Design Boss Dialogue The Interior Design Business Podcast

Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui
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This is Design Boss Dialogue, the podcast that brings bold and ambitious women in Interior Design together where they come for real conversations to transform and take their design business to new heights. I am your host and fellow Interior Designer Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui, here to share my experiences and insights into running an Interior Design business as well as empower you to build the confident, profitable design business you have been dreaming of and truly deserve. Dive into the world of my interior design company and business mentoring business and I support you grow and build a thriving interior design company. 

  1. MAY 15

    Ep 86 The Hidden Gaps That Quietly Stop Interior Designers From Becoming Profitable

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls. Today’s conversation is a really important one because we are diving into the foundations that make up a profitable, sustainable, and well-structured interior design business. After 16 years in the industry, I have seen businesses built in so many different ways, some supportive and scalable, and others completely built on the fly, with no real systems, structure, or financial roadmap behind them. And the truth is, talent alone is not enough to build a profitable business. You can be an incredible designer, but if your pricing structures, procurement fees, trade coordination, management fees, forecasting, and financial systems are not properly set up, you will constantly feel like you are chasing your business rather than leading it. This episode is really about bringing awareness to the hidden gaps that quietly stop interior designers from becoming profitable and sustainable long term. We’re talking about creating a well-oiled machine behind the scenes, understanding your numbers, building a financial roadmap, and learning how to confidently position and sell your services with clarity and conviction. Because when you truly understand your business, your pricing, your profit margins, and your client journey, everything changes. This is your invitation to stop bobbling along and start building intentionally. Join Lisa-marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.  Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence? If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together. From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey. To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.  And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

    23 min

  2. MAY 8

    Ep 85 Creative Brains Need Different Business Structures: How to Stop Running Your Business in Survival Mode

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls. Today’s episode is a really important conversation for creative women in business, especially those of you who are wildly talented at what you do, but behind the scenes feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally drained, and like you’re constantly trying to catch up. Because I truly don’t believe the issue for most creatives is capability. I believe the issue is structure. So many interior designers and creative business owners are trying to operate inside systems, schedules, and expectations that simply do not support the way their brain works best. And eventually, that leads to nervous system overload, burnout, and running a business fuelled by adrenaline rather than sustainability. In this episode, I’m sharing my own experiences, the habits I had to unlearn, the structures I had to rebuild, and the practical toolkits that helped me create a business that supports my creativity rather than punishes it. We’re talking about creative capacity, peak performance, time blocking, nervous system support, CEO days, white space, and how to stop building your business around survival mode. This is your permission slip to build your business differently. To work smarter, softer, and more intentionally. And to create a business that feels good on the inside as well as the outside. Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.  Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence? If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together. From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey. To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.  And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

    24 min

  3. MAY 1

    EP 84 Navigating Business Lessons Together with Lisa-Marie and Steff

    Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we are having a very real conversation about business, the kind that doesn’t often get spoken about. Because the truth is, building a business isn’t linear. It isn’t neat, predictable, or always moving forward in the way you expect, and if you’ve ever found yourself questioning your progress or wondering if you’re behind, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I’m joined by Steff Bolton, my business bestie and together we’re talking about the importance of community, support, and having the right people around you as you grow. Whether that’s a mentor, a coach, or simply a business bestie who just gets it. We also share an analogy that I think will really land with you, building your business like a wardrobe, because success isn’t built from one piece. It’s layered, intentional, and created over time.This is a warm, honest, and grounding conversation about resilience, connection, and why you are not meant to do this alone. If you want to connect with Steff or myself: Find Steff on Instagram with her coaching and mentoring business HERE  Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HEREand find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and beyond.  Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence? If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together. From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey. To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.  And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

    36 min

  4. APR 24

    Ep 83 The Power of Scent: Nervous System Support for Women in Business with Olya Ilicheva

