If you’re not getting paid what you’re worth, the real issue might not be pricing—it’s boundaries.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into why boundaries are the key to profitability, clarity, and peace of mind. From undercharging and scope creep to verbal orders and unpaid extras, I’m sharing the real-world ways designers lose money and respect, and how to stop the cycle.

If you’ve ever ended a project feeling resentful or undervalued, this episode is your call to action.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why most time and money leaks are boundary problems
• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and over-delivering
• Why scope creep happens (and how to stop it)
• The danger of verbal orders and “doing it to be nice”
• How to shift your mindset from caregiver to CEO

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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Starting a design business isn’t just about being talented, it’s about building a real business foundation that can support you long-term.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing what it really takes to start a design business—step-by-step—like a giant checklist. Most designers start by helping friends and family, but eventually you have to learn how to shift from “free help” into a legitimate business without becoming the gift that keeps on giving forever.

I’m walking you through the legal and operational setup you need (licenses, insurance, business structure, and naming), how to build out your vendor accounts and trade relationships, what support teams you need behind the scenes (from delivery and installers to remodel trades), and what systems you must have in place to stay organized and profitable.

Then I’ll cover the other half of success: marketing. Because if you want clients consistently, you need to know who your ideal client is, what problem you solve, and how to position yourself as the obvious choice—even when you’re just getting started.

This episode is packed, practical, and designed to give you clarity on what to do first… and what to build over time.

In this episode, I cover:

• How most design businesses start (friends & family) and why that can become a trap
• How to transition from “free help” to a real business model
• What to set up first: licenses, tax IDs, insurance, LLC/S-Corp structure
• How to choose a business name and secure your URL early
• Why joining a design organization helps open doors and builds credibility
• What vendor accounts you must open (furniture + decor)
• The wholesale discount benchmark you should aim for (at least 50%)
• Why retail-only sourcing can’t create a financially sustainable business
• The essential furniture-side support team:
  • Receiving warehouse
  • White glove delivery crew
  • Installers (drapery/shades, wallpaper, painters, workrooms, upholstery)
• The essential remodel-side support team:
  • Cabinet lines
  • Tile/stone/plumbing/appliances/flooring vendors
  • CAD drafter
  • General contractors (you need more than one)
  • Engineers + key trades
• Why you need designer software as your first business system
• Why your first hire should be a bookkeeper (and what they deliver monthly)
• How to set up banking + credit card payments for faster cashflow
• Why marketing is half the job—and how to define your brand + ideal client
• Why a website makes you “real” (even if it’s just one page)
• Why networking beats social media for client acquisition (10 to 1)
• How design awards build credibility even without full-home photography

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

You’re not a charity. You’re not your client’s financial rescue plan. And you’re definitely not in business to burn out.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into Part 4 of my Financially Sustainable Design Business series—and this one is all about the energetic side of money. Because here’s the truth: the mindset and beliefs you hold about money can block profitability faster than any pricing mistake.

I’m sharing how to stop subconsciously repelling money, why over-giving leads to resentment and burnout, and how to shift into a healthy “giving + receiving” loop that creates consistent income. Plus, I’ll walk you through the practical side of sustainability: setting income targets, reviewing every job like a scorecard, and tracking the KPI that truly matters—job profitability.

If you want a business that’s profitable year after year (without hustle), this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why your money mindset impacts your ability to be financially sustainable
• The difference between welcoming money and repelling money
• How “client-first” thinking can quietly turn your business into a charity
• Why burnout and resentment are the warning signs of undercharging
• The infinity loop of giving and receiving—and why you must allow both
• How to track income daily to grow your revenue consistently
• How to set annual + monthly gross income goals that actually work
• What job profitability is (and why it’s your most important KPI)
• The profit margin targets you should aim for in furniture and remodeling projects

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

You’re not a furniture store. You’re not a contractor’s free assistant. And you’re definitely not a charity.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into Part 3 of our financially sustainable design business series. This time, we're getting crystal clear about what you really sell, your design time. Discover the one metric that will transform your business, why chasing product sales is a trap, and how to set up your LOAs to finally get paid what you're worth.

Let’s talk about the true key to a million-dollar design business: consistently selling 20 hours of design time per week.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why product sales are not the path to profitability
• How to structure your design process (and LOA) for clarity and confidence
• The 20-hour weekly design time goal that builds 7-figure businesses
• Why fee-based pricing beats hourly billing
• How to handle add-ons, scope creep, and client changes without losing money

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

You’ve priced your design work. You’ve marked up your product. So why does it still feel like you’re working for free?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into Part 2 of our financially sustainable design business series, focusing on boundaries. From endless client emails to last-minute add-ons and ghosting clients who suddenly reappear, this episode will show you exactly how to protect your time, your money, and your sanity with strong, clear boundaries.

In this episode, I cover:

• The biggest time and money leaks in your business
• Why boundaries are essential to long-term profitability
• How to respond to sneaky scope creep
• The “end date” clause every LOA should include
• What to say when a client ghosts you and comes back

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

A beautiful portfolio doesn’t guarantee a profitable business.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m kicking off a multi-part series on building a financially sustainable design business. Today’s focus? Understanding how to separate your design services from product sales, and why clinging to retail vendors and discount pricing is keeping you stuck.

If you want to create a business that pays you consistently, covers your team and tools, and leaves room to grow, this is where you start.

In this episode, I cover:

• What it really means to have a financially sustainable business
• Why designers must separate services from product sales
• The hidden cost of using Pottery Barn and Wayfair
• How vendor discounts work, and how to use them profitably
• Why retail pricing isn’t a problem (it’s your solution)

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

What causes design jobs to fall apart? Spoiler alert: it’s rarely the client’s fault.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m walking you through the real reasons design jobs go sideways, and how to prevent them before they start. From clients ghosting your final presentation to never-ending projects with zero profit, I’ll show you how to build structure, communicate expectations, and take the lead from day one.

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-project wondering “How did we end up here?”, this episode is your roadmap to staying in control and getting paid what you're worth.

In this episode, I cover:

• The #1 mistake designers make that leads to job chaos
• What goes into a clear, client-aligned Letter of Agreement
• Why the money talk must happen up front
• How to structure your meetings and set boundaries
• The connection between planning and profit

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Hiring the right team member can transform your business, but hiring the wrong one? It can drain your time, money, and sanity.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing real stories from my own hiring journey, the flops, the fixes, and the eye-opening lessons that helped me build a team that actually supports me. From cheap hires to knee-jerk decisions, interns to untrained assistants, you’ll hear what not to do, and exactly how to prepare for your next great hire.

If you're looking to grow your team the right way, this episode is packed with lessons learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why “cheap” help usually costs more in the long run
• The hidden cost of hiring out of desperation
• What tasks to delegate first (and what to keep)
• Why interns and generalists can drag you backward
• The systems that keep a team running smoothly

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

What’s the best way to charge for your design work, by the hour, by the square foot, or with flat fees? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of each method, and revealing why design fees are the real workhorse of your business. You’ll learn how to handle scope creep, price add-ons properly, and present fees that align with how builders and clients think—without giving away your time or undercharging.

This episode is packed with practical advice to help you price confidently and get paid what you’re worth.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why design fees beat hourly billing every time
• When it is okay to bill hourly, and how to do it right
• The pitfalls of square foot pricing and how to avoid them
• How to handle add-on requests without giving your time away
• The #1 pricing strategy that positions you as a pro

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
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What happens when your dream project finally lands in your lap… but you’re too buried in admin to say yes?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing the story of a designer who landed her absolutely fabulous project, only to realize she couldn’t take it on without radically transforming how her business runs. Sound familiar?

I’ll walk you through how we helped her restructure her team, delegate admin tasks, and reclaim her time, so she could finally step into her next-level design career.

In this episode, I cover:

• The reality behind landing the “dream job”
• What keeps designers stuck in admin overload
• The paradigm shift that unlocks creative freedom
• How one designer freed up 3 full days a week to design again
• The power of structure, systems, and the right kind of help

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy