Interior Design Business Resources

When people go through my course, The Golden Blueprint, they often realize that they need a little rebranding so that the look of their business matches the services they are providing. And in that process many designers get really hung up on naming their businesses.

After talking to hundreds of designers, there is something that I feel I need to share on this topic. Don't name your business something basic. We all know the words that are overused in interior design business names. Don't use those.

Why Projects Fail

Most of the time, the only reason we are unhappy or disappointed is the result of unmet expectations. Take a minute to think about that. Think back on the past few days on the things that caused these feeling to arise. Go ahead, I promise it has to do with running an interior design business.

Having expectations leads to disappointments.

When Clients Want to Buy Retail

When you buy retail, you buy at an inflated price. Yet, more and more clients want to buy retail. They want their furniture quick and easy. Not to mention cheap. But what they (and you) may not realize is that you're likely paying a much bigger "markup" on retail compared to the quality that you get than to-the-trade sources.

Usually when buying to-the-trade the cost to quality ratio is much better. Clients get more for their money. They'll be paying a smaller markup to the designer rather than a large markup to the retailer.

How Important is an Interior Design Degree?

A couple of years ago I wrote the article, Do You Need A Degree in Interior Design?. The advice in that article is the same I'd give today. But today I'd like to talk a little more about this topic because I still get asked all the time if someone should get a degree.

Lately, a lot of those who have been doing the asking are people looking to change careers or are starting back up again after their kids have gotten a little older. They want to know if they need to go back to school.

Finding Quality Vendors

I've been getting this question a lot lately, how to find good vendors - contractors and subs specifically. And it's not an easy answer. I'm going to give you some pointers here today, but know that when a contractor doesn't return your call or email, is late to a meeting, or doesn't show when he promises - you are not alone, this happens to everyone.

As a designer, organizer, and a planner I find dealing with contractors one of the most frustrating parts of project management. (Contractors are you listening?) I don't know why, but it seems to be the norm that contractors: take forever to send quote/invoice, don't show up on time, don't show up with the

FundamentalsCapella KincheloeFebruary 21, 2018vendors, contractors, hiring contractors, finding trades peopleComment

Fee Schedule for Interior Designers

A fee schedule is just a list of client fees that could occur in your business and charge to clients. It is not necessary to have one, but if your pricing structure is complicated and you want to be transparent in pricing this is the way to go. I'm 100% for clear, transparent, and simple pricing.

Organizing Digital Files

I love organization, but not everyone does or thinks in that methodized way. As part of my recent reader survey, one reader said her digital organization had become quite cluttered. So I thought I would share with you the digital folders that I have on my computer for my design business and design clients. My method is not perfect, there is definitely room for improvement, but it rarely takes me any time to find what I am looking for.

I try to delete as much stuff from my computer and cloud as possible, to keep it

5 Ways to Book More Clients

1. Have a Specialty

When you're known for something, people will come to you to get it. When the keywords and text on your website is what your potential clients Google, more clients will find you. When you try to appeal to everyone, it makes marketing much harder. But someone looking for New England meets Palm Beach will certainly find Meggie H Interiors. A client wanting to decorate their kids room in Massachusetts? They'll find Boo and Rook. You'll book more clients if you have exactly what they're looking for.

Your Greatest Asset To Selling

Worried you won't be able to explain to a client why they should choose a custom-made sofa over the look-alike catalog version?

How about if they should choose vinyl plank flooring or wood-look tile? What type of carpet is appropriate for their house?

10 Steps for Starting A Successful Interior Design Business

Don't Ever Treat Your Business Like a Hobby - This means that you set it up properly from the get-go with proper business licenses, insurance, and legal structure. It also means setting up a website, a branded email (no gmail.com or yahoo.com), and a separate phone line. Businesses have separate bank accounts and credit cards, hobbies don't.
Get Yourself a Contract - Always do work with a proper, legal interior design agreement. This is to protect both you and your clients. You're opening yourself to a world of trouble

New Year Planner

I like to focus on my year ahead for the entire month of January. It doesn't seem like there is ever enough time at the end of the year to plan for the next one. In my business, January is a planning month. I like to spend some time reviewing last year and creating goals for the new year by asking the right questions and taking time to answer them.

In the January 2018 issue of O Magazine, Oprah writes, "What's the best way to live a full, honest, examined life? Where do we find deeper meaning? How can we bridge the gap between ourselves and others? The answer, in every case: Ask the right questions."

Business Clarity Challenge

First post of a new year! Love a fresh start. I've reworked my Business Clarity Challenge for 2018 and think it is the perfect companion to the beginning of a new year (or anytime you're feeling overwhelmed and directionless).

This free challenge was designed to touch on all those things that you can miss in the rush to get your business off the ground, the client work and the day-to-day running of an interior design business. If you give yourself a few hours over the next week to do the daily lessons and exercises, you will emerge next week with SO MUCH MORE CLARITY.

How to Raise Your Rates

As we are about to enter a new year, this is the perfect time to raise your rates. If you feel like it is time to increase your fees or feel that maybe your rates are a little too low the new year is when you'll want to change that.

Holiday Gift Guide: Clients

With the holidays around the corner, I've rounded up the best gifts to give your interior design clients. Your marketing plan should include regular contact with clients - current and past. This could include a yearly holiday card or a card on their birthday or anniversary at minimum. It is also nice to send cards to vendors you work closely with or who had great customer service this year.

If you'd like to go beyond a card, here are some ideas:

ClientsCapella KincheloeDecember 13, 2017clients, interior design clients, gift ideas, holiday gift guideComment

Finding the Cheapest Price Isn't Your Job

As an interior designer or decorator, you may feel like you don't receive the respect that the profession deserves. There are certainly people that think that all we do is fluff pillows and spend other people's money.

But interior design is more complex than most people know. We must navigate the tricky waters of family, home, marriages, and multiple personalities. We have knowledge of a wide-range of skills and specialties. While a tile-layer or window-covering workroom has specialized knowledge in their specific business, interior designers have to know a good deal about those businesses as well as their own.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm grateful for all of you! Happy Thanksgiving.

Capella KincheloeNovember 22, 2017Comment

Finding a Great Accountant

Years ago when I moved to Arizona, I contacted the only local resource that worked with Studio Designer. I was restarting my business in Arizona and wanted someone to help setting up Studio and do my monthly bookkeeping. Luckily, that resource was my business accountant and bookkeeper Denise Maxwell. What is great about Denise is that she works almost exclusively with interior designers, she understands our business, she works in the program that works best for interior designers, and she is a great bridge between being a designer and accounting. If you aren't as lucky as I am to have found a great accountant on your first try, read on for my interview with Denise about finding a great accountant for your interior design business.

How to Get Out of A Project With Grace

Sometimes you begin a project and a few weeks or months down the road you realize this isn't the project for you. Something isn't right, maybe there are red flags, maybe you have too much on your plate, maybe the client is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. There are many great reasons that you should get out of a project. And it is perfectly okay to get out of a project. But, getting out of a project shouldn't be a decision taken lightly. You want to honor your commitments, just not at the expense of your personal well-being.

Texting for Business

A few weeks ago I received a question that inspired this post. She wanted to know how I tracked my time when I was texting with clients. She told me sometimes when she received text messages she wasn't in "work mode" and often forgot to write down that time to track. This question originated from the article I wrote: How to Make Money as an Interior Designer. In this article, I lay out how much money you may be leaving on the table by not charging for as little as an hour a week.

If you're spending an hour a week texting clients and not billing them for it, you could be losing $6500 a year (based on $125/hr)! AN HOUR A WEEK. $6500 lost for not tracking your texting.

FundamentalsCapella KincheloeNovember 1, 2017texting, client communications Comments

Getting a Budget from Clients

Here is a secret from my business: I don't meet with potential clients unless I first have an idea of their budget. I don't need a spreadsheet with every penny accounted for (In fact, I really don't want that!) but I do need a starting number that they feel comfortable with.

Here is another secret to getting this number: You ask. Then if they don't know (many don't and this is okay!) then prob further. Keep asking in different ways to get a number from them. Don't waste their time or your own entertaining a project that is an impossible budget. Usually there are two types of clients, those that have a number but don't want to share it because their afraid you'll abuse their money. Or they really have no idea what it should cost. If you're lucky you'll get a client that has an appropriate budget. If you're unlucky you could get a client that has an unreasonable budget.