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

Layered, methodical growth is the most effective way to increase and enhance your business. Building your A team, finding efficiencies, learning to delegate and knowing when to let go are all part of the process of incremental growth. In this episode we learn: - to set time aside time for strategy and planning - take time off from the business to change your perspective - create a culture of inspiration for the team and an open feedback loop - when is it time to grow It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Schooling offers only a small percentage of what is needed to succeed in business. The rest is on the job training. And talent, does not equal success. Instead, you’ll need to rely on structure (systems and procedures) to make it in business. In this episode we learn: - working for someone else is a great way to learn your craft - a home office is a viable way to get started as an owner, and it is not a reason for charging a low fee - talent does not equal success - to be successful you will need to live with rules and regulations - you do not have to agree with your client, have an opinion It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Business of Design and 30 of its awesome members travelled to North Carolina for High Point Market this week (April 2018). More than 100 designers sat in on a round table discussion that included a classic Kimberley moment, “You can watch a video on YouTube and learn how to give yourself a relaxing massage, or you can go to the Four Seasons and have Sven do it. These are two different experiences and only one leads to you wanting a cigarette afterwards.” In this episode we learn: - Having an hourly fee and billing that fee are two different things - If you don't show the client the expensive item that will really make a difference in their house, they are not going to buy it - When you raise your rates, it does not require a long-winded explanation It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Manufacturers must compete if they want to stay in business. It’s their imperative. We all know they are now selling directly to consumers. There’s not stopping it. However, it needn’t worry the professional design firm unduly. There are ways to define your services and attract those clients who have the means and the desire to turn a project over to a professional. In this episode we learn: - manufacturers must sell to stay in business - designers can increase profit margins with strategic buying - the impetus to market is on the design 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

In this episode we learn: - what is eco-marketing - five steps to grow your social media following - widening your base means reaching out to peers you don’t know - creating an editorial calendar can provide focus and direction - how many times should you be posting and to what TAKE AWAYS Natalie recommends, finding out which publications her target market reads and aim for special interest that is not necessarily interior design related. For example, perhaps they all read the LA times or the New Orleans Picayune. Focus on getting published there. Consider golf magazines or travel magazines like Departures. Five steps to grow your social media following: 1. Create a content (editorial) calendar. 2. Develop a posting schedule, with specifics. 3. Post professional photos frequently. 4. Post images that are light, crisp and bright for better traction. 5. Engage frequently with your audience. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Ever felt sure you’d made it, only to find yourself wondering how to pay the rent a few months later? Or, were so busy you couldn’t breathe and then you realized there were no new jobs in the pipeline? Recognized and acclaimed actors sometimes feel the same way. In this episode we learn: - that it’s normal to think you may never work again - why we can expect career peaks and valleys - how to deal with professional envy - why it’s dangerous to compare someone’s outsides with your insides Design Intervention Christine says, sometimes the only power we have as artists is to say no. Say no to the job that won’t satisfy you. Say no to an opportunity that doesn’t feel right. Saying no can be a powerful way to shape your destiny. 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 space isn’t finished until it’s ready to photograph, right? But photography can’t happen if you are looking at a room full of gorgeous furniture and blank walls. Since buying art can be intimidating—not just for your clients, but also for you as the design professional, we turn to expert art advisor Katherine Earnhardt for tips on how to make the whole process successful and enjoyable. In this episode we learn: - why art is important - the emotional benefit to clients when art is in place - how artwork completes the space and increases revenue - how emerging artists can meet clients’ budgets - better ways to discuss art with clients - ways to use a client’s own artwork when it isn’t right for the key areas It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

In today’s web savvy world, there is no way to prevent clients from shopping you. Or is there? With this helpful guide, you’ll be able to avoid the worst of getting shopped by clients. In this episode we learn: - there is no way to prevent clients from shopping you, but you can minimize it - transparency develops trust and provides clients with confidence in your ability to manage their project - what it takes to tighten up your image so clients will trust you more quickly It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Strategic planning can take your business to a sweet spot where the fewest possible number of clients leads to the greatest number of benefits. Designer Carly Waters discusses how she hones her approach on social media to appeal to those few clients who are just right for her. In this episode we learn: - to use your own space to create a portfolio when you start out - how getting more clients may be less appealing than getting better clients - the advantages of creating a single vision so it's easy for your ideal clients to find you - being selective about clients is a privilege and it's a worthy goal - that editing your former Insta posts can create a more streamline image - to ask for work from friends and family - to host a party at your client's finished home/condo It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Are you taking advantage of everything LinkedIn has to offer? Susan Kates shares her tips for strengthening your LinkedIn profile. In this episode we learn: - how consistency across all platforms will improve your brand - differentiating between all the social media platforms, what to use when - it’s worthwhile to research the key words that describe what you do and who you are, create a slogan - client surveys can help you narrow your focus - set an intention around how you want your LI profile will work for 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

Independent interior design firms can create robust marketing plans that speak to the passion, talent and business acumen clients are looking to hire. In this episode Maury Riad of Fuigo shares some fundamentals for marketing. In this episode we learn: - we can protect the artistic legacy of our community and market our independent businesses - differentiating between all the social media platforms, what to use when - a three-pronged approach to solid marketing - how to build awareness, credibility and trust, making it easier for clients to hire 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

Industry disruption, mysterious mergers and what does it mean for you, the design professional? No, the sky is not falling, but it may be time to pivot and take a more active approach to marketing and managing your business. In this episode, we hear from two industry peers who have a different take on this month's big merger between Houzz and Ivy. In this episode we learn: - that historical behavior is a good indicator of future behavior - it's important to read the terms of service before jumping onto a new platform (and keep a copy of the agreement when you signed up) - you are not a victim, you have choices 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 see you. Hiding there in plain sight. Step out in front of the spotlight says designer Rachel Moriarty. She’s got tips to immediately improve your visibility on line and in front of potential clients. In this episode we learn: - key to success is being authentic enough to attract those clients who will love working with you - how to develop Know Love Trust with potential clients - start talking, live videos will get you an immediate audience - why investing in yourself can pay off big It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

After months of hard work everything is on the line with the client reveal. How to set this moment up for success is Kimberley’s topic today. In this episode we learn: - you can’t run a marathon your first day out on the track, nor can you create projects that run smoothly if you start with STEP 11 - why having the client onsite for STEP 10 is a big mistake - what gifts are appropriate for the big client reveal 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 learn differently. Most of us need multiple points of reference to really learn something and absorb it on a core level.  Interior designer LeAnne Bunnell works hard at growing her business and improving her skills and she shares that knowledge with us here. In this episode we learn: - key to success is having your financial processes in order - hiring a bookkeeper is a small investment that pays big dividends - surround yourself with mature business owners who aren’t converplaining - be an active participant in the experience of learning It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast