Interior Design Business

Terri Taylor
  • 4.7 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you an interior design professional who wants to create time-accurate, money-generous, and fee-based job offers that clients jump to say "yes" to? Terri Taylor, President and Creative Director of the Interior Design Business Academy and the host of the Interior Design Business Podcast, is here to help interior design professionals who want to create lifestyle design businesses that pay them what they are worth.Each week, Terri is bringing her clear, proven, and repeatable step-by-step "recipes" for attracting ideal luxury clients along with her overreaching attitude of gratitude, abundance, beauty, and joy for creating long-lasting and meaningful success.Terri knows that what you believe to be true and how you feel about wealth and money have a direct connection to the level of clients, budgets, and jobs you attract, so tune in each week to discover the strategies and support mechanics you need to achieve your goals as an interior design professional.

  1. 1D AGO

    Presenting Your Design

    Presenting your design to a client is one of the most important moments in your interior design process. It’s where your vision becomes real, and where your client decides whether they’re excited to move forward. In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I walk through the biggest mistakes designers make during design presentations and the powerful strategies that transform a presentation into a memorable experience. From avoiding the trap of presenting pieces one at a time to creating a full-room concept that clients can visualize, you’ll learn how to present with clarity, confidence, and impact. We’ll also explore how hospitality, visual tools, tactile samples, and even presentation location can dramatically elevate the experience for your clients. When done well, your design presentation doesn’t just sell the room, it creates excitement, trust, and referrals. If you want your presentations to feel polished, professional, and irresistible to clients, this episode will show you how. In this episode, we cover: Why presenting pieces one at a time sabotages your designHow to present the entire room concept instead of individual itemsThe danger of designing without an agreed budgetHow presentations can become a referral-generating experienceWhy hospitality creates a stronger client connectionHow to present designs in person, via Zoom, or in a showroomUsing screens, samples, and visuals to create a “wow” momentWhy tactile materials help clients emotionally connect to the designHow 3D renderings increase client confidence and approvalsHow presenting within budget helps sell the entire room at onceShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    20 min

  2. MAR 7

    How to Up-Level Your Clients

    Are you busy… but not profitable? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m addressing one of the biggest frustrations I hear from designers: “I’m slammed with work, but it’s not the work I want.” If your calendar is full of small jobs, your evenings are booked, and you still don’t feel financially stable, this episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down exactly why little “quick” projects drain your time, energy, and profit, and how they prevent you from attracting higher-end clients. You’ll learn how to calculate your true minimum design fee, set a minimum product budget, and confidently communicate those numbers during your discovery call. If you’re ready to stop shrinking to fit small budgets and start building a business that actually supports your life, this episode will show you how. In this episode, we cover: Why being busy doesn’t mean being profitableThe hidden cost of “quick” design jobsHow small projects sabotage your growthThe tree analogy for scaling your design businessHow to calculate your minimum design feeWhy 23 hours is your true baseline per projectSetting a minimum product budgetHow to communicate minimums on a discovery callHow to let clients self-select out gracefullyWhy boundaries increase respect and revenueShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    19 min

  3. FEB 28

    Healthy Boundaries Part 2

    Struggling to say no, even when you know you should? In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m back with IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for Part 2 of our conversation on healthy boundaries. This time, we’re digging into one of the hardest boundary skills of all: learning to say no, clearly, confidently, and without apology. From Saturday appointments to scope creep, contractor pushback, and volunteer overload, we’re unpacking what it really takes to hold your shape in business. You’ll learn how to say no with grace, how to avoid over-explaining, and why assertiveness is not the same as being mean. If you’ve ever felt guilty for protecting your time, or worried your business would suffer if you stopped overgiving, this episode will change the way you think about boundaries. In this episode, we cover: Why “no” is the hardest word for designers to sayHow to stop over-explaining and apologizingThe connection between self-respect and strong boundariesWhy saying no does not hurt your businessHow to prevent scope creep with confident communicationWhat it means to “hold your shape”The power of pleasant persistenceHow to stop being volunteered for everythingWhy you must protect your energy firstShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    24 min

  4. FEB 21

    Healthy Boundaries Part 1

    Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and on-call 24/7? You might not have a workload problem, you have a boundaries problem. In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined by IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for a heart-to-heart conversation on what healthy boundaries really look like in your design business. We’re talking about business hours, burnout, overgiving, and the pressure to be “Superwoman.” If you’ve ever answered a client text at 10 p.m. or missed your kid’s soccer game because of a contractor “emergency,” this episode is your invitation to reset. In this episode, we cover: What boundaries are and why they’re so hard for designersHow to uncover your biggest energy leaksWhat burnout is trying to tell youThe people-pleasing trap that keeps you stuckThe difference between excellent service and self-sacrificeHow to write your own “rules” for when and how you workWhy boundaries make you more respected, not lessShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    23 min

  5. FEB 14

    Boundaries and Financial Risks Part 2

    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 workWhy unsigned and unfunded proposals are a financial landmineHow people‑pleasing overrides systems (even for senior designers)The hidden cost of “doing a favor” for a clientWhy your systems exist to protect you, not inconvenience clientsThe exact boundary that must never be crossedHow to remove emotion from money decisionsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    10 min

  6. FEB 7

    Boundaries and Financial Risks

    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 debtWhat happens legally when a client dies mid-projectWhy 50% down payments leave you financially exposedThe only contract terms that actually protect youHow to ask for 100% upfront without fearThe mindset shift that eliminates risk and builds confidenceWhy people-pleasing has no place in your purchasing processShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    12 min

  7. JAN 31

    Boundaries and Scope Creep

    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 businessWhy people-pleasing turns into resentment and burnoutHow to write LOAs that protect your time and valueScripts for responding to “by the way” requestsThe role of mindset and self-worth in boundary settingHow scope creep can turn into extra income with the right systemsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    18 min

  8. JAN 24

    Boundaries and Pricing

    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 pricingWhy sharing your trade discount devalues your expertiseThe difference between designing and purchasing, and why they must be separatedWhy “procurement fees” don’t work and what to do insteadA journaling exercise that helps identify your biggest boundary issuesHow to stop people-pleasing and start leading with confidenceShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Are you an interior design professional who wants to create time-accurate, money-generous, and fee-based job offers that clients jump to say "yes" to? Terri Taylor, President and Creative Director of the Interior Design Business Academy and the host of the Interior Design Business Podcast, is here to help interior design professionals who want to create lifestyle design businesses that pay them what they are worth.Each week, Terri is bringing her clear, proven, and repeatable step-by-step "recipes" for attracting ideal luxury clients along with her overreaching attitude of gratitude, abundance, beauty, and joy for creating long-lasting and meaningful success.Terri knows that what you believe to be true and how you feel about wealth and money have a direct connection to the level of clients, budgets, and jobs you attract, so tune in each week to discover the strategies and support mechanics you need to achieve your goals as an interior design professional.

Information

  • Creator
    Terri Taylor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2022 Copyright Interior Design Business 2022
  • Show Website
    Interior Design Business

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