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

Flat fees vs. hourly fees—we could have this debate forever. While no system is perfect, Tim Williams, a professional marketing expert, believes value based flat fees provide a superior way to price for your expertise. In this episode we learn: - a service is always more valuable before it’s delivered - provide detailed assumptions in your contract - price in phases - avoid pricing your services to only cover your overhead - consider a razor and blades strategy for pricing 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 dreamed of being on television (and so many design professionals have) than you’ll love hearing from guest expert Alli Mang. She is a multi-million dollar brand ambassador who knows how to sell. In fact, she wrote the book on it. Sold Out shares insights into peak performance selling in the high stakes environment of shopping channels. In this episode we learn: - sales is a main part of the job when you get yourself on tv - always sell the experience, rather than the object - film yourself selling mundane objects for 3 minutes, 30 minutes and 3 hours - in an audition you’ll have 3 seconds to sell yourself - always sell to a single person rather than to “everyone” - set an intention around who you want to sell products to It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

12,000,000 square feet of showrooms. Yup. 12 million. 180 buildings, 2,000 showrooms and 75,000 people—that’s what you’ll find when you get to High Point Market. If you’ve never been or you need to conquer the market this time, then listen to veteran market goers Marisa and Kimberley tell you how it’s done. In this episode we learn: - set your intentions ahead of time and include education, networking, buying and social time into your schedule - have a plan or you’ll end up running around in circles - group desired showrooms by building and schedule visits accordingly - stay organized and have a system for keeping photos, business cards and product info retrievable - wear comfy shoes and get social; lots of parties to attend - be present and include time for self-care 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™ provides independent designers, decorators, architects, stagers and landscapers with a systematic approach to client satisfaction. Relying on BOD™ 15 STEP Project Management Strategy to produce Satisfaction by Design™. In this two-part episode, Advocate in Chief and interior designer, Kimberley Seldon shares a week in the life of a project, focusing on STEP 10. In this episode we learn: - give yourself extra time for install days - it’s worth any amount of trouble to fix small annoyances during the STEP 10 - even when everything is planned to the last detail, be prepared for surprises - verify all appliances and mechanics are working before your clients arrive for the 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

If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you’ve fantasized about finding a partner who would take on all the challenges of running a business. For these lucky pairs, the fantasy became a reality. In part two of this two part series, we talk to Abby Smith and Abbey Ragsdale about how they make it work and what you should consider before you take a partner. In this episode we learn: - things to avoid when choosing a partner - prepare a business plan (partners and solo-preneurs) - a partnership creates natural accountability - choose a partner with a skillset that differs from your own - consider a test run, where you collaborate on a project before officially becoming partners - discuss all the contentious issues up front—salary needs and expectations, time off allotments, style of compromise, etc. 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™ provides independent designers, decorators, architects, stagers and landscapers with a systematic approach to client satisfaction. Relying on BOD™ 15 STEP Project Management Strategy to produce Satisfaction by Design™. In this episode, Advocate in Chief and interior designer, Kimberley Seldon shares a week in the life of a project, focusing on STEP 10. If you want to run projects like a boss, sign up for membership today. In this episode we learn: - even small projects have an exhaustive list of details to manage - there will always be a few holes to fill, so an extra day or two for the process is the difference between success and near-success - there is an art to organizing the movers for install days 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 a solopreneur, chances are you’ve fantasized about finding a partner who would take on all the challenges of running a business. For these lucky pairs, the fantasy became a reality. In part one of this two part series we talk to Jessica Geller and Virginia Toledo about how they make it work and how you might find a partner of your own. In this episode we learn: - consider placing an ad to enlist help in your design firm, if it’s a great fit, then you can talk partnership - when the economy slows, it’s important to reassess who your clients are and appeal directly to them - you don’t necessarily want to choose a friend or family member as a partner - vet carefully anyone you want to introduce into your business; hire them on a project basis first - assign specific tasks to each partner, look for complementary skills - if there is an issue with your partner, deal with it directly - consider a non-designer as a partner, perhaps a contractor, builder, architect or landscaper 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 design matters and in this two part series with Healthy Building expert, Allan Lopes we’ll discuss key issues that differentiate your services from the competition, while simultaneously promoting health and well-being within your interior design and decorating projects. Your clients will thank you. In this episode we learn: - bathing water should be filtered for purity, the same way drinking water is - reducing electro-magnetic fields in the bedroom is good for sleeping - proper air-filtration is vital to health - consider an indoor garden or living plants to improve air quality and psychology Catch up on Part 1 of this series at: https://businessofdesign.com/podcasts/ep-123-building-in-wellness-part-1/ It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

BOD™ member and interior design professional Nathan Vanags shares his insights after logging his hours for the first time. Yes, logging hours can make you more effective, whether you are working on an hourly fee or flat fee basis. In this episode we learn: - carefully logging hours shows you how productive employees and independent contractors are - carefully logging hours allows you to gauge who needs more work and who is overwhelmed - carefully logging hours allows you to focus on one task at a time and succeed at that task - carefully logging hours allows you to gauge how much time you need for specific tasks - carefully logging hours forces you to complete tasks in the allotted time - consider incentives for team members to increase the number of billable hours (always with integrity) 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™ is turning 15! Since 2004 we’ve been educating, motivating and inspiring interior design professionals just like you. In honor of our upcoming birthday, Kimberley shares her 15 favorite Design Intervention™ moments from the BOD™ Podcast. In this episode we learn: - 5 reasons you should raise your rate - the value of knowing what you’re worth - the power of saying no - why confidence matters and how to get more of it 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 design matters and in this two-part series with healthy building expert, Allan Lopes we’ll discuss key issues that differentiate your services from the competition, while simultaneously promoting health and well-being within your client projects. In this episode we learn: - science suggests, a design that speaks to an individual rather than the masses and feels “personal”, is beneficial in a variety of psychological ways - bringing the concept of wellness into design projects will create a career that is purposeful - in rooms you use frequently, artificial lighting that mimics nature’s circadian rhythms promotes well-being - any time you take nature out of the equation, there is going to be an imbalance - speak to your electrician about the CRI (color rendering index) of the light bulbs you specify - products with formaldehyde off-gas for years following installation It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Trust is the elusive ingredient that creates a strong bond between the design professional and his/her client. Clearly defined boundaries and impeccable integrity allow trust to grow as a project moves forward. In this episode we learn: - trust is earned in incremental steps, through integrity and clearly defined boundaries - systems create definable benchmarks by which everyone on a project can measure trustworthiness - building trust with your clients begins with your website - honoring all timelines—written and verbal is essential to building trust - make it easy for your clients to reach you - ask potential clients why they are renovating/decorating now to uncover the emotional reasons behind 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

Business of Design™ knows the success formula for creative professionals is 80% business + 20% creative. Once you get the 80% streamlined (hint: you do that by using the systems, protocols and strategies we teach at BOD™) you can lean into being creative. Specifying custom furniture on projects gives you an ideal opportunity to use those creative skills, elevate your brand and be more profitable. In this episode we learn: - the industry is changing, and designers can embrace some of the changes and learn to adapt to or get ahead of the others - systems improve efficiencies in all areas of your business, but especially when specifying custom furniture - custom furniture elevates your brand and makes you more profitable - be clear about how you work and don’t shy away from talking about fees, markups or anything else that allows you to stay in 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 Check out BuildLane at: http://bit.ly/buildlane

If being the boss doesn’t give you perks, then why be the boss? Listen to south Florida designer Jaime Galapo who talks about her transition from big corporate design firm to launching her own boutique business. In this episode we learn: - 5 strategies to support growth - it’s all about relationships, ask questions and show interest - your network is your net worth - outsource when you’re strapped for time - meet new trades on their existing job sites to see how they work - if being the boss doesn’t give you perks, then why be the boss? 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 the design industry it’s paramount to have a quality team of suppliers, trades, manufacturers and makers behind you, to make you look good. In addition, developing strong relationships and maintaining them with current and past clients is essential to grow long-term success and keep your pipeline filled. Melbourne designer, Tania Bell says effective networking is how to succeed. In this episode we learn: - you can learn to network effectively - it’s ok to lead with an authentic conversation opener—one that shows you are feeling vulnerable - be prepared with an exit strategy if the conversation isn’t what you are looking for - questions allow the other person to open up and get comfortable with you - create a system or procedure for how you look after referral partners - schedule regular phone calls, emails, texts, coffee catch ups or even lunch, so that you can keep a new contact in the loop - don’t feel compelled to answer design questions at a party or networking events - to meet new potential clients rely on the good word of family and friends It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast