Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
This podcast helps interior designers navigate the business side of their profession. Host Katie Decker-Erickson, a business coach and founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, shares strategies for getting clients, pricing services, marketing, and scaling a design business. The show addresses the challenges of balancing creative passion with profitable business operations.
Episodes
117. The Trade-Offs No One Talks About When Growing a Design Firm
Send Katie a Text Message!! Growing your business should feel exciting—but if you've ever wondered why success suddenly feels heavier, this episode is for you.One of the biggest misconceptions in the design industry is that growth automatically creates more freedom. In reality, growth often exposes the parts of your business that have been held together by your own talent, memory, and constan
116. Booked Out, Busy, and Still Not Profitable Enough?
Send Katie a Text Message!! Most interior designers think they have a revenue problem.But what if the real issue isn't how much money is coming in?What if it's how much money is quietly leaking out?In this episode, Katie breaks down one of the biggest profitability challenges facing design firms today: hidden profit leaks.From scope creep and revision loops to owner over-involvement and
115. A Profitable Design Business Is Not the Same as a Scalable Design Firm
Send Katie a Text Message!! One of the biggest misconceptions I see in the interior design industry is the belief that profitability automatically means your business is healthy.It doesn't.You can have beautiful projects, happy clients, strong revenue, and still be operating a business that can't handle another level of growth.In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference betwee
114. Your Business Doesn’t Need You As Much As You Think It Does
Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your team, your workload, or your schedule?What if it's the fact that your business still depends on you for everything?In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest growth barriers I see in interior design firms: owner dependency. It's the moment many business owners reach where the bu
113. The Art Of The Principle: The Hard Conversations No One Talks About That Will Save Your Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this special joint episode of Success by Design and Design for the Creative Mind, Michelle Lynne and I kick off a new series called The Art of Being the Principal. We dive into what it really takes to lead a successful interior design firm, move beyond being the operator of your business, and step fully into the role of CEO.If you're balancing design work, team
112. The Hidden Cost of Saying Yes to the Wrong Projects
Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the project draining your energy, your time, your profit, and your team was never actually the problem? What if the bigger issue is that you said yes to it in the first place?In this episode of Success by Design, I’m talking about the subtle “wrong projects” interior designers take on all the time — the ones that seem fine at first. The budget looks decent, the
111. The Decision That Will Either Grow or Stall Your Business This Year
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever finished a project and immediately moved on to the next one, this episode is going to hit a nerve—in the best way.Because what if the thing keeping your business stuck isn’t your clients, your pricing, or your workload… but the fact that you’re not stopping to evaluate what actually happened?In this episode, I’m breaking down the one decision that separat
110. What I’d Fix First If I Took Over Your Interior Design Business Today
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what I would fix first if I stepped into your interior design business and helped you scale to seven figures. And here’s the truth most people won’t tell you—you don’t need to work more, take on more clients, or post more content. What you actually need is to fix the right things in the right order.If your business feels
109. Lessons from High Point Market: How Interior Designers Actually Attract Better Clients
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with designers at High Point Market—and it’s one I couldn’t wait to bring to you here because it hits on something so many of you are experiencing right now.If you’ve been saying “I need more clients,” but you’re not actively nurturing the relationships you already have, this might be the reframe you need. Becau
108. Scaling an Interior Design Business Takes More Than Bigger Goals
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m unpacking something I see all the time in design businesses—and it might surprise you. It’s not that you need to think bigger. It’s that your business may not be built to support the growth you say you want.I know how easy it is to believe the next level comes from bigger goals, more confidence, or finally stepping into your “CEO era.” But if your s
107. The Smarter Way Interior Designers Increase Profit (Without More Clients or Higher Prices)
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m joined by Heather McManus, founder of The Designers Collaborative, and we’re diving into a conversation that challenges what most designers believe about profitability. Because if you’ve been told the only way to make more money is to raise your rates or take on more clients, I want you to hear this—there’s another way. And it might completely shift
106. The Hiring Mistake Keeping Interior Designers Overworked
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve been feeling stretched thin and thinking, “I just need to hire another designer,” this episode might shift everything for you. I’m breaking down why hiring an assistant designer is often not the solution you think it is—and what’s actually keeping you overworked, overwhelmed, and stuck in your business.IN THIS EPISODE:Why hiring an assistant designer often doe
105. Why You Don’t Have a Million-Dollar Interior Design Business Yet
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever thought, “I want more in my business, but I don’t know if I can handle more,” this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down one of the biggest reasons interior designers struggle to scale—and it’s not your talent or your work ethic. It’s your business model. If your business is built on the assumption that you have unlimited energy and capacity, it wil
104. Why Being Busy Isn’t Growing Your Interior Design Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you feel busy all day but your interior design business still isn’t growing, this episode is going to hit home. I’m breaking down why constant hustle isn’t the problem—and why your business might actually be designed to keep you stuck.IN THIS EPISODE:I’m sharing what I see behind the scenes with so many interior designers: full calendars, constant work, and zero real
103. Why Your Interior Design Projects Keep Going Over Budget
Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever wrapped up a project and thought… how did we get here again?You started with a clear vision, a solid plan, and a client who seemed aligned. But somewhere between the mood board and install day, the budget unraveled. Now the client is stressed, you’re reworking the same design over and over, and a project that once felt exciting feels heavy.In this episode,
102. Why Interior Design Clients Keep Changing Their Minds (And How to Fix It)
Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever had a client approve everything… only to start unraveling the design a few days later?One change turns into five. The sofa shifts, then the rug feels off, then suddenly the entire room is back on the table. Your timeline gets pushed, your energy gets drained, and the project becomes far more complicated than it ever needed to be.In this episode, I’m breaki
101. Scaling an Interior Design Business Beyond Referrals
Send Katie a Text Message!! Referrals feel incredible as an interior designer. They’re proof your clients love your work and your reputation is strong. But there’s something most designers don’t realize—referrals alone are not a growth strategy.In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet ceiling referral-driven businesses often hit. When your pipeline depends on referrals, your growth depends on
100. 100 Episodes Later: The Real Reason Interior Designers Feel Stuck
Send Katie a Text Message!! After 100 episodes of Success by Design, there are a few patterns I simply can’t ignore anymore.They’ve shown up in coaching calls, DMs, and quiet conversations after the mic turns off. And if you’re building an interior design firm right now — especially one you want to sustain you long-term — this episode is going to feel personal.Here’s what I know for sure: your pro
99. Why High Demand Doesn’t Mean You’re Ready to Scale Your Interior Design Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’re booked out, have steady inquiries, and your revenue looks solid — but you still feel capped — this episode is for you. High demand does not automatically mean you’re ready to scale your interior design business. If you can’t take on more without breaking something, it’s not a marketing problem. It’s a structural one.In this episode, I’m breaking down why reven
98. Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY Business Advice as an Interior Designer
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’re running a multiple six-figure interior design firm and finding that the business advice you used to love now feels surface-level, this episode is for you. DIY business advice isn’t bad. In fact, it’s incredibly helpful when you’re building momentum. But there comes a point when quick tips, Instagram soundbites, and six-week tactical courses stop moving the nee
97. Why Raising Your Rates Didn’t Give You More Freedom (And What Actually Will)
Send Katie a Text Message!! You raised your rates.You updated your website.You had the uncomfortable conversations.And you thought, This is it. This is the turning point.But you’re still working just as much. Maybe more.If that’s you, this episode of Success by Design is going to hit home.In this conversation, I break down why raising your interior design fees is often necessary — but never the ma
96. Why Your Team Keeps Asking You the Same Questions (And How to Fix It as a Leader)
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I swear I’ve already answered this,” while a team member pings you yet again, this episode is for you.Today, I’m unpacking one of the most exhausting leadership moments I see with designers — when your team keeps asking the same questions over and over, and it starts to make you wonder if you’re doing something wrong as a leader.
95. Why Your Interior Design Business Feels Heavier as It Grows (Even With More Revenue)
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at your business and thought, “Why did this feel easier when I was making less money?”—this episode is for you.Today, I’m talking directly to designers who are doing “everything right” on paper. The revenue is there. The team is there. The projects are bigger. And yet… everything feels heavier. More complex. More draining.Here’s the truth I want yo
94. How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Interior Design Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! Choosing a coach is a big decision—especially when your business is already successful, but something still feels heavy. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what coaching should (and shouldn’t) look like for interior designers. I share the mistakes I’ve made hiring coaches, the lessons I learned the hard way, and the exact criteria I use now—both when I hir
93. Why Indecision Is Holding Your Design Business Back (And How to Take Confident Action)
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you feel stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by options, or frozen because you’re afraid of making the wrong move in your design business, this episode is for you.In this conversation, I’m talking directly to designers who are waiting for more clarity, more confidence, or more certainty before taking action — and how that waiting is often the very thing keeping them stu
92. A Pep Talk For Interior Design Business Owners Who Want to Win In 2026
Send Katie a Text Message!! As we step into 2026, I wanted to record this episode before you opened your inbox, before you looked at last year’s numbers, and before you started telling yourself stories about what this year needs to be. This is your 2026 pep talk. Because most designers don’t start a new year with a clean slate — they start it carrying the emotional weight of the year before. And i
91. Lessons From Our Big Mistakes w/ Michelle Lynne
Send Katie a Text Message!! As this year comes to a close, I wanted to have a very honest conversation—one rooted in experience, not perfection. In this episode, I’m reflecting (with another seasoned firm owner- Michelle Lynne) on the mistakes we’ve made, the lessons we learned the hard way, and what actually matters when you’re trying to move your business forward with clarity instead of chaos.Th
90. Top Questions Every Designer Has About Growing Their Business - And My Answers
Send Katie a Text Message!! Today’s episode is one I’ve been wanting to record for a long time because it’s built entirely around the questions I hear every single week as a business coach. These are the questions that come up in strategy calls, Voxer messages, office hours, and hallway conversations at High Point. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure about hiring, confused by your numbers, or
89. Your 2025 Interior Design Business Audit
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, this episode is where that shift begins. Today, I’m walking you step-by-step through the 2025 Business Audit Worksheet and showing you how to look at last year honestly — without judgment, without overwhelm, and without getting stuck in the past. This isn’t busy work or a reflective exercise for the sake of reflection. It’s
88. Turn Your 2026 Vision Into a Design Business That Actually Works
Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome back, designers! This is Part 2 of The Design Business Growth Blueprint, and today we’re shifting from the hard-number reality of Part 1 into something just as important - building your 2026 strategy like a true CEO. Not from vibes, not from wishful thinking, and definitely not from “I just want to make more next year,” but from real data, real capacity, and re
87: Your Business Reality Check Starts Here
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the work most designers avoid: facing the truth about what actually happened inside your business this year. Before we can build your 2026 vision (that’s coming in Part 2!), we have to strip away the assumptions, the emotions, the “I think I made money here… maybe?” and look at the real
86. What Are You Waiting For? How to Break Through Overwhelm and Actually Move Your Design Business Forward
Send Katie a Text Message!! In today’s episode, I’m getting real with you — lovingly calling you out and calling you up. If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, waiting for the “right time,” or drowning in overwhelm while nothing truly moves your business forward, this is your wake-up call. I’m sharing the mindset shifts, micro-actions, and systems my clients use to stop overthinking, start taking
85. From Designer to CEO: How Owning the Vision Grows Your Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! When you’re deep in the day-to-day of your design business, it’s easy to forget why you started it in the first place. I’ve been there — chasing goals, saying yes to opportunities, and still feeling like something’s off. In this episode, I’m challenging you to step back and look at your business through the lens of a true CEO and visionary. Because you can’t scale what
84. Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Designer: Why Confidence Is Your Real Growth Strategy
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at another designer’s success and wondered, “What do they have that I don’t?” - this episode is for you. I’m digging into the real mindset work behind scaling a design business - and it’s not about better clients, a bigger team, or even a new offer. It’s about confidence. Because growth doesn’t start when your circumstances change; it starts when y
83: The Limiting Beliefs Stopping You from Scaling Your Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! So many designers get stuck in their businesses because of the beliefs they carry about money, success, and what it takes to grow. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about the most common limiting beliefs I see in my coaching practice — from thinking you have to struggle to make money, to believing that success takes years, to feeling like you’re not ready yet. I’m s
82: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There — And That’s a Good Thing
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand new series all about building a business that works for you — not the other way around. If you’ve ever felt like your design business has more potential than what it’s currently producing, this conversation is for you.I see you out there trying to scale, trying to take home more income, trying to show up for your family and your
81: Scaling Your Design Business Without Losing Your Sanity - A Coaching Conversation
Send Katie a Text Message!! This week on Success by Design, I’m diving deep into one of my favorite topics: how to grow your design business thoughtfully, without letting it take over your life. I chat with Heather about the differences between W2 employees and 1099 contractors, and how choosing the right type of hire can make or break your business as you scale.We also talk about coaching, system
80: Building a Resilient Design Business - Even When the Economy Isn’t (Part 3 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome back to Success by Design! I’m wrapping up our three-part series, Your Interior Designer Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty, with one of the most important conversations we can have right now — how to build a business that bends but doesn’t break.In this episode, I’m sharing how to strengthen your foundation through visibility, creative adaptability, st
79: Creating Demand in a Slow Market (Part 2 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers — welcome back to Success by Design! I’m Katie Decker Erickson, and this week we’re diving into part two of our three-part series, Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create demand even when the market feels quiet — because slowing down doesn’t mean sitting still.I’m sharing the exact mindset and marketing stra
78: Pricing with Confidence in a Shaky Economy (Part 1 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty)
Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to Success by Design! I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series called The Interior Designer’s Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty. Let’s be honest—the economy feels weird right now. Clients are cautious, interest rates are high, and confidence can feel scarce. But while you can’t control the broader economy, you can control your pricing, positioning
77: The 2025 State of the Design Industry (And What You Need to Do About It)
Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers, it’s Katie Decker Erickson, and today I’m giving you something totally different — no fluff, no hype, and no sugarcoating. This is your five-minute State of the Industry for interior designers, and a heart-to-heart about what’s really going on behind the pretty photos and Pinterest boards.Because let’s be honest — the economy isn’t doing us any favors rig
76: From Overwhelmed to Scaled: How My Client Shannon Grew Her Interior Design Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! Scaling an interior design business isn’t just about hustling harder—it’s about systems, boundaries, leadership, and strategic support. In this episode, I sit down with my client Shannon to share her journey from feeling overwhelmed to confidently scaling her interior design business. We talk about the unexpected lessons she learned along the way and how coaching helped
75: Interior Design Debriefs: The 20-Minute Profit Booster
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this week’s episode, to wrap up our Project to Profit Series, I'm getting real about the one step most designers skip that could save you hours, protect your margins, and stop you from repeating the same costly mistakes project after project.Here’s the kicker: research shows that teams who actually take this step improve performance by 20–25% on their very next
74: The Secret to More Interior Design Referrals
Send Katie a Text Message!! What if one happy client didn’t just mean a beautiful portfolio photo — but also became the gateway to three more dream projects? That’s the power of a referral strategy for designers that actually works.In this episode, I'm sharing why most interior design referrals don’t happen by chance — and how to move beyond “word of mouth” into a system that brings you consi
73: Scope Creep Solutions for Profitable Interior Design
Send Katie a Text Message!! Scope creep: two little words that can drain your profits, stretch your timeline, and zap your energy if left unchecked. But here’s the twist—done right, scope creep can actually fuel your profit margins and strengthen client relationships.In this episode, I'm breaking down the sneaky ways scope creep shows up (and why it feels so personal). The #1 mindset shift th
72: Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & Clients
Send Katie a Text Message!! Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on why onboarding isn’t just paperwork and contracts. Done right, it
71: The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design Services
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and er
70: How to Turn Consultations Into Paid Opportunities
Send Katie a Text Message!! This week, we’re kicking off a six-part series I’m calling "Turning Projects into Profit." As designers, we pour our hearts into projects that photograph beautifully, but sometimes those same projects barely move the financial needle. I know that tension well because I’ve lived it in my own business. That’s why this series is all about helping you stop leaving
69: Design Heals: The Secret Sauce Top Designers Are Using to Charge More
Send Katie a Text Message!! What every designer needs to know about neuroaesthetics, biophilia, and charging what you're worth. In this episode of Success by Design, I'm sitting down with Mike Peterson, founder of Science in Design, to explore how neuroscience is validating what designers have known intuitively for years: beautiful spaces make people feel better. Now we have the data to
68: Vegas Market 2025: Bold Interior Design Trends and Statement Décor
Send Katie a Text Message!! What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas — especially when Success by Design gets the inside scoop from the market floor. In this week’s can’t-miss episode, Katie sits down with Diana Ruston on her team and fresh off the plane to unpack the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre from the latest Las Vegas Market.This isn’t just another trends episode. It’s a no-hold
67: Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]
Send Katie a Text Message!! Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry, LuAnn Nigara and John McClain, to sit down and discuss their insights. But not just any shop. We dove into the murky waters of economic
66: 7 Strategies to Attract Interior Design Clients Without Spending a Dime
Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the answer isn’t more ads, more hustle, or more burnout?In this week’s episode of Success by Design, I drop 7 zero-cost, high-impact strategies to attract interior design clients without spending a dime. And no—it’s not just “post more on Instagram.”This episode is the grounded, practical pep talk you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for designers in a season of
65: Interior Design Business Tips to Thrive During Slowdowns
Send Katie a Text Message!! As an interior designer, you pour passion, creativity, and dedication into your business every single day. But what happens when the market slows, projects stall, or uncertainty creeps in? It’s not about if—it’s about when. But here's the good news: you don’t have to panic. You can proactively prepare.In this episode, Katie is diving into actionable strategies spec
64: Wondering If Coaching Is Worth It? Rachel Says Yes—Here’s Why
Send Katie a Text Message!! Discover how Rachel Ogburn boldly transitioned from real estate to interior design, harnessing clarity, courage, and confidence to build a thriving and fulfilling business.In this episode, Rachel candidly reveals how she overcame deep-seated fears of rejection and uncertainty, leveraging coaching, community support, and self-belief to dramatically transform her career a
63: Designers, Step Away! How Strategic Breaks Unlock Your Full Potential
Send Katie a Text Message!! Want to boost your creativity, skyrocket your productivity, and reignite your passion for design? It might be time to step away.In this episode, I'm revealing why intentional, strategic rest isn't just nice—it's essential for interior designers aiming for sustainable success. Whether you're running a growing six-figure firm or managing a booming seve
62: Know Your Numbers: Cash Flow, Taxes & Accounting for Interior Designers
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior design firms seem to glide through the ups and downs of business effortlessly, while others always seem stressed about finances? I've learned the key difference is simple but powerful—knowing your numbers.This week, I'm sharing exactly how I've structured my business around clear, reliable financial practices. Understanding
61: Inside Out Interiors: Core Strategies for Designers
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever feel like your interior design business runs you, instead of you running it? You're not alone. But what if the secret to effortless growth, standout projects, and loyal clients isn’t found in the latest trends or marketing hacks, but within the core of your business itself?In this episode, I'm revealing the hidden power of transforming your mindset, clari
60: Design DNA: Unlock Your Firm’s True Potential
Send Katie a Text Message!! Every interior designer has a unique “genetic code”—their style, values, and creative philosophy. But are you consciously tapping into yours to truly stand out and attract your ideal clients?In this episode, we’re diving deep into how your Design DNA can fuel purposeful, profitable, and authentic growth for your practice.Check out the show notes and other resources at h
59: Building a Future-Proof Interior Design Business
Send Katie a Text Message!! In an industry constantly evolving with trends, technology, and shifting client expectations, building an interior design business that's both creatively inspiring and strategically sound has never been more critical. But how exactly do you create a design empire that can withstand change, scale sustainably, and flourish over the long haul?In this episode, we’re pu
58: Beyond the Blueprint: Scaling Your Interior Design Business with Soul
Send Katie a Text Message!! Interior design is more than stunning blueprints, curated Pinterest boards, and beautifully staged reveals. True design excellence—and sustainable business success—begins when we move beyond surface-level planning and dive deeper into our purpose, passion, and personal values.In this episode, we explore how you can authentically scale your interior design business, ensu
57: Attracting Luxury Interior Design Clients w/ John McClain
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wondered how to attract seven-figure interior design clients? In this episode, I sit down with the talented John McClain, known for mastering high-value, luxury projects. This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!John reveals how he evolved from accepting "anyone with a heartbeat and a checkbook" to becoming a sought-after designer
56: Unlock the Secret to Packaging and Pricing Your Design Services for High-End Clients
Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever felt unsure how to structure your design packages or nervous about raising your prices, even when you know you're worth it? You’re not alone.Katie is exploring exactly how to craft irresistible, premium design packages tailored specifically for high-end residential and commercial clients—those ready and willing to invest significantly in quality and t
55: Defining Your Ideal Interior Design Client
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior designers effortlessly attract dream clients, while others scramble just to stay busy? The answer might surprise you—it’s all about knowing exactly who your ideal client is and what they truly want.In this week’s episode, Katie dives into how leveraging demographic and psychographic data can dramatically transform your interior design busin
54: How Coaching Helped Zoe Master Pricing, Pivoting, and Hiring
Send Katie a Text Message!! Are you an interior designer wondering if coaching is right for you? Curious about taking your business from good to great—or perhaps from zero to thriving? Join Katie as she welcomes one of her coaching clients, Zoe Browne, to the podcast. Zoe’s journey is an inspiring example of how transformative the right support can be, even if your business isn't struggling b
53: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trust for Interior Designers [The Table]
Send Katie a Text Message!! Are tariffs making you anxious? You're not alone. In this must-listen podcast episode of The Table, Katie is joined by industry heavy-hitters Laurie Laizure, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe to tackle the tariff turmoil head-on.From staggering markups and shifting vendor dynamics, to managing client expectations and maintaining your profits, our experts sh
52: Tariff Talk: Navigating the Hidden Costs Impacting Your Interior Design Clients
Send Katie a Text Message!! Think tariffs don’t affect you? Think again. On this episode of Success by Design, Mastering the Business of Interior Design, Katie breaks down exactly why interior designers must care about these seemingly distant policies—and how tariffs quietly ripple through every project, influencing your pricing, timelines, and creative choices.Plus, Katie teases next week's
51: How Interior Designers Can Build Confidence and Set Boundaries
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ready to level up your confidence game and finally feel like the expert you already are? In this episode, I'm tackling the surprising psychology behind imposter syndrome, ditching the myth that giant leaps are the only way to build confidence, and showing you how to stop letting perfectionism rule your life (and your rates!).Don’t miss your chance to grab these res
50: How Interior Designers Thrive (Not Just Survive!) Market Shifts
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, Katie Decker-Erickson is bringing you actionable insights directly inspired by last week's powerful conversation with Rebecca Hay. Get ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity with strategies specifically tailored for interior design businesses facing market slowdowns.Slowdowns are inevitable—but how you respond makes all the difference. Tun
49: Thrive During Economic Slowdowns- Proven Strategies & Mindset Shifts with Rebecca Hay
Send Katie a Text Message!! Feeling the squeeze of a market slowdown? You’re not alone. Interior designers everywhere are navigating shifting client expectations, tighter budgets, and the need to be more strategic than ever.We’re joined by celebrated designer Rebecca Hay to explore exactly how to stay profitable and resilient—even when times get tough. She’s sharing her smartest strategies for wea
48: How Interior Designers Can Execute, Scale & Boost Profits
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we break down essential project management strategies to help interior The #1 mistake designers make that leads to project chaos—and how to avoid it.Ready to streamline your projects, increase efficiency, and maximize profits?Don’t miss this power-packed episode—your future self (and clients) will thank you.Pro Tip: Adding project management services ca
47: The Only Woman on the Construction Site with Renée Biery
Send Katie a Text Message!! You’ve likely seen this scenario play out—a homeowner has an idea for their remodel, the GC calls it stupid, and while he has a point, the homeowner’s feelings are hurt and no one’s offered a viable solution. That is precisely where we come in. As interior designers, we are uniquely able to translate our clients’ ideas to the construction crew who can bring it to life.
46: Proven Strategies to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients in 2025
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we’re diving into the marketing strategies you need to attract your ideal clients and scale your business in 2025. If marketing feels overwhelming, don’t worry—this episode breaks it into actionable steps that feel authentic and effective.Grab a notebook and your favorite coffee—this episode is packed with insights to help you position your business for
45: Digital Marketing Strategy for Interior Designers with Jason Lockhart
Send Katie a Text Message!! For most interior designers, marketing is throwing noodles at the wall and seeing what sticks. A little Instagram here, a little TikTok there, and maybe some paid ads for good measure. But deep down, you know that’s not a great way to run a business, increase visibility, or build brand awareness—let alone get paying clients! Wouldn’t it be great if someone who understoo
44: Finances & Marketing for Interior Designers in 2025 [The Table]
Send Katie a Text Message!! As interior designers, we love being creative and bringing a client’s vision to life. Financials, budgets, and marketing strategies? Not so much. But our firms simply don’t exist without these key elements of business. Between the neverending natural disasters, dramatic economic shakeup, and mounting questions of what to focus on to grow the business—it’s feeling pretty
43: 3 Steps to Building a Lasting Business Legacy
Send Katie a Text Message!! In this solo episode, we're honing in on what it takes to build a business legacy. That may sound like nailing jello to a wall, but there are specific, actionable steps you can take to make this happen!This isn’t just about scaling your firm or making a name for yourself. This is about creating something that lasts well beyond your time in the industry. It’s about
42: Technology & Automation for Interior Design with Danny Marsh
Send Katie a Text Message!! Unless you’re a drafter, most of us in the interior design world loathe technology. But it’s a necessary part of the job when it comes to running a business. So… how can tech support the design process and in scaling a business? My tech go-to, Danny Marsh, joins us for this episode! Danny shares technology challenges unique to interior designers, emerging tech trends, h
41: Mindset Shifts to Scale Your Business Beyond 6-Figures with Laura Thornton
Send Katie a Text Message!! The mental gymnastics it takes to start a business is just… different from the mindset shifts it takes to scale a business to 6-figures and beyond. (Mindset plays a huge role in both personal and professional growth!) I’m thrilled to have Laura Thornton back on the podcast for this conversation. We’re discussing the mindset shifts that are imperative when looking to sca
40: Thought Habits for Business Growth with Amy Kemp
Send Katie a Text Message!! Whether or not you’ve heard of thought habits, you’re most certainly familiar with the impact your self-talk has on your habits. But you may be surprised to hear just how impactful those thoughts of yours are on your business growth—or—lack thereof. Habit Finder Coach, Amy Kemp, is here to discuss this topic! Amy shares examples to bring these enlightening concepts to l
39: How to Sustainably Grow a Design Firm with Jeanne Collins
Send Katie a Text Message!! As an interior designer, there are a few business decisions that will critically impact your growth. Scaling your business to your lifestyle is an artform. It takes dedication, discipline, and determination. And Jeanne Collins knows this journey all too well! She joins us today to share how to know when it’s time to hire a coach or contractor, key marketing strategies t
38: 2025 Colors of the Year & Color Trends [Roundtable]
Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to one of our most anticipated conversations—the 2025 Color of the Year! Join color marketing experts from PPG, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore as they reveal their picks, what inspired the selections, what they’re noticing with design trends in general, and what’s coming down the pike in the next couple of years as America starts to take the lead. (Yep, I
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