Business of Design ™ | Interior Designers, Decorators, Stagers, Stylists, Architects & Landscapers

Business of DesignTM provides independent designers, decorators, architects, stagers and landscapers with a systematic approach to client satisfaction. Relying on BODTM 15 STEP Project Management Strategy to produce Satisfaction by DesignTM. In this two-part episode, Advocate in Chief and interior designer, Kimberley Seldon shares a week in the life of a project, focusing on STEP 10. In this episode we learn: - give yourself extra time for install days - it’s worth any amount of trouble to fix small annoyances during the STEP 10 - even when everything is planned to the last detail, be prepared for surprises - verify all appliances and mechanics are working before your clients arrive for the reveal It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you’ve fantasized about finding a partner who would take on all the challenges of running a business. For these lucky pairs, the fantasy became a reality. In part two of this two part series, we talk to Abby Smith and Abbey Ragsdale about how they make it work and what you should consider before you take a partner. In this episode we learn: - things to avoid when choosing a partner - prepare a business plan (partners and solo-preneurs) - a partnership creates natural accountability - choose a partner with a skillset that differs from your own - consider a test run, where you collaborate on a project before officially becoming partners - discuss all the contentious issues up front—salary needs and expectations, time off allotments, style of compromise, etc. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Business of DesignTM provides independent designers, decorators, architects, stagers and landscapers with a systematic approach to client satisfaction. Relying on BODTM 15 STEP Project Management Strategy to produce Satisfaction by DesignTM. In this episode, Advocate in Chief and interior designer, Kimberley Seldon shares a week in the life of a project, focusing on STEP 10. If you want to run projects like a boss, sign up for membership today. In this episode we learn: - even small projects have an exhaustive list of details to manage - there will always be a few holes to fill, so an extra day or two for the process is the difference between success and near-success - there is an art to organizing the movers for install days It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you’ve fantasized about finding a partner who would take on all the challenges of running a business. For these lucky pairs, the fantasy became a reality. In part one of this two part series we talk to Jessica Geller and Virginia Toledo about how they make it work and how you might find a partner of your own. In this episode we learn: - consider placing an ad to enlist help in your design firm, if it’s a great fit, then you can talk partnership - when the economy slows, it’s important to reassess who your clients are and appeal directly to them - you don’t necessarily want to choose a friend or family member as a partner - vet carefully anyone you want to introduce into your business; hire them on a project basis first - assign specific tasks to each partner, look for complementary skills - if there is an issue with your partner, deal with it directly - consider a non-designer as a partner, perhaps a contractor, builder, architect or landscaper It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Although hiring, firing and performance reviews are rarely the stuff entrepreneurial dreams are made of, they are elements that come into play as your practice grows. Aysun Kuck has worked with Kimberley Seldon Design Group for more than 20 years, running an office that consisted of 13 designers plus support staff. In this episode we learn: - a process for hiring is the surest way to get quality staff - candidates who do not follow the basic rules for the hiring process should be immediately disqualified from the process - firing is an inevitable part of the job - saying yes to every opportunity, without restrictions is not the best way to grow your brand It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast