Shows
Designer's Oasis#99 | Running an Efficient and Joyful Design Firm with Andi MorseInterior Designer's Business Blueprint I sat down with Andi Morse of Morse Design in Atlanta in today's episode. Andi shared how she believes offering multiple services is the key to getting your foot (literally and figuratively) in the door with clients. We chatted about good processes and protecting your creative energy, hiring, and business growth. Andi's down-to-earth sensibility has helped her run an efficient and creative design firm. Here's a glance at this episode… Andi shared the variety of service offerings that she offers at her design firm, why she believes in them and how they lead to larger projects. We s...
2024-11-0747 minDesigner's Oasis#98 | Unlock An Enduring Business by Nurturing Client Relationships with Gideon MendelsonInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I sat down with Gideon Mendelson of the Mendelson group in New York. Gideon is one of the smartest, most honest, and down-to-earth designers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Our chat is a masterclass in running a business that endures. Gideon, who grew up in New York, had the privilege of being able to look over the shoulder of his late mother, Mimi Mendelsen, a highly sought-after interior designer in her time. Fast forward to today, and Gideon credits both of his parents as well as his early career influences, c...
2024-10-311h 01Designer's Oasis#97 | Managing Change in the Interior Design Industry with Maggie GriffinInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I sat down with Maggie Griffin of Maggie Griffin Design, a full-service residential interior design firm in Gainesville, Georgia. Maggie is known for her modern Southern Living style with spaces that are freshly classic and comfortable for everyday life. We share about the changes we've seen in the design industry since the pandemic, especially regarding lead times and project costs. We also talk about managing client expectations from those who might be looking for what Maggie calls a "move that bus moment" and how she can educate clients on what to expect without s...
2024-10-2439 minDesigner's Oasis#96 | Growing an Interior Design Team with Gabriela EisenhartInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I sat down with Gabriela Eisenhart of Silo Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. She and her team help clients nationwide infuse homes with their fresh, modern aesthetic that pushes boundaries while still being livable. We talked about the evolution of SIlo Studios how she manages a team today that helps move projects from concept to completion. Here's a glance at this episode… We discuss client-centric design and how to reflect a client's style in their design. We dive into slow design and trying to utilize pieces that will last a long time and are more...
2024-10-1750 minDesigner's Oasis#95 | Navigating High Point Market with Marisa Wilson Interior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I got to sit down with Marisa Wilson, the creator of The Cool Girl's Guide to High Point, a fun and insightful resource designed to help designers navigate the expansive High Point Market. Her guide offers insider tips, must-visit showrooms, and advice from industry leaders, making it a go-to for anyone attending the event, covering 12 million square feet of showroom space. In addition to The Cool Girl's Guide to High Point, Marisa runs Marisa Wilson Interior Design, her Charlotte-based residential design firm. She's known for her playful yet thoughtful design approach, aiming to mak...
2024-10-1040 minDesigner's Oasis#94 | Diversifying your Interior Design Portfolio with Dan MazzariniInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I had a chance to sit down with Dan Mazzarini, Principal and Creative Director at BHDM Design & ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini. BHDM Design is an award-winning, bi-coastal, multi-disciplinary firm offering residential, commercial, and hospitality design services. ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini provides a curated selection of home and lifestyle products, shopped from all of his favorite resources. Through ARCHIVE, Dan educates, encourages, and inspires a global network of consumers to incorporate luxury to their everyday lives. We talk about balancing diversifying your portfolio and niching down. We talk about having a signature style and crea...
2024-10-0359 minDesigner's Oasis#93 | The Risk-Averse Guide to Switching to an Interior Design Career with Rasheeda Gray Interior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I catch up with Rasheeda Gray, founder of Gray Space Interiors to discuss her transition from a corporate marketing career to interior design. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the value of insider tours at High Point Market. Rasheeda and I discussed her journey, including her gaining her first client in 2016 and making the decision to go full-time in 2018. Rasheeda shares her approach to balancing work with her husband's general contracting business and hiring a business coach. Rasheeda and I also discuss the progress in elevating black designers in the industry and he...
2024-09-261h 01Designer's Oasis#92 | How To Establish Healthy Boundaries with Interior Design ClientsInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I share the importance of establishing healthy boundaries with clients. We all need that, right? It is essential in order to maintain a positive, professional relationship while protecting your time, energy, and well-being. Holding healthy boundaries is vitally important to avoiding burnout. Here's a glance at this episode… I share how to start setting boundaries so that it feels easy and you are confident when sharing with your interior design clients. I discuss what type of boundaries you should be setting. I share why it's important to set boundaries to avoid feelings of rese...
2024-09-1913 minDesigner's Oasis#91 | 3 Things I Obsess Over with Interior Design ClientsInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I am sharing the top 3 things that I OBSESS over when it comes to my interior design clients. These are the things that I truly believe make your business sustainable and keep it fun and enjoyable without all of the overwhelm and frustration. So what are the 3 things I obsess over? Here's a glance at this episode… I share how to make sure clients are the right fit and what I do to vet each client. I discuss how I dig into finding out if a client has a realistic budget and timeline. I sh...
2024-09-1236 minDesigner's Oasis#90 | How to Create A Paid Waitlist for Interior Design ClientsInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I walk interior designers through why I believe that a paid waitlist is a good idea when you have that ideal client you want to work with but you just aren't able to take them on immediately. By creating a paid waitlist opportunity, you offer both yourself and the client the ability to commit to working together. I have found that clients who are willing to be put on a waitlist, are going to naturally prioritize design over a timeline, which is exactly who I want to work with. I use a paid w...
2024-09-0522 minDesigner's Oasis#89 | That's Not Working Anymore - How to Pivot In Business Interior Designer's Business Blueprint "Pivoting is a sign of growth" In today's episode, I share why we sometimes need to pivot in business and then dive into how we can pivot. Often, when it comes to our own business, we find that we get stuck doing the same things repeatedly even if they aren't working anymore. Just a few scenarios where this may happen include being unrealistic with client budgets, timelines, and expectations or our systems for creating and developing proposals and presentations. When we take some time to reflect on how we are doing specific tasks in our business, we f...
2024-08-2927 minDesigner's Oasis#54 | Revenue Generating Activities for Interior Designers [REPLAY]Interior Designer's Business Blueprint Energy begets energy. Money is energy. If we know that energy begets energy, what happens in your business when you sit down and you spend the time to commit some energy towards revenue generating activities and lead generating activities? In today's episode we are talking about revenue-generating activities and what that means, how and when to do these activities and how they keep your business thriving! This episode was inspired by a listener question that we received from Julia, "Hi Kate, I've followed your advice and starting batching my days...
2024-08-2226 minDesigner's Oasis#3 | Being Boutique - 3 Ways to Serve Your Clients so they Become Natural Evangelists for Your Work [REPLAY]"Being boutique is about delighting your client EVERY STEP OF THE WAY." - Kate Bendewald Today we are going to talk about what it means to "Be Boutique" in your business. Being boutique doesn't have anything to do with being small. It has everything to do with how you show up and serve your clients - and when done well, experiencing the natural benefits such as being able to charge more and cherry pick the clients and projects you want to work on. Sounds pretty good right? In this episode we answer questions like… Ho...
2024-07-1129 minDesigner's Oasis#2 | 5 Types of Interior Design Services to Consider Offering [REPLAY]"You don't need to do it all! Think about your personality and what is a good fit for YOU and your clients." - Kate Bendewald When it comes to design services and the different options that we, as interior designers, have when it comes to what we each offer, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. In many cases, designers today don't want to do procurement due to lead times, construction costs and delays, etc. Many of you may want to have a menu of options for clients. In this episode, I share what I feel are...
2024-07-0442 minDesigner's Oasis#88 | What You Need to Know Before Starting an Interior Design Business Interior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I am answering a listener question for our #dearkate entries! This question comes from Melissa, who wants to know about starting their own business? Melissa says: "Interior design has been a part of my life for decades. But I haven't worked in this field professionally. After graduating from an interior design program, I'm considering going right for it and opening my own design firm. I feel confident in my ability to design for clients. However, I feel uneasy not having any real world professional experience. I want to do right by my clients an...
2024-06-2737 minDesigner's Oasis#87 | Publicity and Marketing Strategies for Interior Designers with Selena SooInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I chat with Selena Soo and Sharon Stokes. Selena Soo is a publicity and marketing strategist for visionary entrepreneurs and experts who has helped clients and students get featured in places like Domino, The Oprah Magazine, Forbes and Inc, and land interviews on popular podcasts and national television. Joining her today is Sharon Stokes, her head of publicity programs and senior media coach who has served as a TV producer for close to 20 years, producing interviews with notable personalities, including Oprah, Richard Branson, Marie Forleo, and Gabrielle Bernstein. I have personally worked with Sh...
2024-06-2045 minDesigner's Oasis#86 | Big Thinking to Create an Extraordinary Interior Design Business with Andrea LiebrossInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I am joined by Andrea Liebross, a dynamic business and life coach who specializes in empowering unapologetically ambitious women entrepreneurs. Andrea is not only a seasoned speaker but also the insightful host of the Time to Level Up podcast. With a unique approach, Andrea guides her clients to merge Big Thinking with robust systems, creating a powerful synergy that propels them toward success. Her mission is to help women entrepreneurs not only achieve their goals but also unlock the freedom of time, money, and energy they passionately seek. In September 2023, Andrea achieved a rem...
2024-06-131h 01Designer's Oasis#85 | Is SketchUp Pro Good for Interior Designers with Tammy CodyInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I'm catching up with Tammy Cody, founder and instructor at SketchUp for Interior Designers where she has taught 1000's of interior designers exclusively for over a decade how to master SketchUp so they can streamline their productivity while producing beautiful and organized drawing sets to accurately convey their ideas to clients and contractors. Here's a glance at this episode… Tammy shares the common misconceptions about Sketchup We discuss where to start if you want to explore Sketchup for your interior design business Tammy shares tips on using organization and modeling within SketchUp Tammy shar...
2024-06-0647 minDesigner's Oasis#84 | Turning Tragedy into Light with Interior Designer Britt DavisInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I sat down with the very talented, warm, smart, and creative, Britt Davis of Art & Adorn in Charlotesville Virginia. Britt is mother to 4 kids, she's an artist, interior designer, event planner, and retreat host at her farm - Glentivar Farm. Twice a year she and her best friend Molly Crouch who you can find in this episode host a day-long retreat for women called Tonic and Bloom. The retreat is a day of pause and reflection where guests can enjoy a variety of "tonics" such as exploring the farm, reading, resting, soaking in t...
2024-05-301h 04Designer's Oasis#83 | How to Balance Creativity and Entrepreneurship in your Interior Design Business with Amber GuytonInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I got to sit down and chat with Amber Guyton, the creative mind behind Blessed Little Bungalow. She's a marketer, a Financial Services Advisor turned blogger, influencer interior designer, and now a collaborator with companies like World Market and Mitchell Black, where she recently launched a beautiful line of wallpapers. Her work has been featured in HGTV Magazine, House Beautiful, Forbes Architectural Digest, Ebony Apartment Therapy, Domino, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle, and many more. Amber's designs are beautiful color-filled homes that she designs exclusively for her clients, both locally and nationwide. Here's a gl...
2024-05-231h 06Designer's Oasis#82 | How To Harness the Power of Transitional Moments in your Life with Cerissa McKinnisInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I'm catching up with Cerissa McKinnis of Industrious Interiors in San Antonio Texas who offers luxury kitchen and bath design and whole home transformations. She's a long-time member inside the Interior Designer's Business Blueprint but today we are talking about a book she's written - Navigating the Liminal Places: How to harness the power of transitional moments in your life. Here's a glance at this episode… We discuss the concept if liminality in our lives. We jump into how to navigate these transitional moments and changes. We share our insights into how to main...
2024-05-1650 minDesigner's Oasis#81 | Real Talk about Managing Anxiety and Growing your Interior Design Business with Christina Canales Interior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, Christina Canales joins me to discuss the importance of building a successful interior design business through fostering relationships with vendors and clients, and collaborating with other designers. We dive into the value of communication, mutual support, and taking back control of the sales process to navigate challenges. We share strategies for managing anxiety and impostor syndrome, including perspective-taking, reframing negative thoughts, and recognizing that these feelings are common and fixable. Here's a glance at this episode… Christina shares the unconventional paths that led she and her husband Jose on a unique journey into the d...
2024-05-091h 00Designer's Oasis#80 | 8 Problem Solving Strategies for Interior Designers When Things Go WrongInterior Designer's Business Blueprint Have you ever had a client who is questioning your most recent invoice, they want to do something outside of your contract terms, or they misunderstood information? So what can you do to salvage the relationships? In today's episode, I tackle a listener question on how to handle challenging client situations. I'm sharing 8 strategies that can help you in ANY sticky situation and hopefully bring a resolution without sacrificing your dignity or your income. If you haven't yet faced a challenging client situation, you simply haven't been in business long enough. Certainly, these situations are minimized wit...
2024-05-0243 minDesigner's Oasis#79 | 3 Bookkeeping Mistakes Interior Designers Make with Morgan BoudreauxInterior Designer's Business Blueprint The messes never clean themselves up but somebody who knows what they're doing has to get in there to help kind of right this ship. In today's episode, Morgan Boudreaux, from Business by the Book, a full-service accounting firm that works directly with interior designers across the country joins me. Business by the Books started as a family-run business founded by Morgan's mother, Sherry Wilson. Today they have a team of bookkeepers who are passionate about taking care of financial tasks so that their clients can do the things that they love, design, create and build su...
2024-04-2558 minDesigner's Oasis#78 | How to Handle Financial Ebbs and Flows in your Interior Design Business with Jenny KarlssonInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, we have a returning guest, and my friend Jenny Karlsson - a certified money coach helping creative entrepreneurs develop practical financial resilience and stability strategies. She's also the creator of the Money Compass Deck, a tangible tool to help you cultivate your connection with money. Jenny offers a safe, shame-free environment to help creatives develop a healthy relationship with money so that they can experience greater ease and freedom. Today, we are exploring the idea of financial resilience - what it is and how we can employ certain strategies daily to help us st...
2024-04-181h 12Designer's Oasis[REPLAY] #43 | 7 Money Routines for Interior DesignersInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode I want to share the 7 money tips that I live by as an interior designer! Maybe finances come easy for you or maybe you're more like me where it needs to be built into your schedule and you need a clear list of what needs to be done, what needs attention, and what to focus on. Here's a glance at this episode… I discuss making a ritual out of looking at your finances each week to create a habit and create a ritual of grabbing you favorite cof...
2024-04-1137 minDesigner's Oasis#77 | Financial Strategies for Interior Designers with Carla TitusInterior Designer's Business Blueprint On today's episode, Carla Titus, the founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within shares about finances, scaling, profitability, and her mission to empower business owners to take control of their finances to grow profits, have cash in the bank, and pay themselves, so they can build personal wealth. Carla loves working with interior designers to help them achieve financial clarity and peace of mind so you can get back to the work you enjoy doing. Working as a fractional CFO, Carla can consult with interior designers looking to grow their business profitability and scaling their businesses s...
2024-04-0456 minDesigner's Oasis#76 | Finding Your Differentiator to Build a Successful Interior Design Business with Katie GutierrezInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I interviewed Katie Gutierrez, the creator of Biographical Design, an interior design system that uses the client's biographies as the foundation of her six-step design process. She also has a customer relationship management tool that helps interior designers increase their exposure and lead engagement called the My Gotcha App. In this episode, we take time to delve into the intricacies of work-life balance and intentionality within the design business. Here's a glance at this episode… We discuss how Katie uses Biographical Design in her Interior Design Business and what the process looks like. We s...
2024-03-281h 06Designer's Oasis#75 | Copywriting Strategies for Interior Design Websites with Masha KoyenInterior Designer's Business Blueprint If you capture what really matters to your clients, your copy will be gold and resonate with the audience. When it comes to copywriting, if you try to speak to everyone, you end up speaking to no one. If you don't have a clearly defined audience in mind when you're creating copy, your message ends up diluted and can feel all over the place. In today's episode, I am joined by Masha Koyen of Content Vertical where she offers strategic website copywriting services to designers all over the world. Masha uses a data-driven approach to uncover the...
2024-03-211h 01Designer's Oasis#73 | 3 Mindset Shifts for Pricing Your Services with ConfidenceInterior Designer's Business Blueprint You don't need to justify or explain your rates or your prices when presenting them. You just need to show your value. In today's episode, I share three mindset shifts that will help you confidently price your services and reframe your mindset when presenting your pricing. Let's dive into the top 3 mindset shifts you should make to reframe your mindset regarding pricing. Here's a glance at this episode… I share how to separate your value from your time and how to frame your pricing structure for your clients. I share my belief that building your value starts...
2024-03-0724 minDesigner's Oasis#72 | How to know if you're ready to scale your interior design business?Interior Designer's Business Blueprint When we think about scaling a business, the first thing that typically comes to mind is "How can I get more project work"? Maybe you're currently taking 8-10 projects a year, so you ask yourself, "How can I increase that to 12-15 per year?" Taking on more projects is indeed going to generate more revenue and help you grow your portfolio, AND it takes more resources (i.e. time from you, growing a team, investing in your business, etc,) Sometimes, the real question is, "How can I generate more revenue"? "How can I grow the business? " Generat...
2024-02-2938 minDesigner's Oasis#71 | How to Run a Successful Family-Owned Interior Design BusinessInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I have a conversation all about the unconventional path to interior design success with the mother-daughter duo Susan and Jillian Hayward. We discuss all of the shared experiences, challenges, and collaboration along the way. Here's a glance at this episode… We talk all things entrepreneurship, design education, and business growth including Susan and Jillian's unconventional paths into interior design. We share about the many ups and downs of entrepreneurship along with how flexibility can help build a family-first approach. We discuss the need for setting boundaries with our clients in interior design. Susan shar...
2024-02-221h 07Designer's Oasis#70 | Sustainable Style: How to Incorporate Sustainability in your Interior Design Projects Interior Designer's Business Blueprint In this episode, we dive deep into crucial aspects of interior design, focusing on pricing strategies, time management, and the imperative shift toward sustainability. I advocate for responsible design leadership and share my journey toward a more sustainable approach. Here's a glance at this episode: I share the importance of responsibility in interior design leadership. I discuss the significance of sustainability in interior design, backed by compelling statistics. I highlight the environmental impact of fast furnishings, including staggering statistics on landfill waste and concerns related to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and child labor in the furniture ind...
2024-02-1540 minDesigner's Oasis#69 | Interior Design Entrepreneurship, Career Growth, and Client Relationships with Tina GuevaraInterior Designer's Business Blueprint In today's episode, I interview Tina Guevara, owner of Juliette Sebastian Interiors and a member of the Designer's Oasis program to share experiences and tips for building a thriving interior design business. Here's a glance at the episode: We discuss the importance of having your backend processes set up well in your interior design business. Tina shares her journey through Designer's Oasis and the support she has received and found invaluable. We dive into the non-traditional paths into an interior design career with Tina sharing her experience moving from corporate project management to executive coaching before in...
2024-02-081h 13Designer's Oasis#68 | Mission, Vision, and Impact in 2024 I believe in a rising tide that when one of us does well we all do better. I love sharing this space with other amazing interior designers and can't wait for what's in store! In today's episode, I share my vision for where we are headed in 2024 and the impact that we can have as interior designers. I want to share a little bit about what we're going to be doing here on the podcast, inside the Designers Oasis community, and the topics and guests we are bringing on. One big part of this is a survey...
2024-02-0135 minDesigner's Oasis#67 | 47 Gift Ideas for Interior Design ClientsInterior Designer's Business Blueprint I feel strongly that when we share our gratitude through gifting with clients and the people that we work with it's a good feeling and it makes us feel good as well. In today's episode, I share my love of gift-giving by sharing how to show gratitude through gifting clients and colleagues plus the positive impact that giving others gifts can have on your mental health and even your business success. So, think about your budget, get yourself organized, and get out there and start gifting. Here's a glance at this episode… I share various gift ideas...
2023-11-3038 minDesigner's Oasis#66 | Gratitude in Business - The Ripple EffectInterior Designer's Business Blueprint When you share gratitude openly with others, it starts to have a ripple effect and it can help you to feel good too, even when there are uncertain times (and there are many!) Gratitude is this amazing, free thing you have available to you at any time, all the time, no matter what. In today's episode, I share the power of gratitude in business and how it can help to create a sense of belonging and connection to our work and to the other contributors to our business(es). Here's a glance at this episode… I empha...
2023-11-2323 minDesigner's Oasis#65 | How to Style an Interior Photoshoot for MagazinesInterior Designer's Business Blueprint Spending time styling and preparing for a photo shoot with a professional photographer is key. Finding a photographer who can capture interior photos from different angles to bring a room to life is such an important part of curating a great interior design portfolio. In today's episode, I share all of my best tips and advice for styling an interior photoshoot for magazines and publications. Here's a glance at this episode… I share how to plan and execute a successful interior design photo shoot including tips on styling, preparation, and real-life elements. I discuss the importance of wo...
2023-11-1639 minDesigner's Oasis#64 | 3 Mindset Shifts to Grow a Successful Interior Design BusinessInterior Designer's Business Blueprint Have you ever gotten yourself a big project or call from a big deal client and thought to yourself, I don't think I have what it takes to take on this project? What if instead, you got curious and asked yourself, what would it take to be successful with this project? Who do I need on my team? What do I need to learn? In today's episode, I share 3 mindset shifts to start using so that you can run your business through a lens of curiosity, leading to a business that will expand, thrive, and grow. Here...
2023-11-0949 minDesigner's Oasis#62 | 3 Commitments You Need to Make to Build a Profitable Interior Design BusinessBuilding an interior design business that is profitable takes hard work but it is figure-outable. Today's episode is all the 3 commitments that you need to make to build your interior design business in a way that is profitable without setting yourself up for burnout and taking on too much to get there. In this episode, we turn the tables, and Katie Gutierrez, from Biographical Design interviews yours truly! Here's a glance at this episode… 👉 We discuss overcoming financial struggles in a business partnership. 👉 We share our experiences with pivoting a design business from feeling overwhelmed to thriving. 👉 We dive into how to create...
2023-10-2654 minDesigner's Oasis#61 | How to Serve Clients Well Without Being On 24/7Interior Designers Business Blueprint Serving clients well and building an interior design business with excellent communication can be done without always being available. Today's episode is all about how to create systems, processes, and communication that allow clients to feel nurtured and cared for without having to always be ON and responsive in the moment. This doesn't come naturally for most of us. Here's a glance at this episode: [5:40] I share examples of when a client may reach out for something that seems "urgent" and how it can truly interrupt your flow. I also share strategies for how to handle thes...
2023-10-2030 minDesigner's Oasis#60 | 4 Phase Success Path for Interior DesignersI want you to have clarity in where you're heading and what you're focused on right now. In today's episode, I share my 4 phase success path for interior designers to help you know what to focus on right now, gaining clarity on where you're heading and want to go without getting stuck in the comparison game with those around you Here's a glance at this episode: [4:44] I share how to figure out where you may be on your success path and remind you that you have time! You control your time and where you can focus so we dive into wh...
2023-09-2841 minDesigner's Oasis#59 | How to Develop a Rock Solid Concept DesignWhen you're a good listener to your client's needs, wishes, and visions, your clients naturally are excited and share this with their friends - making them natural evangelists for your work before you even finish the project. In today's episode, I share how to develop a rock-solid concept design phase for your clients and how important it can be to truly utilize in getting your clients excited and ready for their project. Here's a glance at the episode: [11:26] I dive into the concept design phase, analysis paralysis, and what the concept design phase is really all about [13:15] I discuss what so...
2023-09-2124 minDesigner's Oasis#58 | 2 Metrics Every Designer Should be TrackingI did not become an interior designer to sit around and crunch numbers all day..... but numbers tell a story! As interior designers, we can get caught up in the design work and avoid the numbers and need to track a few key metrics to really understand our business. In this episode, I share the 2 key metrics that I use in my business and why they are the most important to track. Here's a glance at this episode: [9:15] I jump into why it's important to track certain numbers and why this information is critical! [11:12] I share all about conversion rates and...
2023-09-1431 minDesigner's Oasis#57 | Leveling up: When Being Scrappy Doesn't Work AnymoreAre you ready to really grow your business but you're still running it like you did on day one? Today's episode is all about creating the type of business you have always wanted. It's time to level up, create systems, and save you time and money all while forming a pipeline of client work that truly lights you up each day. Here's a glance at the episode: [11:50] I jump into when you know it's time to stop being "scrappy" in your business but rather a time to start truly investing in your business. You never outgrow the need to invest in...
2023-09-0728 minDesigner's Oasis#54 | Revenue Generating Activities for Interior DesignersInterior Designer's Business Blueprint Energy begets energy. Money is energy. If we know that energy begets energy, what happens in your business when you sit down and you spend the time to commit some energy towards revenue-generating activities and lead-generating activities? In today's episode, we are talking about revenue-generating activities and what that means, how and when to do these activities, and how they keep your business thriving! This episode was inspired by a listener question that we received from Julia, "Hi Kate, I've followed your advice and started batching my days...
2023-07-2026 minDesigner's Oasis#47 | Protecting your Creative Energy with Carly TeigelerInterior Designer's Business Blueprint Are you tuned into your creative energy and how it ebbs and flows? As designers it's part of our job to read our clients minds and also be able to have time for creative processes but moving back and forth between the two can be a challenge. Tuning into her creative energy patterns, Carly shares some great tips on how to move between heading up long strategic conversations or taking in feedback, and producing work of a consistent quality all while protecting your creative energy. Here...
2023-05-2555 minDesigner's OasisDesigner's Oasis TrailerHow do I build an interior design business? How do I get portfolio-worthy projects? Do I "have to" offer full-service interior design? How do I charge for my services? What if I want to do things differently with my interior design business? How do I take my design business to the next level? Feeling overwhelmed? I got you friend. Welcome to the Designer's Oasis Podcast. Consider this your place for a fresh drink of water for the inspired, creative, ambitious, and let's admit it, occasionally overwhelmed interior designer. Whether you are jus...
2022-05-0402 min
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business PodcastKate Bendewald: High End Commercial Design to Motherhood and Entrepreneurship.Today with Kate Bendewald: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Sometimes, we start our own business because we always knew that’s what we were meant for. We want to be our own bosses, have flexibility in our work, and take charge of our lives. Other times, we’re pushed into it due to changes in our circumstances. For my guest today, Kate Bendewald, the second category is true. After she had her first daughter, she left a prestigious job in a commercial design firm and struck out on her own. Her design experience didn’t prepare her for the busines...
2021-05-2558 min
Designers Getting CoffeeQ&A Session #5: Ask Us Anything LIVE (The Farewell Episode)We. Love. You. Thank you SO MUCH for being part of coffee and conversation with us! This is the last episode of Designers Getting Coffee, but all of the episodes will still be available for you to go back and listen to. 🖤
🌟 View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/50/ 🌟
Stay connected with Kate at Designers Oasis and on Instagram.
Stay connected with Lesley with #BizTipMonday emails and on Instagram.
2020-08-2857 min
Designers Getting CoffeeWhat's Next for Designers Getting CoffeeToday's episode is major. We've got news to share about this podcast, Kate's Designer's Oasis, and Lesley's business coaching.
Also, we want you to join us for a LIVE Q+A session next week on Instagram! We'll be live @designersgettingcoffee on Thursday August 27 at 2pmET. See you there!
2020-08-2148 min
Designers Getting CoffeeGetting Ahead Financially with Sherry WilsonFeeling behind financially? You're not alone. Without help, it's easy to get behind on invoicing, payments, and taxes (eek). Lesley's bookkeeper Sherry Wilson from Business By the Book joins us today with solid advice (and loving encouragement) to help you get a handle on your business finances.
2020-08-1454 min
Designers Getting CoffeeAre Your Design Services Energizing - or Draining You?Let's be real - some design projects leave you energized and wanting more, and some leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, and straight-up cranky. Today we're breaking down the 6 most common interior design services out there, and weighing the pros and cons of each. Spoiler alert: you're the boss, and you can say no the ones you hate doing!
2020-08-0756 min
Designers Getting CoffeeBody Language Expert Nancy GanzekauferHaving trouble closing sales with potential clients? It may be because you're gazing towards their nose more than their foreheads. (Whaaa?) Today we're psyched to bring you business coach and certified body language expert Nancy Ganzekaufer, whose tips on using body language - and reading body-language - will open your eyes to the hidden meanings behind seemingly insignificant behaviors.
2020-07-3157 min
Designers Getting Coffee5 Helpful Money Habits for Your BusinessMoney is the lifeblood of your business. If you don't have money, you don't have a business. (Ouch.) Both Kate and Lesley have struggled with money management over the years, and have developed these 5 helpful money habits to ensure that they pay themselves first, have a healthy operating budget for expenses, and don't waste time on projects that aren't profitable.
2020-07-2439 min
Designers Getting CoffeeTransform Your Relationship with Money with Jenny KarlssonWhat's your money type? What "money blocks" are holding you back in business? 🤑
Certified Money Coach Jenny Karlsson shares her wealth (pun intended!) of knowledge in helping creative entrepreneurs improve their relationships with money. After six years as a professional pet photographer, Jenny realized that being creative with an MBA uniquely qualified her to help women entrepreneurs transform their relationship with money. She founded Financials for Creatives to help women gain confidence and know-how to manage the ebbs and flows of being an entrepreneur.
2020-07-171h 02
Designers Getting Coffee5 Tips to Handle Uncomfortable Money ConversationsMoney conversations can be weird - but they don't have to be. Talking about money with your clients (or vendors) gets easier with practice, and with these 5 tips in your back pocket. (Also, be prepared to hear Lesley say "5000 chickens" a lot...)
2020-07-1047 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHabits, Routines, & Boundaries to Keep Your SanityHealthy habits and daily routines are a huge part of how Lesley has "more hours in the day than anyone else" (as Kate puts it). Today we're sharing in detail all about the daily, weekly, and family routines and schedules we've implemented, and also the boundaries we have in place to keep us sane. Grab a pen and paper - you'll need it.
2020-07-031h 10
Designers Getting CoffeeWhat We've Learned During QuarantineThese past few months of social distancing, sheltering in place, and living through the Coronavirus crisis have challenged us all (to say the least!). We've both learned important lessons during quarantine about life, motherhood, and business.
Here's a real, raw look at the hard lessons we've learned, and how we're finding the beauty in this new season.
2020-06-2652 min
Designers Getting CoffeeQ&A Session #4: Referral Programs, Business Coaching, & Client BoundariesQ&A time! Every 10 episodes we're answering YOUR emails and DMs. Today we're discussing if referral programs are worth the investment, how to find the right business coach, and how to set boundaries with a client whose project is dragging on.
🌟View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/40/ 🌟
Send us your questions about interior design, business, how to handle difficult work situations, and more! If you've got a burning Q, email us at hello@designersgettingcoffee.com or send a DM on Instagram @designersgettingcoffee.
2020-06-1948 min
Designers Getting CoffeeBONUS: Get Referrals (Without Asking!) with Stacey Brown RandallHey designers - we're popping in with a special bonus episode because we KNOW you need help right now getting new clients and keeping your businesses afloat. (At least - full transparency - we do!) Stacey Brown Randall is an expert at helping small businesses flourish via referrals. Sounds boring, but OHMYGOSH the info she shares is genius - and could be a game-changer for your business right now.
2020-04-171h 00
Designers Getting Coffee10 Ideas to Serve Your Clients in Unexpected WaysSo many businesses have gone from thriving to barely surviving right now in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis. Amazing service is the key to weathering this storm, and today we're sharing 10 ways that we go above and beyond to serve our clients and knock their socks off. Happy clients equal repeat clients and kickass referrals!
This is the last episode of Season 3 and we'll be taking a break for a while, and we'd love to hear your ideas for future episodes and future podcast guests. Please email hello@designersgettingcoffee.com - we love to hear from you.
