Business of Design ® | Interior Designers, Decorators, Architects & Landscapers

Kimberley Seldon

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

  1. DEC 8

    EP 458 | The 12-Month Marketing Plan Every Interior Designer Needs with Daniela Furtado

    If your marketing plan for your interior design business feels like “post more” or “try harder,” this episode is the reset you need. Kimberley Seldon and marketing strategist Daniela Furtado break down a practical, high-impact 12-month marketing plan designed specifically for interior designers who want more visibility, more ideal clients, and more consistent inquiries. This roadmap cuts through the noise and replaces random, reactive marketing with a clear, strategic approach you can actually maintain. From choosing a profitable niche to improving your Google Maps ranking, optimizing your website, and turning case studies into client-magnet content—Daniela and Kimberley show you what to do, when to do it, and what you can safely ignore. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start marketing like a CEO, this episode gives you the structure and clarity you’ve been missing. In this episode you will learn: - Why most marketing plans fail after 3.7 months—and the simple fix - How to analyze past clients to identify your most profitable niche - The easiest way to increase visibility using Google Maps reviews - How to design a service page that Google actually ranks - Why case studies are your most powerful tool for attracting better clients - What to focus on each month to build steady, predictable growth - How to forecast your marketing plan like a CEO—not a guesser

    31 min

  2. DEC 1

    EP 457 | How to Scale Your Interior Design Business by Making Yourself Irrelevant with Kasim Aslam

    What if the key to earning more in your interior design business was doing less? In this electric conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with entrepreneur and former Google Ads mogul Kasim Aslam, who scaled and sold an eight-figure business by mastering one skill designers desperately need: making himself irrelevant. Kasim explains why most creative professionals trap themselves in jobs instead of building real companies—and how to break that cycle by letting go of control, leveraging your team, and building systems that generate revenue without your constant involvement. His take is blunt, funny, and packed with insights that will challenge everything you believe about work, success, and growth. If you’ve ever said, “I can’t find good help,” “no one works like I do,” or “I don’t have time to scale,” this episode will shake you awake and show you a different path—one where your business thrives because you’re no longer in the center of every task. In this episode we learn: - Why you must stop trading time for money to grow your design business - The four leverage points that create scalability: programs, processes, people, and products - How to hire top talent without fearing they’ll outgrow you - How to build systems that generate revenue while you’re away - Why the goal isn’t to be “redundant” but to become irrelevant in the best possible way - How to negotiate more boldly—in business and in life

    36 min

  3. NOV 24

    EP 456 | From Busy to Bliss: How Interior Designers Can Work Less and Profit More with Lori Steeves

    What if the secret to a more profitable interior design business is doing less, not more? In this inspiring episode, Kimberley Seldon reconnects with designer and former BOD™ member Lori Steeves, who made a bold shift: stepping away from high-stress renovation projects and choosing the work she genuinely loves. The result? More creativity. More joy. More profit. Lori shares how she reframed success, stopped glorifying busyness, and rebuilt her business around fulfillment, not frenzy. With systems that support her, a team she trusts, and the courage to say no strategically, she created a design practice that protects her time, energy, and passion. For interior designers who feel stretched thin, burned out, or stuck in the cycle of “more, more, more,” this conversation will show you a new model of success—one where your business works for you, not the other way around. In this episode you will learn: - Why busyness is not a badge of honor—and how to stop measuring success by hours worked - How focusing on the work you genuinely love increases profitability and joy - Why systems are not constraints but the foundation for creative freedom - How strategic delegation frees your time and empowers your team - Why saying no is a business superpower - How profitability relies on margin, not top-line revenue - How to design a business that supports the life you want

    36 min

  4. NOV 17

    EP 455 | Solutions, Not Options: How Interior Designers Lead with Confidence with Laura Stein

    Great clients don’t want endless options—they want a confident expert who can guide them to the right solution. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with celebrated designer Laura Stein to explore why offering too many choices dilutes your authority, slows down projects, and leaves clients feeling overwhelmed. Laura shares how narrowing your focus, standing firmly behind your design decisions, and aligning your brand voice with the clients you want to attract can completely transform your client experience. From asking smarter questions to understanding true motivations, this conversation shows you how to lead with clarity, conviction, and professionalism. If you’ve ever struggled with clients second-guessing you, requesting endless revisions, or treating you like a decorator instead of a strategic partner, this episode will give you the tools to step into your authority—without sacrificing warmth, creativity, or collaboration. In this episode you will learn: - Why clients want solutions, not a buffet of options - How to stand confidently behind your design choices - How to align your brand voice with your ideal client - The questions that reveal a client’s true motivations - How to build systems and hire to complement your weaknesses - Why guiding—not overwhelming—your clients leads to smoother projects and stronger relationships

