Design Biz Survival Guide Design Biz Survival Guide

Today, we welcome Antonio Deloatch, owner and principal designer of his namesake design firm based in New York and Los Angeles. In this episode, Antonio shares his global journey of design and the experiences that inspired him to launch his own design business eleven years ago. We also discussed his move from LA to New York and his strategy for establishing a brand in a new market. Antonio’s story is a lesson in perseverance, accountability, and pure passion that every design professional can learn from. 
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!
Show Highlights:
The challenges Antonio faced when relocating to a new market and how his creative approach helped him establish his brand.  The role of show houses in the design industry and how Antonio utilized them as a marketing tool and platform to attract new clients. Antonio’s personal mantra of "just keep swimming" and the importance of resilience, faith, and self-belief in the design industry. Antonio's marketing strategies for building his brand. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://www.antoniodeloatch.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/antoniodeloatchdesigns/ Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com www.danielhouse.club/designbiz Subscribe to the DBSG Email List: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/
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Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

Today, we welcome Heather Vercellino, owner and principal designer of Verce Design based in Troy, Michigan. In this episode, we discuss Heather’s “all-in” approach to overcoming obstacles and pursuing her passion. As a mom of three, Heather understands the need for boundaries and shares how she has developed a business model that allows her to be her best self for her clients and her family. Heather also shares her perspective on business coaching and the positive impact it had on her self-confidence and the growth of her design business.
Listen Here → www.designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcast/dbs137 
From investing in coaching to building supportive communities, Heather believes in the power of collective growth. She shares her secret sauce for surviving in the design industry – finding inspiration in interior design, nurturing personal relationships, and forming strong friendships within the industry. She also sheds light on her experience with IDS, a platform that offers education and a welcoming community.
Tune in and get inspired to design your own path to success in the design business.
Show Highlights:
Heather’s journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and creating a successful business. The importance of resilience, passion, and a supportive network in navigating the design industry. Practical advice for designers, including transforming a showroom into a marketing tool and balancing work and personal life. The benefits of having a business located in the Michigan Design Center and creating a sense of community amongst designers. The value of sharing knowledge in the design industry and investing in coaching for business growth. The power of collective growth, nurturing personal relationships, and finding inspiration in interior design for industry survival. Heather's experience with the Interior Design Society (IDS) and the educational and community benefits it offers. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://www.vercedesign.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vercedesignstudio/ Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com www.danielhouse.club/designbiz ***
Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

Today, we welcome Peter and Alex Spalding – brothers and co-founders of Daniel House Club, a to-the-trade purchasing platform for interior design professionals. In this episode, we speak to Peter and Alex about the development of their own design firm, the challenges they experienced, and their response to the most common pain point in the business of design – profit margin. They uncover the hidden discount layer that is typically unavailable to interior designers, and they break down their business model and how it supports the purchasing volume and vendor relationships necessary to extend their buying power and better profit margins to the design community.
Listen Here → www.designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcast/dbs136 
Their advice on how to shop like a designer and increase profitability is invaluable. So tune in and get ready to be inspired by Peter and Alex Spalding's story and the remarkable Daniel House Club.
Show Highlights:
The need for designers to focus on widening their profit margins and the challenges of receiving, inspecting, and installing orders.  The Daniel House Club platform, including the benefits of different membership tiers and the simplification of the return policy. How to shop like a designer and tips on boosting profitability were highlighted.  Creating systems for business, developing a product database, and finding the balance between profitability and creativity. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - www.danielhouse.club/designbiz  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danielhouse.club/  Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com www.danielhouse.club/designbiz  Register for Design Biz Retreat: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat/
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Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

Today, we welcome Keri Petersen, founder of KP Spaces based in Seattle, WA. In this episode, we discuss Keri’s journey of figuring out the back end of the business of design and the self-work she had to put in to grow her business with confidence. We dive deep into the concept of SEO and online advertising and the impact it has had on the visibility of her business. Keri also pulls back the curtain on some of the misconceptions about paid advertising and why it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Listen Here → www.designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcast/dbs135
Keri's understanding of the importance of marketing is astonishing. We delve into the world of AI for selecting keywords, vetting clients, and attracting both big and small projects. Keri's survival guide for design businesses emphasizes the need for visibility and growth. By mastering SEO and Google Ads, you can make your business stand out, just like KP Spaces. 
Prepare to be inspired and learn how to navigate the intimidating world of paid advertising with confidence.
Show Highlights:
The importance of SEO and online advertising in boosting business visibility and growth. The significance of self-work for business owners and how it affects boundaries, pricing, and project choices. Challenges faced in launching a design business and the importance of setting a vision for the business. Strategies for mastering SEO and paid advertising to attract bigger projects. Keri's experience using AI to select keywords and vet clients. The importance of gratitude and presence in defining success in the design business. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://www.designandthrivecourse.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kpspaces/ Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com https://danielhouse.club/pages/dbsg  ***
Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

Today we welcome Jessica Jones of Jess Jones Design Group, a full-service interior design studio based in Orange County, California. In this episode, Jessica shares how ten years under the wing of an established designer prepared her for her own entrepreneurial journey in the business of design. Jess shares the self-discovery process she experienced while developing and refining her business model, and we also discuss her leadership role with ASID and the impact that the experience had on her life and business.
Listen Here → www.designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcast/dbs134 
In this episode, Jess shares the challenges and rewards of launching her own design business. Discover the leadership skills she had to develop, the processes she learned, and the relationships she built along the way.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned industry professional!
Show Highlights:
The importance of having structure and boundaries when working from home. Jones' leadership experience in the ASID Orange County chapter and its impact on her personal and professional growth. Emphasizing the importance of a supportive design community and the value of collaboration over competition. Managing client expectations, handling mistakes, and redefining success on your own terms. Insights on design retreats and their role in Jones' personal and professional growth. The significance of building relationships with clients, colleagues, and industry representatives. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://www.jessjonesdesigngroup.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jessjonesdesigngroup/ Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com https://danielhouse.club/pages/dbsg Register for Design Biz Retreat: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat/
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Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

Today, we welcome Michelle Lynne and Ben Rutledge, co-founders of Sidemark - an all-in-one marketing and sales software for interior designers. In this episode, we discuss the most common pain points for designers when it comes to processes and productivity and the valuable leads and revenue you could be missing out on by not implementing a comprehensive customer relationship management strategy - also known as CRM - in your design business. We also break down the basics of CRM and the many tools and features that Sidemark offers to support the growth of your design business.
Learn how to utilize Sidemark's incredible features to save you time and money, and get to grips with the extensive benefits it offers. From CRM tools to calendar booking, social media planning, email marketing, and more, this software is a game-changer for your design business. Listen in as we highlight the potential of this software to save you time and money!
Show Highlights:
Exploration of the role of workflow automation and consistent lead follow-ups in managing customer relationships. Insights into Sidemark, a sales and marketing software specifically designed for interior designers, including its AI-powered content and social media planner. Breakdown of a 60-day marketing transformation course offered by Sidemark to help interior designers build their business. Explanation of the importance of CRM in managing customer relationships, tasks, and notes in one place to appear more professional. Overview of the value of a CRM in maximizing efficiency and the process of building a strong foundation for a design business. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://mysidemark.com/ Coupon Code: designbiz Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mysidemark/ Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com https://designmanager.com ***
Episode Credits:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.