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Running a business is deeply personal and today I’m sharing a special episode for all my interior design business owners out there. Your creativity, your vision, your late nights perfecting client presentations - it's all an extension of who you are. But here's what I've learned from countless conversations with designers: passion alone won't protect your business when things go wrong.

I recently spoke with Katie McFarlan from Dakota Design Company, who really brought this point home. Katie isn't an interior designer herself, but a business consultant who specialises in the operational side of design businesses. With over 20 years in operations and project management, plus experience running her own wedding and event planning business, she understands luxury service industries from the inside out. She's worked with over 400 interior design firms, helping them streamline operations so they can focus on what they love most: creating beautiful spaces.

Unfortunately, Katie knows firsthand what it feels like to have her intellectual property stolen. Despite having solid terms of use in place, a client that she had worked with closely stole her business processes and templates and presented Katie's work as their own. Investigating further, Katie discovered that it wasn’t just this one client - multiple previous clients had done the same thing.

This wasn't just a legal violation - it was personal. When someone takes your intellectual property, they're not just copying processes; they're stealing pieces of your creative soul and the countless hours you've invested in developing your unique approach.

Thankfully, Katie's had robust contracts to fall back on, which gave her the legal standing to take action. But it still wasn’t easy. It was deeply confronting, unsettling and very personal.

Your passion for design might drive your business, but the right protection is what sustains it. Don't wait until someone takes advantage of your trust to realise the importance of proper contracts and clear boundaries.

I have no doubt that this poignant conversation with Katie will get you thinking about your own business. She shares so many pieces of wisdom about how to better protect yourself and create a truly wonderful client experience that sets your business apart.

What's one area of your business that might need stronger protection? The conversation is worth having before you need it.

LINKS:

Connect with Katie McFarlan

Website: www.dakotadesigncompany.com

Instagram: @dakotadesigncompany

Luxury Client Experience Download: https://www.dakotadesigncompany.com/luxury-client-experience-free-download 

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