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

Mistakes happen. The question is not whether you'll make one—it's how you'll respond when you do. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon tackles a reality every interior designer faces: errors, omissions, delays, and unexpected challenges. In a profession that involves managing countless details, trades, vendors, and client expectations, mistakes are inevitable. What separates successful professionals...

Why do some designers attract ideal clients effortlessly while others struggle to stand out? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with branding expert and author Bruce Philp about the power of branding and why every interior designer already has one—whether they've created it intentionally or not. A strong brand inspires confidence, differentiates your business, and helps clients believe you c...

What happens after a potential client reaches out—and how do you turn that inquiry into a paying client? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon welcomes back Aysun Kuck to continue the conversation on sales, consultations, and client conversion. Building on the lessons from EP 014, Aysun shares practical techniques for following up effectively, qualifying leads, and guiding prospects toward a confident...

Ever wonder why a seemingly simple design decision can involve dozens of steps behind the scenes? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon pulls back the curtain on the complexity of interior design by walking listeners through the process of creating a single custom pillow. What appears simple to clients often involves countless decisions, approvals, vendors, trades, and opportunities for error. For int...

Why is renovating your own home often harder than working for a client? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Jackie Glass about the unique challenges and rewards of designing for yourself. While personal projects offer creative freedom, they also provide valuable lessons about decision-making, project management, branding, and client relationships. For interior designers, your own home ca...

Great design projects don't happen alone. Behind every successful interior designer is a network of talented vendors, suppliers, and trades who help bring ideas to life. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with LuAnn Nigara, window treatment specialist and host of A Well-Designed Business®, about the importance of cultivating strong vendor relationships. From communication and professionalism...

Every interior designer has a project horror story. No matter how talented, organized, or experienced you are, mistakes, miscommunications, and unexpected setbacks are part of managing complex projects. The goal isn't to avoid every problem—it's to recognize the common pitfalls and put systems in place to minimize their impact. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon shares some of the most common ways...

Are you overlooking one of the biggest opportunities to add value for your clients? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with landscape designer and HGTV personality Carson Arthur about the benefits of taking a whole-home approach to design. By considering exterior spaces alongside interiors, designers can create more cohesive projects, increase client satisfaction, and uncover additional reve...

What does it take to leave one career behind and build a successful interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Adam Scougall about his transition from the finance industry into interior design. Adam shares his experience as a business owner before implementing Business of Design® systems and compares it to the results he achieved after adopting the BOD™ 15 Step Project...

Most interior designers dread scope creep. When a project expands beyond the original plan, it can feel frustrating, overwhelming, and unprofitable. But what if scope creep isn't always a problem? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explores both sides of scope creep and explains how designers can protect themselves from the risks while benefiting from the opportunities it creates. For interior desi...

Want to convert more inquiries into paying clients? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Aysun Kuck about the art and strategy of closing the sale. From the first phone call to securing a consultation, Aysun shares practical techniques that help interior designers communicate value, build trust, and move prospective clients confidently to the next step. For interior designers looking to i...

Great projects don't happen because clients are easy. They happen because designers know how to manage expectations. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Shai DeLuca Tamasi about one of the most important skills an interior designer can develop: client management. Rather than trying to change client behavior, successful designers create systems, set expectations, and communicate clearly t...

Do you hate tracking your hours? You're not alone. Many interior designers resist time tracking, seeing it as tedious, unnecessary, or something that only applies to hourly billing. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explains why tracking time is one of the most important habits a business owner can develop—regardless of how you charge clients. For interior designers who want greater profitability,...

What if every product you specified helped build your brand instead of someone else's? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with renowned designer Jane Lockhart about the power of private label branding and how it can elevate your business. By keeping the focus on your firm's expertise rather than the manufacturers behind the products, private labeling can strengthen client loyalty, increase p...

Have you ever felt like walking away from your design business? One day everything is running smoothly, and the next you're overwhelmed by mistakes, client complaints, project challenges, and mounting pressure. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explores the realities of burnout with interior designer Ellen Walker and psychologist Dr. Ganz Ferrance. Together, they discuss how burnout develops, how...

Just because you've always done something a certain way doesn't mean it's the best way. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon challenges some of the most common assumptions interior designers make about their businesses. Habits, processes, and beliefs that once served you well can eventually become obstacles to growth. The willingness to question old methods and embrace better systems is often what se...

Great design work alone isn't always enough to build a recognizable brand. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with designer, television personality, and media expert Karl Lohnes about how interior designers can create opportunities in television, print, radio, and other forms of media. Karl shares lessons from his own career journey and explains why visibility, persistence, and a willingness...

Looking for a rewarding design niche that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Karen Shinn and Gail Shields of Downsizing Diva about the unique challenges and opportunities involved in working with seniors and downsizing clients. From organizing and estate clearing to preparing homes for sale and managing life transitions, this specialized...

Are you pricing your projects based on guesswork? Many interior designers rely on popular flat-fee calculation methods because that's how they've always done it. The problem? Some of the most commonly used pricing strategies can leave you underpaid, overworked, and frustrated. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon breaks down three popular flat-fee calculation methods and explains why they often fail...

Great design ideas are only valuable if clients, trades, and vendors can understand them. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Victoria Drainville about one of the most important tools in the interior designer's arsenal: the drawing package. While designers can often visualize a completed project in their minds, clients need clear documentation to understand the vision and move forward wi...

A beautifully designed room isn't finished until it's styled. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Gillian Gillies about the critical role styling and accessorizing play in every successful interior design project. Far from being an optional add-on, styling is an essential part of the design process that brings a space to life, creates emotional impact, and delivers the "wow" factor clien...

What if a few simple business practices could transform your interior design business—and your life? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon shares the foundational principles that have helped thousands of designers build stronger, more profitable businesses. Too often, business owners sacrifice their personal lives in service of their companies. Kimberley challenges that thinking and explains why your...

Difficult clients are inevitable. The good news? Difficult situations don't have to become difficult relationships. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by psychologist Dr. Ganz Ferrance to explore practical strategies for managing conflict, reducing stress, and navigating challenging client interactions with confidence. Using a simple communication technique inspired by the calm authority...

If you don't get the consultation right, the project may never get off the ground. In this inaugural episode, Kimberley Seldon and Veronica Solomon discuss one of the most important moments in the client journey: the consultation. From the first phone call to the signed letter of agreement, the consultation sets the tone for everything that follows. Learn how to take control of the process, commun...