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Welcome to another episode of the Design Boss Dialogue Christmas Advent Calendar Podcast, and today’s episode is a foundational one, the kind every interior designer needs as we move into a brand-new year.

I’m your host, Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui, Business coach and mentor supporting women through business strategy, identity work, and the mindset required to build powerful, profitable, and aligned design businesses.

Today, we’re exploring something I call the perception gap, the space between what many designers think they need to grow their business and what is actually required to build a sustainable, confident, scalable studio.

It’s a conversation that will challenge you, ground you, and give you a fresh lens on your business foundations as we step into 2026.

Because the truth is…

You don’t need more followers.
 You don’t need more aesthetic perfection.
 You don’t need to reinvent everything.

You need clarity, structure, systems, boundaries, identity, and messaging that reflects who you are and the transformation you offer.

And in this episode, we dive deep

• Why designers regularly overlook the business side of their work
 • Why strong service structures give you clarity, confidence, and authority
 • How pricing must shift from emotional decisions to data-driven strategy
 • Why systems are essential, not just for big studios, but for every designer
 • How boundaries protect your energy and prevent resentment
 • Why your identity as a designer shapes your business success

This episode is your grounding moment, your reminder that creativity builds your brand, but foundations build your business.

Follow the journey and connect with hundreds of powerful women in design on
 Instagram HERE

Explore how you can work with me in 2026 and elevate your business through strategy, identity work, and mentorship by emailing the team on teamdesignbossdiary@gmail.com

Join The Interior Designers Blueprint Bootcamp which is a 5 day free experience. To register simply email Courtney on teamdesignbossdiary@gmail.com to join in from Monday, 19th January 2026

To celebrate Season 2 of the Advent Calendar Podcast, I’m gifting six incredible prizes:

✨ 4 women will join me in London for a private in-person strategy session + lunch in an exclusive location (worth £1,000 each)
✨ 2 women will receive a fully-paid ticket to The Visionary event in Birmingham (worth £540 each)

To enter:

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2. Screenshot your review
3. Share it on your Instagram Stories and tag @Design_Boss_Diary

Every review + every share = one additional entry
No limits — enter as many times as you’d like.

This is your moment to step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and a powerful reset.

If you loved today's episode, then please share this podcast and spread the word so that many more wonderful women and designers can benefit x