2020-04-0337 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Use Pricing Options In Your Design ProposalsYou know how we JUST talked about design proposals in Episode 36? Well, we've both had our eyes opened to a new way to present a proposal to a client that eliminates uncertainty, gives the client 'apples to apples' to compare, AND empowers them to choose the best design package for their needs and budget. Listen in for some stellar tips to use pricing options in your design proposals - and close a hella lot more sales!
2020-03-2735 min
Designers Getting CoffeeBONUS: How to Prepare Your Business for Unexpected CircumstancesGuys, things are so crazy in the world right now. We wanted to chat with you about what's happening in our lives and businesses during the COVID-19 social distancing and shelter-in-place, and let you know how we're preparing our businesses and families during this unexpected circumstance. This episode is totally real and raw - we didn't plan, we just hit record. And yes, things get super vulnerable. We're all in this together, friends.
2020-03-2039 min
Designers Getting CoffeeGet Published with Natalie NorcrossToday we're welcoming our very first guest, Natalie Norcross! Natalie is a former interior designer who now specializes in public relations for interior designers. She recently launched “Interior Design PR,” a DIY public relations platform, and she's sharing some juicy PR tips and ideas that are sure to help you pitch editors with the right content at the right time - and get your work the media attention it deserves.
2020-03-1337 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Sell a Design Package With a Clear and Concise ProposalAt the end of the in-person consultation, it's time to take things to the next level and propose the right design package to your client. But, uh, how exactly do you do this? In person? By email, the next day? And how do you know what exactly to propose to them? Here's how Kate and Lesley do it - and why Lesley is switching to a new way of presenting proposals.
2020-03-0629 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Rock The In-Person ConsultationThe first in-person consultation can feel a bit intimidating, but we're going to help you get over that fear. In addition to walking you through our consultation processes and best practices, we're also sharing what we wish we knew earlier, like what to bring, what to wear, how to start an end the consultation, and making sure you get paid before you go. Kate and Lesley do a lot the same, but there are some notable differences. Listen in and get some ideas to up-level your consultations!
2020-02-2857 min
Designers Getting CoffeeThe Client Questionnaire: When to Send and What to AskYou gotta get to know your client, and a questionnaire is a great way to learn about them, their family, their needs, and their budget. Here's are the questions Kate and Lesley ask, how and when they send their questionnaires, and why a questionnaire is so darn useful.
2020-02-2146 min
Designers Getting Coffee3 Common Client Objections (And How to Handle Them)What do you do when a client says your services are too expensive, or that they need to ask their partner? Or when they say the most vague thing of all: "Let me think about it." Today we are sharing the ways you can treat those objections with grace and move your “think about it prospect” to a “sign me up client”.
2020-02-1436 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Nail Your Consultation CallsThe Consultation Call - your very first phone call with a potential client - is a MEGA IMPORTANT SALES OPPORTUNITY. Don't wing it and just hope for the best. Hear firsthand from Kate and Lesley the exact words, questions, and systems they use on a consultation call to convert potential clients to happily paying ones (and check out two awesome free resources for you!).
2020-02-0749 min
Designers Getting Coffee10 Red Flags You Should Never Ignore🚩WARNING! WARNING! 🚩
Don't you wish it were that easy to spot when a potential client is going to be a nightmare?
While a pain-in-the-butt client isn't going to be shouting "WARNING!" from the rooftops, they probably ARE sharing subtle signs that they're not the right fit for you or your business.
On today's episode we've got 10 Red Flags You Should Never Ignore. Listen up, because we've learned the hard way to spot these 10 signs and we don't want you to have to do the same!
2020-01-3158 min
Designers Getting CoffeeQ&A Session #3: Ask Us AnythingQ&A time! Every 10 episodes we're answering YOUR emails and DMs. Send us your questions about interior design, business, how to handle difficult work situations, and more!
If you've got a burning Q, email us at hello@designersgettingcoffee.com or send a DM on Instagram @designersgettingcoffee.
2020-01-2440 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Reach Out to Potential ClientsYou knowwwww they're out there! But how do you reach out to potential clients and turn them into paying clients? Kate and Lesley are sharing some great - and not so great - things you can do to connect with potential clients.
2020-01-1745 min
Designers Getting CoffeeDesign Trends We Love...And Trends We Wish Would Die AlreadyTo kick off Season 3 of Designers Getting Coffee, Kate and Lesley are sharing some of their favorite design trends for 2020 - and some trends they wish would go away already. (Shag rugs, we're looking at you.) This is all in good fun, and we hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording this episode!
2020-01-1039 min
Designers Getting CoffeeBusiness Planning to Slay The New YearSLAY, QUEENS! Here's how we plan our business goals and editorial calendars for an entire year. Use December to your advantage and you'll be set up to knock your business out of the park in 2020.
2019-12-0635 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow Can You Take Time Off and Keep Your Business Going?The holidays are coming up - how can you take time off from work without your business grinding to a halt? Here's how Kate and Lesley prepare to take time off AND keep their businesses running.
2019-11-2950 min
Designers Getting CoffeeMust-Read Books for Interior DesignersDesigners, time to make your holiday wishlists! Here are 12 of Kate and Lesley's must-read books that have massively influenced their businesses (and lives).
2019-11-2254 min
Designers Getting CoffeeCommunicating Your Value with ConfidenceAs designers, we save our clients time, money, and mistakes. But how do we effectively communicate that in a way that hits home and helps the client truly understand - and invest in - our value?
2019-11-1547 min
Designers Getting CoffeeWhy Automating Is Awesome to Grow Your BusinessYou might be a little freaked out about the idea of automating your business, but stay with us. From client onboarding to questionnaires to emails to selling design packages, automation allows you to be a profitable design boss with much less time and energy.
2019-11-0856 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Find Your Dream Clients on Social MediaInstagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube. What social media channels are best? Should you be active on all of them? Kate and Lesley talk social media strategies and networking online to attract your ideal client.
2019-11-011h 06
Designers Getting CoffeeWhen Is It Time to Hire Some Help?Who is the right first hire - a junior designer? An administrator? A bookkeeper? It can be intimidating to take the plunge and grow your team, but it's totally worth it! Here's who Kate and Lesley recommend hiring first, what tasks to delegate, and why independent contractors are the way to go.
2019-10-2555 min
Designers Getting CoffeeQ&A Session #2: Ask Us AnythingQ&A time! Every 10 episodes we're answering YOUR emails and DMs. Send us your questions about interior design, business, how to handle difficult work situations, and more! If you've got a burning Q, email us at hello@designersgettingcoffee.com or send a DM on Instagram @designersgettingcoffee.
2019-10-1841 min
Designers Getting CoffeeAn Inside Look at Our E-Design ProcessWhat does it look like to run an E-Design project from start to finish? Here's how Kate and Lesley handle virtual E-Design projects and knock their clients' socks off (even without working face-to-face).
2019-10-111h 03
Designers Getting CoffeeSelling Without the SleazeHow can you share what you do in a way that doesn't feel like you're shoving it down someone's throat - or strong-arming them into paying you? If you're going to run your own design firm, selling your services is an essential skill to learn. Here's how to do it without the sleaze.
2019-10-041h 01
Designers Getting CoffeeWhat Design Services Should You Offer?There's no rule book for interior designers - we get to create and sell whatever design services we want! If you're feeling overwhelmed by packaging and presenting your design offerings, here's how to create your "ladder of services" and nail down your design packages to sell like the confident boss you are.
2019-09-2744 min
Designers Getting CoffeeIs your website turning away potential clients?Is your website a turn-off? Do you have poor quality photography, off-brand colors, or missed opportunities to capture leads? Kate and Lesley have some tips on how to make your website a sexy, client-attracting tool to help your business grow and thrive.
2019-09-2057 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Find Your Dream Clients with In-Person NetworkingHow do you find dreamy clients that understand the value of what you do - and pay you well for it? We're talking about that four-letter word today: NETWORKING. (We promise, it's not as bad as you might think!)
2019-09-1345 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Stand Out as an Interior DesignerYes, of course, you do interior design - but what makes you stand out from the crowd? Why should a client hire you instead of the next guy? Here's how to figure out your unique selling proposition and create an "elevator pitch" to quickly share what you do, and how you do it differently.
2019-09-0649 min
Designers Getting CoffeeMinisode: Simplifying for SummerWhen it's time to simplify, what can you do in your business to take a break or slow down so you can restore and rejuvenate.
2019-06-2126 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow Do You Start a Business In a New City?Have you ever found yourself needing to relocate or would like to move but feel stuck or overwhelmed about how that would work,? If so, tune in. Kate has already made the move across the country and Lesley is in preparation for a cross-country move now. In this episode they provide actionable tips to help you relocate your business without feeling like you are totally starting over.
2019-06-141h 06
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Accurately Estimate Hours for A Design ProjectWhat does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace.
Brought to you by The Interior Design Business Kickstart Kit
2019-06-0753 min
Designers Getting CoffeeAn Inside Look at our Design Process: Part 2What does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace.
2019-05-241h 15
Designers Getting CoffeeAn Inside Look at our Design Process: Part 1What does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace.
2019-05-1757 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow Do You Charge for Your Design Services?We wish there were an easy answer, but there's no "right" way to charge for your design services. Hourly? Flat fee? Value based? Lesley and Kate dive into some #realtalk about how to present your fees to clients, how to handle price objections, and how to charge a client you know is going to be difficult.
2019-05-1053 min
Designers Getting CoffeeHow to Manage Being a Working Mom (or Dad!)It ain't easy managing your own business AND a family. But we know it's doable if you've got the right strategies - and help - in place. Listen in as Kate and Lesley discuss how to make it work as a working mom.
2019-05-0356 min
Designers Getting Coffee10 Things To Do When Business is SlowIs your client pipeline woefully empty? Is your interior design business not exactly booming? Kate and Lesley have 10 things you can do TODAY when your business is slow to kickstart things into gear.
2019-04-2647 min
Designers Getting CoffeeOvercoming Jealousy and Fear of CompetitionKate and Lesley both run residential interior design businesses IN THE SAME TOWN. Here's how they met and chose collaboration over competition. Spoiler alert: it wasn't always easy, and yes, jealousy has crept in.
2019-04-1939 min
Designers Getting CoffeeDesign And Business Tools: What We Use That Are The Same, And What Are DifferentThere are a zillion ways to run an interior design business. Here are the design and business tools Kate and Lesley use. Some are the same, but many are different. Grab the full list of our go-to tools at designersgettingcoffee.com.
2019-04-121h 03
Designers Getting CoffeeDo You Need a Degree to Be An Interior Designer?It's the million-dollar question - do you need a degree to be an interior designer? Kate and Lesley have differing opinions on whether or not you need a degree to run an interior design business. Grab your coffee and listen in.
2019-04-051h 02
Designers Getting CoffeeHow We Knew We Were Ready to Work for OurselvesHow do you know it's time to finally start your own interior design business? Kate Bendewald and Lesley Myrick share their stories - and actionable advice - on going from design employees to business owners
2019-03-271h 22