Business of Design® | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

Kimberley Seldon

Business of Design® is the leading business training platform for interior design professionals. Our proven programs give you the systems and structure you need to run a profitable, process-driven design business. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

  1. APR 14

    EP 476 | Creative Block in Interior Design: What Causes It and How to Fix It with Kimberley Seldon

    What happens when an experienced interior designer hits a creative wall—and nothing is working? In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldon walks through a real-time creative block inside a design project: the false starts, overthinking, “good enough” decisions that aren’t good enough, and the creeping doubt that follows. But this isn’t about talent or burnout. It’s about process. Kimberley breaks down exactly what went wrong—and how skipping foundational steps like reviewing client input, defining direction, and working within constraints led to weeks of stalled progress. More importantly, she shows how returning to those same steps unlocked clarity and momentum. This episode is a practical reset for interior designers who want to move past creative blocks and design with intention, structure, and confidence. What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why creative blocks happen to experienced interior designers (and why it’s not about talent) • How relying on inspiration instead of process leads to stalled progress • Why “I don’t hate it” is a dangerous standard in design decisions • The real cost of skipping foundational steps in your design process • How AI and efficiency tools can accidentally remove critical thinking time • Why revisiting client notes and inspiration is key to moving forward • How constraints (not freedom) lead to stronger design solutions • How to break overwhelming projects into smaller, solvable pieces • Why presenting multiple options reduces pressure and increases clarity • The difference between reactive designing and intentional design leadership If you’ve ever felt stuck mid-project, this episode will show you how to get unstuck—without waiting for inspiration to return. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    29 min

  2. APR 6

    EP 475 | The Most Expensive Word in Your interior Design Business Is Maybe with Andrea Liebross

    Want to know what’s really behind under-earning, decision fatigue, and burnout in design businesses? It’s not pricing, marketing, or even workload — it’s the decisions designers make long before a project ever begins. Kimberley Seldon is joined by life coach Andrea Liebross to explore why hesitation is so costly, how “nice” projects quietly drain CEO energy, and what it looks like to lead your business with clarity instead of hope. Together they unpack how designers end up negotiating with themselves, saying yes when their instincts say no, and taking on work that slowly erodes time, margin, and focus. Andrea shares a practical decision filter you can use to evaluate opportunities quickly and confidently — without burning relationships or shutting doors. If you’ve ever felt stuck between yes and no, this episode will change the way you make decisions in your business. In this episode we learn: - Why “maybe” is more dangerous to your business than “no” - How to evaluate opportunities using a simple 3-step decision check: ROI, alignment, and capacity - The difference between revenue and real profit — and why hope is not ROI - How decision fatigue leads to burnout, under-earning, and leadership exhaustion - A practical grid to sort opportunities into Hell Yes, Absolute No, Delegate, Delay, Delete, or Do with Changes - Language for declining or reshaping a project without damaging the relationship - Why strong design businesses are built on clean decisions, not good intentions

    36 min

  3. MAR 30

    EP 474 | Procurement, Profit & Vendor Relationships for Interior Designers with Daniel House Club

    Procurement can make or break an interior design business. In this candid panel conversation, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Alexander Spalding of Daniel House Club and interior designers Jamie Gasparovic and Meredith Huck to talk about one of the biggest pain points in the industry: how to manage procurement without sacrificing profit, time, or sanity. Together, they unpack why so many designers resist focusing on profitability, how procurement quietly drains resources when handled inefficiently, and why outsourcing the heavy lifting can actually improve margins. They also explore the real cost of going direct, the hidden time lost managing multiple vendors, and why trust, customer service, and reliable systems matter more than ever. The conversation also touches on the decline of retail shops, the role of online retailers, and the importance of choosing vendor partners who support your business goals—not just your orders. If procurement has ever felt overwhelming, messy, or not worth the trouble, this episode will challenge that thinking and show you a smarter way forward. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why designers often resist prioritizing profitability - How procurement can drain time, energy, and margins - Why outsourcing procurement can improve efficiency and profit - How to evaluate vendor relationships for service, pricing, and reliability - Why billing for procurement hours matters - How strong systems and trusted partners support a healthier design business

    47 min

  4. MAR 23

    EP 473 | How Interior Designers Expand into Hospitality, Hotels & Restaurants with Edith Ponciano

    At some point in every design career, curiosity starts to feel like restlessness. You’re capable. Experienced. Successful. And yet—something feels contained. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Edith Ponciano to explore what it really takes for interior designers to expand beyond residential work and step into hospitality, hotel, and restaurant design. This isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about translating the skills you already have into a new context—one that involves different decision-makers, timelines, language, and expectations. Edith shares practical insight into how hospitality projects operate, why reputation matters more than visibility in commercial work, and how designers can build credibility in unfamiliar environments without overreaching. If you’ve been considering commercial or hospitality design but aren’t sure how to begin, this episode offers clarity on what actually matters—and what doesn’t. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why knowing who makes decisions on hospitality projects matters more than selecting finishes - How to step into new project types by observing and learning before leading - Why reputation compounds faster than visibility in commercial and hospitality design - How adapting your language for architects, operators, and vendors protects your design intent - Why doubt often signals missing context—not missing talent Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    29 min

  5. MAR 16

    EP 472 | Diversity in Interior Design at High Point Market with DuVäl Reynolds

    Diversity in interior design isn’t a side initiative—it’s a leadership responsibility. In this episode, recorded in partnership with the High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA), Kimberley Seldon sits down with DuVäl Reynolds, an active member of the DAA, to explore how access, representation, and leadership are shaping the future of the design industry. Together, they discuss the vital role High Point Market plays—not just as a global sourcing destination—but as a platform for visibility, mentorship, and meaningful industry change. The Diversity Advocacy Alliance was created to expand opportunity and remove barriers within interior design, and DuVäl shares what that work looks like in practice. This conversation reframes diversity as a growth strategy—one that strengthens creativity, deepens collaboration, and ensures the long-term health of the profession. When more voices are invited to the table, the entire industry becomes more innovative and resilient. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why diversity in interior design is a leadership issue, not a trend - The mission and impact of the High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance - How High Point Market creates visibility and opportunity for emerging professionals - Why representation fuels creativity and business growth - How established designers can actively support inclusion within the industry - Why long-term industry growth depends on access and mentorship Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    36 min

  6. MAR 9

    EP 471 | Fix Your Sales Funnel: How Interior Designers Convert More Clients with Daniela Furtado

    When inquiries slow down or leads don’t convert, most interior designers assume they need better marketing. But in many cases, the real issue isn’t visibility—it’s sales. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by returning guest and marketing strategist Daniela Furtado to unpack what a healthy sales funnel actually looks like in a design business. Together, they dig into the real numbers behind inquiries, close rates, and response times—so you can pinpoint exactly where opportunities are leaking out of your process. Daniela explains why looking at sales data without emotion leads to better decisions, how a surprisingly high close rate can signal underpricing, and why designers need to reclaim leadership in the sales conversation. She also shares her proven intake call script, designed to qualify clients faster and book better-fit projects with confidence. If you want clarity instead of guesswork—and a sales process that supports growth without burnout—this episode shows you exactly what to fix next. What you’ll learn in this episode: - What realistic sales conversion rates look like at different stages of a design business - How to track inquiries and identify patterns in your sales funnel - Why emotion-free data leads to smarter, calmer decisions - When a high close rate is actually a warning sign of underpricing - How to qualify clients faster by leading the sales conversation - Why response time can make or break a deal - Creative ways designers are using sales data to generate new revenue streams Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    26 min

  7. MAR 2

    EP 470 | Growth Strategy for Interior Designers with Kimberley Seldon

    Most interior designers believe growth means saying yes to more projects, being more available, and pushing harder. In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldon explains why that mindset is exactly what keeps design businesses stuck, overextended, and exhausted. Drawing on a tap-dancing metaphor that lands harder than expected, Kimberley reframes growth as a design problem, not a motivation problem. She breaks down why capacity-based businesses quietly cap growth, how decision fatigue drains energy faster than workload, and why the most profitable designers don’t move faster—they operate with clarity. This episode challenges the assumption that effort equals progress and shows why real growth requires stronger systems, clearer constraints, and a fundamentally different way of leading. If you’re ambitious but maxed out, this conversation will help you see what’s actually holding you back—and why the solution isn’t working harder. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why 2x growth often creates more stress instead of more profit - How capacity-based businesses unintentionally limit growth - Why decision fatigue—not workload—is the real cause of burnout - The difference between flexibility and fragility in a design business - Why constraints create leadership, leverage, and clarity - How unpaid labor hides behind the label of “high-end service” - Why meaningful growth requires a stronger container, not more effort Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    32 min

  8. FEB 24

    EP 469 | Will AI Replace Interior Designers? The Real Answer (And What to Do About It) with Sheilah MacSporran

    AI has interior designers asking the wrong question. The real issue isn’t “Will this replace me?”—it’s “Where does responsibility live in my business?” In this grounded, practical conversation, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Sheilah MacSporran, CEO and co-founder of DesignFiles, to cut through the hype and talk honestly about what AI can—and cannot—do inside a design firm. This episode reframes AI as a support tool, not a magic wand. You’ll learn why AI is most effective when it reinforces clear thinking, strong systems, and confident decision-making, and how reducing friction at key moments in the design process helps clients move forward faster and with less fear. Rather than chasing the newest tools, this conversation focuses on using AI intentionally to increase capacity, clarity, and leadership. If you’re curious about AI but wary of losing control, this episode will help you understand where it belongs—and where it absolutely doesn’t. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why AI will never replace interior designers—because responsibility can’t be automated - How clearer presentations reduce client fear and speed up approvals - Where AI actually fits into the design process (and where it doesn’t) - Why designers with strong systems benefit most from AI tools - How eliminating friction increases capacity without adding staff - Why small process improvements outperform massive tech overhauls Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    37 min
See All (458)

4.9
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Business of Design® is the leading business training platform for interior design professionals. Our proven programs give you the systems and structure you need to run a profitable, process-driven design business. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

Information

You Might Also Like