When I first started my business phones had just begun to come with cameras. There wasn't a way to document your life and share it like there is now. It was a much slower time. There wasn't the pressure that there is today to create magazine-worthy images for your life and your business.
C'est la vie.
So what are you supposed to do now that your photography skills haven't developed as quickly as technology?
Read MoreA few years ago, I was talking to another designer and I warned her that some of the photos on her blog could be putting her at risk for copyright infringement. She was immediately defensive and responded that the designers should be happy that the photos were on her site because it was free publicity. I tried to explain that publicity or not, she was opening herself and her business to potential legal action. She reacted like I was going to be the one to file the lawsuit!
So I hope that you'll be a little more open-minded to what I'm going to talk about today. In other words, don't shoot the messenger.
The bottom line is unless you took the photos on your website or have explicit permission from the copyright holder you are infringing on copyright and can have legal action taken against you.
Read MoreGetting negative feedback from a client is inevitable. Let's just get that out of the way: you are going to get negative feedback and so is every other interior designer out there. You're not alone. But sometimes it feels like you're alone if you hear anything but rave reviews. It can feel like a giant spotlight is on you. Or like it is written on your face and everyone knows. But none of this is true.
Sadly, negative feedback will probably stick with you much longer than the rave reviews. At least it does for me. In a way, I think this is because we don't expect our clients to have criticism. We expect our clients to love the work we've done for them. This kind of feedback can make you question your talent and maybe even question why you are in interior design.
Read MoreYou very rarely hear about design from the design client unless it is in a shelter magazine or a bad review online. But there are thousands of experiences in between. Here is a perspective of different projects through the eyes of a client and the value they see in interior design. This series is to help other designers understand design clients better and for clients to see the value of interior design.
I had to get very honest with myself about how I wanted to spend my time. While I love looking at furniture and everything related to homes and decorating, it is an entirely different process to have to shop for a room full, or a home full, of furniture, rugs, art and accessories. Even if you don’t mind the amount of time and energy it takes to do that amount of running around, I think you have to ask yourself if you have that very specific skill set
Read MoreYou very rarely hear about design from the design client unless it is in a shelter magazine or a bad review online. But there are thousands of experiences in between. Here is a perspective of different projects through the eyes of a client and the value they see in interior design. This series is to help other designers understand design clients better and for clients to see the value of interior design.
Since I don't have that "vision", I change my mind probably more frequently than the designer would want. I was afraid that the designer would be upset about not going with her "expert" opinion and not realize that I have to live in the house. That being said, it's a fine line since I don't have the "vision". I do need to be told if something will not look good. Also, I like working on an hourly basis versus working on a per furniture piece basis. I do like to do my own shopping to get the best value. If it was not hourly, I would have been dropped by a designer a long time ago.
Read MoreThe first thing to know about sales tax is that if you're selling product (and sometimes services) to clients you'll have to pay it and the second thing to know is that every jurisdiction has different rules and regulations. In other words, it is unavoidable and it is complicated.
Tax is required to be paid on goods sold, but some businesses can get exemptions to pass on this tax to the end consumer - the client. The designer purchases a taxable item with the purpose of resale and at the time the designer charges the client they also must collect sales tax. The purpose of resale is the exemption. The sales tax is passed on to the client.
Read MoreIt is no secret that I love organization, so when I started organizing my business it came fairly naturally to me. Coupled with my desire to make things as easy and automatic as possible, creating business systems was actually fun. I realize that this is not the case with most anyone else. I enthusiastically recommend creating business systems and processes to every interior design business owner. And not because I think it is fun. Systems can help your business run smoother, more efficiently, and with minimal brain power. You may even have some unofficial systems running already without knowing it.
Read MoreIn the orientation calls for my business training course this past week, I found myself giving the same advice to many of the designers: separate your business (e.g. Capella Kincheloe Interior Design) from your person (e.g. Capella). Most of the designers I spoke to had trouble creating boundaries. They had trouble saying no. Clients were calling on weekends.
When you own a small business you and your business are inevitably entwined. However, your boundaries will be much easier to manage if you can separate yourself from the business.
Read MoreHere's a little secret about me: I despise the financial/accounting parts of running my business. So much so, there have been times that I try to ignore it altogether, forget it exists. I just want to create!
Please don't do this. This doesn't help your business grow. And ignoring your financials does not make them disappear.
Here is where creating some money habits in your business is going to come in handy. Because you are going to make them habits and habits by definition are something you do regularly. You are going to be motivated because you know that keeping an eye on your money is going to help your business grow and run more smoothly. Easier.
Read MoreI'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
Read MoreIt 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.
Read MoreInterior 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.
Read MoreThe beginning of a year always feels a little rushed for me. The first day back to work in the new year feels overwhelming and has me thinking how am I going to get everything done? But it is entirely my fault. There is usually a lot going on at the end of a year because of the holidays and trying to wrap up business and clients so that I can take time off, so what starts to happen is I start to push things I should have done into the new year and then start to pile on new goals and intentions. Does any of this sound familiar?
Read MoreAbout Jannicke Ramsø Jannicke has never settled for ordinary and it has taken her on adventures from her hometown of Rissa, Norway to her current home of Las Vegas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and worked with the venerable Roger Thomas before starting her design business, Tiny Little Pads, under two years ago. Jannicke has embraced her specialty of designing high-end kid's spaces.
What traits or talents have made you successful? I don't compare myself or my business to others. None can do what I do, the way that I do it with my unique mix of personality and experience. In doing business I have found that consistency, a good dose of personality, passion and drive can take you a long way.
Read MoreAbout Jenika Cuadra Jenika runs J. Kurtz Design in Los Angeles California. Before starting her business of 1.5 years and being in the business a total of 13 years, Jenika earned a BA degree in Interior Design. But even before that she grew up surrounded by construction and worked with her dad on a couple of jobs when she was younger. After college she also worked in retail merchandising and retail furniture sales.
What traits or talents have made you successful?The trait that has given me most success is dedication. It’s just not possible for me to be hands off on any part of a project. I do all that I can to understand each facet of a project as fully and completely as I can to ensure that nothing gets overlooked, all I’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed. Of course, there are always hiccups but when I know that I’ve worked as hard on something that I possibly can I feel better about tackling any issues that might arise.
Read MoreAbout Stephanie Kraus Prior to starting Stephanie Kraus Designs almost 4 years ago in Pennsylvania, Stephanie Kraus worked in advertising and publishing sales. A self-taught designer, Stephanie works on renovations and whole house designs infusing her modern take on traditional with bold colors and patterns.
What traits or talents have made you successful? Resiliency, my work ethic, willing to learn new material and teach myself, being a risk taker.
Read MoreAbout Amy Aswell Amy Aswell runs Amy Aswell Interior Design in Sacramento California. She holds a Masters of Interior Architecture (M.I.Arch) from University of Oregon and is a Certified Interior Designer and LEED AP. Prior to starting her design business in 2012, she taught interior design at the college-level. Amy loves variety and her project load reflects that. In addition to residential projects, she has done restaurants, TV shows, and designed custom furniture and lighting.
What traits or talents have made you successful? I take a positive approach with clients and new projects. I see every new job as a new opportunity to create something wonderful. Being able to hit the re-set button and learn from each new experience, grow, adapt, persevere and continue finding the joy in every new design program and problem. I like variety and prosper when a design job requires me to dive into research mode, whether it's a new restaurant concept, material innovation or advancements in sustainability.
Read MoreMany of you have expressed the desire to get away from Home Goods crowd and start mingling more with the Baker crowd. I believe that you need to earn your right to charge your clients for premium pricing by delivering a premium product and service to your clients.
Much of the ability to charge premium pricing is in appearances. It is best to offer premium products/services from the get-go than to try to climb your way up the price ladder.
You may want to consider the following factors in rebranding your company to attract more premium customers.
Read MoreThe past few articles I've written have been about pricing and adding value to your business so that you can charge what you're worth.
But sometimes you actually need to turn down money to make money. By saying no to the wrong projects you open yourself up to the right projects. And we know that like attracts like, so the right projects will attract more of the right kind of projects.
Not only will you attract more projects that are the right projects, but by turning down projects you strengthen the muscle of saying no and trusting your instincts.
There are only two reasons to turn down money for a design project. Ultimately, it comes down to:
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.
Read More
