Business of Design® Podcast | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

What did the pandemic look like from the supplier side of the interior design industry? In this episode, hosted by Annie Elliott, three trusted industry vendors share their firsthand experiences navigating unprecedented demand, supply chain disruptions, and shifting client expectations during the pandemic. Annie is joined by Debbie Pegher of Century Furniture, Dorothy Myers of Schumacher, and Dean...

What are the biggest mistakes interior designers make with clients, pricing, and project boundaries? In this episode, Cheryl Horne brings real questions from the Business of Design® member community to Kimberley Seldon for another candid “Ask KS” conversation. From retainers and shopping trips to pricing multiple options for clients, Kimberley shares practical advice on protecting your time, maint...

How can interior designers create office spaces people actually want to work in? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Colleen Baader to discuss the growing trend of “resimercial” design—a blend of residential comfort and commercial functionality transforming modern workplaces. As companies compete for talented employees and adapt to hybrid work models, office design is evolving to priori...

How well do you understand the personality traits driving your business decisions, communication style, and leadership approach? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Sierra Collins to explore how the DISC Personality Assessment can help interior designers better understand themselves, improve communication, and build stronger teams. Your personality impacts everything from client relatio...

What happens after the initial client inquiry may be even more important than the inquiry itself. In this episode, hosted by Juliana Oliveira of Beyond Interior Design, Porsche Williams of The Prototype shares how thoughtful client follow-up systems and strategic outsourcing can dramatically improve the client experience and strengthen your interior design business. As businesses grow, designers o...

What if envy isn’t something to avoid—but something to learn from? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explores the complicated emotion of envy and how interior designers can use it as a catalyst for growth rather than allowing it to become discouragement or self-doubt. Creative professionals are especially sensitive to comparison, often measuring their own behind-the-scenes struggles against the po...

Are you tracking the numbers that actually drive success in your interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Business of Design® CFO Larry Goldberg to discuss why measuring key business metrics is essential for profitability, growth, and smarter decision-making. Too many business owners rely on instinct alone, but the numbers tell a clearer story. Larry explains how an...

What do new interior designers really need in order to succeed faster? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by interior designer and BOD™ member Annie Elliott to discuss the best advice seasoned professionals can offer emerging designers entering the industry. From setting financial boundaries early to following proven systems instead of reinventing the wheel, Annie shares practical guidanc...

What does it really take to grow a successful interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Kate Hougen to discuss how persistence, goal setting, collaboration, and adaptability contribute to long-term success in the design industry. Building a thriving business rarely happens overnight. Kate shares how staying open to opportunities, refining your niche, and consistently...

Should interior designers add a retail or direct-to-consumer component to their business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Adene Lucas to discuss the realities of launching a retail and import business alongside an interior design firm. While retail sales can create additional revenue streams and strengthen your brand, they also come with operational complexities, regulations, logist...

What happens when you say yes to opportunities that feel bigger than you’re ready for? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Jameelah Davis and Ebonee Clark to discuss how taking bold risks, trusting the process, and leaning on support from others helped them build their interior design company together. From learning on the fly to recovering from process mistakes, this conversation highl...

What if you curated your business as carefully as you curate your interiors? In this episode, hosted by Laura Martin Bovard, Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors shares how intentional decision-making around clients, staff, and projects can create a stronger, more sustainable interior design business. From recognizing red flags early to letting go of perfectionism and self-doubt, this candid conversa...

What do you do when life forces you to start over? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Gillian Crone to discuss reinvention, resilience, and the courage required to rebuild both your business and your confidence after unexpected setbacks. Faced with major personal and professional challenges, Gillian refused to settle for survival mode. Instead, she made bold changes, sharpened her posi...

Why do so many talented interior designers struggle to market themselves confidently? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Dave Lorenzo to reframe sales and marketing as acts of service rather than self-promotion. If you genuinely help clients solve problems and improve their lives, then talking about your services isn’t pushy—it’s necessary. Dave shares practical strategies for attracti...

Do you really need a team—or do you first need better systems? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon answers a member question about hiring staff, setting boundaries, and creating a healthier team dynamic inside a growing interior design business. While many designers dream of hiring help, building a successful team requires far more than simply adding people. Kimberley explains why documented systems...

How do interior designers maintain momentum on projects during unpredictable times? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Washington DC designer Annie Elliott to discuss practical strategies for managing project timelines, client expectations, and workflow challenges when circumstances feel uncertain. From navigating delays to communicating financial expectations clearly, Annie shares how...

What does it take to build an interior design firm that grows sustainably over time? In this episode, hosted by Darci Hether, acclaimed architect and designer Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/APD shares insights into leadership, operations, and creating a culture of growth within a design business. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a larger team, Andrew explains why thinking like a larger o...

What happens when you stop waiting to feel ready and start making bold decisions in your business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Christine Julian to discuss how raising standards, narrowing focus, and trusting proven advice transformed her interior design business into a more profitable and sustainable company. Many designers hesitate to make significant changes because they fear...

What happens when you fully commit to changing the way you run your interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Dallas designer Juliana Oliveira to discuss how implementing stronger systems, clearer boundaries, and confident leadership led to explosive business growth in just one year. After experiencing disappointing profits and stalled momentum, Juliana decided to st...

Are you building real wealth—or just working hard to earn a paycheck? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon challenges interior designers to think differently about money, compensation, and long-term financial security. Too many talented designers work full-time hours while earning far less than they deserve. Kimberley explains why simply generating revenue isn’t enough and why paying yourself properl...

What if hitting rock bottom is actually the beginning of meaningful change? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by John Stein for a candid conversation about recovery, resilience, discipline, and the transformative power of desperation. Whether in business or life, moments of crisis often force us to confront what isn’t working and make changes we’ve been avoiding. John shares how structur...

What would happen if you stopped playing small in your interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Laura Martin Bovard, also known as The Divine Hustler, for a conversation about confidence, personal growth, and embracing a more audacious version of yourself. Using examples like Lady Gaga’s transformation into a larger-than-life persona, Laura explores how identity, mi...

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of changing how you run your interior design business? In this episode, originally aired March 9, 2020, Kimberley Seldon shares practical advice for designers who are new to Business of Design™ or struggling to know where to begin. Implementing new systems can feel intimidating, especially when your business already feels busy or chaotic. Kimberley explains why mean...

Are you spending so much time working in your business that you never improve the business itself? In this episode, originally aired December 9, 2019, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Washington DC designer Annie Elliott to discuss the importance of building systems, analyzing profitability, and intentionally improving business operations over time. By dedicating time to refining processes, reviewing...

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Business of Design® Podcast, Kimberley Seldon shares 200 hard-earned pearls of wisdom gathered from decades of experience in the interior design industry. Packed with practical insight, mindset shifts, business strategies, and leadership lessons, this milestone episode delivers concise but impactful guidance for designers at every stage of business. From profi...