Hey, hey, hey – welcome back to Design for the Creative Mind! This season, we're talking all about rookie mistakes and real talk – the stuff that's keeping so many talented designers stuck. And today? We're hitting a big one: shopping retail.

Yep. I'm talking about that habit of ordering from Pottery Barn, HomeGoods, or West Elm, skipping your trade vendors, and sending clients links instead of curated presentations. Sound familiar?

I get it. I've been there myself—and I've coached hundreds of designers who've struggled with the same thing. Whether it's the fear of clients balking at markups, the desire to be "helpful," or the looming fear of liability… retail feels like the easy button.

But babe—it's not. It's costing you big time.

What I cover in this episode:

• Why retail shopping chips away at your profits, your positioning, and your authority

• How sending links is training your clients to bypass you

• Why markup is NOT a dirty word (and how to confidently talk about profit)

• Real talk from a designer named Lindsay who learned this the hard way

• The difference between being a personal shopper vs. a professional designer

• How to shift your business model so sourcing becomes a strength—not a stressor

• The mindset shift that leads to a more profitable, scalable, and luxury-level business

Here's the truth: when you rely on retail, you lose control—of the quality, of the client experience, and of your income. Your design becomes replicable. Your service looks DIY. And your value? Flattened.

But when you embrace trade sourcing, you gain back authority, margin, and process. And yes, you can absolutely educate your clients about it without apologizing.

So ask yourself: where are you defaulting to retail out of fear or convenience? And what would shift—financially, creatively, emotionally—if you trusted yourself to lead like a CEO?

You're not selling stuff. You're selling an experience. A transformation. A feeling when someone walks into a room and says "Wow." And that? That's worth protecting.

Podcast Website and Resources:

Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery

Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.

Stay in touch with Michelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/

Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

A Podcast Launch Bestie production