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. 109. Lessons from High Point Market: How Interior Designers Actually Attract Better Clients

    1D AGO

    109. Lessons from High Point Market: How Interior Designers Actually Attract Better Clients

    Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with designers at High Point Market—and it’s one I couldn’t wait to bring to you here because it hits on something so many of you are experiencing right now. If you’ve been saying “I need more clients,” but you’re not actively nurturing the relationships you already have, this might be the reframe you need. Because what I shared on that stage—and what I see every day in my coaching work—is that most designers don’t actually have a lead problem. They have a relationship problem. At High Point, the questions were familiar: how do I find better clients, bigger projects, and people who truly value full-service design? But underneath those questions is something deeper—and that’s what we’re unpacking here. In this episode, I’m walking you through why relying on referrals alone can quietly limit your growth, even if your reputation is strong. We’re talking about the difference between being busy and being intentional, and why building a relationship ecosystem—not just chasing new leads—is what creates consistent, sustainable demand. I’m also challenging you to think differently about where your ideal clients actually spend their time. Because if you want to work with executives, professionals, and high-net-worth homeowners, your visibility strategy has to go beyond Instagram—and yes, that includes platforms like LinkedIn. We’ll dive into how to position your work so clients understand the transformation you provide (not just the pretty end result), how to stay top of mind with past clients in a way that feels natural, and why your referral partners are one of the most powerful growth tools you’re likely underusing. This is the exact conversation I had with designers at High Point—and if you’re ready to stop chasing clients and start building a business that grows through trust, visibility, and intentional relationships, you’re going to want to listen to this one. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    27 min
  2. 108. Scaling an Interior Design Business Takes More Than Bigger Goals

    APR 29

    108. Scaling an Interior Design Business Takes More Than Bigger Goals

    Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m unpacking something I see all the time in design businesses—and it might surprise you. It’s not that you need to think bigger. It’s that your business may not be built to support the growth you say you want. I know how easy it is to believe the next level comes from bigger goals, more confidence, or finally stepping into your “CEO era.” But if your structure is weak, scaling doesn’t create freedom—it creates more chaos. More clients, more pressure, more decisions, and more dependency on you. Inside this conversation, I’m walking you through the real difference between motivational thinking and strategic thinking, and why scaling well requires completely different decisions—not just bigger vision. Because if your team still relies on you for everything, your inbox is running your day, and every project still depends on your constant involvement… growth is only going to amplify those problems. We’re talking about what CEO thinking actually looks like in practice. Not as a personality trait, but as a decision-making framework. I’ll show you how to start identifying where your business is breaking under growth, how to stop operating as the bottleneck, and how to shift from reacting to designing a business that can actually hold more. This episode is your invitation to stop chasing bigger for the sake of bigger—and start building a business that is stronger, more sustainable, and truly supports your life. If you’ve ever felt like your business grows… but your freedom doesn’t, this one is for you. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    33 min
  3. Ep. 107 The Smarter Way Interior Designers Increase Profit (Without More Clients or Higher Prices)

    APR 22

    Ep. 107 The Smarter Way Interior Designers Increase Profit (Without More Clients or Higher Prices)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m joined by Heather McManus, founder of The Designers Collaborative, and we’re diving into a conversation that challenges what most designers believe about profitability. Because if you’ve been told the only way to make more money is to raise your rates or take on more clients, I want you to hear this—there’s another way. And it might completely shift how you think about your business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why making more money doesn’t always mean raising your pricesThe real reason designers lose sales (and client trust) when products get shopped onlineHow pricing tiers and sourcing structure impact your profitability more than you thinkWhat a buying collective actually is—and how it can dramatically increase your marginsThe difference between designers who scale and those who stay stuckWhy systems, not just talent, are what drive long-term successHow to stay competitive with online pricing without sacrificing your profitI see so many designers working harder, taking on more projects, and still feeling like the profit just isn’t there. And the truth is, it’s not always a pricing problem—it’s a structure problem. This conversation opens up a completely different way to think about sourcing, margins, and how you actually build a profitable design business without burning yourself out. If you’ve ever felt frustrated being shopped by your own clients, questioned your pricing, or wondered how other designers seem to make more without doing more, this episode is going to hit home. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    45 min
  4. 106. The Hiring Mistake Keeping Interior Designers Overworked

    APR 15

    106. The Hiring Mistake Keeping Interior Designers Overworked

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve been feeling stretched thin and thinking, “I just need to hire another designer,” this episode might shift everything for you. I’m breaking down why hiring an assistant designer is often not the solution you think it is—and what’s actually keeping you overworked, overwhelmed, and stuck in your business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why hiring an assistant designer often doesn’t solve overwhelmThe difference between task support and true decision ownershipHow being the bottleneck is really what’s draining your timeThe most common hiring mistake I see interior designers makeThe roles you should consider hiring before another designerHow to identify what your business actually needs next I see this pattern constantly—designers assume they need more help doing the work, when what they actually need is support running the business. If everything still flows through you, adding another designer won’t give you your time back. It just adds more moving pieces to manage. This episode will help you rethink how you hire so you can finally create real capacity instead of just shifting the overwhelm. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    22 min
  5. 105. Why You Don’t Have a Million-Dollar Interior Design Business Yet

    APR 8

    105. Why You Don’t Have a Million-Dollar Interior Design Business Yet

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever thought, “I want more in my business, but I don’t know if I can handle more,” this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down one of the biggest reasons interior designers struggle to scale—and it’s not your talent or your work ethic. It’s your business model. If your business is built on the assumption that you have unlimited energy and capacity, it will eventually hit a ceiling. In this episode, I walk you through what’s really keeping you from reaching that million-dollar mark, what it’s costing you, and how to start building a business that actually supports your life. IN THIS EPISODE: Why your business can look successful but feel exhausting to run, the real reason your growth is capped, how over-functioning is limiting your ability to scale, the hidden patterns keeping you stuck, why more revenue doesn’t always mean a stronger business, what a sustainable business model actually looks like, and simple questions to help you identify where your business relies too much on you. You can build a profitable business that still costs you too much—mentally, emotionally, and physically. This episode will help you recognize when your business has outgrown its current model and give you permission to redesign it in a way that supports your life. Because a million dollar business isn’t just about making more, it’s about building something that can hold more without breaking you. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    40 min
  6. 104. Why Being Busy Isn’t Growing Your Interior Design Business

    APR 1

    104. Why Being Busy Isn’t Growing Your Interior Design Business

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you feel busy all day but your interior design business still isn’t growing, this episode is going to hit home. I’m breaking down why constant hustle isn’t the problem—and why your business might actually be designed to keep you stuck. IN THIS EPISODE: I’m sharing what I see behind the scenes with so many interior designers: full calendars, constant work, and zero real growth. If you’re working nonstop but not seeing more profit, freedom, or scalability, it’s not a time issue—it’s a business design issue. I walk through the patterns I see over and over again—businesses that depend entirely on the designer, revenue that requires the same level of effort every month, and work that never compounds. Then we shift into what actually creates growth: reducing dependency on you, building repeatable processes, and creating structure that allows your business to move forward—even when you’re not actively pushing it. This episode is really about stepping into your role as CEO and redesigning your business so it finally supports your life, instead of consuming it. If your business only works when you’re working, it’s not growing—it’s being maintained. And that’s why you feel exhausted, stuck, and like nothing is actually changing. This conversation will help you see exactly where you’re the bottleneck—and how to start shifting toward real, sustainable growth.  LINKS & RESOURCES: Book a free 15-minute problem-solving call: https://fixmydesignbiz.com Do you struggle with sourcing?  Have you lost sales to the internet?  The answer to your profitability problem is a click away!  Join The Designers Collaborative, a buying collective for interior designers that is over 500 members strong. The Designers Collaborative’s fearless approach has helped designers break through industry barriers, rethink traditional sourcing models, and tap into the potential of true collaboration—creating stronger businesses and bigger opportunities.   They offer more than a sourcing solution.  The Designers Collaborative has access to the largest number of vendors, plus the resources that put you in control.  The collective connects you with the design industry’s lowest prices, plus practical tools, proven resources, and peer support to help you succeed. Enjoy -Over 300 top vendors at the best price tiers -Supportive community of 500 + interior designers -Tools, templates, and education -Meet-ups and events -and so much more Join The Designers Collaborative for only $659 for the year.  It will pay for itself in one order.  Join for the profits and stay for the community. You can request their vendor list and apply for membership on their website https://thedesignerscollaborative.com/ Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    20 min
  7. 103. Why Your Interior Design Projects Keep Going Over Budget

    MAR 25

    103. Why Your Interior Design Projects Keep Going Over Budget

    Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever wrapped up a project and thought… how did we get here again? You started with a clear vision, a solid plan, and a client who seemed aligned. But somewhere between the mood board and install day, the budget unraveled. Now the client is stressed, you’re reworking the same design over and over, and a project that once felt exciting feels heavy. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason interior design projects go over budget—and it’s probably not what you think. It’s not that you’re bad at budgeting. It’s not just inflation. And it’s definitely not just your client. It’s your process. I’m walking you through the structural shifts that will help you protect your budget, your time, and your client relationships—so your projects stay profitable and far less stressful. IN THIS EPISODE: • Why projects go over budget (and why it’s not a pricing problem) • The biggest mistake designers make when discussing budget • How line-item pricing leads to negotiation and scope creep • What “pillow syndrome” is and why it destroys your design integrity • Why clients compare instead of trust your design decisions • The power of room-based budgeting vs. item-based pricing • How to anchor clients to investment range instead of individual pieces • Why flat-fee revision rounds protect your time and profitability • The exact budget question that creates clarity from the start If your projects constantly go over budget, it’s not because you need better math, it’s because your process isn’t supporting clear decision-making. When clients evaluate a design piece by piece, every item becomes negotiable. That leads to endless revisions, lost time, and reduced profitability. But when you structure your process differently—by setting budgets upfront, presenting the room as a whole, and clearly defining revisions—you create stability, confidence, and momentum in your projects. This episode will help you stop redesigning the same project over and over and start running a business that actually protects your time, your profit, and your sanity. Do you struggle with sourcing?  Have you lost sales to the internet?  The answer to your profitability problem is a click away!  Join The Designers Collaborative, a buying collective for interior designers that is over 500 members strong. The Designers Collaborative’s fearless approach has helped designers break through industry barriers, rethink traditional sourcing models, and tap into the potential of true collaboration—creating stronger businesses and bigger opportunities.   They offer more than a sourcing solution.  The Designers Collaborative has access to the largest number of vendors, plus the resources that put you in control.  The collective connects you with the design industry’s lowest prices, plus practical tools, proven resources, and peer support to help you succeed. Enjoy -Over 300 top vendors at the best price tiers -Supportive community of 500 + interior designers -Tools, templates, and education -Meet-ups and events -and s Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    24 min
  8. 102. Why Interior Design Clients Keep Changing Their Minds (And How to Fix It)

    MAR 18

    102. Why Interior Design Clients Keep Changing Their Minds (And How to Fix It)

    Send Katie a Text Message!! Have you ever had a client approve everything… only to start unraveling the design a few days later? One change turns into five. The sofa shifts, then the rug feels off, then suddenly the entire room is back on the table. Your timeline gets pushed, your energy gets drained, and the project becomes far more complicated than it ever needed to be. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really happening when clients keep changing their minds—and why it’s usually not about them being indecisive. It’s about your process. Because when your process is clear, decisions become easier. When it’s not, revisions multiply. This episode will help you protect your time, your creativity, and your client experience by designing a process that actually works. Do you struggle with sourcing?  Have you lost sales to the internet?  The answer to your profitability problem is a click away!  Join The Designers Collaborative, a buying collective for interior designers that is over 500 members strong. The Designers Collaborative’s fearless approach has helped designers break through industry barriers, rethink traditional sourcing models, and tap into the potential of true collaboration—creating stronger businesses and bigger opportunities.   They offer more than a sourcing solution.  The Designers Collaborative has access to the largest number of vendors, plus the resources that put you in control.  The collective connects you with the design industry’s lowest prices, plus practical tools, proven resources, and peer support to help you succeed. Enjoy -Over 300 top vendors at the best price tiers -Supportive community of 500 + interior designers -Tools, templates, and education -Meet-ups and events -and so much more Join The Designers Collaborative for only $659 for the year.  It will pay for itself in one order.  Join for the profits and stay for the community. You can request their vendor list and apply for membership on their website https://thedesignerscollaborative.com/ Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    18 min
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5
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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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