Damn Good Interior Designer

Cheryl Kees Clendenon
  • 4.9 (33)
  • Design
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Cheryl Kees Clendenon balancing all the moving parts of a full service interior design firm in her no-nonsense and thought-provoking podcast, the Damn Good Designer. Each episode is full of damn good truths and real talk as she shares invaluable insights on how to run and build a successful business while challenging the norms, the industry, her team and YOU. Emphasizing a business-savvy approach, Cheryl takes you on a roller coaster of discovery, considering success from a different lens, breaking free from groupthink, and encouraging you to embrace your own authentic designer self. There is not much she will not say “out loud”. In this podcast, you'll find no room for conformity as she shatters the mold of one-size-fits-all business practices. Cheryl's fearless attitude showcases a refusal to follow the conventional wisdom, ask “why” repeatedly and reject what no longer makes sense in today’s world. If you're seeking a dose of inspiration, a splash of unconventional wisdom, and a refreshing perspective on the entrepreneurial world, the Damn Good Designer is your go-to podcast. Tune in and let Cheryl, along with their expert guests in the fields of designers, architects, landscapers, and other creative professionals, guide you toward building a remarkable business that defies norms and sets you on a path to unparalleled success."Get ready to challenge the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary! About the host: Cheryl Kees Clendenon- 2021 KBB Person of the year 2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards 2021 Changemaker Design Hounds 200 or so years ago a child came roaring into the world feet first ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“why”- from the minute she landed wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap And to this day does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping. Which is where you will find her only between the hours of 2am and 7:30am. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural born contrarian who talks faster than 2x speed on a podcast She gravitates towards wanting to help clients and designers who are the square pegs in a world of round holes, lose earrings impossibly frequently, fall off of platform shoes and are unapologetically saucy. Relaxing is not in the skill set. Life begins and ends with family. Her sacred words are: Why, Percipient, Whizbang and Profit. But please do not say the words: Package, Blocks, Red Flag, Overwhelm or Picked. Hives break out and it gets ugly. RESOURCES: www.damngooddesigner.com https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com/ Want to be a guest? Apply here: https://forms.clickup.com/8404193/f/80f71-613517/PFK3QDSALZ30VONMTP

  1. Sep 29

    Season 4 Ep 81: The problem with being the one who knows everything

    Burnout in a design business can have very little to do with the number of hours you work. Cheryl digs into what happens when every decision, client issue, contractor problem and team question eventually finds its way back to the owner. You can delegate tasks, hire employees and reduce your project load and still be the person carrying all of the judgment and responsibility. In this episode, Cheryl looks at how designers make themselves indispensable without realizing it, why being needed can feel a lot like being successful, and what happens when you build a business that still requires you for everything. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 81: The problem with being the one who knows everything

  2. Sep 15

    Season 4 Ep 80: They waited too long to call the designer

    Your client already has a general contractor, so why do they need you? Cheryl digs into one of the biggest misconceptions about a designer’s role in a renovation and why waiting until it’s time to choose finishes is already too late. From layouts and electrical plans to the hundreds of decisions that affect everything that comes next, the real value of a designer starts long before the pretty stuff. If you’re still selling your value through selections, it may be time to rethink what you’re actually selling. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 80: They waited too long to call the designer

  3. Sep 1

    Season 4 Ep 79: ASKED & ANSWERED - Should my team members get a commision?

    Should your designers earn a commission, bonus, or a share of the profit? In this Asked & Answered episode, Cheryl breaks down how to build an incentive plan that rewards the behavior you actually want inside your firm. She explains why bonuses should be based on profit instead of total sales, how participation should affect the percentage, and why a simple system helps team members think more like owners. Because revenue may look impressive, but profit is what stays in the bank. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 79: ASKED & ANSWERED - Should my team members get a commision?

  4. Aug 18

    Season 4 Ep 78: Vibe What?

    Cheryl has spent 25 years building systems around the way her design firm actually works. So what happens when AI suddenly gives her the ability to build the software around those systems, too? In this episode, Cheryl shares what happened when one irritating business problem turned into building her own app through “vibe coding,” what she’s learned along the way, and why knowing your processes matters more than knowing how to code. AI can help you build almost anything, but it will also happily automate a bad process. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 78: Vibe What?

  5. Aug 11

    Season 4 Ep 77: DESIGNER DRAMA - They do not know what they do not know

    When clients ask questions or make requests that rub you the wrong way, it doesn’t always mean they’re trying to take advantage of you. Sometimes, they simply don’t understand what designers actually do. In this Designer Drama episode, Cheryl explains why designers need to get better at communicating their value instead of constantly protecting it and why your value can’t rest on gatekeeping sources. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 77: DESIGNER DRAMA - They do not know what they do not know

  6. Aug 4

    MOST POPULAR EPISODE - S3 Ep 54: Are you afraid to define your value?

    Little did we know our Pricing and Salary Survey results were going to give us great nuggets of information that we could share for many future podcasts to come! One of the biggest challenges we found designers face is defining their product. Too often, “full-service design” means something different to every designer—and that inconsistency makes it nearly impossible to set confident fees, manage scope, or show clients the real value of design work. The secret lies in creating clear deliverables with a written scope of work, and structured meeting agendas that are always advancing the project. If you are not keeping track of your time--as many do not--this reveals where designers tend to undervalue themselves. You must trust in the value of your own work--define it, control it, manage expectations, and most importantly, position yourself as the expert in the room. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    MOST POPULAR EPISODE - S3 Ep 54: Are you afraid to define your value?

  7. Jul 14

    BEST EPISODE OF SEASON 3! If you confuse them, you lose them. Period.

    One of our top episodes of Season 3! The confusion you accidentally create long before the proposal ever hits your clients inbox is the real reason clients hesitate. Your price is not the problem. You can unintentionally create confusion through discovery calls, the way you talk about freight, receiving, vendors, timelines, your value, etc. This causes your clients to be constantly collecting clues about whether saying yes to you feels SAFE or SCARY. Learn how your language, tone, and timing shape the emotional architecture your clients make decisions in, and why being clear is your most powerful sales tool. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    BEST EPISODE OF SEASON 3! If you confuse them, you lose them. Period.

  8. Jun 30

    Season 4 Ep 76: ASKED & ANSWERED - Why “What Does It Cost?” Is the Wrong Conversation

    Price is one of the first questions designers hear, but it is often the wrong conversation to lead with. Cheryl explains why posting big budget numbers and focusing on square-foot pricing can create the wrong expectations, intimidate potential clients, and reduce design to a transaction. Instead, she shares a better way to communicate value. By helping clients understand the thinking, process, and decisions behind the investment, they can then make informed choices with confidence. Have a question--click here to ask us. Loved this episode? Click here to leave a 5⭐ review RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - Website View our upcoming workshops! These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership. Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business. Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - Website The best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today. The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching Program The Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business Coaching Join our FREE Facebook Groups Small Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupSubscribe to our newsletter ABOUT US:Cheryl Clendenon is the host of The Damn Good Designer Podcast and an award-winning interior designer, writer, and business coach with 26 years of full-time industry experience. With a prior career in media and radio sales, she brings a rare blend of creative thinking and business acumen to the design world. Cheryl was named KBB Person of the Year in 2021, is a nationally published industry voice with a monthly column in Home Accents Today, and regularly speaks on pricing, scope, process, and profitability. Known for her fast pace, contrarian instincts, and practical insight, Cheryl helps established design firms build stronger businesses and define success on their own terms. ***Any use of this page and its content to develop or train artificial intelligence or to do computer analysis is prohibited.***

    Season 4 Ep 76: ASKED & ANSWERED - Why “What Does It Cost?” Is the Wrong Conversation
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4.9
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About

Join Cheryl Kees Clendenon balancing all the moving parts of a full service interior design firm in her no-nonsense and thought-provoking podcast, the Damn Good Designer. Each episode is full of damn good truths and real talk as she shares invaluable insights on how to run and build a successful business while challenging the norms, the industry, her team and YOU. Emphasizing a business-savvy approach, Cheryl takes you on a roller coaster of discovery, considering success from a different lens, breaking free from groupthink, and encouraging you to embrace your own authentic designer self. There is not much she will not say “out loud”. In this podcast, you'll find no room for conformity as she shatters the mold of one-size-fits-all business practices. Cheryl's fearless attitude showcases a refusal to follow the conventional wisdom, ask “why” repeatedly and reject what no longer makes sense in today’s world. If you're seeking a dose of inspiration, a splash of unconventional wisdom, and a refreshing perspective on the entrepreneurial world, the Damn Good Designer is your go-to podcast. Tune in and let Cheryl, along with their expert guests in the fields of designers, architects, landscapers, and other creative professionals, guide you toward building a remarkable business that defies norms and sets you on a path to unparalleled success."Get ready to challenge the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary! About the host: Cheryl Kees Clendenon- 2021 KBB Person of the year 2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards 2021 Changemaker Design Hounds 200 or so years ago a child came roaring into the world feet first ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“why”- from the minute she landed wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap And to this day does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping. Which is where you will find her only between the hours of 2am and 7:30am. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural born contrarian who talks faster than 2x speed on a podcast She gravitates towards wanting to help clients and designers who are the square pegs in a world of round holes, lose earrings impossibly frequently, fall off of platform shoes and are unapologetically saucy. Relaxing is not in the skill set. Life begins and ends with family. Her sacred words are: Why, Percipient, Whizbang and Profit. But please do not say the words: Package, Blocks, Red Flag, Overwhelm or Picked. Hives break out and it gets ugly. RESOURCES: www.damngooddesigner.com https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com/ Want to be a guest? Apply here: https://forms.clickup.com/8404193/f/80f71-613517/PFK3QDSALZ30VONMTP

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