What do you want to accomplish?

The most important thing for you to survive, thrive, and grow during a pandemic is to know what you want. Because surviving, thriving, and growing your interior design business means something different to each business owner.

So what do you want to accomplish? What does surviving this pandemic mean to you? What does thriving during a pandemic mean to you? What does growing during a pandemic mean to you? And during a pandemic is the key phrase.

Because everyone handles crisis differently, some take charge and make things happen, while others need a lot of time to process and take care of themselves.

What I don’t want you to do is not have a plan, not consider your options, and be forced to close your doors.

Don’t Disappear.

You never want to look like you’ve disappeared or have closed up shop. This means that you still have to show up in the spaces you showed up before - blogging, for clients and vendors, in social media. If you must take a break from your business - let people know your plans and intentions. Don’t just disappear. It will be much harder to build up that visibility and trust again.

Your customers are your businesses lifeline. It’s important for your clients and your business that you keep showing up. Keep working towards your business goals. Keep doing the work.

Be Honest.

Be honest with yourself and others with what you are capable of at this time. If a part of your business is bringing shipments back from overseas - that may be delayed or reduced significantly. Let clients know that timelines are extended because of the extra precautions companies are taking. Don’t put more pressure on yourself and open up possibilities of unhappy clients because of lack of honesty. Don’t dwell on what you can’t change - think about what and how you can.

This is the time to set boundaries because of the realities of living and running a business during a pandemic. If you’re not comfortable going into client’s homes at this time - set that boundary. It’s okay if you only want to take a certain number of clients (or certain clients). Set client’s realistic expectations and remember, it’s always better to underpromise and overdeliver than overpromise and underdeliver.

Utilize CEO Time.

CEO time is what I call working ON your business. I say it a lot. If your client work has taken a hit during the pandemic, now is the time to dive into building your business. This is often the work that gets pushed aside by the urgent nature of client work. Work on your website, create a welcome packet, explore accounting programs - all that business stuff that gets pushed aside while you service customers and when you think I’ll do this when I have more time. More time is now.

Go Virtual.

Homes are in the forefront of people’s minds because we’re home more. So now is a great opportunity to get clients. Going virtual is a perfect way to grow your business during a pandemic. Also think about creating speciality packages for things that clients are needing right now - enhanced outdoor spaces, work/school spaces, private spaces.

Interested in creating your first virtual design package - get on the Virtual Design Gold course waitlist.

Innovate

Now is not the time to steer straight ahead. Things are different and our interior design businesses need to reflect that. Look at ways to innovate, pivot, and adapt in your interior design business.

Use your creativity and innovative mind towards your business and come up with new ways to service clients.

Can’t shop with a client in-person? Come up with a immersive virtual shopping experience.

Can’t visit the job site regularly? Create a communication hub with a client for regular updates.

Miss working with your team? Schedule a virtual team-building experience.

Don’t reserve all that creativity and imagination for client projects - inject it into your own business.

Cash Flow

It’s important right now to be on top of your finances - this means that you can finally implement some of those systems you’ve been putting off. Creating policies around invoice payments and due dates, for example. Or scheduling regular monthly financial meetings (even if it’s just with yourself.)

Ulimately, you want to know what money is coming in, going out, and if you have overdue invoices.

Be of Service.

Everyone needs a little help right now. What can you do in your community and with your clients to be of service? Maybe it’s volunteering, perhaps you’re offering a free WFH consultation for past clients, think about the ways that you can use your talents and skills to help others right now. One, it’s great for visibility, but being of service also helps you.

• Here are many more tips from Inc. to help your business survive, thrive, and grow during the pandemic.

• Share in the comments what you’re doing to survive, thrive, or grow during the pandemic.

About The Author

Hi! I’m Capella and I’m an interior designer who helps fellow designers build their businesses. Forget secrecy and competition, I believe designers should support and uplift each other. By helping and boosting one another, we can elevate the business of interior design together! Hang around a bit and I’ll share all the business “secrets” no one else wants to talk about.