Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Design Mentor and Coach
  • 5.0 (33)
  • Design
  • Updated Weekly

A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer. Welcome to the Design Curious podcast! Each week, you'll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You'll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You'll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money. With my 20 yrs of experience, I'll help you on the RIGHT WAY to get started. Discover if interior design is the career for you!

  1. 194 | Building Your Interior Design Website? Essential Website Lessons From Robyn White

    1d ago

    194 | Building Your Interior Design Website? Essential Website Lessons From Robyn White

    If you’re an aspiring interior designer or you’re still in the early stages of building your business, chances are you’ve asked yourself questions like: Do I really need a professional website yet? Should I invest in custom website design? Or can I just use a template for now? I hear these questions constantly from designers inside my programs, especially when they’re trying to balance launching their business with managing their budget wisely. And honestly? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options — WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, SEO, branding, copywriting, templates, custom builds… suddenly creating a website feels harder than designing a room. That’s exactly why I invited website designer Robyn White back onto the podcast. In this episode, we unpack what interior designers actually need when it comes to website design, how to know the right level of investment for your stage of business, and what questions to ask before hiring a website designer. We also talk about minimum viable product websites, brand strategy, portfolio photos, AI renderings, website maintenance, and why perfectionism may be holding you back from getting clients. Featured Guest Robyn White is the founder of RDW Design Studio, where she combines luxury market insight with strategic website design for interior designers. With a background working at one of the world’s most prestigious art galleries, Robyn brings a rare blend of strategy, aesthetics, and high-end client understanding to every project. She specializes in helping interior designers elevate their online presence through thoughtful brand strategy, SEO-conscious website design, and customized digital experiences that attract aligned clients and opportunities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ When to invest in custom website design ✳️ Questions to ask website designers before hiring ✳️ Templates versus custom websites for beginners ✳️ Website platforms: WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace ✳️ Building a portfolio without completed client projects Read the Blog >>> Essential Website Lessons Before Building Your Interior Design Website NEXT STEPS: 🔸 Save your seat! FREE Webinar: Are You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 4:02 Questions to Ask a Website Designer 8:59 SEO, Copywriting, and Branding Explained 11:13 Website Designer vs. Branding Specialist 15:12 Templates vs. Custom Websites 19:52 Minimum Viable Product Websites 22:00 Building a Portfolio Without Client Projects 25:51 On Using Stock Photos 27:01 AI Renderings for Interior Designers 28:25 How to Choose the Right Website Designer 31:12 Website Maintenance After Launch

    38 min
  2. 193 | Struggling with Self-Doubt? Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Your Design Career

    Jun 1

    193 | Struggling with Self-Doubt? Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Your Design Career

    Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not experienced enough to call myself a real interior designer”? Or maybe you scroll through social media, comparing your work to polished projects, and suddenly feel like you don’t belong in this industry at all. That quiet voice of self-doubt—what we call imposter syndrome—can creep in at any stage of your interior design career, especially when you're just starting out. I want you to know something important: feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you are one. In fact, it’s often a sign that you’re growing, stretching, and stepping into a bigger version of yourself. The truth is, every interior designer—yes, even seasoned professionals—has faced these same thoughts at some point. The difference isn’t whether they feel it… it’s how they move through it. In this episode, I’m walking you through what imposter syndrome really looks like in a creative career like interior design, why it happens, and how you can overcome it. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start building real confidence in your design business, this is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why imposter syndrome signals growth, not failure ✔️ How social media fuels designer self-doubt ✔️ Ways to build real, lasting client confidence ✔️ Practical steps to overcome creative career insecurity ✔️ How mistakes strengthen your design expertise Read the Blog >>> Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design NEXT STEPS: 🔸 Save your seat! FREE Webinar: Are You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 3:47 What Imposter Syndrome Really Means 5:00 The Danger of Comparison on Social Media 9:18 Building Confidence from Within 14:45 Identifying Limiting Beliefs and Patterns 16:20 Learning and Growth Through Action 19:08 Practicing Design in Your Own Home 20:58 Handling Mistakes With Confidence 25:23 Developing a Pioneer Mindset

