In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we dive into the ins and outs of professional photoshoots for your interior design projects. From understanding the costs and time commitments to navigating usage rights and creating the perfect shot list, this episode covers everything you need to know to make the most of your photography investment.I also share my personal experiences with photoshoots, including the challenges of working around outdated focal points or less-than-ideal lig...

In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we dive into strategic planning for a profitable 2025. Laura shares essential steps for setting actionable business goals, including assessing expenses, determining project requirements, balancing consultations and larger projects, setting clear goals, and aligning marketing efforts to attract profitable projects. She also discusses her own goals for the coming year, focusing on desirable projects like lake houses and cottages. For those lo...

In this episode, we dive into the advantages of having a dedicated design studio and how it can elevate your business. From projecting a more professional image and enhancing client trust, to showcasing your style and creativity in a real-world space, a studio offers unique benefits that go beyond what a home office can provide. We’ll explore how a studio can streamline your workflow, eliminate household distractions, and give you quick access to samples and resources. Plus, with a controlled...

Today, we’re talking about one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of running a design business: contracts. I’m thrilled to have Erica Canas, Esq., a Florida licensed attorney and interior design enthusiast, join us for this important conversation.Erica is the founder of ID Law Shop, where she creates “best-practices” legal templates specifically for interior designers and architects. Her journey began when she couldn’t find legal templates that were actually tailored for her c...

Founder and CEO, Darla Powell, is an interior decorator herself and knows firsthand how to successfully market in this niche. After receiving countless requests from fellow designers for help with marketing their interior design firms, Darla saw a tremendous need for an agency well-versed and laser focused on marketing strategies and practices tailored specifically for designers and architects. The solution? Wingnut Social – an agency focused on the best digital marketing for interior designe...

Douglas envisions Interior Designher as a community hub where designers can finally learn, share, rent or buy the business skills they should have learned in school. In addition to all sorts of free education resources - from people who know what they’re talking about - Doug is collaborating with a few of our “experts” to create a series of no-cost / low-cost business tools to help designers improve their business quickly, dependably & at a ridiculously great price.Business expertise...

With an eye for detail and a heart for storytelling and 19 years ​of experience, Paisley is a luxury interior designer known for ​blending cultural influences with timeless elegance. Her work spans from the Gold Coast of Australia to Oaxaca, ​Mexico, creating immersive spaces that evoke harmony and ​emotion. Paisley's global perspective and passion for ​storytelling through design leave a lasting mark on luxury ​interiors. When she is not globetrotting and obsessing over her clients...

Amber Rose Thomas is the visionary founder of "Launch with Amber," a bespoke service designed to elevate the effectiveness of Facebook Ads for coaches, experts, and course creators worldwide. Disappointed by the subpar results her clients experienced with traditional ad agencies, Amber, a Facebook™ Blueprint Certified Ads Manager and a CIM-accredited marketing strategist, decided to leverage her extensive cross-industry experience to provide a superior alternative. Through "Launch with Amber,...

Ashley is a passionate designer with two companies that create wonderful design outcomes: her interior design firm- AYI & Associates and her furniture company- Ashley Yeates. This designer and business owner wears many hats. But thanks to family and faith, this multitasking mom can stay grounded and continue to focus on her purpose. She is wanting to create an impact on the industry to think about quality craftsmanship, quality materials that are sustainable and are long lasting. Ashley i...

Brittny is the founder and creative director for Homesmith Design, delivering her signature modern minimalist style. An entrepreneur at heart, Brittny started Homesmith Design as a solo passion project and has quickly grown it into a successful design studio serving clients across the country, while preserving the personalized service and experience of a small design shop.Profit Academy Coupon Code: LISTENER15https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/Be sure to follow along on...

Natalie Papier is an interior designer, art curator, and TV personality based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Natalie believes that meaningful design starts with art and that homes should be a reflection of the people who live in them, full of life, character, and warmth. She is a host of Magnolia Network’s Artfully Designed, now in its second season, and has had numerous exciting brand partnerships over the years, including a lighting line with Mitzi and a wallpaper collection with Mitchell Bl...

In this episode we are talking to Suzanne Robson from Suzanne Robson Design located in Austrilia about the challenges involved in starting a second career in the interior design space along with running our own design businesses. Website: https://www.suzannerobsondesign.com.au/Instagram: @suzannerobsondesignProfit Academy: https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to ...

Rebecca Hay is known for her authentic, all-inclusive approach and has spent much of her design career building relationships with other designers and entrepreneurs. She has built a successful, 7 figure interior design business by trial and error, podcasts, online courses, and books. Over the last decade she has grown from an insecure student to having career false starts and now has finally landed where she wants to be.Rebecca's podcast is called Resilient by Design, it is a business po...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Using an Art Advisor to Enhance Interior Designs," Laura Thornton chats with Katharine Earnhardt from Mason Lane Art Advisory. Katharine shares her extensive experience and insights on how contemporary art can elevate interior spaces. She discusses the importance of selecting art that not only complements the design but also resonates with the client's personal style. Throughout the conversation, Katharine offers practical advice for interior designers on ...

Designers questions are answered on the last Monday of the month. Send in your questions to get answered.More information on The Profit Academy for Interior Designers can be found here:https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR ...

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve into the crucial shift from retail to wholesale sourcing for interior designers and decorators. We explore why embracing wholesale can dramatically increase profit margins, ensure project exclusivity, and reduce competitive price shopping. The episode provides a wealth of information on where to find reliable wholesale vendors, from trade shows and design districts to online platforms and professional associations. We also discuss the impo...

Boutique PR agency founder committed to helping new and heritage brands achieve awareness through meaningful earned media placements. I launched ACPR in 2010 on a mission to do better PR. I now lead a small team who serves ~15 forward thinking, industry disrupting visionaries in the beauty, home, and lifestyle spaces.Website: https://allysonconklinpr.com/Instagram: @helloacprEmail: [email protected] sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign t...

Jason Shader Smith is the founder and principal of The MLH Agency, an integrated marketing agency providing full-service branding, public relations, and event curation services. Passionate about working with mission-led startups, he founded MLH in 2023 to provide small and medium-sized businesses with fractional marketing support. Today, the agency provides agile marketing and PR strategy to businesses of all sizes and specialties including Ace Handyman Services, Heyday Skincare, Andrea Schum...

In this month’s interactive episode of "The Business of Beautiful Spaces," Laura Thornton dives into the most pressing questions from interior designers. From tackling complex project challenges to refining business strategies, Laura offers tailored advice and insights to elevate your design practice. Whether you’re struggling with client communications, managing timelines, or optimizing your profit margins, this episode is your go-to resource. Have a burning question? Don’t miss the chance t...

Welcome to another episode of "Let's Talk Design," where we dive into the heart of interior design with the experts who shape our spaces. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce a very special guest, Sarah St. Amand. With over 25 years of experience, Sarah has masterfully assembled a dynamic and creative team at Sarah St. Amand Interior Design. They specialize in modern transitional design, crafting stunning spaces across the Greater Toronto Area, Southern Ontario, Canada, and even the USA.Today, Sa...

Danielle Hayden is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. a bookkeeping and accounting firm that is on a mission to coach six figure (+ beyond) female entrepreneurs so they can better understand their numbers through bookkeeping, financial analysis, and support so they can grow profitable, sustainable and enjoyable businesses.With over 15 years experience in the world of finance, Danielle has worked her way from accounting firm intern to the Co-Founder of Kickstart Accounting. S...

In this exciting episode of "The Business of Beautiful Spaces," we are thrilled to welcome Stacey Cohen from Stacey Cohen Design and Design Your Business with Stacey Cohen Workshops. Stacey brings her wealth of experience from running a successful design firm for over 15 years and shares her journey in developing a comprehensive step-by-step guide to running a profitable and efficient design firm.Stacey Cohen has spent 15 years at the helm of her design firm, during which she meticulously cra...

Melissa is a former successful residential interior designer with over 25 years of industry experience. Since becoming a business coach 15 years ago, Melissa has worked with thousands of clients to dramatically boost their revenue and deliver more time for creative work through smart systems and proven processes. Most importantly, Melissa believes her clients deserve to have a creative business that informs and inspires, serves and supports, fuels, and feeds the whole of their lives.Website:h...

This episode I am answering your questions!Last Monday of the month I will answer you questions, so send them in at [email protected] Profit Academy for Interior Designers:https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic...