Shows
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design96. Why Your Team Keeps Asking You the Same Questions (And How to Fix It as a Leader)Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I swear I’ve already answered this,” while a team member pings you yet again, this episode is for you.Today, I’m unpacking one of the most exhausting leadership moments I see with designers — when your team keeps asking the same questions over and over, and it starts to make you wonder if you’re doing something wrong as a leader. I want to say this clearly right out of the gate: this isn’t a sign that you’re failing. It’s feedback. And when...
2026-02-0426 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design95. Why Your Interior Design Business Feels Heavier as It Grows (Even With More Revenue)Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at your business and thought, “Why did this feel easier when I was making less money?”—this episode is for you.Today, I’m talking directly to designers who are doing “everything right” on paper. The revenue is there. The team is there. The projects are bigger. And yet… everything feels heavier. More complex. More draining.Here’s the truth I want you to hear upfront: you didn’t do anything wrong. This tension doesn’t show up because you failed—it shows up because you...
2026-01-2818 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design94. How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Interior Design BusinessSend Katie a Text Message!! Choosing a coach is a big decision—especially when your business is already successful, but something still feels heavy. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what coaching should (and shouldn’t) look like for interior designers. I share the mistakes I’ve made hiring coaches, the lessons I learned the hard way, and the exact criteria I use now—both when I hire support and when designers consider working with me. This isn’t about hype, Instagram followers, or quick fixes. It’s about clarity, alignment, and making decisions that...
2026-01-2125 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design93. Why Indecision Is Holding Your Design Business Back (And How to Take Confident Action)Send Katie a Text Message!! If you feel stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by options, or frozen because you’re afraid of making the wrong move in your design business, this episode is for you.In this conversation, I’m talking directly to designers who are waiting for more clarity, more confidence, or more certainty before taking action — and how that waiting is often the very thing keeping them stuck. Indecision isn’t neutral. It’s still a decision, and it usually comes with hidden costs: stalled growth, increased stress, team confusion, and long-term burnout.We’re un...
2026-01-1419 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design92. A Pep Talk For Interior Design Business Owners Who Want to Win In 2026Send Katie a Text Message!! As we step into 2026, I wanted to record this episode before you opened your inbox, before you looked at last year’s numbers, and before you started telling yourself stories about what this year needs to be. This is your 2026 pep talk. Because most designers don’t start a new year with a clean slate — they start it carrying the emotional weight of the year before. And if we don’t address that first, it quietly shapes how we show up, the goals we set, and the decisions we make. In this episode...
2026-01-0717 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design91. Lessons From Our Big Mistakes w/ Michelle LynneSend Katie a Text Message!! As this year comes to a close, I wanted to have a very honest conversation—one rooted in experience, not perfection. In this episode, I’m reflecting (with another seasoned firm owner- Michelle Lynne) on the mistakes we’ve made, the lessons we learned the hard way, and what actually matters when you’re trying to move your business forward with clarity instead of chaos.This isn’t about beating yourself up for what didn’t work. It’s about looking back clearly—without ego or shame—so you can recalibrate your d...
2025-12-3048 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design90. Top Questions Every Designer Has About Growing Their Business - And My AnswersSend Katie a Text Message!! Today’s episode is one I’ve been wanting to record for a long time because it’s built entirely around the questions I hear every single week as a business coach. These are the questions that come up in strategy calls, Voxer messages, office hours, and hallway conversations at High Point. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure about hiring, confused by your numbers, or stuck relying on referrals, you are not alone — and this episode is for you. I’m walking you through the real answers, not the emotional ones, so you...
2025-12-2420 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design89. Your 2025 Interior Design Business AuditSend Katie a Text Message!! If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, this episode is where that shift begins. Today, I’m walking you step-by-step through the 2025 Business Audit Worksheet and showing you how to look at last year honestly — without judgment, without overwhelm, and without getting stuck in the past. This isn’t busy work or a reflective exercise for the sake of reflection. It’s about understanding what actually happened in your business so you can make grounded, confident decisions about where you’re going next. You can’t build your next chapter without understanding...
2025-12-1718 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design88. Turn Your 2026 Vision Into a Design Business That Actually WorksSend Katie a Text Message!! Welcome back, designers! This is Part 2 of The Design Business Growth Blueprint, and today we’re shifting from the hard-number reality of Part 1 into something just as important - building your 2026 strategy like a true CEO. Not from vibes, not from wishful thinking, and definitely not from “I just want to make more next year,” but from real data, real capacity, and real clarity about the life you actually want to live. In this episode, I’m walking you through how I create strategic growth plans inside my own multimillion-dollar design firm, and...
2025-12-1024 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design87: Your Business Reality Check Starts HereSend Katie a Text Message!! In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the work most designers avoid: facing the truth about what actually happened inside your business this year. Before we can build your 2026 vision (that’s coming in Part 2!), we have to strip away the assumptions, the emotions, the “I think I made money here… maybe?” and look at the real data. I’m talking revenue, margins, client load, time spent, energy, alignment—everything. I know this work is uncomfortable. But this is the difference between running a busy, high-c...
2025-12-0325 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design86. What Are You Waiting For? How to Break Through Overwhelm and Actually Move Your Design Business ForwardSend Katie a Text Message!! In today’s episode, I’m getting real with you — lovingly calling you out and calling you up. If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, waiting for the “right time,” or drowning in overwhelm while nothing truly moves your business forward, this is your wake-up call. I’m sharing the mindset shifts, micro-actions, and systems my clients use to stop overthinking, start taking action, and create a design business that actually supports their life.IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:Why overwhelm isn’t a capability issue...
2025-11-2627 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design85. From Designer to CEO: How Owning the Vision Grows Your BusinessSend Katie a Text Message!! When you’re deep in the day-to-day of your design business, it’s easy to forget why you started it in the first place. I’ve been there — chasing goals, saying yes to opportunities, and still feeling like something’s off. In this episode, I’m challenging you to step back and look at your business through the lens of a true CEO and visionary. Because you can’t scale what you haven’t defined.IN THIS EPISODE:Why most designers are stuck in their business instead of leadi...
2025-11-1924 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design84. Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Designer: Why Confidence Is Your Real Growth StrategySend Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at another designer’s success and wondered, “What do they have that I don’t?” - this episode is for you. I’m digging into the real mindset work behind scaling a design business - and it’s not about better clients, a bigger team, or even a new offer. It’s about confidence. Because growth doesn’t start when your circumstances change; it starts when you decide to trust yourself again.I’m sharing how self-doubt sneaks in even when things are working, what it really means to l...
2025-11-1220 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design83: The Limiting Beliefs Stopping You from Scaling Your BusinessSend Katie a Text Message!! So many designers get stuck in their businesses because of the beliefs they carry about money, success, and what it takes to grow. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about the most common limiting beliefs I see in my coaching practice — from thinking you have to struggle to make money, to believing that success takes years, to feeling like you’re not ready yet. I’m sharing how these beliefs show up, why they’re keeping you stuck, and, most importantly, what you can do to overcome them. If you’ve ever felt fr...
2025-11-0516 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design82: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There — And That’s a Good ThingSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand new series all about building a business that works for you — not the other way around. If you’ve ever felt like your design business has more potential than what it’s currently producing, this conversation is for you.I see you out there trying to scale, trying to take home more income, trying to show up for your family and your clients, trying to build something meaningful without burning yourself out. It’s not easy — especially in a market that feels unpred...
2025-10-2929 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design81: Scaling Your Design Business Without Losing Your Sanity - A Coaching ConversationSend Katie a Text Message!! This week on Success by Design, I’m diving deep into one of my favorite topics: how to grow your design business thoughtfully, without letting it take over your life. I chat with Heather about the differences between W2 employees and 1099 contractors, and how choosing the right type of hire can make or break your business as you scale.We also talk about coaching, systems, and one-on-one strategies for creatives who have already hit six figures but want to push into seven. I share how I help clients identify the sm...
2025-10-2356 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design80: Building a Resilient Design Business - Even When the Economy Isn’t (Part 3 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome back to Success by Design! I’m wrapping up our three-part series, Your Interior Designer Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty, with one of the most important conversations we can have right now — how to build a business that bends but doesn’t break.In this episode, I’m sharing how to strengthen your foundation through visibility, creative adaptability, strong systems, the right support network, and emotional sustainability. Whether you’re feeling the slowdown or simply want to future-proof your design firm, this one’s for you.We’re talking abo...
2025-10-1725 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design79: Creating Demand in a Slow Market (Part 2 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers — welcome back to Success by Design! I’m Katie Decker Erickson, and this week we’re diving into part two of our three-part series, Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create demand even when the market feels quiet — because slowing down doesn’t mean sitting still.I’m sharing the exact mindset and marketing strategies that keep designers (including me and my clients) booked, visible, and confident when everyone else is retreating. We’ll talk about the lonely work t...
2025-10-1619 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design78: Pricing with Confidence in a Shaky Economy (Part 1 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to Success by Design! I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series called The Interior Designer’s Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty. Let’s be honest—the economy feels weird right now. Clients are cautious, interest rates are high, and confidence can feel scarce. But while you can’t control the broader economy, you can control your pricing, positioning, and profit strategy.In this episode, we’re diving into how to price confidently when fear starts creeping in—what to say “no” to, how to protect your value, and why lowering y...
2025-10-1519 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design77: The 2025 State of the Design Industry (And What You Need to Do About It)Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers, it’s Katie Decker Erickson, and today I’m giving you something totally different — no fluff, no hype, and no sugarcoating. This is your five-minute State of the Industry for interior designers, and a heart-to-heart about what’s really going on behind the pretty photos and Pinterest boards.Because let’s be honest — the economy isn’t doing us any favors right now. Margins are tight, clients want miracles for pennies, and too many designers are drowning in ideas instead of action. So today, I’m breaking down what’s actually...
2025-10-0803 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design76: From Overwhelmed to Scaled: How My Client Shannon Grew Her Interior Design BusinessSend Katie a Text Message!! Scaling an interior design business isn’t just about hustling harder—it’s about systems, boundaries, leadership, and strategic support. In this episode, I sit down with my client Shannon to share her journey from feeling overwhelmed to confidently scaling her interior design business. We talk about the unexpected lessons she learned along the way and how coaching helped her master each step of growth.IN THIS EPISODE:How Shannon recognized she needed help and took the first step toward growthThe systems and processes she implemented to str...
2025-10-0127 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design75: Interior Design Debriefs: The 20-Minute Profit BoosterSend Katie a Text Message!! In this week’s episode, to wrap up our Project to Profit Series, I'm getting real about the one step most designers skip that could save you hours, protect your margins, and stop you from repeating the same costly mistakes project after project.Here’s the kicker: research shows that teams who actually take this step improve performance by 20–25% on their very next project. Yep, it’s that powerful.And don’t think this is just for big firms — if you’re a team of one, this step may be even mo...
2025-09-2414 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design74: The Secret to More Interior Design ReferralsSend Katie a Text Message!! What if one happy client didn’t just mean a beautiful portfolio photo — but also became the gateway to three more dream projects? That’s the power of a referral strategy for designers that actually works.In this episode, I'm sharing why most interior design referrals don’t happen by chance — and how to move beyond “word of mouth” into a system that brings you consistent, pre-qualified leads.If you’ve been wondering how to get more design clients without burning out or relying on chance, this episode is a must-listen...
2025-09-1719 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design73: Scope Creep Solutions for Profitable Interior DesignSend Katie a Text Message!! Scope creep: two little words that can drain your profits, stretch your timeline, and zap your energy if left unchecked. But here’s the twist—done right, scope creep can actually fuel your profit margins and strengthen client relationships.In this episode, I'm breaking down the sneaky ways scope creep shows up (and why it feels so personal). The #1 mindset shift that transforms extra client requests into profit opportunities. What to say in the moment when a client asks for just one more thing, and so much more!Chec...
2025-09-1017 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design72: Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & ClientsSend Katie a Text Message!! Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on why onboarding isn’t just paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protects your margins.Check out the full show notes and other resources at...
2025-09-0314 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design71: The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design ServicesSend Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer.Check out the full show notes and other resources at https://successbydesign.coach/pod...
2025-08-2711 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design70: How to Turn Consultations Into Paid OpportunitiesSend Katie a Text Message!! This week, we’re kicking off a six-part series I’m calling "Turning Projects into Profit." As designers, we pour our hearts into projects that photograph beautifully, but sometimes those same projects barely move the financial needle. I know that tension well because I’ve lived it in my own business. That’s why this series is all about helping you stop leaving money on the table and start building a business that fuels your creativity and pays you well.And we’re starting with one of the biggest traps in our ind...
2025-08-2013 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design69: Design Heals: The Secret Sauce Top Designers Are Using to Charge MoreSend Katie a Text Message!! What every designer needs to know about neuroaesthetics, biophilia, and charging what you're worth. In this episode of Success by Design, I'm sitting down with Mike Peterson, founder of Science in Design, to explore how neuroscience is validating what designers have known intuitively for years: beautiful spaces make people feel better. Now we have the data to prove they also make people healthier.Check out the full show notes and resources athttps://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/design-heals-the-secret-sauce-top-designers-are-using-to-charge-moreThis podcast is brought to you i...
2025-08-1330 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design68: Vegas Market 2025: Bold Interior Design Trends and Statement DécorSend Katie a Text Message!! What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas — especially when Success by Design gets the inside scoop from the market floor. In this week’s can’t-miss episode, Katie sits down with Diana Ruston on her team and fresh off the plane to unpack the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre from the latest Las Vegas Market.This isn’t just another trends episode. It’s a no-holds-barred conversation about what’s really happening in design — from West Coast market shifts to high-gloss regrets and why petrified wood may just be the...
2025-08-0622 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design67: Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]Send Katie a Text Message!! Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry, LuAnn Nigara and John McClain, to sit down and discuss their insights. But not just any shop. We dove into the murky waters of economic uncertainty, a topic that’s foggy at best and terrifying at worst.And trust me, you’re going to want to eavesdrop.Check out the...
2025-07-3041 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design66: 7 Strategies to Attract Interior Design Clients Without Spending a DimeSend Katie a Text Message!! What if the answer isn’t more ads, more hustle, or more burnout?In this week’s episode of Success by Design, I drop 7 zero-cost, high-impact strategies to attract interior design clients without spending a dime. And no—it’s not just “post more on Instagram.”This episode is the grounded, practical pep talk you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for designers in a season of growth, reset, or re-alignment.Check out the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b...
2025-07-2314 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design65: Interior Design Business Tips to Thrive During SlowdownsSend Katie a Text Message!! As an interior designer, you pour passion, creativity, and dedication into your business every single day. But what happens when the market slows, projects stall, or uncertainty creeps in? It’s not about if—it’s about when. But here's the good news: you don’t have to panic. You can proactively prepare.In this episode, Katie is diving into actionable strategies specifically crafted for interior design professionals facing a slowdown.Check out the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/interior-design-business-tips-to-thrive-during-slowdowns
2025-07-1612 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design64: Wondering If Coaching Is Worth It? Rachel Says Yes—Here’s WhySend Katie a Text Message!! Discover how Rachel Ogburn boldly transitioned from real estate to interior design, harnessing clarity, courage, and confidence to build a thriving and fulfilling business.In this episode, Rachel candidly reveals how she overcame deep-seated fears of rejection and uncertainty, leveraging coaching, community support, and self-belief to dramatically transform her career and mindset.Check out the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/wondering-if-coaching-is-worth-it-Rachel-says-yes-here-s-whyThanks to our sponsor, Shaw Contract - Learn more and specify smarter at shawcontract.c...
2025-07-0922 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design63: Designers, Step Away! How Strategic Breaks Unlock Your Full PotentialSend Katie a Text Message!! Want to boost your creativity, skyrocket your productivity, and reignite your passion for design? It might be time to step away.In this episode, I'm revealing why intentional, strategic rest isn't just nice—it's essential for interior designers aiming for sustainable success. Whether you're running a growing six-figure firm or managing a booming seven-figure business, stepping away might be the secret weapon you're overlooking.Check out the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/how-strategic-breaks-unlock-your-full-potential-as-an-interior-designerThanks to our...
2025-07-0215 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design62: Know Your Numbers: Cash Flow, Taxes & Accounting for Interior DesignersSend Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior design firms seem to glide through the ups and downs of business effortlessly, while others always seem stressed about finances? I've learned the key difference is simple but powerful—knowing your numbers.This week, I'm sharing exactly how I've structured my business around clear, reliable financial practices. Understanding my numbers has enabled me to make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary stress, and sustainably grow my firm.Check out the full show notes and other resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/kn...
2025-06-2519 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design61: Inside Out Interiors: Core Strategies for DesignersSend Katie a Text Message!! Ever feel like your interior design business runs you, instead of you running it? You're not alone. But what if the secret to effortless growth, standout projects, and loyal clients isn’t found in the latest trends or marketing hacks, but within the core of your business itself?In this episode, I'm revealing the hidden power of transforming your mindset, clarifying your purpose, and building strategic systems—shifts that profoundly reshape your business from the inside out.Ready to transform your business at the deepest level and see it r...
2025-06-1821 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design60: Design DNA: Unlock Your Firm’s True PotentialSend Katie a Text Message!! Every interior designer has a unique “genetic code”—their style, values, and creative philosophy. But are you consciously tapping into yours to truly stand out and attract your ideal clients?In this episode, we’re diving deep into how your Design DNA can fuel purposeful, profitable, and authentic growth for your practice.Check out the show notes and other resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/design-dna-unlock-your-firm-s-true-potentialThis podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.Connect with Katie...
2025-06-1116 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design59: Building a Future-Proof Interior Design BusinessSend Katie a Text Message!! In an industry constantly evolving with trends, technology, and shifting client expectations, building an interior design business that's both creatively inspiring and strategically sound has never been more critical. But how exactly do you create a design empire that can withstand change, scale sustainably, and flourish over the long haul?In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it means to go deep—creatively and strategically—to establish an interior design firm poised for enduring success. Whether you're grappling with scaling your team, diversifying your services, or integr...
2025-06-0416 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design58: Beyond the Blueprint: Scaling Your Interior Design Business with SoulSend Katie a Text Message!! Interior design is more than stunning blueprints, curated Pinterest boards, and beautifully staged reveals. True design excellence—and sustainable business success—begins when we move beyond surface-level planning and dive deeper into our purpose, passion, and personal values.In this episode, we explore how you can authentically scale your interior design business, ensuring your growth aligns with your deepest values and highest aspirations. From defining your unique design ethos to streamlining systems and fostering meaningful client relationships, this episode is your guide to scaling with integrity, authenticity, and soul.Ch...
2025-05-2817 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design57: Attracting Luxury Interior Design Clients w/ John McClainSend Katie a Text Message!! Ever wondered how to attract seven-figure interior design clients? In this episode, I sit down with the talented John McClain, known for mastering high-value, luxury projects. This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!John reveals how he evolved from accepting "anyone with a heartbeat and a checkbook" to becoming a sought-after designer in the luxury market. It’s about aligning your core values with client expectations—and why taking calculated risks is crucial.Curious about John's "Two Truths and a Lie"—did he write fo...
2025-05-2142 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design56: Unlock the Secret to Packaging and Pricing Your Design Services for High-End ClientsSend Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever felt unsure how to structure your design packages or nervous about raising your prices, even when you know you're worth it? You’re not alone.Katie is exploring exactly how to craft irresistible, premium design packages tailored specifically for high-end residential and commercial clients—those ready and willing to invest significantly in quality and transformation.This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to step into your worth, simplify your business processes, and secure high-budget design projects.See the show notes and resources at
2025-05-1429 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design55: Defining Your Ideal Interior Design ClientSend Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior designers effortlessly attract dream clients, while others scramble just to stay busy? The answer might surprise you—it’s all about knowing exactly who your ideal client is and what they truly want.In this week’s episode, Katie dives into how leveraging demographic and psychographic data can dramatically transform your interior design business. Did you know that, according to recent HubSpot research, businesses that clearly identify their target market can experience a revenue increase of up to 7...
2025-05-0719 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design54: How Coaching Helped Zoe Master Pricing, Pivoting, and HiringSend Katie a Text Message!! Are you an interior designer wondering if coaching is right for you? Curious about taking your business from good to great—or perhaps from zero to thriving? Join Katie as she welcomes one of her coaching clients, Zoe Browne, to the podcast. Zoe’s journey is an inspiring example of how transformative the right support can be, even if your business isn't struggling but simply ready for more.See the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/How-Coaching-Helped-Zoe-Master-Pricing-Pivoting-and-HiringThis podcast is brought to yo...
2025-04-3019 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design53: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trust for Interior Designers [The Table]Send Katie a Text Message!! Are tariffs making you anxious? You're not alone. In this must-listen podcast episode of The Table, Katie is joined by industry heavy-hitters Laurie Laizure, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe to tackle the tariff turmoil head-on.From staggering markups and shifting vendor dynamics, to managing client expectations and maintaining your profits, our experts share actionable strategies to weather the storm—without sacrificing your ethics or your sanity.See the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/navigating-tariffs-turmoil-and-trust-for-interior-designersThis pod...
2025-04-2538 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design52: Tariff Talk: Navigating the Hidden Costs Impacting Your Interior Design ClientsSend Katie a Text Message!! Think tariffs don’t affect you? Think again. On this episode of Success by Design, Mastering the Business of Interior Design, Katie breaks down exactly why interior designers must care about these seemingly distant policies—and how tariffs quietly ripple through every project, influencing your pricing, timelines, and creative choices.Plus, Katie teases next week's roundtable featuring three industry powerhouses who reveal unexpected opportunities and brilliant strategies born from navigating tariff turmoil.See the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/tar...
2025-04-1812 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design51: How Interior Designers Can Build Confidence and Set BoundariesSend Katie a Text Message!! Ready to level up your confidence game and finally feel like the expert you already are? In this episode, I'm tackling the surprising psychology behind imposter syndrome, ditching the myth that giant leaps are the only way to build confidence, and showing you how to stop letting perfectionism rule your life (and your rates!).Don’t miss your chance to grab these research-backed tools for unshakable confidence. Hit play now and transform how you run your design business—no more second-guessing allowed!See the full show notes and reso...
2025-04-1119 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design50: How Interior Designers Thrive (Not Just Survive!) Market ShiftsSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, Katie Decker-Erickson is bringing you actionable insights directly inspired by last week's powerful conversation with Rebecca Hay. Get ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity with strategies specifically tailored for interior design businesses facing market slowdowns.Slowdowns are inevitable—but how you respond makes all the difference. Tune in now and ensure your business not only survives but thrives - even when business may not be booming.See the full show notes at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/how-interior-designers-thrive-not-just-survive-market-shiftsThis podcast is bro...
2025-04-0407 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design49: Thrive During Economic Slowdowns- Proven Strategies & Mindset Shifts with Rebecca HaySend Katie a Text Message!! Feeling the squeeze of a market slowdown? You’re not alone. Interior designers everywhere are navigating shifting client expectations, tighter budgets, and the need to be more strategic than ever.We’re joined by celebrated designer Rebecca Hay to explore exactly how to stay profitable and resilient—even when times get tough. She’s sharing her smartest strategies for weathering economic shifts, keeping clients engaged, and ensuring your business doesn’t just survive but thrives in 2025.If you’re wondering where to invest, where to scale back, and how to make...
2025-03-2843 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design48: How Interior Designers Can Execute, Scale & Boost ProfitsSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we break down essential project management strategies to help interior The #1 mistake designers make that leads to project chaos—and how to avoid it.Ready to streamline your projects, increase efficiency, and maximize profits?Don’t miss this power-packed episode—your future self (and clients) will thank you.Pro Tip: Adding project management services can significantly boost your firm’s profitability and client satisfaction. Start with small steps and refine your process as you gain experien...
2025-03-2107 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design47: The Only Woman on the Construction Site with Renée BierySend Katie a Text Message!! You’ve likely seen this scenario play out—a homeowner has an idea for their remodel, the GC calls it stupid, and while he has a point, the homeowner’s feelings are hurt and no one’s offered a viable solution. That is precisely where we come in. As interior designers, we are uniquely able to translate our clients’ ideas to the construction crew who can bring it to life. But there’s even more that’s at play when you’re a female designer on the construction site. Renée Biery joins me f...
2025-03-1443 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design46: Proven Strategies to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients in 2025Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we’re diving into the marketing strategies you need to attract your ideal clients and scale your business in 2025. If marketing feels overwhelming, don’t worry—this episode breaks it into actionable steps that feel authentic and effective.Grab a notebook and your favorite coffee—this episode is packed with insights to help you position your business for success.Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode athttps://successbydesign.coach/podcast...
2025-03-0707 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design45: Digital Marketing Strategy for Interior Designers with Jason LockhartSend Katie a Text Message!! For most interior designers, marketing is throwing noodles at the wall and seeing what sticks. A little Instagram here, a little TikTok there, and maybe some paid ads for good measure. But deep down, you know that’s not a great way to run a business, increase visibility, or build brand awareness—let alone get paying clients! Wouldn’t it be great if someone who understood your industry could tell you exactly which marketing strategies you needed?Meet Jason Lockhart! He’s an architect and digital marketing strategist who understands the inte...
2025-02-2842 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design44: Finances & Marketing for Interior Designers in 2025 [The Table]Send Katie a Text Message!! As interior designers, we love being creative and bringing a client’s vision to life. Financials, budgets, and marketing strategies? Not so much. But our firms simply don’t exist without these key elements of business. Between the neverending natural disasters, dramatic economic shakeup, and mounting questions of what to focus on to grow the business—it’s feeling pretty intense for all of us. So… let’s talk about it!In this Q1 episode of The Table series, LuAnn Nigara, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe are back for a refreshing...
2025-02-1440 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design43: 3 Steps to Building a Lasting Business LegacySend Katie a Text Message!! In this solo episode, we're honing in on what it takes to build a business legacy. That may sound like nailing jello to a wall, but there are specific, actionable steps you can take to make this happen!This isn’t just about scaling your firm or making a name for yourself. This is about creating something that lasts well beyond your time in the industry. It’s about shifting focus from those short-term wins—and instead planning for an impact that resonates, endures, and even gives back to the commun...
2025-01-3114 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design42: Technology & Automation for Interior Design with Danny MarshSend Katie a Text Message!! Unless you’re a drafter, most of us in the interior design world loathe technology. But it’s a necessary part of the job when it comes to running a business. So… how can tech support the design process and in scaling a business? My tech go-to, Danny Marsh, joins us for this episode! Danny shares technology challenges unique to interior designers, emerging tech trends, how certain software can actually hinder business growth, and a bit about his tech firm that’s just for interior designers. You’re especially going to want to stick a...
2025-01-1737 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design41: Mindset Shifts to Scale Your Business Beyond 6-Figures with Laura ThorntonSend Katie a Text Message!! The mental gymnastics it takes to start a business is just… different from the mindset shifts it takes to scale a business to 6-figures and beyond. (Mindset plays a huge role in both personal and professional growth!) I’m thrilled to have Laura Thornton back on the podcast for this conversation. We’re discussing the mindset shifts that are imperative when looking to scale your design business. Laura shares insights about growing a team, advice about being courageous and growing your confidence, and the raw truth of what it really takes to take y...
2025-01-0347 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design40: Thought Habits for Business Growth with Amy KempSend Katie a Text Message!! Whether or not you’ve heard of thought habits, you’re most certainly familiar with the impact your self-talk has on your habits. But you may be surprised to hear just how impactful those thoughts of yours are on your business growth—or—lack thereof. Habit Finder Coach, Amy Kemp, is here to discuss this topic! Amy shares examples to bring these enlightening concepts to life, as well as exercises you can test out ASAP to regain your time and energy. In this episode, we get into so much including scheduling guilt-free playtime...
2024-12-2045 min
Designer Discussions : Remodeling Business MarketingStreamlining Business Operations with Katie Decker Erickson: Boosting Profitability and Building Strong Client RelationshipsWhat if you could streamline your business operations and boost your profitability with a few key strategies? Join us as Katie Decker Erickson, a multifamily and commercial designer turned business coach, unravels the secrets of implementing effective processes that keep your business running smoothly, even when team members are unavailable. Discover how establishing well-defined processes allows designers to focus on their creative strengths while bolstering the firm's capacity to handle more projects and attract high-value clients.Scaling your business is within reach when you master communication and pricing confidence. Learn from Katie's expertise on proactive client updates...
2024-12-1924 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design39: How to Sustainably Grow a Design Firm with Jeanne CollinsSend Katie a Text Message!! As an interior designer, there are a few business decisions that will critically impact your growth. Scaling your business to your lifestyle is an artform. It takes dedication, discipline, and determination. And Jeanne Collins knows this journey all too well! She joins us today to share how to know when it’s time to hire a coach or contractor, key marketing strategies that helped scale her business, and how becoming a female business owner made her a better mom. Enjoy this conversation and make sure you stick around for the Coaching Corner!...
2024-12-0636 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design38: 2025 Colors of the Year & Color Trends [Roundtable]Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to one of our most anticipated conversations—the 2025 Color of the Year! Join color marketing experts from PPG, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore as they reveal their picks, what inspired the selections, what they’re noticing with design trends in general, and what’s coming down the pike in the next couple of years as America starts to take the lead. (Yep, I just said it.) To say this is an exciting episode is an extreme understatement. Let’s get straight to it—and stick around for the Coaching Corner!Grab all t...
2024-11-2239 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design37: The Future of Interior Design in 2025 [The Table]Send Katie a Text Message!! Leaders in the interior design industry join me to discuss trends and predictions about the future—specifically 2025! You’ll hear from LuAnn Nigara, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe. They’re sharing what 2024 was like for their businesses, what they’re evaluating as we wrap up the year, how they’re strategically approaching 2025, and how AI factors into all of this. You don’t want to miss this insightful and uplifting conversation! Stay for the Coaching Corner to continue that AI conversation. Let’s get started!Grab all the links and resources...
2024-11-0840 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design36: Fall ‘24 High Point Market Trends with Diana RushtonSend Katie a Text Message!! ‘Tis the season for the Fall High Point Market of 2024! We know you’re here for the tips, tricks, trends, and everything we learn at market every time we go. And this time is no different—except we’re switching things up a bit! Di normally goes to market and gives us a recap on what’s trending in lighting, furniture, and textures. This time? Katie’s in the guest chair, sharing what she’s learned and experienced. And there’s still a Coaching Corner, so don’t miss those nuggets!Grab all the lin...
2024-10-3029 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design35: Creative Burnout & Inspiration with Jennifer BertrandSend Katie a Text Message!! Creative burnout hits even the best of us. And Jennifer Bertrand (that’s right, of HGTV’s ‘Design Star’) is here to share her story with us from not-the-right-fit clients to sources of inspiration to how she’s been able to sustain her current level of creativity—Jennifer’s baring it all! Tune in, and don’t miss today’s Coaching Corner.Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.colorworks.coach/podcast-library/b/creative-burnout-and-inspiration-for-interior-designersConnect with Jennifer:WebsiteThis podcast is...
2024-10-1133 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design34: How to Scale Your Interior Design Business to 7-FiguresSend Katie a Text Message!! Finances, in general, are a scary thing. Finances in your business, well, they can be even scarier. So how do you get over that? And what are the key skills and habits that business owners need in order to break through and reach that magical 7-figure number? Whether you run a 6-figure interior design firm and are wanting to get those magical 7-figures or are just thinking about launching your own firm and are petrified—you will not want to miss this conversation as we tackle those very questions! If you are ru...
2024-09-2724 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design33: How to Build & Design a Company Culture with Josh DykstraSend Katie a Text Message!! Even if you are a company of 1, it’s critical to think about the company culture you want to build! Which includes way more than just values and beliefs you post to your About page. But maybe you have questions like… how do you design a company culture? And how do you actually put it into action? Welcome Josh Dykstra back to the podcast! He’s diving into all things company culture—how it directly impacts your ROI, the exact steps to take to create your guidelines, and even how to involve contract...
2024-09-1331 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design32: Art, Design, & Affordability [Roundtable]Send Katie a Text Message!! For art to not remain an afterthought with interior and commercial designs, we must incorporate art into the conversation early. As designers, we have a unique ability to propel up-and-coming artists forward while also inspiring more clients to bring incredible pieces of art into their spaces. But art isn’t just an important cornerstone to design, it also greatly impacts our nervous systems. For this in-depth roundtable conversation, I have Mandy Theis and Dr. Stacey Denise joining me! You’ll hear the artist’s perspective, the designer’s perspective, and a physician’s perspect...
2024-08-3052 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design31: How to Make Money as an Interior Designer with Laura ThorntonSend Katie a Text Message!! Whether your design firm is new or not, it’s high time you learn how to make money and run a profitable business! No more free consultations. No more asking for permission to raise your rates. And certainly no more burying your head in the sand and not looking at your numbers. Award-winning designer and fellow podcaster, Laura Thornton joins me for this conversation! She’s sharing about time tracking, money management, offer pricing, intuition, and SO much more in this episode. You’re gonna need at least one notebook for this one. B...
2024-08-1645 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design30: 2024 Las Vegas Summer Market with Diana RushtonSend Katie a Text Message!! It’s Las Vegas Summer Market recap time! Our favorite visual merchandiser, Diana Rushton, is here to tell all. From textures and color palettes to furniture and lighting—we’re talking all about what’s trending. Is gray gone for good? How about Farmhouse style? And when it comes to choosing which market you go to for your design firm, how do you make the best decision? All that and more is heading your way when you press play! Oh, and don’t miss this week’s Coaching Corner where I reveal how I’ve fou...
2024-08-0224 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design29: Grow Your Interior Design Business Using Collaborations & AI with Jenny CanoSend Katie a Text Message!! Your design business will grow faster, go further, and be more successful when you embrace 2 things: collaborations and technology. You may not want to admit it, but AI is here to stay! It can even have a positive impact on your firm—if you let it. And that’s just one collaboration you can engage in! There’s also the opportunity to join professional organizations which can keep you inspired, get you out of creative burnout, or provide educational resources. If you're curious about how collaboration and technology can benefit your business, you wi...
2024-07-1925 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design28: Marketing Strategies for Interior Designers [Roundtable]Send Katie a Text Message!! Digital marketing strategies like SEO and social media are critical to the success of an interior design firm. But which platform should you be on, what metrics should you monitor, and how can you stand out in a crowded industry? As you’ll hear in today’s roundtable discussion with Aaron and Kari, people are longing for connection and your digital footprint allows you to provide that in a very meaningful and authentic way. And all of this effort equals conversions and clients—when done correctly! Grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and st...
2024-07-0545 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design27: Scale Your Interior Design Business Using Systems w/ Rebecca HaySend Katie a Text Message!! Systems and processes are likely not the first things that come to mind when you think of scaling your design business growth. It’s much more appealing to dream of luxurious Tuesday mornings spent sipping coffee and being creative. But—those “boring” systems and processes are the real movers and shakers that get you more time, more money, more happiness, and the business of your dreams! And that is exactly what Rebecca Hay is here to discuss with me today. Press play and get ready to hear everything from what business looks like wit...
2024-06-2145 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design26: 2024 Interior Design Trends with Diana RushtonSend Katie a Text Message!! We’re here to tell you the next big interior design trend to look for in 2024! Our very own Diana Rushton recently visited the High Point Market and is here to tell all. From how to merge sustainability and trends to updating a space designed with a previous decor trend to all that’s new in color, lighting, and textures—Di’s got you covered! Make sure you stick around for the Coaching Corner where we discuss navigating trends with design clients. Get your pen and notebook and let’s get this show start...
2024-06-0731 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design25: Networking Tips for Interior Designers with LuAnn NigaraSend Katie a Text Message!! Networking as an interior designer can be intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Not if you’re armed with the perfect questions to ask, a plan of action, and all the rest of the advice LuAnn Nigara shares with us in this insightful and inspiring conversation! Hear from one of the most connected women in the industry just how to navigate in-person and virtual networking events so you get the most out of the experience and foster lifelong relationships. Be sure to stick around for the Coaching Corner. Alright, grab your n...
2024-05-2438 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design24: How to Close Sales Using Body Language with Nancy GanzekauferSend Katie a Text Message!! One of the most critical aspects of business is the sale—and your body language could be killing your close rate. An interior designer’s nonverbal communication to clients must exude calm and confidence from the very beginning. But how exactly can you do that? Nancy Ganzekaufer is a body language trainer who specializes in marketing and sales strategies specifically for interior designers! In today’s episode, Nancy walks us through exactly what we should be saying and doing throughout the sales process. Don’t miss today’s Coaching Corner at the end of the...
2024-05-1049 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design23: Brand Identity & Design for Interior Designers with Corey FullerSend Katie a Text Message!! Your brand identity captures everything about your design firm. From the fonts and color palette you use to the intangible pieces like brand voice—it all works together to draw in your ideal clients. But where do you begin creating a brand identity? Do you need to hire a professional brand strategist? And how can you tell it’s time for a rebrand? Get your Notes app out because Corey Fuller is back and ready to talk branding for interior designers! Be sure to stay for The Coaching Corner at the end of t...
2024-04-2640 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design22: Interior Designers Pricing & Project Estimation with Michelle Lynne PantSend Katie a Text Message!! A business series wouldn’t be complete without talking about pricing for interior designers. Pricing and project estimation can be such a touchy and intimidating topic, but it doesn’t need to be! How can designers turn what they love into a profitable business quickly? How do you make the jump from hourly to value-based (or flat-fee) pricing? Michelle Lynne Pant is here to answer all these questions and more in one of our rawest conversations yet! You’re going to want to take notes with this one—and make sure to stick ar...
2024-04-1255 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by DesignWelcome to Colorful Conversations with Katie!Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to “Colorful Conversations with Katie”! Join us for a vibrant podcast where we seamlessly blend the realms of design and business in a fun and professional setting. Available on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms!📲 CONNECT with Katie:Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers with KatieThe Studio, an Innovative Hub tailored for Interior Design ProfessionalsFacebookInstagram🎙Fill out our brief listener survey - We'd love to hear from YOU!This episo...
2024-04-0301 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design21: Target Audience Personas & Marketing with Bill GelgotaSend Katie a Text Message!! The target persona in your marketing is maybe the most critical piece of your business foundations. It’s just like the old adage says, if you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to no one. But how are you supposed to determine your target market when you’re just starting your design business? How do you discover their wants and needs? And how does a SWOT analysis come into the mix? We are answering all this and more in today's episode with my guest, Bill Gelgota. Stick around for the rapid fire “bu...
2024-03-2943 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design20: Business Insurance Basics for Designers with Stephen WisockySend Katie a Text Message!! Insurance should grow alongside your business—it’s not a set it and forget it situation! So let’s talk about the insurance needs of interior designers. What insurance must you have as soon as you open your design firm? How do your insurance needs change as your firm grows? And what rates can you expect to pay? Stephen Wisocky (the exclusive Insurance Partner of the Interior Design Society), joins me for this conversation—perfect whether your design business is new or has grown in recent years! Stay til the end of the epis...
2024-03-1539 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design19: How to Hire a CPA for Your Design Firm with Kate SnelsonSend Katie a Text Message!! How are you supposed to know which CPA to hire? Or when to hire them? Can you ask them questions before becoming a client? What qualifies as a business expense? Which expenses do business owners commonly miss? And do you really want your CPA to ask you potentially awkward questions? Don’t you already have enough on your plate with starting a design business? The answer is yes, and that’s why Kate Nelson has returned to the show to answer all our questions. In today’s conversation, Kate shared how to...
2024-03-0141 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design18: Color Consulting, Forecasting, & Trends with Nello MarelliSend Katie a Text Message!! When it comes to color and textile trends, Europe typically is ahead of the U.S. market—but what if you could finally walk alongside European designers? What if you had access to the same trend forecaster and color consultant they do? Well, join me in welcoming Nello Marelli to the show! Nello is a color consultant and trend forecaster. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the importance of color in design, how to create harmonious environments using color, and the significance of trends. And as an added bonus...
2024-02-1636 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by DesignBonus: Vegas Market Recap—Biggest Trends 2024 with Diana RushtonSend Katie a Text Message!! Wondering what happened at the 2024 Las Vegas Market? As a designer, it’s important to stay on top of the shifts in trends—it makes your designs relevant, brings them up-to-date, keeps you current, and moves you forward even beyond that. Our very own Diana Rushton went to market and shares the details of the design trends she discovered. If you haven’t felt particularly creative recently, this conversation is sure to spark something for you! Tune in to find out what we can expect to see in design textures and colors in 202...
2024-02-0935 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design17: The Legal Side of Running an Interior Design Firm with David AdlerSend Katie a Text Message!! How do you build a portfolio when you don't own the intellectual property rights? What questions should you ask an attorney before working together? What do you really need to know—legally speaking—about starting and running a business? I'm thrilled to have David Adler in today's episode, part of our Creating a Design Business Series, for this conversation about legalities. No matter if you want to start a business or grow your design firm, there are things you need to do to protect yourself legally. It's impossible to keep up with the...
2024-02-0237 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design16: Intro to Interior Design Entrepreneurship with Michelle Lynne PantSend Katie a Text Message!! Have you found yourself wondering how to start an interior design business? Curious about what qualities and skills you need to be successful? The truth is—there are some really fun things about entrepreneurship… and there are some less than glamorous things you should know about. Fellow interior designer, business owner, and coach Michelle Lynne Pant joins me for this episode. Whether you’re a designer currently working as an employee at a firm or you’re working in Corporate America dreaming of a career change—you won’t want to miss this convers...
2024-01-1933 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design15: The Benefits of Starting a Business with Mark BernheimerSend Katie a Text Message!! If you had the chance to shape what your days, weeks, months, and life looked like—would you go for it? Becoming an entrepreneur is perfect for when you want to do something differently, do it better, and just be who you are! It gives you such freedom. But, truth be told… it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Mark Bernheimer, one of my journalism mentors, joins me in this conversation. We jump straight into what you need to know and be prepared for as you enter the world of entr...
2024-01-0542 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design14: Futurist Predictions for Design & Business with Rebecca RyanSend Katie a Text Message!! Our world is rapidly evolving. We’ve got AI and a whole host of other innovations coming on board and shaking things up. If we're not evolving in our business, we will be left behind. Instead of being fearful of the uncertainty that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond, what if we could hear predictions from someone who studies the future and create a game plan? As a professional futurist, Rebecca Ryan is no stranger to predictions. I’m so excited she’s joining me for this conversation where we’re going dee...
2023-12-2245 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design13: The Construction Story with Kelly FridlineSend Katie a Text Message!! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a step-by-step guide to the construction process (AKA the construction story)? Once you have your contract and are well on your way (especially when working with an architect), you must understand what comes next. It’s about approaching the design process with humility and looking at this as a partnership. And if SDs, DTs, & CDs read like a bunch of alphabet soup, you really don’t want to miss this. Kelly Fridline joins me for a thorough walkthrough of the construction process. In this ep...
2023-12-0843 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design12: Giving Back Through Corporate Social Responsibility with Treger StrasbergSend Katie a Text Message!! What exactly is corporate social responsibility? Ever heard of Humble Design? This organization furnishes and decorates up to 13 homes each week in five cities across the country. Back in 2009, Treger Strasberg created a nonprofit and established a system that helps thousands of veterans, women, children, and families stop the revolving door of homelessness. The belief is simple: individuals emerging from homelessness deserve to come home each day to a clean, friendly, and dignified home. How does the 99% success rate of Humble Design really impact a family and a community? I c...
2023-11-2442 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design11: 2024 Color of the Year & Color Trends with Sherwin-Williams and PPG PaintsSend Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever wondered what goes into selecting the color of the year? Who picks these trends? Do these colors have any longevity to them? What are we supposed to do with the color choices as designers? And will we ever be done with gray? I am thrilled for you to hear this roundtable discussion with Susan Wadden of Sherwin-Williams and Ruthanne Hanlon of PPG Paints. These ladies dished all the secrets of the meticulous processes to select the year's color. So many variables and pieces of data are analyzed by these...
2023-11-1055 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design10: How to Improve Company Culture with Josh DykstraSend Katie a Text Message!! What if I told you that you could improve your employees’ productivity by over 200%? Yes, you could actually have energized, happy, thoughtful, and super-productive employees by getting clear on just one thing! It’s something that greatly differentiates you from your competition. Your company culture. Josh Dykstra is with me today to talk about all things company culture. What it is and how it impacts your business and where to even begin. And we’re not just talking about typical office culture—Josh helped me settle a debate about building teams rem...
2023-10-2741 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design9: Understanding Taxes as an Entrepreneur with Kate SnelsonSend Katie a Text Message!! Wondering how entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed are taxed? Does that just make you want to curl up in a ball for the rest of the year? The thing is, if you’re paying money to the IRS, then you’re making money. That’s supposed to lessen the blow, but financial planning as a business owner can be a sensitive and overwhelming subject. Which is why I was so glad Kate Snelson agreed to share her public accounting knowledge with us. We tackled a lot in this episode! From W-9s and...
2023-10-1336 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design8: Branding: The Power of a Name with Corey FullerSend Katie a Text Message!! What is the importance of branding? Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a design firm, having a brand makes you memorable. But good branding doesn’t happen by throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks—it’s strategic and thoughtful. My friend and branding expert, Corey Fuller, is sharing that with us on this episode! We touched on everything from naming a business to finding the perfect typography. This conversation is an incredible resource for anyone looking to brand a new business or rebrand an existing one. In t...
2023-09-2933 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design7: Color Theory with Jason BemisSend Katie a Text Message!! Do you let the natural environment inform your designs? How does color affect your designs? And how can you adequately share what you do when you explain color to your clients? It’s a lot to think about. Lucky for us, my dear friend, Jason Bemis joins us on this episode to talk about nature, psychology, physiology, and color. We’re getting scientific! This is an interview not to miss if you’ve felt like inspiration has been lacking or you’re just looking for something to enliven your designs.In thi...
2023-09-1531 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design6: Relationship Between Designer and General ContractorSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Jason Mews, Construction Management and General Contractor at Lippert Bros., Inc., to explore the critical partnership between general contractors (GCs) and interior designers.Jason emphasizes the collaborative nature of this relationship, highlighting how designers bring creative visions to a project while GCs translate these ideas into tangible structures. Effective communication and trust are paramount, as both parties must work closely from project inception to completion.📦Unpacking the Topic:3:45 Design plans with GC plans23:10 Field visits26:23 Precon meetings
2023-09-0137 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design5: The Architect and Designer RelationshipSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Wesley Rutledge, licensed Architect at Beck Design. Our conversation explores the dynamic relationship between architects and designers, emphasizing the value of a collaborative approach from the very beginning of the design process. Wes sheds light on the essential role designers play in shaping architectural outcomes, advocating for their involvement at the conceptual stages.Full Show Notes Here📚Expand your Knowledge:Interior Design ResourcesZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“Glass House”Watch Episode 2: Color T...
2023-08-1827 minMastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design4: Las Vegas Market 2023Send Katie a Text Message!! She’s back! In this episode, we reconnect with the lovely Diana Rushton once again, Project Manager and Assistant Designer at Color Works Design, as she recounts her captivating observation of the much-anticipated Las Vegas Market 2023. With Diana as our guide, we traverse the vibrant landscape of the latest interior design trends like the revival of burnt orange colors, the sumptuous allure of chocolate tones, and the tactile luxury of shag. Shag rugs and furnishings make a bold return, adding texture and comfort. Plaster art pieces also come into focus, showcasing how te...
2023-08-1527 min
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design3: Relaying your Brand as a Mom-preneurSend Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Becca Ellison to discuss elevating your brand. Becca is a remarkable brand strategist and photographer who shares invaluable insights on crafting a compelling personal brand as a solopreneur or entrepreneur.Join us as we explore the significance of authenticity, leveraging unique strengths, and finding balance in the chaotic world of juggling parenthood and entrepreneurship. Becca’s expertise shines as she guides us through defining and refining our personal brand to attract the right audience, make a meaningful impact, and close the deal.
2023-08-0444 min