    31 min
  3. 192 | The Biggest Money Mistakes Interior Designers Make (And How to Fix Them) With Lauren Nist

    May 25

    192 | The Biggest Money Mistakes Interior Designers Make (And How to Fix Them) With Lauren Nist

    Have you ever finished a project and thought… “Wait, where did all the money go?” One of the biggest mistakes creatives make is treating money as something that shows up at the end—rather than something that needs structure from the very beginning. And that mindset? It quietly drains your profit, your energy, and your confidence. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Nist, a bookkeeping and advisory expert who works behind the scenes with creative businesses. Together, we unpack the most common money mistakes interior designers make—from underpricing and scope creep to poor billing systems—and how to fix them. If you want financial clarity, stronger boundaries, and a business that actually pays you back, this is your starting point. Featured Guest Lauren Nist is a co-founder of Magnolia & Main, a virtual bookkeeping and advisory firm dedicated to helping small business owners gain financial clarity and confidence. With years of experience supporting creative and service-based businesses, Lauren specializes in simplifying the money side of business—from pricing and billing systems to job costing and cash flow management. Her approachable, judgment-free style helps entrepreneurs feel empowered, supported, and in control of their finances. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why creatives struggle with financial structure ✳️ How to protect your cash flow early ✳️ Billing ahead vs. acting like the bank ✳️ Spotting red flags in client behavior ✳️ Simple profit planning for interior designers Read the Blog >>> Interior Design Money Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) NEXT STEPS: 🔸 Save your seat! FREE Webinar: Are You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch the Webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:50 Lauren's Journey into Accounting for Creatives 5:32 Common Money Mistakes Creatives Make 7:38 Building a Financial Framework 10:44 Pricing Strategy and Billing Ahead 14:54 Identifying Ideal Clients and Red Flags 18:58 Balancing Job Types and Profitability 21:48 Reviewing Job Costs and Client Feedback 31:06 Habits for Staying Profitable

    41 min
  4. 191 | Why Your Contract Is Your Business Bestie

    May 18

    191 | Why Your Contract Is Your Business Bestie

    If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to include in your interior design contract—or worse, you’ve avoided contracts altogether because they feel overwhelming—you’re not alone. I see so many designers relying on verbal agreements or vague expectations, thinking things will “just work out” because the client relationship feels good. But that’s exactly where problems begin. Miscommunication, scope creep, late payments, and blurred boundaries can quickly turn a dream project into a stressful experience. The truth is: your contract isn’t just paperwork. It’s your business bestie. It’s the one tool that brings clarity, builds client trust, and protects both you and your client throughout the entire design process. A well-written contract helps you communicate your project scope, payment terms, and expectations clearly—so there are no surprises later on. In this episode, I walk you through how to create a contract that actually supports your interior design business. When done right, your contract becomes the backbone of your professionalism—helping you run a smoother business, create a better client experience, and confidently step into your role as a true design professional. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Create clear expectations with strong interior design contracts ✔️ Build client trust without confusing legal jargon ✔️ Define project scope and avoid scope creep ✔️ Protect your time, money, and intellectual property ✔️ Use contracts to elevate professionalism and credibility Read the Blog >>> Why Your Contract Is Your Best Design Business Tool Resource Mentioned: Looking for Interior Design Contract Templates? Check out Erica of ID Law Shop and use code 575P7GC for 20% off NEXT STEPS: 📺 Sign Up: Free Webinar - Are You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 🔸Free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction: Understanding Contracts in Interior Design 3:34 Creating Clarity in Your Design Process 5:00 Defining Project Scope and Payment Terms 12:03 Setting Communication and Client Expectations 13:54 How Contracts Protect Your Business 17:00 Handling Project Changes and Terminations 20:48 Legal Clauses and Contract Review Tips 22:44 Using Contracts to Build Professionalism

    28 min
  5. 190 | 5 Principles for Designing Healthier, Happier Homes With Architect Talor Stewart

    May 11

    190 | 5 Principles for Designing Healthier, Happier Homes With Architect Talor Stewart

    Have you ever designed a space that looked beautiful… but somehow didn’t feel right to live in? As interior designers, we’re trained to focus on the visible—colors, materials, layouts, and architectural elements. But what if the real purpose of design goes deeper than aesthetics? What if the home isn’t the final product—but the medium that shapes human happiness, relationship quality, and overall well-being? In this episode, I sit down with architect Talor Stewart to explore the powerful concept of conscious home design—a framework that goes beyond surface-level beauty and taps into scientific principles, human needs, and the emotional experience of living in a space. If you want to create homes that truly transform your clients’ lives (and elevate your design process), this conversation will change how you approach every project moving forward. Featured Guest Talor Stewart is a licensed architect with over 25 years of experience, specializing in residential architecture and intentional communities. He is the author of Conscious Home Design, a #1 bestselling book in seven countries, and the creator of the Conscious Home Design certification program. His work bridges the gap between design and human well-being, helping architects and designers create homes that support happiness, health, and personal growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why homes are a medium, not an end result ✳️ How design impacts human happiness and relationships ✳️ Three relationship types every home should support ✳️ Using Maslow’s hierarchy in design decisions ✳️ Scientific principles that improve home environments Read the Blog >>> 5 Principles for Healthier, Happier Home Design NEXT STEPS: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:57 Talor’s Journey Into Architecture 10:44 Designing for Human Happiness 12:50 The Role of Relationships in Home Design 19:07 The Three Types of Relationships Explained 23:34 Designing Homes to Support Relationships 25:49 Core Framework of Conscious Home Design 27:52 Maslow’s Hierarchy Applied to Home Design 30:00 Asking Better Questions for Better Design Outcomes 33:25 Why Clarity Leads to Faster Client Decisions 35:00 Homes as Tools for Personal Growth

    41 min
  6. 189 | Design Systems That Create Freedom, Profit, and Business Growth

    May 4

    189 | Design Systems That Create Freedom, Profit, and Business Growth

    Have you ever felt like your interior design business depends entirely on you—your time, your energy, your creativity? I see many designers start with passion and talent, only to end up overwhelmed, juggling project management, client communication, bookkeeping, procurement, and marketing… all at once. And before long, that dream business starts to feel like a never-ending job. The truth is: burnout isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong creatively—it’s a sign that your business systems aren’t supporting you. When you’re constantly reinventing the wheel, skipping steps, or trying to do everything yourself, you’re making your business harder than it needs to be. And that’s where systems come in—not to limit your creativity, but to protect it. In this episode, I walk you through how to build simple, repeatable design systems so you can work smarter, not harder. When your workflows, client experience, and operations are streamlined, you create space for what actually matters: your creativity, your vision, and your growth as a designer. My goal is to help you stop operating like a freelancer and start building a scalable, profitable interior design business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why design systems don’t limit creativity ✔️ How to create repeatable design workflows ✔️ Key phases every design project should follow ✔️ What to delegate, outsource, and automate ✔️ How systems increase profitability and creative freedom Read the Blog >>> Design Systems for Interior Designers That Drive Growth NEXT STEPS: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start working smarter—not harder—today. 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction: Working Smarter With Business Systems 2:48 Why Systems Matter 4:58 Repeatable Design Process Explained 7:07 Design Project Phases and Timelines 12:14 Delegation and Outsourcing Strategies 15:24 Automation Tools for Efficiency 17:13 Financial Systems for Business Growth 19:55 Freedom and Flexibility Through Systems

    23 min
  7. 188 | How Interior Designers Sell Premium Services Without Discounting With Miriam Schulman

    Apr 27

    188 | How Interior Designers Sell Premium Services Without Discounting With Miriam Schulman

    Have you ever lowered your prices just to get a client? Most interior designers assume that being “more affordable” makes it easier to sell. But what if that belief is actually costing you premium clients—and positioning your work as less valuable? In this episode, I sit down with luxury market messaging and pricing strategist Miriam Schulman to unpack a powerful mindset shift that can completely change how you sell your services. We dive into the belief triad—a simple but transformative framework that helps you move beyond pricing fears and start attracting clients who value taste, certainty, and execution… not discounts. Here’s the truth: your clients aren’t sitting there asking, “Is this designer worth it?” They’re asking something much deeper. And once you understand that, your entire sales process—from your pricing strategy to your presentation—begins to feel easier, more aligned, and yes… more profitable. Featured Guest: Miriam Schulman is a luxury market messaging and pricing strategist for creative entrepreneurs. She is the author of Artpreneur, a step-by-step guide to building a sustainable creative business, and the host of The Inspiration Place podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally. Miriam helps artists, interior designers, and creative entrepreneurs position their work as premium and reassuringly expensive, attracting clients who value quality, taste, and execution over discounts. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why cheaper services are harder—not easier—to sell ✳️ The belief triad and sales process explained simply ✳️ Why clients question themselves, not your pricing ✳️ How to position interior design as a transformation ✳️ Emotional decision-making in luxury client purchases Read the Blog >>> The Belief Triad That Sells Premium Interior Design Services Without Discounting NEXT STEPS: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:39 Miriam's Journey to Becoming a Coach 5:16 Common Struggles of Creatives in Sales 5:52 Why Cheaper Is Not Easier to Sell 8:22 Packaging Services for Transformation 10:34 Emotional Decision-Making in Sales 11:00 The Belief Triad Explained 13:19 Client Mindset During High-Ticket Decisions 16:05 Selling Emotion vs. Features 17:47 Understanding the Customer’s “Why” 21:07 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Career Shifters

    25 min
  8. 187 | The Real Reasons Interior Designers Struggle to Find Clients (And What Works)

    Apr 20

    187 | The Real Reasons Interior Designers Struggle to Find Clients (And What Works)

    If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I just need more experience… more projects… a better portfolio…”, I want you to pause right there. Because the truth is, most interior designers don’t struggle with client acquisition because they lack talent. They struggle because they lack structure, clarity, and confidence in how they present their value. I’ve seen incredibly talented designers sit on the sidelines, waiting for clients to come. At the same time, I’ve watched designers with less experience stay fully booked. That gap? It’s not about design ability. It’s about mindset, communication, and how you position yourself in the industry. In this episode, I’m walking you through the real reasons interior designers struggle to get clients—and more importantly, what to do instead. Because once you understand how to shift your thinking, refine your messaging, and step into your role as an expert, everything changes. Your confidence increases, your pricing aligns, and your ideal clients start to see your true value. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why talent alone doesn’t attract design clients ✔️ How imposter syndrome impacts pricing and confidence ✔️ What clients actually value beyond beautiful spaces ✔️ How to communicate design value effectively ✔️ Why mindset shifts improve client perception Read the Blog >>> 7 Reasons Interior Designers Struggle to Get Clients (And What to Do Instead) NEXT STEPS: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction: Talent vs. Perceived Value 4:00 Imposter Syndrome & Low Self-Worth 5:37 Selling Beauty vs Real Transformation 7:24 Weak Messaging & Portfolio-Only Websites 8:35 Underestimating the “Science” Behind Design 11:19 HGTV Effect on Client Expectations 16:30 Repositioning Yourself as an Expert

    20 min
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About

A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer. Welcome to the Design Curious podcast! Each week, you'll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You'll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You'll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money. With my 20 yrs of experience, I'll help you on the RIGHT WAY to get started. Discover if interior design is the career for you!

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