In this solo episode, I’m exploring a question I hear so often from interior designers who are just starting out — how do you bridge the gap between design school and running your own studio? Whether you’re stepping into design as a second or third career, or you’re graduating and wondering what comes next, this episode will help you think about what skills you already bring, what knowledge you’re gaining, and most importantly — the gaps in between. Because it’s not just about design education. It’s about sales, marketing, finance, systems, and the confidence to run a business that works for you. I share insights on how to identify those gaps, how to start filling them while you’re still in school (or transitioning from another career), and how to prepare yourself for either joining a small studio or stepping straight into business ownership. Hope you enjoy the episode. Beth xx Episode Highlights. Why moving from design school into a large corporate firm (like Gensler) may not suit every stage of life . The common challenges second-or third-career designers face when shifting into interiors . How to identify the gaps between your past experience, your design education, and the realities of running a business . Why it’s just as important to learn about sales and marketing as it is about design principles . Practical ways to prepare if you want to start your own studio right after graduation . Options for filling your knowledge gaps: coaching, formal training, or self-paced learning . Why being clear on what you actually want from your career path is the first step to success Key Takeaways. Your design degree teaches the creative fundamentals — but not always the business foundations. . Corporate design firms can offer great training, but may not give you flexibility, creativity, or decision-making power early on. . If you need a career that balances creativity with flexibility (family, lifestyle, location), small studios or self-employment may suit you better. . Identifying your knowledge gaps early will help you avoid overwhelm when starting your studio. . Marketing, sales, and systems are just as important as creativity in building a sustainable design business. Practical InsightIf you’re at design school or transitioning careers, take time to: . List the skills you already bring from previous careers (finance, HR, marketing, etc.) . Identify the areas you know little about — sales, systems, business structure, documentation, etc. . Start building knowledge in those areas now, even at a basic level, so you’re not starting from scratch when you open your studio. Perfect For. Interior design students nearing graduation . Second- or third-career designers entering the industry . Designers considering starting their own studio straight from school . Anyone feeling uncertain about the business side of design Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business. 1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox 2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes. I only have 8 spots available every month. 3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio. 4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio 5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.