    47 min

  5. NOV 10

    EP 454 | Your Operations Manual Is More Valuable Than You Think with Michael Kreuser & Marli Jones

    In the interior design industry, clarity is power—and a well-built operations manual may be the most valuable asset in your entire business. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by design duo Marli Jones and Michael Kreuser, who share how clearly defining roles, documenting responsibilities, and building strong systems has allowed their firm to function smoothly and creatively. Whether you're running a partnership, leading a team, or operating solo, the way you divide tasks determines everything: profitability, stress levels, project quality, client satisfaction, and your ability to scale. Marli and Michael reveal how they delegate procurement and project management, maintain clean boundaries with contracts and agreements, and empower their team with trust and accountability. This is a must-listen for designers who want fewer bottlenecks, stronger collaboration, and a business that can grow without relying on them for every decision. In this episode you will learn: - Why establishing clear roles and responsibilities eliminates confusion - How to define ownership and decision-making authority from the start - Why contracts and agreements keep partnerships clean and professional - How to build systems before you delegate to ensure consistent results - Why separating creative work from operations increases efficiency and balance - How to foster a culture that accepts mistakes and learns from them - How to choose clients based on fit—not just budget or project size - How process and structure create more space for creativity - How to empower your team with trust, autonomy, and shared accountability - Ways to nurture strong relationships with clients, trades, and vendors

    46 min

  6. NOV 3

    EP 453 | The Power of Professional Photography for Interior Designers with Candice Brooke

    Professional photography isn’t a luxury for interior designers—it’s a growth strategy. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon and interiors photographer Candice Brooke dive into the transformative power of high-quality imagery and how it impacts everything from client attraction to project visibility to your firm's perceived value. Candice shares expert insights on preparing your space for a shoot, creating a strategic shot list, and collaborating effectively with photographers who understand the interior design industry. You’ll also learn how to maximize your images across platforms—from your portfolio and website to social media and press opportunities—so your work gets the attention it deserves. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just beginning to build your portfolio, this conversation will show you why investing in photography is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your brand, credibility, and business growth. In this episode you will learn: - How professional photography drives business growth and client acquisition - Essential tips for preparing a space for a photo shoot (lighting, styling, decluttering) - How to build a strategic shot list tailored to each project - The value of working with photographers who have industry connections - How to leverage your images for maximum exposure across social media and your website - The evolving role—and current limitations—of AI in interior design photography - Practical advice for new designers working with limited budgets

    33 min

  7. OCT 27

    EP 452 | How AI Is Transforming Interior Design with Nithya Subramaniam

    AI is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s a practical tool reshaping how interior designers work, create, and deliver value. In this forward-thinking episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Nithya Subramaniam, an architect turned product and experience designer, about the real ways AI can transform your design practice today. Rather than replacing designers, AI has the power to enhance creativity, reduce repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and streamline entire workflows. Nithya breaks down how AI tools can generate spatial concepts, evaluate environmental conditions, integrate data for smarter solutions, and help designers iterate in real time. From climate adaptation to sustainable materials, AI is unlocking new levels of insight and efficiency. If you’ve been wondering how AI will impact your business—or how to start using it confidently—this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration you need. AI is here to stay, and the designers who embrace it early will have a major advantage. In this episode we learn: - Why AI supports rather than replaces designers by automating routine tasks - How AI tools generate spatial solutions based on real design project needs - How real-time iteration enables faster, more creative design development - How integrated data powers future-focused design, from sustainability to climate adaptation - How AI agents optimize resources, track carbon impact, and streamline timelines

    40 min

  8. OCT 19

    EP 451 | You Are a Brand: Confidence, Clarity & Client Trust with Bruce Philp (Part 2)

    Originally aired in 2017, this classic conversation with branding expert Bruce Philp remains just as relevant today. In Part 2 of You Are a Brand, Bruce Philp and Kimberley Seldon explore what happens when interior designers stop minimizing their value and fully step into the authority their clients are looking for. As Bruce says, “Taking yourself seriously has power. It says you are playing a longer game.” When you embrace your brand with intention, you signal confidence, clarity, and leadership—qualities clients instinctively trust. And when you allow imposter syndrome to run the show, you risk sending the opposite message. This episode dives into the mindset shifts, practical habits, and brand-building strategies that help design professionals move past self-doubt and into a more powerful, more profitable version of themselves. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Practical ways to combat and outsmart imposter syndrome - What it looks like when clients fully trust your expertise - Why clients want you to step confidently into the role of “the answer” - How intentional brand development strengthens your leadership - Why striving to learn beats striving for perfection - How to create a positive client experience that builds loyalty - Why your stories matter—and how they reinforce your credibility

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives. It’s time to take control of your business. Become a member of Business of Design®, today: https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

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