    Send us Fan Mail In this calming and insightful episode, Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui is joined by Olya to explore the powerful connection between scent, the nervous system, and how we show up in our businesses as women. Together, they unpack how essential oils are not simply about fragrance, but about bio communication with the body. Olya shares how scent can bypass the brain’s control centre in just 22 seconds, directly influencing the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotion, stress, and memory. This conversation moves beyond surface-level wellness and into practical, grounded ways that female entrepreneurs and interior designers can use scent to regulate their nervous system, improve focus, and support creativity. Olya also introduces the concept of personalised oil protocols, using tools such as ZYTO scans to identify deeper stressors and tailor support in a more intentional way. They also explore how scent can be integrated into business environments, from daily routines to client experiences and retreats, creating spaces that feel both supportive and energetically aligned. This episode is a gentle reminder that how you feel within your business matters just as much as what you do, and that small, intentional practices can have a powerful impact on your energy, clarity, and performance. Please Note: Only CPTG doTERRA oils labelled “I – Internal” or “Oil Supplement” are suitable for internal use. Internal use should be guided by your wellness advocate or a qualified aromatherapist and is recommended only for adults and children aged 12 and above.   If you want to connect with Olya and dive into her world then: Find her on Instagram HERE  Book a free wellness discovery chat HERE  Join Lisa-marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.  Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence? If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together. From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey. To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.  And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

    33 min

  5. APR 17

    EP 82 You Don’t Hate Procurement, You Were Just Never Taught How to Run It Properly

    Send us Fan Mail If this episode has resonated with you, if you’ve been avoiding procurement, or feeling disconnected from it, then this is your invitation to go deeper. On 1st May, Lisa-Marie is joining forces with Elizabeth Kelly from The Procurement Studio for a dedicated masterclass designed to help you: structure your procurement properlyimplement systems that actually workand turn this area of your business into a profitable, supportive processThis is where we take everything you’ve heard in this episode… and show you how to apply it. SAVE YOUR SEAT Procurement is one of the most avoided, and misunderstood, areas of an interior design business.Not because you’re not capable of running it…But because no one has ever really shown you how to structure it properly. In this practical and eye-opening episode, I open up a conversation that many designers quietly struggle with. The disconnect from procurement, the overwhelm, the sense that it feels chaotic, time-consuming, and easier to avoid than to master. But here’s the truth…Procurement isn’t the problem, it is the lack of structure around it. Inside this episode, I reframe procurement as one of the most powerful opportunities within your business. When it is supported by the right systems, processes, and decision-making frameworks, it becomes a streamlined, repeatable, and highly profitable part of your service offering. You’ll be guided through how to move away from reactive ordering and into a more structured, intentional approach, one that allows you to manage suppliers with ease, track multiple items without overwhelm, and create a seamless experience for both you and your clients. This is not about adding more to your plate. This is about creating a business that runs like a well-oiled machine. And if procurement has ever felt like ‘too much’… this episode will completely shift the way you see it. Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026.  Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence? If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together. From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey. To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.  And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

    24 min

  6. APR 3

    Ep 81 Interior Designers Stop Guessing Your Pricing

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another podcast episode. If pricing in your interior design business has ever felt confusing, emotional, or overwhelming, this episode is for you. Because no matter what stage you are at in your business, pricing is one of the most important foundations you will build. And when it is not aligned, it can quietly create significant unrest. From second-guessing your quotes to adjusting your fees depending on the client to feeling unsure whether you are charging too much or not enough, it can leave you feeling stuck, uncertain, and exhausted. In this episode, I take you into a powerful and honest conversation around pricing and what is really happening beneath the surface when it feels hard. Drawing from my experience working closely with women in my mentorships and with her Pricing for Profit and Service Alignment Accelerator, I share what I see time and time again when reviewing businesses. From misaligned services and inconsistent pricing structures to gaps in procurement, trade coordination, and installation, I highlight how pricing is not just about numbers but about how your entire business model operates. This episode will walk you through the key shifts required to move from guessing your pricing to understanding it, from feeling like an interior designer navigating projects to stepping into your role as a true interior design business owner. 🚀 Ready to take this further? If this episode resonates with you and you are ready to stop guessing your pricing and start building a business that truly supports you, there are two ways you can step into this work:  Fully Booked & Highly Paid HERE Learn the core pricing formulas of the first stage of design in Stage 1 design direction, and frameworks to confidently price your services and remove overwhelm.  Pricing for Profit & Service Alignment Accelerator Go deeper into your business and align your entire pricing model, from services through to procurement, trade coordination, and installation, so every part of your business is working together profitably.  If you want to book onto Pricing for Profit & Service Alignment Accelerator VIP Day + 60-Day support this is for the woman who wants to move into 2026 with clarity and confidence, deeply connected to her business, cutting through overwhelm and guesswork, and stepping out of the cycle of reinventing the pricing wheel. This is where you align your pricing and services, speak with authority, and start hearing yes from the right ideal buyer.  • In-person VIP Day (10:30 am–4 pm, London private members club) • Beautiful lunch and drinks included • 60 days of Voxer message support while you implement with confidence This is a focused, embodied connection, followed by supported execution. Price £2222 ( Deposit and payment plan available) Email designbossdiary@gmail.com to reserve your space.  Come over to Instagram and say HI, connect with me and carry on the conversation HERE 🎯 This episode is for:  Interior designers who feel unsure about their pricing  Creatives who are tired of guessing and adjusting their fees  Designers ready to build a profitable, structured business And as always if you have loved this episode we would love for you to leave a review and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode you lovely lot! Xx

    21 min

  7. MAR 27

    Ep 80 Do You Feel Safe in Your Business? Building Stability Through Clarity and Structure With Lisa-Marie

    Send us Fan Mail In this grounded and thought-provoking episode, Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui explores a feeling that many women in business quietly carry but rarely articulate, the desire to feel safe in their business. Lisa-Marie invites you to reflect on what safety truly means within your business, and how that feeling is often directly linked to your financial awareness, structures, and sales strategies. Rather than being something abstract, safety is built through clarity, understanding, and intentional decision-making. She shares practical insights into how you can begin to create stability by understanding your current financial position, building a structured service suite, and developing a clear financial roadmap. Lisa-Marie introduces the concept of the Cashflow Code method, a way of mapping your numbers so that your business feels predictable, supportive, and aligned with your goals. This episode also explores the importance of setting clear sales targets, understanding your capacity, and creating boundaries that protect both your time and your profitability. When your business is structured properly, it begins to support you rather than overwhelm you. It is a gentle but powerful reminder that safety in business is not something you wait for. It is something you build. This episode is an invitation to pause and check in with how your business feels, not just how it looks from the outside. When you build strong foundations, understand your numbers, and lead your business with clarity and intention, safety becomes something you experience daily, not something you are constantly searching for. Continue the conversation and connect with Lisa-Marie HERE Feel free to DM or tag Lisa-Marie after listening to the episode. And as always if you have loved this episode we would love for you to leave a review and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode you lovely lot! Xx

    19 min

  8. MAR 20

    Ep 79 Simplify to Stand Out, Refining Your Message and Owning Your Value With Helen Thacker

    Send us Fan Mail In this insightful and grounding episode, Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui is joined by business strategist Helen Thacker to explore what it really takes to stand out in a saturated market. Together, they unpack the power of simplicity in business, and why refining your messaging is often the missing piece for entrepreneurs who feel stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to attract higher-paying clients. Helen shares her perspective on cutting through the noise by focusing on your zone of genius, and clearly communicating the value of what you do. The conversation moves beyond surface-level strategy and into the internal work that supports sustainable growth. Lisa-Marie and Helen discuss the role of confidence, identity, and conviction in business, and how these elements directly influence the way you position yourself and your brand. You can dive Helen’s World HERE  They also touch on the importance of making strategic decisions following launches or busy periods, allowing space to reflect, refine, and move forward with clarity rather than rushing into the next thing. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to do more to grow your business. You need to simplify, focus, and stand confidently in what you already do best. This episode is an invitation to step away from overcomplicating your business and instead return to what truly matters. When you are clear on your strengths, confident in your value, and intentional with your messaging, you naturally begin to stand out. Not by doing more, but by doing what you do best with clarity and conviction. Continue the conversation and connect with Lisa-Marie HERE Feel free to DM or tag Lisa-Marie after listening to the episode. And as always if you have loved this episode we would love for you to leave a review and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in then we have a special gift waiting just for you.  See you in the next episode you lovely lot! Xx

    36 min
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About

This is Design Boss Dialogue, the podcast that brings bold and ambitious women in Interior Design together where they come for real conversations to transform and take their design business to new heights. I am your host and fellow Interior Designer Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui, here to share my experiences and insights into running an Interior Design business as well as empower you to build the confident, profitable design business you have been dreaming of and truly deserve. Dive into the world of my interior design company and business mentoring business and I support you grow and build a thriving interior design company. 

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