Interior Design Business

Terri Taylor
  • 4.5 (2)
  • 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. 2D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. JAN 17

    Why Boundaries Matter

    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 problemsThe hidden cost of people-pleasing and over-deliveringWhy 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 CEOShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    20 min

  6. JAN 10

    Starting a Design Business

    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 trapHow to transition from “free help” to a real business modelWhat to set up first: licenses, tax IDs, insurance, LLC/S-Corp structureHow to choose a business name and secure your URL earlyWhy joining a design organization helps open doors and builds credibilityWhat 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 businessThe essential furniture-side support team:Receiving warehouseWhite glove delivery crewInstallers (drapery/shades, wallpaper, painters, workrooms, upholstery)The essential remodel-side support team:Cabinet linesTile/stone/plumbing/appliances/flooring vendorsCAD drafterGeneral contractors (you need more than one)Engineers + key tradesWhy you need designer software as your first business systemWhy your first hire should be a bookkeeper (and what they deliver monthly)How to set up banking + credit card payments for faster cashflowWhy marketing is half the job—and how to define your brand + ideal clientWhy 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 photographyShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    25 min

  7. JAN 3

    Financially Sustainable Design Business Part 4

    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 sustainableThe difference between welcoming money and repelling moneyHow “client-first” thinking can quietly turn your business into a charityWhy burnout and resentment are the warning signs of underchargingThe infinity loop of giving and receiving—and why you must allow bothHow to track income daily to grow your revenue consistentlyHow to set annual + monthly gross income goals that actually workWhat job profitability is (and why it’s your most important KPI)The profit margin targets you should aim for in furniture and remodeling projectsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    20 min

  8. 2025-12-27

    Financially Sustainable Design Business Part 3

    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 profitabilityHow to structure your design process (and LOA) for clarity and confidenceThe 20-hour weekly design time goal that builds 7-figure businessesWhy fee-based pricing beats hourly billingHow to handle add-ons, scope creep, and client changes without losing moneyShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 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
    185
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2022 Copyright Interior Design Business 2022
  • Show Website
    Interior Design Business

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