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The Business of Beautiful Spaces Podcast for Interior Designers
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The Business of Beautiful Spaces Podcast for Interior Designers

Author: Laura Thornton, Interior Designer

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Welcome to The Business of Beautiful Spaces, the podcast where interior design matters! As Interior Designers, we understand the power of creating beautiful and functional spaces that not only look good, but also enhance our daily lives. Join us on this journey as we explore the ins and outs of the interior design industry and dive into the business side of things. From one interior designer to another, we'll share our experiences, insights, and lessons learned as we strive to create spaces that not only make a statement, but also make a difference. So sit back, relax, and let's get started on The Business of Beautiful Spaces. 

The Business of Beautiful spaces Freebie: 

https://the-business-of-beautiful-spaces.ck.page/

Mentorship One on One :

https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.com/mentorship


The Profit Academy for Interior Designers Online Course:

https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.com


You can find us at  www.thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.com, email us at hello@thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.com or any social media platform @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.


158 Episodes
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Send a text Part 2 of this conversation goes deeper into the internal side of long-term entrepreneurship. Less about tactics, more about judgment, intuition, systems, relationships, and the realities that only show up after decades in business. The group explores how decision-making evolves with experience, when to trust your gut versus your data, and why profitability, not optics, is what actually sustains a business. They also talk candidly about seasons of life, goal setting in mid-career,...
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura sits down with three long-time colleagues and friends from very different industries to talk candidly about what entrepreneurship actually looks like over decades, not highlight reels. Together, they unpack the misconceptions people have about their businesses, the pivotal career moments that changed their trajectories, and the real trade-offs behind growth, scaling, and balance. The conversation moves beyond hustle cul...
Send us a text Client Relationships 101: How to Set Boundaries, Stay in Control & Create Happy Clients Strong client relationships don’t come from being overly flexible or available 24/7. They come from clear leadership, well-defined processes, and confident boundaries. In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura breaks down exactly how interior designers can stay in control of their projects from day one without sacrificing warmth, professionalism, or client trust. If you’...
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I sit down with Andria Cowan Molyneaux, founder and principal designer of ACM Designs, for a deeply honest conversation about what it truly takes to build a design business that lasts. Andria is a designer who leads with integrity, intention, and quiet confidence. She’s built a respected, enduring firm grounded in exceptional client service, thoughtful design, and a commitment to lifelong learning. She’s also the current pres...
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura dives into the real-world lessons behind building a profitable, sustainable interior design business—without sacrificing creativity or personal boundaries. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, she shares candid insights into what designers often get wrong, what actually moves the needle, and how small mindset and strategy shifts can create major business breakthroughs. Listeners will walk away with practical tak...
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura breaks down how interior designers can begin using AI in a practical, ethical and non-intimidating way in 2026. Whether you are AI curious, quietly resistant, or already dabbling, this conversation is designed to help you see AI as a supportive team member rather than a threat to your creativity or value. AI cannot replace your intuition, your eye, or the human connection you build with clients, but it can absolutely re...
Send us a text Laura breaks down why most designers do not have a pricing problem, they have a scope and structure problem. She walks through practical strategies to increase profitability at your current rates, including tightening and clarifying your scope, reclaiming billable hours you are already working, streamlining your process for efficiency, and shifting from selling hours to selling outcomes and expertise. She also walks you through a powerful breakdown of what your hourly rate actu...
Send us a text In this fun, high value CEO-style episode, Laura shares her favourite business books, podcasts and AI tools that are shaping her strategy and success in 2025. Why business books matter for designers How the right books can reshape the way you think, market, lead and sellHow to turn book insights into systems you use dailyHow AI can help implement the concepts instantlyBook #1: Building a StoryBrand 2.0 by Donald Miller Why StoryBrand is the clearest messaging framework fo...
Send us a text Laura walks you through a guided audit of your year: your numbers, your systems, your clients, your values, and your big-picture goals for 2026 and beyond. If you have been feeling the impact of tariffs, market shifts, rising costs, or overwhelm, this episode will help you turn reflection into strategy. Your books and your numbers Revenue: What came in, from which services, and which projects were truly profitableExpenses: Where your money actually went and where the bleeds are...
Send us a text Gala Magrina — holistic interior designer; host of Going Beyond Spaces with Gala; creator of the Beyond Spaces methodology and a six-week online course for designers. Gala traces her path from visual merchandising at Diesel to a holistic design practice rooted in meditation, modern feng shui, WELL, and Vastu. We unpack yin vs. yang rooms, the five elements in everyday selections, why science is finally catching up to ancient building wisdom, and how wellness real estate and cli...
Send us a text This week on The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura sits down with Charleston-based photographer Candice Brook, whose work behind the lens has helped countless designers turn their finished projects into powerful marketing assets. Candice shares what really goes into a strategic photoshoot — one that not only captures the beauty of a space but also builds visibility, fuels your PR efforts, and drives business growth long after install day. Together, Laura and Candice dive into...
Send us a text Every designer knows that uneasy, nauseous feeling that shows up right before a big leap—the one that makes you question your sanity and your business plan. In this episode, Laura sits down with designer Casey FitzGerald to talk about what it really feels like to invest in growth when it’s uncomfortable… and why that “sick feeling” might actually be your best sign of progress. Laura and Casey dive into: Taking big, scary steps in your marketing and business investmentsWhy you c...
Send us a text If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your project pipeline full without constantly posting on social media or dropping thousands on ads, this episode is for you. I’m joined by the powerhouse behind Designer Oasis—Kate Bendewald. Kate is a former commercial designer who left the corporate grind to build a design business on her own terms. Within her first year, she scaled to six figures entirelythrough word-of-mouth. No big budget, no trust fund—just clarity, confidence, and a ne...
Send us a text AI isn’t just for big tech companies, it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools for creative businesses, including interior design firms. But with all the hype, it can be hard to know what’s real, what’s useful, and how to actually apply AI in your day-to-day practice. In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m joined by AI innovator and strategist Matt Kantor, who has spent decades helping businesses use AI to create measurable results. Together, we cu...
Send us a text Let’s talk about photography—not just taking it, but actually using it to move the needle in your design business. In today’s episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m joined by Lauren Anderson, founder of Sen Creative and a pro at helping interior designers turn beautiful images into strategic business tools. Lauren’s here to show us how to go beyond the portfolio—how to use your photos to build authority, boost visibility, and truly connect with your ideal clients. If ...
Send a text In this episode, Christine and I dig into how you can build authority and visibility in your business—even if your marketing budget is limited. She shares practical frameworks, mindset shifts, and tactical tools to help you get seen, heard, and trusted in your field. Key topics include: Christine’s journey: from broadcast journalist to Expert Authority CoachThe power of authentic visibility and how vulnerability can strengthen your brandHow to pick the right platforms (podcasting,...
Send us a text If you’re tired of chasing clients on social media and want your dream clients to come to you, this episode is going to shift the way you think about marketing. I’m joined by Julia Bocchese, an SEO and Pinterest strategist who works with creative entrepreneurs to get their businesses found through powerful organic search tools. Julia breaks down what SEO really is (spoiler: it’s not as technical or intimidating as it sounds!) and how Pinterest can be your secret weapon for long...
Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Marcy Sagel, founder and principal of MSA Interiors. Since launching her firm in 2004, Marcy has led her team with a strong belief in collaboration—partnering with developers, architects, and builders to create spaces that are both beautiful and deeply functional. With a portfolio that spans multifamily housing to healthcare environments, Marcy shares how design becomes a powerful tool for transformation, connection, and la...
Send us a text Too often, interior designers fall into the trap of undervaluing themselves and, by extension, our entire industry. In today’s episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m opening up about why it’s time to change that narrative—because we aren’t just creating beautiful spaces, we’re building businesses that deserve respect, profitability, and longevity. I’ll share a personal story about the moment I chose design over law school—and how even my father, a successful high-end ...
Send us a text Entrepreneurship in interior design is exciting but let’s be real, it can also feel overwhelming and lonely. The truth is, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. In this episode, Laura Thornton shares why mentorship and community are essential for building a thriving design business and how they can help you skip years of trial and error. Laura dives into: ✨ The real perks of mentorship, speed, accountability, perspective, and confidence ✨ Why entrepreneurship can fee...
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