Think you’re protected because you meant to get the proposal signed? Think again.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m continuing the conversation on financial risk, and sharing a real story from my own design studio that proves exactly why systems and boundaries must be followed every single time.

From unfunded proposals to “just helping the client out,” you’ll hear how even experienced designers can fall into people‑pleasing traps that lead to unpaid work, legal battles, and major stress. More importantly, you’ll learn the non‑negotiable boundary that protects your money, your mindset, and your business.

In this episode, I cover:

• A real studio story that led to arbitration over unpaid work
• Why unsigned and unfunded proposals are a financial landmine
• How people‑pleasing overrides systems (even for senior designers)
• The hidden cost of “doing a favor” for a client
• Why your systems exist to protect you, not inconvenience clients
• The exact boundary that must never be crossed
• How to remove emotion from money decisions

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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Still taking 50% deposits on product orders? That’s a financial risk you can’t afford.
In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing a real story of how one designer nearly lost her business because of outdated payment practices, and how to fix it with one simple boundary.

You’ll learn why half-down payments no longer protect you, what your letter of agreement should say, and how shifting your mindset around money and risk can completely change your business.

In this episode, I cover:

• A true story of a designer left holding $60K in product debt
• What happens legally when a client dies mid-project
• Why 50% down payments leave you financially exposed
• The only contract terms that actually protect you
• How to ask for 100% upfront without fear
• The mindset shift that eliminates risk and builds confidence
• Why people-pleasing has no place in your purchasing process

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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If you’re constantly doing “just one more thing” for free, it’s not about client service, it’s a boundary issue.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down how scope creep sneaks into your projects and steals your time, profits, and peace of mind. From color consults and last-minute requests to Wayfair screenshots and patio meetings, we’re calling it what it is: unpaid work.

You’ll learn why scope creep happens, how to recognize it early, and what to say to stop it in its tracks, kindly, clearly, and confidently.

In this episode, I cover:

• Real examples of scope creep and how they sabotage your business
• Why people-pleasing turns into resentment and burnout
• How to write LOAs that protect your time and value
• Scripts for responding to “by the way” requests
• The role of mindset and self-worth in boundary setting
• How scope creep can turn into extra income with the right systems

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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If you're discounting product to get the job, it's not a pricing problem, it’s a boundaries problem.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I'm diving into the real reasons designers give away profits, time, and authority, and how to reclaim all three. Whether it’s sharing trade discounts, undercharging on product, or trying to “be nice,” I’ll show you why those strategies backfire and what to do instead.

If you’ve ever felt undervalued, overworked, or unsure how to stand firm on pricing, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode, I cover:

• The most common boundary leaks around product pricing
• Why sharing your trade discount devalues your expertise
• The difference between designing and purchasing, and why they must be separated
• Why “procurement fees” don’t work and what to do instead
• A journaling exercise that helps identify your biggest boundary issues
• How to stop people-pleasing and start leading with confidence

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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If you’re not getting paid what you’re worth, the real issue might not be pricing—it’s boundaries.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into why boundaries are the key to profitability, clarity, and peace of mind. From undercharging and scope creep to verbal orders and unpaid extras, I’m sharing the real-world ways designers lose money and respect, and how to stop the cycle.

If you’ve ever ended a project feeling resentful or undervalued, this episode is your call to action.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why most time and money leaks are boundary problems
• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and over-delivering
• Why scope creep happens (and how to stop it)
• The danger of verbal orders and “doing it to be nice”
• How to shift your mindset from caregiver to CEO

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Starting a design business isn’t just about being talented, it’s about building a real business foundation that can support you long-term.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing what it really takes to start a design business—step-by-step—like a giant checklist. Most designers start by helping friends and family, but eventually you have to learn how to shift from “free help” into a legitimate business without becoming the gift that keeps on giving forever.

I’m walking you through the legal and operational setup you need (licenses, insurance, business structure, and naming), how to build out your vendor accounts and trade relationships, what support teams you need behind the scenes (from delivery and installers to remodel trades), and what systems you must have in place to stay organized and profitable.

Then I’ll cover the other half of success: marketing. Because if you want clients consistently, you need to know who your ideal client is, what problem you solve, and how to position yourself as the obvious choice—even when you’re just getting started.

This episode is packed, practical, and designed to give you clarity on what to do first… and what to build over time.

In this episode, I cover:

• How most design businesses start (friends & family) and why that can become a trap
• How to transition from “free help” to a real business model
• What to set up first: licenses, tax IDs, insurance, LLC/S-Corp structure
• How to choose a business name and secure your URL early
• Why joining a design organization helps open doors and builds credibility
• What vendor accounts you must open (furniture + decor)
• The wholesale discount benchmark you should aim for (at least 50%)
• Why retail-only sourcing can’t create a financially sustainable business
• The essential furniture-side support team:
  • Receiving warehouse
  • White glove delivery crew
  • Installers (drapery/shades, wallpaper, painters, workrooms, upholstery)
• The essential remodel-side support team:
  • Cabinet lines
  • Tile/stone/plumbing/appliances/flooring vendors
  • CAD drafter
  • General contractors (you need more than one)
  • Engineers + key trades
• Why you need designer software as your first business system
• Why your first hire should be a bookkeeper (and what they deliver monthly)
• How to set up banking + credit card payments for faster cashflow
• Why marketing is half the job—and how to define your brand + ideal client
• Why a website makes you “real” (even if it’s just one page)
• Why networking beats social media for client acquisition (10 to 1)
• How design awards build credibility even without full-home photography

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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You’re not a charity. You’re not your client’s financial rescue plan. And you’re definitely not in business to burn out.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into Part 4 of my Financially Sustainable Design Business series—and this one is all about the energetic side of money. Because here’s the truth: the mindset and beliefs you hold about money can block profitability faster than any pricing mistake.

I’m sharing how to stop subconsciously repelling money, why over-giving leads to resentment and burnout, and how to shift into a healthy “giving + receiving” loop that creates consistent income. Plus, I’ll walk you through the practical side of sustainability: setting income targets, reviewing every job like a scorecard, and tracking the KPI that truly matters—job profitability.

If you want a business that’s profitable year after year (without hustle), this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why your money mindset impacts your ability to be financially sustainable
• The difference between welcoming money and repelling money
• How “client-first” thinking can quietly turn your business into a charity
• Why burnout and resentment are the warning signs of undercharging
• The infinity loop of giving and receiving—and why you must allow both
• How to track income daily to grow your revenue consistently
• How to set annual + monthly gross income goals that actually work
• What job profitability is (and why it’s your most important KPI)
• The profit margin targets you should aim for in furniture and remodeling projects

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
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You’re not a furniture store. You’re not a contractor’s free assistant. And you’re definitely not a charity.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m diving into Part 3 of our financially sustainable design business series. This time, we're getting crystal clear about what you really sell, your design time. Discover the one metric that will transform your business, why chasing product sales is a trap, and how to set up your LOAs to finally get paid what you're worth.

Let’s talk about the true key to a million-dollar design business: consistently selling 20 hours of design time per week.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why product sales are not the path to profitability
• How to structure your design process (and LOA) for clarity and confidence
• The 20-hour weekly design time goal that builds 7-figure businesses
• Why fee-based pricing beats hourly billing
• How to handle add-ons, scope creep, and client changes without losing money

Show notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy