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

Members of Business of Design® have access to our private Facebook community. It’s a safe place to seek guidance from wise peers. This week, Cheryl Horne, BOD™ Director of Operations, pulled some member questions from the FB community, and she asked Kimberley to answer them on the show. Enjoy! In this episode we learn: - an avoidance of the retainer is a big red flag - sometimes our job is to say no, early in the project - shopping with clients requires a firm plan - when a client wants you to price multiple options, let her know it will create additional design fees 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 order to hire the most talented, capable staff, business owners rely on a variety of recruitment enticements—salary, bonus structures, flex hours, and even a dynamic work environment. Resimercial design, a home-like atmosphere for the office, is quickly becoming the defining trend of today’s office projects. In this episode we learn: - with commercial projects, intake comes from all stakeholders - creating a home-like environment is one way to attract the staff you want - in order to come to a compromise when stakeholders have disparate ideas, look for common denominators - open offices are often a mix of focus and collaboration stations - acoustics are an important factor in open office design - the addition of lvp / lvt (luxury vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl tile) and ceiling tiles adds to acoustic comfort - expect a mix of home and work schedules - virtual conferencing is here to stay It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Your individual personality affects every aspect of your life. That's why one of the best things you can do to accelerate future growth is to understand what naturally drives you. When you recognize your strengths and weaknesses, you are able to give the task in front of you your best effort. Discovering set personality patterns allows you to more effectively communicate with others. In this episode we learn: - the value of recognizing your strengths and limitations - how to overcome your shortcomings and clear a path for personal and professional growth - to understand and respect how others differ - build a stronger team that communicates and appreciates each other It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Turns out the client intake process goes beyond the first phone call in STEP 1 when you are building a business on repeat and referral clients. In this episode, guest host and BOD™ Member, Juliana Oliveira of Beyond Interior Design, interviews an essential member of her team, Porsche Williams of The Prototype, who she recently brought on to manage and nurture her client relationships. When it comes to your client pipeline, the fortune is in the follow up. In this episode you will learn: - Having systems in place allows the business owner to easily outsource tasks - To outsource tasks that do not require your time or expertise - Outsourcing frees the business owner up to maximize their creativity and energy in areas that do require their expertise - Not being involved “in” the day-to-day operations of the business allows the business owner to see areas where improvements can be made - An outside perspective can offer creative solutions to enhance the client experience - To recognize what you love to do and what you don’t, and outsource accordingly 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 social comparisons are dangerous. We simply do not have an accurate measuring tool that would allow us to compare our insides with someone else’s outsides. So, what happens when you find yourself feeling envious of someone else’s success? Turns out, like most human emotions, envy isn’t all bad. In this episode we learn: - creatives are hyper-aware of the success of others - sensitivity has a positive side - envy can blot out the good things in your own life - it’s ok to accept uncomfortable feelings; to explore them - how to use envy as fuel to propel yourself forward 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 can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. So says Business of Design® CFO, Larry Goldberg. Find out why analytics are the difference between mediocre success and a business that’s fully optimized in every way. In this episode we learn: - if you can measure it, you can manage it - financial metrics propel us to make important changes on an ongoing basis - key metrics are different in every business, but every business has them procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday 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 seasoned designer, how can we best support, encourage and inspire the emerging design professionals coming up behind us? Interior Designer and BOD™ member, Annie Elliot says it’s important to have a framework (like Business of Design®) thank you. And make sure newbies know the fundamentals, so they’ll succeed faster. In this episode we learn: - start with a framework (BOD™ works!) - pay yourself first and build the business model around taking a salary - be honest with prospective clients; ask for more money if that’s what you need - setting parameters doesn’t scare clients away as frequently as it motivates them - set a minimum with your first job out of the gate, you’ll succeed faster - don’t reinvent the wheel—just follow a process that works 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 new business owner needs a bit of luck to get started. Sometimes a peer or colleague is willing to share generously, and you learn something invaluable. Other times, you’re just in the right place at the right time and you’re willing to put in the hard work required so you can grab the opportunity in front of you. BOD™ member Kate Hougen says persistence pays off in every situation. In this episode we learn: - there is plenty of work to go around for - most successful projects are true collaborations - carve out time for goals and setting intentions - don’t underestimate the power, clarity and focus of a clear set of goals - find your niche - raise your rates - be open to different kinds of projects—knowing your ideal client doesn’t mean one type of aesthetic or style - the importance of BOD™ and finding the right mix for 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

