Claim OwnershipMastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
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Description
As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming.
That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design.
We’ll answer questions like:
How do I get more interior design clients?
What should I charge for interior design services?
What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers?
How can I grow my interior design business?
How do I build a brand as an interior designer?
How can I scale my interior design business?
What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business?
How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm?
Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business?
This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out.
If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place.
Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.
75 Episodes
Reverse
Send Katie a Text Message!! Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting. In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on why onboarding isn’t just paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protect...
Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you. In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer. Check out the full show notes and other resources at https:...
Send Katie a Text Message!! This week, we’re kicking off a six-part series I’m calling "Turning Projects into Profit." As designers, we pour our hearts into projects that photograph beautifully, but sometimes those same projects barely move the financial needle. I know that tension well because I’ve lived it in my own business. That’s why this series is all about helping you stop leaving money on the table and start building a business that fuels your creativity and pays you well. And we’re ...
Send Katie a Text Message!! What every designer needs to know about neuroaesthetics, biophilia, and charging what you're worth. In this episode of Success by Design, I'm sitting down with Mike Peterson, founder of Science in Design, to explore how neuroscience is validating what designers have known intuitively for years: beautiful spaces make people feel better. Now we have the data to prove they also make people healthier. Check out the full show notes and resources at https://succes...
Send Katie a Text Message!! What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas — especially when Success by Design gets the inside scoop from the market floor. In this week’s can’t-miss episode, Katie sits down with Diana Ruston on her team and fresh off the plane to unpack the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre from the latest Las Vegas Market. This isn’t just another trends episode. It’s a no-holds-barred conversation about what’s really happening in design — from West Coast market shifts t...
![67: Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/p675h6jm6iha8pqg6lf16bagwxgf?.jpg "67: Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]")
Send Katie a Text Message!! Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry, LuAnn Nigara and John McClain, to sit down and discuss their insights. But not just any shop. We dove into the murky waters of economic uncertainty, a topic that’s foggy at best and terrifying at worst. And trust me, you’re going t...
Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the answer isn’t more ads, more hustle, or more burnout? In this week’s episode of Success by Design, I drop 7 zero-cost, high-impact strategies to attract interior design clients without spending a dime. And no—it’s not just “post more on Instagram.” This episode is the grounded, practical pep talk you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for designers in a season of growth, reset, or re-alignment. Check out the full show notes and resources at https://s...
1Send Katie a Text Message!! As an interior designer, you pour passion, creativity, and dedication into your business every single day. But what happens when the market slows, projects stall, or uncertainty creeps in? It’s not about if—it’s about when. But here's the good news: you don’t have to panic. You can proactively prepare. In this episode, Katie is diving into actionable strategies specifically crafted for interior design professionals facing a slowdown. Check out the full show notes ...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Discover how Rachel Ogburn boldly transitioned from real estate to interior design, harnessing clarity, courage, and confidence to build a thriving and fulfilling business. In this episode, Rachel candidly reveals how she overcame deep-seated fears of rejection and uncertainty, leveraging coaching, community support, and self-belief to dramatically transform her career and mindset. Check out the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coach/...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Want to boost your creativity, skyrocket your productivity, and reignite your passion for design? It might be time to step away. In this episode, I'm revealing why intentional, strategic rest isn't just nice—it's essential for interior designers aiming for sustainable success. Whether you're running a growing six-figure firm or managing a booming seven-figure business, stepping away might be the secret weapon you're overlooking. Check out the full show notes and r...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior design firms seem to glide through the ups and downs of business effortlessly, while others always seem stressed about finances? I've learned the key difference is simple but powerful—knowing your numbers. This week, I'm sharing exactly how I've structured my business around clear, reliable financial practices. Understanding my numbers has enabled me to make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary stress, and sustainably grow my f...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever feel like your interior design business runs you, instead of you running it? You're not alone. But what if the secret to effortless growth, standout projects, and loyal clients isn’t found in the latest trends or marketing hacks, but within the core of your business itself? In this episode, I'm revealing the hidden power of transforming your mindset, clarifying your purpose, and building strategic systems—shifts that profoundly reshape your business from the ...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Every interior designer has a unique “genetic code”—their style, values, and creative philosophy. But are you consciously tapping into yours to truly stand out and attract your ideal clients? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how your Design DNA can fuel purposeful, profitable, and authentic growth for your practice. Check out the show notes and other resources at https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/design-dna-unlock-your-firm-s-true-potential This...
Send Katie a Text Message!! In an industry constantly evolving with trends, technology, and shifting client expectations, building an interior design business that's both creatively inspiring and strategically sound has never been more critical. But how exactly do you create a design empire that can withstand change, scale sustainably, and flourish over the long haul? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it means to go deep—creatively and strategically—to establish an inte...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Interior design is more than stunning blueprints, curated Pinterest boards, and beautifully staged reveals. True design excellence—and sustainable business success—begins when we move beyond surface-level planning and dive deeper into our purpose, passion, and personal values. In this episode, we explore how you can authentically scale your interior design business, ensuring your growth aligns with your deepest values and highest aspirations. From defining your un...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wondered how to attract seven-figure interior design clients? In this episode, I sit down with the talented John McClain, known for mastering high-value, luxury projects. This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! John reveals how he evolved from accepting "anyone with a heartbeat and a checkbook" to becoming a sought-after designer in the luxury market. It’s about aligning your core values with client expectations—and why taking calcul...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever felt unsure how to structure your design packages or nervous about raising your prices, even when you know you're worth it? You’re not alone. Katie is exploring exactly how to craft irresistible, premium design packages tailored specifically for high-end residential and commercial clients—those ready and willing to invest significantly in quality and transformation. This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to step into your worth, simplify your ...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Ever wonder why some interior designers effortlessly attract dream clients, while others scramble just to stay busy? The answer might surprise you—it’s all about knowing exactly who your ideal client is and what they truly want. In this week’s episode, Katie dives into how leveraging demographic and psychographic data can dramatically transform your interior design business. Did you know that, according to recent HubSpot research, businesses that clearly ide...
Send Katie a Text Message!! Are you an interior designer wondering if coaching is right for you? Curious about taking your business from good to great—or perhaps from zero to thriving? Join Katie as she welcomes one of her coaching clients, Zoe Browne, to the podcast. Zoe’s journey is an inspiring example of how transformative the right support can be, even if your business isn't struggling but simply ready for more. See the full show notes and resources at https://successbydesign.coac...
![53: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trust for Interior Designers [The Table]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/d4eqqf2d9rulv5wh5uevr2zp6nbq?.jpg "53: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trust for Interior Designers [The Table]")
Send Katie a Text Message!! Are tariffs making you anxious? You're not alone. In this must-listen podcast episode of The Table, Katie is joined by industry heavy-hitters Laurie Laizure, Rick Campos, and Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe to tackle the tariff turmoil head-on. From staggering markups and shifting vendor dynamics, to managing client expectations and maintaining your profits, our experts share actionable strategies to weather the storm—without sacrificing your ethics or your sanity. See t...
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