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

After a decade designing private jet interiors, Lisa Morton hit a breaking point. Burnout took a toll on her health and well-being—and forced her to reconsider not just how she worked, but why. That moment led her to the study of Feng Shui, a holistic design practice that now shapes her work as a master teacher and educator. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Lisa to explore how Feng...

By the time a business is truly in trouble, the warning signs have usually been flashing for a while. In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldon draws a powerful parallel between her recent experience being evacuated during the LA fires and what happens when interior designers miss early indicators that their business is heading toward trouble. Kimberley breaks down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) sign...

Experience is one of the most valuable teachers in business—especially when it’s shared honestly. In this episode, Dane Austin hosts a candid conversation with fellow long-time Business of Design® member Kristin Apicerno, covering the real lessons learned from years of running design firms. From the importance of mentorship and process development to committing to consistent marketing and financia...

If your marketing feels predictable—or worse, invisible—it might be time to try something different. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Heather Peterson to explore how a playful, intentional, and novel approach to marketing can help interior designers stand out without shouting. Heather explains why the most effective marketing doesn’t try to appeal to everyone. Instead, it speaks clea...

Experience is valuable—but only when it doesn’t turn into complacency. In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldonchallenges interior designers to take a hard look at the habits, assumptions, and systems they’ve been relying on for years—and ask whether they’re still serving the business they want today. Just because something has “worked” doesn’t mean it’s the best or most effective approach. Kimberle...

As the new year approaches, Kimberley Seldon considers getting a tattoo—not just for fun, but as a metaphor for the business lessons worth carrying forward. In this reflective solo episode, Kimberley pulls together the most powerful insights from the season’s best podcast conversations and distills them into clear, memorable truths for interior designers. These aren’t trendy ideas or motivational...

Your vendors aren’t just suppliers—they’re an extension of your brand. In this live episode from High Point Market, Kimberley Seldon sits down with interior designers, in partnership with Daniel House Club and Sunpan, to explore how stronger vendor relationships lead to greater profitability and less friction in your business. This conversation reframes vendors as strategic partners whose expertis...

What if starting with the client’s budget is actually holding your design—and your business—back? In this live episode from High Point Market, Kimberley Seldon, in partnership with Daniel House Club and Four Hands, challenges designers to rethink how they approach budgets, specifications, and leadership. Kimberley explains why leading with the best solution—not the least expensive one—positions yo...

A thoughtfully designed space does more than look good—it can support calm, clarity, and even healing. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by designer Sara Robinson, who shares a deeply personal story of how her own breast cancer diagnosis transformed the way she thinks about design. Sara explains how even the most overlooked spaces—yes, including toilets—play a critical role in the human...

Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when strategy, marketing, and business development are aligned. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Casey Chastain, who works with design and architecture firms to connect growth initiatives directly to core business objectives. Casey breaks down why lowering your price rarely leads to better clients, how value—not volume—drives decision-maki...

Beautiful spaces are important—but lasting client relationships are built on something deeper. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with interior designer Kate Marker about why the most successful designers focus on how clients want to feel in their homes, not just how those homes look. Kate shares how asking strategic questions, listening actively, and building trust through transparency allow...

Art gives a home its soul—but too often, interior designers leave art selection to chance or avoid it altogether. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Natalie Papier to demystify the process of choosing art and show why it’s one of the most powerful tools designers have. Natalie explains that meaningful art doesn’t have to come from intimidating galleries or massive budgets. From inherit...

Local television might not feel glamorous—but it can be a powerful visibility tool for interior designers. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Helen Austen, an interior design professional who has leveraged regular TV appearances to build name recognition and attract clients. Helen breaks down what it really takes to get on air, from pitching local networks to understanding the business s...

In this milestone episode, Kimberley Seldon and Team BOD™ take the stage at High Point Market to celebrate 20 years of Business of Design® with a live rehearsal of 20/20 Vision: Be the Expert. This episode is a powerful reminder that running a profitable, sustainable interior design business is not only possible—it’s more achievable today than ever before. Kimberley shares a sneak peek at 20 found...

Hiring your first team member is one of the biggest decisions in your interior design business—but it’s also one of the most confusing. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Miriam Silver Verga and Hillary Kaplan to break down how to approach your first hire with clarity and confidence. From bookkeepers to assistants to sales support, they explore what roles actually move your business fo...

Your pricing model is only as strong as the contract that supports it. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon breaks down the three most common interior design contract structures—hourly, flat fee, and hybrid—and explains how each pricing model works in practice. The truth? It’s not about which model you choose. It’s about how well you structure your contract, calculate your fees, and manage the money...

If you’re not consistently booking clients, the problem may not be your marketing—it may be your appointment engine. In Part 2 of this conversation, Kimberley Seldon and Nikki Nash break down how interior designers can create a reliable system for attracting, engaging, and converting ideal clients. Because getting noticed is only step one—what matters is what happens next. From sparking interest t...

If you’re not consistently attracting new clients, it’s time to look at your appointment engine. In Part 1 of this conversation, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Nikki Nash to introduce the concept of an “appointment engine”—a simple but powerful framework for generating leads and turning interest into real opportunities. Because every interior design business already has an appointment engine. The q...

Why are so many interior designers busy—but still not making consistent money? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Racheal Cook to unpack the concept of entrepreneurial poverty—a cycle where business owners work hard but struggle to achieve stable, sustainable income. While inconsistent revenue is often the obvious problem, this conversation goes deeper. Because building a profitable in...

What does it really take to run a successful interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon introduces Run Your Business, her latest book and a comprehensive playbook for interior designers ready to move from overwhelm to control. Drawing on years of experience, Kimberley shares the foundational systems, strategies, and mindset shifts required to build a business that is both profitab...

Procurement is one of the most overlooked—and most profitable—parts of an interior design business. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon explores how designers can take control of procurement to increase profits, improve client service, and streamline operations. Featuring insights from Daniel House Club, this conversation highlights how the right partners can simplify a complex process without sacri...

Is attending High Point Market worth the investment for your interior design business? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Tammy Covington Nagem, CEO of High Point Market Authority, to break down how designers can maximize their return on investment. From sourcing products to building relationships and expanding knowledge, Tammy introduces the “three-legged stool” of ROI: products, educ...

What if great design went beyond how a space looks—and focused on how it feels? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by interior designer Marie Cloud to explore how holistic interior design can elevate your work and deepen client satisfaction. By engaging all five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—you can create spaces that are not only beautiful, but emotionally impactful and me...

Struggling to turn marketing efforts into real, paying clients? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Vanessa McQuade to break down what actually works when it comes to interior design marketing. Because generating high-quality leads isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things, tracking results, and working strategically with the right partners. From understanding your number...

Something went wrong on your project? Of course it did. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon tackles one of the most frustrating—but inevitable—parts of running an interior design business: deficiencies. From errors and omissions to damaged goods and miscommunications, problems are not the exception—they’re part of the process. The key isn’t avoiding them entirely (you can’t). It’s learning how to ma...