Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design

Hosted by Katie Decker-Erickson, Business Coach for Interior Designers

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Episodes

116

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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. 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? 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. Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 202618 min

114. Your Business Doesn’t Need You As Much As You Think It Does

Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your team, your workload, or your schedule?What if it's the fact that your business still depends on you for everything?In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest growth barriers I see in interior design firms: owner dependency. It's the moment many business owners reach where the business is growing, revenue is increasing, and the team is expanding—but somehow everything still comes back to them.We're talking about the difference between delegation and authority, why so many designers become the bottleneck without realizing it, and the leadership shifts required to move from being the operator of your business to becoming the CEO.In This Episode, We Cover:The hidden signs your business is too dependent on youWhy growth can actually create more pressure instead of more freedomThe trap of "it's faster if I do it myself"How owner dependency impacts your team, clients, and profitabilityThe difference between assigning tasks and delegating decisionsWhy recurring problems should become systemsHow to create a business that can operate without your constant involvementThe leadership shift required to scale sustainablyIf you've ever felt like your business can't function without you, this episode will help you identify where that dependency exists and what to do about it.Because the goal isn't to build a business that needs you more.It's to build one that gives you your life back.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

June 3, 202637 min

113. The Art Of The Principle: The Hard Conversations No One Talks About That Will Save Your Business

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this special joint episode of Success by Design and Design for the Creative Mind, Michelle Lynne and I kick off a new series called The Art of Being the Principal. We dive into what it really takes to lead a successful interior design firm, move beyond being the operator of your business, and step fully into the role of CEO.If you're balancing design work, team management, marketing, finances, and client demands while wondering why growth still feels so hard, this conversation is for you.IN THIS EPISODE:• The difference between being a business owner and a business operator• Why most designers struggle to step into the CEO role• How systems and processes create more freedom and creativity• What to delegate first as your firm grows• Why protecting your time is critical to scaling sustainably• The importance of hiring the right people and creating accountability• How to stop working harder and start leading smarter• Why successful principals make time for strategy, not just executionMost interior designers don't need to become better designers—they need to become stronger leaders. In this conversation, Michelle and I share honest insights about delegation, leadership, decision-making, and building a firm that supports your life instead of consuming it.If you're ready to move from constantly doing the work to confidently leading the business, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth.Your business should be working for you—not you working for it. This conversation is all about how to make that happen.• Connect with Michelle Lynne: https://www.michellelynne.comConnect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

May 27, 202629 min

112. The Hidden Cost of Saying Yes to the Wrong Projects

Send Katie a Text Message!! What if the project draining your energy, your time, your profit, and your team was never actually the problem? What if the bigger issue is that you said yes to it in the first place?In this episode of Success by Design, I’m talking about the subtle “wrong projects” interior designers take on all the time — the ones that seem fine at first. The budget looks decent, the client seems nice enough, and the space has potential. But somewhere along the way, the project starts pulling your business in a direction you never intended.I’m unpacking why these projects create so much stress, how they quietly weaken your boundaries and positioning, and why saying yes to the wrong fit can completely reshape your business over time. We’re also talking about the hidden costs designers don’t always recognize — from scope creep and emotional labor to team confusion, burnout, and opportunity cost.Inside this episode, I’m sharing:Why wrong projects are usually a positioning problem, not just a client problemThe hidden cost of saying yes to misaligned workHow weak filters lead to exhausting projectsThe difference between high-touch service and unlimited accessWhy pricing, boundaries, and process all act as client filtersThe 7-question framework I use to evaluate whether a project is truly the right fitHow to stop building a business around fear-based yesesIf you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a project that looked good on paper but felt heavy in real life, this episode is going to hit home. Because the goal is not just to stay booked and busy. The goal is to build a design business that actually supports your life, your leadership, and your long-term vision.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

May 20, 202631 min

111. The Decision That Will Either Grow or Stall Your Business This Year

Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever finished a project and immediately moved on to the next one, this episode is going to hit a nerve—in the best way.Because what if the thing keeping your business stuck isn’t your clients, your pricing, or your workload… but the fact that you’re not stopping to evaluate what actually happened?In this episode, I’m breaking down the one decision that separates designers who stay stuck from those who scale—and it has nothing to do with doing more. It’s about how you’re thinking, how you’re leading, and whether you’re willing to look at your business like a CEO instead of reacting like a creator.We’re talking about the shift from emotional decision-making to data-driven leadership—and why something as simple as a post-project debrief can completely change the trajectory of your business.In this episode, we cover:Why most designers unintentionally repeat the same problems project after projectThe difference between emotional thinking and CEO-level decision makingHow avoiding evaluation is quietly stalling your growthWhat your projects are actually telling you about your business (if you’re willing to look)Why a post-project debrief is one of the most powerful tools for scalingHow to start making decisions that lead to more profit, more clarity, and less stressIf your business feels busy but not easier… profitable on paper but not in real life… or like you’re solving the same problems over and over again—this episode will show you why.And more importantly, what to do about it.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

May 13, 202641 min

110. What I’d Fix First If I Took Over Your Interior Design Business Today

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what I would fix first if I stepped into your interior design business and helped you scale to seven figures. And here’s the truth most people won’t tell you—you don’t need to work more, take on more clients, or post more content. What you actually need is to fix the right things in the right order.If your business feels busy but not profitable, or like everything is urgent but nothing is truly moving the needle, this episode is going to hit home. I see so many talented interior designers stuck not because they aren’t capable, but because their business is built on their personal capacity instead of scalable systems.I’m breaking down the biggest misdiagnoses I see—like thinking you need more leads, lower prices, or more help—when in reality, the issue is often your business model, pricing structure, positioning, or lack of clear processes.We also dig into what actually creates a sustainable, profitable design business: a clear business model that supports your revenue goals, pricing that protects your profit, positioning that makes you the obvious choice, a sales process that converts the right clients, and systems that allow your business to run without everything depending on you.And maybe most importantly, we talk about your role as the founder. Because if you’re still doing everything, approving everything, and carrying the entire business on your back, scaling will always feel out of reach. Your next level isn’t about doing more—it’s about stepping into leadership and building a business that can actually support your life.If you’ve ever felt like your business has so much potential but you can’t keep growing this way, this episode will help you identify what’s really holding you back and where to focus next.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

May 6, 202626 min

109. Lessons from High Point Market: How Interior Designers Actually Attract Better Clients

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with designers at High Point Market—and it’s one I couldn’t wait to bring to you here because it hits on something so many of you are experiencing right now.If you’ve been saying “I need more clients,” but you’re not actively nurturing the relationships you already have, this might be the reframe you need. Because what I shared on that stage—and what I see every day in my coaching work—is that most designers don’t actually have a lead problem. They have a relationship problem.At High Point, the questions were familiar: how do I find better clients, bigger projects, and people who truly value full-service design? But underneath those questions is something deeper—and that’s what we’re unpacking here.In this episode, I’m walking you through why relying on referrals alone can quietly limit your growth, even if your reputation is strong. We’re talking about the difference between being busy and being intentional, and why building a relationship ecosystem—not just chasing new leads—is what creates consistent, sustainable demand.I’m also challenging you to think differently about where your ideal clients actually spend their time. Because if you want to work with executives, professionals, and high-net-worth homeowners, your visibility strategy has to go beyond Instagram—and yes, that includes platforms like LinkedIn.We’ll dive into how to position your work so clients understand the transformation you provide (not just the pretty end result), how to stay top of mind with past clients in a way that feels natural, and why your referral partners are one of the most powerful growth tools you’re likely underusing.This is the exact conversation I had with designers at High Point—and if you’re ready to stop chasing clients and start building a business that grows through trust, visibility, and intentional relationships, you’re going to want to listen to this one.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

April 29, 202632 min

108. Scaling an Interior Design Business Takes More Than Bigger Goals

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m unpacking something I see all the time in design businesses—and it might surprise you. It’s not that you need to think bigger. It’s that your business may not be built to support the growth you say you want.I know how easy it is to believe the next level comes from bigger goals, more confidence, or finally stepping into your “CEO era.” But if your structure is weak, scaling doesn’t create freedom—it creates more chaos. More clients, more pressure, more decisions, and more dependency on you.Inside this conversation, I’m walking you through the real difference between motivational thinking and strategic thinking, and why scaling well requires completely different decisions—not just bigger vision. Because if your team still relies on you for everything, your inbox is running your day, and every project still depends on your constant involvement… growth is only going to amplify those problems.We’re talking about what CEO thinking actually looks like in practice. Not as a personality trait, but as a decision-making framework. I’ll show you how to start identifying where your business is breaking under growth, how to stop operating as the bottleneck, and how to shift from reacting to designing a business that can actually hold more.This episode is your invitation to stop chasing bigger for the sake of bigger—and start building a business that is stronger, more sustainable, and truly supports your life.If you’ve ever felt like your business grows… but your freedom doesn’t, this one is for you.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

April 22, 202644 min

107. The Smarter Way Interior Designers Increase Profit (Without More Clients or Higher Prices)

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m joined by Heather McManus, founder of The Designers Collaborative, and we’re diving into a conversation that challenges what most designers believe about profitability. Because if you’ve been told the only way to make more money is to raise your rates or take on more clients, I want you to hear this—there’s another way. And it might completely shift how you think about your business.IN THIS EPISODE:Why making more money doesn’t always mean raising your pricesThe real reason designers lose sales (and client trust) when products get shopped onlineHow pricing tiers and sourcing structure impact your profitability more than you thinkWhat a buying collective actually is—and how it can dramatically increase your marginsThe difference between designers who scale and those who stay stuckWhy systems, not just talent, are what drive long-term successHow to stay competitive with online pricing without sacrificing your profitI see so many designers working harder, taking on more projects, and still feeling like the profit just isn’t there. And the truth is, it’s not always a pricing problem—it’s a structure problem. This conversation opens up a completely different way to think about sourcing, margins, and how you actually build a profitable design business without burning yourself out.If you’ve ever felt frustrated being shopped by your own clients, questioned your pricing, or wondered how other designers seem to make more without doing more, this episode is going to hit home.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

April 15, 202621 min

106. The Hiring Mistake Keeping Interior Designers Overworked

Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve been feeling stretched thin and thinking, “I just need to hire another designer,” this episode might shift everything for you. I’m breaking down why hiring an assistant designer is often not the solution you think it is—and what’s actually keeping you overworked, overwhelmed, and stuck in your business.IN THIS EPISODE:Why hiring an assistant designer often doesn’t solve overwhelmThe difference between task support and true decision ownershipHow being the bottleneck is really what’s draining your timeThe most common hiring mistake I see interior designers makeThe roles you should consider hiring before another designerHow to identify what your business actually needs nextI see this pattern constantly—designers assume they need more help doing the work, when what they actually need is support running the business. If everything still flows through you, adding another designer won’t give you your time back. It just adds more moving pieces to manage.This episode will help you rethink how you hire so you can finally create real capacity instead of just shifting the overwhelm.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

April 8, 202639 min

105. Why You Don’t Have a Million-Dollar Interior Design Business Yet

Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever thought, “I want more in my business, but I don’t know if I can handle more,” this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down one of the biggest reasons interior designers struggle to scale—and it’s not your talent or your work ethic. It’s your business model. If your business is built on the assumption that you have unlimited energy and capacity, it will eventually hit a ceiling. In this episode, I walk you through what’s really keeping you from reaching that million-dollar mark, what it’s costing you, and how to start building a business that actually supports your life.IN THIS EPISODE: Why your business can look successful but feel exhausting to run, the real reason your growth is capped, how over-functioning is limiting your ability to scale, the hidden patterns keeping you stuck, why more revenue doesn’t always mean a stronger business, what a sustainable business model actually looks like, and simple questions to help you identify where your business relies too much on you.You can build a profitable business that still costs you too much—mentally, emotionally, and physically. This episode will help you recognize when your business has outgrown its current model and give you permission to redesign it in a way that supports your life. Because a million dollar business isn’t just about making more, it’s about building something that can hold more without breaking you.Connect with KatieLinkedInBusiness Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firmWebsite

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