If you’re still charging based on what you think your clients can afford… or afraid to raise your rates in case they push back… this episode is for you.

I’m sharing one of my worst pricing mistakes from the early years, a commercial project that cost me hundreds of hours, drained my confidence, and taught me the hard way how damaging it is to undercharge. It’s a story with no happy ending, but plenty of takeaways.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why fixed fees can be risky if you don’t track your time
• The real cost of avoiding the money conversation
• How underpricing attracts the wrong clients
• What finally helped me shift from hobbyist to CEO

Plus, I’m inviting you to my free workshop: Priced to Profit — where I share the 3 pricing shifts that helped me raise my rates (without losing clients). Register at rebeccahay.com/profit

Episode Resources:

• Sign up for my Priced to Profit Workshop here!
• Episode 179: Pricing your design services with confidence
• Episode 46: Budgeting, Pricing your services, and attracting the right trades with Maia Roffey

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!

If you’re in your first year of running an interior design business, this episode is for you.

Anna Baldi is the founder of Contrast Interior Design and a recent graduate of Power of Process. After spending two decades working in commercial and set design, Anna finally listened to the entrepreneurial itch she had ignored for 20 years. She quit her job without a backup plan and started her design business the very next day.

In this conversation, she shares:

• The breaking point that led to her big leap
• What it was like launching a business from scratch
• Why she joined POP (even though she was hesitant)
• How she gained the confidence to implement a $5K minimum design fee
• The systems and boundaries that changed her life and business

This is an inspiring and practical episode full of honest takeaways for anyone starting their business journey.

Learn more about Anna Baldi at her website and follow her on Instagram.

👉 Learn more about POP at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

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!

Why Trade Day Is the Secret to a Smooth Design Project!!

In this episode, Rebecca shares the cringe-worthy story of a chaotic trade day early in her career—and how it nearly cost her a client (and a contractor). That one experience transformed how she approaches the interior design trade day and inspired her to create the system she now teaches inside Power of Process.

You'll learn what a trade day actually is, how to run it with confidence, and why it's one of the most overlooked (but vital) tools in a designer's toolbox.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• A behind-the-scenes look at a disastrous project kickoff
• The biggest trade day mistakes designers make
• Rebecca’s system for organizing trades, timelines, and client expectations
• Her exact checklist and tips for execution
• Why trade day is about more than logistics—it's about leadership
• Want to elevate your project management skills? This episode is for you.

Learn more about POP: rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

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!

What if two months could totally transform your interior design business?

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa McDonald of MelMac Designs, an interior designer with 15+ years of experience who recently realized her business wasn’t as profitable—or fulfilling—as it could be.

She took a leap of faith, joined Power of Process, and the results were nothing short of amazing. In just two months, she restructured her services, got crystal clear on her ideal client, hired her first assistant, implemented systems, and tripled her project fees. And yes—clients said yes.

If you’ve ever felt like your design business is running you, or that you’re working too hard for too little, this episode is your wake-up call. Melissa’s honesty, vulnerability, and transformation will light a fire under you to take your next step—whether you're brand new or 10+ years in.

Learn more about Melissa at her website.

Learn more about Power of Process.

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!

What if you could triple your rates and confidently land your biggest design project yet — in just a few weeks?

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Paige Leackfeldt of LANG Design Interiors to unpack her incredible transformation. After 15 years in the industry, Paige launched her own design business — but within the first year, she hit the familiar overwhelm of saying yes to everything, undercharging, and running herself ragged.

Enter Power of Process.

Paige shares how enrolling in this course helped her systematize her business, streamline her offers, confidently present her services, and (here’s the big one) land a six-figure contract — more than triple what she would have dared to charge before.

We cover:

• The mindset shift that gave Paige the confidence to raise her rates
• How her past construction experience became her biggest client-selling point
• Why documenting your process transforms both client trust and pricing power
• How she overhauled her services page to attract only the right clients
• What designers need to understand about progress vs. perfection

This episode is packed with real-world insights, inspiration, and proof that transformation is possible — and faster than you think.

Learn more about Paige at her website, LANG Design Interiors, and follow her on Instagram.

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!

Ever lost money (or sleep) over a wrong order, delayed shipment, or missing item? You’re not alone — and in this episode, Rebecca Hay shares the honest, behind-the-scenes mistakes she made in her own interior design business so you can skip the pain and get straight to solutions.

Rebecca opens up about the $10,000 sofa mistake that shaped her approach to systems, the software (and simple tools) that can save your sanity, and how to set up order tracking so nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll learn why cross-check systems matter, when to consider outsourcing procurement, and how regular check-ins can protect your profit and client relationships.

This episode is packed with practical, actionable advice whether you’re just starting your design business or you’re scaling up with a team. If you’ve ever wondered how to organize your orders, track project details, and avoid costly errors, this is the episode for you.

Episode Highlights

• The biggest ordering mistakes designers make (and how to avoid them)
• Rebecca’s favorite software + tracking tools
• When to outsource order management
• The step-by-step system to keep your projects on track
• Why regular order status meetings are a game-changer

Hit play and get ready to transform how you run your business — with less chaos and more profit.

Episode Resources

• Programa
• Studio Designer
• Ivy
• Sign up for my workshop here: https://rebeccahay.com/grow

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!

What makes a client say YES to you over someone else?

In this episode, I sit down with two of my real-life clients, Kelly & Glen Patchet, founders of Quarterback Digital, to pull back the curtain on what clients really want.

We talk about:

• Why they chose to work with me (spoiler: my process!)
• What it was actually like to go through my design journey
• How marketing and confidence go hand in hand for service-based businesses
• Marketing strategies that help turn leads into raving fans

PLUS — hear their honest reaction when I told them they’d need to pay for an initial consultation!

If you’re ready to deepen trust, boost credibility, and market yourself with confidence, this is the episode for you.

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 have that one client project we should’ve walked away from. This is the story of mine—and the powerful (and expensive) lesson it taught me.

In this episode, I open up about one of the most challenging experiences in my interior design business: taking on a project that looked ideal on the surface but was packed with red flags I chose to ignore. From clashing personalities and unrealistic expectations to late-night stress and burned-out team members, this project took a toll—financially, emotionally, and mentally.

Inside the episode:

• What early red flags to look for in potential clients

• Why even a full payment upfront isn’t always a green flag

• How ignoring your gut can cost you more than just money

• How to use your intake process to filter for your ideal client

• Why saying “no” is a skill every designer needs to build

• What green flags to watch for so you love the clients you take on

Whether you’re an emerging designer or scaling your firm, this episode will help you identify who’s truly the right fit for your services—and how to protect your business, your time, and your energy.

Join the Stand Out Designer Bootcamp → rebeccahay.com/bootcamp

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!

Starting an interior design business is about more than just loving design—it's about building a life you love, too. In this episode, Rebecca shares the five foundational steps every designer needs to set up a profitable, scalable business that supports their dream lifestyle.

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck, these essentials—like a clear business model, a signature process, strong contracts, sound financial systems, and marketing—will help you avoid burnout and grow with confidence.

Episode Highlights:

• Defining a scalable business model for your future

• The importance of a signature design process

• Why a strong contract is non-negotiable

• Setting up financial systems and pricing strategies

• How marketing builds sustainable, long-term success

Learn more and save your spot in Rebecca’s Standout Designer Bootcamp: https://rebeccahay.com/bootcamp 

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!

Wondering why you keep attracting the wrong clients—or no clients at all? In this episode, Rebecca Hay reveals why vague messaging is hurting your business and how niching down as an interior designer is the key to success. You'll hear a simple 4-step process to clarify your message, attract dream clients, and finally feel aligned in your marketing. Plus, Rebecca shares practical examples you can start using today.

Episode Highlights:

• Why broad messaging repels ideal clients

• How to niche down without limiting your business

• An exercise to identify your true dream client

• Website and Instagram tweaks that make a big impact

Ready to stand out? Join the Standout Designer Bootcamp: www.rebeccahay.com/bootcamp

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!