Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design

Katie Decker-Erickson, Business Coach for Interior Designers
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As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming. That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design. We’ll answer questions like: How do I get more interior design clients? What should I charge for interior design services? What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers? How can I grow my interior design business? How do I build a brand as an interior designer? How can I scale my interior design business? What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business? How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm? Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business? This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out. If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place. Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.

  1. 97. Why Raising Your Rates Didn’t Give You More Freedom (And What Actually Will)

    2D AGO

    97. Why Raising Your Rates Didn’t Give You More Freedom (And What Actually Will)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! You raised your rates. You updated your website. You had the uncomfortable conversations. And you thought, This is it. This is the turning point. But you’re still working just as much. Maybe more. If that’s you, this episode of Success by Design is going to hit home. In this conversation, I break down why raising your interior design fees is often necessary — but never the magic fix everyone promises. Higher pricing doesn’t automatically create more freedom. In fact, without the right structure, it can actually create more pressure. We talk about: Why pricing is a multiplier, not a solutionHow higher-paying clients come with higher expectationsThe real reason your margin may still be leaking (scope creep)Why freedom is created by structure — not revenueTwo designers can charge the same rates and have completely different experiences. The difference isn’t talent. It’s systems, boundaries, and decision ownership. If you’ve quietly wondered whether raising your rates was a mistake, this episode will give you clarity. Because your business should be working for you — not the other way around. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    17 min
  2. 96. Why Your Team Keeps Asking You the Same Questions (And How to Fix It as a Leader)

    FEB 4

    96. Why Your Team Keeps Asking You the Same Questions (And How to Fix It as a Leader)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I swear I’ve already answered this,” while a team member pings you yet again, this episode is for you. Today, I’m unpacking one of the most exhausting leadership moments I see with designers — when your team keeps asking the same questions over and over, and it starts to make you wonder if you’re doing something wrong as a leader. I want to say this clearly right out of the gate: this isn’t a sign that you’re failing. It’s feedback. And when you understand what that feedback is actually pointing to, everything starts to shift. In this episode, I talk honestly about why repeated questions usually aren’t a communication problem or a documentation problem — even though that’s where most of us go first. More SOPs, more explanations, or even questioning whether you hired the wrong person often feels like the logical next step. But in my experience, that approach only reinforces the dynamic that’s burning you out. What your team is really asking — whether they realize it or not — is whether they’re allowed to decide without you. We dive into the idea of decision ownership and why so many creative leaders accidentally hold onto it longer than they should. I share how being the fixer, the closer, and the safety net can quietly train your team to outsource judgment back to you — even when they’re capable of more. I also walk you through the leadership shift from “doing” to “designing,” and how your role as CEO is less about approving every choice and more about building confident decision-makers. I also get very practical in this episode. I share how we’ve handled this inside my own firm, including why we clarified decision lanes, created clearer reporting structures, limited unnecessary visibility in project management software, and normalized thoughtful mistakes instead of punishing them. We talk about why mistakes — when made inside clear guardrails — actually build confidence instead of eroding it. You’ll hear how hiring ties directly into this, why you’re not hiring extra hands but judgment, and how we’ve refined our hiring process over the years to make sure people are truly set up to succeed. I also explain why the 90-day review period is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build trust, clarity, and alignment on your team — without fear or drama. We also talk about seasons. Sometimes the issue isn’t that someone is a bad hire — it’s that their season has changed. Learning how to recognize that, have honest conversations, and adjust roles accordingly is part of real leadership. I share a recent example from my own team where a simple conversation created massive relief, clarity, and momentum for everyone involved. And if this conversation hits close to home and you want help untangling it, I offer a free 15-minute problem-solving session where we focus on one real leadership challenge in your business. No pitch, no pressure — just clarity. You can book that at fixmydesignbiz.com. As always, remember: your business should be working for you, not you working for it. If that’s starting to feel out of alignment, it’s time to redesign how leadership shows up inside your fir Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    26 min
  3. 95. Why Your Interior Design Business Feels Heavier as It Grows (Even With More Revenue)

    JAN 28

    95. Why Your Interior Design Business Feels Heavier as It Grows (Even With More Revenue)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at your business and thought, “Why did this feel easier when I was making less money?”—this episode is for you. Today, I’m talking directly to designers who are doing “everything right” on paper. The revenue is there. The team is there. The projects are bigger. And yet… everything feels heavier. More complex. More draining. Here’s the truth I want you to hear upfront: you didn’t do anything wrong. This tension doesn’t show up because you failed—it shows up because you succeeded. And in this episode, I walk you through what that actually means and how to respond as a CEO, not by working harder, but by building a business that can truly carry its own weight. In this episode, I cover: Why most designers hit a wall after profitability—not before itThe difference between effort and capacity (and why effort eventually stops working)How to recognize when your business has outgrown its current “muscle”Why more revenue doesn’t automatically equal more freedomThe mindset shift from control to capacity—and why letting go is strategic, not recklessHow the wrong client mix can exhaust even the strongest systemsWhy decision-making has to be decentralized if your business is going to scale sustainablyHow processes like project closeouts reduce emotional labor and prevent repeated mistakesThe real reason your business feels heavy (and why it’s not a time management failure)I also share personal examples from my own firm—where I hit ceilings, what broke when we grew too fast, and the exact shifts that allowed the business to support growth without burning me out. This episode is about evolution. About recognizing when your business is asking for something different. And about understanding that heaviness is a signal—not a verdict. Final takeaway: If your business feels heavy right now, it doesn’t mean you’re bad at managing your time. It means your business has outgrown the way it was built—and that’s not failure. That’s growth asking for leadership. And if you’re listening and thinking, “This is exactly where I am,” I see you. You don’t need more grit. You need a business designed for the level of success you’re already experiencing. As always, your business should be working for you—not the other way around. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    19 min
  4. 94. How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Interior Design Business

    JAN 21

    94. How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Interior Design Business

    Send Katie a Text Message!! Choosing a coach is a big decision—especially when your business is already successful, but something still feels heavy. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what coaching should (and shouldn’t) look like for interior designers. I share the mistakes I’ve made hiring coaches, the lessons I learned the hard way, and the exact criteria I use now—both when I hire support and when designers consider working with me. This isn’t about hype, Instagram followers, or quick fixes. It’s about clarity, alignment, and making decisions that actually support your life and your business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why you don’t need a coach because you’re failing—but because your business has outgrown its current structureThe real signs it’s time for coaching (and why exhaustion isn’t a motivation problem)How fear keeps designers stuck longer than necessary—and why that’s often the most expensive choiceWhy coaching isn’t about buying information, but about compressed time, perspective, and decision supportWhat I look for when choosing a coach—and why “been there, done that” is a red flagWhy specialization matters more than popularity when it comes to coachingMy honest take on group coaching vs. private coaching once you’re past six figuresThe three non-negotiables every designer should use when choosing a coachHow to know if I’m the right coach for you—and just as importantly, if I’m not I see designers wait too long to ask for help, hire the wrong support, or assume coaching “doesn’t work” when it was really just the wrong fit. This episode is about giving you clarity—so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start making decisions with confidence, integrity, and intention. Coaching should feel supportive, aligned, and safe—not pressured or performative. If this episode resonates and you’re feeling ready to talk things through, I offer a free 15-minute problem-solving session. No pitch. No pressure. Just clarity. Head to fixmydesignbiz.com and we’ll talk about what’s actually going on in your business—and whether coaching makes sense for you right now. Remember: your business should be working for you, not the other way around. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    25 min
  5. 93. Why Indecision Is Holding Your Design Business Back (And How to Take Confident Action)

    JAN 14

    93. Why Indecision Is Holding Your Design Business Back (And How to Take Confident Action)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you feel stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by options, or frozen because you’re afraid of making the wrong move in your design business, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’m talking directly to designers who are waiting for more clarity, more confidence, or more certainty before taking action — and how that waiting is often the very thing keeping them stuck. Indecision isn’t neutral. It’s still a decision, and it usually comes with hidden costs: stalled growth, increased stress, team confusion, and long-term burnout. We’re unpacking why so many designers confuse overthinking with being strategic, and how avoidance quietly undermines your leadership as a CEO. Strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers or getting it perfect — it’s about making informed decisions, learning from them, and allowing momentum to build. Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes from action. I also share what decision-making actually looks like at higher levels of leadership, why trying to be “nice” can erode trust in your business, and how delaying decisions spreads stress across your finances, operations, and team. This episode is about shifting out of reaction and into intentional leadership so your business can move forward. In this episode, I cover: Why indecision is often more expensive than making the wrong decisionHow overthinking keeps designers stuck and overwhelmedThe difference between thoughtful leadership and avoidanceHow delayed decisions affect your team, culture, and profitabilityWhy action creates clarity — not the other way aroundIf you’re ready to stop spinning, stop waiting, and start leading your business with confidence and clarity, this episode will help you rethink how you make decisions and what it’s costing you not to. Listen in and let’s talk about how to move forward as the CEO your business actually needs. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    20 min
  6. 92. A Pep Talk For Interior Design Business Owners Who Want to Win In 2026

