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Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

Rebecca West, Interior Design Marketing Strategist & Client Communication​ ​Coach

Looking for real-talk wisdom that'll help you steer your residential interior design biz to sweet, sweet success?
Welcome to "Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know" – the podcast where seasoned interior-designer-turned-marketing-and-communication-strategist Rebecca West of Seriously Happy Coaching & Consulting serves up perfect pours of business and industry advice for residential interior designers who want to help their clients get seriously happy at home.
No topic's off-limits and the advice is wide-ranging, covering everything from how to create an interior design website to what interior designers need to know about bookkeeping. No matter the topic, every episode is meant to help both new and experienced residential interior designers succeed in business.
So put down that paint fan and let’s dive in for some no-nonsense, totally actionable advice that'll help your design biz thrive and keep your sanity intact.
--

Hosted by business coach Rebecca West, an interior designer with nearly two decades of experience running her residential interior design firm Seriously Happy Homes. She’s obsessed with costume parties, cat videos, and - oh yah - raising the standards for professional interior design services.

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Top 10 Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 2: How to Create an Interior Design Website: A Roadmap That Leads Your Clients to a YES!

Ep 2: How to Create an Interior Design Website: A Roadmap That Leads Your Clients to a YES!

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

07/11/24 • 17 min

In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know we talk about the fundamentals of building in interior design website. Whether your DIYing your first site, or finally investing in a professional website designer develop, this episode will give a roadmap that decomplicates the ecosystem of your site and turns it into a conversion machine! In 17 short minutes we'll cover:

  1. Function First: Prioritize functionality over aesthetics when designing your website, just as you would when designing a room. Ensure clarity in communication to effectively convey your message to potential clients.
  2. Crafting a Compelling Promise: Your homepage should feature a "sigh of relief" promise that stops visitors in their tracks and assures them they've found the designer they're looking for. This promise should go beyond aesthetics and highlight how you'll deliver results that align with your clients' desires and needs.
  3. Guide Visitors Through a Clear Journey: Lead visitors through a logical sequence of pages, starting with the homepage, then the portfolio, services, about page, and finally, the contact page. Each step should reinforce your value proposition and build trust, ultimately leading to conversion.
  4. Avoid Overwhelming with Calls to Action: Resist the temptation to inundate visitors with too many calls to action or prompt them to contact you too quickly. Instead, gradually introduce them to your services and allow them to explore your portfolio before inviting them to inquire about your offerings.
  5. Align Messaging with Brand Identity: Ensure that your website's messaging reflects your brand identity, values, and unique selling points. Consistency in messaging across all platforms, including social media and SEO efforts, reinforces your brand and attracts your ideal clientele.

Tune in to unravel the complexities of website design and distill it into a clear, actionable roadmap!

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

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Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 7: Don't Give Away The Rights To Your Name! and Other Essential Legal Advice About Licensing, Trademarks, & Copywrite from Lawyer Nicole Dolgon
play

01/31/25 • 52 min

Want to Be the Next Joanna Gaines or Nate Berkus? Here's What You Need to Know About Licensing Your Name

Ever wondered what it takes to build a brand like Joanna Gaines, Nate Berkus, or Jonathan Adler—the kind that turns your name into a household one (and a revenue stream)? You’re not alone!

In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know, we’re diving into the world of licensing, trademarks, copyrights, and patents with Nicole Dolgon, an attorney at ESCA Legal in New York. If you’ve ever dreamed of expanding your brand beyond client projects—whether through product lines, media deals, or collaborations—this is a conversation you need to hear.

Nicole breaks down:
✅ When to start thinking about trademarks and legal protections in your business
✅ How to avoid signing away the rights to your own name (yes, it happens!)
✅ The legal must-knows for designers who want to scale their brand

Whether you're just starting out or already eyeing brand partnerships, this episode will give you the legal foundation to protect your future empire.

🎧 Tune in now! 😀

Want to contact Nicole Dolgan?

www.esca.legal
Instagram: @nicoledolgonesq

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Do You Need To Provide Elevations in Your Interior Design Files? (Spoiler: YES!)

Do You Need To Provide Elevations in Your Interior Design Files? (Spoiler: YES!)

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

03/15/24 • 22 min

In this episode we look at why it's important to include elevations in your residential interior design documents, and how elevations are crucial for ensuring project success. From precise installations to clear communication with contractors, elevations play a pivotal role in bringing your design vision to life. Tune in to learn how to incorporate elevations effectively, streamline your process, and enhance the value of your professional design services. If you're ready to elevate your design game and take your business to new heights, this episode is a must-listen!

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 3: This Interior Designer Isn't Afraid of AI, and Here's Why

Ep 3: This Interior Designer Isn't Afraid of AI, and Here's Why

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

08/15/24 • 14 min

Hey interior designers! We’re living in an exciting era, watching AI technology unfold before our eyes. Of course, just like when the printing press, the telephone, or even TV emerged, people are scared AI is going end life as we know it. Are they right? Is AI going to take our interior design jobs?

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

  • Why AI isn't as threatening to interior designers as it seems.
  • The current limitations of AI in design, from wonky fingers to impractical build concepts.
  • The irreplaceable human elements of interior design: creativity, client communication, and problem-solving.
  • How to leverage AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, your design process.
  • Practical tips on using AI efficiently while mastering the human touch in your projects.

From creative idea generation to managing client expectations and navigating project hurdles, this episode covers why AI can't replicate the nuanced, empathetic role of an interior designer. Learn how to ride the wave of AI innovation without fear and use it to your advantage.

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 6: A Logo Is NOT A Brand! and Other Essential Marketing Advice from Website Designer Robyn White

Ep 6: A Logo Is NOT A Brand! and Other Essential Marketing Advice from Website Designer Robyn White

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

11/25/24 • 39 min

In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know we enjoy a masterclass on marketing strategies for interior designers with Robyn White of RDW Design Studio, a website design firm dedicated to Interior Designers.
She may have come to the industry thanks to an embarrassing addiction to HGTV but she's since learned exactly what it actually takes to be a professional interior designer offering luxury services to exacting clients, and loves helping designers not only get found, but become The One to find! Of course, it helps that before Robyn did this work she spent ten years serving discerning clients in the luxury sector as the Vice President of the Manhattan location of an international art gallery. Fancy! ✨
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who needs to understand the big picture of marketing as an interior design business owner. Whether you're going to hire a professional website designer, or are still in the DIY phase, there is something for you in this episode!
Find Robyn at RDW Design Studio, or be friends with her on Instagram at @rdwdesignstudio!

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 8: Make your Contractor Your Best Referral Partner: How-To Tips for Contractor-Friendly Interior Design Files

Ep 8: Make your Contractor Your Best Referral Partner: How-To Tips for Contractor-Friendly Interior Design Files

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

03/18/25 • 58 min

Want your contractor to rave about you (and send you referrals)?

Turns out, the secret isn’t great design—it’s great design files!

You know: floor plans, elevations, and material lists. They aren’t just nice to have. They are essential to a smooth project!

In the latest episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know, Rebecca chats with general contractors Chris and Lisa of Raincap Construction (Seattle, WA) to get the inside scoop on what makes design documentation truly contractor-friendly.

We cover:

  • The mistakes designers regularly make in their design files
  • What contractors wish we knew (but don’t always say)
  • How better documentation = smoother installs, fewer headaches, + happier clients

Thank you to Chris and Lisa for sharing their time and real-world examples of how well-prepared design files prevent miscommunications, keep costs in check, and help projects run on time (who doesn’t love a drama-free install?!).

Whether you're a designer looking to refine your process or a contractor wishing designers would—this episode is packed with insights to help both sides collaborate more effectively and deliver top-notch results.

Give it a listen and turn your contractors into your biggest allies! 🎧💡

#InteriorDesignBusiness #ContractorCollaboration #DesignDocs #DesignSuccess #StreamlineYourProjects

--

👷‍♂️💛👷🏻‍♀️ Connect with Chris, Lisa, and the team at Raincap Construction

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ep 4: Stop Charging Your Clients For Credit Card Fees! And Other Smart Advice From Bookkeeper Natalie Spears of Vintage Grey

Ep 4: Stop Charging Your Clients For Credit Card Fees! And Other Smart Advice From Bookkeeper Natalie Spears of Vintage Grey

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

09/19/24 • 60 min

In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know I sit down with Natalie Spears, CEO of Vintage Grey, a bookkeeping firm dedicated to Interior Designers, to reveal the bookkeeping essentials every designer needs.
From the often-ignored legal pitfalls of co-mingling funds (it’s not just a bookkeeping nightmare!) to those dreaded credit card processing fees (and why avoiding them might actually cost you clients) Natalie shares priceless advice about what interior designers need to know about bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels a bit of financial chaos creeping into their design business. Tune in to get all the gems Natalie dropped!
Find Natalie at Vintage Grey LLC, and get practical daily bookkeeping tips from her on Instagram, Facebook, and Linked In.

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Ring, Ping, or Email? Mastering Communication in Interior Design Projects

Ring, Ping, or Email? Mastering Communication in Interior Design Projects

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

03/26/24 • 11 min

In this episode of "Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know" we ask the crucial interior design communication question: Should you call, text, or email your client? Want to level up your skills in the art of effective communication in residential interior design projects?

  • Discover why choosing the right communication method can be the difference between project success and failure. It affects everything, from managing client expectations to empowering confident design decisions.
  • Learn when to use which communication method - text, email, and phone. Whether it's conveying timely updates, discussing design details, or calming a client's freak-out moment, there *is* a better communication method for each situation.
  • Get quick tips on crafting concise emails, maintaining a professional tone, and using phone calls (I know... 🙄) to diffuse tense situations. Plus, learn essential techniques for documenting important conversations and decisions to keep your projects on track.

It's another let's-keep-this-quick episode packed with practical tips and strategies to improve your communication approach and set yourself, and your interior design project, up for success. Enjoy!

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - Do Your Interior Design Services Read Like the Dollar Menu at the Local McCheapos?

Do Your Interior Design Services Read Like the Dollar Menu at the Local McCheapos?

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

03/15/24 • 17 min

In this episode of "Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know" we look at the terrible state of many interior design service packages. Are your services leaving clients underwhelmed, akin to ordering off a fast-food menu?
Your interior design services should align with the talent, experience, and value you bring to your interior design clients - unforgettable client experiences and remarkable results shouldn't be sold like cheap dollar-menu tacos.

In a sea of discount design and HGTV-inspired misconceptions it's more important than ever to effectively communicate the journey we take our interior design clients on, and truly help them understand the outcomes of our services. Learn how to showcase your expertise and differentiate yourself in a crowded market, all while empowering clients to make confident design decisions.

Tune in now and let's transform your business from McCheepos to Michelin-starred excellence!

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers - What's a "Client Conversion Rate" and What Should Yours Be In Your Interior Design Firm? (I promise this isn't a boring episode!)

What's a "Client Conversion Rate" and What Should Yours Be In Your Interior Design Firm? (I promise this isn't a boring episode!)

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers

play

03/15/24 • 16 min

Let's talk about Conversion Rates! What are they, what should yours be, and how are they related to crafting a perfect onboarding process for your interior design business?

In this episode I start with the basics of conversion rates then get into the nitty-gritty details of optimizing your client onboarding journey. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting your business journey, this episode offers valuable nuggets of wisdom to elevate your game.

Learn how to decipher conversion rates and why understanding these numbers is crucial for your business success. I'll talk about why a 90-95% conversion rate is TOO HIGH and why I intentionally aimed for a strategic 65-70% conversion rate, finding the sweet spot between accessibility and profitability.

Whether you're struggling with low conversion rates or aiming to refine your onboarding process, this episode shares tools and insights to conquer the challenges of modern interior design entrepreneurship.

---
Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com
Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy
Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast
And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

bookmark
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share episode

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FAQ

How many episodes does Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers have?

Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers currently has 12 episodes available.

What topics does Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers cover?

The podcast is about Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Design, Home Improvement, Home Design, Podcasts, Interior Design, Arts and Business.

What is the most popular episode on Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers?

The episode title 'Ep 2: How to Create an Interior Design Website: A Roadmap That Leads Your Clients to a YES!' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers?

The average episode length on Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers is 31 minutes.

How often are episodes of Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers released?

Episodes of Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers are typically released every 35 days, 1 hour.

When was the first episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers?

The first episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know: Insider Industry Advice for Residential Interior Designers was released on Mar 15, 2024.

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