Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right. Henry Ford In this episode we learn: - what’s holding you back is within your power to change - you don’t have to make every mistake yourself - change it now, don’t wait for new years’ resolutions

Innovators see challenges as opportunities. That’s what our guest today, designer Joanne Swisterski tells us. When there is a problem that can't be solved, she does a deep dive and sets out to create solutions or at least, workarounds. These solutions can range from small daily tasks that can be MacGyver-ed into submission, to huge challenges that, once solved, turn into new business opportunities. Are you an innovator? In this episode we learn: - if someone else is capable of doing it,...

If you want to feel truly empowered and liberated in your business, then accept responsibility for everything. Once you do that, when problems arise, you have agency to fix them. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by an A-Team that has your back at all times. Yes, there's risk, but there’s also risk when you allow others to take the lead on the project. Own it and feel the power! In this episode we learn: - take the lead on the project - build a reliable A-Team and you will take care of each...

Marketing is a struggle for many interior design firms. In this episode, SEO expert Daniela Furtado shares specific tools to understand how search works and what to do to get your firm found. In this episode we learn: - narrow your position to target your ideal client - use bottom of the funnel key words to attract your ideal client - assess the traffic, once you add the key words - refine your marketing until you are getting the leads you want - have a clear call to action - pay attention...

If you are working in or working towards delivering a luxury experience to clients, then think carefully before asking them to complete some task on your behalf? Measure the mattress, pick up tiles, receive deliveries…all of these tasks are better left to professionals and not your clients, so says Kimberley. And by the way, she has a lot of opinions in this episode. In this episode we learn: - watch where you put the monkey - even if a request sounds simple, avoid asking your clients to...

What happens when you lose everything? Well, if you can embrace adaptability and reinvent yourself, says Ami McKay, you can emerge more powerful than ever before. If you need a new beginning, then this episode is for you. In this episode we learn: - embrace adaptability and reinvention - build a supportive and positive team and internal network - draw strength from resilience - prioritize joy from within - step out of your comfort zone and leverage past learnings and a measured mindset when...

If you've ever thought of a brand extension, this is your episode. From building a social media following to raising venture capital, Nicole Gibbons shares first-hand knowledge of her own path to business success. In this episode we learn: - decide what kind of business you’re want to build and test the desirability of prototypes - decide how much capital you need, if you plan to scale the business - identify your business' unique competitive advantage - how licensing works Success is not...

Interior design business owners are frequently focused on client facing experience, and that’s important, but your team is having an experience working with you too. Setting a healthy culture for everyone in your business orbit is within your power. However, if you are constantly focused on the next task and ignoring sustainable process, it’s a recipe for disaster. To grow your business without compromising creativity and quality, implement systems to build a better culture and foster...

So many design professionals dream of hiring an office manager to, well, manage the office day-to-day. What’s that like? What are the benefits and challenges of adding this person to your team? What should you pay for the service? Should this person be a designer? In this episode, non-designer Hilaire Martin, answers all these questions and more. In this episode we learn: - what’s the difference between a COO and an Office Manager - what size firm would benefit from an office manager - be...

In this solo episode, Kimberley shares a current job frustration. She asks the question, how complicated can it be to make over a set of stairs. The answer may surprise you. In this episode we learn: - there's no such thing as an easy job - working with a reliable team of professional trades is the best way to ensure projects run smoothly Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member,...

If you want to gain more from Instagram than praise from fellow designers, than you have to get intentional. Your ideal client is likely online and looking for you. Have you peppered your feed with the kind of information that she’s looking for? SEO and UX expert, Darla Powell, says anyone can create a compelling message and reach their ideal clients. In this episode we learn: - optimize your user handle and name on your Instagram account - grow your account with proactive engagement -...

It’s all too evident that many professionals within the design industry are out of step with the latest technology available in the lighting category. Too many decisions about lighting come down to, “that’s just how we’ve always done it”. Designing your lighting plan early and consulting a lighting expert is the most effective way to enhance the quality interior design scheme you created.   In this episode we learn: - how to bring technology into the home without it looking industrial or...

The designer’s journey towards mastery is a complicated path. You manage trades, clients, and staff. In addition, for those who procure products for your clients, you manage suppliers, vendors, and manufacturers. Given time, you develop a strong relationship with your best suppliers and finding the latest, best product is as simple as reaching out to the providers you know well. But none of us can afford to be complacent as new products emerge rapidly. That means we not only rely on an A-Team...

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting a design book published and wondered what exactly is involved, then this is your episode. Dallas designer, Courtney Warren wrote her first book and shared some of the challenges (it’s a real drain on your time) and the rewards of getting to print. In this episode we learn: - don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take to write the book and then work with the publisher to promote the book - having an office manager who can run the business when you...

While giving back is on a lot of designers' wish lists, many are not yet making the income to pay it forward or are already working overtime to manage their paying client workload. In this episode, we talk about the benefits to philanthropy and how to be discerning as you assess opportunities. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of philanthropy include greater confidence, a richer local network and the joy of making a difference - not every opportunity is worthwhile or prudent,...

None of us wants to live with constant stress, but in this episode, Kimberley explores the upside to a little healthy, motivating tension. Tension is the indicator light, alerting you to a decision ahead or a situation that needs your attention. In this episode we learn: - always be open to discovering where you need to update your process - do what you can to keep an awesome employee but don’t over-compensate, you may prevent yourself from the benefits of a new hire and fresh ideas -...

Having a business partner sounds like heaven to most solo-preneurs. In this episode, we hear from a husband-and-wife team, who use give and take to create a seamless experience for their ideal clients. In this episode we learn: - increase your service and you increase your net worth - professional design is not for everyone, not every client is ideal - get a clear understanding of how your business makes money - taking the wrong client has consequences - communicate your value by using...

Frustrated with the shoddy professional practices of local renovation firms in her native Bangalore, designer Aashita Chadha had an idea. Why not create a design firm where the goal is to make the clients’ needs a top priority? Through innovative problem-solving, she and her husband are putting enjoyment back into the renovation process for their clients. In this episode we learn: - empathizing with your client allows you to focus on creating a more satisfying experience - clients must...

Regardless of project size, every design professional must rely on quality trades to bring the project vision to life. As the project lead, you need to bring out the best in every team member, hold them to exacting standards and motivate them to go the extra mile. Not an easy task. However, when you have your A Team, you will work in harmony towards a single goal and a happy client. In this episode we learn: - the power and advantages of using the BOD™ 15 for large projects - when you...

Finding a quality candidate to join your team can be a nerve-wracking experience, says our recruitment expert in this episode. A good fit doesn’t happen automatically. Successful growth is the result of a strategic, multi-step hiring and onboarding process (like the one we teach at Business of Design®!). In this episode we learn: - hiring is a skill, and it requires a process to support it - don’t rush to hire a friend, put them through the same process as any other hire - a clear job...

There is power in understanding and using your numbers to grow your business, make decisions and build long-term independent wealth. When you begin a diet, you look at the number to see where you are starting from. The same thing is true for any financial makeover. Your financial data is the key to unleashing your true potential. numbers. In this episode we learn: - your personal assets minus debt equals your net worth - use the 7% rule to determine when to pay off debt early - if...

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on harmonizing the energy in living spaces, promoting well-being, balance, and prosperity. In this episode, we learn how to use some of the practical elements of feng shui in our own projects. In this episode we learn: - what Feng Shui is and how it works - to optimize your bedroom for better sleep and improved romance - a new way to look at artwork and how it may be influencing your life - how stagnant energy can block you from...

Auditing past projects and understanding how you spend your time and where you put your attention is a first step toward self-awareness as a business owner. Without that, it’s difficult to create a business that is in harmony with personal goals. With discipline and intention, it’s possible to design the business you’ve always dreamed of owning. In this episode we learn: - being self-aware is essential, if you plan to succeed - auditing your past projects reveals how you spend your time and...

Interior design professionals, while incredibly talented and hardworking are frequently not eloquent or succinct when offering their services or presenting their brands to clients. In this episode, the second of two parts, learn the 3 Es which will help you craft an unforgettable brand narrative designed to speak directly to your ideal client. In this episode we learn: - tap into the emotional reasons clients renovate or decorate - clients want a sense of belonging and to be seen and heard...

Interior design professionals, while incredibly talented and hardworking are frequently not eloquent or succinct when offering their services or presenting their brands to clients. In this episode, the first of two parts, learn the 3 Es which will help you craft an unforgettable brand narrative designed to speak directly to your ideal client. In this episode we learn: - stories make your brand “stickier”, so clients remember worthwhile things about your brand - why words matter more than...