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

When the hits just keep on coming, resilience allows us to persevere. In this episode, we’ll talk interior design coach, Andrew Mitchell about how to develop and foster resilience through gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. In this episode we learn: - stop pretending you have your sh*t together and ask for help. - seek balance by feeding all areas of your life - nurture relationships in your community - practice gratitude—start a gratitude journal - practice empathy with the people in your life and people you don’t know - replace negative self-talk with kind and encouraging words - practice mindfulness; be present - commit to the above activities and schedule time to practice them in your diary. Positive change comes with equal measure of intention (knowing what you want more of) and attention (applying yourself to make it happen). It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

By now, you may be convinced that written, repeatable systems are the key to your success as a business owner. Great. Now what? It’s time to write the Operations Manual, says Sydney designer, Jodie Carter. In this episode we learn: - written systems allow you to delegate effectively - hiring is simple, once you have the systems written down - each task can be broken down successfully - to experience more organization and control on projects - pass tasks on to staff with ease - no more micro-managing - take weekends back - spend more time designing. - run projects with less chaos - an operations manual creates company value 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 continually deliver quality and value to clients by relying on the trades, suppliers and manufacturers who make us look good each and every time. In this episode we hear insights from a soft furnishings expert, one of Kimberley’s A Team. In this episode we learn: - designers should demand more from their workrooms - there are endless variations which will create custom looks - when the budget is tight, spend more on fabrication and less on material - pay attention to hardware when you want to make a statement - quality installation is the only way to ensure window coverings will hang perfectly - never skimp on hiring the best trades It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Being new to the industry and starting a design business at a young age will definitely teach you some hard lessons, and as design professionals, I’m sure we’ve all made a silly mistake or two. Hopefully we can all learn from these lessons and each other’s mistakes so we don’t have to go through the pain of repeating them. In this episode we learn: - Design professionals hesitate to go into business because they think they need to take another class, but you’ll learn more working on actual projects - Do not be afraid of failure, we learn and grow from these failures - Be extra careful when confirming details with contractors, trades and suppliers through text or email, if you’re not this could lead to some very expensive mistakes - If your clients have to ask you a question after they read your contract then you need to change your contract, it should already answer all of their questions It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

To create the most compelling photos of your projects, you must do more than just document the space. By working with a team of professionals that includes a photographer and an expert stylist, you’ll be able to produce a narrative that markets your services to your ideal client or the publication you want to pursue. In this episode we learn: - the stylist oversees art direction; providing direction for the overall narrative of the story - preparing for the photo shoot is a huge percentage of the effort that leads to great results - avoid the cliches—stilettos and a Kelly bag on the floor of the entrance or the Hermes blanket on the sofa - always put the toilet seat down for shoots - your chances of getting published increase when you work with a stylist who is connected to the magazine you want to appear in - before scheduling the photo shoot, determine where you will use the images - a stylist helps when the designer is too close to the interior or “over it” because they’ve been working on the project for years - compelling photography is not documenting the home; it’s just capturing the magic It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Is it possible to be friends with clients? Belgian designer Isabel Gomez has all the answers and specific reasons why identifying your ideal client is may be the boost your business needs. In this episode we learn: - working for friends is possible—just follow the rules - taking responsibility gives you the opportunity to make positive changes to your method of working - narrowing down the description of your ideal client informs every decision you make - absolutely everything you do has to be intentional and related to your ideal client It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Precise and compelling copy that harmonizes with your best images can entertain, inform and delight your audience, but it also needs to establish your authority and brand position. There are specific strategies that will allow you to capture the attention of the clients you want to work with now and in future. In this episode we learn: - use direct, simple language, short sentences and present tense - use adjectives sparingly - develop words and phrases that reflect your brand and use them often. - be lighthearted, not juvenile - start with the main point - tailor the writing style to suit the platform It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

The sales process, whether you love it or hate it, isn’t about you. It’s about the client. Sales coach Nikki Rausch says there is a right way to engage the client and close the sale. In this episode we learn: - sales is something you do with a client, not to a client - how to prepare yourself for the sales process - dog calling vs. cat calling energy - a 5-step process for sales - most people will not make a decision to hire you, unless you ask them - issue a final invitation for the client to buy It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Designers don’t just make spaces nice or pretty or even gorgeous, we create experiences that make spaces matter to the people who use those spaces. Whether it’s a bedroom, or a kitchen, an office, a restaurant, or a garden, the work we do improves and enhances the lives of so many others. In this episode we learn: - quality takes time - before we can design, we have to diagnose the actual problems - we do clients a disservice when we only give them what they ask for - we have a huge impact on people’s lives - designers impact their client’s lives in meaningful and lasting ways. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

When we graduate from a design or architect program and start working, it’s pretty likely our education is only just beginning. Architect, design build expert, David Supple says the insecurity we feel in our first jobs is similar to how you might feel as a chef, if you had never cooked, but had to create recipes. Becoming an expert takes time. Surround yourself with people who have the skills you don’t, and you can speed up the process and serve the clients. In this episode we learn: - education doesn’t end with formal programming - preparation before the design process is critical to success - someone has to take the lead on the project - expertise is built over time - a cohesive team of experts is the best way to satisfy clients - create a love it and loathe it list prior to hiring It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

2020 will definitely be one for the history books! As cities and countries wrestle with pandemic challenges, what’s happening to the design professional’s business? Cheryl Horne, Janeen Laudenback and Kimberley Seldon discuss how projects and clients have changed and what we can do to protect ourselves. In this episode we learn: - how to discuss new protocols for site visits - to prepare clients for much longer lead times - how to consider the comfort level of your clients and your trades - what protocol adjustments are required because of COVID-19 - how to get trades on site safely for Trade Day™ It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Each month, members of Business of Design™ gather to discuss and resolve their most pressing issues. The questions vary from fees to retainers to client and trade management and everything in between. In this episode we open the mic so you can listen in. In this episode we learn: - how to handle the client who wants to do the purchasing - resistance from real estate agents when it’s time for a site visit - when to use markup and project management fees - when there’s too much info on your website - saying no is not easy, but sometimes it’s the best answer It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Each month, members of Business of Design™ gather to discuss and resolve their most pressing issues. The questions vary from fees to retainers to client and trade management and everything in between. In this episode we open the mic so you can listen in. In this episode we learn: - pricing the consultation for a developer - what boundaries to place around a consultation with the developer - the right BOD™ contract for project management fees • what verbiage to use re. project management - why managing your vendors works in your favor - are we obligated to return to a project that has gone off the rails - why and how to use a retainer - are you looking for the client who sorts for the cheapest or best solution? 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 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 a design professional, most of us cannot do our work without the help of others—a team. Ideally, a team of individuals who make us look good consistently, project after project. We call that an A Team. In this episode, we learn: - licensing, thus far, is not meeting the needs of the interior design professional - creating a niche for your skillset positions you as an expert - being fully responsible for vendor selection works for us and for the client It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast