Business of Design ® | Interior Designers, Decorators, Architects & Landscapers Kimberley Seldon

The journey to a dream career is frequently a winding path. That’s true for many of us, and it certainly describes the journey of designer Denean Jackson. Hear how she launched her business as a staging professional and then followed her heart to a niche in kitchen and bath design. Every year gets better, and there are big plans ahead for Denean.

In this episode we learn:
- self-assessment is an important tool
- reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and areas of expertise
- identify what sets you apart from others in the industry
- explore the current trends, demands, and gaps in the design market
- understand the needs and preferences of your target audience
- gather feedback from past clients to understand what they appreciated most about your services
- don’t be afraid to experiment and try out various specializations within interior design
- continue to learn through workshops, courses, and industry publications

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Could you take 1% of any revenue you earn and tuck it away, out of sight, safe in a savings plan? Yes, you can. Although 1% doesn’t sound like a lot, it might surprise you to see how fast your 1% asset will accumulate. Saving is a muscle, like any other. Taking 1% off the top may push you to get more creative with purchasing and expenses. Try it.

In this episode we learn:
- take 1% of all revenue and put it in a separate account
- train your brain to work without that 1%
- get in the habit of saving
- once 1% feels easy, push the boundaries, and save 2%
- if you continue to put your needs last, not saving for a rainy day, you’ll eventually burn out
- three profit levers you can pull in your business

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

There are so many joys and benefits of working on projects in different locations, but there are an equal number of challenges. Working on distant projects will force you to be extremely efficient and strategic with your time, benefiting all of your other projects in the long run.

In this episode we learn:
- How to manage projects in different time zones
- Develop good procedures for remote work
- Travel to the places where you want to work and build a presence
- Use a PR and Communications company to target new areas
- How out of town projects can teach you to be more efficient with on site visits
- If you work overseas, make sure to understand local building code, commercial laws, tax regulations, shipping clauses, business regulations, etc.

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Two years ago, when designer Holli Appelquist joined Business of Design® and began to implement the systems. She anticipated improvements to her projects, but she was blown away by the positive changes in her life. She finally enjoyed the work-life balance that previously eluded her. She had more time to work on the tasks she loved doing. More time off during the work week and more time off for holidays. She was able to delegate to staff and their satisfaction improved. Profits soared. Today, Holli is the confident business owner she always wanted to be.

In this episode we learn:
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- integrity matters, define it and honor it
- adding systems allows you to take more time off, to have more breathing space in your week

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Could you start over? Let’s say you’ve been in business a few years, or more. You’ve given it your all, but you still aren’t where you dreamed you’d be by now. Would you just keep plugging away, or would you be willing to try something new? Would you be willing to adopt the BOD™ systems? In this episode, designer Holli Appelquist shares how she joined BOD™ and transformed her company, her profitability, and her life, in one year.

In this episode we learn:
- you can actively target the profitability you want
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- look for new hires adjacent to your interior design firm
- employees love how easy it is to train with systems in place
- adding systems allows you to take on more projects and work less
- systems give you confidence

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It’s one thing to design a kitchen. It’s an entirely different matter to cook in one. If you are an interior design professional who renovates or designs these important spaces, you’ll love getting advice from a professional who has cooked in a hundred different homes. 

In this episode we learn:
- questions to ask clients before you begin their kitchen renovation
- tips for designing a kitchen that functions well
- pet peeves to avoid
- why it’s important to say yes and follow the opportunity
- how to stay motivated with your social media efforts

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast