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

    2D AGO

    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
  2. 101. Scaling an Interior Design Business Beyond Referrals

    MAR 11

    101. Scaling an Interior Design Business Beyond Referrals

    Send Katie a Text Message!! Referrals feel incredible as an interior designer. They’re proof your clients love your work and your reputation is strong. But there’s something most designers don’t realize—referrals alone are not a growth strategy. In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet ceiling referral-driven businesses often hit. When your pipeline depends on referrals, your growth depends on someone else’s timing. That’s why so many designers experience the frustrating feast-or-famine cycle, even when their reputation is solid. This conversation isn’t about abandoning referrals—they’re a wonderful byproduct of great work. But if you want predictable growth and a business that truly supports your life, referrals can’t be your only engine. Today I’m sharing the mindset shift that moves designers from waiting to be chosen to intentionally creating demand for their services. IN THIS EPISODE: • Why referrals are validation—not a scalable marketing system • The real reason many design firms experience feast-or-famine revenue • The difference between reactive marketing and intentional demand • Simple ways to create consistent visibility without feeling pushy • The CEO mindset shift that allows your firm to scale predictably Referrals show that your clients are happy—but they don’t give you control over your pipeline. If your growth depends entirely on referrals, your business will always feel reactive. The most sustainable design firms build intentional visibility and demand alongside referrals. This episode will help you start thinking like a CEO and create a more predictable, scalable design business. Connect with Katie LinkedIn Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm Website

    21 min
  3. 100. 100 Episodes Later: The Real Reason Interior Designers Feel Stuck

    MAR 4

    100. 100 Episodes Later: The Real Reason Interior Designers Feel Stuck

    Send Katie a Text Message!! After 100 episodes of Success by Design, there are a few patterns I simply can’t ignore anymore. They’ve shown up in coaching calls, DMs, and quiet conversations after the mic turns off. And if you’re building an interior design firm right now — especially one you want to sustain you long-term — this episode is going to feel personal. Here’s what I know for sure: your problem is not your design talent. I have never sat across from a designer and thought the issue was creativity. Your portfolios are strong. Your instincts are sharp. The demand is often there. What’s missing is structure. In this episode, I talk about why so many interior designers obsess over the creative process but build their businesses reactively. No clear delegation structure. No documented client journey. No financial model built for seasons of expansion and contraction. And when that foundation is missing, even growing revenue can feel heavy. Because revenue growth is not the same thing as a healthy, scalable design firm. We also unpack one of the biggest bottlenecks I see: the founder. If every decision runs through you, if every fire escalates to you, if you can’t step away without things wobbling, that’s not a talent problem — it’s a leadership design problem. And here’s another pattern: the designers who scale sustainably make decisions earlier. They redesign before burnout forces them to. They build structure before chaos multiplies. After 100 episodes, this is what I can’t ignore: talent is abundant, but intentional business design is rare. If you’ve felt stuck even though your work is beautiful and your inquiries are steady, this episode will help you see why. 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

    19 min
  4. 99. Why High Demand Doesn’t Mean You’re Ready to Scale Your Interior Design Business

    FEB 25

    99. Why High Demand Doesn’t Mean You’re Ready to Scale Your Interior Design Business

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’re booked out, have steady inquiries, and your revenue looks solid — but you still feel capped — this episode is for you. High demand does not automatically mean you’re ready to scale your interior design business. If you can’t take on more without breaking something, it’s not a marketing problem. It’s a structural one. In this episode, I’m breaking down why revenue growth and scalability are not the same thing. So many six-figure designers assume that because they’re busy, they’re ready to grow. But if everything still runs through you — the decisions, the approvals, the client access — you’ve built a founder-centered firm that will eventually hit a ceiling. In this episode, I cover: Why high demand doesn’t equal scalabilityThe difference between growth and sustainable scalingWhy hiring more team or raising rates won’t fix fragile systemsHow founder bottlenecks cap your capacityWhat it means to scale decision-making instead of scaling demandWhy ease and margin — not just revenue — signal readiness to growTrue scalability happens when revenue can increase without equal growth in founder labor. It happens when systems create breathing room, decisions are decentralized strategically, and your leadership time is protected. If you feel booked but bottlenecked, you’re not failing — your structure just hasn’t caught up yet. And that’s fixable. If you’re ready to redesign your business so it can handle growth without you carrying all of it, head over to FixMyDesignBiz.com and book a 15-minute problem-solving call. 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

    23 min
  5. 98. Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY Business Advice as an Interior Designer

    FEB 18

    98. Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY Business Advice as an Interior Designer

    Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’re running a multiple six-figure interior design firm and finding that the business advice you used to love now feels surface-level, this episode is for you. DIY business advice isn’t bad. In fact, it’s incredibly helpful when you’re building momentum. But there comes a point when quick tips, Instagram soundbites, and six-week tactical courses stop moving the needle. If you’re still working too hard for the results you’re getting, it may not be an effort problem. It may be that your business has outgrown beginner-level strategy. In this episode, I’m breaking down the signs you’ve officially outgrown DIY business advice and what it actually takes to scale a complex, project-based interior design firm sustainably. Because once you’re managing payroll, client expectations, cash flow, and team capacity, surface-level advice just doesn’t cut it anymore. In this episode, I cover: Why DIY business advice works in early stages but stalls at multiple six figuresThe difference between tactical wins and structural growthWhy recurring problems in your design firm are usually architectural, not behavioralHow interconnected challenges (team, pricing, workflow, cash flow) require integrated strategyThe shift from consuming more information to improving decision qualityWhat it really means to grow your “CEO wings” as an interior design business ownerWhy frustration with surface-level advice is actually a sign of evolution, not egoHow to recognize when you’re ready for higher-level, customized strategyIf you’re solving the same problems on repeat, tweaking marketing without meaningful change, or feeling like you’re still the glue holding the entire operation together, you are not behind. You’ve just reached a new level of complexity. And complexity requires integration, not more checklists. This is the stage where real leadership begins — where growth comes from better structure, stronger decision-making, and strategy calibrated to your specific firm. If this conversation resonates, and you know you’ve built something real but it’s starting to feel heavier and more nuanced than the advice you’re consuming, I would love to help you sort through it. Book a free 15-minute problem-solving call at FixMyDesignBiz.com and let’s talk through what’s actually happening inside your business. Because your firm 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

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

    FEB 11

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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