BusinessEntrepreneurship

Interior Design Business

Terri Taylor

Are you an interior design professional who wants to create time-accurate, money-generous, and fee-based job offers that clients jump to say "yes" to? Terri Taylor, President and Creative Director of the Interior Design Business Academy and the host of the Interior Design Business Podcast, is here to help interior design professionals who want to create lifestyle design businesses that pay them what they are worth.

Each week, Terri is bringing her clear, proven, and repeatable step-by-step "recipes" for attracting ideal luxury clients along with her overreaching attitude of gratitude, abundance, beauty, and joy for creating long-lasting and meaningful success.

Terri knows that what you believe to be true and how you feel about wealth and money have a direct connection to the level of clients, budgets, and jobs you attract, so tune in each week to discover the strategies and support mechanics you need to achieve your goals as an interior design professional.

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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 18 min
English

Episodes 29

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#201
June 13 · 14 min
Why Hourly Billing Works and Doesn't Work
Should interior designers charge hourly, or is there a better way? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the longest-running debates in the design industry: hourly billing versus fee-based design. While hourly billing can work in certain situations, it also creates significant challenges for both designers and clients when it's not managed properly. From inaccurate time tracking and delayed cash flow to client anxiety around costs and scope creep, hourly billing often creates more problems than designers realize. In this episode, I explain when hourly billing works, how to make it more effective, and the hidden pitfalls that can hurt profitability. We also discuss retainers, scope management, client communication, time tracking, and why experience should increase your value, not reduce it. If you've ever wondered whether hourly billing is helping or hurting your business, this episode will help you understand the advantages, disadvantages, and what to watch out for as your business grows. In this episode, we cover: Why hourly billing creates challenges for many designers The importance of accurate time tracking How delayed billing impacts cash flow Why designers often underbill clients Using retainers to improve hourly billing Managing scope creep and additional requests Why client communication around money matters The hidden costs of hourly billing Understanding the difference between time and value Why experience should increase your earnings Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#200
June 6 · 18 min
Why Templates Don't Work
Are templates helping your interior design business… or hurting it? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I explain why templates often create more problems than they solve for interior designers. Many designers rely on template contracts, letters of agreement, proposals, and deliverables because they want a faster, easier way to start projects. But the reality is that every project is different, every client is different, and every successful design business requires thoughtful planning and customization. In this episode, I break down why one-size-fits-all templates fail, what deliverables actually are, how boundaries protect both you and your clients, and why a properly crafted letter of agreement is one of the most important business tools you have. We also discuss project planning, payment structures, client expectations, legal protections, and how organizational systems create more profitable projects and a better client experience. If you've ever searched for the perfect template to solve your business challenges, this episode will show you why the real solution is developing the skills and systems behind the document. In this episode, we cover: Why templates create problems for designers The purpose of a strong letter of agreement What deliverables actually mean Why every project requires customization Creating boundaries that protect profitability Structuring payments and cash flow correctly Planning projects before design work begins Protecting yourself with legal language Why organization improves client experience The connection between systems and profitability Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#199
May 30 · 18 min
Do You Have the Right Insurance?
Do you actually have the right insurance coverage for your interior design business? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m talking about one of the most overlooked but critical parts of running a successful design business: professional liability protection. Many designers assume their homeowner’s insurance covers their business, or they believe they’re “too small” to need errors and omissions insurance. But the reality is that every project carries liability, and even happy clients can suddenly become difficult when problems arise. In this episode, I share real stories from my own business experience, including client disputes, product failures, remodel complaints, and unexpected accidents that could have turned into major legal and financial problems. We also discuss why documentation matters, how to protect yourself legally, what errors and omissions insurance actually covers, and why separating your personal and business protections is essential. If you’re running an interior design business without understanding your liability exposure, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, we cover: Why homeowner’s insurance does not cover your design business What errors and omissions insurance actually protects Why no design business is “too small” for liability coverage Real examples of design-related lawsuits and disputes How clients can suddenly become difficult after projects finish Why documentation and signed approvals matter Protecting furniture, inventory, and stored products Understanding liability around specifications and selections Why legal defense costs can become overwhelming Steps every designer should take to protect their business Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#198
May 23 · 19 min
Is My Design Fee Enough?
Are you constantly wondering if your design fee is really enough? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the biggest mindset and business challenges interior designers face: pricing their services confidently and profitably. Many designers struggle because they blur the line between design services and product purchasing. They rely on future furniture sales to make the project profitable, overdeliver without boundaries, and end up exhausted, underpaid, and frustrated. In this episode, I explain why separating design fees from purchasing changes everything. When your design fee fully pays you for your expertise, your time, and your process, you create a healthier business, stronger client relationships, and far more profitability. I also walk through how to structure boundaries inside your agreements, why deliverables need to be crystal clear, how budgets support fee conversations, and why clients are actually more comfortable saying yes when they understand the full financial picture. If you’ve ever questioned your pricing, struggled to hold boundaries, or felt like you were giving away too much unpaid time, this episode will completely change how you think about design fees. In this episode, we cover: Why design fees and purchasing should stay separate The mindset shift from designer to consultant How unclear boundaries create unpaid work Why overdelivering hurts your business Setting limits on meetings, selections, and revisions The relationship between project budgets and fees Why clients say yes more easily when budgets are clear Creating stronger letters of agreement Defining clear deliverables in your contracts Structuring a profitable purchasing process Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#197
May 16 · 19 min
How to Manage Clients Who Can't Make a Decision
What do you do when a client loves every option… but still won’t make a decision? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down how to manage clients who struggle with decision-making and why unresolved decisions can completely derail a design project. When clients delay decisions, it creates confusion, slows contractors down, impacts timelines, increases your unpaid hours, and often weakens the overall design outcome. But the truth is, many clients aren’t intentionally difficult, they simply lack confidence and need more structure, guidance, and clarity throughout the process. In this episode, I share six practical strategies to help clients move through decisions with more confidence while keeping your projects organized, on schedule, and beautifully cohesive. You’ll learn how to reduce overwhelm, create better specification meetings, structure your agreements to support progress, and guide clients through the emotional side of decision-making without becoming frustrated or losing control of the project. If you’ve ever had a client say “I need to think about it” over and over again, this episode will help you lead the process more effectively and protect both your time and your design. In this episode, we cover: Why some clients struggle to make decisions How open-ended decisions delay projects Why unresolved selections hurt the overall design The impact delayed decisions have on contractors and timelines How too many options overwhelm clients Why presenting one best option works better than five How to use anchor selections to guide the design direction Why inspiration photos help reinforce decisions The importance of meeting agendas How preparing clients before meetings improves outcomes Building deadlines into your letter of agreement How written agreements create accountability Why clients need design education throughout the process Explaining the emotional feel behind design choices How to build confidence in hesitant clients Why reinforcing wins helps clients decide faster The importance of holding boundaries during selections Why you should never allow decisions to carry into the next meeting How stronger leadership creates smoother projects Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#196
May 9 · 20 min
Looking for Clients?
Wondering where your next client is coming from? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down what to do when your pipeline is empty, and how to get clients coming in consistently. Every designer experiences cycles in their business. There are times when you’re fully booked, and times when things feel quiet. But instead of panicking, this is your opportunity to reset, refocus, and rebuild your marketing momentum. In this episode, I share five proven strategies to help you generate new clients, reconnect with your network, and create a steady flow of opportunities, without relying on random luck or last-minute hustle. If you’ve been feeling stuck, worried about where your next project is coming from, or unsure what to do next, this episode will give you a clear plan to get back in motion. In this episode, we cover: Why slow periods are normal in a design business How to use downtime productively instead of panicking The importance of keeping your marketing consistent How to clearly define your ideal client and project Why intention and clarity drive results The power of reconnecting with past (legacy) clients How to ask for referrals without sounding needy What real networking actually looks like Why your elevator pitch matters (and what to say instead) How to build powerful referral partnerships The key relationships that bring consistent work Why timing plays a huge role in landing projects How to use social media and email marketing effectively The importance of staying top of mind Why marketing is the most important part of your business How to stop being “busy” and start growing your business Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#195
May 2 · 24 min
Abundance vs. Scarcity
Why do so many designers struggle to get paid what they’re truly worth? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I dive into the real reason behind undercharging, overworking, and feeling stuck financially, and it’s not your pricing strategy. It’s your mindset. Before any system or structure can work, you have to address the beliefs you hold about money. Your “money story” shapes every decision you make in your business, from what you charge to what you present to clients. If you’re operating from scarcity, believing there’s not enough, worrying about what clients can afford, or feeling like you need to be the “affordable option”, you will continue to limit your growth. In this episode, I break down the difference between scarcity and abundance, how your upbringing influences your financial reality, and what it takes to shift into a mindset that aligns with high-end, luxury clients. In this episode, we cover: Why mindset comes before strategy in your business What your “money story” is and how it affects your income The difference between scarcity and abundance thinking Why your beliefs about money may not match your ideal client’s How scarcity keeps you undercharging and overworking Why luxury clients don’t value “cheap” The danger of assuming clients can’t afford your services How your upbringing shaped your financial mindset Common scarcity beliefs designers carry Why working harder won’t make you more successful How abundance thinking changes your business results Why you must become the high-end designer before attracting high-end clients The role of self-worth in pricing and profitability How to confidently present higher fees Why clients are happy to pay when you show value Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
April 25 · 15 min
Success Story
What does it actually take to go from a struggling design business to a thriving, seven-figure company? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I share a real success story of one of our designer students who transformed her business from $250,000 to over $1.25 million in revenue. This isn’t about luck, talent, or magic, it’s about learning, implementing, and consistently taking action. From navigating a major project opportunity during COVID, to refining pricing, building systems, hiring support, and stepping into leadership, this story breaks down exactly what it takes to grow a profitable and sustainable design business. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible for you, or what it really takes to get there—this episode will give you both inspiration and a clear path forward. In this episode, we cover: The real difference between a design practice and a design business How one designer scaled from $250K to $1.25M Why implementation matters more than information The importance of asking for help and being open to change How to properly structure a large, high-value project Why big opportunities must be set up correctly from the start The role of pricing, profitability, and money mindset How to identify and attract your ideal client Why systems are essential for growth and scalability When and how to hire support in your business The importance of staying profitable while growing How to “fly the plane while building it” Why consistent action creates exponential results Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy
#193
April 18 · 17 min
Why Are Boundaries So Hard?
Why are boundaries so hard to set, and even harder to keep? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I break down one of the biggest challenges designers face: creating and holding boundaries in their business without feeling guilty, uncomfortable, or afraid of losing the client. If you’ve ever said yes when you wanted to say no, answered texts late at night, worked weekends you didn’t want to, or given away hours of unpaid work… you’re not alone. Boundaries aren’t just about rules, they’re about protecting your time, your energy, your profitability, and ultimately, your love for your business. In this episode, I walk you through why boundaries feel so difficult, where it comes from, and how to start changing it, so you can create a business that works for you instead of draining you. In this episode, we cover: Why designers don’t realize they need boundaries—until it’s too late The most common boundary violations (and how they happen) Why clients aren’t the problem—you just didn’t set expectations The importance of clear rules in your letter of agreement Why holding boundaries is harder than creating them How clients test your boundaries (just like kids do) The real reason designers struggle to say no How people-pleasing impacts your profit and time Why “just one quick thing” always costs more than you think How to use “yes, and…” to maintain boundaries professionally Why treating clients like family backfires The connection between boundaries and resentment How lack of boundaries leads to burnout (and even quitting) Why clients actually prefer clear structure and leadership The role of boundaries in creating better client experiences How boundaries increase confidence, respect, and profitability Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

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