Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

In this episode, we discuss our process of client discovery. The Client Discovery Workflow will guide you from initial inquiry all the way to consultation.

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about:

• The push and pull between designer and prospect - you need to play a little “hard to get”
• The difference in approach they take during the initial inquiry
• Politely grilling the prospect during the discovery call
• What to do before, during, and after the call
• Debrief questions and why they will help you learn and grow
• Guiding you through consultations with an intentional questionnaire

Mentioned:

Client Discovery Workflow - Get it here

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

There is a science to upholstery construction and today’s guest, Richelle Plett, talks all about it. Unlike the sometimes boring science classes in school, this lesson is not only interesting but it can help improve your design business.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Trading price for quality and why longevity should be the deciding factor
• Investing in pieces that are going to be used over and over again
• Top three things designers should learn about upholstery 
• How many vendor lines a designer should have
• Tips for finding and restoring vintage pieces
• Having a strong working relationship with an upholstery workroom
• Bottom-line pricing versus Itemizing
• Why interior designers need to get into the world of upholstery

Mentioned:

Richelle's Upholstery Uncovered Course

Richelle's Course with Luann University

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

Any business owner must come to the realization that problems are going to arise at some point. While it may not be what we desire, we can more readily handle these situations if we are prepared in advance. Today, we discuss how to handle client dissatisfaction.

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about:

• Feeling like the client’s punching bag and the stressful emotions that come with it
• Dealing with damaged and defective products
• Acknowledging concerns so the client feels understood and heard
• Offering to resolve issues with the time and resources available to you
• Making client aware of what you cannot do - Reference terms of the contract
• Not taking responsibility for problems you did not cause
• Obtaining the client’s written agreement 
• How markup revenue can protect you when solving problems 

Mentioned:

Hottie Shoutout - Katy Jaeger, Surf Perch Interiors

Check out Katy’s Website

Check out Katy’s IG

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 “Hottie” member - Support us on Patreon 

You have been deceived to think you only have certain options when it comes to window treatments. We are here to let you know that you do have options to choose from. It is possible to have both a functional and attractive window treatment.

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about:

• The accessibility to quality window treatments, in decades past
• Understanding the difference between professional vs store bought
• Main components to professional window treatments 
• Why designers need to skip the middleman and go straight to a workroom
• The benefits to having a relationship with a professional workroom
• Rebecca’s strategy to find a mid-range option for clients
• Being transparent with clients so they understand what their options are
• Why designers should not install window treatments for their clients

Mentioned:

Hottie Shoutout - Sarah Fischer

Check out Sarah’s Website

Check out Sarah’s IG

Etsy Seller - ADREAMhomedecor  

We found a window treatment workroom through WCAA - https://www.wcaa.org/ 

Download FREE Window Treatment Worksheet 

Download #1 Budget Calculator 

Instructions on How To Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

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 “Hottie” member - Support us on Patreon 

It is a desert out there and publications are thirsty for your designer content! The Pitching for Press Workbook is full of Shaun and Rebecca’s best tips to get you seen by publications and quench their thirst with your content! 

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about:

• How they obtained these helpful publishing tips
• The stress-free template you can use to create your pitch for Editors and media partners
• A one-page media kit that helps elevate you as an industry professional
• Many more hints and industry standard are included in the Pitching for Press Workbook

Our links:

Download the Pitching For Press Workbook - HYDC Resources

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

Are you still running your interior design business out of your home? Constant distractions, lack of resources, and limited space may be keeping your business from growing. Think of your business like a goldfish living in a fish bowl…it can grow if you give it space to grow!

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about:

• Being disconnected from important work tasks, because of distractions in the home
• Making more productive use of energy due to having an actual office space
• Clients are more excited for presentations in an office verses at a home
• Having boundaries with the design team is possible with an actual office
• Being more efficient with a library of many samples to choose from
• Getting a broker to locate, strategize and negotiate an office space
• Considering different factors - lease terms, utilities, maintenance, commute time, neighborhood, etc.
• Breaking things down into smaller pieces, compared to giant decisions

Resources Mentioned

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 “Hottie” member: Support us on Patreon

Become an official Hottie on Patreon!

Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected]

Follow Rebecca Instagram + Studio Plumb

Follow Shaun: Instagram + Wrensted Interiors

Today we ask the age old question: Is the juice worth the squeeze?

• Our a la carte Budget Calculator
• Greedy Peasant for a laugh

Become an official Hottie on Patreon!

Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected]

Follow Rebecca Instagram + Studio Plumb

Follow Shaun: Instagram + Wrensted Interiors

Become an official Hottie on Patreon!

Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected]

Follow Rebecca Instagram + Studio Plumb

Follow Shaun: Instagram + Wrensted Interiors

Rick Campos is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design industry. A graduate of Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach CA, Rick worked his way through the ranks by working at a design trade showroom and then as a design assistant for a notable interior design firm before launching his own design business and retail boutique in 2007. Most recently Director of Business Development for a leading OC design firm, his daily interactions with architects, builders, vendors and clients contributes to a broad perspective of the design industry.

Listen to Design Biz Survivors Guide

Design Biz Retreat 2022 (Tell him you heard about it on our episode!)

Follow him on Instagram

Become an official Hottie on Patreon!

Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected]

Follow Rebecca Instagram + Studio Plumb

Follow Shaun: Instagram + Wrensted Interiors

1 DON'T Don’t ever make your social posts look like you did the work if you didn't.

• DO Give credit where its due. If you are sharing photography, CREDIT DESIGNER AND PHOTOGRAPHER up front. Not buried in post or tags. If you are overlapping on a project with another industry professional, share credit and celebrate their work too. Value of collaboration and crediting eachother is better juju.

2 DON'T pop into DMs and expect other professionals to give you their design sources or vendors.

• DO remember that their clients paid for them to do the work and if they don't know you they don't owe you. Build your own connections and relationships and if you have trust, you may get somewhere.

3 DON'T expect professionals to give you their time so you can "pick their brain".

• DO Ask to pay for a consultation hour or even peer-to-peer mentorship when it makes sense. This is all about intent and respect for time. Recognize that we all have limited bandwidth and if you need mentorship its not a two-way street.

4 DON'T Be afraid to make friends with other designers.

• DO This is comparison to #4. So say hi when you see someone/recognize a person IRL. Start conversations at Market. Don't just lurk, do the Crha Slide into DM's and make friends. Once you've made relationships then there is equity and helping each other is a win-win.
• reframe the idea of "competitors." We all have different strengths and there is work for everyone.

5 DON'T Copy other designers work. Beware of the Pinterest trap.

• DO feel confident that your POV is unique and important. Your audience will find you and you should feel like you can push yourself creatively. There are some aesthetics that have taken over our industry. Although beautiful, it seems like a boring place to be pigeon-holed forever.