It is never pleasant to have to deliver bad news to a client, or to tell them something went wrong, or (and this is tough for so many) to ask them to pay you when they're late. Those are HARD conversations that no one wants to have. But if you're in business, you're going to have to face those...

Knowledge is a powerful thing. When you give your clients all the information they need, they feel more in control. And they build trust with you. All of which means your project will run more smoothly and efficiently. The key is to be sure your clients understand what a design project entails,...

Interior design budgets can be such a headache! They're tough to create (especially in today's supply chain nightmare) and they can be even tougher to explain to your client. UGH! And sometimes you want that particular project so much that you're willing to skip over a serious budget talk so you...

One of the crazy parts of the interior design business (and there's a LOT of crazy - ha!) is that we can have such an up-and-down cycle of business. Sometimes it really does feel like feast or famine. But I've found a way off that stressful rollercoaster ride by using my client pipeline! I have a...

There is a bit of showmanship in being an interior designer. We have to have the ability to ensure our clients see the vision of their beautiful home. And we need to have the talent to unveil a stunning backdrop for their lives with their completed interiors. There are a...

Money is scary, even to business people. It is consistently listed as a topic that people hate to talk about, even more than death, religion, or politics! But putting your head in the sand and ignoring the "money talk" is no way to run a business. And in fact, that way of handling it is...

One of the things you learn quickly in the interior design business is that a good part of your job has NOTHING to do with design. You need a good grounding in sales as much as anything else. And the best salespeople all have confidence! Without confidence, it's hard to convince a potential...

No matter how good our intentions are, every interior designer has had a project go off the rails - and it is NOT pleasant! There's frustration, embarrassment, and a sense of failure every single time. But you CAN get things back on track! Here are my tips for a quick recovery, and how to avoid...

If you're like most interior designers, you have been going 100 miles a minute in the last year, just barely keeping your nose above water. It's been absolutely crazy. And when you're going so fast and furious, a lot of things can be left by the wayside. That is not a smart way to run your...

Have you noticed all of the "We're Hiring" posts by interior designers in the last few months?! Yes, we're all slammed and in need of support staff to help us make it through! When you're building that all-important team, you really need to keep in mind that not only should you hire the best fit...

If you ask any interior designer, they will all say the same thing when asked to describe their ideal client. They want someone who has an amazing budget, who will give complete control to the designer on the project, and who wants their entire (and HUGE) home renovated or built from scratch....

In the past, so many designers have set a "word" or intention for a new year. Although that fell out of favor a bit once the pandemic showed up with all its chaos, I think there is one word ALL interior designers should have on their radar this year: ACTION. This year should be THE year that you...