Designed for the Creative Mind™

  Building a design business doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, Melissa Fields shares what it really looked like behind the scenes — undercharging, no process, imposter syndrome, and learning the hard way that being busy doesn't equal being profitable. From $100 consults to hiring her first employee and stepping fully into the CEO role, this conversation is honest, grounding, and incredi...

As this year comes to a close, I wanted to have a very honest conversation—one rooted in experience, not perfection. In this episode, I'm reflecting alongside another seasoned firm owner,  Katie Decker Erickson , on the mistakes we've made, the lessons we learned the hard way, and what actually matters when you're trying to move your business forward with clarity instead of chaos. This isn't about...

In today's episode of my MythBuster series, I'm talking about one of the most persistent beliefs in the interior design industry: that you  need design school to succeed. This one hits close to home for me, because I didn't go to design school — and for a long time, I carried that quietly, wondering if it would eventually expose me as someone who didn't belong. What I've learned over the years, th...

In today's episode, I'm continuing my myth-busting season and tackling one of the biggest beliefs holding designers back: the idea that clients only care about money. If you've ever taken pricing questions personally or felt pressure to lower your rates just to keep projects moving, this conversation is for you. I'm breaking down what's  really happening when clients push back on price — and why i...

In today's episode, I'm breaking down a myth that keeps so many designers stuck on the burnout hamster wheel: the belief that "helping people means keeping my prices low." I see this all the time in our industry — designers who genuinely want to serve end up undercharging, overdelivering, and attracting clients who don't respect their expertise. And it's not because they lack talent. It's because...

Early in my design career, I thought referrals were the ultimate sign of success. A happy client, emotional reveal, or heartfelt thank-you note — surely that meant more business was on the way, right? I quickly learned the truth: referrals are unpredictable behavior, not a reflection of love, skill, or value. In this episode, I'm sharing why relying on referrals alone creates a fragile business an...

n this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most persistent and harmful myths in our industry: the idea that you should "charge what you're worth." I know the intention behind that phrase is usually empowerment, but the impact? Confusion, insecurity, and emotional chaos. Your worth is not a number. It's not a fee. It's not something a client gets to validate or reject. Your worth was set long bef...

Hey y'all — welcome back to Design for the Creative Mind. I'm Michelle Lynn, and today we're kicking off a brand-new season called  Myth Busting: What People Get Wrong About the Interior Design Industry . And even though I sound like an 80-year-old chain smoker mixed with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (thanks, Texas allergies), I wasn't about to miss this episode because we're starting with a big...

Hey friends, welcome to the 200th episode of Designed for the Creative Mind — I can hardly believe we're here. When I first started this podcast, I honestly didn't know if I'd have the time or stamina to keep it going, and yet it's become something I look forward to every single week. Thank you for being here, whether you've listened to every episode or this is your first. In this episode, I'm get...

  In this episode, I'm talking about something we don't say out loud enough in the design world: being talented isn't the same thing as being profitable. You can be incredibly good at what you do — have the eye, the taste, the creativity — and still feel like you're struggling to stay afloat in your business. And it's not because you're not good enough. It's because most of us were never taught th...

If you've ever felt unsure about how to find and build relationships with vendors, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Juliana and Debbie, and we're pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to source confidently, vet your partners, and make those connections that actually make your job easier — not harder. We're talking about the first steps to take when you're new, how to walk int...

Hey y'all — welcome back to the Design for the Creative Mind podcast! Today we're talking about something that might surprise you… when it's actually smart to break your own rules. Your rules exist for a reason — they protect your time, your profit, and your sanity. But sometimes, breaking one intentionally can lead to big opportunities. In my case, one rule I broke turned into hundreds of thousan...

Hey y'all, it's Michelle Lynn! Let's talk about something that's gonna ruffle a few perfectionist feathers—the 90% Rule. It's my way of saying that doing less is actually the fastest way to make more. Perfectionism might feel like a badge of honor, but babe, it's a profit killer. In this episode, I'm breaking down how overdelivering and chasing "perfect" are draining your time, your energy, and yo...

