Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
Katie Decker-Erickson, MBA, IACC-NA
As an interior designer, do you struggle with balancing your passion for creativity with the practical demands and hopes of running a successful business? Whether starting a new venture or scaling an existing firm, the complexities can be overwhelming. Welcome to “Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design,” a podcast designed to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship.
This masterclass is hosted by the dynamic Katie Decker-Erickson, a seasoned expert with nearly 20 years of experience in interior design, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and creator and owner of a multimillion-dollar interior design firm.
Each episode offers innovative and actionable business strategies, engaging conversations, and practical guidance to help you build and grow a successful design business. Tune in every other Friday on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms to ignite your creative spark and sharpen your entrepreneurial skills. (Topics and language are kid/family friendly.)
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Top 10 Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior 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 Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
20: Business Insurance Basics for Designers with Stephen Wisocky
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
03/15/24 • 40 min
Insurance should grow alongside your business—it’s not a set it and forget it situation! So let’s talk about the insurance needs of interior designers. What insurance must you have as soon as you open your design firm? How do your insurance needs change as your firm grows? And what rates can you expect to pay? Stephen Wisocky (the exclusive Insurance Partner of the Interior Design Society), joins me for this conversation—perfect whether your design business is new or has grown in recent years! Stay til the end of the episode to hear about the wildest liability claim Stephen’s ever seen and to see if the Colorful Question is yours!
In this episode, you will:
- Uncover a range of rates you could expect to pay for insurance as a designer.
- Learn examples of situations you might face in the field and want to have insurance coverage for.
- Discover different types of business insurance interior designers need to have (and might want to have).
👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Ep 17: The Legal Side of Running a Design Firm with David Adler
Ep 19: How to Hire a CPA for Your Design Firm with Kate Snelson
Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!
Grab your GUIDE: Essential Insurance Guide for interior designers
📲Connect with Stephen:
Home Furnishings Insurance Group
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
15: The Benefits of Starting a Business with Mark Bernheimer
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
01/05/24 • 43 min
If you had the chance to shape what your days, weeks, months, and life looked like—would you go for it? Becoming an entrepreneur is perfect for when you want to do something differently, do it better, and just be who you are! It gives you such freedom. But, truth be told... it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Mark Bernheimer, one of my journalism mentors, joins me in this conversation.
We jump straight into what you need to know and be prepared for as you enter the world of entrepreneurship. We also shine a light on the unexpected benefits of becoming a business owner and what it truly means to be happy. Whether you’re newer to business, just taking a peek to see if you like the idea, or have been in business for a couple years—this first episode in our Creating a Design Business Series gives you a fresh perspective you can take with you into 2024!
In this episode, you will:
- Uncover the secrets to starting and running a truly successful business.
- Discover what you need to be prepared for as a new business owner.
- Learn the biggest difference between being an employee and an entrepreneur.
📲 Connect with Mark:
Twitter/X🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
2: Color Trends of 2024
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
07/20/23 • 27 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
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
29: Grow Your Interior Design Business Using Collaborations & AI with Jenny Cano
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
07/19/24 • 26 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
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
41: Mindset Shifts to Scale Your Business Beyond 6-Figures with Laura Thornton
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
01/03/25 • 48 min
The mental gymnastics it takes to start a business is just... different from the mindset shifts it takes to scale a business to 6-figures and beyond. (Mindset plays a huge role in both personal and professional growth!) I’m thrilled to have Laura Thornton back on the podcast for this conversation. We’re discussing the mindset shifts that are imperative when looking to scale your design business. Laura shares insights about growing a team, advice about being courageous and growing your confidence, and the raw truth of what it really takes to take your business to that next level—whatever that looks like for you! Enjoy the conversation and make sure you stick around for the Coaching Corner!
Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at
https://www.colorworks.coach/podcast-library/b/mindset-shifts-to-scale-a-business-to-6-figures-and-beyond
📲Connect with Laura:
Instagram
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
Bonus: Vegas Market Recap—Biggest Trends 2024 with Diana Rushton
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
02/09/24 • 36 min
Wondering what happened at the 2024 Las Vegas Market? As a designer, it’s important to stay on top of the shifts in trends—it makes your designs relevant, brings them up-to-date, keeps you current, and moves you forward even beyond that. Our very own Diana Rushton went to market and shares the details of the design trends she discovered. If you haven’t felt particularly creative recently, this conversation is sure to spark something for you! Tune in to find out what we can expect to see in design textures and colors in 2024 and which design styles are in—and out. Make sure you stay to the end to hear tips for your next trip to market and to find out if this week’s Colorful Question is yours!
In this episode, you will:
- Discover which colors and textures are trending in 2024 designs.
- Uncover the color making an unexpected comeback.
- Learn the best way to approach a trip to the Las Vegas Market.
Full Show Note Here!
👉 Mentioned Resources
The StudioPhillips CollectionLas Vegas Market
📲Connect with Diana:
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
17: The Legal Side of Running a Design Firm with David Adler
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
02/02/24 • 38 min
How do you build a portfolio when you don't own the intellectual property rights? What questions should you ask an attorney before working together? What do you really need to know—legally speaking—about starting and running a business? I'm thrilled to have David Adler in today's episode, part of our Creating a Design Business Series, for this conversation about legalities. No matter if you want to start a business or grow your design firm, there are things you need to do to protect yourself legally. It's impossible to keep up with the changing legal landscape while running a successful firm, so getting an attorney involved early in your business more than pays for itself. Stick around for a great conversation and take note of the big legal issues on the horizon in our industry.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn how an intellectual property attorney can help you legally protect your design business.
- Discover what questions to ask an IP attorney as you begin or want to grow your design firm.
- Uncover how to find the best attorney who understands your needs as a designer.
👉 Mentioned Resources
American Society of Interior Design
📲Connect with David:
🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
16: Intro to Interior Design Entrepreneurship with Michelle Lynne Pant
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
01/19/24 • 34 min
Have you found yourself wondering how to start an interior design business? Curious about what qualities and skills you need to be successful? The truth is—there are some really fun things about entrepreneurship... and there are some less than glamorous things you should know about. Fellow interior designer, business owner, and coach Michelle Lynne Pant joins me for this episode. Whether you’re a designer currently working as an employee at a firm or you’re working in Corporate America dreaming of a career change—you won’t want to miss this conversation! This installment of our Creating a Design Business Series gives you incredible insights on not only what it’s like to be a designer, but also what to expect when starting your own design firm. You’ll walk away with the clarity you need to know whether you want to enter the world of interior design entrepreneurship—or not.
In this episode, you will:
- Discover what you need to start and run your own successful design firm.
- Uncover the hidden perk of running your own design business.
- Learn the key to attracting your most ideal design clients.
👉 Mentioned Resources
Women vs Women vs Men by Barbara Streisand
Designed For the Creative Mind Podcast
📲Connect with Michelle:
🖥️ This episode is brought to you by DBM Consulting.
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
14: Futurist Predictions for Design & Business with Rebecca Ryan
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
12/22/23 • 47 min
Our world is rapidly evolving. We’ve got AI and a whole host of other innovations coming on board and shaking things up. If we're not evolving in our business, we will be left behind. Instead of being fearful of the uncertainty that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond, what if we could hear predictions from someone who studies the future and create a game plan?
As a professional futurist, Rebecca Ryan is no stranger to predictions. I’m so excited she’s joining me for this conversation where we’re going deep on questions like: What will design in public spaces look like in the future? What do design firms need to know moving into 2024? And what is this futurism-meets-design project she’s been working on with Libby Castro? This episode is a must-listen for all entrepreneurs, small business owners, design professionals—and humans.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn futurist predictions for 2024 for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- Uncover how designers can lead the charge against schismogenesis (and what that is).
- Discover the impact a futurist (like a designer) can have on a community and society.
👉 Links & Mentioned Resources
10 Trends for the next ten years
The Work Better Project
NeoCon 2023 Review
Interview with Treger Strasberg of Humble Design
The Little Red Ball
The Zen Leader
📲Connect with Rebecca:
Instagram
Threads
LinkedIn
Instagram (NextGenerationConsulting)
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
21: Target Audience Personas & Marketing with Bill Gelgota
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design
03/29/24 • 44 min
The target persona in your marketing is maybe the most critical piece of your business foundations. It’s just like the old adage says, if you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to no one. But how are you supposed to determine your target market when you’re just starting your design business? How do you discover their wants and needs? And how does a SWOT analysis come into the mix? We are answering all this and more in today's episode with my guest, Bill Gelgota. Stick around for the rapid fire “but, Bill” questions and to see if this week’s Colorful Question is yours!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Learn why having a target market matters when you're starting or running your business.
- Discover how to use demographics, sociographics, psychographics, and geographics to help you discover your target audience.
- Uncover how to know if you should continue with the same target audience or pivot in a new direction.
👉 Mentioned Resources
The Studio
Coaching Strategy Session
Census Data
Esri
Futurist Predictions for Design & Business with Rebecca Ryan
S.W.O.T. Analysis Journal
Marketing: Target Client Persona Interactive Guide
📲Connect with Bill:
LinkedIn
This episode is brought to you by Nello Marelli - Nel Colore Color Trend Book
Strategy Sessions with Katie, actionable insights and elevated results. Subscribe to our premium channel today!
Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.
📲 Connect with Katie:
Subscribe to our premium channel, Success by Design: Strategy Sessions with KatieBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
LinkedIn
Website
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design have?
Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design currently has 44 episodes available.
What topics does Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, Design, Podcasts, Interior Design, Arts, Business and Interior Design Business.
What is the most popular episode on Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior 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 Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design?
The average episode length on Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design is 38 minutes.
How often are episodes of Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design released?
Episodes of Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design?
The first episode of Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design was released on Jun 27, 2023.
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