Many designers have some type of retail sales component which complements their interior design business. Others are curious as to whether a direct-to-consumer offering would add to their marketing efforts or increase profitability. BOD™ member Adene Lucas recently launched her own import business and says, yes, a retail sales component can be a healthy addition to your business, provided you do your homework first. In this episode we learn: - Research not only the product you are importing, but its origins - Hire a qualified broker to navigate complicated regulations - Be prepared for random (costly) inspections when you import goods - Use a qualified moving team to receive items from the port (land or sea) - Markup may need to be greater than 3 times 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™ members, Jameelah and Ebonee share how divine (or was it design) intervention brought them together to form their interior design company. By saying yes, they took big risks and made it work. In this episode we learn: - inspect items as they are delivered in order to avoid getting stuck with damaged product - be courageous and take those projects that are a little out of reach, you’ll learn as you go - don’t be afraid to ask for help from your trades, you don’t have to know everything - when you get out of process, the universe will give you a butt kicking - don’t skip steps, they are meant to be worked in order - CASE method: consultation, anchor, shell, enhancements. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Just like you curate your designs, it’s possible to curate your business. Be choosy when it comes to staff, clients and projects. Guest host and BOD™ Member, Laura Martin Bovard of LMB Interiors, interviews fellow San Francisco Bay area designer, Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors, in this candid share-all conversation. In this episode we learn: - make the most of your time working for established firms - the worst time to hire is when you need to hire - listen for red flags during the initial phone call and during the consultation - educate clients about the impact of delayed decision-making - perfection is not the goal - let go of self-doubt and trust your instincts - be as picky about the staff and clients you choose to work with as you are about the person you marry - know your value and speak candidly to clients about what your services will deliver - letting go of the wrong clients and projects makes space for the right ones - say NO, practice in front of the mirror It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

What happens when your life gets turned upside down unexpectedly? Dig deeper and try new things... says our guest, BOD™ member Gillian Crone. She found herself with no net to fall back on and business prospects that had run dry. Finding her courage, she refused to settle and aimed for big results. Gillian is a living testimonial for anyone thinking it’s time to reinvent your business and maybe, your life. In this episode we learn: - working in a small town is no excuse for charging low fees - if you are going to invest in presenting your company at a home show or something similar, approach it as a life-or-death endeavor and focus on getting a client - don't give up, if it doesn't work, try something else, quickly - brand yourself and your company image - create a niche It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Eager for more, great clients? Then, get out there and market your services to those collaborators who can make the connection. Sell your services and you are helping others. Plus, if you’re not out there promoting yourself, you’ll be the best designer that no one has ever heard of! In this episode we learn: - feel good about who you are by working with your ideal clients - remind yourself of the best service you ever provided, that’s who you are - target only the best, ideal clients - target only the best collaborators and referral sources - schedule an introduction phone or zoom meeting and follow it up with your pitch package - if you’re not out there promoting yourself, you will be the best designer no one has ever heard of - educate clients through instructional videos - educate referral sources through instructional videos or webinars - ask clients for video testimonials 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 busier than ever, or, if you dream of building an empire, chances are you’ve fantasized about hiring your first assistant or a big team to help you handle the load. Kimberley answers an email from a BOD™ member who needs a little help creating boundaries that will help her team thrive and allow her to feel appreciated. In this episode we learn: - in order to successfully hire staff, you must have systems, protocols and strategies written down, that they can follow - implementing something new, like the BOD™ 15 is simple, it’s fully outlined, but it’s not easy - it’s not easy to make changes when you are in a rut or lack confidence - good is the enemy of bad; sometimes letting someone go creates a better dynamic in the office It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

These are, indeed, extraordinary times. Gaining momentum and traction on projects is a bit tricky these days, but DC Designer, Annie Elliott shares her strategies for getting the job done well and quickly. In this episode we learn: - we all need to be flexible right now, and keep everything in perspective - to effectively juggle projects, separate the need to finish from the want to finish - manage timeline expectations at the beginning - delaying the start of the project is far better than a delay in the middle - give clients the bad news about long timelines at the beginning - explain to clients that the money requirements will come in cycles, not only at the beginning - review with clients when the heaviest billing can be expected It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast