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Alix Helps breaks down interior design business foundations: profit, pricing, process, and pipeline—how to keep a design studio profitable through feast and famine. We cover P&L, Xero reconciliation, procurement markup, boundaries, and more. 

Alix has spent 12 years proving that beautiful interiors and smart business sense aren't mutually exclusive. As founder of Alix Helps Interiors, Alix brings something most designers lack - serious business chops earned from running a successful family enterprise before switching to the creative world.

Her spaces are known for their grace and meticulous attention to detail, but what sets Alix apart is her mentoring approach. She's passionate about teaching fellow designers that creating stunning interiors means nothing if your business is broke. This conversation explores balancing creativity with commercial reality, building sustainable design practices, and why financial literacy matters in Australia's competitive interior design scene.

Key Takeaways:

• Financial Foundations: Alix underscores the importance of financial discipline, maintaining multiple bank accounts for business operations, and scrutinising income and expenditure to build a sustainable practice.
• Creative Endurance: Aligning business management skills with artistic vision is essential to remain relevant and resilient in the fluctuating world of design.
• Mentorship: Alix's commitment to mentoring stems from her desire to guide emerging designers in valuing their worth and realising financial success alongside creative fulfillment.
• Client Relationships: Establishing clear communication and boundaries with clients can significantly impact project success and personal satisfaction in the design profession.
• Authentic Success: Persistence, self-belief, and adherence to a sound structure are indispensable assets in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges and achieving long-term creative success.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Profit is not a dirty word. Profit is actually essential because that's what's going to allow you to endure."
2. "Sometimes the most powerful thing a designer can do is stay true."
3. "Greatness is in the agency of others."
4. "It's going to be harder than you thought, but it's also going to be more rewarding than you thought."
5. "If you aren't here to make money and have fun, what are you doing here?"

#InteriorDesignBusiness #DesignStudioFinance #BuildBeautiful

Resources:

• Follow Alix Helps and her work on instagram
• Book Referenced: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.

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