Designed for the Creative Mind™

In this episode I am thrilled to introduce you to Katie Decker Erickson, a powerhouse in the world of interior design and business.  Katie  has not only earned her MBA but has spent nearly two decades building a multi-million dollar interior design firm that operates in over 20 states and she is sharing with us what things have been the most helpful for her as she has built her business.  In our c...

In this episode I'm diving into a topic that's close to my heart - leadership. Whether you're leading a team or going solo, leadership is the key to unlocking freedom in your interior design business, and how you are as a leader is crucial to your team and business success.  I share my journey, starting from managing tables in a restaurant at 23 to running my own interior design business. Leadersh...

In this episode, we dive into the heart of client education, specifically in the context of project financials and client sourcing.  We've all seen those design forums filled with pricing struggles and client shopping stories. Today, let's break down the myth and find a solution. The truth of the matter is—clients aren't jerks; they're often just uninformed. Time to shift your perspective from fru...

In this episode I'm introducing you to Debbie DeCleva, the leader of the dream team at Ogallala Comfort, a luxury bedding company with a mission to lift people out of poverty and save the Monarch butterfly, and we are diving into the fascinating connection between butterflies and a good night's sleep. Debbie shares her family's second-generation involvement in the business, and the role of milkwee...

 In this episode I'm introducing you to Sarah Lyon, a full-time freelance writer for publications such as Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Washington Post, and more. We're thrilled to have her here to share her insights and experiences. We delve into Sarah's journey into the world of freelance interiors writing and how her passion for writing and journalism led her down this pa...

In this episode, I am taking you on a journey through some challenging times in my business this year, and shedding some light on how to face unexpected situations and overcome fear. From a contractor mishap to personal health issues and team betrayals, I am sharing valuable insights that can help you navigate tough seasons in your business.   How you deal with these disappointments is a key indic...

In this episode I am coming to you live again (for part 2) from the Las Vegas Market and I am interviewing Interior Design Business Bakery alum Heather Vercellino and her husband Joe about how impactful being in The Bakery has been for not just Heather's interior design business, but how it has trickled into every part of their life.    Sometimes having the talent isn't enough, you also have to ge...

In this episode I am coming to you live from the Las Vegas Market and I am interviewing two of my friends and former students Ivan Piniero and Heather Vercellino, of the Interior Design Business Bakery. They both now have thriving businesses from two very different backgrounds and you will get to hear each of them tell their stories of their individual journey to get where they are now from the fi...

In this episode Michelle dives into what it actually takes to start your Interior Design business whether you are just starting out or have been in business for a few years.    Building the foundation of your business the right way is essential to your business success. In this episode Michelle breaks down the checklist that you can use to make sure you have all the business essentials covered, an...

In this episode of the podcast, Michelle breaks down all of the worst advice that she ever received when she was building her business, and goes into what you should do and how you should be thinking instead.    Understanding who to take advice from as a baby designer, and getting plugged in to a community of like minded business owners is a key element to your growth and development in your busin...

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the recipe for building a successful interior design business. A big part of that is going to be finding the right mentor and making sure that you get the support you need to help grow your business.   We outline the key ingredients for growing an interior design business, especially if you're in the early stages: Identifying your ideal client Strong mark...

Welcome back to the Design for the Creative Mind podcast, where we discuss the journey from being a novice "baby designer" to becoming a successful "big girl business owner." In this episode, we'll explore the transformation and key elements that can help you achieve your design business goals. A "baby designer" is where most of us start our journey in the interior design industry. Transitioning f...

Welcome back! I took a short break from the podcast in order to re-evaluate and strategize a strong way forward, and now I'm back!  If you're a small business owner in the design industry that wants to get over the 6-figure hump, take home a nice profit and find your passion about work again, you're in the right place. In this episode, I'll go through my story from corporate, to a puddle of tears...

Hey, y'all. It's just me for a quick solo episode letting you know that I am practicing what I preach about slowing down to speed up. Join me for this short episode to hear about our upcoming plans to make this podcast bigger and better when we return!   It would be very much appreciated if you would leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. It really helps to keep the show releva...

My next guest has a lot of experience in turning obstacles into opportunities. Ginger Curtis is the owner and founder of Urbanology Designs, an author, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. She is an expert in modern luxury design and passionate about all things beautiful. After surviving cancer, she began Urbanology Designs in 2015 to inspire and help others elevate their homes' beauty, comfort, and...

My next guest is Lezlie Swink, the founder of Swink Social Co, a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping interior designers grow their businesses and stand out in the digital world.   In this episode, Lezlie shares what she feels is the most common mistake designers make on Instagram, if Reels are worth it, and how often we should be posting content. Listen in for how an expert who runs...

We all know that we are in a very visual industry. Photos and images are eye-catching, but the written word is still needed in interior design. Your designs may be beautiful, but how are you differentiating yourself from other designers when people visit your website?   My next guest is Kamala Nair. She is a meticulous copywriter, brand voice expert, and acclaimed novelist with twenty years of pro...

Hey, y'all. You may have noticed that there have been a few rereleases of previous episodes recently. There is a reason behind that, and in this short solo episode, I want to share some exciting updates happening around here. I also talk about the importance of reorganizing and prioritizing tasks in your business and giving yourself some grace to avoid overwhelm and maintain your sanity.   Michell...

Hey, y'all, welcome back to the podcast. I am excited to have the fabulous design duo Bryan and Mike Yates on the show today. They share the story of when and where they first met, why they decided to move from New York to Texas, and how they balance working together as a married couple.   We also talk about the importance of relationship building, not only with potential clients but with builders...

Have you ever thought of creating an online course but have no idea where to start? Ariel Schiffer is the Founder of Dreampro, the first-choice course creation agency for entrepreneurs and small business owners. She has over 10 years of experience working with Fortune 50 companies, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and private companies to develop their professional and leadership develo...

What kind of experience do you give your clients? While yes, you are hired to create beautiful, functional spaces, as a luxury provider, you are also providing a luxury experience for your clients.   In this episode, I am sharing what we call our ML Experience. This is what we use to lead our clients through the entire process with authority so they know they can trust us. It shows we are confiden...

Structuring your business the right way can help you navigate in any economy, no matter where you are in your interior design business. Whether you are just starting out or already a few years in, I am sharing ways for you to uplevel your business during these uncertain times. My intention today is to give you some inspiration and courage to keep going even through all the uncertainty. Because ult...

Hey y'all, welcome to the 100th episode of the Designed for the Creative Mind podcast! For this special episode, we thought it would be fun to look back at how ML Interiors Group has changed and grown over the years.   Debbie, Megan, and I chat about how our processes have evolved, important things the team has learned working together over the past 10 years, and Debbie & Megan's new roles at ML I...

Do you want to get out of the project management role and get back to designing? Wish you could have someone help you with tracking, backorders, re-selections, and scheduling. It is possible, and my next guest is here to explain how.   In this episode, she explains why outsourcing the non-creative parts of your business is the best option for continued growth. We also discuss the benefit of workin...

Here is another audience favorite I thought would be a great episode to replay this week. How do you handle pricing your services? Send me a DM on Instagram, and let's chat about it!   In this episode, I am sharing my view of flat-rate pricing versus charging an hourly fee for your design services. Although I am a huge fan of value-based pricing, there are some times when you will need to charge c...