How to Up-Level Your Clients

What does it really take to step into leadership as an interior designer?In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, Terri Taylor is joined by Coach Valerie Priester to break down the foundational traits of strong leadership, and why they are essential for growing a successful design business.Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about mindset, confidence, and vision. From developing a growth mindset to overcoming comparison, building confidence through action, and thinking strategically about your business, this episode dives into the key shifts every designer must make to lead effectively.If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt stuck in the “doing” instead of leading, or questioned your ability to grow into the next level of your business, this episode will give you the clarity and perspective you need.In this episode, we cover:What a growth mindset really looks like in businessWhy failure is just feedback (and how to use it)The danger of saying “I already know that”How confidence is built through action, not perfectionWhy comparison kills both confidence and joyThe importance of staying in your “genius zone”How the 80/20 rule applies to leadershipLetting go and trusting others in your businessThe difference between being a “doer” vs. a leaderWhy visionary thinking is critical for growthShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day?In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing five powerful tips to help you take control of your time, increase productivity, and finally create a schedule that supports both your business and your life.If you’ve been telling yourself “I just need more time,” this episode will shift your perspective. Time isn’t something you get more of, it’s something you learn to manage. From mindset shifts to practical strategies like time blocking, batching, and identifying your most valuable work, you’ll learn how to stop feeling overwhelmed and start working with intention.If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that gives you freedom, this episode will show you how.In this episode, we cover:Why “not enough time” is a mindset problemHow to shift from time scarcity to time controlThe 80/20 rule and how it impacts your productivityHow to identify your “genius time”Why tracking your time gives you clarity and controlThe importance of focusing on revenue-generating workHow to use time blocking to structure your weekThe difference between “studio days” and “out days”How batching tasks saves hours each weekWhy planning your day creates momentum and resultsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Presenting your design to a client is one of the most important moments in your interior design process. It’s where your vision becomes real, and where your client decides whether they’re excited to move forward.In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I walk through the biggest mistakes designers make during design presentations and the powerful strategies that transform a presentation into a memorable experience. From avoiding the trap of presenting pieces one at a time to creating a full-room concept that clients can visualize, you’ll learn how to present with clarity, confidence, and impact.We’ll also explore how hospitality, visual tools, tactile samples, and even presentation location can dramatically elevate the experience for your clients. When done well, your design presentation doesn’t just sell the room, it creates excitement, trust, and referrals.If you want your presentations to feel polished, professional, and irresistible to clients, this episode will show you how.In this episode, we cover:Why presenting pieces one at a time sabotages your designHow to present the entire room concept instead of individual itemsThe danger of designing without an agreed budgetHow presentations can become a referral-generating experienceWhy hospitality creates a stronger client connectionHow to present designs in person, via Zoom, or in a showroomUsing screens, samples, and visuals to create a “wow” momentWhy tactile materials help clients emotionally connect to the designHow 3D renderings increase client confidence and approvalsHow presenting within budget helps sell the entire room at onceShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Are you busy… but not profitable?In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m addressing one of the biggest frustrations I hear from designers: “I’m slammed with work, but it’s not the work I want.” If your calendar is full of small jobs, your evenings are booked, and you still don’t feel financially stable, this episode is your wake-up call.I’m breaking down exactly why little “quick” projects drain your time, energy, and profit, and how they prevent you from attracting higher-end clients. You’ll learn how to calculate your true minimum design fee, set a minimum product budget, and confidently communicate those numbers during your discovery call.If you’re ready to stop shrinking to fit small budgets and start building a business that actually supports your life, this episode will show you how.In this episode, we cover:Why being busy doesn’t mean being profitableThe hidden cost of “quick” design jobsHow small projects sabotage your growthThe tree analogy for scaling your design businessHow to calculate your minimum design feeWhy 23 hours is your true baseline per projectSetting a minimum product budgetHow to communicate minimums on a discovery callHow to let clients self-select out gracefullyWhy boundaries increase respect and revenueShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Struggling to say no, even when you know you should?In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m back with IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for Part 2 of our conversation on healthy boundaries. This time, we’re digging into one of the hardest boundary skills of all: learning to say no, clearly, confidently, and without apology.From Saturday appointments to scope creep, contractor pushback, and volunteer overload, we’re unpacking what it really takes to hold your shape in business. You’ll learn how to say no with grace, how to avoid over-explaining, and why assertiveness is not the same as being mean.If you’ve ever felt guilty for protecting your time, or worried your business would suffer if you stopped overgiving, this episode will change the way you think about boundaries.In this episode, we cover:Why “no” is the hardest word for designers to sayHow to stop over-explaining and apologizingThe connection between self-respect and strong boundariesWhy saying no does not hurt your businessHow to prevent scope creep with confident communicationWhat it means to “hold your shape”The power of pleasant persistenceHow to stop being volunteered for everythingWhy you must protect your energy firstShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and on-call 24/7? You might not have a workload problem, you have a boundaries problem.In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m joined by IDBA Coach Marsha Sewdass for a heart-to-heart conversation on what healthy boundaries really look like in your design business. We’re talking about business hours, burnout, overgiving, and the pressure to be “Superwoman.”If you’ve ever answered a client text at 10 p.m. or missed your kid’s soccer game because of a contractor “emergency,” this episode is your invitation to reset.In this episode, we cover:What boundaries are and why they’re so hard for designersHow to uncover your biggest energy leaksWhat burnout is trying to tell youThe people-pleasing trap that keeps you stuckThe difference between excellent service and self-sacrificeHow to write your own “rules” for when and how you workWhy boundaries make you more respected, not lessShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Think you’re protected because you meant to get the proposal signed? Think again.In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m continuing the conversation on financial risk, and sharing a real story from my own design studio that proves exactly why systems and boundaries must be followed every single time.From unfunded proposals to “just helping the client out,” you’ll hear how even experienced designers can fall into people‑pleasing traps that lead to unpaid work, legal battles, and major stress. More importantly, you’ll learn the non‑negotiable boundary that protects your money, your mindset, and your business.In this episode, I cover:A real studio story that led to arbitration over unpaid workWhy unsigned and unfunded proposals are a financial landmineHow people‑pleasing overrides systems (even for senior designers)The hidden cost of “doing a favor” for a clientWhy your systems exist to protect you, not inconvenience clientsThe exact boundary that must never be crossedHow to remove emotion from money decisionsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

Still taking 50% deposits on product orders? That’s a financial risk you can’t afford. In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m sharing a real story of how one designer nearly lost her business because of outdated payment practices, and how to fix it with one simple boundary.You’ll learn why half-down payments no longer protect you, what your letter of agreement should say, and how shifting your mindset around money and risk can completely change your business.In this episode, I cover:A true story of a designer left holding $60K in product debtWhat happens legally when a client dies mid-projectWhy 50% down payments leave you financially exposedThe only contract terms that actually protect youHow to ask for 100% upfront without fearThe mindset shift that eliminates risk and builds confidenceWhy people-pleasing has no place in your purchasing processShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

If you’re constantly doing “just one more thing” for free, it’s not about client service, it’s a boundary issue.In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I’m breaking down how scope creep sneaks into your projects and steals your time, profits, and peace of mind. From color consults and last-minute requests to Wayfair screenshots and patio meetings, we’re calling it what it is: unpaid work.You’ll learn why scope creep happens, how to recognize it early, and what to say to stop it in its tracks, kindly, clearly, and confidently.In this episode, I cover:Real examples of scope creep and how they sabotage your businessWhy people-pleasing turns into resentment and burnoutHow to write LOAs that protect your time and valueScripts for responding to “by the way” requestsThe role of mindset and self-worth in boundary settingHow scope creep can turn into extra income with the right systemsShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy

If you're discounting product to get the job, it's not a pricing problem, it’s a boundaries problem.In this episode of the Interior Design Business Podcast, I'm diving into the real reasons designers give away profits, time, and authority, and how to reclaim all three. Whether it’s sharing trade discounts, undercharging on product, or trying to “be nice,” I’ll show you why those strategies backfire and what to do instead.If you’ve ever felt undervalued, overworked, or unsure how to stand firm on pricing, this episode is your wake-up call.In this episode, I cover:The most common boundary leaks around product pricingWhy sharing your trade discount devalues your expertiseThe difference between designing and purchasing, and why they must be separatedWhy “procurement fees” don’t work and what to do insteadA journaling exercise that helps identify your biggest boundary issuesHow to stop people-pleasing and start leading with confidenceShow notes are available at interiordesignbusinessacademy.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademyFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy