagram.com/livingbrightinteriors/ 

@3dbrightdesigns

https://www.instagram.com/3dbrightdesigns/ 

Living Bright Interiors Website: https://www.livingbrightinteriors.com/ 

NKBA courses for kitchen and bath: https://nkba.org/ 

Scanning floorpans with Canvas app: https://canvas.io/ 

Lumion for renderings: https://lumion.com/ 

Monday CRM app to communicate internally: https://monday.com/ 

Zapier for automation: https://zapier.com/ 

Loom for video replies and communication: https://www.loom.com/ 

Learn more about Cyncly and Design Live: https://www.2020spaces.com/2020products/2020designlive/ 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

You know what they say – Niche Is Riche. Finding a niche for your interior design business can make you rich and successful. But how do you get there, hotties? Shaun and Rebecca discuss the importance of finding and defining your niche in your business. They also share different approaches to finding and defining your niche, from being true to your personal style and skills to identifying unmet demands in the market. They also explore how to define and market their niches through refined language and curated portfolios.

They encourage you to get out there and find your niche. With the right niche, you can build the business and life you want! 

In this episode, they discuss:

• Shaun and Rebecca’s plans for the 2024 High Point Market
• What is a niche, and how can interior designers find and define their niche
• Different approaches to finding and defining your niche:
• Being true to your personal style and skills
• Doing research and understanding the market gaps to find your niche and not just following trends
• How can interior designers niche down in terms of project type, price point, design style, home type, or target demographics
• How Shaun and Rebecca have been refining their business niche over the years
• Importance of finding a niche that aligns with your skills and expertise
• How niching helps with marketing, branding, and attracting ideal clients
• Editing your portfolio — hiding projects that don't align with your style, highlighting projects that showcase your style
• How to overcome common challenges in niching like differentiating from other designers
• Showcasing your niche through imagery, mood boards, Pinterest, blog posts, etc
• Working remotely or nationally to broaden your market size

Mentioned:

Episode 121: Evan Larkin, SEO for Interior Designers: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/episodes/121-evan-larkin-seo-for-interior-designers/ 

How to Find Your Business Niche on Business News Daily: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6748-business-niche-characteristics.html 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Today's guest, Jennifer Ramsey, has not only mastered the art of creating stunning personalized spaces but also seamlessly incorporated furniture sales in her design process – a feat that has increased her furniture sales to a new height. In this episode, Jennifer talks about her strategic approach to design and furniture sales that has transformed the way her clients experience the design journey.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Jennifer's journey from working for a luxury designer to starting her own business
• Jennifer's remodeling projects with Tankersley construction 
• Incorporating furniture sales into her design services
• Her client inquiry process and how she communicates costs upfront
• The importance of discussing the budget during initial client calls
• Jennifer’s experience with Sandler Sales System and how it helped her improve her sales process
• Using investment guide to set client expectations
• Jennifer's approach to setting client expectations for minimum purchasing, especially for furniture
• The importance of identifying client pain points during the initial conversation to build trust and tailor her services to meet their specific needs
• Using permission statements like “If at any point I’m not a good fit for you, or you’re not a good fit for me, is it okay if we say that to each other?” to establish trust and an open dialogue
• Handling client's budget fatigue during a project
• Setting expectations with clients around furniture and window treatments 
• How using Buildertrend allows contractors to be more organized and also facilitates better coordination with designers
• The power of using phrases like, "I don't do unfinished work” to indicate that all phases of the design, including the purchasing part, are scheduled and integrated into the overall project plan
• Posting about her furnished spaces on social media and attracting new clients from it

Mentioned:

Jennifer Ramsey Interiors’ Website: https://jenniferramseyinteriors.com/ 

Follow Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferramseyinteriors 

Episode 105 A Conversation with Tankersley Construction: https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/d137f52d-bc81-4f53-b0d2-6c19512c73f7/EP105-Hot-Young-Designers.mp3 

Client Purchasing Guide: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/client-purchasing-guide 

Investment Guide: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/interior-design-investment-guide 

Coach Matt Saia: [email protected] 

Sandler Sales System

https://www.salesleadership.sandler.com/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Ot3xDKiu9dPb6yoZ_eLVnRDMSNkyq3E3DARAaMUNaKXLW_cao4YD5nlWPhm2v1LfGFoHzzPQvzj7P69kVQjSCLuC2oVaMUaFBmQpYfMtIsSdlRKY&_hsmi=310988710&utm_content=310988710&utm_source=hs_email 

Furnishing Budget Calculator: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/furnishing-budget-calculator 

Buildertrend for construction management: https://buildertrend.com/ 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop