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

“Taking yourself seriously has power. It says you are playing a longer game.” Bruce Philp, author Consumer Republic. If you’re consulting under your own name, playing small and not fully embracing a powerful brand, you signal tentativeness to consumers. Having a brand, and filling a particular brand space gives consumers the confidence to hire you.  In this episode we learn: - to combat and outsmart imposter syndrome - what it looks like when clients have total confidence in you - why clients want you to be the answer - how you will grow into a bigger, brighter version of yourself with brand improvements 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 Kimberley looks at how to identify and, more importantly, manage various types of client situations and archetypes of behaviour. In this episode we learn: - to identify common client types - how to manage the client who wants it right now, or can’t make up her mind, or disappears and then re-emerges ready to go 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 not terribly comfortably asking clients for money, let alone asking them for more money when we think of some new product or idea that would enhance the existing project. Effective upselling, the act of offering a new purchase that complements an existing purchase, requires thoughtful consideration and courage. In this episode we learn: - why upselling is a benefit to clients - how to look at upselling in a more positive light - why every designer has to get comfortable with sales - to avoid selling the thing, instead sell the experience It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Every 5-10 years it’s important to reevaluate your brand and see if it’s still relevant. Kimberley shares her personal experience with rebranding and talks to interior designer Jackie Glass about a major rebrand she recently underwent. In this episode we learn: - to be diligent about projecting your image—edit what you put online - raising your fees can force you to be better at what you do - to make better rules for yourself as the business owner - always work on grooming new trades - to treat existing trades with respect Take Aways 1. When you photograph a room, make sure to also hire a professional stylist to assist and prop the spaces. 2. Edit the photos that appear on your website. Quality over quantity. 3. If you can’t yet afford a stylist, then practice taking good photos and videos. Flat lay some objects on a table and photograph those. This is also an easy way to show clients you are busy and working all the time. 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 are a design professional and you are managing projects on behalf of clients, you are going to deal with mistakes—lots of them. Since it’s not possible to avoid all mistakes, then doesn’t it make sense that that so focus on managing that professionally. I’m not being glib about mistakes – they are simply a fact. In this episode we learn: - mistakes happen - why the complexity of the work makes errors inevitable - the interior design professional cannot prevent every mistake from happening - what matters most is how the professional manages errors and missteps - which errors are billable, and which are non-billable It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

“People don’t buy our product. They buy the belief that we can create and deliver the product. They buy our brand.” Bruce Philp, author Consumer Republic. Having a brand, and filling a particular brand space gives consumers the confidence to hire you. In this episode we learn: - 3 components of a healthy brand - why outsourcing your brand experience makes sense - how corporation (or the appearance of one) gives a client confidence - three ways small business owners give away their power Take Aways Three conditions that need to be met in order to build a viable brand: Purpose. Consumers need to believe that the people they hire are motivated by a higher purpose, otherwise they’ll assume it’s opportunism. Positioning. Commit to a particular type of project that you’re great at and an ideal client, or you’ll never excel Character. Sharing your value and personality allows your customer to buy into you as a brand. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Back by popular demand, Aysun Kuck shares her experience servicing Kimberley’s clients and closing consultation sales. This episode is a continuation of EP 014. You asked for it, here’s Aysun one more time. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of practicing fabulous follow up and what that means - what’s in a lead form - how to get a budget out of clients - the sweet spot in terms of timing consultations Aysun suggests practicing fabulous follow up by keeping a lead form. A lead form is the document that shows you the status of each and every caller to your company. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It’s not you. The work we do as professional designers is hard, it’s complex, it’s challenging, and there are multiple points in the process where things can go mildly or terribly wrong. In case you’ve forgotten just how capable you are, listen to Kimberley review the process for designing and creating one custom pillow. In this episode we learn: - designiquette—etiquette for the designer client relationship - trust is something you earn, and something client’s earn - experience teaches you how to handle situations that once baffled you - the complicated process of creating and producing one simple pillow 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 agree it’s hard to renovate or decorate our own spaces. But, have you ever taken time to consider what you learn when you do have the luxury of working for yourself? Interior Jackie Glass explores this topic. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of working for yourself - the stressors of working for yourself - what you can learn about client management - how vital branding is for your reputation - why so many designers use their own homes as labs - why working with your own trades is a great idea 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 can’t do our jobs without the cooperation, hard work and talent of a variety of vendors and suppliers. These professionals make or break our reputation. Developing healthy relationships with key vendors can lead to an infinitely more satisfying career by helping you satisfy your clients, earn their trust and grow your business. In this episode, we learn first hand from window covering specialist and podcaster Luann Nigara, some of the simple and things designers can do to improve relations and strengthen project outcomes. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of working with a concierge service vs. a workroom - the stressors and pressures your vendors may be under - why thoroughness matters Take Aways 1. If you are loosey-goosey about the details at the beginning of the project you better be prepared to be loosey-goosey about what's delivered.   2. When you criticize your trades and suppliers remember, YOU were the one that introduced them to your clients. Never throw a supplier under the bus. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

No matter how talented you are, how dedicated you’ve been to the project, or how thoroughly you’ve managed clients and trades, mistakes can and will happen. If you have a project horror story, you’re not alone. Avoiding the most common traps can save you hours of grief. In this episode we learn: - ten most common ways to create your own project horror story Take Aways You are not alone. No matter what challenges you are facing—those you’ve created or those you’ve inherited thanks to clients or trades—our community has been there and done that. Sharing your worst moments, as Kimberley does in this podcast, can sometimes liberate you to make better choices in the future. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Sure, most of us approach our projects thinking about interior spaces. But, it’s worth considering exterior spaces too. It’s a great way to provide your clients with more value, making you a one-stop service provider. Landscape designer and HGTV personality Carson Arthur shares his advice on how to include landscape design as part of the service you offer. In this episode we learn: - there are specific things you can do with landscaping that will immediately improve the resell value of a home - how to identify different client types based on demographics - ways to increase living space by looking outdoors - project management tips from the world of landscaping It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Adam Scougall is transitioning from the finance industry into interior design. Adam shares his insights as a business owner before introducing Business of Design strategies and then compares that to his experience after implementing the 15 steps. In this episode we learn: - how we keep ourselves in an unsuccessful loop, attracting the wrong clients - why a turn key approach works best - how pain is a powerful motivator - there is no competition, success is available to all of us It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Every designer who’s worked on a flat fee basis has experienced the monster that is scope creep. Although the vast majority of freelancers consider scope creep to be negative, there’s another side to the story—a positive side. In this episode, Kimberley looks at how to protect yourself from the negative aspects but allow room to embrace the positive aspects. In this episode we learn: - the dual personalities of scope creep - how to automatically get paid when scope creep occurs - how scope creep can also be a sign of trust - how thoroughness increases profits and clients will love you for it Take Aways There’s no earthly way for you to know what a project will cost from start to finish on the first day you meet your customer. If you choose to do so, you can stop playing the guessing game, develop a system that allows you to get paid for all your expertise, manage jobs like the true professional you are and satisfy more customers. 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 are eager to turn potential clients into paid ones, then you’ll love hearing what Aysun Kuck has to say about the process. This episode is a two-parter, so be sure to check out EP 022. In this episode we learn: – how to put a smile in your voice – to have a goal when you return a potential client’s call – how to identify different types of clients quickly – getting paid up front is 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