Interior Design Business

Are you letting fear, self-doubt, and imagined worst-case scenarios hold you back in your interior design business?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I'm joined by Mindset Coach Valerie Priester to discuss how the stories we tell ourselves can influence our confidence, decisions, and business success.

We explore the common fears designers experience, from worrying that clients won't like a presentation to assuming a proposal is too expensive simply because a potential client hasn't responded.

Valerie explains how constantly asking "what if?" can make imagined problems feel real, causing us...

What does it really take to become a high-end interior designer and attract luxury clients?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explain why creating beautiful spaces is only one part of building a successful luxury design business. To serve high-end clients, you need to develop a luxury mindset that goes beyond design and focuses on the entire client experience.

I break down the five essential elements of a luxury mindset: exceptional design, high-end furnishings, white-glove service, an unforgettable client experience, and maintaining the highest standards throughout your business.

I...

What happens when an opportunity shows up that's bigger, stranger, or completely different from anything you've done before?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I talk about the power of saying “Yes, and...” instead of letting fear, uncertainty, or hesitation make the decision for you.

Sometimes saying yes is challenging. Maybe you've never handled a project that large, you don't know what to charge, or a client asks you to add something outside your original scope. Those moments can make you hesitate long enough for an opportunity to disappear.

But sayi...

What practical changes do you need to make to move your interior design business up market?

In Part 1, I talked about the mindset shift required to become a high-end designer. In Part 2, I'm getting into the practical side of making that shift happen.

I explain why you need to become intentional about the clients you want to serve, the problems you solve, and the projects you accept. Hoping for better clients isn't a business strategy. You need a clear target and a plan for reaching it.

I also discuss why staying busy doesn't...

Are you trying to move your interior design business up market by simply working harder?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explain why moving into the high-end design market isn't about working longer hours, taking every project that comes through the door, or hustling harder. That approach may help you get your business started, but it won't necessarily take you to the next level.

Moving up market requires a paradigm shift.

I break down why so much of this transition starts internally, with how you think about your value...

Are rising freight costs eating into the profit on your interior design projects?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down how to handle freight, delivery, receiving, and unexpected surcharges without losing profit, or surprising your clients with additional costs they weren't prepared for.

Freight is an unavoidable part of selling furniture and products, and rising fuel costs make accurate planning even more important. I explain why you should get freight, delivery, and receiving quotes upfront and how those numbers should be handled on your purchase proposals.

We'll also...

Is staying comfortable keeping your interior design business from growing?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, Terri Taylor sits down with IDBA Mindset Coach Valerie Priester to explore what it really means to step outside your comfort zone, and why doing so is essential for personal and business growth.

Your comfort zone isn't necessarily a good place. It's simply a familiar one. Even when your current way of working isn't producing the results you want, fear and uncertainty can make staying where you are feel safer than trying something new.

...

How much money are you giving away every year simply because you aren't charging for work outside your original scope?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I tackle one of the biggest profit leaks in a design business: scope creep. It happens when a client asks you to take on additional work after the project begins, and instead of charging for it, you tell yourself, “It won't take me that long.”

Those extra hours add up quickly.

I walk through a common remodeling scenario where a client suddenly wants help with...

What small changes could make a big difference in the profitability of your interior design business?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I share five profit boosters that can help you increase revenue, strengthen your margins, and get paid better for the work you're already doing.

We start with choosing the right market and understanding who your ideal client really is. Sometimes the clients who feel most familiar aren't the ones who can support a profitable business. I also explore opportunities beyond traditional residential design, including technical design support, new construction, model...

Are you matching internet prices just to keep clients from questioning your product costs?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explain why matching internet pricing can quietly undermine your profitability, and why the products and services you provide aren't an apples-to-apples comparison with what clients find online.

When designers promise to match internet prices, they're often trying to prevent uncomfortable conversations or keep clients from shopping every item in their design. But that reassurance comes at a cost: you're giving away profit before the project even begins.

I break...

Are you actually getting a paycheck from your interior design business, or are you working hard and hoping there will be money left over?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down why every interior design business needs to do two things consistently: pay its owner for the work they perform and generate profit beyond that paycheck.

Many designers tell themselves they're leaving money in the business so it can grow, while others believe they simply don't make enough to pay themselves. But if your projects can't compensate you for your...

Do you know what kind of help your interior design business actually needs, or are you simply overwhelmed and ready to hire anyone?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined by Evelyn McDougall and Shanna Rose of 4D Biz to talk about how interior designers can hire virtual assistants strategically and build the right support team as their businesses grow.

Shanna shares how a serious accident forced her to delegate within her own interior design business, leading to hard-earned lessons about hiring, training, and creating systems. That experience ultimately helped in...

Have you ever landed a dream project only to wonder if you're truly qualified for it?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I'm joined by IDBA's Master Mindset Coach, Valerie Priester, to explore one of the most common challenges interior designers face at every stage of their careers: imposter syndrome.

Whether you're taking on your very first luxury client or stepping into a larger project than you've ever handled before, feelings of self-doubt can quickly creep in. Many designers begin questioning their abilities, overlooking their accomplishments, and convincing themselves they're not experienced...

Are you building both income streams your interior design business needs to thrive?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the most important concepts every designer needs to understand: your business should generate income from two completely separate sources, your design expertise and your product sales.

Many designers unknowingly combine these two revenue streams, creating confusion for clients and limiting their profitability. When design and purchasing become blurred together, designers often undervalue their expertise, struggle with pricing, and end up working far more than they're being paid for.<...

Are your purchasing policies protecting your business, or creating costly headaches?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I share the purchasing strategies that have helped countless interior designers avoid some of the biggest mistakes in managing client purchases. From retail shopping requests to custom drawings and hybrid purchasing, we'll explore the boundaries every designer needs to establish before a project begins.

Many designers struggle when clients want to shop alongside them, purchase products themselves, or ask for custom drawings they plan to take elsewhere. While these requests often seem harmless, they frequently...

What beliefs about money are quietly shaping your interior design business?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined once again by IDBA's Head Mindset Coach, Valerie Priester, to explore one of the most powerful mindset topics every designer faces: their money story.

The way we think about money often begins long before we start a business. Childhood experiences, family beliefs, and past conversations can shape how comfortable we feel discussing budgets, charging premium fees, and working with affluent clients. These unconscious beliefs frequently influence pricing decisions, client conversations, and even th...

Are the stories you're telling yourself holding your interior design business back?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined by IDBA’s Head Mindset Coach, Valerie Priester, to explore how the stories we create in our minds shape our decisions, confidence, and business success.

Many designers hesitate to pursue bigger opportunities, raise their fees, or change the way they do business, not because they lack the skills, but because they're operating from stories based on fear, doubt, or past experiences. These stories often feel true, even when they aren't.

To...

Is the real reason you're underpaid your pricing model, or something much deeper?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I wrap up our series on hourly billing versus design fees by exploring the real issue behind getting paid what you're worth: your relationship with money.

Many designers believe switching from hourly billing to design fees will solve their profitability problems. But the truth is, neither pricing model works if you don't have healthy boundaries and the confidence to charge appropriately for your expertise.

In this episode, I discuss how limiting...

Are you the biggest obstacle standing between your business and the success you want?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explore one of the most important, and often overlooked, factors in building a successful design business: mindset.

Many designers work harder, put in longer hours, and constantly search for new strategies, yet still struggle with inconsistent cash flow, difficult clients, and stalled growth. Often, the problem isn't a lack of talent or opportunity. It's the beliefs, fears, and habits that are keeping them stuck.

In this episode, I break...

Are design fees really the best way for interior designers to get paid?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I continue the conversation around pricing and billing by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of fee-based design.

Many designers assume design fees automatically solve the problems created by hourly billing. But the truth is that design fees only work when they are supported by a clear scope of work, defined deliverables, strong boundaries, and a well-written letter of agreement.

In this episode, I explain why fee-based design can dramatically improve profitability...

Should interior designers charge hourly, or is there a better way?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the longest-running debates in the design industry: hourly billing versus fee-based design.

While hourly billing can work in certain situations, it also creates significant challenges for both designers and clients when it's not managed properly. From inaccurate time tracking and delayed cash flow to client anxiety around costs and scope creep, hourly billing often creates more problems than designers realize.

In this episode, I explain when hourly billing...

Are templates helping your interior design business… or hurting it?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explain why templates often create more problems than they solve for interior designers.

Many designers rely on template contracts, letters of agreement, proposals, and deliverables because they want a faster, easier way to start projects. But the reality is that every project is different, every client is different, and every successful design business requires thoughtful planning and customization.

In this episode, I break down why one-size-fits-all templates fail, what deliverables actually are, how bo...

Do you actually have the right insurance coverage for your interior design business?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m talking about one of the most overlooked but critical parts of running a successful design business: professional liability protection.

Many designers assume their homeowner’s insurance covers their business, or they believe they’re “too small” to need errors and omissions insurance. But the reality is that every project carries liability, and even happy clients can suddenly become difficult when problems arise.

In this episode, I share real stories from my ow...

Are you constantly wondering if your design fee is really enough?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the biggest mindset and business challenges interior designers face: pricing their services confidently and profitably.

Many designers struggle because they blur the line between design services and product purchasing. They rely on future furniture sales to make the project profitable, overdeliver without boundaries, and end up exhausted, underpaid, and frustrated.

In this episode, I explain why separating design fees from purchasing changes everything. When your design fee fully...

What do you do when a client loves every option… but still won’t make a decision?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down how to manage clients who struggle with decision-making and why unresolved decisions can completely derail a design project.

When clients delay decisions, it creates confusion, slows contractors down, impacts timelines, increases your unpaid hours, and often weakens the overall design outcome. But the truth is, many clients aren’t intentionally difficult, they simply lack confidence and need more structure, guidance, and clarity throughout the process.

In...

Wondering where your next client is coming from?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down what to do when your pipeline is empty, and how to get clients coming in consistently.

Every designer experiences cycles in their business. There are times when you’re fully booked, and times when things feel quiet. But instead of panicking, this is your opportunity to reset, refocus, and rebuild your marketing momentum.

In this episode, I share five proven strategies to help you generate new clients, reconnect with your network, and create a...

Why do so many designers struggle to get paid what they’re truly worth?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I dive into the real reason behind undercharging, overworking, and feeling stuck financially, and it’s not your pricing strategy. It’s your mindset.

Before any system or structure can work, you have to address the beliefs you hold about money. Your “money story” shapes every decision you make in your business, from what you charge to what you present to clients.

If you’re operating from scarcity, believing there’s not enough...

What does it actually take to go from a struggling design business to a thriving, seven-figure company?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I share a real success story of one of our designer students who transformed her business from $250,000 to over $1.25 million in revenue.

This isn’t about luck, talent, or magic, it’s about learning, implementing, and consistently taking action.

From navigating a major project opportunity during COVID, to refining pricing, building systems, hiring support, and stepping into leadership, this story breaks down exactly what it takes to grow...

Why are boundaries so hard to set, and even harder to keep?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the biggest challenges designers face: creating and holding boundaries in their business without feeling guilty, uncomfortable, or afraid of losing the client.

If you’ve ever said yes when you wanted to say no, answered texts late at night, worked weekends you didn’t want to, or given away hours of unpaid work… you’re not alone.

Boundaries aren’t just about rules, they’re about protecting your time, y...

Why is asking for your full design fee so hard, even when you know you’re worth it?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the biggest challenges designers face: confidently asking for the money they deserve.

You can have the systems, the process, and the perfect project… but when it comes time to say the number out loud, everything can fall apart. Fear, doubt, and old money stories start creeping in, and suddenly, what should be a simple conversation feels overwhelming.

In this episode, I shar...

What does it actually look like to lead a design project, without losing control, your confidence, or your sanity?

In Part 2 of this leadership series, Terri Taylor and coach Valerie Priester dive deeper into what it truly means to step into leadership as an interior designer. This episode goes beyond mindset and into practical application—how you lead clients, manage projects, communicate your vision, and set boundaries that protect both your business and your well-being.

If you’ve ever felt like your clients are running the job, your projects are spiraling out of control, or you’...

What does it really take to step into leadership as an interior designer?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, Terri Taylor is joined by Coach Valerie Priester to break down the foundational traits of strong leadership, and why they are essential for growing a successful design business.

Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about mindset, confidence, and vision. From developing a growth mindset to overcoming comparison, building confidence through action, and thinking strategically about your business, this episode dives into the key shifts every designer must make to lead effectively.

If...

Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing five powerful tips to help you take control of your time, increase productivity, and finally create a schedule that supports both your business and your life.

If you’ve been telling yourself “I just need more time,” this episode will shift your perspective. Time isn’t something you get more of, it’s something you learn to manage. From mindset shifts to practical strategies like time blocking, batching, and identifying yo...

Presenting your design to a client is one of the most important moments in your interior design process. It’s where your vision becomes real, and where your client decides whether they’re excited to move forward.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I walk through the biggest mistakes designers make during design presentations and the powerful strategies that transform a presentation into a memorable experience. From avoiding the trap of presenting pieces one at a time to creating a full-room concept that clients can visualize, you’ll learn how to present with clarity, confid...

Are you busy… but not profitable?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m addressing one of the biggest frustrations I hear from designers: “I’m slammed with work, but it’s not the work I want.” If your calendar is full of small jobs, your evenings are booked, and you still don’t feel financially stable, this episode is your wake-up call.

I’m breaking down exactly why little “quick” projects drain your time, energy, and profit, and how they prevent you from attracting higher-end clients. You’ll learn how to calculate your true mi...

Struggling to say no, even when you know you should?

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m back with IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for Part 2 of our conversation on healthy boundaries. This time, we’re digging into one of the hardest boundary skills of all: learning to say no, clearly, confidently, and without apology.

From Saturday appointments to scope creep, contractor pushback, and volunteer overload, we’re unpacking what it really takes to hold your shape in business. You’ll learn how to say no with grace, how to avoid over-explaining, and why...

Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and on-call 24/7? You might not have a workload problem, you have a boundaries problem.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined by IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for a heart-to-heart conversation on what healthy boundaries really look like in your design business. We’re talking about business hours, burnout, overgiving, and the pressure to be “Superwoman.”

If you’ve ever answered a client text at 10 p.m. or missed your kid’s soccer game because of a contractor “emergency,” this episode is your invitation to reset.

In this episode...

Think you’re protected because you meant to get the proposal signed? Think again.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m continuing the conversation on financial risk, and sharing a real story from my own design studio that proves exactly why systems and boundaries must be followed every single time.

From unfunded proposals to “just helping the client out,” you’ll hear how even experienced designers can fall into people‑pleasing traps that lead to unpaid work, legal battles, and major stress. More importantly, you’ll learn the non‑negotiable boundary that protects yo...

Still taking 50% deposits on product orders? That’s a financial risk you can’t afford.
 In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing a real story of how one designer nearly lost her business because of outdated payment practices, and how to fix it with one simple boundary.

You’ll learn why half-down payments no longer protect you, what your letter of agreement should say, and how shifting your mindset around money and risk can completely change your business.

In this episode, I cover:

If you’re constantly doing “just one more thing” for free, it’s not about client service, it’s a boundary issue.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down how scope creep sneaks into your projects and steals your time, profits, and peace of mind. From color consults and last-minute requests to Wayfair screenshots and patio meetings, we’re calling it what it is: unpaid work.

You’ll learn why scope creep happens, how to recognize it early, and what to say to stop it in its tracks, kindly, clearly, and con...