Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design

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The target persona in your marketing is maybe the most critical piece of your business foundations. It’s just like the old adage says, if you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to no one. But how are you supposed to determine your target market when you’re just starting your design business? How do you discover their wants and needs? And how does a SWOT analysis come into the mix? We are answering all this and more in today's episode with my guest, Bill Gelgota. Stick around for the rapid fire “but, Bill” questions and to see if this week’s Colorful Question is yours!

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Learn why having a target market matters when you're starting or running your business.
2. Discover how to use demographics, sociographics, psychographics, and geographics to help you discover your target audience.
3. Uncover how to know if you should continue with the same target audience or pivot in a new direction.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

The Studio
Coaching Strategy Session
Census Data
Esri
Futurist Predictions for Design & Business with Rebecca Ryan
S.W.O.T. Analysis Journal
Marketing: Target Client Persona Interactive Guide

📲Connect with Bill:
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!!

Insurance should grow alongside your business—it’s not a set it and forget it situation! So let’s talk about the insurance needs of interior designers. What insurance must you have as soon as you open your design firm? How do your insurance needs change as your firm grows? And what rates can you expect to pay? Stephen Wisocky (the exclusive Insurance Partner of the Interior Design Society), joins me for this conversation—perfect whether your design business is new or has grown in recent years! Stay til the end of the episode to hear about the wildest liability claim Stephen’s ever seen and to see if the Colorful Question is yours! 

In this episode, you will: 

1. Uncover a range of rates you could expect to pay for insurance as a designer. 
2. Learn examples of situations you might face in the field and want to have insurance coverage for. 
3. Discover different types of business insurance interior designers need to have (and might want to have). 

Full Show Notes Here! 

👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Ep 17: The Legal Side of Running a Design Firm with David Adler
Ep 19: How to Hire a CPA for Your Design Firm with Kate Snelson
Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!
Grab your GUIDE: Essential Insurance Guide for interior designers

📲Connect with Stephen:
Home Furnishings Insurance Group 

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!!

How are you supposed to know which CPA to hire? Or when to hire them? Can you ask them questions before becoming a client? What qualifies as a business expense? Which expenses do business owners commonly miss? And do you really want your CPA to ask you potentially awkward questions? Don’t you already have enough on your plate with starting a design business? 

The answer is yes, and that’s why Kate Nelson has returned to the show to answer all our questions. In today’s conversation, Kate shared how to find a great CPA, red flags to be aware of, and what questions you should ask them. Listen for a jam-packed and very transparent conversation about all things accounting for small businesses.

In this episode, you will:

1. Learn how to know when it’s time to hire a CPA.
2. Uncover how often you should pay taxes as a business owner.
3. Discover what questions to ask to help you find a great CPA for your design business.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Links & Mentioned Resources

How to Hire a CPA as an interior designer 

The Studio

Episode 9 with Kate

Wave Apps

QuickBooks

Design Docs

Mile IQ

IRS Common Deductions
Guide: Your Tax Calendar; Dates You Don't Want to Miss!

📲 Connect with Kate:

Facebook

Instagram

Booking link (mention the podcast in intake form)

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.

This episode provides general tax information only and is not professional advice. Laws change and vary by location; always consult a tax professional. The host and guests' opinions are their own and not official guidance. We're not liable for any actions taken based on this content.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

When it comes to color and textile trends, Europe typically is ahead of the U.S. market—but what if you could finally walk alongside European designers? What if you had access to the same trend forecaster and color consultant they do? Well, join me in welcoming Nello Marelli to the show! Nello is a color consultant and trend forecaster. 

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the importance of color in design, how to create harmonious environments using color, and the significance of trends. And as an added bonus, we’ve partnered with Nello on an exclusive design resource to help you stand out from the competition. Press play and make sure you stay til the end to see if today’s Colorful Question is yours!

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover the deeper importance of color and textile trends in design.
2. Learn how you can successfully use trends in your design work.
3. Learn about an exclusive resource we’ve partnered with Nello to bring to U.S. designers.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

Mini Nel Colore - color only

Nel Colore - full integration

Vegas Market Recap-Biggest Trends 2024

The Studio, an Innovative Hub tailored for Interior Design Professionals

📲Connect with Nello:

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.

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!!

Wondering what happened at the 2024 Las Vegas Market? As a designer, it’s important to stay on top of the shifts in trends—it makes your designs relevant, brings them up-to-date, keeps you current, and moves you forward even beyond that. Our very own Diana Rushton went to market and shares the details of the design trends she discovered. If you haven’t felt particularly creative recently, this conversation is sure to spark something for you! Tune in to find out what we can expect to see in design textures and colors in 2024 and which design styles are in—and out. Make sure you stay to the end to hear tips for your next trip to market and to find out if this week’s Colorful Question is yours!

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover which colors and textures are trending in 2024 designs.
2. Uncover the color making an unexpected comeback.
3. Learn the best way to approach a trip to the Las Vegas Market.

Full Show Note Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Phillips Collection
Las Vegas Market

📲Connect with Diana:

Instagram

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!!

How do you build a portfolio when you don't own the intellectual property rights? What questions should you ask an attorney before working together? What do you really need to know—legally speaking—about starting and running a business? I'm thrilled to have David Adler in today's episode, part of our Creating a Design Business Series, for this conversation about legalities. No matter if you want to start a business or grow your design firm, there are things you need to do to protect yourself legally. It's impossible to keep up with the changing legal landscape while running a successful firm, so getting an attorney involved early in your business more than pays for itself. Stick around for a great conversation and take note of the big legal issues on the horizon in our industry.

In this episode, you will:

1. Learn how an intellectual property attorney can help you legally protect your design business.
2. Discover what questions to ask an IP attorney as you begin or want to grow your design firm.
3. Uncover how to find the best attorney who understands your needs as a designer.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

American Society of Interior Design

📲Connect with David:

Website

Instagram

Twitter / X

LinkedIn

🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.

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!!

Have you found yourself wondering how to start an interior design business? Curious about what qualities and skills you need to be successful? The truth is—there are some really fun things about entrepreneurship… and there are some less than glamorous things you should know about. Fellow interior designer, business owner, and coach Michelle Lynne Pant joins me for this episode. Whether you’re a designer currently working as an employee at a firm or you’re working in Corporate America dreaming of a career change—you won’t want to miss this conversation! This installment of our Creating a Design Business Series gives you incredible insights on not only what it’s like to be a designer, but also what to expect when starting your own design firm. You’ll walk away with the clarity you need to know whether you want to enter the world of interior design entrepreneurship—or not.

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover what you need to start and run your own successful design firm.
2. Uncover the hidden perk of running your own design business.
3. Learn the key to attracting your most ideal design clients.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉 Mentioned Resources

Women vs Women vs Men by Barbara Streisand

What Color is My Parachute

Designed For the Creative Mind Podcast

📲Connect with Michelle:

Podcast

Website

Instagram

Facebook

🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.

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!!

If you had the chance to shape what your days, weeks, months, and life looked like—would you go for it? Becoming an entrepreneur is perfect for when you want to do something differently, do it better, and just be who you are! It gives you such freedom. But, truth be told… it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Mark Bernheimer, one of my journalism mentors, joins me in this conversation. 

We jump straight into what you need to know and be prepared for as you enter the world of entrepreneurship. We also shine a light on the unexpected benefits of becoming a business owner and what it truly means to be happy. Whether you’re newer to business, just taking a peek to see if you like the idea, or have been in business for a couple years—this first episode in our Creating a Design Business Series gives you a fresh perspective you can take with you into 2024!

In this episode, you will:

1. Uncover the secrets to starting and running a truly successful business.
2. Discover what you need to be prepared for as a new business owner.  
3. Learn the biggest difference between being an employee and an entrepreneur.

Full Show Notes Here!

📲 Connect with Mark:

MediaWorks Resource Group

Facebook

Twitter/X


🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.

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!!

Our world is rapidly evolving. We’ve got AI and a whole host of other innovations coming on board and shaking things up. If we're not evolving in our business, we will be left behind. Instead of being fearful of the uncertainty that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond, what if we could hear predictions from someone who studies the future and create a game plan? 

As a professional futurist, Rebecca Ryan is no stranger to predictions. I’m so excited she’s joining me for this conversation where we’re going deep on questions like: What will design in public spaces look like in the future? What do design firms need to know moving into 2024? And what is this futurism-meets-design project she’s been working on with Libby Castro? This episode is a must-listen for all entrepreneurs, small business owners, design professionals—and humans.

In this episode, you will:

1. Learn futurist predictions for 2024 for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
2. Uncover how designers can lead the charge against schismogenesis (and what that is).
3. Discover the impact a futurist (like a designer) can have on a community and society.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉  Links & Mentioned Resources
10 Trends for the next ten years
The Work Better Project
NeoCon 2023 Review
Interview with Treger Strasberg of Humble Design
The Little Red Ball
The Zen Leader

📲Connect with Rebecca:
Instagram
Threads
LinkedIn
Instagram (NextGenerationConsulting)

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!!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a step-by-step guide to the construction process (AKA the construction story)? Once you have your contract and are well on your way (especially when working with an architect), you must understand what comes next. It’s about approaching the design process with humility and looking at this as a partnership. And if SDs, DTs, & CDs read like a bunch of alphabet soup, you really don’t want to miss this. Kelly Fridline joins me for a thorough walkthrough of the construction process. 

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover how the construction story (or process) unfolds so you know what to expect.
2. Learn the best way to have great communication and collaboration with contractors and architects.
3. Uncover the truth about how to best navigate the construction site as a female designer.

Full Show Notes Here!

👉  Links & Mentioned Resources
The Fountainhead
Presentation By Design
Hard Hat
Safety Vest

📲 CONNECT with Kelly:
Website
Instagram 

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