Interior Design Business

What’s the best way to charge for your design work, by the hour, by the square foot, or with flat fees? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of each method, and revealing why design fees are the real workhorse of your business. You’ll learn how to handle scope creep, price add-ons properly, and present fees that align with how builders and cl...

What happens when your dream project finally lands in your lap… but you’re too buried in admin to say yes? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing the story of a designer who landed her absolutely fabulous project, only to realize she couldn’t take it on without radically transforming how her business runs. Sound familiar? I’ll walk you through how we helped her restru...

Think asking for help makes you look weak? Think again. In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m unpacking one of the biggest mindset traps designers fall into—believing they have to do everything on their own to prove their worth. From raising kids to managing client projects to building a sustainable business, real success comes when you’re willing to reach out and receive th...

What do you do when a contractor goes rogue? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing a real story from one of our Growth Q&A calls, where a new contractor undercut a designer’s pricing, bypassed communication boundaries, and caused major headaches on the job. It’s a cautionary tale, and I’m walking you through exactly how to prevent it from happening to you. You’ll...

Are you starting projects without a profit plan, and hoping it all works out? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into the biggest reason designers under-earn: jumping into jobs without clarity on time, money, or scope. If you’ve ever found yourself discounting an invoice or redesigning a project just to meet the client’s “idea” of a budget, this one’s for you. You’...

Are tariffs, rising costs, or slow-paying clients eating into your design income? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down what it really takes to protect your profits, especially in unpredictable times. From tariff increases on imports to client ghosting and weak pricing strategies, I’m showing you exactly where money leaks from your business and how to plug them...

Feeling uncertain about your next move in business—or life? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m talking about how to build unshakable confidence, even when things around you feel unstable. From rising costs and unpredictable markets to self-doubt and hesitation, I’ll show you how to shift from fear into action and clarity. You’ll learn how to make decisions that move your...

Feeling the weight of uncertainty in your design business? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m offering a no-fluff reality check on what’s happening in the design industry—and how to lead your business through it with strength and clarity. From economic shifts and rising costs to client hesitation and self-doubt, I’m sharing the mindset tools and practical strategies you n...

What do you do when a client insists on making design choices you can’t stand behind? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing real stories and tough lessons from my early design career, including the moment I decided I’d never again let a client push me into delivering something I couldn’t be proud of. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a job where the client’s taste goes...

Are you struggling to consistently find great clients for your interior design business? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down the real reasons designers struggle with client attraction, and how to turn it around. Whether you think you don’t have time, can’t afford to market, or simply don’t know where to start, I’ve got the mindset shifts and proven strategies...

Are endless client revisions derailing your design projects? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing how boundary issues and a lack of Systems are at the root of most revision chaos. I’ll walk you through a real story of a talented kitchen designer whose client just kept changing her mind—and how it all could have been avoided with the right structure in place. If you’...

Do you feel like you're always putting out fires in your design business? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m showing you how Systems create freedom—not restriction. By treating every task like a one-off event, you end up stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed. But when you put repeatable processes in place, everything changes. I’ll walk you through the mindset shift r...

Are you saying “yes” to small design jobs just to be nice—or to avoid a slow season? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into the real cost of people pleasing and how it undermines your time, energy, and business growth. Whether you’re helping a past client with a hallway light or hustling through low-paying work out of fear, these yeses are likely blocking you from...

Are you giving away your time and talent in the name of overdelivering? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, we’re digging into a sneaky habit that’s hurting your profitability—overdelivering to clients. Whether it’s showing too many design options, re-researching selections, or trying to “earn” your fees after the fact, these actions can backfire and actually lower your percei...

Are you constantly working evenings and weekends—only to feel like you’re barely keeping up? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, we’re diving into the real reason your schedule feels out of control: poor boundaries around your time. Terri Taylor shares why time—not money—is your most valuable asset, and how reclaiming it is the first step toward a balanced, thriving design bus...

Do you struggle with billing your design services—or even asking to be paid at all? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving deep into why charging what you're worth is so hard—and what to do about it. From emotional blocks to inherited beliefs, this issue is more than a numbers problem. It’s about boundaries, mindset, and reclaiming your value as a design professio...

Are you unknowingly leaking money in your design business? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into the five biggest ways interior designers leave money on the table—and how to stop it. From underbidding jobs to misusing retail vendors and clinging to hourly billing, we’ll explore common money mistakes and the mindset shifts you need to run a truly profitable design...

What if I told you your client’s budget probably isn’t real? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down the truth behind client budgets—and why taking them at face value can lead to disaster. You’ll learn how to avoid the “design trap,” stop underquoting yourself, and lead with confidence (and real numbers). If you’ve ever been caught in the middle of a project wher...

Even the best clients can turn difficult—and when they do, it’s often unexpected, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing real-world experiences and powerful tools to help you navigate client challenges with grace, confidence, and strong professional boundaries. You’ll learn how to spot red flags early, how to protect your time an...

Do you second-guess your skills—even after landing an amazing client or completing a successful project? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, we’re diving deep into the difference between true confidence and imposter syndrome. Terri Taylor reveals how imposter thoughts sneak into even the most experienced designer’s mind and what to do when perfectionism, self-doubt, or over-de...

Ever feel stuck when it comes to charging what you’re really worth? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes story of a real designer breaking through her “money ceiling”—that invisible limit you set for yourself about what you believe clients will pay you. You’ll hear exactly how we crafted a high-end offer, rewrote the letter of agreement five time...

Ever wonder why purchase orders matter so much—even if your vendor already gives you one? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down everything designers need to know about purchase orders. From avoiding costly mistakes to qualifying for top-tier vendor relationships, this episode is your blueprint for professional, profitable systems that support your business at e...

Do you feel guilty for carrying business debt—or worry that it means you’ve failed? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m unpacking the emotional weight we often attach to debt and giving you a new framework to understand the difference between destructive debt and strategic debt. You’ll learn how to reframe those old messages about money, and see why smart, planned debt can...

Do you struggle with setting boundaries around your design fees? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing exactly how to set clear, confident design fee boundaries that protect your time, increase your profit, and keep your clients happy. If you’ve ever felt like your projects are dragging on, your client is asking for more than they paid for, or you're stuck doing...

Have you gotten a surprise tariff bill—and wondered what just happened? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sounding the alarm on the reality of tariffs and how they’re affecting designers right now. From unexpected charges at the dock to vendors quietly adding 15% to your invoices, these issues can destroy your margins—and your momentum—if you’re not paying attention. If...