Interior Design Business Resources

Designing a Business Retreat

I'm going to introduce what is probably a radical concept to many interior design business owners out there. A retreat. To be more exact: a business retreat. Know all those conferences that are held by very large businesses where they fly their star employees to a location, have meetings all day, then follow up with some band that hasn't put out an album in at least 20 years? That's what I want you to do, at least yearly. Better bi-annually. You can have a business retreat without the employees and without the band, but keep the meetings and the planning.

This is a wonderful time of year to start thinking about it. Look at your calendar, pick a day, preferably two and preferably not the weekend. Why not the weekend? Because you are business planning, and this is work and it shouldn't feel like the weekend. I also don't want you to feel burnt out from working two weeks straight. #worksmarternotharder

Tracking Your Business: Monthly Reviews

It took me a couple years to finally be able to take my attention away from the day-to-day of starting and running my business. I realized I needed to be working on the business and not just in it. I was years-in before I started doing monthly reviews, but there isn't a single better tool for tracking your business progress.

And it can be quick!

My to-do list was always a mile long and always included urgent tasks, things that needed to get done right then rather than the important tasks that would help my business grow. It's like spending all your time picking up your house without ever cleaning it.

When I started doing monthly reviews, I created a repeating appointment in my calendar. The last business day of every month I spend an hour reviewing my business in the following areas.

5 Habits of Successful Interior Designers

They Ask for Advice

Interior design has always been a secretive profession: hiding our sources, protecting our trade secrets and creating the illusion that everything is fantastic has been the norm. Running this sort of business is no longer productive. The most successful interior designers know they don't know everything and know when to ask for advice. When interior designers thrive, the interior design industry thrives. So why would you not want to help out your fellow designers if it'll help you too?

So here is my advice, don't be afraid to reach out to another designer in a professional and reciprocal way. Don't just look for handouts, offer to share something of your own. You can learn a lot from working for another designer, something I always recommend to those starting a interior design business.

How to Increase Value Perception

Designers, if you've been around for any period of time, you've probably heard that you shouldn't discount your services. When you discount your services you create the perception that what you're offering is worth less and it's hard to go back to normal pricing. This is because of value perception.

Therefore, it can be harmful to the design industry when a designer undercharges because it decreases value perception.

The interior design service industry has suffered from a value decrease in the past 15+ years, while the interior design DIY industry has boomed. And this is precisely what interior designers are struggling with now, how to demonstrate value in their services when clients have been exposed to things like Home Goods and HGTV.

How to Find Clients

I get asked all the time how to find clients. But, I know where to find my clients, but I'm not sure where you'll find yours.

And that is good news. Because of your unique business you need to spend some time rooting out your unique clients.

You want clients that are going to love what you do and love how you do it. Ideal Clients. Dream Clients. Awesome Clients. There are clients out there that want to do business with you right now. How are you going to find each other?

Make More Money by Specializing

Niche. Specialty.

Do a quick scan of your body and feelings that come up when you read those words.

Do you feel resistance? Excited? Annoyed? Defiance? Apathy?

Despite all the years that I have been in business and have been teaching other designers how you can make more money by specializing, I still feel a little bit resistant to it.

Branding for Interior Design Business

Raise your hand if you started your interior design business without considering branding. When you start a small business there are so many other important tasks (finding clients! resale license!) that usually branding for interior design is not addressed until much later.

Which is fine. You can't do everything at the same time. But it should be something that is on your mind and on your must-get-done list.

I know that the word "brand" or "branding" can sometimes feel a little insincere or inauthentic. But you are not creating a large Brand (with a capital "B", like Coke or J.Crew) and you are not going to run your business as anyone but yourself.

How to Get Sued

No matter how great you think your clients are if you are in business you can get sued. Unfortunately, anyone can file suit for almost anything and you'll have to defend yourself. Whether you're at fault or not. This is the scary reality of running a business. But, the good news is the likelihood of facing a client or vendor in court is probably pretty minimal. It is important to have good communications with your vendors and clients and it is important to protect your business and yourself.

Here are 5 ways to get sued:

What to Know Before You Start an Interior Design Business

I can be my own boss! I can make my own hours! I can do what I want! These are probably the thoughts that are at the forefront of any fledgling business owner's mind.

But before you go down that path, here is what you really need to know about starting an interior design business.

Why Your First Hire Shouldn't Be An Assistant

Often, when you start an interior design business and begin approaching the threshold of too much for one person to handle, the first person interior designers want to turn to is an assistant. Naturally, they want to clone themselves and have another doing the work they are doing. This could be a mistake.

How to Discover Your Business Mission & Vision Statements

I think most small business owners skip creating mission and vision statements because they are just too damn busy doing the day-to-day work of running a small business. Who has time to create a mission statement? My mission is just to service my clients and make a living. While that mindset may sustain you for the first couple of years, down the road, it is advantageous to get out of the day-to-day work IN your business and start working ON your business.

So here is my special plan for creating your own mission and vision statements for your interior design business.

Why are you in business?

There is a lesson in my course, The Golden Blueprint, that I call Guiding Light. This lesson is done the very first week of the course because it is meant to be just that, a guiding light.

I read today that people spend more time planning a vacation than they do their lives. So while most people will write down lists of places to visit and restaurants to try and then plan how to make them happen and how to get there, very few people actually do that with their lives.

Simple Business Plans for Interior Designers

I'm continuing the series on Strategic Planning with creating a business plan. Now, wait, before I lose you, this isn't going to be a super complicated multi-page plan that no one will ever see.

The new business plans are focused and can help you get clear in just a page to what your plan is.

I'll be going deeper into these topics over the next few months. But get your juices flowing and get something on your paper will help you and your business.