Business of Design ™ | Interior Designers, Decorators, Stagers, Stylists, Architects & Landscapers

Not every designer loves the idea of working with trades or carrying the responsibility of a large renovation. There are lots of ways, as the owner of the company, to create a business that works for you. One Business of Design enthusiast shares how she works with clients during the planning stage, but then allows them to mange the renovations on their own. In this episode we learn: - there are a multitude of ways to set up your business so it satisfies you, as the owner - determining what you love to do and eliminating tasks that stress you out is a great way to create a more satisfying career - sometimes it’s ok to “leave money on the table” (make sure you know how much money you’re talking about) - test yourself, can you beat the timeline our guest provides It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

At Business of Design we believe that working together as collaborators is a better way to get ahead as an individuals. Listen in to this conversation from NYC where three design advocates explore how we can lift the whole industry. In this episode we learn: - when we collaborate, we help each other run better businesses - being on an island has less upside than collaborating—don’t do this on your own - giving trade references to other designers will keep your best trades working - to be cautious about where your data is stored when working with sensitive information - not all advice is good advice so be choosy - there is no limit to what you can charge—providing you are delivering a great result It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Interior design professionals carry enormous risk and liability doing their jobs day in and day out. Nowhere is that more evident than when it comes to providing electrical work. Listen and learn from Steve Smith of the Electrical Safety Authority. In this episode we learn: - advanced planning provides you with enough time to collaborate with the experts you are working with - always getting the proper permits for every job adds a layer of protection - before presenting to the client, talk to your trades about what you have planned—they will give you the information and the confidence you need to talk to clients - be careful with internet or off-shore purchases—they may not be compliant with regulations in your state or province - knowing the difference in color temperature and in types of bulbs can improve your projects—rely on your LEC to guide you It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

More mistakes? Yup. We’ve all made them. In this episode, and subsequently in EP 077, we are going to hear from two Business of Design members on mistakes they’ve made and how they solved them and recovered. In this episode we learn: - it’s important to establish the point person (who gets to make the final decision) - never deviate from important protocol, like how to present STEP 5 - include your policy for custom items in your contract - watch out for “friending” clients, keep it professional It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Most of us are conditioned to think that confidence comes from accomplishments—succeeding at work, finding a partner, getting fit, making money, or climbing Mt. Everest. Although it’s a natural assumption, because we’re all taught to believe that external accomplishments create confidence. That’s why we look at people who have achieved what we want to achieve or have what we want, and we assume they must feel great about themselves. But here’s the shocking truth: Your external accomplishments don’t actually create confidence. Confidence expert and coach, Kara Loewentheil tells us what really works. In this episode we learn: - Practicing better thought work helps us avoid the flight or fight - we don’t have to know everything - you get hired, because you know how to figure tasks out, not because you know everything - focus on the RESULT the client will have at the end - remember, sometimes not having to do a bothersome task is a RESULT of hiring you too It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

What’s your policy? For most of us, the policies or rules we rely on are those which serve to protect us from an unpleasant circumstance, such as not getting paid, or working on weekends, or being liable for something we have no control over. It’s worth maintaining and protecting those policies, even if, or especially if you are a solopreneur. In this episode we learn: - using WE language can boost your confidence - sticking to your policies does not typically mean losing the client - negotiating your policies often leads to further negotiations - it’s worthwhile developing a firm policy around business hours, invoicing and collections, consultation fees, trade relations etc. - specific language to protect your policies It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We all know that good looks matter. But outside appearances never tell the whole story. With many items—sofas, chairs, pillows, bedding—what’s inside is equally important. In this episode we’ll talk about quality and value and building a better bed. In this episode we learn: - clients want good looking rooms, but they also want functionality, performance and value - educating your clients about value is an ongoing job - if your clients are asking for the “cheapest” bedding (or anything else)then - never show clients too many options - update a poor mattress with a feather bed It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

A lack of confidence can undermine any effort to be truly successful. Although most of us recognize we aren’t as confident as we’d like to be, we remain blissfully unaware of how we camouflage this lack of confidence, thus ensuring it continues to thrive. This episode is for the warrior designer in you! In this episode we learn: - the key to creating the career you want is confidence - we are all taught that confidence is created by external accomplishments, but that is wrong—confidence is created by your thoughts - when you are responsible for creating business for yourself, you HAVE to have your mindset right - the best tool to use for confidence is to practice neutral to positive thoughts; use thoughts you can believe NOW, not positive thoughts you don’t believe at all - the best tool to use for sales/consult conversations is to create value and communicate that value—emphasize your RESULTS - build your confidence by changing your thoughts It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Bravery is a job requirement. Surrounding yourself with trades and suppliers who make you look good is part of a successful strategy. It’s also important to be courageous when it comes to presenting that luxury item to your clients. Don’t stop your clients from falling in love with a splurge; show it to them and let them decide. In this episode we learn: - use your trade and supplier reps to do more work for you - navigating tax laws can be challenging but you need to fill out the proper forms or orders may be delayed - consider paying taxes as you go to save on paperwork - get the money part out of the way right up front, be clear and concise - know your worth and get help when it comes to communicating that - don’t hold clients back from falling in love with something expensive It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Don’t think for a moment that your salary or income is the “extra” or it’s not as important as that of your higher earning spouse or partner. That is guaranteed to keep you playing small. “Fun money is more fun when there’s plenty of it.” Kimberley Seldon Is it possible you are holding yourself back; playing small to avoid having to step up? It’s time to embrace your inner design warrior goddess. In this episode we learn: - not to automatically assume responsibility for every mistake - how to ask situational questions at the client intake meeting - to prepare clients in advance for anything that’s likely to be challenging - that using third party stories can illustrate how easily projects can go off the rails, and how dedicated you are to making the situation right - it’s ok to hit the pause button if a situation becomes heated It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’re listening in to the BOD podcast each week, you’re already motivated to get your business in shape. But if you want to transform your business and really see results, you need more than motivation, you need a gym for your business. In this episode we learn: - realistic goals - manage your own expectations when it comes to working on your business - to schedule it - treat learning like a client meeting (it’s equally important!) - where to start - build a foundation to build a stronger business - proper form – take the guess work out of systems - accountability is key – where to find support It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

What is the secret sauce to running a mature, profitable, award-winning design firm? Systems! There’s no getting around it. Kimberley and LuAnn Nigara discuss their fave topic: systems and procedures. In this episode we learn: - time blocking is critical to strategy and planning - if the client doesn’t accept your value (as indicated by price) then they should not be able to benefit from your value (as evidenced by your skills) - when a project goes awry it’s usually because something wasn’t communicated at the beginning - establishing a commitment to core values will amplify your brand message It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Making a decision to be excellent isn’t enough. To excel, you must take action to change the day to day issues that aren’t working in your business. Listen in to a series of private coaching calls where the talented and hardworking owner and her team share their experiences with the all-too-familiar bottlenecking that happens at the office. In this episode we learn: - implementation is the only way to success - you run a “proper” firm, the moment you believe that you are - there are multiple excuses that can keep you stuck - delegating is harder than it sounds It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

As entrepreneurs in the world of design, we all stand to gain so much by working together and lifting one another up. Value and worth are an inside job. In this episode Kimberley talks to Laura Martin Bovard about how we can find and channel the mature business owner we dream of becoming. In this episode we learn: - that holding each other accountable to play a bigger game serves the industry as a whole - that resolve can assist you in asking for and getting what you deserve - if you have a “jobby” rather than a career, resolve to change, now - structures and quality systems get you to a place of beauty It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Take a road trip to Los Angeles with Business of Design. On this podcast you’ll listen in to the question and answer portion of our BOD LA Meet up. In this episode we learn: - how to say no to a project after you’ve completed the consultation - clarify, verify, triple check—when you’re not the project manager - work repeatedly with same suppliers to develop strong relationships - effective hiring relies on systems - a contract tells your clients how work will progress and provides a disincentive to litigation (in the unlikely event something goes wrong) It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast