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

Kimberley Seldon
  • 4.6 (200)
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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. 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

  2. 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

  3. MAR 9

    EP 471 | Fix Your Sales Funnel: How Interior Designers Convert More Clients with Daniela Furtado

    When inquiries slow down or leads don’t convert, most interior designers assume they need better marketing. But in many cases, the real issue isn’t visibility—it’s sales. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by returning guest and marketing strategist Daniela Furtado to unpack what a healthy sales funnel actually looks like in a design business. Together, they dig into the real numbers behind inquiries, close rates, and response times—so you can pinpoint exactly where opportunities are leaking out of your process. Daniela explains why looking at sales data without emotion leads to better decisions, how a surprisingly high close rate can signal underpricing, and why designers need to reclaim leadership in the sales conversation. She also shares her proven intake call script, designed to qualify clients faster and book better-fit projects with confidence. If you want clarity instead of guesswork—and a sales process that supports growth without burnout—this episode shows you exactly what to fix next. What you’ll learn in this episode: - What realistic sales conversion rates look like at different stages of a design business - How to track inquiries and identify patterns in your sales funnel - Why emotion-free data leads to smarter, calmer decisions - When a high close rate is actually a warning sign of underpricing - How to qualify clients faster by leading the sales conversation - Why response time can make or break a deal - Creative ways designers are using sales data to generate new revenue streams Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    26 min

  4. MAR 2

    EP 470 | Growth Strategy for Interior Designers with Kimberley Seldon

    Most interior designers believe growth means saying yes to more projects, being more available, and pushing harder. In this solo episode, Kimberley Seldon explains why that mindset is exactly what keeps design businesses stuck, overextended, and exhausted. Drawing on a tap-dancing metaphor that lands harder than expected, Kimberley reframes growth as a design problem, not a motivation problem. She breaks down why capacity-based businesses quietly cap growth, how decision fatigue drains energy faster than workload, and why the most profitable designers don’t move faster—they operate with clarity. This episode challenges the assumption that effort equals progress and shows why real growth requires stronger systems, clearer constraints, and a fundamentally different way of leading. If you’re ambitious but maxed out, this conversation will help you see what’s actually holding you back—and why the solution isn’t working harder. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why 2x growth often creates more stress instead of more profit - How capacity-based businesses unintentionally limit growth - Why decision fatigue—not workload—is the real cause of burnout - The difference between flexibility and fragility in a design business - Why constraints create leadership, leverage, and clarity - How unpaid labor hides behind the label of “high-end service” - Why meaningful growth requires a stronger container, not more effort Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    32 min

  5. FEB 24

    EP 469 | Will AI Replace Interior Designers? The Real Answer (And What to Do About It) with Sheilah MacSporran

    AI has interior designers asking the wrong question. The real issue isn’t “Will this replace me?”—it’s “Where does responsibility live in my business?” In this grounded, practical conversation, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Sheilah MacSporran, CEO and co-founder of DesignFiles, to cut through the hype and talk honestly about what AI can—and cannot—do inside a design firm. This episode reframes AI as a support tool, not a magic wand. You’ll learn why AI is most effective when it reinforces clear thinking, strong systems, and confident decision-making, and how reducing friction at key moments in the design process helps clients move forward faster and with less fear. Rather than chasing the newest tools, this conversation focuses on using AI intentionally to increase capacity, clarity, and leadership. If you’re curious about AI but wary of losing control, this episode will help you understand where it belongs—and where it absolutely doesn’t. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why AI will never replace interior designers—because responsibility can’t be automated - How clearer presentations reduce client fear and speed up approvals - Where AI actually fits into the design process (and where it doesn’t) - Why designers with strong systems benefit most from AI tools - How eliminating friction increases capacity without adding staff - Why small process improvements outperform massive tech overhauls Ready to build a business that supports your talent? Join us at Business of Design®. https://businessofdesign.com

    37 min

  6. FEB 17

    EP 468 | Beyond Beautiful: Why Interior Design Now Carries Responsibility with Megan Reilly

    Design doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It responds to real life — and sometimes, real loss. In this thoughtful conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Megan Reilly, co-founder of WestEdge Design Fair, to explore how the role of interior designers is evolving beyond aesthetics and into responsibility. They discuss how design shows up during disruption and rebuilding, why resilience and smarter material choices are becoming non-negotiable, and how industry platforms like WestEdge are adapting to support designers who want to do meaningful, relevant work without sacrificing business sustainability. This is not about burnout, martyrdom, or working for free — it’s about clarity, education, and community. If you’ve been feeling the pull toward more impact but aren’t sure how to balance that with running a healthy business, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective on what it means to be a designer right now — and how to step into a bigger role with intention. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why design has consequences far beyond aesthetics - How designers can contribute meaningfully during rebuilding and recovery - What resilience, sustainability, and smarter material choices look like in practice - Why in-person events and industry platforms matter more than ever - How designers can expand their impact without diluting their business model - Why education and community are strategic advantages — not “extras”

    32 min

  7. FEB 9

    EP 467 | Capacity Ceiling: Why More Work Isn’t the Answer for Interior Designers with Megan Dahle

    Your calendar can look reasonable and still leave you exhausted. Your team can be busy and still underperform. Your revenue can grow while your sanity quietly erodes. That disconnect isn’t a motivation problem — it’s a capacity problem. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with financial strategist Megan Dahle to unpack why so many interior designers hit an invisible ceiling in their business without realizing it. Capacity isn’t about how much work you want to take on — it’s about how much your current business structure can actually support without degrading profit, time, or the client experience. Together, they explore how decision load, responsibility, and constant context-switching drain capacity far faster than hours worked — and why adding more clients or more staff often makes things worse. This conversation isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about seeing clearly, identifying the real constraint in your business, and making calmer, more strategic decisions because of it. If growth feels heavier instead of easier, this episode will help you understand why — and what to change next. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why feeling overwhelmed isn’t a time-management failure - How decisions, responsibility, and context-switching drain capacity faster than hours worked - How to identify your real capacity ceiling without complex spreadsheets - Why adding more clients or more staff often amplifies stress instead of solving it - How understanding capacity reframes pricing, staffing, and leadership decisions - Why protecting your attention turns time into a luxury product — without blindly charging more

    34 min

  8. FEB 3

    EP 466 | When Experience Becomes an Advantage: Evolving Your Interior Design Firm with Michael Abrams & Gina Valenti

    After decades in business, many interior designers reach a quiet crossroads: Is this as good as it gets? In this thoughtful, grounded conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Michael Abrams and Gina Valenti to explore what it really looks like to evolve a design firm after 25 years—without chasing trends or reinventing yourself for attention. Michael and Gina share how experience becomes a competitive advantage when paired with clarity, alignment, and intention. From earning partnership and planning succession to protecting your reputation and learning to say no without apology, this episode offers a real-world roadmap for designers who are successful—but restless. If you’re thinking about what’s next for your firm, your role, or your legacy, this episode gives you both permission and practical insight to design a future that can truly carry you forward. What You’ll Learn in this episode: - Why rebranding later in your career can be a strategic advantage - How partnership is earned—not granted—inside a mature design firm - What healthy disagreement looks like in long-standing professional relationships - Why trust, not talent, is the true currency with clients - How to spot red flags before they cost you time, money, or sanity - Why saying no protects your brand more than saying yes ever could

    43 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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