Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay: Recent Episodes

Rebecca Hay

I’m Rebecca Hay and I have built a successful interior design business by trial and error, podcasts, online courses and books. Over the last decade I have grown from an insecure student to having career false starts and now I’ve finally landed where I want to be. Throughout my journey I’ve become deeply passionate about business and helping other entrepreneurs and career minded women. Each week I’ll share tangible takeaways from my own experience and the experiences of other badass women to help you build your confidence and change your business.

Are you avoiding the numbers in your interior design business?

In this rebroadcast episode, I revisit my conversation with Danielle Hendon of Four Corners CFO about profit, cash flow, financial planning, and why your bank account balance is not the full story.

If you've ever wondered why you're making more money but still feeling stressed, or why your business feels busy but not necessarily profitable, this episode will help you start looking at your numbers differently.

Danielle explains why revenue and profit are not the same thing, why designers need to understand their project profitability, and how your finances can become a tool for better decision-making instead of something you avoid.

We also talk about bookkeeping, tracking time, understanding expenses, preparing for feast-or-famine cash flow, and using your numbers to build a stronger, more sustainable business.

This is the final rebroadcast before the podcast takes a short summer break. New episodes will be back soon.

Episode Highlights:

Why designers tend to avoid their numbers
Why your bank account balance is not enough information
The difference between revenue, profit, and cash flow
How to think about revenue-generating costs versus operating expenses
Why tracking your time matters for pricing
How to review your year and plan ahead with more confidence
Why understanding your numbers helps you lead like a CEO

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Pricing with Confidence: For the designer who's done guessing, undercharging, or dreading "the money talk" and wants to start pricing profitably in just a few hours.

Are you busy… or are you actually profitable?

In this rebroadcast episode, I'm revisiting an important conversation for interior designers who want to build a more sustainable business: how to choose a pricing model based on real numbers, not guesses.

I share why revenue and profit are not the same thing, how to look at the different ways money comes into your business, and why your most profitable revenue stream may not be the one you expect.

If you've ever wondered whether your design fees, implementation, consultations, or product resale are actually supporting your business, this episode will help you start looking at your numbers with more clarity.

Episode Highlights:

Why you need to look at profit, not just revenue
How to identify your revenue streams
Why tracking your time matters when choosing a pricing model
How product resale and implementation can impact profitability
A simple exercise to help you understand where your business makes the most money

Episode Resources:

Pricing With Confidence

Have you ever sent a proposal to a potential client and then heard nothing back?

In this rebroadcast episode, I'm revisiting an important conversation about pricing pushback, client objections, and the confidence it takes to talk about money in your interior design business.

I share a personal lesson from my early days of testing a fixed-fee pricing model and what it taught me about communication, pre-qualifying, and setting expectations before the proposal ever lands in a client's inbox.

This episode is for you if you've ever second-guessed your fee, felt awkward talking about money, or wondered what to do when a potential client says, "That's more than we expected."

In this episode, I share:

Why pricing objections are normal, even as your business grows
How to communicate your value before the proposal stage
Why pre-qualifying clients helps reduce pricing pushback
The importance of talking about money early in the process
How to respond when a client questions your fee
Why reducing the scope is not the same as discounting your value

If you've ever felt that stomach-drop moment after sending a proposal, this episode will help you approach pricing conversations with more clarity, confidence, and leadership.

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Taking time off from your business should not mean cramming your calendar before you leave, checking emails from the dock, and coming back to complete chaos.

In this episode, I dive into what it actually means to take time off from your interior design business without mentally carrying it with you the entire time.

This is a conversation about boundaries, leadership, communication, and building a business that can function without constant access to you. I share the three ways designers often punish themselves around vacation: overloading the days before they leave, staying half available while they're away, and coming back to a packed reentry that erases the rest they just had.

If you've ever felt guilty for taking time off, worried that clients will think you don't care, or found yourself answering emails even after setting an out-of-office reply, this episode will help you rethink what sustainable business ownership can look like.

You'll walk away with practical questions to ask before your next vacation, permission to create clearer boundaries, and a reminder that a calm business creates a better client experience.

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Are you making business decisions based on facts, or are you guessing and hoping things will work out?

In this episode, I'm talking about how to build a six-month runway for your interior design business. This is one of the simplest ways to understand what it really costs to keep your business running and whether you have the financial stability to make decisions with confidence.

I walk through the four cost buckets every designer should know: fixed costs, variable costs, invisible costs, and future costs. I also share how to calculate your monthly run rate, why paying yourself needs to be included, and how to compare your six-month runway number to what you actually have in the bank and in secured revenue.

I share how to look at your business finances in a practical, non-intimidating way so you can plan ahead, prepare for slower seasons, and make better decisions about hiring, spending, scaling, and saying yes or no to projects.

Episode Resources:

Know your Numbers | Part 1 Understanding your Project Profitability with Merilee Wright
Know your Numbers | Part 2 What it costs to run your business with Merilee Wright

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

What would happen if you took a week off from your business?

Would projects continue moving forward, or would everything pause until you returned?

In this episode, I explores one of the most common growth challenges for interior design business owners: becoming the bottleneck.

From decision-making and client communication to process documentation and team leadership, I share three powerful shifts that can help you build a business that doesn't depend on you being involved in every detail.

If you've ever struggled to unplug, felt overwhelmed by constant questions from your team, or wondered why your business can't seem to function without you, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

How to identify if you're the bottleneck in your business
Why delegation is about ownership, not just tasks
The importance of documenting your process
How to create more freedom without sacrificing quality
Why letting go of control is essential for growth

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Jennifer Dewhirst, Director of Brand and Merchandising at Dovetail Furniture, for a behind-the-scenes look at how wholesale furniture collections are built for designers.

Jennifer shares how Dovetail develops new collections twice a year, what goes into preparing for High Point Market, and how the team balances trendy pieces with timeless, well-made furniture that designers can rely on for years.

They also talk about the current shift toward warmer wood tones, traditional silhouettes, richer colors, and more collected interiors, as well as the difference between European and North American furniture preferences.

If you've ever wondered what happens before a furniture piece lands in a showroom, this episode gives you a rare look at the design, sourcing, merchandising, and decision-making behind the scenes.

Rebecca and Jennifer discuss:

How wholesale furniture collections are created
What makes a piece timeless versus trendy
Why quality and craftsmanship matter when sourcing
How Dovetail responds to designer feedback
Why High Point Market is so valuable for designers
How to think about trends without creating dated interiors

This conversation will help you source with more confidence, understand what goes into the products you specify, and think more strategically about the furniture you bring into your client projects.

Episode Resources:

Episode 312: How Wholesale Vendor Partnerships Boost Profit in Your Design Business with John Genova of Dovetail Furniture
Check out Dovetail Furniture

This episode is sponsored by Dovetail Furniture.

The effect Trade Day had on my business, the way this initial onboarding event sets the expectations and tone for the whole project cannot be overstated. But, take it from me, there are certain dos and don'ts that you need to take into account for it to be a real success.

When done right, Trade Day can be your secret weapon but when done wrong, it can have far reaching consequences. I share a lesson I learned the hard way about a time where my lack of organization on Trade Day led to a result that negatively influenced the rest of the project. Learn from my mistakes and listen to this list of Best Practices that will show you how to set up a successful Trade Day, how that will instill confidence in you, your clients and your trades and why it is a way to showcase your entire process. You are the leader of this team and so take the opportunity of Trade Day to set your project up for success to reassure everyone that they are safe in your capable, professional hands.

Episode Resources:

Episode 326 Why Your Project Budgets Still Feel Off (And How to Fix Them)
Save your spot in the next Free Workshop: The Predictability Framework

If your pipeline feels inconsistent, your inquiries have slowed down, or you keep putting marketing on the back burner while you focus on client work… this episode is for you.

In today's solo episode, I'm breaking down why overthinking your marketing may actually be hurting your business more than helping it.

I'm sharing:

Why your business operates on a lag
The real reason feast-or-famine cycles happen
Why visibility matters more than perfection
The mistake I made when I stopped marketing during a busy season
3 simple content categories every designer can talk about
How to create marketing that actually connects with potential clients

Because the designers who build predictable businesses aren't necessarily the most original… they're the most consistent.

Episode Resources:

Save your spot in the next Predictability Framework Workshop

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Talking about money can feel uncomfortable, but it's one of the most important skills to master as a design business owner.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dina Holland to talk about why designers struggle with pricing conversations and how to build real confidence around your numbers.

We cover:

Why "no" is actually a sign of growth
How to stop undercharging and start owning your value
What changes as your business evolves
How process and experience impact your pricing

If you've ever second-guessed your fees or avoided talking about money with clients, this episode is for you.

Episode Resources:

Episode 78 Grow your team, Grow your business with Dina Holland of Honey & Fitz
Episode 256 Live At High Point Market | Money Matters: Expert tips from a profitable business with Renée Biery, Dina Holland & Jamie Merida
You can find Dina Holland at her website and on Instagram @HoneyandFitz.
Watch the episode on YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

If your business feels like a constant cycle of busy seasons followed by slow ones, this episode is for you.

I'm breaking down why so many interior designers get stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle and what's really behind that inconsistency. Because the truth is, your current workload didn't happen overnight. It's a result of what you were doing 3 to 6 months ago.

In this episode, I walk you through how to shift from reacting to your business to building something more predictable. I focus on three key areas: your visibility, your pipeline, and the decisions you might be avoiding.

If you're craving more consistency and stability in your business, it starts with what you do today.

Episode Resources:

Episode 88: Back to Basics. Let's set some goals!
Episode 200: Try this hack to fast-track your goals
Episode 261: My 7 step framework to accomplishing your goals (with freebie)
Learn more about Designers Room: A new coaching program for Interior Designers

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

There are three types of design firm owners, and most designers are stuck in the first two.

If your business feels busy but unpredictable… If you're constantly adjusting, tweaking, and still not seeing consistent growth… This episode will help you understand why.

In this episode, I break down the three business identities I see most often:

The Resourceful Designer
The Adaptable Designer
The Confident Designer

And what separates them isn't talent. Its structure.

If you're ready to move from hustle and reaction into calm, predictable growth, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

Why resourcefulness and adaptability can only take you so far
What actually creates consistency in your pipeline and revenue
How to shift from reactive decision-making to intentional growth
The role structure plays in building a calm, sustainable design business

Resources:

The Predictability Framework workshop
Learn more about Designers Room: A new coaching program for Interior Designers

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

There was a time when I felt chained to my inbox, constantly reacting, jumping between tasks, and always playing catch-up.

That changed when I started time blocking.

In this rebroadcast episode, I'm sharing three simple, actionable tips you can start using right away to improve your focus, reduce overwhelm, and manage your time more intentionally.

Before you dive in, I encourage you to take a step back and look at where your time has actually been going. A quick time audit can help you make small, meaningful shifts without overhauling your entire schedule.

Inside this episode:

How I structure focus, buffer, and free days
How to map out your ideal week
A simple daily habit to help you stay on track

Time blocking doesn't have to be all or nothing. Start small, stay consistent, and build from there.

Learn more about Designers Room: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist

Original Resources:

Lisa Canning Conquer Your Calendar Course

The Gap and the Gain

10x is easier than 2x

Full Focus Planner

Read our Blog: How to achieve more by doing less

10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less

The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success

Your project budgets aren't totally wrong—but they don't feel solid either.

In this episode, I break down why that happens (even after you've gained experience) and how to fix it.

We're talking about:

Why early budgets should be ranges, not detailed breakdowns
When the real budgeting work actually begins
How to validate your numbers with trades and real data
The mistake that quietly erodes client trust

If your budgets feel inconsistent or hard to stand behind, this episode will help you move from guessing to grounded, confident numbers.

Learn more about my new coaching experience for interior designers: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

There comes a point in business where what once worked no longer feels aligned.

In this episode, I'm sharing a big decision: after years of teaching my signature program, Power of Process, I will not be launching it again.

This isn't about walking away from something that didn't work. It's about recognizing when you've outgrown something that did.

We're talking about the stages of business growth, how to know when it's time to pivot, and why so many designers feel stuck even after building their systems.

If your business is working, but something feels off… this episode is for you.

Episode Resource:

Learn more about Designers Room & Join the waitlist!

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Hiring can feel overwhelming — especially when you're not sure if you're setting things up the right way.

In this rebroadcast episode, Rebecca sits down with HR expert Laura Tolhoek to break down the key decisions every design business owner needs to make when hiring.

They cover subcontractors vs employees, what needs to be in your contracts, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can create problems later.

If you're thinking about hiring or want to refine your approach, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Episode Resources:

Essential HR
Essential HR Canada on LinkedIn
Essential HR on Instagram

Hiring someone in your design business should make things easier… but sometimes it does the opposite.

Tasks get misunderstood. Expectations feel unclear. And before long you're wondering if you made a bad hire.

But what if the problem wasn't the person you hired?

In this episode, I'm sharing why many hires fail in small design firms and how a simple 30-60-90 day onboarding plan can completely change the outcome.

I walk through how to structure the first 90 days, define success clearly, and create an onboarding process that builds confidence for both you and your new team member.

If you've ever felt burned by a hire that didn't work out, this episode will shift how you think about leadership, delegation, and building your team.

Episode Resources:

Get on the waitlist for my new Designer's Room
This episode is sponsored by Dovetail Furniture

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah St. Amand to talk about how she's built a design business that serves different types of clients without discounting her expertise or compromising her brand.

We talk about smaller design packages, profitability, client communication, team structure, and why designers need to stop equating beautiful work with business success.

If you've ever wondered how to stay true to your aesthetic while still building a profitable, sustainable business, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

Serving different client budget levels without diluting a luxury brand
Offering smaller design packages with strong boundaries
Why profitability has to be part of every design decision
How to communicate clearly with clients from the start
The role of team and operations in supporting growth

Connect with Sarah:

Instagram: @sarahstamandinteriordesign Website: stamanddesign.com

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Designers Room: A new coaching experience for interior designers: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist
Episode 34: How to serve your luxury clients with Sarah St. Amand

This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Construction projects shouldn't be your biggest stressor — or your biggest money leak.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with construction management expert Renee Biery to talk about:

Flat fees vs hourly billing
Charging in advance
Procurement on renovation projects
Allowances and contractor negotiations
Liability myths designers believe
How construction stabilizes your income

If you've ever felt burnt out on renovations or unsure how to price them profitably, this conversation will shift how you think about construction entirely.

Episode Resources:

To learn more about Renee Biery visit her website, follow her on instagram and listen to her podcast, The Only Girl on the Jobsite.
Episode 158: Managing a Construction Job Site with Renee Biery
Episode 256: Live At High Point Market | Money Matters: Expert tips from a profitable business with Renée Biery, Dina Holland & Jamie Merida

One month your design business feels calm and steady. The next, it feels chaotic and uncertain.

If you've ever experienced that swing, this episode is for you.

Rebecca Hay unpacks the recurring cycle almost every interior designer faces: expansion followed by contraction. She explains why inconsistency doesn't mean you're failing and how a lack of structure, not a lack of talent, is usually the real issue.

You'll learn how to stop reacting to slow seasons, build systems that support you year-round, and shift from panic into leadership.

Because calm in business isn't constant momentum. It's grounded structure.

Join the Waitlist for Rebecca's new Program!

If your design business feels harder than it should, you're not alone.

In this episode, Rebecca shares the three essential systems every successful interior design business needs: process, profitability, marketing, and leadership.

You'll hear real stories from her own journey, including what happened when she was booked out but losing money, why hiring didn't work at first, and how building structure created confidence and ease.

Talent isn't enough. Instagram isn't enough. Referrals aren't enough.

Sustainable success comes from strengthening the right systems.

Which one have you been avoiding?

Episode Resources:

Save your spot in my new free workshop: The Predictability Framework: https://pop.rebeccahay.com/free-workshop/
Episode 49: An Interview with my clients: Why having a process made them choose me with Kelly & Glen Patchet
Join the Waitlist for my new Program!

Luxury isn't louder. It's calmer, quieter, and more confident.

In this episode, Rebecca shares what she learned designing a home that sold for over $12 million and working for luxury designer Steven Taylor for five years. This isn't about expensive finishes. It's about premium service, trust, leadership, and building a process that makes clients feel taken care of.

Rebecca also reflects on Steven's passing in late 2025 and the lasting business lessons he left behind.

Episode Highlights:

Why luxury is really about service
How premium clients think (and what they don't care about)
Why "trust is the currency" in high-end design
What to stop over-explaining in presentations
How a team makes you look more professional
The mindset shift that helps you level up your clientele

What's one small change you could make to level up your service this month? A better process, a part-time hire, clearer boundaries, or simply going the extra mile in how cared for your clients feel?

Resources:

Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

HGTV Flea Market Flip winner and luxury designer Sarah Trop joins Rebecca for a candid conversation about owning your niche and building a design business that doesn't follow the rules.

Sarah shares how she turned her love of upcycling and storytelling into a thriving luxury design firm, why taking risks changed everything for her career, and how biophilic design helps create calmer, more meaningful homes.

In this episode, they discuss risk vs. reward, working with different client personalities, designing with intention instead of trends, and why curated, sustainable spaces are becoming the new definition of luxury.

This episode is a must-listen for designers who want to stand out, trust their instincts, and build a business rooted in purpose, creativity, and community.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Sarah Trop on her website and follow her on social media.
Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

Scaling a design firm eventually forces a decision: keep controlling everything, or build a team that can run without you in every detail. In this rebroadcast, Rebecca Hay talks with Regan Baker about the mindset shift and the operational structure that helped Regan step into the CEO role.

They cover role clarity, team structure, meeting rhythms, documentation standards, and why record-keeping is one of the most underrated tools for client service and project momentum.

In this episode:

The 9–10 person "tipping point" and learning to let go
How Regan structures teams and leadership inside her firm
Why design managers protect the client experience
Standards, site notes, and documentation that prevent chaos
Hiring lessons and onboarding systems that scale

If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that can grow, this one's for you.

Premium clients aren't attracted by bigger portfolios, more followers, or higher prices. They're attracted by leadership.

In this episode, Rebecca breaks down why good designers often get stuck working with budget-conscious clients and how a clear, structured process is the real driver behind attracting premium ones.

You'll learn the key differences between budget and premium clients, why money isn't the deciding factor, and how your intake, boundaries, and communication shape the clients you attract.

If you're ready to build a design business that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable, this episode will help you rethink how you lead clients from the very first interaction.

Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

New episodes air every Tuesday.

Season 7 of Resilient by Design opens with an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow an interior design business beyond the early hustle years.

If you're busy, booked, and still exhausted, this episode is for you.

Rebecca Hay shares why burnout is not a business model and why so many designers at the 2–5+ year mark feel successful on paper but overwhelmed behind the scenes. This episode sets the tone for the season ahead, focused on deeper support, real implementation, and building a business that supports your life, not consumes it.

You'll hear Rebecca reflect on the shift from collecting information to actually applying it, what it means to step into the CEO role of your design business, and what's changing in Season 7.

In this episode, we cover:

Why burnout is so common in the interior design industry
What changes after the 2–5 year mark in business
CEO mindset, pricing confidence, and boundaries
Building sustainable systems for long-term growth
What to expect this season on Resilient by Design

Looking for a place to start? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

New episodes air every Tuesday.

As we close out 2025, this episode is a pause.

A moment to step back from the deadlines, the launches, the site visits, and the constant push to do more—and instead reflect on how far you've come.

In this special holiday episode, Rebecca shares a heartfelt message for designers who showed up again and again this year. The ones who raised their rates, made hard decisions, took real rest, or simply kept going when things felt heavy.

This isn't about setting new goals or pushing harder. It's about recognizing the growth that doesn't always show up on paper and giving yourself permission to rest, reflect, and trust what's next.

In this episode:

Why resilience isn't about hustle, but consistency and heart
The quiet wins that matter more than big milestones
What it means to close out a year with intention
A look ahead to the next season of Resilient by Design

Thank you for being part of this community. We'll see you in January for a brand new season.

Episode Resource:

Download our list of Top Episodes that will help you on your business journey

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you want 2026 to feel more intentional and less reactive, this episode is your reset.

In this guided Year in Review + Goal Setting workshop, I walk interior designers through my proven system to reflect on the year, review key numbers without overwhelm, and set clear goals you can actually execute.

Grab a notebook, pull up your calendar, and follow along.

Episode Highlights:

The year-end reflection questions that reveal wins, challenges, and money makers
The "Repeat vs. Never Repeat" exercise to guide next year's decisions
What to review financially (even if you've avoided it) and why gross revenue matters
How to calculate your consultation conversion rate
How to plan your year backwards based on project size and goals
Time blocking basics (free days, buffer days, focus days)
The mindset shift: act like the future version of you today

Episode Resource:

10x is Easier than 2x

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Real growth doesn't come from another course; it comes from consistency, mentorship, and staying connected to the work long enough to see the transformation.

In this episode, Rebecca shares the moment she realized she needed to simplify even further in her business…and the big shift she's making in 2026 to support designers at a deeper level.

You'll hear: • Why courses alone don't create long-term results • The power of choosing your "one thing" • What truly moves a design business forward • How to think about your next level heading into the new year

Download Rebecca's free Discovery Call Script: rebeccahay.com/discovery

Book Recommendations:

The One Thing by Gary Keller
10x is Easier than 2x

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Still buying retail? It's killing your margins.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with John Genova of Dovetail Furniture about the real profit advantages of sourcing wholesale and why strong vendor partnerships are essential as your design business grows.

You'll learn how to choose the right trade vendors, what to look for at markets, how MAP pricing protects you, and why reliable partners can simplify your workflow and boost your bottom line.

Designers in their growth years will take away practical steps for improving profitability through smarter sourcing.

This episode was sponsored by Dovetail Furniture.

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you still doing work you never bill for? Still discounting your time? Still giving clients "just a little extra" because it feels easier than charging what you're worth?

You're not alone, and you're definitely not new. Even experienced designers slide into patterns that chip away at profit and confidence without realizing it.

In this episode, Rebecca breaks down the hidden places designers work for free, why it keeps happening years into business, and how to reset your pricing mindset before the new year. If you want to step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and a more profitable design business, start right here.

You'll learn:

The subtle ways established designers lose profit
How boundaries create confidence
A simple exercise to calculate your unpaid hours
Why your signature offer matters more than you think
A step-by-step plan to rebuild your pricing foundation

It's time to stop working for free and start charging like the expert you are.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Feeling stuck in the cycle of doing everything yourself? In today's episode, we explore what it really takes to move beyond survival mode and build a stable, profitable interior design business.

Rebecca is joined by design-build founder Mae Reedy, who shares her hard-earned lessons on systems, hiring, communication, and managing a growing team. If you've been in business for a few years and you're craving more stability, better processes, and the confidence to scale, this is your episode.

You'll learn how to create predictability inside your projects, protect your creative time, and document your systems so your business can thrive without everything living in your head.

Tune in and get ready to build a business that supports your growth, not one that drains it.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Mae Reedy on her website and follow her on Instagram.
The Game with Alex Hormozi

Download our Free Resource

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Scaling doesn't mean building a big firm or losing touch with what you love. It's about clarity, confidence, and control.

In this solo episode, Rebecca dives into the mindset shift that helped her build a business that supports her life (not the other way around). She shares her five go-to reflection questions to help you visualize your next level and start leading like a CEO.

Listen in to learn how to:

Scale your design business without burnout
Redefine what success looks like for you
Build systems that give you freedom, not stress

Learn more about my Mastermind here

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Want to grow your interior design team without losing your creative edge? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca sits down with Dina Holland (Honey & Fitz) to talk hiring, delegation, process, and profit. Dina shares how authenticity on Instagram acts as a built-in client filter, why documentation is non-negotiable as you scale, and what she's learned running an e-commerce shop alongside a thriving studio.

You'll learn:

How team growth changes your role—and why that's a good thing
The nuts and bolts of delegation (design vs. purchasing vs. PM)
Pricing confidently and reframing "budget" as client investment
The real effort behind e-commerce for designers
Using social to attract the right clients (by being yourself)

Follow Dina: @honeyandfitz | dinahollandinteriors.com

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Designer, educator, and all-around powerhouse Cheryl Luckett joins Rebecca to share how she went from a full-time corporate career to running Dwell by Cheryl Interiors...without burning everything down to start over.

She walks us through her intentional 36-month exit plan, how she built her audience through blogging and Instagram back in 2012, and why consistency online still matters for designers in 2025. Cheryl also talks about pivoting into more construction/new build work and the power of in-person networking.

In this episode:

Growing your design business while you're still employed
Creating your own exit timeline (not someone else's)
Building a digital footprint that attracts your ideal clients
Staying consistent when business is slow
Why there's no "one thing" that makes a design business successful

Connect with Cheryl: @dwellbycheryl | dwellbycheryl.com

Rate, review, and follow the show so more designers can find it!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

You've got your systems dialed in—now what?

In this episode, Rebecca dives into what comes after systems. Learn how to scale your interior design business by elevating your client experience, building your team, gaining financial clarity, and finding mentorship that propels you forward.

Perfect for established designers ready to grow sustainably without losing their sanity.

Learn more about my Mastermind here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Headed to High Point Market? Designer and Cool Girls Guide founder Marisa Wilson breaks down exactly how to plan your days: curated events, must-visit showrooms, where to eat, transit tips, and how to protect your energy so you actually enjoy market. We also compare Round Top vs. High Point and why market truly is for every designer.

In this episode:

High Point vs. Round Top—what's different and why it matters
Marisa's curated showrooms + events you won't regret
Transit hacks: shuttles, the Go Anywhere van, walking routes
Where to eat (and when to skip the "free lunch")
Wellness at market: shoes, layers, hydration, mental breaks
"Pink Out" Sunday + other insider traditions
The mindset: you can't see it all—do what serves your goals

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Marisa Wilson at her website and follow her on Instagram.
Get the Cool Girls Guide here
Learn more about High Point Market
Learn more about Roundtop Market

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, Rebecca takes you behind the scenes of her recent trip to Nashville for Amy Porterfield’s high-level mastermind. She shares what really happens inside the room, the lessons that shifted her business, and why community is the key to scaling a profitable interior design firm.

Episode Highlights:

You can’t grow alone. Having peers who understand your challenges accelerates your success.
Honesty about money matters. Talking openly about profit margins helps you build smarter, more sustainable businesses.
Environment shapes perspective. Stepping away from client work gives space for reflection and long-term planning.
Accountability drives results. Consistent check-ins and community support keep you focused on your goals.

If you’ve ever felt alone in business or wondered what it takes to reach that next level, this one’s for you.

💡 Apply for Rebecca’s new mastermind: rebeccahay.com/mastermind

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

High Point Market is often called “Disneyland for Designers” — but is it really worth the investment of time and money? In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why attending HPMKT has been one of the smartest moves for her design business.

From sourcing smarter and building vendor relationships to staying inspired and charging with confidence, Rebecca breaks down exactly how market can pay for itself many times over. Plus, she shares practical tips for navigating showrooms, capturing inspiration, and making connections that last long after the event.

Episode Resources:

High Point Market: Registration

Episode 256: Live At High Point Market | Money Matters: Expert tips from a profitable business with Renée Biery, Dina Holland & Jamie Merida

Episode 131: High Point Market, is it worth it? Part one A Round Table Discussion

Episode 132: High Point Market, is it worth it? Part Two A Round Table Discussion

Read the Blog: How to Prepare for High Point Market - Planning Your Itinerary

Read the Blog: How to Prepare for High Point Market - What to Pack

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What if you could make every project, big or small, profitable?

In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with award-winning designer Miranda Cullen, founder of Inside Stories, about her innovative interior design franchise model.

Dive into the episode to listen to:

How micro-design services turn small jobs into revenue
What it really costs to buy into a franchise
The systems, training, and marketing support that make it work
Why fixed-fee pricing backed by data gives designers confidence

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale without burning out, or how to stop turning away “too small” projects, this conversation is packed with insights.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Miranda Cullen on her website, ask for more info about franchising here and follow her on Instagram.
Wingnut Social Podcast Episode #425: Franchising Your Design Business (with Guest Host Rebecca Hay)

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Is fixed fee billing the answer for your design business—or a fast track to lost profits? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca Hay dives deep into hourly, fixed fee, and hybrid billing models, sharing the real pros and cons of each. You’ll hear her candid stories of undercharging, discounting, and scope creep, along with the practical steps she uses today to track hours and charge with confidence.

If you’ve ever struggled with pricing, client billing conversations, or knowing what to charge, this episode is for you.

Episode Resources

Episode 110: Best practices for billing clients with Katie Raffetto

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Do you really need systems in your interior design business right now? The short answer is yes — and in this episode, I’m sharing why.

If you’ve ever felt like your projects are running you instead of the other way around, this is your sign that it’s time to build better systems. From indecisive clients and endless revisions to scope creep and late-night text messages, I’ve been there — and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

In this episode, I break down:

The five biggest pain points that systems for interior designers solve
Why having a clear process makes clients trust you (and pay you) more
How systems help you protect your boundaries with clients, trades, and your own team
The simple, baby steps you can take today to start moving from chaos to clarity

Systems aren’t about making your business rigid or robotic — they’re about creating a framework that supports you, frees up your time, and helps you grow with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out, in the messy middle, or leading a team, you’ll walk away with practical strategies you can put into action right away.

Hit play to learn how the right systems can transform your design business into one that feels calm, professional, and profitable.

Learn more about Power of Process at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Three designers share how they doubled, and even 10x’ed, their rates by embracing process and confidence. What does it really take to raise your rates and run a thriving design business? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with three Calgary-based interior designers, Dana MacAulay, Kim Charbonneau, and Liza Kiegler, who share candid stories of growth after going through Power of Process.

From doubling (and even 10x’ing) their fees, to finding confidence through systems, and building a supportive community, their journeys prove that process truly is the path to profit.

You’ll hear:

How to confidently raise your design rates
Why process creates freedom and consistency
The power of community and accountability over competition
How visualization (yes, like an athlete!) can help you hit your business goals

Get ready for real talk, tangible takeaways, and the encouragement you need to invest in yourself and your business.

Meet the guests:

Liza Kiegler - Instagram
Kim Charbonneau - Instagram
Dana MacAulay - Instagram

Episode Resource:

Episode 127: Why you need a process before launching your business with Kim Charbonneau

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Power of Process is back! Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Celebrate 300 episodes of Resilient by Design with this behind-the-mic special.

For the 300th episode, Rebecca Hay switches seats and becomes the guest! Darla Powell, founder of Wingnut Social, interviews Rebecca about the evolution of her design business, her shift into coaching, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

From pricing and profits to confidence and consistency, this milestone episode gives you a raw look at what it takes to grow a resilient interior design business. Plus, stick around for Rebecca’s surprise turn as interviewer when Darla shares her take on AI, SEO, and ChatGPT for designers.

THANK YOU for listening and here's to 300 more!

Episode Resources:

Episode 237: Transforming a side hustle into a full-time interior design business with Andrea Krill
Episode 150: Instagram marketing and being yourself on social media with Darla Powell
Episode 171: The biggest 2 year business transformation with Jocelyn Polce
Episode 287: The Fastest 2-Month Design Business Transformation You’ll Ever Hear with Melissa McDonald
Learn more about Darla Powell and Wingnut social at her website here!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Clients who can’t decide, projects that grow beyond scope, and upholstery that’s tough to sell without a sit test — sound familiar? In this Ask Rebecca episode, Rebecca Hay shares how she tackles these common design dilemmas.

Learn how to:

Guide indecisive clients toward confident decisions
Sell upholstery without relying on retail showrooms
Manage scope creep with clear agreements (and less stress)

Get the behind-the-scenes strategies Rebecca uses in her own design firm so you can handle these challenges with more ease and confidence.

Episode Resources:

Episode 294: Ask Rebecca: Interior Design Project Management, Client Red Flags & More

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Do you ever feel like you’re behind in your design business? Like you should already be further along, have more clients, or be making more money? That’s the mindset trap that keeps so many interior designers from feeling confident and successful.

In this episode of Resilient by Design, Rebecca Hay breaks down how to overcome this trap by shifting from focusing on “the gap” (where you think you should be) to “the gain” (how far you’ve already come).

You’ll walk away with tools to reframe your thinking, celebrate your progress, and finally stop holding yourself back from success.

Episode Highlights:

The biggest mindset trap interior designers fall into
How to measure progress in a way that builds confidence
Why your past wins are the key to future momentum
A practical exercise to reset your mindset today

Hit play and start seeing your growth for what it really is—success in action.

Episode Resources:

The Gap and The Gain

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Do you ever feel excited at the thought of getting more clients, but then suddenly dread sets in? You’re not broken, you just don’t have the right systems in place.

In this episode, I’m sharing why more clients can feel overwhelming and what you can do to finally feel confident saying “yes” to the projects you want. I’ll walk you through the shifts I made that took me from anxious and overworked to running a seven-figure firm with ease.

Tune in to learn how to build systems that eliminate decision fatigue, improve the client experience, and make growth exciting again.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Four designers. One chance meeting. Unlimited opportunities.

What started as a spontaneous trip to an industry event turned into a powerhouse partnership that’s changing lives — both inside the design industry and in communities across the country.

In this episode, I’m joined by the Designer Besties — Whitney Atkinson, Lori Johnson, Rhobin DelaCruz, and Nikki Watson — four talented creatives who have built more than just a friendship. Together, they’ve:

Landed national press without hiring a publicist
Created brand partnerships that amplify their visibility
Launched a nonprofit transforming teacher lounges in schools nationwide
Found ways to support each other through pricing questions, client challenges, and business pivots

We talk about how they first met, why vulnerability was the key to building trust, and how each of them leverages the group’s combined knowledge and network to grow their own businesses. You’ll also hear tactical advice for getting your work featured in the media, building partnerships, and finding your own “design besties” no matter where you live.

If you’ve ever felt isolated as an interior designer or wondered how to break into press opportunities, this episode will show you how collaboration can be your competitive advantage — and how friendship can be the best business strategy you’ve never tried.

Episode Resources:

Help a Reporter Out
Learn more about each guest at their website and follow them on Instagram @thedesignbesties
Whitney Atkinson - Instagram
Rhobin de la Cruz - Instagram
Niki Watson - Instagram
Lori Johnson - Instagram
Episode 253: Trademarking your own product line as a designer with Whitney Atkinson
Episode 238: When a Rebrand is right with Rhobin DelaCruz

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’re trying to grow your interior design business but feel like you’re spinning your wheels, this episode will be a breath of fresh air.

Renee Bush, brand strategist and former Director of Operations at Studio McGee, joins me to talk about the reality of burnout, the power of brand alignment, and what it really takes to work smarter and build a business you love.

We dive into:

Why your marketing might not be working (and what to do instead)
The branding gap most designers don’t realize they have
Attracting dream clients through strategic alignment
Mindset shifts that helped Renee recover from burnout
How to simplify your design business without sacrificing success

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you lead your interior design business with intention.

Episode 188: Visualize your way to success with LuAnn Nigara
Learn more about Renee Bush at her website.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This is your sign to hit pause and check in.

We’re a little over halfway through the year, can you believe it? Whether you’ve been crushing your 2025 goals or feel like they've slipped off your radar, this rebroadcast is your invitation to reflect, realign, and reignite your momentum for the second half of the year.

Originally released as our very first episode of 2025, this one’s packed with practical guidance to help you get back on track, or make a fresh plan entirely. I’ll walk you through 7 actionable steps to bring clarity to your vision, prioritize what matters most, and use your calendar as a tool for accountability.

You’ll learn how to:

Identify what’s working (and what’s not)
Reset your intentions with purpose
Create habits that support your big-picture goals
Stay consistent—even when life gets busy

I’ll also share how I’m revisiting my own goals and making space for what I really want in both life and business.

✨ So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to regroup, this is it.

Grab your notebook (and your favorite drink!) and take this time to get intentional. The second half of the year is full of opportunity, and it starts with this episode.

Resources

10x is easier than 2x

Best Year Freebie Worksheet

Goal setting podcast episodes:

Ep 40. Get your business ready for 2021 part 1
Ep 41. Get your business ready for 2021 part 2
Ep 89. Annual company planning part 1
Ep 90. Annual company planning part 2
Ep. 137. My 2022 year end review
Ep. 183. 4 key steps to planning for the year ahead when you have no idea where to go

Episodes about goal setting / Asana-like program:

Ep 10. Goal setting 101
Ep 88. Back to Basics! Let’s set some goals
Ep 200. Try this hack to fast-track your goals

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this first Ask Rebecca Q&A episode, I'm answering your burning questions about running a design business—from staying organized on-site to handling awkward client scenarios.

Tune in to hear:

My best tips for interior design project management (hello, site binders!)
What to say when clients want to skip implementation or use someone else’s discount
Real talk on setting boundaries and protecting your profits
My advice on how to fix an ordering mistake without losing money (or your mind)

Want your question featured in a future episode? DM me on Instagram or send us an email!

Episode Resources:

Podcast Episode 287: The Fastest 2-Month Design Business Transformation You’ll Ever Hear with Melissa McDonald
Grab my Free Discovery Call Script

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Good design speaks for itself, but what if you’re just starting out and don’t have a single client project to show?

In this episode, I’m sharing how I started my interior design business from scratch, built my first portfolio using my own home, and booked clients before I had any professional photos. I’ll teach you how to showcase your eye, style, and problem-solving skills so clients see you as a pro—even when you’re new.

What you'll take away:

How to create a portfolio without client work
Tips for styling and photographing your own space
Why quality over quantity is key
How to use discovery calls to weed out difficult clients
The mindset shift that helped me grow my business

You don’t need a full project library to book clients—you just need to start. I’ll show you how.

Episode Resource

Episode 278: Interior Design Photography on a Budget: How to Use Your Smartphone Like a Pro with Linda Holt

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Feeling exhausted by emotional clients and endless design revisions? It might be time to rethink your interior design career path.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with a designer who made a big pivot, from residential design to building medical and dental offices across the country. Leslie Abner of LA Studio shares what led to her burnout, how commercial design helped her rediscover her love for the work, and why it might be the perfect niche for designers looking for more clarity, structure, and profit.

They also dive into pricing strategies, the power of saying no, and how to market yourself into a niche. Oh—and she also wrote a novel that every designer will want to add to their summer reading list!!

If you’ve been craving a change or wondering where your design business is heading, this episode is your permission to explore something new.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Leslie at her website and follow her on Instagram here.
Get the Book: "Renovation" by Leslie Abner

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Why You Need an Out-of-Office Email (And How to Write One)

Worried clients will think you’ve disappeared if you take time off? You’re not alone. Many interior designers avoid setting an out-of-office message because they fear it sends the wrong signal. But here’s the truth: OOO replies can actually strengthen your client relationships and position you as a pro.

In this episode, Rebecca shares:

Why we feel guilty for stepping away (and how to change that)
When and how to use out-of-office replies—even for reveal or install days
What to say in your OOO message to keep things professional and personal
Why clear communication = better boundaries (and better business)

🎁 Grab Rebecca’s FREE Out-of-Office Template Pack: rebeccahay.com/ooo

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, luxury interior designer Erica Gelman returns to share how she evolved her contract from simple terms to a robust, 15-page agreement that protects her time, energy, and profitability.

We dive into the real lessons learned through years of client experience, including what it was like to design a $7.3 million Princess Margaret Show Home, how she learned to charge for her value, and the timeline and revision clauses she swears by.

Whether you're struggling with flat fees, endless revisions, or client delays, this conversation will help you shift your mindset and sharpen your process.

Episode Highlights:

Interior design contract tips that save you time and money
How to handle revisions without getting stuck in feedback loops
What to include in your proposal (and why it matters!)
Why Erica stopped using flat fees—and what she uses now
How to create boundaries while still delivering white-glove service

Episode Resources:

Episode 147: Protecting yourself with a contract. Why you need a contract as an interior designer with Erica Gelman
Episode 154: The ins and outs of designing a show house with Jennifer Muirhead
Princess Margaret Lottery Grand Prize House
Learn more about Erica at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’re still charging based on what you think your clients can afford… or afraid to raise your rates in case they push back… this episode is for you.

I’m sharing one of my worst pricing mistakes from the early years, a commercial project that cost me hundreds of hours, drained my confidence, and taught me the hard way how damaging it is to undercharge. It’s a story with no happy ending, but plenty of takeaways.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why fixed fees can be risky if you don’t track your time
The real cost of avoiding the money conversation
How underpricing attracts the wrong clients
What finally helped me shift from hobbyist to CEO

Plus, I’m inviting you to my free workshop: Priced to Profit — where I share the 3 pricing shifts that helped me raise my rates (without losing clients). Register at rebeccahay.com/profit

Episode Resources:

Sign up for my Priced to Profit Workshop here!
Episode 179: Pricing your design services with confidence
Episode 46: Budgeting, Pricing your services, and attracting the right trades with Maia Roffey

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’re in your first year of running an interior design business, this episode is for you.

Anna Baldi is the founder of Contrast Interior Design and a recent graduate of Power of Process. After spending two decades working in commercial and set design, Anna finally listened to the entrepreneurial itch she had ignored for 20 years. She quit her job without a backup plan and started her design business the very next day.

In this conversation, she shares:

The breaking point that led to her big leap
What it was like launching a business from scratch
Why she joined POP (even though she was hesitant)
How she gained the confidence to implement a $5K minimum design fee
The systems and boundaries that changed her life and business

This is an inspiring and practical episode full of honest takeaways for anyone starting their business journey.

Learn more about Anna Baldi at her website and follow her on Instagram.

👉 Learn more about POP at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Why Trade Day Is the Secret to a Smooth Design Project!!

In this episode, Rebecca shares the cringe-worthy story of a chaotic trade day early in her career—and how it nearly cost her a client (and a contractor). That one experience transformed how she approaches the interior design trade day and inspired her to create the system she now teaches inside Power of Process.

You'll learn what a trade day actually is, how to run it with confidence, and why it's one of the most overlooked (but vital) tools in a designer's toolbox.

What you'll hear in this episode:

A behind-the-scenes look at a disastrous project kickoff
The biggest trade day mistakes designers make
Rebecca’s system for organizing trades, timelines, and client expectations
Her exact checklist and tips for execution
Why trade day is about more than logistics—it's about leadership
Want to elevate your project management skills? This episode is for you.

Learn more about POP: rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What if two months could totally transform your interior design business?

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa McDonald of MelMac Designs, an interior designer with 15+ years of experience who recently realized her business wasn’t as profitable—or fulfilling—as it could be.

She took a leap of faith, joined Power of Process, and the results were nothing short of amazing. In just two months, she restructured her services, got crystal clear on her ideal client, hired her first assistant, implemented systems, and tripled her project fees. And yes—clients said yes.

If you’ve ever felt like your design business is running you, or that you’re working too hard for too little, this episode is your wake-up call. Melissa’s honesty, vulnerability, and transformation will light a fire under you to take your next step—whether you're brand new or 10+ years in.

Learn more about Melissa at her website.

Learn more about Power of Process.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What if you could triple your rates and confidently land your biggest design project yet — in just a few weeks?

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Paige Leackfeldt of LANG Design Interiors to unpack her incredible transformation. After 15 years in the industry, Paige launched her own design business — but within the first year, she hit the familiar overwhelm of saying yes to everything, undercharging, and running herself ragged.

Enter Power of Process.

Paige shares how enrolling in this course helped her systematize her business, streamline her offers, confidently present her services, and (here’s the big one) land a six-figure contract — more than triple what she would have dared to charge before.

We cover:

The mindset shift that gave Paige the confidence to raise her rates
How her past construction experience became her biggest client-selling point
Why documenting your process transforms both client trust and pricing power
How she overhauled her services page to attract only the right clients
What designers need to understand about progress vs. perfection

This episode is packed with real-world insights, inspiration, and proof that transformation is possible — and faster than you think.

Learn more about Paige at her website, LANG Design Interiors, and follow her on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ever lost money (or sleep) over a wrong order, delayed shipment, or missing item? You’re not alone — and in this episode, Rebecca Hay shares the honest, behind-the-scenes mistakes she made in her own interior design business so you can skip the pain and get straight to solutions.

Rebecca opens up about the $10,000 sofa mistake that shaped her approach to systems, the software (and simple tools) that can save your sanity, and how to set up order tracking so nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll learn why cross-check systems matter, when to consider outsourcing procurement, and how regular check-ins can protect your profit and client relationships.

This episode is packed with practical, actionable advice whether you’re just starting your design business or you’re scaling up with a team. If you’ve ever wondered how to organize your orders, track project details, and avoid costly errors, this is the episode for you.

Episode Highlights

The biggest ordering mistakes designers make (and how to avoid them)
Rebecca’s favorite software + tracking tools
When to outsource order management
The step-by-step system to keep your projects on track
Why regular order status meetings are a game-changer

Hit play and get ready to transform how you run your business — with less chaos and more profit.

Episode Resources

Programa
Studio Designer
Ivy
Sign up for my workshop here: https://rebeccahay.com/grow

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What makes a client say YES to you over someone else?

In this episode, I sit down with two of my real-life clients, Kelly & Glen Patchet, founders of Quarterback Digital, to pull back the curtain on what clients really want.

We talk about:

Why they chose to work with me (spoiler: my process!)
What it was actually like to go through my design journey
How marketing and confidence go hand in hand for service-based businesses
Marketing strategies that help turn leads into raving fans

PLUS — hear their honest reaction when I told them they’d need to pay for an initial consultation!

If you’re ready to deepen trust, boost credibility, and market yourself with confidence, this is the episode for you.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We all have that one client project we should’ve walked away from. This is the story of mine—and the powerful (and expensive) lesson it taught me.

In this episode, I open up about one of the most challenging experiences in my interior design business: taking on a project that looked ideal on the surface but was packed with red flags I chose to ignore. From clashing personalities and unrealistic expectations to late-night stress and burned-out team members, this project took a toll—financially, emotionally, and mentally.

Inside the episode:

What early red flags to look for in potential clients
Why even a full payment upfront isn’t always a green flag
How ignoring your gut can cost you more than just money
How to use your intake process to filter for your ideal client
Why saying “no” is a skill every designer needs to build
What green flags to watch for so you love the clients you take on

Whether you’re an emerging designer or scaling your firm, this episode will help you identify who’s truly the right fit for your services—and how to protect your business, your time, and your energy.

Join the Stand Out Designer Bootcamp → rebeccahay.com/bootcamp

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Starting an interior design business is about more than just loving design—it's about building a life you love, too. In this episode, Rebecca shares the five foundational steps every designer needs to set up a profitable, scalable business that supports their dream lifestyle.

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck, these essentials—like a clear business model, a signature process, strong contracts, sound financial systems, and marketing—will help you avoid burnout and grow with confidence.

Episode Highlights:

Defining a scalable business model for your future
The importance of a signature design process
Why a strong contract is non-negotiable
Setting up financial systems and pricing strategies
How marketing builds sustainable, long-term success

Learn more and save your spot in Rebecca’s Standout Designer Bootcamp: https://rebeccahay.com/bootcamp

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Wondering why you keep attracting the wrong clients—or no clients at all? In this episode, Rebecca Hay reveals why vague messaging is hurting your business and how niching down as an interior designer is the key to success. You'll hear a simple 4-step process to clarify your message, attract dream clients, and finally feel aligned in your marketing. Plus, Rebecca shares practical examples you can start using today.

Episode Highlights:

Why broad messaging repels ideal clients
How to niche down without limiting your business
An exercise to identify your true dream client
Website and Instagram tweaks that make a big impact

Ready to stand out? Join the Standout Designer Bootcamp: www.rebeccahay.com/bootcamp

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Sometimes the path to success isn’t straight—and that’s exactly where the magic happens. In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with Rebekah Higgs, the creative force behind DIY Mom, to share how she turned her passion for DIY into a thriving, multi-income design business.

Rebekah opens up about her journey from musician to single mom to TV host and entrepreneur, revealing the systems, mindset shifts, and bold moves that helped her grow her brand. We dive into how she layered income streams like TV production, Airbnb rentals, client renovations, and influencer partnerships, and why learning to delegate was essential for her business (and her sanity!).

We also talk about how perfectionism can secretly hold you back, why letting go is the key to real progress, and how setting up the right systems can change everything. Plus, Rebekah shares some seriously powerful advice on how to end a project strong—and leave clients raving about the experience.

If you're dreaming of turning your passion into a business or scaling your design firm, this conversation is packed with real-life takeaways you won’t want to miss!

Follow Rebekah: @diymom.ca Watch DIY Mom: YouTube | TryBinge.tv Learn more: www.diymom.ca

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Is your pricing keeping you stuck in a loop of burnout, resentment, and budget clients?

In this solo episode, Rebecca reveals why most interior designers fear raising their rates — and how that fear is rooted in impostor syndrome, lack of industry standards, and the false idea that clients won’t pay more.

She breaks down the real cost of underpricing (spoiler: it’s not just about money), and shares a four-step framework to help you charge what you're worth — with confidence. You’ll walk away with tangible interior design pricing strategies and new ways to talk about your value that attract dream clients.

Want to go deeper? Check out Pricing with Confidence — the go-to course for designers ready to scale with ease: https://rebeccahay.com/pricing/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Designers — ever wonder how real estate agents could help grow your business? 🏡

In this episode, I chat with Wendy Smith, a Toronto-based realtor and founder of Matter Homes, about real estate strategies every interior designer should know. We talk about what buyers really want in today’s market, how move-in-ready design impacts resale value, and why partnering with real estate professionals can be a total game-changer for your business.

Wendy even shares how she gifts interior design consultations (with one of our own POP alums!) as part of her closing strategy — it’s marketing gold and a win-win for everyone involved.

Whether you're designing for forever homes or staging for resale, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to grow your visibility, build local connections, and boost your bottom line.

🎧 Hit play and get ready to think outside the design box!

Episode Resources

Learn more about Wendy Smith at her website and follow her on Instagram here
Sign up for the Design with Purpose! event here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Before this episode, I didn’t believe you could take professional-quality design photos with a smartphone. Now? I’m rethinking everything…

Linda Holt is a former pro photographer turned educator who teaches designers how to shoot amazing photos with just their phones. In this episode, she explains why smartphones are more powerful than you think—and why owning your own photos might just save you from a lawsuit.

We talk about:

The 3 keys to professional-looking phone photos
Why hiring a photographer isn’t always the best move
The hidden risks of copyright (and how to avoid them)
Simple gear and apps to level up your shots

You don’t need a DSLR. You do need this episode.

Episode Resources:

Learn more & grab Linda’s gear recs: lindaholtcreative.com
Check out Linda's workshop: Smartphone Photography for Interior Designers
Snapseed
Learn more about Linda Holt at her website and follow her on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Time is your most valuable asset. In this episode, Rebecca shares 5 simple, impactful automations every designer should implement to save time and reduce overwhelm. From client intake to content planning and communication, these tips are designed to help you streamline your systems—without relying entirely on tech.

Whether you're managing a growing design firm or flying solo, these are the processes that can free you up to focus on the parts of your business you love most.

What You’ll Learn:

How to automate your client intake
The power of canned email templates
Smart tips for invoicing without the chaos
Batch your content to stay consistent (and sane)
Keep clients happy with regular progress updates

Let’s stop spinning our wheels and start running our businesses with more ease. Hit play to get started!

🎙 Connect with Rebecca on IG: @rebeccahaydesigns 🌟 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review & share with a friend!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Thinking about hiring but feeling overwhelmed by where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Decker-Erickson, founder of the multi-million dollar remote design firm Color Works and host of Success by Design. We dive into how to know when it's time to hire, the difference between contractors and employees, and how to create a strong company culture—even with a fully remote team.

Katie shares her real-life experiences, from the moment she had to hire to the tough lessons learned through team transitions. We also talk about the financial mindset around hiring, the power of personality assessments, and how to build a team that truly supports your business goals.

This conversation is packed with honest advice and actionable strategies for interior designers ready to grow—without the burnout.

Don’t forget to catch part one of our conversation over on Katie’s podcast, Success by Design!

Episode Resources

Clifton Strengths
Atomic Habits
Success by Design Podcast
Learn more about Katie Decker-Erickson at her website and follow her on Instagram
Katie's a return guest! Listen to her first episode on the Resilient by Design Podcast - 222. Tailor your business to your lifestyle

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you missed my last Standout Designer Bootcamp—or even if you didn’t—don’t skip this episode!

One of the most powerful tools I shared in my recent bootcamp is the Investment Guide—a game-changer for interior designers looking to secure the right clients. In this episode, I break down exactly what an Investment Guide is, how to use it effectively, and why it’s key to pre-qualifying your clients and avoiding time-wasters.

I’ll share a personal story from my own journey, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and actionable steps to implement this strategy in your business. The truth is, that premium clients will pay for a premium service—you just need to position yourself correctly to attract them. Tune in to learn how an Investment Guide can help you set expectations, weed out misaligned clients, and maximize your impact!

Highlights

What an Investment Guide is and why it’s essential for your business.
How to use an Investment Guide to pre-qualify clients and eliminate budget shoppers.
The biggest mistakes designers make in the inquiry process—and how to fix them.
Why premium clients expect pricing transparency and how to position it to your advantage.
The key sections every Investment Guide should include to attract serious clients.

Sign up for the next Bootcamp waitlist here!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Every client wants to know what their project will cost ASAP, and guessing and throwing out a number will only do you and your client a disservice. This episode is going to help you dial in on your expertise and experience to remove the guesswork and the regret for project estimates.

I dive into how you can find out what it costs to decorate or renovate a space without relying on simple guessing or giving the client a number that isn’t fair or profitable for your business.

As a business owner, I’m always looking for a better way for the aspects of my business where I feel there can be room for improvement. In this episode, I share an excellent method of pricing projects I learned from a designer inside my Designers Room membership that has proved incredibly effective.

I also talk about an eye-opening exercise I did with my team during our most recent year-end review that I recommend you do so that you can price your projects with confidence!

Episode 141: How to be Profitable as an Interior Designer in 2023

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Is it ever too late to start over? Our guest, Natalie Froom, proves that the answer is a resounding NO! This episode is all about why it’s NEVER too late to follow your passion in interior design.

Natalie, founder of Studio 180 Design, took a bold leap in her 40s to launch her interior design firm, leaving behind a career in psychology and nutrition. In this episode, she shares how she went from helping friends for free to building a thriving business, why she believes creativity thrives within structure, and how she balances artistry with the practical demands of running a business.

A Power of Process (POP) alum, Natalie also opens up about the game-changing takeaways from the course that helped her streamline her design workflow, set strong boundaries, and confidently charge for her expertise.

If you’ve ever doubted whether it’s too late to start your dream business, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights

The mindset shift needed to go from hobbyist to business owner
Why boundaries are essential for creative success
How Natalie built her second empire after raising a large family
The power of time-blocking for creativity and efficiency
How she transitioned from free work to confidently pricing her services
The surprising business lesson she learned from raising six teenagers!

Episode Resources

Learn more about Natalie Froom at her website and follow her on Instagram
Learn more about Power of Process
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bgPu0RiZUAQ

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode explores the journey of launching a new interior design business after stepping away from an existing and thriving design-build. Keely Gow, co-founder of the newly launched JK Studio in Muskoka, Ontario, shares her infectious passion as she talks about the decision behind her new business launch, why she chose to work with a partner, and what led her to shift her focus exclusively to offering full-service interior design.

Keely opens up about some of the hard truths and realizations she had before making these major career moves, as well as the specific goals she set—goals that Power of Process helped her bring to life. She discusses the role of intuition in guiding her decisions, how she learned to listen to both her heart and her head, and how the community she found inside Designer’s Room and the Power of Process course provided the support she needed to take the leap.

Plus, she shares insights into forming a business partnership, the challenges and advantages of working collaboratively, and her recent Style at Home magazine cover feature! If you're an interior designer looking to refine your process, streamline your business, or take the leap into a new phase of your career, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Episode resources:

Learn how to refine your design business processes: rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess
Style at Home – Check out Keely Gow’s feature in the November 2024 issue!
Connect with Keely (once available) – Stay tuned for her website and Instagram updates!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Success in business isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with Anika Schachtler, a rising star in the interior design world, to discuss how she has built a thriving interior design business by refining her processes, niching down, and hiring early.

Since her last appearance on the podcast, Anika has made incredible strides—shifting her business model, growing her team, and eliminating unnecessary client emails by communicating less but better. She shares the mindset shifts that helped her scale, how she refined her process to increase profitability, and why hiring was a game-changer for her success.

