Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

Calling all Wingnuts! To kick off the new year, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. Do your goals for your design business feel unattainable, or are you afraid to even set tho...

Calling all Wingnuts! To kick off the new year, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. If you’re a small business owner offering specialized services, you may be wondering how to...

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. *** In this episode, Darla is joined by Katie McDonald to discuss the importance of self-care fo...

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. *** Today’s guest, Liz Potarazu, tells us about her journey to creating an almost million-dollar...

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. *** Are you giving away all the financial keys to your interior design kingdom to just one perso...

Darla is joined by Stephanie Mahaney, an accomplished interior designer, to discuss the challenges and triumphs associated with relocating her business from Florida to Maine. Stephanie shares her journey, including rebranding efforts, digital and PR strategies, and the differences in design and client expectations between the two regions. The conversation also delves into Maine’s project-based dyn...

This week, Darla sits down with renowned interior design coach Gail Doby. They discuss the current state of the interior design industry and talk about the challenges faced by designers due to economic pressures like interest rates and inflation. Gail offers valuable advice on maintaining profitability, the importance of marketing and networking, and the impact of mindset on business success. Gail...

Darla discusses essential financial strategies for interior design businesses with guest Michelle Cooper. The conversation covers topics such as determining a healthy profit margin, managing business scaling, and maintaining profitability. Michelle shares insights on pricing strategies, time tracking, and the importance of understanding financial statements for business success. Michelle Cooper gu...

One of the best kept secrets in the interior design industry is designing for vacation homes. How do you do it? How do you get into it? What are the benefits? Today’s guests, Melinda Cahill and Suzanne Glavin of North Shore Nest, discuss the ins and outs of vacation home design. Stay tuned! “We began North Shore Nest in 2004 from our basements in Glenview.  Prior to launching, we were doing design...

Darla sits down with Dan Rubinstein to discuss the process of getting interior design projects into print and digital magazines. They also discuss the importance of an effective and holistic marketing strategy. Dan shares some tips on leveraging photography, Instagram, and more to boost your design business. Stay tuned! For more than 25 years, Dan Rubinstein has been a writer, editor, and consulta...

Are you an interior designer or small business owner that hates sales calls? Well, there may be another way for you to connect with prospective clients. Today's guest, Frankie Fihn, delves into how pre-recorded videos can replace traditional sales calls, reduce time spent on vetting clients, and increase efficiency. Frankie shares his insights on process steps, dealing with client objections, and...

Darla sits down with interior designer Bambi Bratton to discuss setting proper expectations for install day, managing client relationships, and dealing with logistics. They discuss Bambi's journey in the design world, her marriage to a custom home builder, and the importance of developing strong relationships with workrooms and showrooms.  Bambi A’Lynn Bratton is an interior designer who lives in...

Darla sits down with Katie Schroder, founder of Atelier Interior Design, to discuss her journey through challenging business partnerships and personal growth. Katie offers candid insights into her experiences, sharing advice for those considering business partnerships, particularly with close friends or spouses. She highlights the vital importance of having proper agreements and the difficult but...

Are you struggling to voice your opinion on the job site with contractors? Do you want to feel empowered to speak up in a male-dominated space? Today’s guest, Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, shares some tips on how to learn the ins and outs of construction so you can feel knowledgeable about every step of your next project. Stay tuned! Elizabeth's construction centered approach to her designs is a culminat...

What's the difference between a flat rate and an hourly rate? Which should you use when pricing your interior design services so you end up with more money in your pocket? Shelby and Kasey of Daley Home are here to help with transparent tips on how they price their services. "As a true extrovert and entrepreneur, it was only a matter of time before I turned my passion for design into a business. I...

In this episode, Darla is joined by Katie McDonald to discuss the importance of self-care for business owners. Katie shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to wellness advocate and coach. The conversation delves into how self-neglect can impact both personal wellbeing and business success. Darla and Katie also explore actionable self-care strategies and the challenges high achievers fa...

In this engaging conversation, Darla and Cheryl Clendenon explore the intricacies of running an interior design business, focusing on the importance of transparency in pricing, the value of client relationships, and the need for effective business management. They discuss the challenges designers face in pricing strategies, the significance of educating clients, and the impact of trust on business...

Has your client tasked you with designing a home gym? Have you considered the importance of lighting, temperature, flooring, and how high the ceiling is? Today's guest, Chris Howell, is the founder and owner of SPX Gym Design. He has lots of great insight on creating bespoke wellness environments for high-end homes and hospitality groups. Stay tuned! Chris is the founder and owner of SPX Gym Desig...

A collaboration between interior designers and architects…seems like a match made in heaven, right? Today’s guest, Gisela Schmoll walks us through the nitty gritty on creating those relationships - and keeping them. Stay tuned! Gisela Schmoll, a California licensed architect and industrial designer, is the luminary force behind Gisela Schmoll Architect, PC (GSA). With a multifaceted career that sp...

If you’re a small business owner offering specialized services, you may be wondering how to price your services. How do you know if you’re charging too much? Well, according to today’s guest, Laura Thornton, you most likely aren’t charging enough. Stay tuned for lots of tips on flat rate vs. hourly pricing, how much work you should actually be billing for, and how to calculate your rates. With ove...

Do your goals for your design business feel unattainable, or are you afraid to even set those goals for fear of getting uncomfortable? Business and life coach Andrea Liebross has lots of great tips on how to get out of your comfy pond and reach your full potential within the waves of the “River of Misery.” Stay tuned! Andrea Liebross , a certified business and life coach, specializing in empowerin...

Is there a particular design style that you love creating, but you’re hesitant to cut down your other offerings for fear of leaving money on the table? Well, that may not have to be the case. Today’s guest, Diane Rath, has carved herself a successful niche with “The Rath Project,” designing bold and bespoke spaces in an area where that’s hard to come by. Stay tuned for tips on her transition to he...

Have your design clients requested a room designed to enhance intimacy and pleasure? Not sure where to begin, or how to create a sensual space with luxury in mind? Today's guest, Jenny Grimminck, is a master of creating spaces that make partners feel safe and sensual. She designs romantic homes that inspire lust and enhance the client's pleasure. Stay tuned! Jenny Grimminck is the creative genius...

It's summertime, so you might be thinking about what the best type of sheets are for staying cool. Today's guest is textile expert Heidi Luber, and she has tons of tips on finding the best quality sheets that will last (whether for you or your design clients). Stay tuned! Heidi Luber is the CEO and fourth-generation owner of Lubertex International, a textile firm with a rich legacy dating back to...

Are you wondering whether to buy or rent a commercial space for your design business? Is now a bad time to buy a space? What are the risks? What are the benefits? Today's guest, Paul Neal, has spent over 30 years guiding entrepreneurs and businesses towards financial success, and he has lots of great tips on this topic. Stay tuned! Paul Neal, Founder and CEO of Vantage Point Commercial Capital, ha...