Thinking about hiring but feeling overwhelmed by where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Decker-Erickson, founder of the multi-million dollar remote design firm Color Works and host of Success by Design. We dive into how to know when it's time to hire, the difference between contractors and employees, and how to create a strong company culture—even with a fully remote team.

Katie shares her real-life experiences, from the moment she had to hire to the tough lessons learned through team transitions. We also talk about the financial mindset around hiring, the power of personality assessments, and how to build a team that truly supports your business goals.

This conversation is packed with honest advice and actionable strategies for interior designers ready to grow—without the burnout.

Don’t forget to catch part one of our conversation over on Katie’s podcast, Success by Design!

Episode Resources

• Clifton Strengths
• Atomic Habits
• Success by Design Podcast
• Learn more about Katie Decker-Erickson at her website and follow her on Instagram
• Katie's a return guest! Listen to her first episode on the Resilient by Design Podcast - 222. Tailor your business to your lifestyle

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➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you missed my last Standout Designer Bootcamp—or even if you didn’t—don’t skip this episode!

One of the most powerful tools I shared in my recent bootcamp is the Investment Guide—a game-changer for interior designers looking to secure the right clients. In this episode, I break down exactly what an Investment Guide is, how to use it effectively, and why it’s key to pre-qualifying your clients and avoiding time-wasters.

I’ll share a personal story from my own journey, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and actionable steps to implement this strategy in your business. The truth is, that premium clients will pay for a premium service—you just need to position yourself correctly to attract them. Tune in to learn how an Investment Guide can help you set expectations, weed out misaligned clients, and maximize your impact!

Highlights

1. What an Investment Guide is and why it’s essential for your business.
2. How to use an Investment Guide to pre-qualify clients and eliminate budget shoppers.
3. The biggest mistakes designers make in the inquiry process—and how to fix them.
4. Why premium clients expect pricing transparency and how to position it to your advantage.
5. The key sections every Investment Guide should include to attract serious clients.

Sign up for the next Bootcamp waitlist here!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Every client wants to know what their project will cost ASAP, and guessing and throwing out a number will only do you and your client a disservice. This episode is going to help you dial in on your expertise and experience to remove the guesswork and the regret for project estimates. 

I dive into how you can find out what it costs to decorate or renovate a space without relying on simple guessing or giving the client a number that isn’t fair or profitable for your business.

As a business owner, I’m always looking for a better way for the aspects of my business where I feel there can be room for improvement. In this episode, I share an excellent method of pricing projects I learned from a designer inside my Designers Room membership that has proved incredibly effective. 

I also talk about an eye-opening exercise I did with my team during our most recent year-end review that I recommend you do so that you can price your projects with confidence! 

Episode 141: How to be Profitable as an Interior Designer in 2023

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Is it ever too late to start over? Our guest, Natalie Froom, proves that the answer is a resounding NO! This episode is all about why it’s NEVER too late to follow your passion in interior design.

Natalie, founder of Studio 180 Design, took a bold leap in her 40s to launch her interior design firm, leaving behind a career in psychology and nutrition. In this episode, she shares how she went from helping friends for free to building a thriving business, why she believes creativity thrives within structure, and how she balances artistry with the practical demands of running a business.

A Power of Process (POP) alum, Natalie also opens up about the game-changing takeaways from the course that helped her streamline her design workflow, set strong boundaries, and confidently charge for her expertise.

If you’ve ever doubted whether it’s too late to start your dream business, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights

1. The mindset shift needed to go from hobbyist to business owner
2. Why boundaries are essential for creative success
3. How Natalie built her second empire after raising a large family
4. The power of time-blocking for creativity and efficiency
5. How she transitioned from free work to confidently pricing her services
6. The surprising business lesson she learned from raising six teenagers!

Episode Resources

• Learn more about Natalie Froom at her website and follow her on Instagram
• Learn more about Power of Process
• Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bgPu0RiZUAQ 

----

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode explores the journey of launching a new interior design business after stepping away from an existing and thriving design-build. Keely Gow, co-founder of the newly launched JK Studio in Muskoka, Ontario, shares her infectious passion as she talks about the decision behind her new business launch, why she chose to work with a partner, and what led her to shift her focus exclusively to offering full-service interior design.

Keely opens up about some of the hard truths and realizations she had before making these major career moves, as well as the specific goals she set—goals that Power of Process helped her bring to life. She discusses the role of intuition in guiding her decisions, how she learned to listen to both her heart and her head, and how the community she found inside Designer’s Room and the Power of Process course provided the support she needed to take the leap.

Plus, she shares insights into forming a business partnership, the challenges and advantages of working collaboratively, and her recent Style at Home magazine cover feature! If you're an interior designer looking to refine your process, streamline your business, or take the leap into a new phase of your career, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Episode resources: 

• Learn how to refine your design business processes: rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess
• Style at Home – Check out Keely Gow’s feature in the November 2024 issue!
• Connect with Keely (once available) – Stay tuned for her website and Instagram updates!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Success in business isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with Anika Schachtler, a rising star in the interior design world, to discuss how she has built a thriving interior design business by refining her processes, niching down, and hiring early.

Since her last appearance on the podcast, Anika has made incredible strides—shifting her business model, growing her team, and eliminating unnecessary client emails by communicating less but better. She shares the mindset shifts that helped her scale, how she refined her process to increase profitability, and why hiring was a game-changer for her success.

• The four symptoms of inefficiency in an interior design business
• How niching down has transformed the type of clients she attracts
• The power of process in reducing overwhelm and improving client experience
• Why hiring early—even in the first years of business—can accelerate growth
• A game-changing mindset shift from working harder to working smarter

If you're looking to streamline your business, attract the right clients, and grow without burnout, this episode is a must-listen.

Learn more about Anika Schachtler at her website and follow her on Instagram

Podcast Episode 243: Double your Design Rates with a Solid Process with Anika Schachtler

10X is Easier than 2X

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➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Growing a successful interior design business requires more than just serving clients—it takes dedicated time to work on the business, not just in it. In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why prioritizing business development is essential for long-term success and how interior designers can break free from the cycle of constant client demands.

She provides actionable strategies to help designers re-prioritize their time, build efficient systems, and create a strong foundation for growth. By making smarter investments in business operations, designers can scale sustainably and run a business that works for them—not the other way around.

In this episode, listeners will learn: ✅ The four major signs that indicate a business is stuck in reactive mode ✅ Practical steps to work smarter, not harder ✅ The importance of accountability in streamlining business operations

For designers feeling overwhelmed by project management, marketing, and client demands, this episode provides a clear roadmap to reclaiming control, scaling effectively, and running a business with more ease.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Our guest, Heather Lastiwka, has worn many hats in her career (including a stint at Earls—just like me! 😉) before taking the leap into running her own design business. She opens up about how burnout led her to rethink her path, why design has always been a part of her story, and how she finally made her dream a reality.

Heather also shares her brilliant real estate flipping strategy (seriously, I may have to steal her term "bounce buddy" for myself!) and how she leveraged Power of Process (POP) to set up her business for success—even if it took a few tries.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone considering a career change into design, proving that it's all about Progress Over Perfection!

Episode Resources:

• Learn more about Heather Lastiwka at her website.
• Learn more about Power of Process.
• The Gap and The Gain
• Who not How

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Secret to Getting a Fast YES from Clients

Before we can bring a vision to life, we need a solid YES from the client. The key to making that decision effortless? Owning your expertise—because you are the expert.

In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you communicate your ideas with confidence and streamline your client process. We’ll dive into some (potentially controversial) tips I’ve learned firsthand—ones that will help you gain faster buy-in, build trust, and avoid the endless email back-and-forth.

Bottom line? Your confidence is contagious—so let’s use it to your advantage!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We all want to work with our version of a premium client, but before we do so, we need to establish a premium approach. Working with premium clients demands a premium approach, and in this episode, I'm sharing how to do exactly that! 

This episode shares examples of what kind of client this person actually is and what they expect. One spoiler I'll give away is that a premium client doesn't always equate to "premium money".

I share a few questions to ask yourself to help you create a good first impression, stand by your boundaries, and include unique personal touches in the entire experience. I dive into some examples of how I learned this lesson the hard way and use some "Rebecca tough love" to encourage you to ensure your clients feel safe, secure, and can relax trusting that you've got their best interests at heart.

Episode resource

• Sign up for my bootcamp here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!