The Interior Design Business CEO

How do you manage growing pains when bringing on a new employee while keeping your business running smoothly? That's the question one listener asked, and it's one many designers face when adding their first junior designer. Stepping into leadership, delegating effectively, and staying productive can feel like a delicate balance, especially when client projects and daily design work don't pause for training.

This episode kicks off a two-part Q&A series following CEO Summer School. I dive into practical strategies for onboarding and managing a new team member, pinpointing where delegation often breaks down, and building systems that actually work. I also tackle how to make major business decisions when multiple exciting paths are available, whether that's growing your current business, pivoting to support other designers, or niching down further.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/152

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

How do you build trust with clients before they even start the inquiry process? For designers, this foundation often determines whether a project becomes a smooth collaboration or a series of stressful negotiations. I'm joined by Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors and one of House Beautiful's 2025 Next Wave designers.

Melissa has mastered creating client relationships that run deep. You'll discover how showing behind-the-scenes parts of your work on Instagram builds credibility, why documenting client preferences can transform project outcomes, and how taking full accountability for mistakes can strengthen relationships. Melissa also shares how thoughtful touches in design create lasting connections with clients.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/151

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

What if the key to moving your business forward isn't having all the answers, but making the right decisions and committing to them? In this episode, we wrap up the CEO Summer School series by exploring why strong decisions are the wheels that drive your business. Every choice you make, from your fees and services to how you spend your time, shapes the trajectory of your business.

I break down what makes a decision strong versus weak, why commitment matters more than certainty, and how to stop straddling two mountains with one foot on each. You'll learn how to make choices that create momentum, use your decisions as a tool for learning and growth, and develop the self-leadership that allows you to steer your business toward your vision.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/150

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

What does it take to run a multifaceted design business that balances creativity, leadership, and growth? Katie Kath, CEO and Creative Director of Jkath Design Build, has spent years developing a business model that integrates interior design, custom cabinetry, and renovation management. Her journey from joining a two-person operation to leading an 11-employee team offers invaluable lessons for designers looking to scale their businesses strategically.

In this episode, Katie explains her approach to building a team that supports both the CEO and the clients. She offers insights into hiring, delegation, and team alignment. Katie also shares how she identified the "sweet spot," an optimal business size that allows for continued growth, strong collaboration, and consistent work quality. She discusses how internal review systems, setting clear expectations with clients, and maintaining team cohesion contribute to her company's success, and how you can apply similar principles to your business.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/149

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Are you solving the right problems in your design business? Every day brings new challenges, from client communications eating up your inbox time to profitability concerns that keep you awake at night. But there's a key difference between solving symptoms and addressing the root causes that will help your business thrive in the long run.

In this episode, I'm sharing truth number six from my CEO Summer School series: effective solutions start with solving the right problems. Through examples from the design industry, I'll show you how to dig deeper and identify what's really going on beneath the surface. You'll learn why your brain gravitates toward quick fixes, how to spot the difference between avoiding discomfort and taking the easiest path, and how to pinpoint the true problem.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/148

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Is your design business ready to take the next step with PR? If you've been wondering how public relations could help you grow your firm but aren't sure when or how to get started, you're in the right place. In this episode, we dive into the strategies that can take your brand from local visibility to national recognition.

I'm joined by Allison Hay, a seasoned communications strategist and PR expert with over a decade of experience in the design industry. She has worked with top-tier design firms and brands, helping them secure media coverage and amplify their presence. Allison shares her expert advice on how to navigate the world of PR and what you need to do to see measurable results, whether you're just starting to explore PR or ready to elevate your approach.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/147

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Building a strong team goes beyond simply hiring the right people. It requires a fundamental shift in how you engage with those who support your business. Many creative CEOs hire for relief, hoping to finally hand off tasks they don't enjoy or feel overwhelmed by. But this relief can quickly turn into frustration when team members aren't delivering the results you expected, or worse, when mistakes go unnoticed until they become costly problems.

In this episode, I'm sharing truth number five from the CEO Summer School series: true CEOs collaborate, they don't abdicate. This means recognizing that while you're bringing on team members to handle specific tasks and responsibilities, you remain a key ingredient in creating your business's success. Collaboration allows you to be the driver of your business while having others who understand where you're going and help you get there.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/146

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Do you often find yourself being your own toughest critic? Running a business as an interior designer requires resilience, but constantly focusing on what you haven't done perfectly can hold you back from reaching your true potential. In today's episode, I'm diving into why practicing self-compassion is one of the most powerful tools you can develop as a designer CEO.

Self-compassion isn't about letting yourself off the hook; it's about shifting your mindset to support yourself through challenges, setbacks, and mistakes. By embracing kindness and understanding toward yourself, you'll break free from perfectionism and quiet your inner critic. You'll discover how this approach not only helps you feel better but also increases your efficiency and problem-solving ability.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/145

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Click here to enroll in CEO Summer School: https://www.desiid.com/summerschool

Running a business is like being on an upward spiral - you're continually expanding as your business expands, but the spiral isn't always smooth. You bump up against internal limits and ceilings, often of your own creation. When you understand that scaling is an inside job, you develop the toolkit to move beyond them.

Truth number four in the CEO Summer School series reveals that your business growth and all those outward markers of success start inside of you. In this episode, you'll discover how to address root issues instead of surface-level symptoms, understand why self-awareness without self-blame is crucial, and learn to recognize when your self-concept needs an upgrade to match your business expansion.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/144

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Click here to enroll in CEO Summer School: https://www.desiid.com/summerschool

Are hidden time and energy drains quietly sabotaging your productivity? It's easy to focus on the obvious tasks—proposals, appointments, and emails—but what about the subtle drains that can add up over time? In today's episode, we're revisiting the important topic of time and energy leaks in your business, which are often harder to spot but can be just as costly.

This is a follow-up to truth number three in my CEO Summer School series, where we talked about taking control of your time to shape your future. You'll discover how simple shifts can plug these leaks and create more time and energy for what truly matters in your business. I'll share actionable strategies that will help you work smarter, not harder, and feel more energized as you move toward your business goals.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/143

For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Click here to enroll in CEO Summer School: https://www.desiid.com/summerschool