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

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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Trailer

5
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11 Ratings

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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