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

Right now, for a limited time only, each one of us has a one-time-get-out-of-jail-free card. Use it to change anything or change everything that’s not working 100%. You will never have a better time to recommit or start fresh. In this episode we learn: - yes, you can raise your rates to repeat clients (even now) - yes, you can lay off staff and let go of weak trades - yes, you can focus on ideal clients only - yes, there is never going to be a better time to do what you want with your business 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’ve been in business longer than a couple of months, you are already familiar with the proverbial ups and downs—and yes, we are going to hit some bumps ahead for the foreseeable future. Still, when the going gets tough, what’s your default? BOD™ member Nikki Fisher says, she’s an expert in not giving up. That’s an attitude that will come in very handy during the next months. In this episode we learn: - show up at industry events and expand your network—put yourself out there (online works too!) - be curious and learn adjacent skills such as how a cabinet maker draws millwork - it’s possible to feel isolated in a crowd, the trick to connection is authentic sharing - get active at Business of Design™ - form a local peer support group - set up meetings with vendors, suppliers, contractors and trades to create lead generation It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Kimberley shares some wisdom from recessions past and encourages members to avoid chasing cash and focus on profitability. Yes, even now. In this episode we learn: - why chasing income, rather than profits, is a big mistake - avoid doing anything that delays the discomfort of making the tough decisions - borrowing money can postpone the inevitable and keep you stuck in the past - negotiating fees is never a good idea, but offering a different (and well priced service) might be a good 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

In this episode, we consider immediate dilemmas facing interior design professionals right now. Rather than guess at how clients are feeling, Kimberley goes straight to the source and asks one of her clients to share her insights with our community. In this episode we learn: - how to advise clients who are ready to move forward with a project - how to prepare clients for what might happen a few months down the road - how to diplomatically ask for payment on overdue accounts (not if you are using BOD™ 15 STEP Project Management Strategy) - don’t make assumptions about what clients want or are willing to do now - use levity to soften an awkward conversation - share your own vulnerability and awkwardness 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 determined to survive the impending recession by fine-tuning your systems and procedures? Designer Alexa Ralff is. This busy and talented designer shares her insights and strategies for success now and in the future. Spoiler alert—it’s all about process. In this episode we learn: - double down on your processes - reconnect with old clients by text or email - update existing clients with what’s next with your business - post photos of your office on insta to remind people you’re working - post photos of your favorite installs as a reminder of your fab work fab It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Now, more than ever, your ability to survive the impending recession will depend on the quality of your business decisions today. Entrepreneurial expert, David C. Baker shares some insights into what is to come and what to avoid. In this episode we learn: - what does it mean to be a lagging indicator - resist the urge to widen your positioning - resist the urge to chase cash, rather than profits - get ready to make the tough decisions It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Effectively immediately, BOD™ is supplementing its regularly scheduled podcasts with ongoing BOD™ Business Alert podcasts. The BOD™ Business Alerts will focus on narrow topics that are relative to you right now and drop with greater frequency than our weekly BOD™ Podcast programming. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Although it wasn’t a straight path, Kimberley’s journey as an interior designer took her on an adventure that ultimately lead to Business of Design™. Design Coach, Andrew Mitchell asks Kimberley about her history as a designer and how it led to this amazing community of members. In this episode we learn: - systems will change your life - mistakes are costly and painful; however they are exceptional opportunities for learning - education is essential and the learning never stops 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 just discovered Business of Design™ or you’re sitting on the fence because making changes seems overwhelming, listen to Kimberley’s advice on how to get started. In this episode we learn: - start where you are; tackle your biggest pain points first - take BOD™ 15 STEP Project Management Strategy in order from 1-15 - confidence comes from systems 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 run a design business for any length of time, you know the stakes are high. There are bound to be mistakes along the way, but strategic goals can keep you on a path that ultimately leads to success. In this episode we learn: - goal setting is important because - long-, medium- and short-term goals keep you moving - the value of BIG goals - attachment vs detachment - how to get into action 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 is possible for interior design professionals to develop close and meaningful relationships with architects, but it requires a greater understanding of what each professional contributes. Spoiler alert, designers do more than pick furniture. In this episode we learn: - the best projects employ a full team from day one - developers often lead the project, hiring an architect for structure and then no one for interiors - big egos get in the way of a successful project - lots of problems are resolved by agreement around who is acting as project lead 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 is possible to earn the respect of clients and trades while charging what you’re worth. Possible, but rarely easy. Pricing for Creativity author, Blair Enns and Kimberley Seldon discuss the merits of value-based pricing, while anticipating some of the largest obstacles in this two-part conversation. In this episode we learn: - the value we pass on as designer’s is (in part) a feeling—the client feels elated when the project is complete - the biggest asset of value-based fee model is extraordinary profits - profitability is a test you must pass - act like a professional, lead the client through the project It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Time spent on social media, provided there’s a targeted sales method in place, can attract ideal clients who want to buy the services you provide. In this episode, we learn a simple strategy for growing and maintaining a sales funnel that gets results. In this episode we learn: - a simple plan for getting traction on social media - a step by step process for creating a sales funnel - what a lead magnet can do - the power of the niche - what modern newsletters should look like 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 is possible to earn the respect of clients and trades while charging what you’re worth. Possible, but rarely easy. Pricing for Creativity author, Blair Enns and Kimberley Seldon discuss the merits of value-based pricing, while anticipating some of the largest obstacles in this two-part conversation. In this episode we learn: - make sure your brand is not positioned as a commodity - a client’s real power is hiring an alternative to you - a designer’s real power stems from self-esteem - always rely on policy, rather than feeling or inclination It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Kimberley shares insights from Business of Design™ Conference | Las Vegas. In this episode we learn: - why an operations manual is right for you - why a checklist for ordering custom furniture will change your life - how important it is to stay on the beam and not break your own rules - why you need to be confident, to be the expert - you can make seven figures as a 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