Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
Katie Decker-Erickson, Business Coach for Interior Designers
As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming.
That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design.
This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out.
If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place.
We’ll answer questions like:
- How do I get more interior design clients?
- What should I charge for interior design services?
- What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers?
- How can I grow my interior design business?
- How do I build a brand as an interior designer?
- How can I scale my interior design business?
- What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business?
- How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm?
- Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business?
Tune in and let’s grow your interior design business—together.
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Top 10 Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design 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 Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
![Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design - 32: Art, Design, & Affordability [Roundtable]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/4c3c9oxy9qw6dr59ebgvartgw7lk?.avif)
32: Art, Design, & Affordability [Roundtable]
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
08/30/24 • 52 min
For art to not remain an afterthought with interior and commercial designs, we must incorporate art into the conversation early. As designers, we have a unique ability to propel up-and-coming artists forward while also inspiring more clients to bring incredible pieces of art into their spaces. But art isn’t just an important cornerstone to design, it also greatly impacts our nervous systems. For this in-depth roundtable conversation, I have Mandy Theis and Dr. Stacey Denise joining me! You’ll hear the artist’s perspective, the designer’s perspective, and a physician’s perspective. And stay til the end for the Coaching Corner!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover the role of neuroaesthetics and psychology in art and design.
- Uncover strategic ways to connect with the best artists in your area.
- Learn the importance of bringing art into the design conversation early.
👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Coaching Strategy Session
Christie’s & Sotheby’s
Canvas.io
Oklahoma City Artist Registry
Apollo Art
📲 Connect with Dr. Stacey Denise:
Instagram
Website
📲 Connect with Mandy Theis:
Instagram
Website
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
46: Proven Strategies to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients in 2025
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
03/07/25 • 7 min
In this episode, we’re diving into the marketing strategies you need to attract your ideal clients and scale your business in 2025. If marketing feels overwhelming, don’t worry—this episode breaks it into actionable steps that feel authentic and effective.
Grab a notebook and your favorite coffee—this episode is packed with insights to help you position your business for success.
Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at
https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/Proven-Strategies-to-Attract-Dream-Clients
Want to Go Deeper?
Book a 1:1 strategy session with Katie to customize your marketing approach and build a business that works for you in 2025.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
Welcome to Colorful Conversations with Katie!
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
04/03/24 • 1 min
Welcome to “Colorful Conversations with Katie”! Join us for a vibrant podcast where we seamlessly blend the realms of design and business in a fun and professional setting. Available on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms!
📲 CONNECT with Katie:
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers with Katie
The Studio, an Innovative Hub tailored for Interior Design Professionals
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
🎙Fill out our brief listener survey - We'd love to hear from YOU!
This episode of Colorful Conversations with Katie is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
13: The Construction Story with Kelly Fridline
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
12/08/23 • 43 min
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a step-by-step guide to the construction process (AKA the construction story)? Once you have your contract and are well on your way (especially when working with an architect), you must understand what comes next. It’s about approaching the design process with humility and looking at this as a partnership. And if SDs, DTs, & CDs read like a bunch of alphabet soup, you really don’t want to miss this. Kelly Fridline joins me for a thorough walkthrough of the construction process.
In this episode, you will:
- Discover how the construction story (or process) unfolds so you know what to expect.
- Learn the best way to have great communication and collaboration with contractors and architects.
- Uncover the truth about how to best navigate the construction site as a female designer.
Full Show Notes Here!👉 Links & Mentioned Resources
The Fountainhead
Presentation By Design
Hard Hat
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
31: How to Make Money as an Interior Designer with Laura Thornton
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
08/16/24 • 45 min
Whether your design firm is new or not, it’s high time you learn how to make money and run a profitable business! No more free consultations. No more asking for permission to raise your rates. And certainly no more burying your head in the sand and not looking at your numbers. Award-winning designer and fellow podcaster, Laura Thornton joins me for this conversation! She’s sharing about time tracking, money management, offer pricing, intuition, and SO much more in this episode. You’re gonna need at least one notebook for this one. Be sure to stay for this week’s Coaching Corner!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover how to make money and become profitable as an interior designer.
- Uncover the benefits of tracking your time each week.
- Learn what questions to answer so you start tracking your numbers efficiently.
👉 Mentioned Resources
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Profit Academy for Interior Designers (use code: KATIECOLOR10)
Colorworks Cares
Guide to Choosing Your Pricing Model
Related Episodes:
Hire a CPA
Target Market
Corporate Give Back
📲Connect with Laura:
Website
Instagram
Podcast
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
22: Interior Designers Pricing & Project Estimation with Michelle Lynne Pant
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
04/12/24 • 55 min
A business series wouldn’t be complete without talking about pricing for interior designers. Pricing and project estimation can be such a touchy and intimidating topic, but it doesn’t need to be! How can designers turn what they love into a profitable business quickly? How do you make the jump from hourly to value-based (or flat-fee) pricing? Michelle Lynne Pant is here to answer all these questions and more in one of our rawest conversations yet! You’re going to want to take notes with this one—and make sure to stick around for The Coaching Corner at the end of the conversation!
In this episode, you will:
- Learn how to easily go from an hourly rate to flat-fee pricing as a designer.
- Discover how to get ahead of clients shopping your services and products.
- Uncover the best way to manage client timelines, expectations, and budgets.
👉 Links & Mentioned Resources
Guide to Choosing Your Pricing Model for Your Design Firm
Coaching Strategy Session
Rolling in the Dough workshop
How to Hire a CPA w/ Kate Snelson
📲 Connect with Michelle:
Instagram
Website
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
19: How to Hire a CPA for Your Design Firm with Kate Snelson
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
03/01/24 • 41 min
How are you supposed to know which CPA to hire? Or when to hire them? Can you ask them questions before becoming a client? What qualifies as a business expense? Which expenses do business owners commonly miss? And do you really want your CPA to ask you potentially awkward questions? Don’t you already have enough on your plate with starting a design business?
The answer is yes, and that’s why Kate Nelson has returned to the show to answer all our questions. In today’s conversation, Kate shared how to find a great CPA, red flags to be aware of, and what questions you should ask them. Listen for a jam-packed and very transparent conversation about all things accounting for small businesses.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn how to know when it’s time to hire a CPA.
- Uncover how often you should pay taxes as a business owner.
- Discover what questions to ask to help you find a great CPA for your design business.
👉 Links & Mentioned Resources
How to Hire a CPA as an interior designer
IRS Common DeductionsGuide: Your Tax Calendar; Dates You Don't Want to Miss!
📲 Connect with Kate:
Booking link (mention the podcast in intake form)
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
This episode provides general tax information only and is not professional advice. Laws change and vary by location; always consult a tax professional. The host and guests' opinions are their own and not official guidance. We're not liable for any actions taken based on this content.
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
2: Color Trends of 2024
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
07/20/23 • 26 min
In this episode, we sit down with Susan Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at the Americas Group, to discuss the color trends of 2023. Susan shares her expertise and insights into the captivating world of color and its impact on the design industry. An exclusive announcement is unveiled: the highly anticipated 2024 color trends are set to launch next month in a completely new and reimaged way that is even more designer-friendly!
Full Show Notes Here📚Expand your Knowledge:
Interior Design Resources
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
47: The Only Woman on the Construction Site with Renée Biery
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
03/14/25 • 44 min
You’ve likely seen this scenario play out—a homeowner has an idea for their remodel, the GC calls it stupid, and while he has a point, the homeowner’s feelings are hurt and no one’s offered a viable solution. That is precisely where we come in.
As interior designers, we are uniquely able to translate our clients’ ideas to the construction crew who can bring it to life. But there’s even more that’s at play when you’re a female designer on the construction site. Renée Biery joins me for a conversation about navigating being the only woman on a construction site. She’s a construction expert who regularly shares her knowledge with interior designers.
In today’s episode, Renée shares misconceptions around managing construction projects, the best approach to earn respect on a job site as a woman, and how client retention rates are impacted by project management. As always, there’s even more in the Coaching Corner for you!
Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at
https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/only-girl-on-the-construction-site
📲 Connect with Renée:
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
29: Grow Your Interior Design Business Using Collaborations & AI with Jenny Cano
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
07/19/24 • 25 min
Your design business will grow faster, go further, and be more successful when you embrace 2 things: collaborations and technology. You may not want to admit it, but AI is here to stay! It can even have a positive impact on your firm—if you let it. And that’s just one collaboration you can engage in! There’s also the opportunity to join professional organizations which can keep you inspired, get you out of creative burnout, or provide educational resources. If you're curious about how collaboration and technology can benefit your business, you will not want to miss this episode with Jenny Cano! Stick around for the Coaching Corner where I’m sharing my own insecurities around collaboration and competition. Enjoy the conversation!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover how a collaborative mindset is propelling designers to become 7-figure business owners.
- Uncover the best way to move past the fear of technology for the sake of your firm.
- Learn how to strategically use collaboration and technology tools to grow your business.
👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio & Coaching Strategy Session
WSJ: AI & Design article
Interior Design Society
Interior Designers Pricing & Project Estimation with Michelle Lynne Pant
📲Connect with Jenny:
Instagram
LinkedIn
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
Connect with Katie
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design have?
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design currently has 54 episodes available.
What topics does Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, Design, Podcasts, Arts and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design?
The episode title '24: How to Close Sales Using Body Language with Nancy Ganzekaufer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design?
The average episode length on Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design released?
Episodes of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design?
The first episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design was released on Jun 27, 2023.
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