The Business of Beautiful Spaces Podcast for Interior Designers | Interior Design Business Pocast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura Thornton reveals why accessories are the secret weapon for both designers and clients—and how they can turn “nice” rooms into wow-worthy homes and boost your profit margins. Learn how to educate clients who think they only need the basics, why accessories matter for every project (and photo shoot!), and the business strat...

Send us Fan Mail Are your leads or clients suddenly silent? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura Thornton shares practical strategies for what to do when you’ve been “ghosted” by a client or prospect. From using systems and trackers to sending the perfect “magic email,” Laura explains how to stay proactive, get clarity, and keep your design business moving...

Send us Fan Mail Today we are diving deep into a topic that is close to my heart and wallet—pricing your services for profitability. With over 20 years in the interior design industry, I've seen it all, and I'm here to share the golden nuggets of wisdom to help you further your business. In just one focused hour, we’ll dive into whatever you need most—pricing strategies, client managemen...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I’m joined by hiring strategist Jamie Van Cuyk, founder of Growing Your Team. Jamie shares her expertise on how interior designers can confidently hire their first (or next) team member, avoid costly mistakes, and build a supportive, productive team that fuels business growth. From crafting the right job posting to onboarding e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , we’re uncovering the often-overlooked details that can make or break your bottom line as an interior designer. From light bulb installation to crown moldings, cleaning services to designer switches — these seemingly “small” extras can add up to significant lost revenue if you’re not pricing them properly. Laura walks you throug...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I’m joined by Nicole Fisher, principal of BNR Interiors, a New York-based luxury residential design firm known for its layered, editorial approach to interiors. Nicole shares her fascinating journey from working on fashion editorials and styling with Lady Gaga’s team to curating timeless, soulful interiors filled with vintage t...

Send us Fan Mail REPLAY: Starting off a presentation on the right foot is key. An interior design presentation package should be a visually engaging and comprehensive set of documents and visual aids that communicate the designer's ideas and concepts clearly and effectively to clients. By incorporating a range of visual and interactive elements into their presentation package, interior design...

Send us Fan Mail n this inspiring episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura chats with Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community and host of the To-The-Trade Podcast . Laurie is a connector, a cheerleader for designers everywhere, and a true thought leader in the interior design industry. With over 94,000 members worldwide, IDC has become a trusted space for designers to s...

Send us Fan Mail This episode couldn’t be more timely. As many of us are navigating a major shift in our businesses—grappling with pricing pressures, uncertain clients, and the ever-growing noise around tariff talks—it can be hard to stay positive, charge what we’re truly worth, and hold firm on the value we bring. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest, Andrea Liebross. Andrea is a bu...

Send us Fan Mail Elle is an avid reader, ocean lover and Brit-girl born to travel.  She's also obsessed with helping interior designers stand out and get paid. Elle spent 10 years writing for luxury magazines, and today she blends rich storytelling and editorial design into results-driven websites for interior designers. She lives in Hong Kong and has two kids and a very naughty chihuahua. Fo...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many interior designers and decorators wrestle with— how to get help without the pressure of hiring full-time staff. I’m joined by the incredible Ronniesha Rivera , founder of Vetted by Design , who specializes in helping creatives streamline their businesses with the support of skilled virtual assistants. We’ll explore how VAs...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Laura sits down with Carly Nemtean — Principal Designer of Carriage Lane Design Build and Co-Founder of The Collective Workspace — for a real conversation about what many designers are feeling behind the scenes. From navigating the post-COVID slowdown to dealing with tariff challenges and shifting client expectations, Carly and Laura talk...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the powerful partnership between interior designers and trusted vendors—and how that collaboration can elevate not just your design vision, but your bottom line. Joining us is Idilia Lucente, Sales Manager at Decor-Rest, a family-run Canadian furniture company known for their commitment to quality, customization, and the kind of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I sit down with Ronniesha Armstead, founder and CEO of Vetted By Design, to tackle one of the most common questions in the design industry: How do you know when it’s time to hire help? If you’re feeling overwhelmed with admin work, spending more time managing orders than designing, or simply questioning if you need support—this...

Send us Fan Mail As the visionary founder of Brenda Brix Consulting and AMR Design, Brenda leads an exceptional team, collaborating with ideal clients to transform her long-standing dreams into reality.  Despite facing health challenges and experiencing burnout early on, Brenda's transformative journey led her to create a streamlined and repeatable business structure that allows her the time...

Send us Fan Mail I’m excited to introduce you to Porsche Williams, the founder of The Prototype , a concierge service that helps interior designers streamline their businesses and elevate their client experience. Porsche specializes in providing unique, done-for-you gifting solutions that seamlessly integrate into a designer’s process—going beyond the expected holiday season to create meaningful t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Tonks, a seasoned interior designer who is transforming the industry with her innovative designer co-op. This collaborative workspace provides designers with shared office space, meeting rooms, and a full showroom featuring access to over 200 vendors. With the collective buying power of over 21 designers and growing, members gain exclusive di...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a design business that stands the test of time?  In this episode, I sit down with Margaret Donaldson, a seasoned interior designer with over 30 years of experience, to uncover the key principles behind creating a sustainable, profitable, and long-lasting design firm.  We discuss how to evolve with industry trends without losing your brand identity, the i...

Send us Fan Mail What’s next in the world of interior design? In this episode, I sit down with Stacy Garcia, a globally recognized trend forecaster, product designer, and industry visionary, to explore the future of design and how interior designers can stay ahead of the curve. Stacy breaks down the 6 key design trends for 2025, sharing insights into the colors, materials, and styles that will def...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling busy but not productive? As interior designers, we juggle endless tasks—client meetings, site visits, vendor calls, and team management—while battling constant distractions. In this episode, I’m breaking down practical strategies to help you stay focused, eliminate distractions, and finally feel like you’re making progress in your business. In just one focused hour, we’ll...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by sales specialist Nikki Rausch, a master in recognizing and responding to buying signals. With 25+ years of experience selling to prestigious organizations like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NASA, Nikki shattered sales records and received “top producer” awards along the way. Today, entrepreneurs and small business owners hire Nikki to s...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Lucy Lagana, a distinguished homeopath and holistic health expert who travels the world sharing her knowledge, including extended stays in exotic locales like the Maldives. Lucy, with her extensive background in homeopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, and allergy clearing, has been a crucial part of managing the host's health f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Let’s Talk About Goals, Your Why, and Building Your Legacy, we dive deep into the power of core values and Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). Discover how clarifying your principles and aiming high can keep you aligned, guide your decisions, and ignite a sense of purpose in both your business and personal life. From overcoming psychological barriers to creating...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into why honing in on a specific niche can be the game-changer that helps interior designers stand out in a crowded marketplace. Rather than stretching yourself thin trying to appeal to everyone, we explore how narrowing your focus allows you to sharpen your expertise, streamline your marketing, and attract clients who truly value what you offer. From defi...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Crispin Butterfield—an interior designer who has been running her own thriving design business for over two decades. We’re going to dive into the ins and outs of building a successful firm: how she started from scratch, the moment she decided to grow her team, and the challenges she faced along the way. Now, with a wealth of experience under her belt, Crispin is d...