Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design

Send Katie a Text Message!! When it comes to color and textile trends, Europe typically is ahead of the U.S. market—but what if you could finally walk alongside European designers? What if you had access to the same trend forecaster and color consultant they do? Well, join me in welcoming Nello Marelli to the show! Nello is a color consultant and trend forecaster.  In today’s episode, we’re talkin...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Wondering what happened at the 2024 Las Vegas Market? As a designer, it’s important to stay on top of the shifts in trends—it makes your designs relevant, brings them up-to-date, keeps you current, and moves you forward even beyond that. Our very own Diana Rushton went to market and shares the details of the design trends she discovered. If you haven’t felt particularly...

Send Katie a Text Message!! How do you build a portfolio when you don't own the intellectual property rights? What questions should you ask an attorney before working together? What do you really need to know—legally speaking—about starting and running a business? I'm thrilled to have David Adler in today's episode, part of our Creating a Design Business Series, for this conversatio...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you found yourself wondering how to start an interior design business? Curious about what qualities and skills you need to be successful? The truth is—there are some really fun things about entrepreneurship… and there are some less than glamorous things you should know about. Fellow interior designer, business owner, and coach Michelle Lynne Pant joins me for this...

Send Katie a Text Message!! If you had the chance to shape what your days, weeks, months, and life looked like—would you go for it? Becoming an entrepreneur is perfect for when you want to do something differently, do it better, and just be who you are! It gives you such freedom. But, truth be told… it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Mark Bernheimer, one of my journalism mentors, joins me in t...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Our world is rapidly evolving. We’ve got AI and a whole host of other innovations coming on board and shaking things up. If we're not evolving in our business, we will be left behind. Instead of being fearful of the uncertainty that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond, what if we could hear predictions from someone who studies the future and create a game plan?  As a pro...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a step-by-step guide to the construction process (AKA the construction story)? Once you have your contract and are well on your way (especially when working with an architect), you must understand what comes next. It’s about approaching the design process with humility and looking at this as a partnership. And if SDs, DTs, & CDs read like...

Send Katie a Text Message!! What exactly is corporate social responsibility? Ever heard of Humble Design? This organization furnishes and decorates up to 13 homes each week in five cities across the country. Back in 2009, Treger Strasberg created a nonprofit and established a system that helps thousands of veterans, women, children, and families stop the revolving door of homelessness. The belief...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever wondered what goes into selecting the color of the year? Who picks these trends? Do these colors have any longevity to them? What are we supposed to do with the color choices as designers? And will we ever be done with gray? I am thrilled for you to hear this roundtable discussion with Susan Wadden of Sherwin-Williams and Ruthanne Hanlon of PPG Paints. The...

Send Katie a Text Message!! What if I told you that you could improve your employees’ productivity by over 200%? Yes, you could actually have energized, happy, thoughtful, and super-productive employees by getting clear on just one thing! It’s something that greatly differentiates you from your competition. Your company culture.  Josh Dykstra is with me today to talk about all things company cultu...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Wondering how entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed are taxed? Does that just make you want to curl up in a ball for the rest of the year? The thing is, if you’re paying money to the IRS, then you’re making money. That’s supposed to lessen the blow, but financial planning as a business owner can be a sensitive and overwhelming subject. Which is why I was so gla...

Send Katie a Text Message!! What is the importance of branding? Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a design firm, having a brand makes you memorable. But good branding doesn’t happen by throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks—it’s strategic and thoughtful. My friend and branding expert, Corey Fuller, is sharing that with us on this episode! We touched on everything from nam...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Do you let the natural environment inform your designs? How does color affect your designs? And how can you adequately share what you do when you explain color to your clients? It’s a lot to think about. Lucky for us, my dear friend, Jason Bemis joins us on this episode to talk about nature, psychology, physiology, and color. We’re getting scientific! This is an intervi...

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Jason Mews, Construction Management and General Contractor at Lippert Bros., Inc., to explore the critical partnership between general contractors (GCs) and interior designers. Jason emphasizes the collaborative nature of this relationship, highlighting how designers bring creative visions to a project while GCs translate these ideas in...

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Wesley Rutledge, licensed Architect at Beck Design. Our conversation explores the dynamic relationship between architects and designers, emphasizing the value of a collaborative approach from the very beginning of the design process. Wes sheds light on the essential role designers play in shaping architectural outcomes, advocating for t...

Send Katie a Text Message!! She’s back! In this episode, we reconnect with the lovely Diana Rushton once again, Project Manager and Assistant Designer at Color Works Design, as she recounts her captivating observation of the much-anticipated Las Vegas Market 2023. With Diana as our guide, we traverse the vibrant landscape of the latest interior design trends like the revival of burnt orange colors...

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Becca Ellison to discuss elevating your brand. Becca is a remarkable brand strategist and photographer who shares invaluable insights on crafting a compelling personal brand as a solopreneur or entrepreneur. Join us as we explore the significance of authenticity, leveraging unique strengths, and finding balance in the chaotic world of j...

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, we sit down with Susan Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at the Americas Group, to discuss the color trends of 2023. Susan shares her expertise and insights into the captivating world of color and its impact on the design industry. An exclusive announcement is unveiled: the highly anticipated 2024 color trends are set to launch next month in a complet...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Katie and Diana discuss their experience and lessons learned at NeoCon 2023. NeoCon serves as the hub for the commercial design community, uniting its designers, architects, end-users, manufacturers, dealers, service providers, associations, educators, students and media each year in June. Full Show Notes Here Expand Your Knowledge NeoCon Interior Design Resources Conne...

Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to Success by Design, Mastering the Business of Interior Design. Learn from my mistakes, as this is your masterclass on getting where you want to be. Whether that is elevating in your current interior design firm, starting your own firm, or moving your existing firm up on the ladder of success and profitability, this podcast is your ultimate resource.  Connect w...