Starting a design business isn’t just about being talented, it’s about building a real business foundation that can support you long-term.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing what it really takes to start a design business—step-by-step—like a giant checklist. Most designers start by helping friends and family, but eventually you have to learn how to shift from “free help” into a legitimate business without becoming the gift that keeps on giving forever.

I’m walking you through the legal and operational setup you need (licenses, insurance, business structure, and naming), how to build out your vendor accounts and trade relationships, what support teams you need behind the scenes (from delivery and installers to remodel trades), and what systems you must have in place to stay organized and profitable.

Then I’ll cover the other half of success: marketing. Because if you want clients consistently, you need to know who your ideal client is, what problem you solve, and how to position yourself as the obvious choice—even when you’re just getting started.

This episode is packed, practical, and designed to give you clarity on what to do first… and what to build over time.

In this episode, I cover:

• How most design businesses start (friends & family) and why that can become a trap
• How to transition from “free help” to a real business model
• What to set up first: licenses, tax IDs, insurance, LLC/S-Corp structure
• How to choose a business name and secure your URL early
• Why joining a design organization helps open doors and builds credibility
• What vendor accounts you must open (furniture + decor)
• The wholesale discount benchmark you should aim for (at least 50%)
• Why retail-only sourcing can’t create a financially sustainable business
• The essential furniture-side support team:
  • Receiving warehouse
  • White glove delivery crew
  • Installers (drapery/shades, wallpaper, painters, workrooms, upholstery)
• The essential remodel-side support team:
  • Cabinet lines
  • Tile/stone/plumbing/appliances/flooring vendors
  • CAD drafter
  • General contractors (you need more than one)
  • Engineers + key trades
• Why you need designer software as your first business system
• Why your first hire should be a bookkeeper (and what they deliver monthly)
• How to set up banking + credit card payments for faster cashflow
• Why marketing is half the job—and how to define your brand + ideal client
• Why a website makes you “real” (even if it’s just one page)
• Why networking beats social media for client acquisition (10 to 1)
• How design awards build credibility even without full-home photography

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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