Business of Design® Podcast | 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. 1d ago

    EP 505 | How Interior Designers Can Create Homes That Feel as Good as They Look with Amanda Gibby Peters

    A beautifully designed room doesn’t always feel good to live in. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Amanda Gibby Peters, founder of Simple Shui and host of the House Therapy podcast, about how interior designers can use practical feng shui principles to better understand how clients experience their homes. From identifying underused spaces to considering how furniture placement, artwork, and room layouts influence comfort and connection, Amanda shares a fresh perspective on creating homes that support the people who live in them. She also explains how designers can incorporate these ideas into their practice without needing to become feng shui experts. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to identify why a beautifully designed room may not feel right - Why sitting where your clients sit can reveal overlooked design problems - How to turn underused spaces into functional, meaningful parts of the home - How furniture placement, artwork, and layout can influence comfort and connection - Why curiosity and better client questions lead to more thoughtful design solutions - How to expand your design perspective while staying focused on your client’s needs

  2. Oct 27

    EP 504 | Why Interior Designers Should Bring a Landscape Architect into the Project Early with Emily Inglis, hosted by Ellie Black

    Interior designers are experts at creating beautiful, functional spaces—but what happens when the project extends beyond the walls of the home? In this episode, guest host Ellie Black sits down with landscape architect Emily Inglis to talk about the often-overlooked connection between interior and landscape design. Emily explains why the exterior should be treated as an extension of the interior, why landscape architects should be involved early in new builds and major renovations, and how better collaboration can prevent expensive mistakes before construction begins. From grading, drainage, zoning, and lot coverage to outdoor kitchens, pools, wellness spaces, and multi-generational living, Emily shares practical insight into how interior designers can bring greater value to their clients by thinking about the entire property—not just the rooms inside it. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why the landscape should be considered an extension of the interior—and how outdoor spaces can expand the way clients live in their homes - Why bringing a landscape architect into a project early can prevent costly changes involving grading, drainage, windows, doors, decks, pools, and lot coverage - How to help clients understand the investment required for a truly finished landscape and have better conversations about budget - The difference between a landscape designer, landscaper, and licensed landscape architect—and when each type of professional may be appropriate - Why interior designers and landscape architects can work most effectively as peers, collaborating directly to protect the client’s vision and avoid information getting lost in translation - How thoughtful exterior planning can create spaces for wellness, entertaining, gardening, multi-generational living, and year-round enjoyment

  3. Oct 20

    EP 503 | How Interior Designers Can Grow Their Business by Publishing Their First 100 Videos with Daniela Furtado

    You know social media can help grow your interior design business, but getting comfortable on camera and posting consistently can feel like a project of its own. Marketing expert Daniela Furtado has a practical challenge for interior designers: publish your first 100 videos. Not to achieve perfection, but to find your voice, build confidence, and learn what connects with potential clients. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Daniela about creating a manageable social media content strategy for your interior design firm. From filming simple iPhone videos to planning a content calendar around your projects, expertise, and ideal clients, Daniela explains how to make video marketing more sustainable—and how to measure success beyond likes and views. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why your first 100 videos are practice, not perfection - How to overcome camera shyness and start posting - What interior designers should share to attract ideal clients - How to plan a content calendar without overwhelming your schedule - Why simple iPhone videos can outperform polished productions - How to measure social media results and turn visibility into business opportunities If you’re ready to stop overthinking your social media strategy and start building a consistent marketing system for your interior design business, this conversation will help you take the first step.

  4. Oct 13

    EP 502 | The Procurement Problem: How Interior Designers Can Protect Profit with Kathy Kuo

    High Point Market is where interior designers discover what’s new, meet vendors, and source the pieces that bring projects to life. But what happens after the order is placed? Procurement, freight, receiving, storage, damages, and installation can quickly become some of the most time-consuming—and expensive—parts of a project. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Kathy Kuo, founder of Kathy Kuo Home and one of this year’s High Point Market Trend Spotters, about the business side of procurement. They discuss the hidden costs of shipping and receiving, why drop-shipping directly to clients can create major headaches, and how better systems can protect both the client experience and your profit margin. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why drop-shipping directly to clients can create costly problems • The hidden costs of freight, receiving, storage, damages, and claims • Why procurement needs to be part of your project pricing strategy • How outsourcing procurement can give interior designers valuable time back • How to protect your profit margin without giving up vendor relationships • Why better procurement systems create a better client experience

  5. Oct 6

    EP 501 | Why Interior Designers Never Feel Caught Up with Sierra Collins

    Why do interior designers always feel like there’s more to do? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Sierra Collins about why even highly motivated, successful designers can struggle to stay on top of their work. The problem isn’t a lack of effort—it’s often a lack of structure. For interior designers juggling clients, projects, sourcing, emails, contractors, team members, and the countless details of running a design business, it’s easy to spend the day reacting instead of making meaningful progress. Sierra shares practical strategies for taking back control of your workday, protecting your focus, and creating systems that help you get important work done. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why interior designers feel perpetually behind - How task switching drains productivity - How to structure your workday around your energy - Why vague to-do lists create decision fatigue - How to identify your “Big Three” priorities - Why goals need systems to succeed

  6. Sep 29

    EP 500 | Can Good Interior Design Save Lives with Kimberley Seldon

    500 episodes. One big question: Can good interior design save a life? To celebrate this milestone episode of Business of Design®, Kimberley Seldon takes a playful, detective-style look at what interior designers really do. Because clients may think they’re hiring you to choose finishes, but the clues in their homes often reveal much bigger problems: stress, disconnection, sensory overload, conflict, and spaces that simply aren’t working for the people who live in them. From meaningful art and neurodivergent-friendly environments to thoughtful planning and the impact of cared-for spaces, Kimberley explores the powerful ways design can influence mood, behavior, connection, and wellbeing. The goal isn’t just to create beautiful rooms—it’s to create better human experiences. And as we celebrate 500 episodes of Business of Design®, we’re reminded why this work matters. Interior design isn’t superficial. The spaces you create can change how people feel, how they interact, and how they experience their everyday lives. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why interior designers are really problem-solvers—and how to look for the clues your clients may not see themselves - How meaningful art and personal objects can create emotional connection, belonging, and a sense of calm - How thoughtful design can support people with neurodivergent and sensory needs without attempting to diagnose or “fix” them - Why neglected and thoughtfully cared-for spaces can influence behavior, safety, and connection - How better space planning can reduce everyday stress and improve the way families live together - Why designers may be underestimating the profound impact their work has on the lives of their clients

  7. Sep 22

    EP 499 | How to Make Small Interior Design Projects Profitable with Miranda Cullen

    Not every client needs a whole-house renovation—but that doesn’t mean you have to turn them away. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with interior designer and entrepreneur Miranda Cullen about her approach to “micro design” projects: smaller jobs that can easily become a lot of work for not enough money. Miranda shares how she created a separate line of business for these projects, allowing her firm to capture revenue, serve clients at different stages, and give designers on her team more opportunities to lead. They also explore how small projects can become future larger projects, why creating structure around your services matters, and how delegating smaller work can help business owners step away from working in the business and start building a company that can thrive without them. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to determine whether small interior design projects can be profitable for your firm - Why creating a separate service or division can help you protect your high-end brand while capturing additional revenue - How to use smaller projects to develop designers, increase their client-facing experience, and create leadership opportunities - Why serving clients at different price points can lead to repeat business and larger projects in the future - How strategic delegation can free the principal to focus on higher-value work and build a business that doesn't depend entirely on them

  8. Sep 15

    EP 498 | How Interior Designers Can Make Better Business Decisions with Jodi Cook Monts

    Indecision is expensive—and in an interior design business, it can cost you far more than time. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with interior designer Jodi Cook Monts about the power of making decisions quickly and confidently. They explore how hesitation can affect profitability, project timelines, client relationships, and business growth—and why indecision is often a symptom of a deeper lack of trust and confidence. Jodi also shares how she expanded her design business beyond her local market, why existing clients are one of the best sources of new opportunities, and how a collaborative mindset can transform relationships with builders and other project partners. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why indecision is often a trust and confidence problem—and how it can cost your interior design business time and money - How making decisions earlier can protect project timelines, profitability, and client relationships - Why your existing clients may be the best source of second homes, vacation properties, and commercial design projects - How to successfully work on projects outside your local market—and why strong systems become even more important as you expand - Why approaching builders and project partners as collaborators, rather than adversaries, can lead to better projects and stronger relationships

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4.6
out of 5
200 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

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