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

Is switching from hourly billing to flat fees the right move for your interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Jamie Ivey about her transition from hourly billing to flat fees and the lessons she learned along the way. While flat fees can offer advantages for both designers and clients, Jamie explains why they require careful planning, accurate estimating, and strong...

How can interior designers sell their services with confidence—without feeling pushy or salesy? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Shawna Beckmann about practical sales strategies that help designers attract clients, close more projects, and build profitable businesses. Shawna explains why sales is less about selling products and more about helping clients understand the outcomes and tr...

What happens when interior designers identify the habits holding them back—and commit to changing them? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Business of Design™ members Elizabeth Scruggs, Christie Leu, and Yaron Linett about the business challenges they faced and the changes that helped them move forward. From improving systems and hiring practices to strengthening financial management an...

What happens when an interior design business grows without systems—and how much easier does it become once proven processes are in place? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Lesley Myrick, a former employee and current Business of Design™ member, about what it was like working in Kimberley's firm before the implementation of the BOD™ 15 STEP Project Management Strategy. Together, they r...

Could your brand be preventing potential clients from becoming paying customers? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Nicole Heymer about the importance of brand positioning and how a brand audit can uncover weaknesses that may be limiting business growth. Nicole explains why beautiful projects alone are rarely enough to differentiate a design firm and shares practical strategies for crea...

Are you using Instagram to grow your interior design business—or just to admire beautiful spaces? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Elise Darma about how interior designers can use Instagram as a strategic marketing tool rather than simply a social platform. Elise shares practical advice for attracting the right audience, creating purposeful content, and turning followers into potentia...

What can interior designers learn from the business and marketing strategies used by successful home stagers? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Nina Doiron about the principles that make staging professionals successful and how many of those same strategies apply to interior design businesses. From creating broad appeal to building strong systems and marketing partnerships, Nina shares...

What are the most important business practices every interior designer should implement to create a profitable, sustainable business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon shares her top business principles for running a successful design firm. From systems and client qualification to integrity and accountability, these practices help designers spend less time reacting to problems and more time buildi...

What if the skills that make you a better advocate also make you a better interior designer? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Sherry Millien about her unconventional path to design success. After stepping away from her career for seven years to advocate for her daughter, Sherry returned with a powerful set of communication, organizational, and leadership skills that now help her manag...

What's really standing between you and the interior design business you want? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon challenges interior designers to examine the beliefs, habits, and decisions that may be limiting their growth. While external obstacles are easy to blame, Kimberley argues that the biggest barriers to success are often self-imposed—and can be overcome with intention, accountability, and...

Is work-life balance really possible when you're running an interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Andrew Mitchell about the importance of creating balance, protecting creativity, and building support systems that sustain long-term success. While balance may look different for every designer, Andrew explains why regular self-assessment and a willingness to ask for...

How can thoughtful gift-giving help interior designers create stronger client relationships and a memorable service experience? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Ashley Uhl about the role of appreciation, personalization, and client care in building a successful design business. While holiday gifting can be a meaningful touchpoint, Ashley explains why exceptional client experiences sho...

Can Google Ads help interior designers attract better clients and grow their business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Faith Sheridan about her experience using Google Ads to generate qualified leads for her interior design firm. After deciding to try a new marketing strategy, Faith discovered that a well-planned advertising campaign could be an effective way to reach ideal clients a...

Can public speaking help interior designers grow their business and attract better clients? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues her conversation with Juliette Palarea about how speaking engagements can become a powerful marketing and business development tool. Whether you're presenting at an industry event, networking function, or client-focused seminar, success begins with understanding y...

How should interior designers handle mistakes, client concerns, and difficult conversations with professionalism? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon shares practical advice for making apologies that rebuild trust and protect client relationships. When something goes wrong, taking ownership, expressing genuine regret, and addressing the issue directly can help designers move forward with confidence...

What role do mindset, intention, and self-awareness play in building a successful interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Beth Halstead about the personal and professional qualities that support long-term success. While systems and business practices remain essential, Beth explores how integrity, confidence, reflection, and intentional decision-making can help desig...

Are you keeping as much of your hard-earned money as possible? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues her conversation with Craig Cody about practical tax and financial strategies that can help business owners retain more of their profits. From retirement planning and employee benefits to working more closely with tax professionals, Craig shares insights that can have a significant impact on...

What do clients really want from their interior designer after the project begins—and even after it ends? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon shares insights from a client conversation about communication, trust, and the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships throughout the design process. The discussion reveals what clients value most, what can damage trust, and how thoughtful follow-up...

What happens when you've poured your heart and soul into your design business, but the results aren't matching the effort? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Juliette Palarea about reaching a breaking point in her career and finding the courage to make meaningful changes. Juliette shares how vulnerability, self-reflection, and a willingness to challenge old habits helped her rethink the...

Are you making smart financial decisions that help you keep more of the money your business earns? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon begins a two-part conversation with Craig Cody about the financial strategies business owners can use to improve profitability and reduce unnecessary tax burdens. From tracking key performance indicators to working proactively with advisors, Craig shares practical ad...

Are you truly happy in your career—or just too busy to stop and ask? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Sarah Vermunt about the importance of self-reflection, career clarity, and creating a business that aligns with your values and goals. While many interior designers focus on strategy and growth, Sarah explains why understanding what you want first is the key to building a more rewardi...

What should you say when a potential client asks a difficult question? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is put on the spot by Michelle Binette, who asks the kinds of questions interior designers hear every day from prospective clients. Through role-playing and real-world examples, Kimberley demonstrates how prepared responses can increase confidence, improve communication, and help designers guid...

Every interior designer makes mistakes. The difference is how you respond, recover, and learn from them. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues the conversation on business mistakes with Business of Design™ member Ruxana Oosman. Building on the lessons from EP 070, Ruxana shares candid stories about challenges she has faced in her design business and the systems, strategies, and mindset shift...

How can interior designers help clients understand the value of working with a true professional? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Courtney McLeod and Gail M. Davis about what separates professional designers from non-professionals and how designers can better control the conversation around expertise, fees, and value. They discuss why client education is essential and how clear expec...

How can interior designers offer clients more ethical and sustainable design choices? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Deborah Rosenberg about cruelty-free design and the growing demand for alternatives to animal-based materials such as leather and fur. As a designer specializing in ethical design, Deborah shares practical insights into sourcing, pricing, and positioning these product...