Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design

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Whether your design firm is new or not, it’s high time you learn how to make money and run a profitable business! No more free consultations. No more asking for permission to raise your rates. And certainly no more burying your head in the sand and not looking at your numbers. Award-winning designer and fellow podcaster, Laura Thornton joins me for this conversation! She’s sharing about time tracking, money management, offer pricing, intuition, and SO much more in this episode. You’re gonna need at least one notebook for this one. Be sure to stay for this week’s Coaching Corner!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover how to make money and become profitable as an interior designer. 
2. Uncover the benefits of tracking your time each week.
3. Learn what questions to answer so you start tracking your numbers efficiently.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Profit Academy for Interior Designers (use code: KATIECOLOR10)
Colorworks Cares
Guide to Choosing Your Pricing Model

Related Episodes:
Hire a CPA
Target Market
Corporate Give Back

📲Connect with Laura:
Website
Instagram
Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

It’s Las Vegas Summer Market recap time! Our favorite visual merchandiser, Diana Rushton, is here to tell all. From textures and color palettes to furniture and lighting—we’re talking all about what’s trending. Is gray gone for good? How about Farmhouse style? And when it comes to choosing which market you go to for your design firm, how do you make the best decision? All that and more is heading your way when you press play! Oh, and don’t miss this week’s Coaching Corner where I reveal how I’ve found trends valuable.

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover what differences Di saw from the High Point to Vegas summer market.
2. Uncover what took Di by surprise at the summer 2024 Vegas market.
3. Learn how to make the best decision about which market you go to and when. 

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio & Coaching Strategy Session
Vegas Market Trends
High Point Market 2024

📲 Connect with Diana
Instagram

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Your design business will grow faster, go further, and be more successful when you embrace 2 things: collaborations and technology. You may not want to admit it, but AI is here to stay! It can even have a positive impact on your firm—if you let it. And that’s just one collaboration you can engage in! There’s also the opportunity to join professional organizations which can keep you inspired, get you out of creative burnout, or provide educational resources. If you're curious about how collaboration and technology can benefit your business, you will not want to miss this episode with Jenny Cano! Stick around for the Coaching Corner where I’m sharing my own insecurities around collaboration and competition. Enjoy the conversation!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover how a collaborative mindset is propelling designers to become 7-figure business owners.
2. Uncover the best way to move past the fear of technology for the sake of your firm.
3. Learn how to strategically use collaboration and technology tools to grow your business. 

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio & Coaching Strategy Session
WSJ: AI & Design article
Interior Design Society
Interior Designers Pricing & Project Estimation with Michelle Lynne Pant

📲Connect with Jenny:
Instagram
LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Digital marketing strategies like SEO and social media are critical to the success of an interior design firm. But which platform should you be on, what metrics should you monitor, and how can you stand out in a crowded industry? As you’ll hear in today’s roundtable discussion with Aaron and Kari, people are longing for connection and your digital footprint allows you to provide that in a very meaningful and authentic way. And all of this effort equals conversions and clients—when done correctly! Grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and stay tuned to find out how much of your budget you should be spending on marketing in today’s Colorful Question.

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover what type of content interior designers should create to build trust and convert followers.
2. Uncover how to balance being professional with being personable in your marketing.
3. Learn if there’s any value in paying to play in the digital marketing world (with ads).

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Links & Mentioned Resources

The Studio
Coaching Strategy Session
Design Your Success: 7 Steps to Master SEO for Your Interior Design Website

📲 Connect with Aaron:
LinkedIn
Website

📲 Connect with Kari:
LinkedIn
Website

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Systems and processes are likely not the first things that come to mind when you think of scaling your design business growth. It’s much more appealing to dream of luxurious Tuesday mornings spent sipping coffee and being creative. But—those “boring” systems and processes are the real movers and shakers that get you more time, more money, more happiness, and the business of your dreams! And that is exactly what Rebecca Hay is here to discuss with me today. Press play and get ready to hear everything from what business looks like without structure to the epic benefits of having those business systems and processes in place! And be sure to stick around for a key takeaway in today’s Coaching Corner.

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover how to easily take your design business from chaotic to coordinated.
2. Uncover why it’s not enough to be an amazing interior designer. 
3. Learn what intuition and boundaries have to do with scaling your design business.

Full Show Notes Here!

Links and Mentioned Resources

The Studio

Coaching Strategy Session

Katie's appearance on Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

These Parents Are Shelling Out to Have Someone Else Pack Their Kids for Camp (WSJ)

Connect with Rebecca Hay

Podcast

Website

Instagram

Power of Process

Designer’s Room

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

We’re here to tell you the next big interior design trend to look for in 2024! Our very own Diana Rushton recently visited the High Point Market and is here to tell all. From how to merge sustainability and trends to updating a space designed with a previous decor trend to all that’s new in color, lighting, and textures—Di’s got you covered! Make sure you stick around for the Coaching Corner where we discuss navigating trends with design clients. Get your pen and notebook and let’s get this show started!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Uncover what’s trending for interior design in 2024.
2. Discover how to merge sustainability with interior design trends.
3. Learn what dopamine design, aquaculture, & Western Gothic all have in common.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

The Studio

Coaching Strategy Session

Roundtable with Sherwin

📲Connect with Diana:

Instagram

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Networking as an interior designer can be intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Not if you’re armed with the perfect questions to ask, a plan of action, and all the rest of the advice LuAnn Nigara shares with us in this insightful and inspiring conversation! Hear from one of the most connected women in the industry just how to navigate in-person and virtual networking events so you get the most out of the experience and foster lifelong relationships. Be sure to stick around for the Coaching Corner. Alright, grab your notebook and press play!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover the #1 question to ask at a networking event to build connections.
2. Uncover the mistakes interior designers make at networking events.
3. Learn how to effectively use social media marketing as an interior designer.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Coaching Strategy Session
Michelle Lynne Pant’s episode

📲Connect with LuAnn:
Website
Window Treatments for Profits
A Well-Designed Business
YouTube

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

One of the most critical aspects of business is the sale—and your body language could be killing your close rate. An interior designer’s nonverbal communication to clients must exude calm and confidence from the very beginning. But how exactly can you do that? Nancy Ganzekaufer is a body language trainer who specializes in marketing and sales strategies specifically for interior designers! In today’s episode, Nancy walks us through exactly what we should be saying and doing throughout the sales process. Don’t miss today’s Coaching Corner at the end of the show! Grab your pen and notebook and press play on this in-depth conversation about the who and how of sales!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Discover how boosting your body language knowledge can help you close more sales.
2. Learn what the Desire Sales Formula is and how to use it to land more dreamy interior design clients.
3. Uncover what your gaze, hand gestures, and tone of voice are impacting your close rate.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

The Studio

Coaching Strategy Session

Profit Insider Academy

Giving Back Through Corporate Social Responsibility episode

The Legal Side of Interior Design episode

📲Connect with Nancy:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Pinterest

YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Your brand identity captures everything about your design firm. From the fonts and color palette you use to the intangible pieces like brand voice—it all works together to draw in your ideal clients. But where do you begin creating a brand identity? Do you need to hire a professional brand strategist? And how can you tell it’s time for a rebrand? Get your Notes app out because Corey Fuller is back and ready to talk branding for interior designers! Be sure to stay for The Coaching Corner at the end of the conversation! Now, let’s listen to the conversation.

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover what branding and brand identity are and how to approach yours.
2. Learn what deliverables and investment you can expect when working with a strategist.
3. Uncover ways to identify if your branding is working.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Links & Mentioned Resources

Interactive Guide: Branding Blueprint

Coaching Strategy Session

The Importance of Branding for Interior Designers with Corey Fuller

How to Improve Company Culture with Josh Dykstra

House Industries

Target Audience Personas and Marketing with Bill Gelgota

Interior Designers Pricing and Project Estimation with Michelle Lynne Pant

📲Connect with Corey:

Website

Instagram

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

A business series wouldn’t be complete without talking about pricing for interior designers. Pricing and project estimation can be such a touchy and intimidating topic, but it doesn’t need to be! How can designers turn what they love into a profitable business quickly? How do you make the jump from hourly to value-based (or flat-fee) pricing? Michelle Lynne Pant is here to answer all these questions and more in one of our rawest conversations yet! You’re going to want to take notes with this one—and make sure to stick around for The Coaching Corner at the end of the conversation!

In this episode, you will:

1. Learn how to easily go from an hourly rate to flat-fee pricing as a designer.
2. Discover how to get ahead of clients shopping your services and products. 
3. Uncover the best way to manage client timelines, expectations, and budgets.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Links & Mentioned Resources
Guide to Choosing Your Pricing Model for Your Design Firm
Coaching Strategy Session
Rolling in the Dough workshop
How to Hire a CPA w/ Kate Snelson

📲 Connect with Michelle:
Instagram
Website

This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website