    JAN 7

    92. A Pep Talk For Interior Design Business Owners Who Want to Win In 2026

    Send Katie a Text Message!! As we step into 2026, I wanted to record this episode before you opened your inbox, before you looked at last year’s numbers, and before you started telling yourself stories about what this year needs to be. This is your 2026 pep talk. Because most designers don’t start a new year with a clean slate — they start it carrying the emotional weight of the year before. And if we don’t address that first, it quietly shapes how we show up, the goals we set, and the decisions we make. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to release last year without ignoring it, move out of overwhelm, and step into 2026 with clarity, intention, and confidence. In this episode, I talk about: Why 2026 does not need to be a reaction to 2025 — and how trying to “make up” for last year leads to burnoutThe truth about why most designers struggle (hint: it’s not talent, it’s systems, boundaries, and emotional energy)How carrying shame or comparison into a new year limits your capacity before you even beginWhy defining how you want your business to feel matters more than jumping straight into revenue goalsHow to set goals without shame, pressure, or punishmentWhat makes a goal actually supportive using a simple SMART frameworkWhy being “behind” is a dangerous story — and how being informed puts you in a position of powerHow intentional reflection leads to better decisions, not self-judgmentIf you’re heading into 2026 feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure where to start, this episode is your reminder that you are not failing — you’re informed. You’re allowed to begin again, design this year differently, and build a business that works for you instead of the other way around. And if you want help figuring out your next right step, I invite you to book a free 50-minute problem-solving session with me at fixmydesignbiz.com. Let’s get clear, get honest, and move forward intentionally together. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    18 min
  7. 91. Lessons From Our Big Mistakes w/ Michelle Lynne

    12/30/2025

    91. Lessons From Our Big Mistakes w/ Michelle Lynne

    Send Katie a Text Message!! As this year comes to a close, I wanted to have a very honest conversation—one rooted in experience, not perfection. In this episode, I’m reflecting (with another seasoned firm owner- Michelle Lynne) on the mistakes we’ve made, the lessons we learned the hard way, and what actually matters when you’re trying to move your business forward with clarity instead of chaos. This isn’t about beating yourself up for what didn’t work. It’s about looking back clearly—without ego or shame—so you can recalibrate your direction, trust yourself again, and make smarter decisions as you head into 2026. Here’s what we dig into in this episode: In this episode, I talk about: Why you can’t change direction in your business without honestly looking in the rearview mirrorHow growing just for the sake of growth often leads to stress, misalignment, and regretWhy busyness, headcount, and “looking successful” can hide deeper operational problemsThe real cost of ignoring your intuition—and why it always shows up eventuallyHow intuition becomes powerful when it’s supported by data, not separated from itWhy avoiding your numbers only creates bigger problems down the roadWhat I call the “toll of the soul,” and why some profitable work still isn’t worth itHow letting go sooner—clients, projects, models, or people—can lead to faster alignmentWhy leadership requires hard conversations, not avoidanceHow reflection is meant to recalibrate your business, not keep you stuck in regretThis episode is for designers who know something needs to change—but don’t want to burn everything down to make it happen. My hope is that this conversation helps you look at your business with more honesty, more confidence, and a lot more self-trust as you step into what’s next. You don’t need to have all the answers for 2026 right now. But you do need to be willing to look clearly at where you’ve been—so you can choose where you’re going on purpose. If you’re ready to move forward with clarity instead of guesswork, this episode is for you. Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/ Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    48 min
  8. 90. Top Questions Every Designer Has About Growing Their Business - And My Answers

    12/24/2025

    90. Top Questions Every Designer Has About Growing Their Business - And My Answers

    Send Katie a Text Message!! Today’s episode is one I’ve been wanting to record for a long time because it’s built entirely around the questions I hear every single week as a business coach. These are the questions that come up in strategy calls, Voxer messages, office hours, and hallway conversations at High Point. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure about hiring, confused by your numbers, or stuck relying on referrals, you are not alone — and this episode is for you. I’m walking you through the real answers, not the emotional ones, so you can start making CEO-level decisions in your business. IN THIS EPISODE, I COVER: Why feeling overwhelmed usually isn’t a hiring problem, but a clarity and systems problemHow to know whether you actually need help — and whether that should be a contractor or a W2 employeeWhat your numbers need to tell you before you ever make a hireWhy relying only on referrals leaves your business vulnerable, especially in changing marketsWhat a sustainable, predictable marketing strategy actually looks like for designersHow to align your financial reality with your goals instead of relying on vision boards aloneWhy pricing is math and positioning, not emotionHow to know when you’re truly ready to scaleWhy niching isn’t limiting — it’s how premium businesses growHow to raise prices without guilt and stop undervaluing your expertiseWhy you can’t “do it all” at once — and how the accordion model allows your business to support your life  If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this episode, it’s this: you cannot reach your goals without understanding your numbers. Every single time. Clarity comes from data, not panic, and confidence comes from knowing what your business can actually support. If you’re ready to take the next strategic step — not the emotional one — I’d love to help. You can book a free 15-minute problem-solving session with me at fixmydesignbiz.com. Your business should work for you, not the other way around. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    21 min
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About

As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming. That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design. We’ll answer questions like: How do I get more interior design clients? What should I charge for interior design services? What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers? How can I grow my interior design business? How do I build a brand as an interior designer? How can I scale my interior design business? What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business? How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm? Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business? This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out. If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place. Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.

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