Business of Design® | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

We all know that good looks matter. But outside appearances never tell the whole story. With many items—sofas, chairs, pillows, bedding—what’s inside is equally important. In this episode we’ll talk about quality and value and building a better bed. In this episode we learn: - clients want good looking rooms, but they also want functionality, performance and value - educating your clients about value is an ongoing job - if your clients are asking for the “cheapest” bedding (or anything else)then - never show clients too many options - update a poor mattress with a feather bed It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

A lack of confidence can undermine any effort to be truly successful. Although most of us recognize we aren’t as confident as we’d like to be, we remain blissfully unaware of how we camouflage this lack of confidence, thus ensuring it continues to thrive. This episode is for the warrior designer in you! In this episode we learn: - the key to creating the career you want is confidence - we are all taught that confidence is created by external accomplishments, but that is wrong—confidence is created by your thoughts - when you are responsible for creating business for yourself, you HAVE to have your mindset right - the best tool to use for confidence is to practice neutral to positive thoughts; use thoughts you can believe NOW, not positive thoughts you don’t believe at all - the best tool to use for sales/consult conversations is to create value and communicate that value—emphasize your RESULTS - build your confidence by changing your thoughts It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Bravery is a job requirement. Surrounding yourself with trades and suppliers who make you look good is part of a successful strategy. It’s also important to be courageous when it comes to presenting that luxury item to your clients. Don’t stop your clients from falling in love with a splurge; show it to them and let them decide. In this episode we learn: - use your trade and supplier reps to do more work for you - navigating tax laws can be challenging but you need to fill out the proper forms or orders may be delayed - consider paying taxes as you go to save on paperwork - get the money part out of the way right up front, be clear and concise - know your worth and get help when it comes to communicating that - don’t hold clients back from falling in love with something expensive It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Don’t think for a moment that your salary or income is the “extra” or it’s not as important as that of your higher earning spouse or partner. That is guaranteed to keep you playing small. “Fun money is more fun when there’s plenty of it.” Kimberley Seldon Is it possible you are holding yourself back; playing small to avoid having to step up? It’s time to embrace your inner design warrior goddess. In this episode we learn: - not to automatically assume responsibility for every mistake - how to ask situational questions at the client intake meeting - to prepare clients in advance for anything that’s likely to be challenging - that using third party stories can illustrate how easily projects can go off the rails, and how dedicated you are to making the situation right - it’s ok to hit the pause button if a situation becomes heated It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’re listening in to the BOD podcast each week, you’re already motivated to get your business in shape. But if you want to transform your business and really see results, you need more than motivation, you need a gym for your business. In this episode we learn: - realistic goals - manage your own expectations when it comes to working on your business - to schedule it - treat learning like a client meeting (it’s equally important!) - where to start - build a foundation to build a stronger business - proper form – take the guess work out of systems - accountability is key – where to find support It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

What is the secret sauce to running a mature, profitable, award-winning design firm? Systems! There’s no getting around it. Kimberley and LuAnn Nigara discuss their fave topic: systems and procedures. In this episode we learn: - time blocking is critical to strategy and planning - if the client doesn’t accept your value (as indicated by price) then they should not be able to benefit from your value (as evidenced by your skills) - when a project goes awry it’s usually because something wasn’t communicated at the beginning - establishing a commitment to core values will amplify your brand message It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Making a decision to be excellent isn’t enough. To excel, you must take action to change the day to day issues that aren’t working in your business. Listen in to a series of private coaching calls where the talented and hardworking owner and her team share their experiences with the all-too-familiar bottlenecking that happens at the office. In this episode we learn: - implementation is the only way to success - you run a “proper” firm, the moment you believe that you are - there are multiple excuses that can keep you stuck - delegating is harder than it sounds It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

As entrepreneurs in the world of design, we all stand to gain so much by working together and lifting one another up. Value and worth are an inside job. In this episode Kimberley talks to Laura Martin Bovard about how we can find and channel the mature business owner we dream of becoming. In this episode we learn: - that holding each other accountable to play a bigger game serves the industry as a whole - that resolve can assist you in asking for and getting what you deserve - if you have a “jobby” rather than a career, resolve to change, now - structures and quality systems get you to a place of beauty It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Take a road trip to Los Angeles with Business of Design. On this podcast you’ll listen in to the question and answer portion of our BOD LA Meet up. In this episode we learn: - how to say no to a project after you’ve completed the consultation - clarify, verify, triple check—when you’re not the project manager - work repeatedly with same suppliers to develop strong relationships - effective hiring relies on systems - a contract tells your clients how work will progress and provides a disincentive to litigation (in the unlikely event something goes wrong) It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Layered, methodical growth is the most effective way to increase and enhance your business. Building your A team, finding efficiencies, learning to delegate and knowing when to let go are all part of the process of incremental growth. In this episode we learn: - to set time aside time for strategy and planning - take time off from the business to change your perspective - create a culture of inspiration for the team and an open feedback loop - when is it time to grow It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Schooling offers only a small percentage of what is needed to succeed in business. The rest is on the job training. And talent, does not equal success. Instead, you’ll need to rely on structure (systems and procedures) to make it in business. In this episode we learn: - working for someone else is a great way to learn your craft - a home office is a viable way to get started as an owner, and it is not a reason for charging a low fee - talent does not equal success - to be successful you will need to live with rules and regulations - you do not have to agree with your client, have an opinion It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Business of Design and 30 of its awesome members travelled to North Carolina for High Point Market this week (April 2018). More than 100 designers sat in on a round table discussion that included a classic Kimberley moment, “You can watch a video on YouTube and learn how to give yourself a relaxing massage, or you can go to the Four Seasons and have Sven do it. These are two different experiences and only one leads to you wanting a cigarette afterwards.” In this episode we learn: - Having an hourly fee and billing that fee are two different things - If you don't show the client the expensive item that will really make a difference in their house, they are not going to buy it - When you raise your rates, it does not require a long-winded explanation It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Manufacturers must compete if they want to stay in business. It’s their imperative. We all know they are now selling directly to consumers. There’s not stopping it. However, it needn’t worry the professional design firm unduly. There are ways to define your services and attract those clients who have the means and the desire to turn a project over to a professional. In this episode we learn: - manufacturers must sell to stay in business - designers can increase profit margins with strategic buying - the impetus to market is on the design professional It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

In this episode we learn: - what is eco-marketing - five steps to grow your social media following - widening your base means reaching out to peers you don’t know - creating an editorial calendar can provide focus and direction - how many times should you be posting and to what TAKE AWAYS Natalie recommends, finding out which publications her target market reads and aim for special interest that is not necessarily interior design related. For example, perhaps they all read the LA times or the New Orleans Picayune. Focus on getting published there. Consider golf magazines or travel magazines like Departures. Five steps to grow your social media following: 1. Create a content (editorial) calendar. 2. Develop a posting schedule, with specifics. 3. Post professional photos frequently. 4. Post images that are light, crisp and bright for better traction. 5. Engage frequently with your audience. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Ever felt sure you’d made it, only to find yourself wondering how to pay the rent a few months later? Or, were so busy you couldn’t breathe and then you realized there were no new jobs in the pipeline? Recognized and acclaimed actors sometimes feel the same way. In this episode we learn: - that it’s normal to think you may never work again - why we can expect career peaks and valleys - how to deal with professional envy - why it’s dangerous to compare someone’s outsides with your insides Design Intervention Christine says, sometimes the only power we have as artists is to say no. Say no to the job that won’t satisfy you. Say no to an opportunity that doesn’t feel right. Saying no can be a powerful way to shape your destiny. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

A space isn’t finished until it’s ready to photograph, right? But photography can’t happen if you are looking at a room full of gorgeous furniture and blank walls. Since buying art can be intimidating—not just for your clients, but also for you as the design professional, we turn to expert art advisor Katherine Earnhardt for tips on how to make the whole process successful and enjoyable. In this episode we learn: - why art is important - the emotional benefit to clients when art is in place - how artwork completes the space and increases revenue - how emerging artists can meet clients’ budgets - better ways to discuss art with clients - ways to use a client’s own artwork when it isn’t right for the key areas It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

In today’s web savvy world, there is no way to prevent clients from shopping you. Or is there? With this helpful guide, you’ll be able to avoid the worst of getting shopped by clients. In this episode we learn: - there is no way to prevent clients from shopping you, but you can minimize it - transparency develops trust and provides clients with confidence in your ability to manage their project - what it takes to tighten up your image so clients will trust you more quickly It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Strategic planning can take your business to a sweet spot where the fewest possible number of clients leads to the greatest number of benefits. Designer Carly Waters discusses how she hones her approach on social media to appeal to those few clients who are just right for her. In this episode we learn: - to use your own space to create a portfolio when you start out - how getting more clients may be less appealing than getting better clients - the advantages of creating a single vision so it's easy for your ideal clients to find you - being selective about clients is a privilege and it's a worthy goal - that editing your former Insta posts can create a more streamline image - to ask for work from friends and family - to host a party at your client's finished home/condo It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Are you taking advantage of everything LinkedIn has to offer? Susan Kates shares her tips for strengthening your LinkedIn profile. In this episode we learn: - how consistency across all platforms will improve your brand - differentiating between all the social media platforms, what to use when - it’s worthwhile to research the key words that describe what you do and who you are, create a slogan - client surveys can help you narrow your focus - set an intention around how you want your LI profile will work for you It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Independent interior design firms can create robust marketing plans that speak to the passion, talent and business acumen clients are looking to hire. In this episode Maury Riad of Fuigo shares some fundamentals for marketing. In this episode we learn: - we can protect the artistic legacy of our community and market our independent businesses - differentiating between all the social media platforms, what to use when - a three-pronged approach to solid marketing - how to build awareness, credibility and trust, making it easier for clients to hire you It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Industry disruption, mysterious mergers and what does it mean for you, the design professional? No, the sky is not falling, but it may be time to pivot and take a more active approach to marketing and managing your business. In this episode, we hear from two industry peers who have a different take on this month's big merger between Houzz and Ivy. In this episode we learn: - that historical behavior is a good indicator of future behavior - it's important to read the terms of service before jumping onto a new platform (and keep a copy of the agreement when you signed up) - you are not a victim, you have choices It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We see you. Hiding there in plain sight. Step out in front of the spotlight says designer Rachel Moriarty. She’s got tips to immediately improve your visibility on line and in front of potential clients. In this episode we learn: - key to success is being authentic enough to attract those clients who will love working with you - how to develop Know Love Trust with potential clients - start talking, live videos will get you an immediate audience - why investing in yourself can pay off big It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

After months of hard work everything is on the line with the client reveal. How to set this moment up for success is Kimberley’s topic today. In this episode we learn: - you can’t run a marathon your first day out on the track, nor can you create projects that run smoothly if you start with STEP 11 - why having the client onsite for STEP 10 is a big mistake - what gifts are appropriate for the big client reveal It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We all learn differently. Most of us need multiple points of reference to really learn something and absorb it on a core level. Interior designer LeAnne Bunnell works hard at growing her business and improving her skills and she shares that knowledge with us here. In this episode we learn: - key to success is having your financial processes in order - hiring a bookkeeper is a small investment that pays big dividends - surround yourself with mature business owners who aren’t converplaining - be an active participant in the experience of learning It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’ve been relying on the same style, the same tried and true suppliers, and not taking the occasional creative risk, you may be missing out on an opportunity to provide clients with spaces that are truly one of a kind. In this episode we learn: - how to source one of a kind items - why getting clients involved in the creative process can feel good - what to do when you hit a creative roadblock - working in a high-low modality can leave room for the occasional splurge It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Things get a little hectic during STEP 10. Listen in as Kimberley interviews her own trades during a typical installation process. In this episode we learn: - how to prep for STEP 10 - how to prepare clients for inevitable deficiencies - what it takes to create a successful installation for clients TAKE AWAYS To check out behind the scenes photos of a typical installation day, visit http://businessofdesign.com/podcasts It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Everyone needs that person in your life who tells you about the latest app or technology you should try. Kimberley’s go to resource for what’s next and what’s great is Lindan Courtemanche from Heuristic, a boutique branding firm. Lindan shares her fave apps for small business owners like you. In this episode we learn: - 5 fave apps for small business success - 2 guilty pleasures for art enthusiasts - best advice for your own contract - never confuse what you like with what’s required to fulfill on the strategy Take Aways - Lindan describes Trello as post it notes on steroid. A riff on the Japanese organization model, Kanban boards. - If you are working with remote teams, these apps will change your life. Dropbox & Box. - Kimberley is now hooked on Scannabal. It’s really useful for copying notes on job sites; leaving a hard copy with trades or client but having a backup copy ready to go. - Receipt Bank is an amazing tool for cutting down time when it comes to logging receipts! - An addictive site that allows you to bid on works of art and sell works of art. Paddle 8. Or, if you are keen to find new and upcoming talent, try Saatchi Art. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We're ending this year off with a listener favorite. If you are eager to turn potential clients into paid ones, then you’ll love hearing what Aysun Kuck had to say about the process in EP 014 | Closing the Sale - Part 1. This episode was a two-part series, so be sure to go back and check out EP 022 | Part 2. In this episode we learn: - how to put a smile in your voice - to have a goal when you return a potential client’s call - how to identify different types of clients quickly - getting paid up front is professional It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Kimberley has been teaching the strategies you find here for more than 13 years. In this episode, Cheryl Horne, BOD’s Director of Operations asks Kimberley to answer the top 10 questions she receives on flat fees. In this episode we learn: - which method, flat fee or hourly, Kimberley likes most - courage to ask for the fee you need - why project management is a game-changer - why scope creep is a good thing - why passing on your discount to clients is a mistake It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’ve ever considered coaching, listen in as design professional and Business of Design member Enza Ricco grooms her procedures for flat fees and collection systems. In this episode we learn: - tips for having the confidence to ask for the fee you need - size of deposit to collect before purchasing goods and services - how to discuss the disproportionate size of fees against small projects - how to maintain relationships with past clients - how do you get the phone to ring - how to expand business with existing clients and get new clients - a diplomatic response to reusing clients’ existing stuff It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Having an opinion, owning that opinion and then standing behind it are all part of a skill set the interior design professional needs. In this episode we learn: - clients are hiring you for your opinion - how to differentiate between personal preference and what is right or wrong for your project - creating a strong identity for yourself is the best way to attract clients It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Brittany Chinaglia has an amazing website and online business known as The Vintage Rug Shop. Listen in to hear how this closet interior design pro is turning her side hustle into a viable business. In this episode we learn: - key to success is having your financial processes in order - hiring a bookkeeper is a small investment that pays big dividends - if you are selling online, you need an efficient website - the path to becoming a High Point blogger It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Why do smart entrepreneurs do dumb things with money? And more importantly, what can we do right now to make a positive and lasting change in our financial health and maturity? Part two with money and finance expert, Bruce Sellery. In this episode we learn: - how a tool (money) differs from your true desire - how to identify where your financial risk is - why action must be measured It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It’s an honor to be chosen as a designer for a prestigious show house or a charity auction house project. Still, before you say yes, weigh the pros and cons of participation. In this episode we learn: - some of the challenges of working on team projects - why setting an intention can get you better results - why it’s important to evaluate your contribution—financial and otherwise It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Failing to manage the client’s expectations is a sure-fired way to destroy project harmony. In this one-on-one podcast with Kimberley, she reviews techniques and systems for efficient and effective communication with clients. In this episode we learn: - the number one reason you get fired - specific moments when stating the truth is imperative - why it’s ok to be busy - how to take back control of your personal life - healthy boundaries for healthy interactions It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Markup. It’s such a dirty word, and yet we need the income that comes from that revenue stream. In this podcast, we’ll share how we maximize our margins when purchasing products and trades. In this episode we learn: - a new language for dealing with the reality of markups - specific strategies for pricing - to increase profitability with decent margins on goods and labor - how to hone your confidence as a business owner It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Why do smart entrepreneurs do dumb things with money? And more importantly, what can we do right now to make a positive and lasting change in our financial health and maturity? Money expert, Bruce Sellery has actionable advice. In this episode we learn: - the questions to ask yourself when you’re ready to get serious about your financial health - how to make immediate changes to your financial strategies - how to use a community to support your new habits - why being financially savvy matters Take Aways Sustainable spending Analyze—Review spending for two months. Note that you spend x$ on groceries x$ on your car, x$ on dining out, etc. Then look at the analytics. Brainstorm—What are one or two things you can do differently? Don’t try to change everything at once. Identify a couple of areas that you can make a change. Change—Implement the changes in those one or two areas. Rinse and repeat! Also, automate savings into retirement plan. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Too many go into business with an idealized or romantic view of what it’s going to be like to “be the boss”. If you’ve been talking about the benefits of owning your own business but not living the benefits, this episode is for you. In this episode we learn: - the common lies we tell ourselves about owning a business - how to take control of your life as the boss - being the boss is a choice - the difference between a job and a business It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

To publish the great design work you do, or to build your brand as an industry expert, you need to use the media—and the media may need to use you. Vicky Sanderson is a professional writer whose beat for the last twenty years is design. Vicky shares what every designer should have in her/his toolkit when it comes to capturing the attention of the media experts in your area. In this episode we learn: - what is supplied content and how can you use it - what’s the difference between controlled and paid circulation - what should be in your tool kit if you’re serious about getting media exposure It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

“Taking yourself seriously has power. It says you are playing a longer game.” Bruce Philp, author Consumer Republic. If you’re consulting under your own name, playing small and not fully embracing a powerful brand, you signal tentativeness to consumers. Having a brand, and filling a particular brand space gives consumers the confidence to hire you. In this episode we learn: - to combat and outsmart imposter syndrome - what it looks like when clients have total confidence in you - why clients want you to be the answer - how you will grow into a bigger, brighter version of yourself with brand improvements It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

In this episode Kimberley looks at how to identify and, more importantly, manage various types of client situations and archetypes of behaviour. In this episode we learn: - to identify common client types - how to manage the client who wants it right now, or can’t make up her mind, or disappears and then re-emerges ready to go It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Most of us are not terribly comfortably asking clients for money, let alone asking them for more money when we think of some new product or idea that would enhance the existing project. Effective upselling, the act of offering a new purchase that complements an existing purchase, requires thoughtful consideration and courage. In this episode we learn: - why upselling is a benefit to clients - how to look at upselling in a more positive light - why every designer has to get comfortable with sales - to avoid selling the thing, instead sell the experience It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Every 5-10 years it’s important to reevaluate your brand and see if it’s still relevant. Kimberley shares her personal experience with rebranding and talks to interior designer Jackie Glass about a major rebrand she recently underwent. In this episode we learn: - to be diligent about projecting your image—edit what you put online - raising your fees can force you to be better at what you do - to make better rules for yourself as the business owner - always work on grooming new trades - to treat existing trades with respect Take Aways 1. When you photograph a room, make sure to also hire a professional stylist to assist and prop the spaces. 2. Edit the photos that appear on your website. Quality over quantity. 3. If you can’t yet afford a stylist, then practice taking good photos and videos. Flat lay some objects on a table and photograph those. This is also an easy way to show clients you are busy and working all the time. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you are a design professional and you are managing projects on behalf of clients, you are going to deal with mistakes—lots of them. Since it’s not possible to avoid all mistakes, then doesn’t it make sense that that so focus on managing that professionally. I’m not being glib about mistakes – they are simply a fact. In this episode we learn: - mistakes happen - why the complexity of the work makes errors inevitable - the interior design professional cannot prevent every mistake from happening - what matters most is how the professional manages errors and missteps - which errors are billable, and which are non-billable It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

“People don’t buy our product. They buy the belief that we can create and deliver the product. They buy our brand.” Bruce Philp, author Consumer Republic. Having a brand, and filling a particular brand space gives consumers the confidence to hire you. In this episode we learn: - 3 components of a healthy brand - why outsourcing your brand experience makes sense - how corporation (or the appearance of one) gives a client confidence - three ways small business owners give away their power Take Aways Three conditions that need to be met in order to build a viable brand: Purpose. Consumers need to believe that the people they hire are motivated by a higher purpose, otherwise they’ll assume it’s opportunism. Positioning. Commit to a particular type of project that you’re great at and an ideal client, or you’ll never excel Character. Sharing your value and personality allows your customer to buy into you as a brand. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Back by popular demand, Aysun Kuck shares her experience servicing Kimberley’s clients and closing consultation sales. This episode is a continuation of EP 014. You asked for it, here’s Aysun one more time. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of practicing fabulous follow up and what that means - what’s in a lead form - how to get a budget out of clients - the sweet spot in terms of timing consultations Aysun suggests practicing fabulous follow up by keeping a lead form. A lead form is the document that shows you the status of each and every caller to your company. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It’s not you. The work we do as professional designers is hard, it’s complex, it’s challenging, and there are multiple points in the process where things can go mildly or terribly wrong. In case you’ve forgotten just how capable you are, listen to Kimberley review the process for designing and creating one custom pillow. In this episode we learn: - designiquette—etiquette for the designer client relationship - trust is something you earn, and something client’s earn - experience teaches you how to handle situations that once baffled you - the complicated process of creating and producing one simple pillow It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We all agree it’s hard to renovate or decorate our own spaces. But, have you ever taken time to consider what you learn when you do have the luxury of working for yourself? Interior Jackie Glass explores this topic. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of working for yourself - the stressors of working for yourself - what you can learn about client management - how vital branding is for your reputation - why so many designers use their own homes as labs - why working with your own trades is a great idea It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

We can’t do our jobs without the cooperation, hard work and talent of a variety of vendors and suppliers. These professionals make or break our reputation. Developing healthy relationships with key vendors can lead to an infinitely more satisfying career by helping you satisfy your clients, earn their trust and grow your business. In this episode, we learn first hand from window covering specialist and podcaster Luann Nigara, some of the simple and things designers can do to improve relations and strengthen project outcomes. In this episode we learn: - the benefits of working with a concierge service vs. a workroom - the stressors and pressures your vendors may be under - why thoroughness matters Take Aways 1. If you are loosey-goosey about the details at the beginning of the project you better be prepared to be loosey-goosey about what's delivered. 2. When you criticize your trades and suppliers remember, YOU were the one that introduced them to your clients. Never throw a supplier under the bus. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

No matter how talented you are, how dedicated you’ve been to the project, or how thoroughly you’ve managed clients and trades, mistakes can and will happen. If you have a project horror story, you’re not alone. Avoiding the most common traps can save you hours of grief. In this episode we learn: - ten most common ways to create your own project horror story Take Aways You are not alone. No matter what challenges you are facing—those you’ve created or those you’ve inherited thanks to clients or trades—our community has been there and done that. Sharing your worst moments, as Kimberley does in this podcast, can sometimes liberate you to make better choices in the future. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast