Business of Design® Podcast | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

Kimberley Seldon

Business of Design® is the leading business training platform for interior design professionals. Our proven programs give you the systems and structure you need to run a profitable, process-driven design business. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

  1. 1D AGO

    EP 479 | The Thinking Mistakes Keeping Interior Designers Stuck (and Broke) with Jill Saltzman

    “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure… that just ain’t so.” In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with entrepreneur and author Jill Salzman to unpack the hidden thinking patterns that keep interior designers stuck—financially, professionally, and mentally. Because most of the time, the issue isn’t a lack of strategy. It’s the beliefs you’ve built your business on. From pricing and profitability to clients and growth, designers often operate from assumptions that feel true—but quietly limit progress. This conversation challenges those assumptions and helps you see where your thinking—not your effort—is holding you back. If you’ve ever thought, this should be working by now, this episode will hit home. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why the problem you think you have is often not the real problem - How beliefs about money and clients quietly limit business growth - The difference between being busy and being truly profitable - Why designers stay stuck in “good enough” instead of building great - How fear of success shows up as overwork, undercharging, or avoidance - The role of vulnerability in making real business changes - Why the wrong peer group can keep your business small - The difference between a coach, consultant, and true thinking partner - How to recognize when your thinking—not your strategy—is the issue

    27 min

  2. APR 28

    EP 478 | Interior Designer Jodie Carter on Grief, Pricing, and Finding Purpose Again

    Some episodes are about systems. Some are about mindset. This one is about what happens when life changes everything. In this deeply personal conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with interior designer Jodie Carter to talk about loss, resilience, and what it takes to keep going after unimaginable grief. Jodie shares the story of losing her 12-year-old son, Hamish, after years of bullying—and how she found her way forward as a mother, a business owner, and a human being. This episode is honest, moving, and unexpectedly practical. Because even in the hardest moments, there are lessons about boundaries, pricing, purpose, and the role your work can play in rebuilding a life. At its core, this is a conversation about returning to your business—and your self—with more clarity, stronger conviction, and a deeper understanding of your value. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why grief doesn’t follow a straight line—and neither does recovery - How to continue meaningful work, even in the face of profound loss - Why interior design remains an act of service, even for affluent clients - How stronger boundaries and better pricing transform client relationships - Why raising your rates can increase trust, respect, and profitability - The role community plays when life becomes overwhelming - Why sometimes the most important business lesson is also a life lesson: stick to the plan Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    32 min

  3. APR 21

    EP 477 | The Quiet Superpowers Behind a Resilient Design Firm with Andria Cowan-Molyneaux

    What does it take to build an interior design firm that can withstand economic uncertainty, shifting markets, and hesitant clients? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Andria Cowan-Molyneaux, owner of a thriving 18-person, $4M+ interior design firm located in a town of just 17,000 people. In a seasonal economy with no luxury boom to rely on, Andria has built a business designed to stay strong during turbulence rather than react to it. Instead of pulling back during uncertain times, Andria doubled down on strategy, marketing visibility, community involvement, and operational discipline. The result is a resilient design firm that continues to grow even when the market wobbles. This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, profitability, and long-term thinking for interior design businesses. In this episode we learn: - Why marketing only when you’re slow is the fastest way to stay slow - The difference between advertising and brand-building — and why it matters for interior designers - How philanthropic campaigns can outperform paid advertising in ROI - Why design awards strengthen credibility, especially in smaller markets - The real math behind growth: consistently feeding the overhead machine - How in-house manufacturing improves margin, control, and design differentiation - Why charging $250/hour in a rural community is not bold — it’s responsible business - How professional associations shorten the learning curve and prevent costly mistakes - Why competitors can become collaborators — especially in uncertain economic times If you’re building an interior design firm that needs to grow, adapt, and stay profitable in changing markets, this episode will show you the quiet systems and strategies that make resilience possible. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    34 min

  4. APR 14

    EP 476 | Creative Block in Interior Design: What Causes It and How to Fix It with Kimberley Seldon

    What happens when an experienced interior designer hits a creative wall—and nothing is working? In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldon walks through a real-time creative block inside a design project: the false starts, overthinking, “good enough” decisions that aren’t good enough, and the creeping doubt that follows. But this isn’t about talent or burnout. It’s about process. Kimberley breaks down exactly what went wrong—and how skipping foundational steps like reviewing client input, defining direction, and working within constraints led to weeks of stalled progress. More importantly, she shows how returning to those same steps unlocked clarity and momentum. This episode is a practical reset for interior designers who want to move past creative blocks and design with intention, structure, and confidence. What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why creative blocks happen to experienced interior designers (and why it’s not about talent) • How relying on inspiration instead of process leads to stalled progress • Why “I don’t hate it” is a dangerous standard in design decisions • The real cost of skipping foundational steps in your design process • How AI and efficiency tools can accidentally remove critical thinking time • Why revisiting client notes and inspiration is key to moving forward • How constraints (not freedom) lead to stronger design solutions • How to break overwhelming projects into smaller, solvable pieces • Why presenting multiple options reduces pressure and increases clarity • The difference between reactive designing and intentional design leadership If you’ve ever felt stuck mid-project, this episode will show you how to get unstuck—without waiting for inspiration to return. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    29 min

  5. APR 6

    EP 475 | The Most Expensive Word in Your interior Design Business Is Maybe with Andrea Liebross

    Want to know what’s really behind under-earning, decision fatigue, and burnout in design businesses? It’s not pricing, marketing, or even workload — it’s the decisions designers make long before a project ever begins. Kimberley Seldon is joined by life coach Andrea Liebross to explore why hesitation is so costly, how “nice” projects quietly drain CEO energy, and what it looks like to lead your business with clarity instead of hope. Together they unpack how designers end up negotiating with themselves, saying yes when their instincts say no, and taking on work that slowly erodes time, margin, and focus. Andrea shares a practical decision filter you can use to evaluate opportunities quickly and confidently — without burning relationships or shutting doors. If you’ve ever felt stuck between yes and no, this episode will change the way you make decisions in your business. In this episode we learn: - Why “maybe” is more dangerous to your business than “no” - How to evaluate opportunities using a simple 3-step decision check: ROI, alignment, and capacity - The difference between revenue and real profit — and why hope is not ROI - How decision fatigue leads to burnout, under-earning, and leadership exhaustion - A practical grid to sort opportunities into Hell Yes, Absolute No, Delegate, Delay, Delete, or Do with Changes - Language for declining or reshaping a project without damaging the relationship - Why strong design businesses are built on clean decisions, not good intentions

    36 min

  6. MAR 30

    EP 474 | Procurement, Profit & Vendor Relationships for Interior Designers with Daniel House Club

    Procurement can make or break an interior design business. In this candid panel conversation, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Alexander Spalding of Daniel House Club and interior designers Jamie Gasparovic and Meredith Huck to talk about one of the biggest pain points in the industry: how to manage procurement without sacrificing profit, time, or sanity. Together, they unpack why so many designers resist focusing on profitability, how procurement quietly drains resources when handled inefficiently, and why outsourcing the heavy lifting can actually improve margins. They also explore the real cost of going direct, the hidden time lost managing multiple vendors, and why trust, customer service, and reliable systems matter more than ever. The conversation also touches on the decline of retail shops, the role of online retailers, and the importance of choosing vendor partners who support your business goals—not just your orders. If procurement has ever felt overwhelming, messy, or not worth the trouble, this episode will challenge that thinking and show you a smarter way forward. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why designers often resist prioritizing profitability - How procurement can drain time, energy, and margins - Why outsourcing procurement can improve efficiency and profit - How to evaluate vendor relationships for service, pricing, and reliability - Why billing for procurement hours matters - How strong systems and trusted partners support a healthier design business

    47 min

  7. MAR 23

    EP 473 | How Interior Designers Expand into Hospitality, Hotels & Restaurants with Edith Ponciano

    At some point in every design career, curiosity starts to feel like restlessness. You’re capable. Experienced. Successful. And yet—something feels contained. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Edith Ponciano to explore what it really takes for interior designers to expand beyond residential work and step into hospitality, hotel, and restaurant design. This isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about translating the skills you already have into a new context—one that involves different decision-makers, timelines, language, and expectations. Edith shares practical insight into how hospitality projects operate, why reputation matters more than visibility in commercial work, and how designers can build credibility in unfamiliar environments without overreaching. If you’ve been considering commercial or hospitality design but aren’t sure how to begin, this episode offers clarity on what actually matters—and what doesn’t. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why knowing who makes decisions on hospitality projects matters more than selecting finishes - How to step into new project types by observing and learning before leading - Why reputation compounds faster than visibility in commercial and hospitality design - How adapting your language for architects, operators, and vendors protects your design intent - Why doubt often signals missing context—not missing talent Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    29 min

  8. MAR 16

    EP 472 | Diversity in Interior Design at High Point Market with DuVäl Reynolds

    Diversity in interior design isn’t a side initiative—it’s a leadership responsibility. In this episode, recorded in partnership with the High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA), Kimberley Seldon sits down with DuVäl Reynolds, an active member of the DAA, to explore how access, representation, and leadership are shaping the future of the design industry. Together, they discuss the vital role High Point Market plays—not just as a global sourcing destination—but as a platform for visibility, mentorship, and meaningful industry change. The Diversity Advocacy Alliance was created to expand opportunity and remove barriers within interior design, and DuVäl shares what that work looks like in practice. This conversation reframes diversity as a growth strategy—one that strengthens creativity, deepens collaboration, and ensures the long-term health of the profession. When more voices are invited to the table, the entire industry becomes more innovative and resilient. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why diversity in interior design is a leadership issue, not a trend - The mission and impact of the High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance - How High Point Market creates visibility and opportunity for emerging professionals - Why representation fuels creativity and business growth - How established designers can actively support inclusion within the industry - Why long-term industry growth depends on access and mentorship Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    36 min
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4.6
out of 5
200 Ratings

About

Business of Design® is the leading business training platform for interior design professionals. Our proven programs give you the systems and structure you need to run a profitable, process-driven design business. Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

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