Scope creep is the silent killer of profit in our industry. Most designers don't lose money because they undercharge—they lose it because they can't hold their boundaries. And I get it. Saying no feels uncomfortable. You don't want to sound difficult. You want your clients to love you. But here's the truth: boundaries aren't walls. They're leadership. In this episode, I'm walking you through exact...

Being the most talented designer doesn't automatically make you the most successful— influence does. And I'm not talking about Instagram followers or being Insta-famous. Influence in business is about how your market perceives you: as the authority, the one they can trust, the one they want to work with before they even meet you. In this episode, I'm breaking down what influence really means for i...

Indecision is one of the most expensive habits you can have in business. Every time you delay—whether it's raising your rates, hiring help, or investing in the support you need—you're leaving money, time, and momentum on the table. In this episode, I'm sharing why overthinking costs you far more than mistakes do, how to build decision speed as a profitable skill, and the tools I use (and teach my...

  Hey y'all, in today's episode I'm pulling back the curtain on the silent profit killers that sneak into your design business and quietly drain thousands from your bottom line. These aren't the big, obvious issues like not charging enough or overhead being too high—these are the sneaky, day-to-day habits that fly under the radar but add up fast. I'm sharing where I've personally lost money (yep,...

Hey, hey, hey! In this episode we're talking about something that feels scary but will absolutely change your business: saying no before you feel ready. I know how hard it is to turn down a project—what if the right one doesn't come along? What if word gets around that you turned someone down? I've had all those same fears. But here's the truth: every time you say yes to the wrong project, you're...

Hey, hey, hey! In this episode of Design for the Creative Mind , we're talking about something that feels scary but will absolutely change your business: saying no before you feel ready. I know how hard it is to turn down a project—what if the right one doesn't come along? What if word gets around that you turned someone down? I've had all those same fears. But here's the truth: every time you say...

Season 6: Off the Record: The Hidden Curriculum of Design Business   They didn't teach you this in design school. You won't hear it in a CEU course. And most business coaches wouldn't dare say it out loud. This season of Designed for the Creative Mind is your backstage pass to the unspoken skills, strategic instincts, and hard-won wisdom that separate hobbyists from high-earning design business ow...

  Hey hey hey! I'm so glad you're here with me today on Designed for the Creative Mind . Whether you're listening from your studio, your car, or curled up with a glass of wine (not in the car, please), you're in for a really insightful conversation. I brought on the fabulous Mina from Duke Renders to talk about all things renderings—especially how they can help you build a strong portfolio even if...

Today, we're crossing the pond! I had such a fun and inspiring chat with one of our fabulous  Bakery graduates, Marta Rosato , who built her thriving interior design business all the way from Bristol, UK. Her story is filled with courage, creativity, and a whole lot of clarity — and I know you're going to love hearing it. Marta didn't start out in interior design. She spent 20 years working across...

Hey, hey, hey y'all! We're back with  Part 3 of our "Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design" series —and today we're tackling something that stings a little ... but only for a second. You know that feeling when someone tells you there's food in your teeth?  Yeah. It's kind of like that. Awkward for a moment, but ultimately a gift. Because once you know , you can fix it. Same goes for today's topi...

  Hey friend—this episode is for you if you've ever had a dry inbox and wondered, Where the heck are my dream clients? I've been there. Back when I started ML Interiors Group, I hustled hard, did great work, and just hoped the right clients would find me. And for a while… it worked. Kind of. But behind the scenes? Total chaos. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what I call being "boo...

Welcome back to  Designed for the Creative Mind , the podcast where we get real about what it actually takes to build a beautiful and profitable interior design business. In this episode, Michelle kicks off a brand-new series called Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design —a must-listen if you've ever wondered why your dream clients still aren't showing up, even though you're doing "all the right...