The four symptoms of inefficiency in an interior design business
How niching down has transformed the type of clients she attracts
The power of process in reducing overwhelm and improving client experience
Why hiring early—even in the first years of business—can accelerate growth
A game-changing mindset shift from working harder to working smarter

If you're looking to streamline your business, attract the right clients, and grow without burnout, this episode is a must-listen.

Learn more about Anika Schachtler at her website and follow her on Instagram

Podcast Episode 243: Double your Design Rates with a Solid Process with Anika Schachtler

10X is Easier than 2X

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Growing a successful interior design business requires more than just serving clients—it takes dedicated time to work on the business, not just in it. In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why prioritizing business development is essential for long-term success and how interior designers can break free from the cycle of constant client demands.

She provides actionable strategies to help designers re-prioritize their time, build efficient systems, and create a strong foundation for growth. By making smarter investments in business operations, designers can scale sustainably and run a business that works for them—not the other way around.

In this episode, listeners will learn: ✅ The four major signs that indicate a business is stuck in reactive mode ✅ Practical steps to work smarter, not harder ✅ The importance of accountability in streamlining business operations

For designers feeling overwhelmed by project management, marketing, and client demands, this episode provides a clear roadmap to reclaiming control, scaling effectively, and running a business with more ease.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

No matter where you are in your design journey, the skills and experience you’ve gained can be the perfect foundation for transitioning to interior design. Our guest, Heather Lastiwka, has worn many hats in her career (including a stint at Earls—just like me! 😉) before taking the leap into running her own design business. She opens up about how burnout led her to rethink her path, why design has always been a part of her story, and how she finally made her dream a reality.

Heather also shares her brilliant real estate flipping strategy (seriously, I may have to steal her term "bounce buddy" for myself!) and how she leveraged Power of Process (POP) to set up her business for success—even if it took a few tries.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone considering a career change into design, proving that it's all about Progress Over Perfection!

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Heather Lastiwka at her website.
Learn more about Power of Process.
The Gap and The Gain
Who not How

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Secret to Getting a Fast YES from Clients

Before we can bring a vision to life, we need a solid YES from the client. The key to making that decision effortless? Owning your expertise—because you are the expert.

In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you communicate your ideas with confidence and streamline your client process. We’ll dive into some (potentially controversial) tips I’ve learned firsthand—ones that will help you gain faster buy-in, build trust, and avoid the endless email back-and-forth.

Bottom line? Your confidence is contagious—so let’s use it to your advantage!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We all want to work with our version of a premium client, but before we do so, we need to establish a premium approach. Working with premium clients demands a premium approach, and in this episode, I'm sharing how to do exactly that!

This episode shares examples of what kind of client this person actually is and what they expect. One spoiler I'll give away is that a premium client doesn't always equate to "premium money".

I share a few questions to ask yourself to help you create a good first impression, stand by your boundaries, and include unique personal touches in the entire experience. I dive into some examples of how I learned this lesson the hard way and use some "Rebecca tough love" to encourage you to ensure your clients feel safe, secure, and can relax trusting that you've got their best interests at heart.

Episode resource

Sign up for my bootcamp here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I'm sharing a tip that will change your life and your business.

As an interior designer, you are first and foremost a problem solver! High-level clients want solutions, not a menu of options! The best thing you can do to help clients understand your value is to hone in and define your core offering, a prime service that will be the pillar of your business. This helps to establish your professionalism and that you're not winging it until you find what sticks. Having a core offering, let's you be clear about what service you provide and the problems you solve for your clients!

Through the episode, I share a few scenarios of my own and some questions to ask yourself so you can give your clients what they really need, erase all the fluff, and allow you the freedom to be the expert in your business.

Sign up for my bootcamp here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We all want consistent work, but what happens when that work is consistently lacking?

Today I share my own experience being stuck inside a seemingly never ending loop of budget clients, how it happened and how I escaped. These are clients that may be great when you start out, but don't level up budget wise or quality wise as you and your business grow. You need to be sure you are aligned with your true, unique strengths so you can avoid getting stuck, burnt out and uninspired. I leave you with a bit of homework so you can take a beat to really listen, learn and identify the ways to prevent or escape the pitfalls and challenges that come with a budget client loop.

Sign up for my bootcamp here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Our identities shift and evolve as we age and I've found clinging to the ego can do more harm than good. I've been battling through a major business decision for over a year and have finally been able to come out through to the other side which I share in this episode. I had to listen to my body, say goodbye to the ego, and let go of the perceptions of others to finally reach this place of peace. I want to focus on the gain, not the gap and I encourage you to take a listen and see if your body is telling you something similar too.

Sign up for my newsletter

The Gap and The Gain

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We are only human. We’re not machines and no matter how good your memory is with the day-to-day, something is bound to be forgotten or slip through the cracks. We simply can’t be on top of EVERYTHING in our business and lives. This is why we need systems in place, they are our failsafe and they keep us on track!

In this episode, I'm sharing a few systems that I've learned over the years are non-negotiable and necessary to run a profitable interior design business, I share the importance of onboarding, communication, and offboarding as well as a new addition that will be a must for me going forward.

You've heard me go on and on about processes, but these 5 systems are vital to set the tone for your clients and keep them from any feelings of buyer's remorse while ensuring that you are set up for success and can complete a project as efficiently and enjoyably as possible.

But a key part that I hope you don’t miss - all of these systems are worth almost nothing if you are not consistent and follow through on them. So take note of these streamlining strategies and keep to them so you can concentrate on what you are best at, designing!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

You may think that working with your dream client is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be!

In this episode, I'm sharing tried and true tactics to ensure that I keep the ideal clients coming and the non-ideal clients away.

I dive into an exercise that I use at the end of every year that brings intention and, more importantly, attention to the traits of my clients and use this information to bring in the ideal clients to me. Some of these tactics may surprise you but I guarantee you that saying NO, keeping open communication, and cultivating the right referrals could revolutionize your client stream!

So take a listen, take some time, and get ready to welcome your dream clients in 2025.

Episode 119 Attracting clients in a slow economy

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you only choose one thing to focus on in 2025 let it be this: stop 'people pleasing' your clients!

We're used to the adage that the customer is always right, but I'm here to tell you that to build a sustainable, successful business means not being at the complete beck and call of your clients. After years of hearing stories from fellow designers and my own experience, I've decided on a few approaches that help us avoid bending over backward for clients (which typically does more harm than good anyway)!

Don't run around in circles making yourself crazy for your clients! In this episode, I share some advice, tips, and responses that you can use when establishing healthy boundaries with your clients ensuring that you always come across like the professional you are because you deserve to be in control of your business and as the expert to call the shots.

Episode Resources:

Episode 67 How to deal with unhappy clients

Episode 49 - An Interview with my clients: Why having a process made them choose me

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

2025: The year to think BIG!

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful goal-setting system designed to help you make 2025 your best year yet. If you’ve reflected on the past year and find yourself asking, “What’s next?”—don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Here’s what to do: carve out dedicated time and space to fully engage with this episode. I’ll guide you through 7 actionable steps that will help you take small, intentional actions that can snowball into major results.

This system is all about building habits and creating room to focus on your goals. We'll explore how to identify your professional aspirations, determine the resources you need to succeed, and, most importantly, leverage your calendar to stay committed. Your calendar will be your ultimate accountability partner!

Throughout the episode, I’ll share examples of how I’m approaching my own 2025 goals so you can apply the same strategies to your plans.

Let’s make 2025 the year of thinking big, dreaming bigger, and taking actionable steps to achieve success. It’s time to get excited, set your goals, and get started on your journey toward an incredible year!

Episode Resources

10x is easier than 2x

Freebie Worksheet

Related Episodes

Ep 40. Get your business ready for 2021 part 1
Ep 41. Get your business ready for 2021 part 2
Ep 89. Annual company planning part 1
Ep 90. Annual company planning part 2
Ep. 137. My 2022 year end review
Ep. 183. 4 key steps to planning for the year ahead when you have no idea where to go
Ep 10. Goal setting 101
Ep 88. Back to Basics! Let’s set some goals
Ep 200. Try this hack to fast-track your goals

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

➡️Minimize stress and chaos on Reveal Day, with our Reveal Day Kit Checklist

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome to 2025 and a brand new Season 6!

I know this is going to be our best year yet, I can feel it! Today I share my word for 2025 along with the one main goal I want to achieve above anything else by the end of the year and I invite you all to do the same. Get excited about this upcoming season because it will be thrilling, inspiring, and educational!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

➡️ Minimize stress and chaos on Reveal Day, with our Reveal Day Kit Checklist

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1im8dxtaZHjsa7ssViG0OEOsdf3CbDh89?usp=drive_link

We’re finally here, the last episode of 2024! We wanted to celebrate the year in the best way by rebroadcasting the top episode of the year!

This episode is all about permitting yourself to leave the 9-5 job that’s dragging you down to start your own interior design business. So before we dive into 2025, give this episode a listen because if you’ve been holding out for a sign to take the career leap, this is it!

We start by talking to Angela Wainscott about how she got her start, why she originally rejected the idea of owning her own business, and the surprising yet quick action she took on the first day of Power of Process! Angela opens up about how her support system, spirituality, and manifesting mindset helped set her on the path to success and the specific ways POP empowered her to take it to the next level. We dive into the world of pairing family and design, and how the entrepreneurial spirit was in her from her childhood days!

I hope this episode will encourage and inspire those who have been toying with the idea of stepping out on their own and how POP can help in a myriad of ways to get you off the ground.

Find out more from Angela on the UpStaged Design website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Running a business is full of trial and error, but it’s what we do with those errors that shape our growth. In this episode, I’m opening up about some of the biggest mistakes I made in 2024—sharing more detail than I ever have before. It’s not always easy to admit where we went wrong, but my hope is that by getting real with you, these lessons can inspire you to reflect on your own journey and approach challenges in a fresh, empowered way.

From nitty-gritty miscalculations to bigger missteps, I’m walking you through what happened, how I dealt with it, and the tools and resources that helped me course-correct. I’ll also share the single biggest lesson I learned during what turned out to be a pivotal year of transition.

This is a deeply personal episode, and it’s all about embracing imperfection, learning from our stumbles, and turning them into stepping stones for an incredible 2025. So settle in, grab your favorite notebook, and let’s kick off Season 6 by facing our mistakes head-on—together. Here’s to learning, growing, and thriving in the year ahead!

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H_1RZBMb7M8

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Designers, it’s time to toss out those preconceived notions about sales! This episode will completely transform how you approach selling your services, discussing money, and guiding potential clients to say “yes.” I’m joined by the incredible Kirsten Schmidtke, a certified coach and sales expert, who is here to ease the pressure of sales, shift your mindset, and arm you with the best questions to sign new clients confidently.

Grab your notepad and settle into your favorite spot because Kirsten is about to drop a wealth of wisdom and actionable advice you can implement today. Her unique perspective on sales starts with mindset—she explains how the right outlook can influence every corner of your business. You’ll also discover Kirsten’s secret to successful sales: leaning into curiosity, active listening, and genuine connection.

But that’s not all—Kirsten dives into the nitty-gritty with powerful tools and strategies, including her one-of-a-kind approach to job interviews, networking tips, and the importance of crafting a killer 30-second pitch. You won’t believe the fresh insights she shares about building connections and positioning yourself for success.

And don’t miss her final piece of wisdom—it's a game-changer! By the end of this episode, you’ll feel inspired and ready to elevate your mindset, your sales game, and your business.

This episode is extra special because it marks a major milestone: Kirsten is the first guest I’ve interviewed in person, right here in my studio! 🎉 Want to see the magic happen? Head over to YouTube to watch our conversation and catch all the behind-the-scenes vibes.

Learn more about Kirsten Schmidtke at her website and follow her on Instagram or on LinkedIn.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Like many creatives, I tend to avoid looking at my business numbers but that’s not going to be true after this conversation! Danielle Hendon of 4Corners CFO empowers and encourages entrepreneurs to get their heads out of the sand and confront their numbers - including me during our conversation.

Danielle shares her fascinating career origin story, the effect the pandemic had on its trajectory, and why she is dedicated to increasing livelihoods and legacies instead of shareholder value. We commiserate about not being able to outsource our brains, being avoidant of money talk but still needing to strategize. She talks about money and an end-of-year review not being a judgment tool but a way to understand the story of your business.

You'll end this episode with advice, insights, and immediate actionable steps for this end-of-year season as she shares the exercise she takes her clients through, the true goal of a budget, and the types of clients she prioritizes. It's an episode you don’t want to miss!

Learn more about Danielle Hendon at her website and follow her on Instagram.

https://4cornerscfo.com/resilientbydesign

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The best plans are made ahead of time! Even though 2024 is not over yet, it’s the perfect time to take a look back at the year, assess, and start planning for a successful 2025 now!

In this episode, I list key questions that will help you review your year in business as a business owner and human. Your end-of-year review should not only look at your financials but also your livelihood, because what’s the point of running your own business if you aren’t growing and making positive changes in your life?

You’ll determine what worked and what didn’t in 2024 and use those insights moving into 2025. I share some of my own answers, a few more vulnerable than others, and how I'm using that introspection to inform my business next year.

Some of these questions will be easier than others, but each one is worth taking the time to answer because I believe digging into those can only benefit us in the long run as long as we concentrate on progress over perfection.

Before the end of the year, I encourage you to take time to reflect, question, and assess so you are better prepared for a successful year in business in 2025.

Get your pen and paper ready because this episode has some notes and homework for you to do!

Episode Resources:

Ep 40. Get your business ready for 2021 part 1
Ep 41. Get your business ready for 2021 part 2
Ep 89. Annual company planning part 1
Ep 90. Annual company planning part 2
Ep. 137. My 2022 year end review
Ep. 183. 4 key steps to planning for the year ahead when you have no idea where to go

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

You’re in for a treat with this episode. It's Resilient by Design LIVE!

This episode is the panel discussion I hosted with three talented and experienced designers at Fall 2024 High Point Market, Renee Biery, Dina Holland, and Jamie Merida, all about the complexity of our business and its profitability.

We had an incredibly candid discussion about what works, and what doesn't, tipping points in their business journeys along with lessons and insights about pricing and profitability in different interior design businesses. Each guest shared what is fundamental to their brands, billing essentials, and structures, and how they identify clients from right and wrong for their businesses.

Stay tuned as there are truly a few gasp-worthy moments before getting into some nitty-gritty thoughts about hiring. This episode is one for the books, so I recommend you grab a paper and a pen to take notes because you’ll end the episode with lots to think about depending on how you want to run your interior design business.

Learn more about these designers here:

Renee Biery - Only Girl on the Jobsite Podcast

Dina Holland - Honey and Fitz

Jamie Merida - Jamie Merida Interiors

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I'm bringing all sorts of new things to the show today! While at High Point Market, I sat down with Jude Charles, who produces documentaries for entrepreneurs, including the phenomenal docuseries with LuAnn Nigara. We spoke in depth about the power of storytelling in your business - from marketing to client relations.

Through this episode, Jude shares many of his own personal stories as he walks us through his approach to infusing the personal with the professional through his films and in marketing. He encourages interior design business owners to focus on the 'why you' aspect, their core values, and the realization that you are more than just your portfolio.

Listening to his story, I was moved to share a few vulnerable stories myself, including how I felt about them then and now. Because of the intimacy of our design work, Jude inspired me and I hope you, to take note of your experiences and absorb these narratives into your business and life.

Stop playing small because your story is your strength!

LuAnn Nigara docuseries

Freebie: Storytelling for Interior Designers

Learn more about Jude Charles at his website, follow him on Instagram, and check out his book Dramatic Demonstration.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

As Design Business Owners, we're all doing the best we can with the tools we have, but due to the nature of our solo businesses we can sometimes feel alone, isolated, and adrift. I felt this way too for the first few years in my business! That is until I found my secret weapon and made it a core facet of my business over the last few years - and that is community.

I want to encourage us all to give ourselves grace, be less hard on ourselves, and share a few ideas on how we can build community and connect to shift the narrative. After all, comparison is the thief of joy so instead of isolating ourselves in our towers looking out into the world, let's foster connection, friendships, and community to build up, support, motivate, and encourage others and ourselves.

Amy Porterfield

Jessica Kelly Design

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is all about knowing, and charging, the value of the service you provide.

Through the episode, I share the steps and my insights to help you address the fears and myths currently keeping you from charging the right value of your knowledge, expertise, and luxury services.

I dive into the questions you need to ask yourself ahead of time, how to calculate your new rate, and how to communicate it along with a recent real-life example so you can feel confident and prepared to make this next step for your business.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you ever wondered if the grass is greener in the product world instead of the service realm, this episode may set you straight. I'm beyond impressed with my guest, Whitney Atkinson, who is the owner and inventor of WUGS which are weighted rugs!

She shares the inspiration behind her new business venture, how she balances her design business while sewing 8 hours a day, and how she brilliantly set up her company to eliminate the sourcing legwork. She confesses a few hard truths about the allure vs reality of providing products and the lessons she's learned on her journey so far.

The hustle is real with this woman and her advice about focusing and following your strengths as well as getting out of your comfort zone to chase your goals left me encouraged and motivated and I know you'll feel the same.

WUGS

Learn more about Whitney Atkinson at her website and follow her and WUGS on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

High Point Market is nearly here, are you ready? I'm re-releasing part 2 of my sit down with 3 designer friends who joined me at the 2022 Fall event. In this episode, we chat about trends, vendors, and our favorite showrooms to help you put together a High Point Survival Kit.

If you are at High Point Market in the Fall of 2024, don’t forget to stop by my Event on October 28, 2024! DM me on Instagram for more information!

—

This episode is the second half of our talk where we dive into the trends we came across, the awesome vendors, and the showrooms we loved the most!

I am once again joined by 3 wonderful humans, Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce – because instead of taking on the market by myself like in the past, I met up with these lovely ladies and we did it 10x better, and together.

Listen in as we walk you through the trends and our most favorite parts and experiences at High Point.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Burnout. We've all been there and I have too.

Today I'm sharing my own recent experience of hitting a wall after burning the candle at both ends and sharing this information for myself as much as for you.

My motto is progress over perfection; I feel like I forgot it for a moment. My body involuntarily gave that reminder after going so hard that I ended up in bed for two days. We all need to be wary of wearing our busyness as a badge of honor.

I get it! As entrepreneurs, we’re naturally wired to have dreams and hopes and always work toward the next achievement. But alongside that, we need to remember to respect our bodies, rest, ask for help, pause, and really prioritize so we can safely manage our mental, physical, and emotional health without hitting rock bottom.

If nothing else, this episode serves as a reminder that we’re all human and we need to honor our limits! No matter how much we believe we have our ducks in a row, sometimes life does get too much and instead of racing against it and believing we can tackle it all in an impossible amount of time frame, we need to pause and realize that by burning out we’re not doing ourselves any favors since we’re our best asset in our own business!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I'm bringing back this advice-filled High Point Market Roundtable discussion I had with 3 other fantastic Power of Process and Designer’s Room Members!

As Fall High Point Market quickly approaches, I wanted to share as many insights, practical tips, and advice about attending this event as possible - to encourage you to take the plunge to attend, or if you’re already going, to get you pumped up!

If you are at High Point Market in the Fall of 2024, don’t forget to stop by my Event on October 28, 2024! DM me on Instagram for more information!

-

In this episode, I am joined by Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce for part 1 of our round table share and discussion on our experience.

We just got back last week from the market and we really wanted to answer the question each of us has heard before “is it worth it”. Through the episode, we share our individual experiences, tips on preparing, and tricks to getting around and navigating the entire event.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming next week where we’ll dive into all of the trends we saw!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Have you thought about which pricing model works for you? When I did this simple, straightforward exercise I was shocked at what I found so listen up!

Today I'm sharing a quick exercise you need to do to ensure that your business' pricing model is actually the most profitable one for you. Your success and profit margin don't simply rely on revenue. I learned this the hard way! So take the time to research your own profit margin to ensure your pricing model is the most lucrative and successful for you and your business.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This is a MUST-listen episode, especially for all those interested (or intimidated) by money talk and budget conversations! Nikki Fisher is a seasoned design firm owner who got her start working in the millwork arena, which truly helped her run her own interior design business successfully over the past decade.

Nikki candidly shares her battle with imposter syndrome, transferring her skills from one niche to another, and the one question she asks at every single discovery call to ensure all expectations are set for each client.

Her expanded approach to budget will seriously blow your mind! Nikki concentrates on deep listening and observation, communication, and education as she works with clients to establish their budgets and to ensure that each client feels heard and understood above anything else.

Nikki does not allow her dedication to her clients to comprise her values and boundaries as she strives to find the tricky balance to helping people while maintaining a hard line between budget and process. She also shares why she signed up for POP even though she is a seasoned professional and reiterates her beliefs in her incredibly motivational nugget of wisdom! This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Learn more about Nikki Fisher at her website and follow her on Instagram

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

A design project doesn’t end at Reveal Day! So how do you wrap up your design projects to finish as strong as you started and leave a strong lasting impression?

I'm sharing three tips for wrapping up your design project that will improve your reputation and relationship with your clients and ensure you finish strong. These three practical steps are impactful ways that cannot be undervalued because you and your clients will walk away safe and satisfied with a smooth, efficient, and thoughtful top-to-bottom experience.

Episode 144 How to run a Post Project Review

Episode 166 How to run a successful Reveal Day

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ever felt like starting your own business was just a dream, too daunting to pursue? In today's episode, I speak with Ashley Bruggeman, who once thought the same—until she found the tools and mindset to make it happen. Tune in to discover how Ashley transformed her fears into action, launching her business just one month after completing POP's course.

Ashley shares her strategic approach to launching, which allowed her to start strong, charging her worth from day one. She walks us through the meticulous preparation that made her feel safe and secure in her processes, backed by a robust network and clear boundaries. You'll be inspired by Ashley's community involvement, her battle against imposter syndrome, and her ongoing journey to build confidence and assemble a winning team.

If you're looking for actionable insights on how to invest in yourself and your business, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice. Don't miss out on Ashley's incredible story—it's a must-listen for anyone ready to turn their business dreams into reality!

Learn more about Ashley Bruggeman at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Episode Resources

Listen to Ashley's shorty Episode: https://rebeccahay.com/podcast/239/
Episode 210: Your network is your net worth: a guide to Restarting Your Design Business in a New City with Elizabeth Cinquini: https://rebeccahay.com/podcast/210/
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
Sign up for Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Confidence doesn't just appear; its something earned usually by years of experience, gaining wins and making mistakes. But in today's shorty episode I'm sharing a few specific, tangible, bite sized tools to fast track you to confidence while inspiring and motivating your understanding of your worth and expertise.

These hacks range from delivering what you promise, creating muscle memory around your process ensuring a consistently clear, accessible system as well as setting yourself up for success with your vendors and network that will give you a consistent boost of assuredness that you can tackle anything that comes your way!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Get out your notebooks for this one, listeners! Today’s guest is the infectious and inspiring POP alum, Andrea Krill, who shares her incredible journey from side hustle to full-time design firm owner.

Andrea spent two decades as an accountant in the corporate world before transitioning to open her own design business. She brings invaluable skills from her previous career into her new venture and shares actionable tips that she focused on right from the start. While some of her advice is non-traditional, it’s all fantastic!

In this episode, Andrea discusses the steps she took to set herself up for success, how she built a portfolio, and why getting comfortable saying 'no' was crucial. She also reveals the one thing aspiring business owners can't afford NOT to do. Additionally, Andrea explains how she structured her team and why she continually reinvests in her company.

I took notes on this one, and I know you will too—her advice is just that good. Don’t miss out on this episode—listen now to get inspired and gather actionable insights for your own business journey!

Episode Resources:

Listen to Andrea's shorty episode: https://rebeccahay.com/podcast/237/

Learn more about Andrea Krill at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I love stories of career transitions like Lauren Winsor's—they’re a true testament to the resourceful bravery it takes to jump into the unknown! You’ll get some real encouragement in today's shorty as you listen to Lauren’s inspiring journey and learn all about the power of networking.

Lauren shares her unique career path, which includes a background in art history and non-profit work before taking a non-traditional approach to holding herself accountable as she made the leap into entrepreneurship. With a mindset of continual learning, Lauren set herself up for success, so when her “unicorn project” came along, she was ready. She also took the Power of Process course to fill in any missing gaps.

In this episode, Lauren emphasizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to business. She also shares her genius strategies for growing and nurturing a network, as well as how she keeps track of all the leads she cultivates.

I’m so pumped up about her advice and networking approach, and I know you will be too after listening.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Lauren at her website and follow her on Instagram

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

As a business coach, I know there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to business. What works for me may not work for you, but today's shorty explores six actionable best practices that apply to EVERYONE and can be implemented immediately!

Let’s be real, you don't know what you don't know! So take it from me and my years of experience, cautionary tales, and lessons learned to master the best way to operate your business like a professional and not a hobbyist.

I'm taking you through ways to define your services and commit to fees, contracts, payment schedules, and much more so that every single interior design firm owner learns from my mistakes and operates efficiently, and most importantly profitably. Take a listen and let me know if these resonate

Episode Resource

Listen to Episode 84. Learn from my mistakes: https://rebeccahay.com/podcast/84-2/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I'm just in awe of today’s guest, Anika Schachtler, and her incredible approach to niching down and building a community around her business. Anika specializes in restoring farmhouses and cottages, driven by her deep passion for preservation.

In this episode, we explore Anika’s highly focused career path, how she discovered her niche, and where she finds clients who need her unique skill set. She also shares what compelled her to start working on her business (hint: POP played a role!) to make it sustainable, along with the updates she implemented to boost profitability.

Anika discusses the value she found in the Power of Process that design school didn’t provide and shares her thoughts on the importance of in-person connections versus social media.

This episode offers a fascinating and inspiring look at the power of niching down. After listening to Anika's wisdom, I’m sure listeners will be motivated to take some of these steps themselves. Don’t miss out—tune in now to get inspired by Anika’s journey!

Learn more about Anika Schachtler at her website and follow her on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this short but impactful episode of Resilient by Design, Rebecca reveals the most important process that every interior design business needs to scale successfully. While there are numerous processes essential to running a thriving design firm, Rebecca shares her insights into the one process that can make the biggest difference: the design presentation and approval process. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by all the hats you wear as a business owner or looking for that one key to elevate your client interactions, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the importance of structured processes in transforming your interior design business from a hobby to a professional operation.
Why the design presentation and approval process is pivotal to client satisfaction, project completion, and scaling your business.
Rebecca’s personal journey from chaotic processes to a structured approach, and how it led to a seven-figure business.
Tips on creating a presentation process that impresses clients, builds anticipation, and showcases your professionalism.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you tuning in to what your body is trying to tell you? In this quick and powerful episode, I dive into the importance of listening to our bodies and trusting the messages they send. I'll share a personal experience where I initially ignored my gut instincts, only to find clarity and a shift in mindset when I finally leaned into that intuition.

If you often feel stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed by searching for answers, this episode is for you. I encourage you to pause, tune in to your body's subtle signals, and embrace the wisdom it offers. This practice can be a game-changer, helping you find peace and direction in moments of uncertainty.

Join me for this insightful shorty and start your journey towards a more intuitive, body-aligned approach to life.

Human Design

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this rebroadcast, Rebecca dives into the transformative power of checklists in an interior design business. She highlights three essential types of checklists that every designer should implement.

Through personal stories and practical tips, Rebecca illustrates how these checklists can streamline operations, improve team efficiency, and enhance client satisfaction. Whether you're looking to scale your business, refine your processes, or simply stay organized, this episode offers valuable insights on how checklists can be a game-changer in your design practice. Tune in to learn how to make checklists work for you!

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today's guest is Krystal Ryan, whose refreshingly honest and inspiring story is one you won’t want to miss.

Krystal opens up about her career journey, sharing the pivotal moments that led her to resign after fifteen years as a paramedic. We dive into the tough but necessary elements of that decision and why her focus remains on helping people, even in this new chapter of her life. Krystal talks about what drew her to our Designer's community and the Power of Process course, the self-discoveries she made through the Clifton Strengths Test, and the personal and professional growth she’s found within our community.

I was captivated by how Krystal continues to follow her passion for helping others as she navigates this new career phase. This episode offers something different—a check-in with someone in the middle phase of their journey. I bet you'll finish this episode feeling inspired and encouraged, just like I did! Don’t miss out—listen now to hear Krystal’s story!

Follow Krystal Ryan on her website and on Instagram

Episode 212: Unlocking Joy: Secrets to Embracing Change and Growth! with Jami Sparling

Episode 107: Thriving past PTSD, Focusing on your mindset and Learning to say NO with Jami Sparling

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this rebroadcast, Rebecca revisits the essential steps of running a successful project kick-off day, a crucial part of phase three in the design process. Rebecca shares how this practice has transformed her implementation phase, ensuring smooth communication, clear client expectations, and organized project management. With actionable tips on preparation, handling changes, and maintaining consistency, this episode offers valuable insights for designers looking to streamline their processes and elevate their client experience.

Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I chat with Ashley Bruggeman, who launched her business just four weeks after completing my Power of Process course!

Ashley shares her fascinating career journey, from design to sales and back to design, explaining the factors that facilitated each shift. With a passion for continuing education, Ashley has earned an MBA and is LEED certified. She combines these qualifications with her sales skills to follow her passion while focusing on her specific capabilities and expertise in her brand new business.

Tune in to learn why it pays to prepare and keep things personal. Ashley's story is a testament to the power of preparation and the importance of staying true to your passions. Stay tuned for more insights from Ashley in the future! Don’t miss out on this episode—listen now to get inspired and motivated for your own entrepreneurial journey!

Learn more about Ashley Bruggeman at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rhobin DelaCruz, who shares his journey from the corporate world to launching his own successful business. Rhobin's story is one many listeners will relate to, as he turned his passion and motivation into a thriving enterprise. However, he eventually realized a significant shift was needed.

In this episode, I talk to Rhobin about his early days of finding clients on Craigslist, expanding his service offerings, hiring a CFO, and his recent complete brand overhaul. Rhobin discusses the pivotal realization that sparked these changes, the implementation process, and the addition of procurement services. He also shares why surrounding himself with smarter people has been crucial to his success.

Rhobin’s energy and wisdom are truly inspiring, and his advice is packed with valuable insights for any entrepreneur.

Learn more about Rhobin DelaCruz at his website and follow him on Instagram.

Wingnut Social episode guest hosted by Rebecca Hay

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I’ve got another short story for you today with a talented and inspiring POP Alumnus! Andrea Krill shares how she went from being a CPA to a full time designer.

Coming from a family of home buidera and designers, Andrea originally walked the corporate path and spent many years in her first career as a CPA. When she decided it was time to start her second act, design became the obvious path! While she originally made her design business as a side hustle, her experience implementing the POP principles gave her to confidence to leap into full time and double the number of leads she received!

Her expertise and infectious energy for her work is so inspiring, I know that by the end of the episode you'll have renewed excitement to leap forward in your business journey!

Learn more about Andrea Krill at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ready for an inspiring journey through rebranding and growth? In this episode, I chat with Michaela Burns, who recently rebranded her company while simultaneously building a brand new home - talk about a large undertaking!

Michaela reveals the thought process behind her initial company name, why she outgrew it after almost 10 years in business, and the reasons she shifted to a personal brand. Discover how she honed her skills on the job, refined her service offerings, and expanded her team. Michaela also discusses the addition of a "body double" and her goal of reaching a broader audience.

Dive into the challenges of rebranding, including the most frustrating aspects and the crucial role confidence played in her plans. Michaela shares why she chose to become her own dream client when selecting her architect and the importance of aligning with people you genuinely want to work with.By the end of this episode, you’ll be energized and inspired by Michaela’s story and her intentional approach to business and design.

Learn more about Michaela Burns at her website and follow her on Instagram.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you ready for a quick snippet of inspiration? Tune in to this short but sweet interview with business owner and POP alum, Sharon Hocking.

In this episode, Sharon shares her remarkable story of transitioning from corporate graphic designer to a thriving interior design business owner. After gaining invaluable experience working for another firm, Sharon found the confidence to strike out on her own and now helps clients see beyond the ordinary.

Discover how the Power of Process has transformed Sharon's business and learn her top strategies for pre-qualifying clients. Sharon also discusses why we shouldn’t wait to pursue our dreams in life, business, and design.

Join in for an insightful conversation packed with practical tips and motivational advice. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode will provide the inspiration you need to take the next step in your journey.

Learn more about Sharon Hocking here and follow her on Instagram here.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

My mind is blown by what today's guest has accomplished: increasing her Instagram following from 2,000 to over 20,000 in about 6 weeks.

Though she isn't an overnight success, Valerie Furazhenko ignored the typical Instagram angst and decided to concentrate on what worked and what didn't to accomplish this impressive feat. She shares what precipitated a brand shift, the role Power of Process played, and the main elements she focused on with her social media posts. She talks about the three major pillars to keep in mind to create resonating content, how she used AI to help in her mission, and the actual tangible results that came after this count increase.

Valerie's passion and excitement are infectious and I know you'll leave this episode inspired and excited just like I did!

Episode Highlights

Valerie grew her Instagram from 2,000 to 20,000 followers in one month and now has over 34,000 followers.
She was honored with the NKBA 30 under 30 and the New Market Decorators Category Awards.
Valerie rebranded her company, focusing on consistency and content, authentic storytelling, and using reels and collaborations.
Engagement and showing the human side of the brand are crucial for growth on Instagram.

Episode Resources

Learn more about Valerie Furazhenko at her website and follow her on Instagram here.

Hireguide

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We work in a seasonal service business, which means we as an interior design firm owner have experienced financial peaks and valleys, so how do we weather this rollercoaster ride?

In today's shorty episode I'm sharing a few tips for you to make money during the slow season (those darn valleys).

Some of these revenue ideas may shock you, but I encourage you to keep an open mind and focus on the goals you have for your business! Each of these possibilities have multitude of benefits going beyond generating income during a slow period.

And if you’re looking for additional revenue generating ideas for the slow season, we’ve got you covered with lots more ideas within Designer’s room.

Join us in Designer's Room

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Hiring for the first time and delegating tasks can be daunting at first, but the benefits of hiring an assistant can far outweigh the hurdle!

In this episode, I speak with Gina Cotner of Athena Executive Services about what the role of an executive virtual assistant can look like and the innumerable possibilities hiring one can open both personally and professionally. Learn why hiring qualified people that you can “coach and correct” will be the most valuable investment in your business as you empower others to free up your bandwidth.

Gina shares a myriad of ways these coordinators can take things off your plate, improve your stress levels, and boost your productivity. Her approaches towards milestones and performance tracking were extremely beneficial given my own roller coaster history with hiring. I know this episode is going to be extremely encouraging to those out there looking to get more personalized, qualified help!

Tune in to discover how an executive virtual assistant can transform your business and your life!

Follow Gina at her website Athena Executive Services and on Instagram

The 4-Hour WorkWeek

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you looking to take the plunge into entrepreneurship? Let’s talk about the truths behind being self-employed!

In this shorty, I dive into a few of the pros and cons of self-employment. I share 4 key lifestyle changes that happen once you become your own boss. From the perk of making your own schedule to the responsibility of having to own sales and financials, I cover it all. You’ll discover the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss, but also the challenges that come with managing every aspect of your business.

I’ll break down the excitement of building something from the ground up, the thrill of calling the shots, and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows—there are hurdles to overcome. This episode will bring you up to speed on what it takes to become self-employed, giving you an honest look at the entrepreneurial journey.

If you're ready to embrace the adventure of self-employment, tune in to get the insights and inspiration you need to take the leap!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you suffer from chronic stress or are looking to improve your quality of life as a business owner and complete human, you are going to want to tune in to this important and inspiring episode!

I speak with movement facilitator and anatomy educator, Kathy Richardson, about her work and her multifaceted approach to absolute embodiment. She shares how following her curiosity led to a career as an educator and manual therapist in Costa Rica and why arming people with information about their bodies and internal systems is incredibly empowering.

She educates me a little on what the nervous system is, how it affects us, and a few simple activities that help bring us into a more balanced state.

Like me, you are going to be amazed at her insights on "hope molecules", her advice on movement, and her philosophy on how nourishing the body will result in a better life experience.

Learn more about Kathy Richardson at her website and follow her on Instagram

Surf Bikini Retreat

Online Private Group: Move Flow and Grow

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Have you ever thought about what makes your interior design business stand out in a crowd? This shorty is aimed to get you thinking about what makes you unique!

I call this finding your core differentiators. You should highlight and celebrate these core differentiators to stand out from the crowd and become immediately distinguishable to your ideal client. Through the episode, I provide a resource, a few examples from my own business, and the one thing you need to ask yourself to figure out what makes you and your business exceptional.

Blue Ocean Strategy

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant

If you’re an interior designer with your own business, you’ve likely dealt with clients who were less than ideal - and some that were just toxic to work with!

Even though toxic clients are not the norm, they are out there and when you encounter them it can strongly affect your business, team, personal life, and even your mental health. In this episode, I share exactly what I define as a “toxic client”, and ways I’ve used my process to identify, manage, and prevent them altogether! I share some of my own misadventures that have taught me which red flags to look out for and how to deal with them. I dive into the importance of checking in with yourself and setting and respecting boundaries with clients.

Warning: you’ll also get a little bit of tough love through the episode that will help you understand exactly how to avoid and manage toxic clients so that they don’t take over your life or your business!

Episode Resources

Episode 49: An Interview with my clients: Why having a process made them choose me with Kelly & Glen Patchet

Learn more about Designer's Room

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I used to be chained to my inbox, running from one task to a completely different one, always reactive, always full of anxiety with the giant TO-DO list, and just constantly playing catch up.

This was before time blocking!

Time blocking was a huge game changer for my focus, my efficiency, and the success of my business. You may have heard me talk about it before but today I'm sharing 3 actionable tips you can implement right now!

I explain why organizing your tasks into” buffer”, “focus”, and “free days” will be beneficial to you (and your team) so that you can start lessening the anxiety and overwhelm.

In this episode, I give you an example of my own ideal week so you can see time blocking in action, the benefits of organizing time for maximum efficiency, and getting into a state of flow.

I also share one of the tools I use every morning to stay on track and ensure I move the needle in my business every single day!

Try out these simple tweaks to your schedule and notice the profound effect it will have on your entire business and life. You won’t regret it!

This episode is sponsored by Devix Kitchens.

Episode Resources:

Lisa Canning Conquer Your Calendar Course

The Gap and the Gain

10x is easier than 2x

Full Focus Planner

Read our Blog: How to achieve more by doing less

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less

The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success

I’m bringing back a popular episode from our very first season! An oldie but goodie!

If you’re a designer struggling with getting clients to trust, who has clients that micromanage or ask a million questions and you’re feeling exhausted because you can’t get ahead, this episode is for you! Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design dives into managing client expectations and getting clients to trust us as design professionals!

—

We dig deep into the pain points in our businesses when it comes to:

Hiring trades
The reality of designing for TV vs. Real life
How to guide your clients to spending the money to do it right
The importance of confidence & how to value our talent as creatives

You’ll hear two designers and business owners talk about the hard realities of standing up to our clients, why it’s important NOT to be a YES man.

The lessons are multiple in this episode!

Be true to yourself.

Trust your instincts.

Clients won’t trust you if you don’t trust yourself, how can you get your clients to feel comfortable and trust you before you’ve even met them.

How we’re navigating this economic downturn to stay strong as a company.
Turning quarantine into a blessing for the health of your business. It’s time to amplify your message
It’s hard to take the time to work ON our biz and uncover what makes us different. As women, we tend to overthink everything and we are so hard on ourselves.
How to find that small thing that differentiates you.
We’re all the same - we’re all struggling with the same things and looking to overcome the same obstacles. We feel like we’re on an island and all alone. Sharing our experiences is so important.
Imposter syndrome! We’re our own worst critics.
Social media & the lockdown - the downward spiral
The parent trap in quarantine.
You can't have it all at the same time. You can do it all but not all at once!

Episode Resources:

Blue Ocean Strategy

Episode 2 - Uncover the pillars of your business that make you unique

Follow Cynthia Soda at her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

So many of us have experienced the dreaded scope creep and all of the complications that come with it! I'm here to tell you that you can embrace this as an actual potential revenue source. Listen to this episode to learn how you can make scope creep work for you!

Over the decade running my interior design business, I've had my fair share of clients trying to get more work out of me and my team than we originally signed on for, and I’ve really seen how that affects my profitability and efficiency!

In this episode, I'm sharing steps you can take that will ensure you clearly define and communicate the scope of work to your clients and what to do when this issue inevitably arises. I talk deterrents, contracts, processes, and billing tips to help you feel in control and your clients not feel blindsided!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We all need to take breaks to recharge, step away, and get re-centered and part of that break is ignoring your inbox. In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of an OOO or an Out of Office Email.

Business does not stop just because you aren't in the office, but you deserve a real chance to pause and step away. I share my own experiences of what I used to do versus what I do now when I'm incommunicado so that my clients and I both are aware of (and stick to!) boundaries and expectations. I walk through what details to keep in mind in this OOO and even when it can be useful outside of vacations.

If you’re taking time off this summer, I encourage you to set up an Out of Office Reply! If you don’t know where to get started, I’ve got you covered! Download some of my favourite OOO response templates that I’ve compiled through the years: rebeccahay.com/ooo

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Have you ever looked in your closet and thought "I have nothing to wear"? If so, my guest is going to rock your world.

Angela Foster is a style coach for high-achieving women and has made it her mission to assist them in creating and claiming a consistent, visible brand image through their personal style. She shares an overview of the step-by-step process she takes clients through as well as the tools, tips, and exercises that will assist in re-narrating one's style while keeping it authentic.

We dive into talking about trends, color pops, and matching personal and design styles as well as the importance of visual expression before diving into shopping tips.

Finally, she shares the two recommendations she has for designers who want a brand wardrobe for photoshoots.

This episode is bursting with practical tips that we're already planning her guest appearance in Designer's Room by the end!

Find more about Angela Foster here and get the podcast exclusive freebie here.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Let’s talk about the difference between working ON your business and working IN your business. If you don’t know the difference this episode is for you!

In this episode, I lay out examples of what tasks fall into each of these categories and share some advice that, at first glance, may seem counterintuitive. I outline the differences, demystify them, and share why it matters that you do both strategically.

If you want to elevate your business, services, and team to find and serve your clients more efficiently, you must take the time and energy to build the foundation instead of just going through the day-to-day hustle.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This conversation is one for the books! I’m joined by CEO and business coach Katie Decker who shares the most incredible, on-point thoughts on creating a sustainable business that works for you.

Katie speaks about her career trajectory, why she left residential design, why she is so committed to her coaching business, and who her most important clients are. She talks about using intuition to tailor your business to fit your lifestyle and shares the advantages, mistakes, and lessons she's learned from her own career. She also discusses why hustle and having the right team are equally vital for success and the crucial step she takes before onboarding employees to ensure it is the right fit for all.

She has the most terrific insights about listening and following our instincts as we think about tackling just that extra 5% that left me so inspired and motivated and I know listeners will be too.

If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to the next part on Katie's podcast Colorful Conversations: https://www.colorworks.coach/podcast-library/b/scale-interior-design-business-growth-with-systems-and-processes

You can connect with Katie at Colorworks: https://colorworks.design/

This episode is sponsored by Abacus Furniture.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This short episode is chock full of hard learned wisdom so listen up! I'm sharing the top 3 most important things that I would do if I were starting my business from scratch again, today.

Since I don't have a time machine, I'm going to settle with sharing these tips with you. These 3 steps would have made the biggest differences for the early success of my business, not to mention the headaches and stress it would have saved. There were things I avoided or didn't think were that important until I became completely overwhelmed and finally tackled them, so take it from me and get ahead now!

Stay till the end where I share a bonus tip and you may be surprised with the one thing I do not suggest doing as you launch your own business. Take it from me and cement these into your brain now!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Discussing your interior design business with someone else in the same boat is invaluable!

Your partner, friend, or even neighbour are great for talking about your day-to-day, but when it comes to talking about the ins and outs of your interior design business and the hurdles you're facing, there’s no one better than a like-minded designer who has struggled through the exact same thing!

This is the beauty of being a Designer's Room member: a intimate group of professionals who show up authentically ready to support, encourage, and grow together, hours of exclusive content overflowing with insider knowledge, searchable podcast archives, and much much more (including our upcoming Secrets Showcase!).

In this episode, I go over just a few of the perks of membership so if any grab your interest, head over to Designer's Room to sign up and access all of this with the click of a button.

See you there!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeH21grLjMPHDXhrrcVo5A

Join Designer's Room: https://rebeccahay.com/designers-room/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

One of the best parts of Designer's Room is the immense wealth of knowledge we as a collective share and gain from each other. It is truly a space that is all about collaboration over competition! That is why I'm thrilled to announce the Secrets Showcase!

This is an exclusive Zoom event where designers will share insights, hacks, lessons, and tweaks that have made the biggest impacts in their businesses. Listen to this episode for a few secret examples of the sharing that goes on inside Designer’s Room and to find out how to participate in this unique community event on June 12, 2024. You will come away overflowing with insider scoops from this meeting of the minds and will also be able to share your own hard-learned resources.

Become a member of Designer’s Room and don’t miss this incredible community crowdsourcing opportunity HERE: https://rebeccahay.com/designers-room/

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I speak with Alex Back about his innovative new platform, couch.com, and why he decided he wanted to solve a problem for customers and retailers by matching them with the couch of their dreams.

Alex and I get design geeky and go down a few rabbit holes as we discuss fabric pilling and cleaning, the educational resource library he's created and why building a curated list will assist at multiple levels for our design clients. He shares a few terrific ideas beyond trade discounts to maximize profits and some practical tips for a proactive approach when clients balk at not being able to test products before purchase.

Finally, he speaks my language as he discusses his ethos about the power in partnerships and transparency. If you’re looking for another perspective on furniture buying and all that it entails, this episode is for you!

Follow Alex Back on couch.com

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Let’s dive into the age old question that troubles every interior designer from the very beginning of their business journey: how do I accurately estimate project costs?

In this episode, I provide 3 key ways to help you with this common issue so that you don’t make the same mistakes I used to. Follow the thoughtful internal exercises I share to prepare your client for the financial commitment. Remember, doing the real research to get real numbers will provide you and your clients with a more accurate and lucrative, project estimate.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Get out a notebook because this episode is overflowing with knowledge and actionable advice from an SEO and website designer expert - Robyn White.

Robyn shares her expertise as she dives into the art and science of Search Engine Optimization to help designers stop chasing and start attracting their ideal clientele. She defines and demystifies many behind the website scenes elements and shares how to use keyword phrases, indexing and strategic marketing tools so your interior design site can work smarter to build up its relevance and prominence.

Robyn describes the reasoning behind a slow and steady presence build-up and her thoughts about blogging to create "a cloud of expertise" have my mind whirring. She prioritizes consistency and quality over quantity and has an incredibly useful nugget of wisdom you do not want to miss out on.

Follow Robyn White on her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Tough Love Rebecca is making an appearance in this shorty to give you permission, motivation, and a kick in the butt to get out from behind your desk and in front of some people.

In this episode, I emphasize the importance of personal connections and intentional networking in building a thriving interior design business. I share my own methodology for getting out of my comfort zone, how I organize and fit in networking in my life, and why it is so vital for the success of my business.

While virtual connections are valuable, don't overlook the power of face-to-face interactions.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this treat of an episode, I sat down with the spectacular and talented Toronto Designer, Allison Willson to talk about all of the things - life, career changes, aesthetic, pricing and more!

Allison shares why she finally decided to go out on her own and start her design firm after working 11 years at Sarah Richardson Design. She explores how she'd describe her distinctive style and how saying NO to some things can be the right move for your business, your livelihood and for your clients. She talks about balancing projects and staying within your capacity, her experience managing a team and her thought process behind her pricing model.

She also dives into why she listens to her gut and the green flags she looks for when speaking with potential clients. We learn about her thoughts on magazine spreads, what they do and and don’t do for her business, and her love/hate relationship with Instagram! Finally, don’t miss her incredibly poignant nugget of wisdom that has truly stayed with me since our conversation!

Learn more about Allison Willson on her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I dive into an ordeal every designer deals with at some point in their business - the client pricing pushback!

My short and simple answer is: get ahead of it and communicate everything early and often!

Through the episode I share exactly why I believe that early communication about pricing is the key to facing this objection head-on and lessons I’ve learned the hard way over the years. I dive into specific ways to keep your message clear and upfront, how to showcase your worth using your promotional materials and client facing documents, and of course why charging for your consultation is another way to pre-qualify your clients and set clear expectations about the level of service you’re offering.

Because the pricing pushback is so common when we’re starting a business, I include a few ways of how to handle it; what to say and what not to say so that you can commit to clients to align with your value and understand your worth.

This episode is sponsored by Devix Kitchens & Abacus Furniture.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode we welcome back an amazing guest Jami Sparling to talk about her big geographical shift from Ontario to Nova Scotia and the even bigger shift in her life of going from successful interior designer to authentic mindset coach, and all of the things that led her there!

Jami is no stranger to change, in the previous episode on the podcast she shared her move from paramedic to interior designer and all that came with it! She is a testament of resilience as she takes us through her wild journey and the intense catalysts that brought on those transitions about.

We speak in depth about the resources she utilized that helped her start trusting her intuition and embrace joy and play in work and life, which has now allowed her to give back and coach others. Jami shares how to know when you're ready for coaching, how to find the right one for you, and how avoiding comparison can be instrumental for your happiness and growth.

Finally her nugget about being selective on who you take help and advice from is one for the books! If you’re looking to better understand how different coaches and resourcs can help you at various stages in your life, this is the episode for you!

Episode 107: Thriving past PTSD, Focusing on your mindset and Learning to say NO with Jami Sparling

The Grief Recovery Handbook

Clifton Strengths Test

The Artist's Way

Wheel of Life assessment

Blog post: The Pitfalls of Unsolicited Advice: Understanding Its Impact and How to Navigate It

Learn more about Jami Sparling on her website Authentic Armour and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode we welcome back an amazing guest Jami Sparling to talk about her big geographical shift from Ontario to Nova Scotia and the even bigger shift in her life of going from successful interior designer to authentic mindset coach, and all of the things that led her there!

Jami is no stranger to change, in the previous episode on the podcast she shared her move from paramedic to interior designer and all that came with it! She is a testament of resilience as she takes us through her wild journey and the intense catalysts that brought on those transitions about.

We speak in depth about the resources she utilized that helped her start trusting her intuition and embrace joy and play in work and life, which has now allowed her to give back and coach others. Jami shares how to know when you're ready for coaching, how to find the right one for you, and how avoiding comparison can be instrumental for your happiness and growth.

Finally her nugget about being selective on who you take help and advice from is one for the books! If you’re looking to better understand how different coaches and resourcs can help you at various stages in your life, this is the episode for you!

Episode 107: Thriving past PTSD, Focusing on your mindset and Learning to say NO with Jami Sparling

The Grief Recovery Handbook

Clifton Strengths Test

The Artist's Way

Wheel of Life assessment

Blog post: The Pitfalls of Unsolicited Advice: Understanding Its Impact and How to Navigate It

Learn more about Jami Sparling on her website Authentic Armour and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This shorty episode is for all of the mompreneurs who are looking for ways to lighten the load by hiring help without taking on a full-time employee or payroll - the answer is Virtual Assistants!

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a game changer as you grow your business. If you are beginning to toy with the idea of hiring employees, this is a terrific way to test-drive that process. I walk you through a few ideas of how they can streamline your time, and potential tasks to outsource so more of your time is freed up to do what you do best, run your business!

I also share a mistake I made when I first hired virtual assistants and the steps you should take before you start your own hiring search. These remote freelancers can take on tasks that maybe you haven't even considered before and this initial investment can make your life so much easier at work.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode we welcome back the talented and wonderful Elizabeth Cinquini to talk all about restarting her interior design business after her big move from NYC to Naples, Florida, and dive into her experience getting featured in magazines and other publications without using a publicist!

During the episode, we go into detail as Elizabeth catches us up on her big move, how she had to re-grow her business from the ground up, and why she decided to move outside of her comfort zone to foster real personal connections. She shares the importance of hustling and patience, as well as being selective in where you spend your time and energy so that the seeds you plant have the space to grow.

We also go deeper into her journey of getting published and featured in magazines. She talks about how the editorial process works and how she specifically participates and cultivates those connections by playing the long game and believing in her process.

Her advice about being your own advocate inspired me so much and I know it'll light a fire under some of you too!

Episode 126 From the chaos of NYC to a peaceful new way of doing business with Elizabeth Cinquini

Follow Elizabeth Cinquini on Instagram and her website

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Let’s tackle the stigma that exists against decorating! A lot of designers, my past self included, hesitate to call themselves decorators, and instead go by designer because they believe it sounds more prestigious.

In this episode, I’m diving into why using the term decorator doesn’t mean anything less than designer, and why I’ve decided to lean into my decorating services and how it’s boosting my business, and can be a boost for yours too!

Over the years, I’ve done my fair share of projects and found that decorating is the thing that truly lights me up. It is one of the reasons that I’ve decided to make it a key factor for projects I choose to take on going forward. Despite what many people believe, you can make a great deal of money in decorating, and in this episode I share some quick ideas for those of you looking to expand more into that direction.

I also share some surprising things I've learned about decorating in my journey so far, things to keep in mind and the shifts I'm making this year regarding this element of my business.

Remember that you as a designer are telling a story and decorating is a huge, vital part of that narrative for you and your clients.

Sign up for my newsletter here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We’re bringing back this fantastic episode that is short, sweet, and straight to the point: social media is an incredibly valuable tool to share your "why" with your ideal client and you need to participate even if it isn't perfect. Jump in!

When I initially started my Instagram account years ago, I struggled with the idea behind it, was it for vanity or competition? I think this is sometimes a struggle that some business owners have. In this episode, I explain the main reasons why you need to have an online presence to grow your business.

In my opinion, it all starts with this quote by Simon Sinek, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.” Meaning: there are so many interior designers out there, but every single one has a different purpose behind the service they offer. Social media is a powerful tool to share the “WHY” of your business.

I also cover the doubts that many people have of Instagram and other social media platforms actually working to attract your ideal client. Years ago I would have been alongside the Nay-sayers, but in recent years, mainly in 2020-2021, I’ve been singing a different tune, because almost all of my leads that turned into design jobs followed me on Instagram or had seen my designs on Instagram before they contacted me. Put in the work, and it does pay off. Being present on social media platforms adds to your legitimacy as a company. It gives you a chance to educate your ideal client on what you do, how you do it, and why you do and build a rapport with them before they reach out to you. A lot of what service-based businesses do relies on the trust of their clients, building this relationship early on just helps with that trust factor, and makes you relatable to them.

In the episode, I also speak to the two other reasons why you should have an online presence and that is: reinforcing your brand and selling a lifestyle. I’d love to hear about your thoughts on being active and present online and on social media. Leave me a comment below.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Running your own business is like living on a roller coaster, we're up and we're down constantly. We all go through this and sometimes can get stuck in the messy middle, so this episode is all about keeping the tank full of motivation.

Even if you are passionate about your work, there will be ups and downs. Accepting this as a reality can be pretty powerful and noting that motivation ebbs and flows will keep you from catastrophizing or wallowing. Through the episode, I share some previous podcast episodes that deal with this topic (check out the shownotes!), a visualization exercise from my Power of Process course, and the power of tools, like time blocking.

Know you aren't alone when you feel stagnant in your business; all things have their ups and downs. Identifying what lights you up and filling up your inspiration tank will allow you to have the tools ready the next time this feeling comes around.

Episode 194: A 5-minute motivator when you’re stuck in the messy middle

Episode 188: Visualize your way to success with LuAnn Nigara

Episode 186: Non-negotiable productivity hacks that changed my life

Episode 175: Managing inconsistent income as a business owner

Unique Ability Book

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What can possibly change in an interior design business that’s been running successfully for 30 years? A lot! It’s all about finding the problem areas and taking what’s working to the next level!

In this episode, I chat with Katherine Joy Porath, founder of Katherine Joy Interiors, about all of the things that have allowed her to run her interior design business successfully for many years and how Power of Process gave her some major lightbulb moments that made her change how she ran her business.

Katherine, founder of Katherine Joy Interiors, has over 30 years of experience in the design world and she shares how she got her start, the various affiliations she's joined over the years and how they've helped improve her business. She talks about her focus on universal design, what it is, and how she educates her clients about it, as well as all the ways she's implemented her POP experience into her business and the incredible results that followed.

I was beyond inspired by her insights into time management, increasing professionalism, being more selective with her projects and the growth mindset she brings to her career. I know you will be too!

Learn more about Katherine Joy Porath on her website and follow her on Instagram

Certified Living in Place

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Presentation Day is one of the most exciting days for us and for our clients. Its the day where all of our hard work as interior designers comes together and we get to showcase it to our clients with the hopes they’ll love it.

But what’s one thing that can throw off the excitement presentation day and what follows? An unprepared client! In this episode I walk you through the handful of proven steps that will help you ensure that both you and your clients are prepared for Presentation Day and coming into it with the right expectations and mindset. I share some of my mistakes and the nitty gritty details you need to impart to fully support your clients so that presentation day will go off without a hitch!

Keeping things clear, concise and without surprises will allow you clients to feel safe and secure as well as keep chaos far away as you move from project to project.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’re looking for your sign and confidence to quit our 9-5 and start your interior design business, this episode is going to inspire you!

We start by talking to Angela Wainscott about how she got her start, why she originally rejected the idea of owning her own business and the surprising yet quick action she took on the first day of Power of Process! Angela opens up about how her support system, spirituality, and manifesting mindset helped set her on the path to success and the specific ways POP empowered her to take it to the next level. We dive into the world of pairing family and design, and how the entrepreneurial spirit was in her from her childhood days!

I hope this episode will encourage and inspire those who have been toying with the idea of stepping out on their own and how POP can help in a myriad of ways to get you off the ground.

Find out more from Angela on the UpStaged Design website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’ve been wanting to start your own design business or have just taken the leap and are wondering what you need to do, this episode is for you! I’m unpacking first 6 steps that I believe are essential when you start your interior design business!

As someone who has "been there, done that, and here to tell the tale", I'm sharing the key must-dos to tackle when you start out. I’m also go into some controversial things that I think are not priorities and even a little antiquated!

Learn from my experience as I share ways to focus your offerings, plan for financial security and avoid the "bad client loop". Adding these front and back end tasks to your To Do list from the get-go will help you be set up for success and not flounder in the chaotic middle.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We’re back with part 2 of my conversation with Karin Bohn, award-winning House of Bohn Design Studio founder and star of Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge!

Tune into this juicy conversation as we dive into social media and the truth behind being an influencer, the hoops and hurdles to landing on Netflix, and of course, the adventure into motherhood.

Karin shares her TV hosting journey, how she coped with the grueling schedule on top of running her business, what she was surprised to learn during that time that led her to fall back in love with designing. We also dive into contracts! Karin talks about some practical ways she structures her contracts to avoid scope creep and how to separate personal value from your fees.

Finally, she dives into her most important piece of wisdom: how showing up day in and day out even for the mundane things is the key to real results. This conversation is one for the books, I learned a ton and you will too!

Follow Karin Bohn on her website House of Bohn and Instagram or on her YouTube Channel

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Communication is EVERYTHING when it comes to providing a good client experience and ensuring that you’re the one steering the ship throughout each project! In this episode I’m diving into a few best practices to help you improve your client communication.

Your main goal as an interior design business owner is to ensure that all of your communication is clear and consistent so that your client always feels supported and in the loop. But just because it’s one of the most important things in business, doesn’t mean we’re all experts!

Through the episode, I share the telltale signs that your communication skills likely need improvement, and ways you can set expectations for your design clients.

I talk about balance, availability, systems and processes to identify, avoid or fix common issues and what I've learned from my own mistakes. As designers, we need to take the lead in this arena, so this episode is going to equip you to do just that.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Pinch me I must be dreaming! In this episode, I sat down with the talented Karin Bohn, who has truly been an inspiration for a number of goals I’ve tackled and achieved over the years - from my YouTube to my community of designers to this very podcast!

Within this part 1 of our conversation we talk in depth about how Karin started her interior design business in Vancouver, what propelled her to create her incredibly successful YouTube channel, the uphill work of building an audience and how she tackled the necessary downsizing of her team after lots of trial and error and finally listening to her own intuition.

Like me, you’ll be blown away by her wisdom; especially her insight that the external does not equal happiness, and that sometimes when life forces us to slow down for an even better reason!

This is only part one of two but is already overflowing spectacular stories, boatloads of encouragement and advice in its own right.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week where we dive into her experience with her Netflix show and her adventure into motherhood!

Follow Karin Bohn on her website House of Bohn and Instagram or on her YouTube Channel

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today's shorty episode is about tapping into the power of social accountability.

Holding yourself accountable is one thing. But once you share your goals with a community of like minded people who support and challenge you, you will be much more likely to keep your forward momentum and achieve it. I share my biggest rule with setting goals, a story of my own recent experience in this area and why we must re-focus away from perfectionism to improve progress.

Being vocal and relinquishing control can be game changes in your journey towards success so I encourage listeners to build a trusted, challenging support system that will lift you up and keep you always moving forward.

75 Hard Challenge

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ever thought of expanding your home staging business to also include design services? My guest did just that and we dive into all the details in this episode!

Joké Durojaiye has been in many different careers and always found herself back in the design space; currently, she's running her own home staging business in Seattle and has recently answered the call many of her clients have had by adding design services to her business!

Joké shares the ethos behind her work, why she seeks to create stories and emotional connections for clients, and how she's applied her mindset of continued growth to her business. She discusses the impact POP has had - from giving her clarity to guiding her through her first client - why she focuses on diversifying and organic processes as well as the plans she has for her company's future.

Her advice will resonate with all listeners, especially those looking for the confidence to pivot and evolve their offerings.

Who Not How book

Follow Genesis Home Staging on their website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I dive into what to do when a client ghosts you! I share the mindset shift that will save you from the mental toll and some sales skills to help you weather it. Through the episode, I share a few of my own frustrating experiences and how I handled them to protect my mental sanity and why letting things go may be the best decision you could make to halt the mental drain.

Truthfully one of the most difficult parts of running a business is handling people - from employees to clients and everything in between. This applies to all entrepreneurs, so next time you're in that position, come back to this episode!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I speak with POP Alumni and ambassador extraordinaire Betty Simtikidis who has decades of experience in the corporate arena and took the leap to launch her own design business during the pandemic.

Through the episode, we talk about what pushed her towards this huge career pivot, the worries she had at first and the eventual help she found as a self-professed "life long learner". She shares her mindset of "you don't know what you don't know" and how that inspired her to invest into a cultivating community as a solopreneur. She speaks about her attitude towards conquering imposter syndrome, collaboration over competition and her perfect nugget of wisdom that will remind you that its all about how you make people feel.

If you’re looking for your sign to take the leap into your business or taking POP this inspiring episode is for you!

Simply Designed by Bett

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I dive into a common challenge faced by designers: creating proposals for clients with vague scopes of work and uncertain budgets.

I share some strategies that have worked for me in guiding clients through the design process, determining fair fees, and ensuring transparent alignment between scope and pricing. Learn the importance of professionalism, expertise, and customized proposals in addressing wishy-washy situations.

If you're looking for confidence and clarity on how to handle undefined scope and budget scenarions, this is the episode for you!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ever had your plans derailed? It happens to the best of us! In today's episode, we're diving into a common hurdle: clients opting out of your services for their project's implementation phase. Join me as I unravel 5 crucial questions to navigate this setback, complete with real-life examples and actionable scenarios.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, it's essential to anticipate and strategize for such situations. Tune in to discover how fine-tuning your business model can be your secret weapon in overcoming client rejections and thriving in your field.

Episode 105 Tips and tricks to getting your clients to sign off on all items in the design

Episode 05 Get your clients to trust you with Cynthia Soda

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome to my first shorty episode! Every week, in between teachings and amazing interviews, I’ll be sharing bite-sized nuggets to help keep you motivated and inspired!

In this episode I delve into the concept of the "messy middle" – a phase in our entrepreneurial journey where progress seems elusive and doubts start creeping in. Drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt's speech, I emphasize the importance of embracing the challenges and uncertainties as integral parts of the journey toward success. In today's uncertain economic climate, I encourage you to find motivation amidst the chaos, reminding you that every setback is an opportunity for growth.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I speak with Amanda Arcone, about her decades of experience in the corporate and banking world and how her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to start her own design business.

She describes searching for structure, framework and community and the specific ways my courses and Designer's Room resonated with her. You aren't going to want to miss her ideas on cultivating confidence and investing in yourself to make decisions that benefit your business's ecosystem as well as you future forward self. Finally she talks a bit about her brick and mortar showroom and strong and developed business goals for the next 10 years.

You aren't going to want to miss out on how Amanda applies her experience and expertise to design firm ownership.

Join us in Designer's Room here

Learn more about Amanda Arcone on her website and follow her on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Dive into this enriching conversation filled with valuable advice, personal insights, and motivational gems! Listen in as we delve into the career journeys of two esteemed members of Designer's Room, Jamie Khan and Adriana Pietropaolo, as they transition from commercial design to the dynamic realm of residential design.

In this special episode, Jamie and Adriana, who have been integral parts of each other's professional journeys even before their involvement with Power of Process and Designer’s Room, candidly share their experiences and transformations. From their corporate beginnings to becoming successful design firm owners, they discuss their educational paths, entrepreneurial endeavors, and the pivotal moments that redirected their career trajectories towards the "Wild West" of residential design.

Tune in to discover how Designer's Room and our courses have made tangible impacts on their businesses, including overcoming imposter syndrome, implementing strategic pricing adjustments, and enhancing conversion rates with the unwavering support of the Designer's Room community.

Prepare to be inspired as Jamie and Adriana shed light on the distinctive nuances between commercial and residential design, along with their future aspirations and goals.

If you're looking for an uplifting dose of motivation or a sign that you too can pursue your passion and achieve your goals, look no further - this episode is your catalyst for inspiration!

Learn more about Designer's Room here

Episode 97: [Bonus] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable with Designer & POP Alum Adriana Pietropaolo

Episode 152: What it Means to be a Licensed Interior Designer with Maia Roffey & Sharon Portelli

Find Adriana Pietropaolo on her website and follow her on Instagram

Find Jamie Lee Khan on herwebsite and follow her onInstagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is a little different, but in a terrific way! Now that Designer's Room is open to the Interior Design Industry, I wanted to give you a small peek into what this incredible community provides. This episode is an excerpt from a Designer's Room training session from May 2022 where I get into that often dreaded topic of Mastering Sales.

I break down some mental blocks I've seen come up for designers around selling, explain conversion rates, how to calculate them and why they are important to your business' success. In the second half of the training, I share 10 sales tips to boost your conversion rate to help designers feel empowered even when their project calendar is a roller coaster. I cover prospecting, preparation, process and much more.

If this episode is beneficial to you, you can find many other trainings inside of Designer's Room. If you’re seeking community and knowledge as a interior design professional this is the membership for you!

Designer's Room Membership

Episode 36: Sales tips from my friend at LinkedIn Ft. Tiffany Heimpel

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is filled to the brim with "aha!" moments about all things Human Resources and the role it plays in a small business, so get ready to take some notes. I chatted with Laura Tolhoek, founder and principal consultant of Essential HR Canada, to get answers to all my burning HR questions and learn why it is so worth it for small businesses to hire an outside expert. She shares the differences between subcontractors and employees, the nitty gritty behind contracts (including the one most important part), and even a few HR horror stories that her services can help prevent. Her insights on why investing in an outside team of professionals can free up a business owner's time, mental capacity, and emotional energy were so on the nose and she even gets a tad controversial towards the end. See what you think! I know you’re going to soak up so much wisdom and motivation from Laura the same way I did!

Key Takeaways

How the role of HR extends beyond typically disciplinary issues. It includes navigating various practical work situations and answering complex queries.
The distinction between hiring subcontractors and employees and the appropriate scenarios for each within small design firms such as wages, outsourcing work, and who’s responsible for equipment.
The importance of having properly drafted contracts for both employees and subcontractors further highlights the role contracts play in delineating the terms of work and clarifying the relationship's parameters.

Get in touch with Laura Tolhoek

Essential HR
Essential HR Canada on LinkedIn
Essential HR on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I had the opportunity to chat with two incredible Designers who are also POP alumnae and long time members of Designer’s Room.

Yazyth Norelius of Colorado and Ariella Arazi of Montreal each share how they started in the industry and in their businesses, where they felt stalled and how joining our community, POP, and then Designer's Room gave them the support, ideas and confidence to shift strategies and change how they do business. We talk about consultation pricing, finding the ideal client and the specific processes they've implemented, how much more they enjoy running their businesses and how much more profitable they’ve become. I know listeners will be inspired by their tenacity, nuggets of wisdom and what they've got ahead this year!

Key Takeaways:

Ariella and Yazyth share the significant growth they have seen in their businesses over the last few years - from sporadic job-taking and fewer projects, to developing a more structured vision and expanding projects.
Ariella shares that learning to trust her gut and implementing clear boundaries have been instrumental in maintaining a work-life balance and attracting ideal clients.
Yazyth shares how setting specific boundaries, turning off email notifications after hours, and creating a work environment that respects personal time and family engagements have been vital for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Candid insights and personal experiences from Ariella, Yazyth, and Rebecca that focus on the importance of balance and personal well-being and how it plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy business growth and success.

Ariella Arazi

Arazi Design Studio
@arazidesignstudio

Yazyth Norelius

One of a Kind Interior Design
@oneofakindid

Episode 125: Building the courage to start your own business with Yazyth Norelius

Designer's Room Sign Up

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today is one for the books! I am thrilled to speak with the Queen of podcasting herself, LuAnn Nigara, and bask in her wisdom. LuAnn describes her inspirational career trajectory and how her business has evolved in the last 4 decades. She shares nugget after nugget of wisdom as she highlights the importance of quieting down, cultivating an inner voice, visualizing goals and how to listen to that intuition (and a few select advisors) to move forward into success. I am beyond excited and inspired after this conversation and I know you will feel the same, a perfect introduction into 2024!

LuAnn Nigara

Website
Instagram
LuAnn University
LuAnn's Podcast Network
- A Well-Designed Business®
- Window Treatments For Profit with LuAnn Nigara
- The Inner Edit: Wellness for Digital Creators podcast.

New England Home and Interiors

The Silva Method

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Buckle up folks because I've got a big announcement for you! If you've been feeling, like me, that you are doing anything and everything and still can't keep up, then take a listen to this episode. I'm sharing a story of how being deflated by early failure eventually turned into a swath of offerings like courses, groups, events, memberships and of course, this very podcast. Recently, after taking a deep look at my natural strengths, I audited what is and isn't working in my business and have some huge news that you are not going to want to miss.

I hope this story and update is encouraging to anyone who feels they are floundering and in danger of losing their intuition and dampening their skills by "doing it all". This news will be a support to all designers, regardless of where they are in their business journey. Get excited for 2024!

Episode Highlights

Rebecca finally shares her big announcement about changes in her coaching business.
She explains that she reflected on the direction of her coaching and decided to focus on her unique abilities and core strengths, such as bringing people together and developing curriculum.
She shares the story of starting a designer meet up and her desire to expand her circle of designer connections.
She discusses her vision for creating a safe and inclusive online community called "Designers Room" for design firm owners, decorators, architects, and others to connect, learn, and grow.
Rebecca ends by sharing the new membership benefits, including a vault of recorded trainings, live Q&A sessions, a Facebook group for community connection, and a future private member's only podcast.

Jessica Kelly Design

StrengthsFinder

Designer's Room

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today, I'm spilling the beans on the game-changing moves I make every single day that have completely transformed the way I navigate both my life and business. As I've aimed to streamline my processes, I've come to realize the power of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to life. Brace yourself for some seriously good, absolutely necessary (and maybe even a tad controversial!) tips that will liberate you from the shackles of work, giving you more control over your time and helping you realign your work-life balance. These are the hacks that have empowered me to tackle new challenges, and reshuffle my priorities, and I'm pretty darn sure they'll work wonders for you too!

Ten X is Easier than 2 X by Dan Sullivan

Full Focus Planner

The One Thing

Lisa Canning's Conquer Your Calendar Course

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This is Part 2 of a three part series, so be sure to check out the other episodes in this series linked below.

In this episode you’ll catch part 2 of a longer and fabulous conversation with the talented and spirited Adrian Ramsay and Eric Dillman. Through the episode we speak about our experiences and thoughts on how Covid has affected the industry, trusting our intuition when it comes to right and wrong clients, and the benefits of bringing nature inside the home. We share insights on shifts in the industry, current professional struggles, and the evolution of design in the past few years as we celebrate the power in collaboration over competition.

Part 1 Talk Design Podcast with Adrian Ramsay

Part 3 The Pro Series Podcast with Eric Dillman

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In the first official episode of Season 5 we dive into a hot wellness topic just in time for Dry January! I sat down with Casey Davidson, a seasoned sobriety coach who specializes in assisting busy women in their journey toward drinking less. Listen in as I share my journey with breaking up with alcohol, and Casey shares her insights, wisdom, and practical advice for the sober curious.

Key Takeaways:

Casey opens up about her personal experience with alcohol and how it led her to become a sobriety coach. Her journey is relatable and inspiring for anyone navigating the complexities of their relationship with alcohol.
Mindful Drinking: As a sobriety coach, Casey emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset and behavior shift to encourage mindful drinking. She provides actionable tips for incorporating mindfulness into one's relationship with alcohol, fostering a healthier and more intentional approach.
Explore the growing trend of the sober curious movement and how it has gained traction, especially among busy women. Casey sheds light on the motivations behind choosing a sober lifestyle and the positive impact it can have on overall well-being.
Rebecca shares their own experiences and struggles with the topic of mindful drinking.

This conversation is not just for those actively seeking a sober lifestyle but for anyone curious about the benefits of mindful drinking. Casey’s expertise, couples with personal anecdotes, makes this episode a valuable resource for those looking to making positive changes in their relationships with alcohol.

Whether you're exploring Dry January or simply curious about mindful drinking, this episode is a must-listen!

Casey Davidson / Hello Someday

Website
Coaching
Podcast
Instagram

Grüvi

Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington

8 Books to Help You Drink Less, or Quit Altogether from The New York Times

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome to Season 5 and 2024! This is a short message to get you hyped for what is coming up with the podcast and in my business this year. I have a new goal in 2024 to focus on simplicity in order to be intentional and find more joy in work and in life. I share some exciting news on the podcast front as well as an "aha!" moment I recently had about the word "resilient" that will encourage you as you enter this brand new year. Thank you for listening and joining in on all the excitement we've got planned!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

As another year ends, I'm bringing this timely and important episode on goal setting back to the top of your podcast feed. As you get ready to review this past year and plan for the next, I encourage you to focus your mindset to set your goals with intentionality.

In this episode, I share some goal-setting learnings that have been reinstated by the book I am currently reading, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.

Writing something down is powerful because it allows that information to stick in your mind and resonate with you. The same thing applies when you're setting goals. It's important to have a vision in your head, but when you commit those ideas to paper, it is scientifically proven that you are more likely to achieve them.

Through the episode, I share how visualization and goal setting in this way have been a powerful tool for me when I envision my life and business because it has given me drive. I strongly believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it. It is so important to be strategic and intentional about what you want from the year ahead. Try writing down your big goal and possible steps for how to get there.

If you want to hear more about visualization, listen to episode 65.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results

Another new year is just ahead and if you're like me, you are thinking about how to get ready for it. Often with excitement comes nerves, especially if you don't know where you want to go. So for those of you who may not have your vision 100% planned out, this episode is for you!

In this episode I share a few steps to help you get clarity on your natural strengths and how to best operate with them in the year ahead. I share my own 5 dominant traits how I've seen them play out in the past and how I want to use them in the future.

Sign up for Rebecca Hay's email list

Episode 40: Get your business ready for 2021 Part 1: Your Year in Review

Episode 41: Get your business ready for 2021 Part 2: Set your goals for the new year

Episode 89: Annual Company Planning Part 1

Episode 90: Annual Company Planning Part 2

The CliftonStrengths® Assessment

THE TYPEFINDER® PERSONALITY TEST

Unique Ability® 2.0

Check out these highlights:

↠ Previous episode resources for goal setting and annual company planning [2:17]

↠ Learn to determine your unique ability [4:32]

↠ Find your strengths using the Clifton Strengths Assessment [6:06]

↠ My experience when finding out my strengths and the assessment I made in my life and business [8:16]

↠ Make goals and plan for the year ahead using your strengths [15:26]

↠ Determine that just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should" [19:08]

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is all about working through that messy middle time period that we all experience sometimes. Business and life coach Andrea Liebross takes us through the 4 steps to move past this phase and access our future self, both the personal and the business side. We learn how to talk to our inner "frenemy", some tips to manage the mind and the necessary mindset shift needed to work through and envision Future You.

Andrea's book : She Thinks Big: The Female Entrepreneur’s Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and into the Extraordinary

Andrea's podcast: Time to Level Up Podcast

Andrea Liebross is a business and life coach specializing in working with unapologetically ambitious women entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. A speaker and host of the Time to Level Up podcast, Andrea guides her clients to combine Big Thinking with solid systems that work together to unleash their success and find the freedom of time, money, and energy they crave. She is excited about the release of her book She Thinks Big: The Female Entrepreneur’s Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and into the Extraordinary in the fall.

Check out Andrea on her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

During uncertain economic times, we need to really look at how our design firms are maximizing profitability and a big part of that is product profit margins. In this episode I share three reasons for reselling product and what the top four items with the best margins are. I give you a couple examples of why I used to do it, why I switched my process and the script I use to communicate the necessity of this to your clients.

Episode 96: Know your Numbers | Part 1 Understanding your Project Profitability with Merilee Wright

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

I’m excited to bring back a spectacular guest, Darla Powell of Wingnut Social to talk all about what marketing looks like in an uncertain economy! She shares tips, strategies, advice, and a few cautionary tales for interior designers when taking on marketing tasks, with a special focus on optimizing Instagram. She talks about applying the "slinky" metaphor and "live as if" along with the most important metrics to consult, her thoughts on multiple revenue streams, niche concentration, and raising prices.

This is a juicy episode so make sure you take some notes!

Wingnut Social

Wingnut Academy Online Courses
Instagram for Interior Designers
Designed by Wingnut Social Podcast

Episode 150: Instagram marketing and being yourself on social media with Darla Powell

Episode 333: The Power of Process for Your Interior Design Business with Rebecca Hay

Martha O'Hara Interiors

grOH! playrooms Instagram

Darla Powell is more than just an award-winning interior designer, podcast host, social media speaker, and former police detective. She’s also an adept unraveler of marketing secrets. Her down-to-earth style delivers smart, actionable information that’s relevant to real business owners—because she is one. Topics range from social media mastery (what really engages followers—it’s probably not what you think) to how to build your brand from the ground up (how did she go from retired cop to one of the top five interior designers in Miami in less than sixteen months—secrets will be revealed).

Follow Darla at her website and on Instagram and listen to her podcast

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you need some guidance and motivation to confidently price your services, then this is the episode for you!

I share the top 3 areas to focus on when creating your pricing model along with a few examples and dive into ways you can communicate pricing with clients and open up about some of the mistakes I made early on in my business so you can learn from them.

Finally, I share some scripts to help you face client objections head-on and what you can expect from my Pricing with Confidence Course.

Episode 72: Pricing your services

Episode 122: Is fixed fee billing for you?

Episode 142: Calculating Project Costs Before Clients Hire You

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I speak with Jacinthe Koddo, a Fractional CFO and Financial Literacy Educator about her mission to help demystify the financial world for creative entrepreneurs. She shares her career path (from interior designer to financial guru!), the mistakes she's learned from and the one thing she wants business owners to stop doing to gain control and understanding of their finances. She discusses the differences between management accounting vs financial accounting, some tips and advice for interior designers specifically and the "aha" moment that helped shape her financial perspective.

Billable Rate Calculator

Cashflow Forecast Template

Episode 96: Know your Numbers | Part 1 Understanding your Project Profitability with Merilee Wright

Jacinthe Koddo is a Canada-based Fractional CFO and Financial Literacy Educator. As an Interior Designer turned serial business owner with six businesses started, four failures, and two growing successes, Jacinthe has learned the hard way about the ins-and-outs of small business finance since 2009. She is now on a mission to increase financial literacy for freelancers and creative firm and agency owners, by shedding light onto the black hole biz finances – from pricing profitably, to boosting cashflow and tackling tax time - so they can scale profitably and sleep better at night.

Follow Jacinthe at her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you are or ever have been tempted to do a re-brand for your business, take a moment and listen to this episode. I share my own experience as well as tips to pause that reactionary instinct and verify whether or not an entire overhaul is even necessary. I encourage you to focus on the most important element of your business and to resist the urge of perfectionism to question whether a re-brand really is worth your time and financial investment.

Episode 79: The journey to rebranding your business with Cristalee Brinkworth

Episode 9: Creating Value as a Designer with Tiffany Leigh

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode I speak with Angela Wilson, a career transition mentor and coach about her own deeply personal story of career crisis and how she helps other women with their own. Angela shares tips, advice and exercises that will help listeners self-reflect to identify their own values, strengths, interests and skills to learn how to deeply trust themselves in times of career transition.

Career Cleanse Downloadable

Angela Wilson is considered one of the brightest minds in career transition, career coaching, and mentoring today. Now a number 1 best-selling author, well-respected speaker, educator, award-winning coach, and consultant on all things careers and transitions. She is the founder of Career Design Studio which supports highly motivated professionals to rediscover themselves after change and take the steps to bloom in their career. With her knowledge, wisdom and over 10 years experience in coaching and counselling in education, wellness and career development, she's here to guide you through your change. She also has a knack to quickly and easily spot the relevant patterns, life themes and obstacles holding her clients back from an inspiring career. Her authenticity, honesty and down-to-earth style are her greatest assets. She has the ability to leave you feeling inspired, challenged and clear about the next step in your career journey.

Check out Angela's work at her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you've ever felt anxiety over the inconsistent cash flow of your interior design business then this is the episode for you!

I'm sharing some personal experiences along with 7 actionable tips to help you feel safe and secure in running a business with an unpredictable income. Listen to hear ideas on separate accounts, emergency funds, paying your own salary, and more.

Moral of the story: Don't be afraid of the peaks and valleys, prepare for them!

Episode 113: Know Your Numbers | Part 3 How to Forecast for your business with Merilee Wright

Episode 54: Setting up your design business for financial success with Etel Igreda

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I'm tackling all things website wording with copywriter and messaging strategist Masha Koyen. This episode is packed with advice and insights into what you can do to level up your website copy to showcase your value, inject your personality, and attract your ideal client. Masha shares the wisdom in hiring an expert, tips for getting better testimonials, and a few incredible final nuggets of wisdom so be sure to stick around until the end.

Masha Koyen is a Messaging Strategist and Copywriter, as well as the founder of Content Vertical. Her boutique copywriting agency specializes in serving interior designers and design and build firms, enabling them to elevate their brand and attract their ideal, dream clients. With a primary focus on website copy, Masha has honed her expertise and developed her signature REVEAL framework. This unique approach combines meticulous research, insightful client interviews, and expert data mining to craft strategic website messaging that truly connects and engages with the target audience.

Follow Masha at her website and on Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Every entrepreneur needs to ask themselves - are they a hobbyist or are they a business owner? In this episode, I share the aspects of these identities so you can question whether you are ready to make a shift and perhaps start to see yourself and your work differently.

You can be either one. There is no judgment, but this is a question every entrepreneur needs to ask themselves: Is it a side hustle or hobby OR is it a profitable business I want to live off of?

Through the episode, I share my own journey with this and my tips on how to move from hobbyist designer to business owner.

Let me know if you’ve thought about this and what your answer is.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I dive into the world of buying and selling products and accessories for clients.

I share best sales practices, the number one thing not to do, and three different approaches so you can go out with the blueprint that works best for you and your business. I also share some lessons learned, mistakes made, and how my process has evolved as well as how I share pricing with clients.

Episode 160: Determining Who Purchases Products for Clients

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I chat with Tamara McLaughlin of Tamara Marie Designs, another POP alum who shares how the course and investing in herself allowed her new business to leap to the next level. Tamara decided to start her business during the pandemic and she talks to me about taking that leap, her hospitality background and the knowledge she learned that changed how she organizes her process, team and pricing. Finally, she shares the "best mistake she ever made" and her advice to fellow new business owners.

Tamara McLaughlin, founder of Tamara Marie Designs began her career as a Director of Sales & Marketing at the most well-known hotels in Beverly Hills, Hollywood and the Westside of Los Angeles, California. These included major hotel brands such as Marriott & Hilton Hotels. In addition, boutique luxury hotels such as the Roosevelt, Sofitel Beverly Hills and Shutters on the Beach. Tamara’s expertise in developing high impact marketing strategies and proactive sales teams, gained her multiple awards and accolades in the industry. These multi-faceted lifestyle brands supported environments of expressive design. The goal, to create memorable experiences. While she has had a lifelong passion for the decorative arts, at the peak of her years of success in the hospitality industry, she realized it was time to commit to the pursuit of her true passion, designing and remodeling beautiful spaces. Her journey in the discovery of materials, colors and textures became instinctual as she began to design for others.

Discover more about Tamara at her website and follow her on Instagram here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode I'm checking back in with POP alum, Jocelyn Polce, to hear all about the massive transformations she's had over the past year. She shares what prompted the pivot and how a mindset shift allowed her to work remotely while visiting family this summer. Jocelyn is incredibly passionate about client connection and talks about strategies to find the ideal client along with some red flags she looks out for. Find out why she espouses the idea of "unicorn vs. zebra" when it comes to trades and contractors and don't miss her final nugget of wisdom!

Episode 101: It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to start. The biggest 12-month business transformation with Jocelyn Polce

GUEST BIO

Jocelyn is the owner and Principal Designer of August Oliver Interiors (A|O), a Connecticut-based interior design studio offering a full-service, turn-key design experience that is centered around telling each client’s unique story. Every aspect of the design – from the drawings down to the door handles – is coordinated, planned, and executed by their team.

The A|O goal is to create a classic room that will stand the test of time, evolve as life does, and provide an elevated living experience – Yes, even when kids are involved! Her unique ability to find that delicate balance between living beautifully and functionally with a family stems from her most important role as a mom to her 5 young boys.

Her energy is unmatched as is her ability to coordinate the construction chaos and design process. Jocelyn adheres strongly to the belief that communication is key and prides herself in using it with every client and contractor to make her projects run smoothly. Jocelyn’s passion for travel and love of vintage treasures is what inspires every design.

You can find and connect with Jocelyn on Instagram or on her website

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Clients! We want them, we need them but where are they? Today I'm sharing exercises, tools, and tips to help interior designers find clients and spend their marketing time and energy wisely. I share an unpopular opinion about Instagram, some mistakes I've made in the past, and a tip I learned from the ice cream truck. This episode has immediate, actionable steps you can take to focus your time and attention for the best results.

Episode 150: Instagram marketing and being yourself on social media with Darla Powell

Episode 149: Standing out from the competition

Episode 115: How to use magnetic marketing to grow your interior design business with Pamela Durkin

Episode 77: Marketing your genius with Nikki Nash

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I speak to POP alum Patti Lindsay about her experience starting an entirely new career in her sixties! She shares her winding career path, the push her daughter gave her and how POP empowered her to take the next step in her life and business. She discusses the most important lesson she took from the course, the mistakes she's since corrected and the exciting new venture she is creating within this new career.

The Bay

Episode 165: Creating a framework for a new design business with POP Alumni Anna-Ruth Rutgers

Episode 50: It’s never too late to work on your business! A Round table discussion with POP members Laura Thornton & Colleen Shier

Hello Audio

Trent Shelton

ABOUT PATTI

Patti Lindsay is 61 years old, and studied Interior Design at Dawson College in Montreal from 1980-83. She worked part time for an architectural firm that closed, then for Jeff Brown Fabrics for a while. She left Quebec shortly after and moved to Toronto Ontario. There she married, and worked at the Bay buying offices in Linens, Bedding, Staples. She had 3 children, moved back to Montreal and became a single mom. She studied phys ed and began working in the Fitness Industry for the YMCA but continued to do Design and renovated and sold several houses.

She taught an Interior Decorating course at John Abbott College at night as a moonlighting job for a few semesters when her children were young but continued as Director of Health, Fitness and Aquatics at the West Island YMCA for a steady income until they were through university. Before the pandemic, she moved to Ottawa and during the pandemic began doing design consultations by zoom for friends and family. That’s when she decided that it was time to get back to her first love, Interior Design and took a business course, started her company and began staging with a real estate agent in Ottawa. Then she found Rebecca, Vera and the amazing RHD team through social media! She recently started a new part time side job with a new Design Centre that is opening in Ottawa as she grows her own business and is in the process of creating an online course for new home buyers.

Check out Patti's website Peacock Blu Living

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is going to help you to stop feeling like you are mired in chaos and forever destined to wing it on your projects. I explain how to create a dynamic checklist that documents your process, establishes a standard operating procedure for your business and helps with delegation, organization and onboarding. I share some previous experiences that led me to depend on a checklist and the final, crucial tip that ensures its success.

Get my Consultation Checklist here

Get my Reveal Day Kit here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I'm speaking with results coach, Liat Horovitz all about the power that comes from a personalized and intentional morning routine. We know that personal development can enrich professional development so we're learning the keys to customizing your morning (spoiler: it starts the night before), the tweaks and rules she's made for herself and how a mindset shift from "habits" to "choices" can affect it all. Let go of your "shoulds" and listen to this episode to get some ideas for how to create a morning routine that serves you, your life and your work.

The Mel Robbins Podcast

The High Five Habit by Mel Robbins

Five Minute Journal

Liat Horovitz is a Results Coach and Podcast Host with a passion for helping people achieve ultimate results and be the best version of themselves! Liat works closely with her clients offering private coaching, transformational retreats, corporate coaching and mastermind groups. She helps high-performing individuals define their goals, map out winning strategies and instill an unstoppable mindset as they work together to achieve desired transformations. In 2018, after climbing the corporate ladder in the Marketing and Telecommunications industries for over ten years, Liat left her day job to pursue what brings her true joy - a combination of coaching, connecting and content creation. Since then, she has amassed a community of truly inspirational women, business owners and mothers all sharing a strong drive to achieve their ultimate results in life and business.

Check out Liat on her website and listen to The Results Club Podcast

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Ta-da! This episode is going to explain how hosting a reveal day is the answer to many problems that can arise in the implementation process. I share some lessons learned and 4 best practices to help you communicate to your clients and make sure your reveal day goes as smooth and organized as possible. I've got a few key elements, attitudes and tips to follow that will ensure that you run a successful reveal day that serves you and your clients.

Get the Reveal Kit Checklist here

Studio 321b

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

We're bringing back part 3 of the Know Your Numbers series with my Operations Manager, Merilee Wright, where we talk about forecasting: what it is, why it's a must for your business and how do get it done. YES, you CAN forecast for an interior design business! Through this episode, Merilee and I talk about why you NEED to forecast the financials in your business. We walk you through the power of creating a financial forecast for your business, such as looking at where your revenue is coming from, what your expenses are, how you can use that to get smart about your spending, and projecting future profits.

Get the free spreadsheet here

Know your Numbers | Part 1 Understanding your Project Profitability with Merilee Wright

Know your Numbers | Part 2 What it costs to run your business with Merilee Wright

Merilee is a former client of Rebecca’s and an accomplished business professional with a passion for coaching people and business owners to achieve their goals.

Skilled in reaching business objectives through alignment of business operations and employee and customer experience, Merilee has a reputation for making an impact. She is known for building high-performing teams and driving efficiency.

With over 30 years of increasingly senior roles in the consumer services, financial services, and retail industries, Merilee has a breadth of experience that includes strategy development, business operations, customer experience, coaching, and change management. Merilee has a unique ability to quickly understand complex environments and provide insight for both executive decision-making and staff implementation.

When she’s not helping business owners grow their businesses, you can find her on her sailboat!!!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This week I talk with a recent alum of Power of Process, Anna-Ruth Rutgers, about starting her new interior design business. We talk about pivoting to a second career, how POP helped break down barriers and the mantras she follows in life and in business. She has terrific thoughts around collaboration over competition with some real life stories of the power of community building and accurately valuing your services. If you've been thinking about joining POP and need that extra bit of motivation, this episode is for you!

Anna-Ruth originates from the picturesque Caribbean island of St. Vincent. In 1989, she departed her homeland to embark on her educational journey, specializing as a Programmer/System Analyst. While her professional pursuits may lie in the realm of technology, Anna-Ruth's true essence resides in her innate creativity. She passionately explores the world of mixed-media abstract painting, occasionally gracing local boutiques as a model in her city. Simultaneously, she diligently constructs a solid groundwork for her budding enterprise, Dare Interiors, which is poised to make a mark in the realm of modern, innovative interior design on the principles of POP.

Find Anna-Ruth Rutgers and Dare Interiors here

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is a bit of a break from our regular programming but its something that I strongly feel needs to be talked about; how to deal with being in a rut. Your vision, attitude and state of being can affect team dynamics, customer experiences and your own quality of life so in this episode I present two exercises that have helped me enormously with this exact issue. If you have been feeling stuck, anxious or confused then this episode will help you to be present, enjoy where you are and also gain clarity for the future.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you ready for part 2 of our Know your numbers series? Since the return of 1 was such a hit with our audience, we're bringing you part 2 today! In this rebroadcast, I'm joined by my Operations Manager, Merilee Wright, where we talk about what it costs to keep your doors open and business running month in and month out. Throughout the episode, we cover what kind of items you can attribute as a business expense, what a “write-off” means, and the kind of audits designers can encounter. I also share my personal experience with being audited.

Merilee also shares what is a “run rate”, and how to determine it in your business.

Episode 96: Know your Numbers | Part 1 Understanding your Project Profitability with Merilee Wright

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today we're diving into part two of our discussion about decorating vs design and this time its all about the money.

In our conversation with returning guests and Designer Besties Jessie Kelly, of Jessica Kelly Design, and Carly Nemtean of Carriage Lane Design + Build and Co-founder of the Collective Workspace we learn about how they approach the financial side of their business.

We talk margins, fees, markups, discounts, and the lessons we've learned over the years in the pricing sphere. We also discuss the importance of creating a supportive, adept team and how that can change your business. Be sure to listen to part one before this episode, and then dive right into this episode!

Find Jessie at www.jessicakellydesign.com and on Instagram @jessicakellydesign

Find Carly at www.carriagelanedesigns.com, www.thecollectiveto.com, and on Instagram @carriagelanedesign_build

Carly Nemtean

Lead Designer + Co-Founder- Carriage Lane Design Build

Co-Founder/CEO- The Collective Workspace

Entrepreneurial-minded, Carly started her design career and attended and graduated from Sheridan College for Interior Design in 2006. Always knowing that interior design was her calling she pursued it passionately.

Carly has been co-owner of Carriage Lane Design Build since 2011. Her focus is on creating spaces that resonate with their clients and have that aha moment the second they walk in.

Their work has also been featured in publications such as House & Home, Canadian Interiors, Toronto Life, Style at home, The Globe and Mail, Living Luxe, and Toronto Star.

Carly’s tenacious nature has made her a force to be reckoned with and has resulted in her being hand-picked for the 30 under 30 NKBA award in 2013. This award was given at the National Kitchen and Bath Show in New Orleans. The award recognizes 30 people under the age of 30 all over North America in the design and construction industry who are forward-thinking CEOs, entrepreneurs and cutting-edge designers.

Jessica Kelly

After spending six years in the marketing and advertising industry, Jessica moved on to the career of her dreams. Backed by her study of Interior Design at Sheridan College and her inherent understanding of colours, a keen eye and knowledge of special relationships, in 2008 Jessica Kelly Design was born and an instant success.

Recognized and featured in some of Canada’s leading design publications, Jessica’s spaces are coined as contemporary with character or transitional with a twist. Jessica carefully emphasizes light, scale, and architectural elements in all of the spaces she designs. The result is a comfortable, classic and sophisticated living environment. Jessica is particularity known for innate ability to interpret her client’s personality and pair it with the reality of their lifestyle, and thus defines her signature style.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today's episode is part one of two where we discuss the definition and difference between "decorator" and "designer".

I chat with returning guests and Designer Besties Jessie Kelly, of Jessica Kelly Design, and Carly Nemtean of Carriage Lane Design + Build and Co-founder of the Collective Workspace to learn about how they structure their processes and services for clients. We shared how each of us approaches design vs decorating and how we tackled some misconceptions and distinctions before diving into how things have changed over the years. Tune in next week for part two where we get into the money talk!

Episode 33: Round Table Talk: No Process is one-size-fits-all with Jessica Kelly & Carly Nemtean

Episode 152: What it Means to be a Licensed Interior Designer with Maia Roffey & Sharon Portelli

Find Jessie at www.jessicakellydesign.com and on Instagram @jessicakellydesign

Find Carly at www.carriagelanedesigns.com, www.thecollectiveto.com, and on Instagram @carriagelanedesign_build

About Our Guests

Carly Nemtean

Lead Designer + Co-Founder- Carriage Lane Design Build

Co-Founder/CEO- The Collective Workspace

Entrepreneurial-minded, Carly started her design career and attended and graduated from Sheridan College for Interior Design in 2006. Always knowing that interior design was her calling she pursued it passionately.

Carly has been co-owner of Carriage Lane Design Build since 2011. Her focus is on creating spaces that resonate with their clients and have that aha moment the second they walk in.

Their work has also been featured in publications such as House & Home, Canadian Interiors, Toronto Life, Style at Home, The Globe and Mail, Living Luxe, and Toronto Star.

Carly’s tenacious nature has made her a force to be reckoned with and has resulted in her being hand-picked for the 30 under 30 NKBA award in 2013. This award was given at the National Kitchen and Bath Show in New Orleans. The award recognizes 30 people under the age of 30 all over North America in the design and construction industry who are forward-thinking CEOs, entrepreneurs and cutting-edge designers.

Jessica Kelly

After spending six years in the marketing and advertising industry, Jessica moved on to the career of her dreams. Backed by her study of Interior Design at Sheridan College and her inherent understanding of colors, a keen eye and knowledge of special relationships, in 2008 Jessica Kelly Design was born and an instant success.

Recognized and featured in some of Canada’s leading design publications, Jessica’s spaces are coined as contemporary with character or transitional with a twist. Jessica carefully emphasizes light, scale, and architectural elements in all of the spaces she designs. The result is a comfortable, classic and sophisticated living environment. Jessica is particularly known for her innate ability to interpret her client’s personality and pair it with the reality of their lifestyle and thus defining her signature style.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is all about knowing the worth of your services.

Through the episode, I share the steps and my insights to help you address the fears and myths currently keeping you from charging the right value of your knowledge, expertise, and luxury services.

I dive into the questions you need to ask yourself ahead of time, how to calculate your new rate, and how to communicate it along with a recent real-life example so you can feel confident and prepared to make this next step for your business.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee confidently and easily? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, we take you back inside our community of designers as we share another episode of Candid Corner. This time Rebecca shares the pros and cons about designers vs contractors purchasing products for clients. She encourages designers to think about margins, markups, ordering and managing the process because there is no hard and fast rule here. She shares her own preferences, lessons learned and some tough love so you can feel informed on how to think through those vital decisions.

Episode 124: How to Run a Project Kick Off Day

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Since we're halfway through the year, I thought it would be a good time to assess all things numbers so this is a rebroadcast of the first episode in our Know Your Numbers series.

My own Operations Manager, Merilee Wright, and I team up to help you learn the numbers in your business so that you can develop a proper business growth strategy. In this first part, we’re starting with all things Project Profitability. We break down exactly how you can calculate your own project profitability, define terms, discuss the ever-existing topic of sharing your discounts, and how you can compare your projects to determine which are more profitable for your business.

Listen to the rest of the series!

Know your Numbers | Part 2 What it costs to run your business with Merilee Wright

Know Your Numbers | Part 3 How to Forecast for your business with Merilee Wright

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today we've got a very special guest on the podcast: my very own husband Kris Karski!

Kris brings his marketing and tech expertise to the show and shares insights on all things AI. He lets us know what this tool actually is, how it works and how it can help designers with their business. We do some live demos (and go down a few doomsday rabbit holes!) as Kris shares his advice on what designers should do with this tech right now to stay ahead of the curve.

Cohere

Open.ai Chat GPT

Midjourney

Rebecca Hay's YouTube Channel

Kris Karski's Instagram

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I chat with Renée Biery all about building relationships with your trades and managing a construction site. She shares her career trajectory, her personal mid career crisis (and the new ventures it led to) and how she seeks to build confidence and equip designers with the skills they need to succeed. She is passionate about encouraging female designers to excel in the business and shares her story, insights, advice and ideas to show design entrepreneurs how to tap into resources, foster a cohesive team and manage a job site.

Episode 121: Pricing Projects, Building Confidence, and More with Rebecca Hay

About Renee Biery

Renée Biery is a Luxury Interior Designer, Podcast Host and Construction Expert.

Educated at The New York School of Interior Design and employed by AD Top 100 firms, Renee has built an impressive resume. For the past three decades, she has created a niche expertise in managing large scale constructions from renovations to new builds.

Even more impressive? Her passion to giveback. Over the years, the industry has applauded her transparency and tactical advice to fellow designers. Today, she is on a mission to instill confidence in designers through her course, The Interior Designer’s Guide To Construction Management ™ - a 6 part digital course.

As a noted industry leader, she has been applauded by the likes of Washington Post and Miami Herald and has shared her expertise on LuAnn Nigara’s podcast.

Find Renee

Visit her Website

Follow her on Instagram and Facebook

Sign up for her newsletter here

Listen to her podcast: The Only Girl on the Jobsite

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today I'm taking you through my version of the most important thing every business needs: a clear step-by-step onboarding process to convert leads to clients. This is absolutely necessary to keep yourself organized and to set expectations (and boundaries) to your potential clients. This process will help you strengthen your client relationships, protect yourself from misunderstandings and lapsed payments as well as establish a professional atmosphere to teach your customers to value and trust you. Listen to this episode to learn tips from my years of experience and also the one new step I'm starting to implement.

Episode 22: Why the experience you offer matters more than the product with Thalia Toha

Episode 15: Every business needs a solid process

Episode 62: Consultations that Convert How to Run a Consultation

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, we take you back inside our community of designers as we share another episode of Candid Corner. Rebecca answers questions about sourcing and helping clients with that essential finishing touch, art. She shares insider tips and a few different approaches including what to do when tastes don't align. Then she dives into what designers should consider and concentrate on in during an economic slowdown. Hint: invest in yourself and get scrappy!

SHOWNOTES

Designer Meetup Facebook Group

PI Fine Art

3 part podcast series with Rebecca's Operations Manager Merilee Wright

Rebecca Hay's YouTube Channel

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I walk you through we are planning to onboard our new hire! This episode is for you if you’re looking to take that next step to grow your team or bring on some help.

Recently my team went through a restructuring and we had to shift into hiring mode. If you’re interested in learning more about my experience with hiring, have a listen to episode 55 where I share 3 big hiring mistakes I’ve learned from.

I truly never worked corporate. My journey began working for an internationally-known design firm where my onboarding consisted of being thrown into the deep end and figuring it out along the way. Through my many hiring experiences over the years, I realized that no matter how experienced someone is they still need to be skillfully onboarded so that they learn about your business and seamlessly integrate into all that you do. In this episode, I share the exact steps that I took after I found the right candidate and walk you through the plan we’ve created to onboard our new hires as seamlessly as possible.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’re curious to learn more about what it’s like to design a show house, this one is for you!

In this episode, I speak with residential interior designer Jennifer Muirhead, of Jennifer Muirhead Interiors, all about her experience and the process of designing rooms for a show house.

She shares what it was like to move across the country, re-start her business, and how she got involved in show house design. I learn the surprising outcome of this project, the post-event procedure, and the best (and worst) aspects of working on something like this. You’ll discover how Jennifer balances her design style to attract the ideal client, how she weighs the costs against the return, and her terrific marketing idea to draw in new opportunities.

About Jennifer

Jennifer Muirhead started her eponymous design firm in 2012 in Los Angeles. After the 2008 recession (and a few years working in tv production and as a lifestyle magazine editor), she reevaluated her passions and returned to school for interior design. She began taking on design projects almost immediately and hasn’t looked back since.

Today, Jennifer delivers bespoke spaces to clients in the NJ/NY metropolitan area. Drawing on both her West Coast and East Coast experiences, she finds the sweet spot between modern and classic elements, creating spaces that are welcoming, authentic and casually elegant.

Jennifer’s work has been featured in Homes and Gardens UK, Lonny, Martha Stewart.com, Apartment Therapy, and Style Me Pretty. She now resides in historic New Vernon, NJ with her husband, daughter, and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

You can connect with Jennifer on her website or on Instagram

Listen to her previous episode - #131 - High Point Market, Is it worth it?

Thank you to our episode sponsor Studio 321b

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I chat with Jamie Van Cuyk all about hiring. We dive into why you need to hire to scale your business at any level, how you can prepare to interview the right candidates, the distinction between salary, contract, and freelance, and what you need to have in place to successfully onboard someone into your team.

If you’re looking to hire but haven’t before, have hired but it hasn’t worked out or you have a team and are looking for ways to better that process this is the episode you need to listen to!

About Jamie

Jamie Van Cuyk, the owner and lead strategist of Growing Your Team, helps women small business owners become confident leaders who hire right every single time.

Drawing from over 15 years of leadership experience, Jamie teaches her clients how to master the art of hiring. By learning the dynamics of each company and its specific needs, she helps them find their perfect-fit, long-lasting team members and avoid the hiring and firing cycle.

On a personal side, Jamie lives in St Petersburg, FL, with her husband and two daughters, is a hobby winemaker, loves to travel, and enjoys exercise that takes her feet off the ground, including rock climbing and aerial dance.

Just because someone is good at what they do does not mean they’re right for you. Jamie Van Cuyk You can connect with Jamie at www.growingyourteam.com or on Instagram @growingyourteam.

You can also grab her free hiring checklist resource here.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Pricing your services is always a hot topic for any service-based entrepreneur. For many of us, pricing is a constant struggle due to our own money mindset, so bringing the topic up often and openly sharing can make that struggle a little easier.

In this rebroadcast episode, I share my experience with pricing my services and talk about my mindset and relationship with money. I also share how much community and the power of collaboration have changed and continuously impact how I charge for my services.

I cover my story about all of the little and big things I did when I started in this industry working for another designer and how I transitioned into my own business. Through the years I have definitely made my share of mistakes when it came to undercharging my clients while trying to find the right amount and correct way to charge for what I do.

Over the years I’ve come to realize that it’s not enough to just know someone else’s rate and compare that to yourself and what you have to offer. Pricing your services and charging what you’re worth takes into account your experience, what you’re offering, how long you’ll take to complete your offering and so much more. When a client argues with your pricing, they are usually not your ideal client and don’t understand the value of the service you’re offering.

During the episode, I also share my personal relationship with money and how my upbringing has affected that. I also go into detail about how I’m reevaluating and repairing my money mindset. If you’re trying to establish a healthier relationship with money and become more accustomed to charging what you’re worth, I strongly recommend the book: You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero.

If you take only 2 things away from this episode and what will help you to price your services correctly its this:

You need to focus on your money mindset. Find out what’s holding you back? Explore your relationship with money.
Collaborate in your industry – Find out what others in your area are doing? Actively pursue community and don’t think of it as competition. You will find people to encourage you to charge more money so that you’re fair to yourself.

If you're an interior designer looking for the complete blueprint to calculating your design fee with confidence ensuring you consistently get paid what you’re worth, check out my self-guided course Pricing with Confidence.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth

This is a special episode because we’re sharing a live broadcast we did inside our Designer Meet-up Facebook group. We brought together 2 special guests to open up the discussion of what it really means to be a licensed Interior Designer.

About Maia

Maia’s formative years were spent in a home built by famed Canadian architect Ron Thom. Visits to properties in Toronto’s Forest Hill and Rosedale neighborhoods, and trips further afield to the Laurentians and Barbados cemented her appreciation for elegant architecture and beautifully executed spaces.

A graduate of McMasters multi-disciplinary Arts & Science program in Hamilton Ontario, Maia took a brief detour into law school on the west coast before finding her niche in design. She graduated with honors from Ryerson’s School of Interior Design and completed her BCIN, LEED AP, and NCIDQ designations before founding Black Sheep Interior Design in 2013.

With an approach that is as creative as it is rational, Maia’s design sense is fueled by sun-filled travels. Whether diving in the Caribbean, mini-breaking in Miami, or resting up in cottage country, she loves to soak up the materials and aesthetics of get-a-way destinations. She is also a dedicated volunteer and proudly combines her love of design and philanthropy.

Maia is a member of ARIDO and the IDC.

Maia is a returning guest - listen to her first episode 46: Budgeting, Pricing your Services & Attracting the Right Trades

About Sharon

Sharon has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 1997, starting in the financial sector with the Institute for Advanced Financial Education. In 2011, she transitioned to the design and construction sector in the role of Executive Director and Registrar with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO).

Her professional experience includes the development and enforcement of qualification standards for professions, regulatory frameworks, and lobbying for public policy in support of safe interior environments in Ontario.

Starting in 2014, Sharon led several projects intended to provide a more inclusive and fairer pathway to qualifying as an interior designer in Ontario through competencies-based frameworks. In 2020, ARIDO undertook a commitment to the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within ARIDO as an organization, the profession, and the community.

Sharon is a Maltese-Canadian who is proud of both her Maltese and Canadian heritage and roots. Her favorite pastimes include photography and long walks with her dog, Toretto.

This is always a hot topic in our community, so we decided to have this conversation because we believe the more knowledge you have, the better you are at making decisions.

In this episode, Maia Roffey, Sharon Portelli and I discuss what it means to be an interior designer, the circumstances when you can refer to yourself as an interior designer, and how you can start the process. Listen towards the end when I ask an uncomfortable question and share my less-than-positive experience with the local association.

I truly hope that at the end of the episode, you’ll see that there isn’t simply one way of doing things, but having the knowledge is the best way to make the right decision for you.

You can connect with Maia at blacksheepinteriordesign.com or on Instagram @blacksheepid

You can connect with Sharon at sportelli@arido.ca

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I chatted with Dena Patton and did a deep dive into the CEO mindset. We talked about how to take you from a fly-by-the-night designer or entrepreneur to the truly savvy business person you know you want to be.

If you’re looking for the right motivation to stop treating your business like a hobby this one is for you!

About Dena

Dena Patton is an elite business coach and transformational speaker who has worked with thousands of purpose-driven business owners and world-changing leaders around the globe. She helps her clients to build GREAT companies that break records in their revenue AND their impact. She founded Dena Patton Coaching & Training Company 22 years ago while living in New York City where she created her world-class Greatness Methodology. Her 3-Pillar coaching approach can help you build: the systems to be a well-oiled company, the strategy to be a well-marketed company, and the greatness mindset to be a well-led company. As a speaker, coach and best-selling author Dena has garnered over 60 media stories and she leads from 6 core values: Courage, Accountability, Authenticity, Faith, Integrity, and Fun!!

As you listen to this episode pay close attention to her Dena describes clients. She categorizes them into beer clients, wine clients, and champagne clients. Use this segment to start thinking about your current client and see where they fall.

We also chatted about systems! I shared the ONE system I implemented in my business that completely transformed me from entrepreneur to CEO. It helped me free up my time and focus on the money-generating activities. I believe this is the one system that everyone should nail down first.

As you listen to this episode take away the motivation you need to be and own the CEO role in your business - it’s not about scaling or growing a team, it's about freeing up your time to do what you love.

You can connect with Dena at denapatton.com or grab a copy of her book at The Greatness Game on Amazon.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Greatness Game: Inspired ways to live, love, and lead like you mean it.

In this episode, I share exactly how I run a consultation to ensure that both you and your client get the most out of your time together.

Using a consultation to kick-start your process and convert leads to clients is the single most powerful and strategic way to eliminate chaos and increase your revenue. So let's dive into why you need to include in your process and how to run one!

During the episode, I talk about how I didn’t charge for my consultations when I started my business. It wasn’t because I didn’t value my time but because the person I worked for before didn’t charge for theirs. I just thought that since they were experienced and not charging for consultations, that was the best way to do it too. But what I didn’t realize at the time was the importance of that designer’s experience. He didn’t charge for consultations because almost every lead he had would turn into a full project job - That was the caliber of client and level of experience he was at, not me.

I quickly learned, that if I didn’t charge for my consultations, my time and expertise as a designer were not as valued and I was not attracting the right type of client that could actually afford my services. I then shifted my mindset and started running my business as a business. The first thing you should do when you shift into this mindset is to charge the right value for consultations. (Obviously, every city and town is different, but the point is that you’ve got to charge!)

After a few years, I realized that it was time for another change. I was doing too many consultations at a relatively inexpensive fee and not many of those turned into full-fledged projects (which is obviously the goal when running a design business). After reassessing, I nervously increased my consultation to be a more premium fee, and guess what, I got fewer consultations… But more full-paying design jobs! Raising my rates for my time, knowledge and expertise attracted my ideal client, a higher caliber client that could afford my services and beautiful designs through to the end.

Through the episode, I share other lessons and tidbits I’ve learned about consultations such as:

Get a scheduler - this will save you or your team from having back-and-forth conversations about dates and times for booking consultations
Arrive prepared and ready to reiterate your messaging using multiple mediums
Set expectations for your clients early and often - This is essential throughout the duration you are working with a client. Talk timelines, budgets, and when you’re taking on new projects.
Listening is the most important thing you can do at a consultation, then come the ideas
Connect with your client based on what you see around their home - Show them you’re human and fund a common element so that you can make a personal connection
Show proof of the value you are bringing them and the possible problems that you will find solutions for - Use past magazine publications, client reviews, and past or ongoing project images with a story

One of the biggest game-changers in my business that completely altered the consultation experience I provide was the implementation of a pre-qualifying call, which I call a Discovery Call after the lead reaches out. Having a phone call before a consultation is booked is vital because you get to learn about the project, you can set expectations in terms of money and timeline, and one of the most important things, you find out if you’re right for each other. It all starts with this casual short conversation. (You can get my Discovery Call Script at rebeccahay.com/discoverycall)

Lastly, I share some tips on the best ways to convert a consultation into a full project job. I have found that reassuring them that you know what you are doing simply by having a clear-cut process, helps to establish trust even as a newbie designer. The more you educate people on your process, on your role, and with all of the knowledge that you have, the easier it’ll be to convert that consultation into a full client.

Download my free consultation checklist at rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

I’m thrilled to share this episode with special guest Darla Powell! If you’re a design professional you’ve probably heard of Wingnut Social or of Darla herself. In this episode, Darla joined me to talk about all things marketing, with a special focus on Instagram and social media. If you’re looking to up-level your social media marketing game as an interior designer this is for YOU!

About Darla

Darla Powell is more than just an award-winning interior designer, podcast host, social media speaker, and former police detective. She’s also an adept unraveler of marketing secrets. Her down-to-earth style delivers smart, actionable information that’s relevant to real business owners—because she is one. Topics range from social media mastery (what really engages followers—it’s probably not what you think) to how to build your brand from the ground up (how did she go from retired cop to one of the top five interior designers in Miami in less than sixteen months—secrets will be revealed).

Through the episode, Darla shared her insight on staying consistent with your marketing and how to stay true to yourself as you raise awareness and share on social media. If you like what you heard on this episode and want to hear more from Darla, let us know and we’ll bring her back to share more of her marketing genius!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I delve into marketing! In a time of recession, it is your time to up your game and stand out from your competition. I recently read that typically in a recession marketing is one of the first items to be cut when businesses try to rework their budget and cut costs. This is counterintuitive because during this time period, is when you need to get in front of more people and get clear on your messaging.

There may be less business to be had overall, but you have to get crafty to go out there and get the business that does exist. In this episode, I share strategies that I have seen to be very effective in marketing your business during an economic downturn.

If you're wondering how to connect to new leads and market your business directly to your ideal clients, this one is for you!

Did you hear? Doors to my signature course for Interior Designers is NOW OPEN! Learn more at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess (Doors close on Friday, March 31 2023)

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

If you couldn't make it to my live masterclass, I got you!

I know you're serious about your business so I wanted to bring my latest masterclass session to you so that you can tune in on the go. This bonus episode will be available for 48 hours (until Thursday, March 30). If you have any questions I didn't answer, DM me on Instagram, I'm here for you!

Consultations are your #1 opportunity to sell your clients on everything you do and get that yes! One of the most impactful and simple changes I made to my business was how I ran consultations. It truly improved my ability to convert consultation into fill-paying design clients. In this masterclass, I share everything I do so that you can start securing those awesome, well-paying clients who know your worth!

Learn more about Power of Process at www.rebeccahay.com/yes

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

In this episode, I sat down with powerhouse POP alumni, organizer, and decorator Sarah Grant and we chatted all about how she picked up and moved her family and her business across the country and is now expanding her offerings!

If you're considering making a big move to a different city or beyond, you'll want to catch Sarah's nuggets - let this episode inspire you!

About Sarah

Sarah Grant is the founder of Be.neat Studio, a move management service specializing in helping families rightsize and make the most of their space. Not your typical Queen’s BComm grad, Sarah is a Professional Organizer and Designer who brings creativity, collaboration and calm, to help clear the clutter and curate streamlined, structured, and inspired spaces. Sarah recently relocated to Kelowna, B.C. where she enjoys skiing, golfing, hiking, and beaches with her family. She jumps at the chance to return to Toronto for work and fun.

I first met Sarah when she was living in Toronto working as a home organizer. She helped me organize my basement that's full of kids' toys, my kitchen, and my bathrooms. Sarah is an incredibly savvy businesswoman who took Power of Process in 2022 and was able to implement all that she learned and expand her organizing business to include decorating services. All this after having moved from Ontario to British Columbia! Sarah shares what her journey has looked like as well as her biggest takeaways from taking Power of Process. (Learn more)

The importance of not trying to do everything yourself. Recognize your own strengths and bring people on board to support you in areas where you can get help and that’s where all the growth happens. Sarah Grant You connect with Sarah on Instagram @be.neatstudio or on her website www.beneatstudio.com.

Have you heard? I've got a new Free masterclass, Consultations that Convert!

Join me to learn how I run my consultations, things to avoid, and how to make the offer and sell your services so that you can convert your consultations into full design projects! Save your seat here: https://rebeccahay.com/masterclass

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? It's coming back soon, click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, designer extraordinaire and returning guest, Erica Gelman and I sat down to talk all about contracts! We covered why you need a contract, and what should be in it.

If you're a designer and are looking for some insight on what to include in your design services contract, this episode is for you! We both share some lived experiences that should help you fast forward and skip a few pitfalls.

Erica is candid and an open book throughout the entire episode. She unexpectedly shares her story of being sued by a client and walks us through exactly what happened. Her experience prompted her to want to share her insights with our audience so that others can learn from her without having to go through it themselves.

About Erica

Erica Gelman is the principal designer of Erica Gelman Design Inc in Toronto. She graduated from the esteemed International Academy of Design & Technology and leads a talented team. Erica prides herself on a keen eye for detail; combining formal training with her flair for style and impeccable sense of colour to create truly unique spaces. Erica’s work can be seen in numerous national lifestyle publications. Her design approach is simple yet sophisticated; a combination of lush textures and bold patterns infused together to create timeless designs.

Once you have a contract and it's signed with a client, follow your own contract, and hold yourself accountable. You expect your client to fulfill every part of the agreement, so make sure you do the same. Read your contract if you forgot! Every time you send one off just read it again, You’re investing in your own business by doing so, you’re putting in the time and you’re making sure that everything you’ve said to them doesn’t just stay on a piece of paper but it actually happens. Erica Gelman You can connect with Erica on Instagram @erica_gelman or on her website at www.ericagelman.com.

Have you heard? I've got a new Free masterclass, Consultations that Convert!

Join me on Wednesday, March 22 to learn how I run my consultations, things to avoid, and how to make the offer and sell your services so that you can convert your consultations into full design projects! Save your seat here: https://rebeccahay.com/masterclass

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? It's coming back soon, click to learn more about my systems building course.

Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur extraordinaire and sales maven Nikki Rausch and talk all about getting comfortable with selling.

Designers and creatives, get ready to take notes. Sales is an area where many of us often fall short - myself included. It's an area of constant stress and one that we constantly need to improve if we want to have a successful business.

Nikki has a phenomenal ability to talk about sales. Through our conversation, I had so many Ah-has and takeaways that I can apply to my own business and even to my discovery call script.

About Nikki

CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”. With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, Nikki shares many tangible takeaways and specific advice on how to level up, make the sale, and tweak your conversations with clients to that you can secure the sale and land those dream clients and projects.

Do not send a proposal to somebody without having scheduled a time to have reviewed that proposal. So that you can answer any last questions and ask for the business. If you’re missing this step you’re leaving money on the table, you’re slowing down the sales process and earning this person’s business, and risk losing their business. Nikki Rausch

Looking to connect with Nikki and get access to her Free e-book? Click here.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? It's coming back soon, click to learn more about my systems building course.

In this episode, I sit down with interior decorator supreme and POP Alumni, Jen Sottosanti! From Nurse to Decorator - Jen moved into interior design as a second career, bringing over her skillsets of caring for people into her design business. Jen and I have a really candid conversation about balance, setting boundaries, and the real struggle of being a parent to young children. We also share tips and tricks for when we feel over-committed and want to unplug at the end of the day. This raw conversation is not feeling with parenting 101 tips and answers but it will help you see that you're not alone and hopefully encourage you to keep going because you're doing great!

To anyone out there debating taking a leap of faith and taking a different path in their career, Do it! You have 1 life. Don’t hold back. You can be and do whatever you want to do. Drive in your own lane. When you’re constantly comparing yourself, you’re just holding yourself back on what you could be accomplishing. Focus on your goals and focus on the things you want to accomplish in your life, you will get there in your own time. You will get there when you’re meant to get there Jen Sottosanti You can connect with Jen on Instagram @jensottosantidesign!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? Get on the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Want to learn more about Resilient by Design, or become a sponsor? Visit rebeccahay.com/podcast.

Stay connected with our design community on social media:

Instagram: @rebeccahaydesigns

Podcast Instagram: @resilientbydesignpodcast

TikTok: @designercoach

Private Facebook group exclusively for designers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I walk through what we do in my design business when a project phase comes to a close. We like to call it a post-project review. This is a very powerful debrief where we sit down as a team, look back at the phase or project, and analyze what went well, what didn't go well, and what we can improve on.

This is a great exercise to help you constantly improve your process and business practices for the next projects ahead.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? Get on the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

In this episode, I sat down with TV reporter turned designer and POP Alumni, Shirlee Engel. We chatted about her transition into her second career and about her journey to running her own interior design business.

This episode will resonate with you if you are someone who wants or has just recently left a previous career to run their own interior design business.

About Shirlee

Shirlee Engel is the founder and principal designer of Shirlee Interiors in Ottawa, Canada. Shirlee is the daughter of an architect and realtor who specializes in high-end homes with artistic flair. She has always had an eye and appreciation for great interior design.

Over two decades as a television journalist and communications strategist, family and friends often sought Shirlee's design and decor advice. Little did she know where it would lead her.

Through the episode, Shirlee openly shares how she left a very comfortable and successful career as a tv reporter with Global News after 15 years and is now beginning to grow her design business. She is currently in the stage of her business where she's finding ways to get income to pay the bills and be profitable.

Shirlee also shares what has made her transition possible and easier, and the resources she's found along the way.

"Believe in yourself because if you don't no one else will. Yes, you can have imposter syndrome and if you're in your business and not feeling it anymore just believe there's a better way and be open to that."

"Get out of your own way. I can't tell you how many times I build up in my head how overwhelmed I am. and when I just stop and sit down and do it it gets done."

Shirlee Engel

You can connect with Shirlee on Instagram @designedbyshirlee or on her website at Shirleeinteriors.com.

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses:

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? Get on the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Let’s talk about calculating project costs! This episode will help you answer the question almost every client asks “how much will my project costs”. I dive into how you can find out what it costs to decorate or renovate a space without relying on simple guessing or giving the client a number that isn’t fair or profitable for your business.

As a business owner, I’m always looking for a better way for the aspects of my business where I feel there can be room for improvement. In this episode, I share an excellent method of pricing projects I learned from a designer inside my Designers Room membership that has proved incredibly effective.

I also talk about an eye-opening exercise I did with my team during our most recent year-end review that I recommend you do so that you can price your projects with confidence!

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our course:

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? Get on the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

A real Groundhog Day moment on the podcast - We're rebroadcasting a fantastic episode from Season 2 with the knowledgeable and inspiring Sascha Lafleur of West of Main!

We decided to reshare this episode because Sascha's business journey is quite motivating. Right now, everything feels a little shaky with the uncertain economy, which most of starting to feel. So to reinvigorate you, we want to remind you that you are craft and CAN maintain and grow your business by investing back into it and staying resilient.

We truly hope this episode motivates you! xo

Download our free resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script: https://rebeccahay.com/discovery/

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist: https://rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist/

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue: https://rebeccahay.com/revenue/

➡️ Waiting for Power of Process? Get on the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

In this episode, I had the pleasure to interview the lovely Sascha Lafleur of West of Main. We got to talking all about scaling your business and virtually servicing your clients.

Sascha Lafleur, co-founder and principal designer at West of Main, has had a passion for design for as long as she can remember. She attributes her creative flare and an abundance of artistic energy to early influence by her immediate family, which includes woodworkers, builders, artists, and fashionistas.

Sascha studied communications before moving to Montreal to study interior design; a city that fostered a strong design aesthetic that she carries to this day. Her personal style is collected, romantic, and traveled, inspired by nature, culture, and “the stories and connections behind the artistry.” In the albeit temporary absence of world travel, Sascha looks to books, social media, and films for timeless and thoughtful inspirations for her trademark style. This celebrated, local, and international award-winning designer is known today for curating thoughtfully layered, traveled designs. Sascha started West of Main Design in Ottawa where she is committed to co-designing spaces that are a true reflection of her clients’ lifestyles and passions, and ones that will carry them through not just today, but for years to come. Today, her award-winning firm continues to expand as Sascha leads corporate and full-scale residential projects across North America westofmaindesign.com.

Sascha and I had a very real conversation about how she grew her business in 6 short years. She goes into detail about her background and journey, and how she managed to do all this in a short amount of time by investing in her people. Sascha spoke about how growing a business is like taking a leap of faith in people, investing in people, because it’s 10x harder to do it all yourself!

The second part of our chat was all about servicing clients virtually which is something a lot of designers are apprehensive about. The fear is that you won’t be able to provide the same client experience virtually and then you get stuck with an unprofitable business model. Sascha goes into detail about how her companies service people online or remotely, while still offering full-service design. She says communication is key and have an exceptionally detailed presentation package every time you chat with a remote client is vital!

I absolutely loved my chat with Sascha and had so many “AHA” moments and takeaways that I want to start doing with my team.

Enjoy our chat! & Let me know what else you’d like to hear on the podcast. I’m here to help our design community!

xo, Rebecca

You can find Sascha on Instagram @westofmain & @westofmainshoppe.

This episode is all about money but more specifically about being profitable.

In this episode, I dive into what really matters when you want to be profitable, especially right now in a recession.

Profitability means that there's money left over in the bank after you pay yourself, and my free tip for you is, always pay yourself first (something I never used to do that I've learned and has made a world of difference).

The goal of this episode is to simplify things for you by explaining the 2 things you need to focus on and understand to become or stay profitable: Increase your sales & decrease your expenses. During the episode, I share different ways you can keep track of your finances, maintain expenses without having them creep up on you, and get creative to increase your revenue.

If you're interested in learning the numbers in your business and want an introduction to "accounting 101" listen to Episode 96 and download the freebie>>

In this episode I dive into the process I use to hire the right fit. I'm sharing what I've learned over the years, from lots of trial and error, and what I've improved on in the last 18 months. I'll be sharing details of my hiring process that will benefit both business owners who are looking to grow their teams, as well as anyone trying to break into the design industry and get hired at a design firm. As you know I never really worked in corporate, so hiring is something that I have had to learn as I needed for my business. Over time I've made small tweaks that have helped me feel confident and hire the right people for the right roles. I talk you through my exact process and share some key interview questions and practices that have helped me build a solid team.

One of the biggest questions I get is "How do I know WHEN I need to hire", I dive deeper into this in Episode 8.

If you want to know more about mistakes I've made while hiring in the past, give Episode 55 a listen.

In the first official episode of season 4 of the Resilient by Design Podcast, I’m joined by 2 powerhouse women, Abagail Humphrey & Emylee Williams, in a riveting conversation where we cover it all and then some. Abagail, Emylee, and I share a passion for systems and processes and we talk all about growing your business in an internal and smart way.

This incredible conversation covers a large gamut of business topics, while Abagail and Emylee share a realistic approach to growing a business while taking into consideration the economy we find ourselves in. If you’re looking to grow your business but you’re thinking, “the world is changing shouldn’t affect me”… well, this episode is for you!

About Abagail & Emylee Abagail and Emylee are the business fairy godmothers behind Boss Project and the hosts of the chart-topping podcast, The Strategy Hour. They’re internet-famous for their program, Trello for Business, which breaks down boring and complicated systems into bite-size chunks. They have helped over 10k creative small business owners create simplicity and ease in reaching their goals. After getting their start in 2015 serving clients in the marketing and branding space, they now help other service-based business owners reignite their offer, create systems for client experience, and get more of their time back into their program, The Incubator. The team at Boss Project is truly revitalizing the service-based industry through strategies that don’t require flashy marketing, a huge audience, or full-time hours. During the conversation, we got into all things economic times along with the power of having a core service offering and how this can help you gain new and returning clients. These two women have an incredible knack for understanding the power of systems and really communicating the importance of that in your business and your sales focus. We dive into the distinction between repeat and brand-new clients, and share how investing in repeat clients will give you the most bang for your buck.

There are so many more topics in this episode like, regularly increasing your rates so that you can pay for everything but still remain profitable, focusing on your client, having front and back-end offerings, and much more.

You’ll definitely want to take notes on this one or give listen to it a couple of times to catch all of the juicy nuggets.

If you want to connect with Abagail and Emylee, you can visit their website at www.bossproject.com or tune into their amazing podcast, Strategy Hour.

As always I’m curious what you think of this episode and what resonates with you, so send me a DM on Instagram or join our Designer Meet-up Facebook Group!

If you're looking for ways to generate a quick infusion of cash, check out our newest resource, here.

Welcome to Season 4

Wow, I can’t believe we’re on season 4 - it's been 3.5 years and I love that we’re still doing this podcast! Today I’m sharing with you my hopes and dreams for 2023 and hopefully inspire you to reach for your hopes, dreams, and goals.

I really want you to remember one thing: It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to start.

As creatives, we tend to hold ourselves back because we want it to be beautiful, but as you’ll learn, it is the message that matters. The rest will come with time.

Remember that you won’t reach your goals if you’re holding for the right time. Just start.

Be it taking baby steps or kicking your behind into gear.

So take on 2023 with purpose and intention and start taking action.

This episode brings back another past guest who is full of knowledge, Etel Igreda! In our first chat, we talked about setting up your design business for financial success. Listen to episode 54 to listen to our first interview. In this episode, Etel and I chatted about how to prepare your business for the end of a fiscal year so that you can get into that headspace to prepare yourself to close out one year and start off a new one feeling confident. About Etel

Etelvina Igreda, aka Etel, is the Founder and Director of Blossom CPA. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has been servicing clients with a team of bookkeepers and accountants in Toronto and the GTA for over 10 years.

After working in corporate environments for some time, she started her own firm to grow professional happiness and create positive change for her clients. She loves to support businesses in the design and construction industry.

During our conversation, we talked about the difference between a calendar and fiscal year, sole proprietor versus incorporating, and the numbers you need to look at specifically to prepare for the end of the year.

I shared my experience from over the years on this topic - good and bad, and we even had a little fun as Etel quizzed me on some terminology and how the financials work. Spoiler alert: I did not get all of the answers right - this just indicates how much more there is to learn! But I’ll get there!

This episode is for you if you’re looking to get a handle on your finances and start off your new year more knowledgeable and with a strong game plan.

You can connect with Etel on Instagram @blossomcpa, on her website, and via email at etel@blossomcpa.ca.

If you’re interested in listening to more about taxes and other financial topics, send me a DM or join our Facebook group and let’s have this conversation inside our community.

This episode is all about your end-of-year prep! Recently I did a Candid Corner where I shared the key metrics that I look at to review my year and assess what worked and what didn’t.

Every year I take the time to sit and review my year before I set out to plan ahead. You have to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going, right?

In this episode, I share what I’m doing now to review my 2022 year and plan ahead and have a strong start to 2023. I strongly recommend that you take time to review your year because it can only help you!

It’s about seeing where your projects came from and how profitable of a year it was.

I do this every single year, and every year it looks a little different. If you want to learn more and learn how to do a deeper dive into reviewing your year, the following 2020 and 2021 episodes are a must-listen:

Episode 40 - Get your business ready for 2021 Part 1: Your Year in Review
Episode 41 - Get your business ready for 2021 Part 2: Set your goals for the new year
Episode 88 - Back to Basics. Let’s set some goals!
Episode 89 - Annual Company Planning Part 1
Episode 90 - Annual Company Planning Part 2

If these types of episodes resonate with you, send me a DM on Instagram, post in our Facebook community, or leave a sweet review for the podcast!

Today's episode is extra long but extra good! I had the opportunity to sit down once more with the talented Adrian Ramsay! A few months ago I had the privilege of being a guest on his podcast, TALKDesign, and I enjoyed our conversation so much that I told him he had to be on mine! We had an in-depth and great conversation about the biggest elephant in the room, the state of the economy! Adrian, having been in this business over for 22 years, gave us his insights about what's been happening, what we should pay attention to, and what we can do to ensure that our businesses can survive during the economic downturn. About Adrian

Adrian is a National Award Winning Designer based out of Buderim, Queensland. He runs an architecture and design business called Adrian Ramsay Design House.

ADRH connects with clients to innovate solutions for them and create homes that make their hearts sing. Using his unique ‘Design Magic’ process, Adrian listens to clients’ dreams, understands their budget, and creates unique, functional, and stylish homes, with a personalized finished product that leaves no two houses the same. While most of our work is based in Australia, Adrian Ramsay Design House has also completed works in New Zealand, England, and France. ARDH are full-service designers of new homes and home renovations, specializing in bespoke, environmentally sensitive design.

Adrian also hosts his own podcast, TALKDesign where he sits down with some big and small names and does a deep dive into their world.

We chatted about so many exceptional topics in this episode, including what Adrian calls a concept called the Emotional Floorplan, and how to get clients to openly share their non-negotiables.

We further talk about the historical fact that design and construction are the hardest hit industries in an economic downturn and how getting to truly know your client and niching down your marketing is key to surviving it.

And if you're curious about our first encounter on his podcast, go give it a listen on the TALKDesign Podcast, here.

Nugget of Wisdom:

Having a network. Having a process. Having people to rely on, to call on, and they will share with you. Even if they feel like a competition, they will share for your success - as we should be now. That community in 12 months' time will be the lifeline that is going to make a difference for you. Adrian Ramsay Connect with Adrian on Instagram @adrianramsay, on his podcast TALKDesign.show, and at www.ardesignhouse.com.

In this episode, I decided to record my time with my good friend, coach, cheerleader and returning podcast guest, Lisa Canning. In our chat, we decided to do a deep dive into mindset and how your thoughts could be costing you money in your business. We are in a weird and very uncertain economic time, and as business owners, this inspires uneasy feelings and often makes us pull back from reinvesting in our business. But it doesn't have to feel that way. This episode is for you if you're looking for opportunities to change your mindset, grow your business, and say goodbye to the scarcity mindset.

About Lisa

Lisa Canning is a professionally trained mindset and life coach who loves helping women unlock what is holding them back from earning money in their businesses. A former HGTV personality with 15 years of experience in interior design, Lisa brings her knowledge of the design world, combined with mindset coaching, to help designers scale to their next level with empathetic cheerleading and strategic plans for optimal results. A mom of 9 children ages 13 and under, Lisa is an expert in creating excitement, energy, and action. Lisa has been featured on The Today Show, Hallmark Home and Family, The NY Times, Style At Home, and more.

Through the episode, we share some ways you can build your confidence and ensure that you thrive through this economic downturn. Lisa shared some useful introspective information that will help you look at your life as it pertains to money and get you comfortable and confident in looking for opportunities. So much of our success is in the mind, so it is vital to have a money-positive mindset if you want to run a successful business.

You have a choice in how you think. Thoughts about the economy and thoughts about your biz are all optional. How you think about the future and how you behave in the present, you have power! You are not powerless over how you react to any situation in your life. You are more powerful than you think you are. - Lisa Canning

You can find Lisa on Instagram @lisacanning or connect with her on her website.

Learn more about our Winter Designer Retreat at rebeccahay.com/retreat

In this episode, we take you back inside our community of designers as we share another episode of Candid Corner. In this episode, Rebecca answers community questions from inside our Designer Meet-up Facebook group and tackles topics like getting your clients to trust your design choices and how to deal with when a client tries to negotiate your fees. If you want to take part and watch our Candid Corner sessions live every Wednesday, join our Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

This episode is the very first time we’ve ever shared a recording of a live event! What you’re about to tune into is a panel talk from the in-person Designer Meet-up we hosted on November 10 2022 in Toronto, Canada. I was joined by 3 amazing panelists and we focused on busting the myths behind offering full-service design. We get this question a lot - “What does offering full-service design mean?” So in this panel, we uncovered it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly! Meet the Panelists ###### Mia Parres

Mia moved her love of set design to become an on-camera host and designer for HGTV Canada. She is currently a designer behind the scenes for Farmhouse Facelift on HGTV!

###### Jaclyn Genovese

Jaclyn is the founder and principal designer of Spaces by Jacflash, a boutique design consulting firm. From her roots in fashion to her women’s wellness and entrepreneurial workshops, Jaclyn Genovese is not your average interior designer!

###### Carly Nemtean

Meet Carly, founder, and CEO of The Collective Workspace, as well as Carriage Lane Design-Build. Carly’s craft and strategy have gained her many awards in the industry, including NKBA 30 under 30.

During the panel, we shared the realities of being a designer and of owning a business. We told some amazing stories that I hope you can take away and learn from.

You can connect with our panelists via Instagram:

Mia Parres | @miaparresdesign & @livemyabode

Jaclyn Genovese | @jaclyngenovese & @spacesbyjacflash

Carly Nemtean | @carriagelanedesign_build & @thecollectiveworkspace

Are you ready? This episode is part 2 of my debrief and round table talk about attending High Point Market Fall 2022.

This episode is the second half of our talk where we dive into the trends we came across, the awesome vendors, and the showrooms we loved the most!

I am once again joined by 3 wonderful humans, Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce - because instead of taking on the market by myself like in the past, I met up with these lovely ladies and we did it 10x better, and together.

Listen in as we walk you through the trends and our most favorite parts and experiences at High Point.

Are you ready? This episode is part 2 of my debrief and round table talk about attending High Point Market Fall 2022.

This episode is the second half of our talk where we dive into the trends we came across, the awesome vendors, and the showrooms we loved the most!

I am once again joined by 3 wonderful humans, Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce - because instead of taking on the market by myself like in the past, I met up with these lovely ladies and we did it 10x better, and together.

Listen in as we walk you through the trends and our most favorite parts and experiences at High Point.

Today’s episode is extra special because I was able to sit down and chat with 3 spectacular designers about our experience attending High Point Market.

In this episode, I am joined by Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce for part 1 of our round table share and discussion on our experience.

We just got back last week from the market and we really wanted to answer the question each of us has heard before “is it worth it”. In this episode we share our individual experiences, tips on how to prepare and tricks to getting around and navigating the entire event.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming next week where we’ll dive into all of the design trends we saw!

Today’s episode is extra special because I was able to sit down and chat with 3 spectacular designers about our experience attending High Point Market.

In this episode, I am joined by Laura Thornton, Jennifer Muirhead, and Jocelyn Polce for part 1 of our round table share and discussion on our experience.

We just got back last week from the market and we really wanted to answer the question each of us has heard before “is it worth it”. In this episode we share our individual experiences, tips on how to prepare and tricks to getting around and navigating the entire event.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming next week where we’ll dive into all of the design trends we saw!

In this episode I had the opportunity with the fantastic PR Manager turned marketing and growth strategist AND phenomenal businesswoman, Natasha Ho! She helps creative entrepreneurs cut back on their working hours in half while doubling their income - because we all deserve a little break and to have our businesses work FOR us. In this episode, we talk about mindset and skillset and how you want both to hone in on what you're going to do so that you can do it with joy, and passion, and make more money! About Natasha

Natasha Ho is a woman on a mission to help entrepreneurs rapidly grow their businesses to six figures and beyond without grinding longer, working harder, or doing all of the things. She helps entrepreneurs tap into playfulness to elevate what they sell and how they sell it, so they can create massive visibility, and consistent sales, and have a whole lot more fun.

Natasha wanted to crack the code on how to grow with more speed, simplicity, and joy for herself. So she studied and experimented with every marketing and sales strategy she could find.

What she discovered is the key to rapid sales growth: you have to take the uncomfortable leap before you think you’re ready. Sell first. That’s how she created Sell Out Offers. She’s used this method to sell out cooking lessons, retreats, consulting services, and grow her business to six figures in the first year while working 20 hours a week. Through the episode we chat about her journey and how she's been able to bring forth all of the things she loves doing, like cooking, traveling, and hosting retreats, with her desire to help other entrepreneurs scale back their time commitment but still grow a business and an income! This episode is for you if you are tired of the constant hustle and want to take back some time for you to do the things you love without sacrificing the success of your business.

A Mantra to live by: Be bold play first and live free The way I approach everything in my life and in my business, I move toward things I desire with boldness. I always remember that play is most important. So play and have fun first. And live life with freedom and joy! Natasha Ho

You can find and connect with Natasha on Instagram at @heynatashaboo, join her Facebook group, or visit her website where you can also find her unique freebie that will help you convert those DMs on social into real conversations with potential clients.

In this rebroadcast episode, I share my sit down with the talented and multi-passionate Mia Parres of Mia Parres Designs and talk all about the entrepreneurial journey that led her from HGTV to her own design business, to a brand new business venture.

Mia is the Principal Designer of Mia Parres Design, a high-end residential design firm based out of the Beaches in Toronto, Canada, with clients all over the GTA, Muskoka, and Cayman.

From new builds to full home renovations, to furniture packages and styling, MPD thoughtfully blends coastal California with contemporary lines and seamless vintage character.

Mia is also passionate about her luxury linen and loungewear line, ABODE, which specializes in curating the perfect bed sheet and All Day PJ for women looking to invest in their rest.

I love that throughout the episode Mia is so generous with her knowledge and shares it all! Collaboration is the reason why I do this podcast.

Further into our chat, Mia shares her struggles with learning the ins and outs of running a business and how to generate a passive income. We also delve into accountability and how important it is for any entrepreneur and business owner - Mia has an accountability partner! However, if you don't have an accountability partner in your business, there are other ways to get that via a coach, community, or business/friend groups. One tidbit that really stuck with me about our conversation was Mia's take on teamwork. It's better to be intentional with who you hire if you want to grow and scale your business.

I believe that entrepreneurs are artists. Don't be afraid to put pen to paper and just get started! Don't be afraid of failure, just start manifesting.

- Mia Parres

You can find Mia on Instagram at @miaparresdesign, on her website at www.miaparresdesign.com, or to connect with her bed linens and loungewear go to www.lovemyabode.com or on Instagram @lovemyabode. -- Join our Designer Community on Facebook here. -- Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

This episode is a little different and special! We're sharing an inside glimpse into an episode of Candid Corner.

Candid Corner is a weekly live Q&A inside our free Facebook group, Designer Meet-ups. This is where I pop in to respond and weigh in on any kind of discussion happening inside our group and industry. I also answer questions from our members in real time.

We thought to handpick a few episodes of Candid Corner and share them on the podcast, in the hopes that it would give you a little kick in the butt or inspires you.

Of course, if you want to watch all of our past Candid Corners, join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode of Candid Corner, we discussed what you do when a contractor wants to be the designer as well. A lot of us have experienced contractors wanting to try to solve problems that affect the overall design and function without consulting the designer and going directly to the client. So how do you handle this?

If you're interested in learning more about what our community is saying about this topic, join the Facebook group.

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with a fellow Podcaster and Pittsburg Designer, Eric Dillman. We chatted about the interesting knowledge he’s gained from interviewing HGTV stars on his podcast as well as social media algorithms and branding. About Eric

Eric Dillman is an Interior Designer from Pittsburgh, PA. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Eric has a Podcast "Pro Series with Eric Dillman" in which he interviews HGTV stars, and other design, construction, and real estate professionals from all around the world.

In our conversation, we dive deeper into social media, and more specifically Instagram, talking about where people are at, the pesky algorithm, and what type of content to put out there to reach the right people. Eric also shared his unique thoughts on branding. Have a listen to the conversation and let us know your thoughts on the topic on Instagram and inside our community.

Put yourself in front of the camera. It brings life into your account. Don't be afraid of putting yourself out there. - Eric Dillman

You can connect with Eric on Instagram @ericdillmandesigns.

Join our Facebook Community for Designers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I sit down with Calgary designer, Kim Charbonneau to chat all about her experience as a POP and how it has helped her become comfortable in her second career as a designer. If you're in your second or third career or are thinking of making the move, this episode is the perfect inspiration for you! About Kim

Kim Charbonneau is the founder of Kim Joy Design located in Calgary, Alberta. Kim had been transforming her own spaces for many years, but in the last few years, she made the career switch and created her own firm.

Through the episode, Kim openly shares her career journey, from IT to a second career as an interior designer. After taking care of her own renovation, she felt that she wanted to pursue interior design, and one of the first things she did before she even started her own business was take Power of Process. WOW!

Kim knew that like any other business, she needed systems and processes to be her foundation and to grow. Kim shares her experience within Power of Process and how it helped her start her business on the right foot.

Towards the end of the episode, Kim shares a beautiful candid moment with me and a major takeaway from her time within our community. She found in us a safe space without judgment where she felt supported to grow at her own pace.

You can connect with Kim on Instagram @kimjoydesign.

Learn more about Power of Process at https://www.rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Join our Facebook group of Designers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I sat down with the fabulous designer and POP Alumni, Elizabeth Cinquini. We chatted about her big move from New York City to Florida and how she went from chaos to finding her calm when she reinvented her process. About Elizabeth Cinquini

Elizabeth is the founder of Elizabeth Cinquini Interiors. She helps busy professionals and families, who don’t have the time or design expertise, to completely transform their space. With 20 years of interior design and construction experience, Elizabeth keeps her clients ahead of the game by preventing and solving problems before they happen, saving clients time, money and stress! Through the episode, Elizabeth shares her experience moving from commercial store design for a global company to running her successful interior design business. Elizabeth and I spoke about the importance of understanding your value, knowing your worth, and the power of mindset. She shares the value of being disciplined and staying motivated even if you don't see results right away.

You can manifest anything that you want. You really have to believe it and you have to put it out into the universe. You will get it! If you are disciplined and work to do it. You can manifest anything. Elizabeth Cinquini

You can connect with Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethcinquini and at elizabethcinquini.com.

In this episode, I sat down with POP alumni and super powerhouse Yazyth Norelius. We chatted about her boomerang entrepreneurial journey, and how she made mind-blowing changes to her life and business as a result of Power of Process. Yazyth shares how she started out at first with a business partner, but then realized going out on her own was the right thing for her, which led to her ultimately doubling her income! About Yazyth

Yazyth Norelius is the founder of One of a Kind Interior Design in Denver, Colorado. Yazyth finished design school in 2010 but did not fully dive into the design industry as she felt it was unwelcoming. After 20 years in the corporate world, she came back into design once again, first starting a business with a contractor friend, and then as a result of POP taking the plunge to start her own business and double her income.

Through the episode, Yazyth and I have a very candid conversation about her experience in the design industry over the years. She shares her negative experience when she first graduated and how it deterred her from pursuing a career in design right after she graduated. Through Power of Process Yazyth uncovered who her ideal client is and realized that she had to carve out her own path if she ever wanted to reach them.

Yazyth shares her many Ah-ha moment through my Power of Process course and our Designers Room membership. She now feels confident and unstoppable because she not only took the plunge back into her passion but she successfully doubled her income!

There is no stupid question. If you don't ask what you don't know, you'll never get the answer. And then you're missing out. Yazyth Norelius

You can connect with Yazyth on Instagram @oneofakindid.

Find out more about Power of Process at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

Before I tell you about today's episode I wanted to share that my signature course, Power of Process is officially OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT TODAY! 🎉

Learn more at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

In this episode, I walk you through exactly what we do the steps we follow, and how we handle Kick-off day. This is the very first step inside our Phase 3 - implementation.

Kick-off day is a relatively new step we added into our Phase 3 because I found that we were really strong in Phase 1 and Phase 2 but Phase 3 would always be a little more wishy-washy and sometimes fall off the rail regardless of how much we planned.

I’m sharing this today on the day that I’m opening the doors to my signature course, Power of Process, to show you how processes can be streamlined but fluid over the years.

You're invited! I'm hosting a Free Masterclass | Increase your revenue & Uplevel your business in today's economy on September 15 2022 & September 21, 2022. Save your seat here: rebeccahay.com/masterclass

Join our Free Facebook Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I had the pleasure to sit down with the intelligent and talented Lisa Kooistra. We chatted about her entrepreneurial journey and how she went from working in survival mode to working with purpose and fulfillment. About Lisa

Lisa earned her interior design degree at Sheridan College and has worked under the tutelage of top industry designers to gain a wide knowledge of interior design, renovations, decor, and TV set design. In 2017, Lisa founded her own full-service interior design firm, Lisa Kooistra Designs (LKD), where her passion for design and signature style translates into every project she undertakes.

LKD offers a full range of services, from new builds and complete home renovations to interior design, furnishing/styling as well E-design, guiding clients through every step of the process. Lisa leads the LKD team and collaborates with York Renovations & Design Inc., complemented by a full roster of highly skilled trades, who work together to bring their designs and new builds to life.

Lisa candidly shares how she started her business because she was tired of executing someone else's vision. But for many years it was a messy and confusing process because she lacked a process and clarity on what she was doing and where she wanted to take her business. She was operating in survival mode! After enrolling in Power of Process she felt guided, supported, and found herself focusing on understanding her ideal client and the vision she wanted for her business. Lisa now recognizes her own experience and expertise, has a process in place for the kind of business she wants to run and the life she wants to have, and is no longer operating in survival mode. Listen to the full episode to hear about Lisa's journey and her experience with my Power of Process Course.

Don't bend your business to fit other people. Lisa Kooistra

You can connect with Lisa on Instagram @lisakooistradesigns and at lkdesigns.ca.

Join my upcoming Free Masterclass | Increase your revenue and uplevel your business in today's economy. I'm hosting 2 sessions, September 15 & September 21, 2022 - Pick the one that works for you at rebeccahay.com/masterclass

Doors to my signature course Power of Process are opening on Thursday, September 15, 2022! Learn more about Power of Process at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

In this episode, I am sharing all things Fixed Fee Billing! I walk you through the pros and cons of the different pricing models, share some stories from my own personal experience, and help you determine this is the pricing model for you. This is one of the biggest topics we have in our Facebook groups and a question I get more often than I can count. Fixed fee billing can be alluring but if you're considering the switch I want to give you all the information you need to jump into this with eyes wide open.

In my journey of switching between hourly to fixed fee billing, there were definitely highs and lows. It does help to reduce billing exhaustion and stress, but believe it or not, it does not free you from tracking your hours!

This episode is for you if you've ever played with the idea of switching from hourly to fixed fee billing.

Interested in learning more about increasing your revenue and up-leveling your business in today's economy? I'm hosting a Free Masterclass to show you how! Learn more and Save your seat

Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Power of Process is returning on September 15 2022. Join the waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

I had the opportunity to speak with two amazing design professionals, Colleen Shier of Spruce Interiors, and Laura Thornton of Thornton Design, in another round-table talk about knowing your value as design professionals, growing and adapting your business, and creating a unique process. (Hint: they both enrolled in Power of Process)

Colleen is the founder and principal of Spruce Interiors in Toronto. Her approachable demeanour and collaborative work style are as much a part of Spruce Interiors’ success as her talent for creating timeless, Iivable interiors, with client service and attention to detail as top priorities. Established in 2005, Spruce Interiors prides itself on well-established relationships with top suppliers, work rooms and trades as well as a loyal repeat clientele.

Laura Thornton’s journey to becoming an interior designer stemmed from her childhood, where she recalls her agonizing piano lessons with her two sisters every Saturday morning. It was there she discovered Architectural Digest publications because her piano teacher’s father was an architect and had an inspiring library. Laura went to University to study law and political science but quickly knew her heart and skill set was destined to be in Interior Design, where she ended up within her post-secondary schooling. She founded Thornton Design in 1999 and has established wonderful relationships with her clients, family, and friends, and loves offering her insights to inspire residential and commercial spaces.

Our conversation focuses on their reasonings for taking my Power of Process course, and their experiences. They were both in my first cohort in Fall 2020, and made a huge impact with their willingness to learn, grow and share within our community. (Community is what we live for!) Although both Colleen and Laura have been in business for many years, they both saw the value in taking Power of Process to improve their existing systems and fine-tune their internal and client-facing processes.

This episode has incredibly interesting perspectives. Colleen is a solo residential designer, meanwhile Laura has a team and studio that service both residential and commercial. Being in the interior design industry can sometimes feel like you’re alone on an island and joining community can be just the resource you need. These ladies have enjoyed being part of a design community that is inclusive and collaborative and has helped them elevate their businesses.

Hearing their stories and the impact my courses have had on their lives and business completely fills my heart. Colleen has jumped leaps and bounds with her business since her enrollment in the Momentum Challenge and Power of Process, while also changing her own mindset. Meanwhile Laura has changed her perspective on her existing process, which she has had for years, and fine-tuned it to better serve her clients and team.

There’s no roadmap to owning a business and evolving it through the years, but there are steps you can take to create a unique process that works for you right now as your foundation, which you can, later on, adapt and build upon as you grow and learn.

You can find Colleen at www.spruceinteriors.ca and on Instagram @spruceinteriors.ca

You can find Laura at www.laurathorntondesign.com and on Instagram @Thorntondesign

Learn more about Power of Process and join the waitlist at www.rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess.

Enrollment opens on September 15 2022

Join our Designer Meet up Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

How do you handle it when your client asks for your designer discount?

Everyone who owns a business of any kind will be asked this question at some point:

“Can I get a discount?“

"DO you extend your discounts to Clients"

"What is your designer discount?"

And it often makes us feel undervalued and underpaid... and UNCOMFORTABLE!

Today's episode is all about what to say and how to handle these uncomfortable situations.

So, how do we respond to this question in a way that is honest, balanced, AND healthy for us and for our clients?

I've polled friends, the internet, and past experiences of my own to help you out.

Next time you get this question you'll be able to tackle it head-on and with confidence!

Join our Designer Meet-up Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Want to be the first to hear when Power of Process is coming back? Join our waitlist (and trust me, you're in for a treat)!: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

If you want to automate your business a little and are looking for a program to help you with your operations and managing your processes, this episode is for you! About Charlotte

Charlotte Isaac is a Business Operations Consultant who gave up her role as a corporate ops manager inside of a creative agency so that she could serve small business owners who love their people just as much as she does hers. Through her signature program, Ease Seekers Society, and her DIY Dubsado shop, Charlotte helps overwhelmed and overworked entrepreneurs build customized solutions so they can serve their clients better, automate busywork, and feel confident in their business. Blessed with a travel bug herself, Charlotte leads by example, having designed her own business in a way that allows plenty of space to enjoy life with her husband, both in their hometown of Sydney, Australia, and around the world.

Charlotte and I chat about a program called Dubsado that I’ve used to automize my interior design business. I’ve used Dubsado for the past 4 years as an incredible tool to help with client onboarding, tracking the progress on projects, sending contracts and so much more.

Charlotte shares how she uses Dubsado as a way to keep her accountable for all the little things that tend to slip through the cracks like following up with leads and on proposals. We chat about the power and time savings of having canned and automated emails. With these, you can deliver the same messaging to every single client the same way, and keep up with clients after the fact with birthday emails and more. We also talk about how automating your processes means that YOU don’t have to be the only one responsible for every single small task.

In the episode, Charlotte shares her Free 7 Steps to Automation course so that you can set up your systems and save time. This comprehensive course includes video lessons, exercises for listeners to work through on their own, and templates to tick off all the key items in a Dubsado setup. Join the free course here.

Remember that you get to make your own rules. And if you make your own rules in a very intentional way, nothing can really go wrong. We can learn from other people, listen to podcasts and read books, but at the end of the day no one is telling us this is how we HAVE to work with our clients, these are the hours we have to show up, these are the boundaries we have to set, you can do whatever you like and whatever feels good to you in business. And if you do it with intention and do things well thought out, chances are you're going to end up in a really good place. Charlotte Isaac

You can find and connect with Charlotte at charlotteisaac.com and on Instagram @charlotteisaachq.

Join our Designer Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Join the Power of Process waitlist! Doors open on September 15, 2022: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Leave us a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/resilient-by-design-with-rebecca-hay/id1512535682

In this episode, I share ways you can attract clients during an economic slowdown. I walk you through the basics of understanding who is your ideal client, and how to better recognize what they want out of life and where you fit in. I share tangible takeaways that will help you meet clients where they are at, serve them well, and continue attracting future clients.

This episode is to get your mind churning with new ideas so you can be proactive instead of reactive during a slow economy.

Join our Designer Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Save the Date: Power of Process is coming back in Fall 2022! Enrollment opens on September 15, 2022. Join the waitlist and be the first to know more: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

This amazing episode with PR and visibility strategist Lisa Simone Richards is all about getting visible and how you can do it yourself! About Lisa Simone Richards

Lisa Simone Richards is a PR & Visibility Strategist for online coaches who want to get seen everywhere.
Through her free workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship program, she gives you insider secrets on how to get exposure and reach more people without spinning your wheels on social media or wasting money on Facebook ads.
On weekends you can find her playing in the kitchen with her husband, petting ALL the dogs in the park, and watching way too many fashion styling videos on YouTube. Through the episode, Lisa and I chat about the ABCs of PR which really made me think about my own visibility journey, where I've excelled, and where I could improve. Listen to the full episode for the juicy Ah-ha moments during our chat.

Lisa shares why you want to have a healthy media mix so that people can consume their content to their preference, and how you can get free exposure! If you're looking to get your business noticed, this episode is for you!

Getting that first hit is gonna be the hardest. You're gonna send a pitch out. You're not gonna get a response. It'll get deleted. You're gonna feel disheartened. Don't stop there. The first pitch is the hardest, but once you get a feature, a media snowball starts to roll from there. Lisa Simone Richards

You can connect with Lisa on Instagram @lisasimonerichard or on her website theperfectpodcastpitch.com. You can also learn the best way for YOU to get visibility online as a coach at www.lisasimonerichards.com/quiz.

Join our Designer Meet-up Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Want to be the first to know when my signature process building course is coming back? Join the waitlist here: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

In this episode, I share how you can prepare your clients for photoshoot day.

I walk through the document I send my clients to set their expectations and get them ready for us when it comes time for photoshoot day.

Managing client exceptions is especially important for service-based businesses. It is your job as the professional to educate your client on the process so that they understand what is going on and enjoy the experience all the way through - this also means during steps that may not involve the client at all such as a photoshoot day!

Rebecca's tip: Mention information early and often! For example, we mention our photoshoot from the very beginning when we meet our clients so that they understand that this is as much a step in our process as is the consultation.

--

Join the waitlist for Power of Process at rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

This episode is all about how you can bring quick money into your business! When the economy is unpredictable and there's a possibility of a recession, it's time to think outside of the box of new and creative strategies that you can use to bring in a quick infusion of cash to your business.

Getting creative and pivoting is an essential skill now more than ever. So this episode covers a few creative tactics to find the cash you need to reinvest in yourself and your business without affecting your bottom line.

Reinvesting in yourself can look like taking Power of Process this Fall, Hiring someone new, or going on vacation. There's merit to being prepared and knowing how to get creative as the world and economy shift.

In this episode, we talk about something that I love… MARKETING! I sat down with, interior designer and business coach, Pamela Durkin to chat about magnetic marketing that can attract the best clients to you and help you grow your business. About Pamela Durkin Design is powerful and Pamela wants designers to step into that power. After 30 years in the high-end design business, she is now helping other designers create a business they love through her In Demand Designer Program. She teaches them how to be magnetic and attract the best clients. This method makes owning a design business easier and more fulfilling. Her book, Elevate! can be found on Amazon.

Pamela Durkin has been a professional interior designer for over 30 years. She is a past president of ASID Florida South Chapter and served on the Board of Architecture and Design in NJ. She lives in Naples, FL, and in her spare time, loves spending time on the beach and learning new moves in her home dance studio.

Through this episode, we chatted about finding and meeting your ideal clients where they are at. We connected over our shared views on using your genuine personality to connect with clients on a deeper level. Clients are more likely to connect with YOU, the person, rather than you, the business. Pamela also shared her observation of how designers tend to focus on providing a report on the transformation of a space, rather than how it improved the lives of clients and why it was done. Building a future client base means talking more about the "WHY" and how you helped solve a problem, rather than how you got to the end result. We also chatted about Pamela's book, Elevate! How to Take Your Design Business from the Basement to the Penthouse!, is now available on Amazon.

You’re better than you think you are. You’re further along than you think are. You’ve done more than you think you have. Pat yourself on the back for that. Just be happy where you’re at and sometimes reflect on how far you’ve come. Be thankful for that. Pamela Durkin

You can connect with Pamela on Instagram at @pameladurkin, and at pamela-durkin.com.

--

Join our Designer Meet-up Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Want to learn more and be the first to know when Power of Process opens its doors again? Join our waitlist here: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Elevate!: How to take your design business from the basement to the Penthouse!

Designers, if you have styling questions, this episode is for you! In this episode, I talk all about styling and how you can ensure you actually get to style your clients’ spaces. For many designers, towards the end of the project, the client is spent and does not want to spend more money. As much as they like us, they may want a break from having us in their home.

So how do you approach the subject of styling so that you can feel satisfied with the outcome and can photograph the space for marketing purposes, as well as have the client agree to all that?

In general terms, I plant the seed early on and communicate our process to include styling as a part of the experience.

It's all about how you sell it and paint the visual for the client.

Listen to the episode for my full tips!

The Know Your Numbers Series is back with Part 3! I brought my Operations Manager Merilee Wright back in to talk all about forecasting and how you can forecast for your business. & YES, you CAN forecast for an interior design business! ABOUT MERILEE WRIGHT

Merilee is a former client of Rebecca’s and an accomplished business professional with a passion for coaching people and business owners to achieve their goals.
Skilled in reaching business objectives through alignment of business operations and employee and customer experience, Merilee has a reputation for making an impact. She is known for building high-performing teams and driving efficiency.

With over 30 years of increasingly senior roles in the consumer services, financial services, and retail industries, Merilee has a breadth of experience that includes strategy development, business operations, customer experience, coaching, and change management. Merilee has a unique ability to quickly understand complex environments and provide insight for both executive decision-making and staff implementation.

When she’s not helping business owners grow their businesses, you can find her on her sailboat!!!

Through this episode, Merilee and I talk about why you NEED to forecast the financials in your business. We walk you through the power of creating a financial forecast for your business, such as looking at where your revenue is coming from, what your expenses are, how you can use that to get smart about your spending, and projecting future profits.

This episode is a little number-heavy, so to help you out, we've created a spreadsheet PDF example for you to follow along with. Go to rebeccahay.com/forecast & grab your freebie.

ANNOUNCEMENT! I'm hosting a VIP DAY on July 14 2022 all about Unlocking your profit-earning potential. During this full day of virtual learning, I'll walk you through how you can learn the numbers inside your business without the overwhelm - including a deeper dive into how to forecast the future of your business. ###### Early bird tickets now available until July 1 2022

Learn more about VIP Day at rebeccahay.com/VIP >>>

This episode is all about you can manage to take a worry-free vacation from your business (every entrepreneur and business owner needs this)!

I'm sharing my tips on how you can take a vacation (and really turn off), AND how you can get back to work after being away on holiday without skipping a beat.

--

Join our Designer Meet-up Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Today's episode is brought out by some personal experiences and questions from the community. This episode is all about dealing with a client who has bad taste in design! Navigating client wants and likes can be tough enough if a client wants to be very hands-on, but what do you do when a client has really bad taste in design and they constantly insist on something you completely disagree with as the professional? I share a few key ways to help you avoid this situation and how to deal with it if it does happen.

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I sit down with Katie Raffetto to talk about all billing. Billing clients can be a stressor for many designers, in this conversation Katie and I share how we've billed our clients, and she shares the billing practice that transformed her business! About Katie Raffetto

Since 2007, San Francisco’s Katie Raffetto Interior Design has infused joy and delight to their interior design process, delivering innovation and timeless interiors, unique to each specific client's needs. Serving clients in the Bay Area and beyond, Raffetto creates spaces for people to function and thrive at a high-end level.

With every project, Raffetto listens with intention, learning about the owners and how they want to use and live in their space. By taking time to learn about her clients, she develops trusting and collaborative relationships. “Our process is collaborative because you’re the expert on your life and lifestyle,” shares Raffetto. She approaches the space with thoughtful design, always reflective of the homeowners.

Raffetto’s signature style focuses on colors, textures, and timeless elements. Like her style and designs, Raffetto is always approachable. She creates a custom, authentic solution for each client. In the end, the clients get a gorgeous home that feels like home and suits their needs and wants. You can connect with Katie at www.katieraffetto.com or on Instagram @krinteriordesign.

There are 2 types of designers in this world - one you want to be & one you don't.

In this episode, I'm going to talk about what it means to be a business owner and what it means to be a hobbyist.

You can be either one. There is no judgment, but this is a question every entrepreneur needs to ask themselves: Is it a side hustle or hobby OR is it a profitable business I want to live off of.

Through the episode, I share my own journey with this and my tips on how to move from hobbyist designer to business owner.

Join our Designer Meet-ups community and let's continue the conversation there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, we are back with Merilee Wright for Part 2 of the Know your numbers series where we talk all about expenses and what it actually costs to run your business.

About Merilee Wright

Merilee is a former client of Rebecca’s and an accomplished business professional with a passion for coaching people and business owners to achieve their goals.
Skilled in reaching business objectives through alignment of business operations and employee and customer experience, Merilee has a reputation for making an impact. She is known for building high-performing teams and driving efficiency.

With over 30 years of increasingly senior roles in the consumer services, financial services, and retail industries, Merilee has a breadth of experience that includes strategy development, business operations, customer experience, coaching, and change management. Merilee has a unique ability to quickly understand complex environments and provide insight for both executive decision-making and staff implementation.

When she’s not helping business owners grow their business, you can find her on her sailboat!!!

Throughout the episode, we cover what kind of items you can attribute as a business expense, what a "write-off" means, and the kinds of audits designers can encounter. I share my personal experience with being audited.

Merilee also shares what is a "run rate", and how to determine it in your business.

Make friends with your numbers and your numbers will be friends with you.

- Merilee Wright

Grab a pen and paper before you press play for this episode because it’s full of good tips and takeaways. I had the opportunity to chat with Etel Igreda from Blossom CPA.

Etelvina Igreda, aka Etel, is the Founder and Director of Blossom CPA in Toronto, Ontario. After working in corporate environments for some time, she started her own firm to grow professional happiness for herself and create positive change for her Creative clients. Etel describes herself as an accountant by trade and an entrepreneur by choice. Besides having her business baby, Etel am a mom of 3 and wife of 1.

Fun side note: If Etel didn’t go the business route she would have become a professional translator: she loves learning languages, language rules, and interacting with people.

Blossom CPA is a modern accounting firm where they leverage technology to solve process bottlenecks for their clients, provides peace of mind with Advisory Services, and helps businesses be compliant (and meet CRA deadlines).

I asked Etel to come on the podcast to talk about how you can set up your business for financial success. The purpose of this episode is to empower you with a better sense of how you can manage the financials in your business (new or old).

Through the episode, Etel shares what it means to incorporate your business if you should do it, and why. She also speaks to the benefits of being a sole proprietor and provides some great tips for your year-end and what is actually considered revenue in your business.

We speak further about the typical audit type that designers can face, how to set up your business bank accounts, and various software you can use to keep you organized throughout the year (whether you’re a solo or have a team).

Lastly, you won’t want to miss the financial and other business definitions that Etel explains, some that took me YEARS to understand. This episode will help you set your business up for success from the beginning, and help you realize that it’s the little things that you do throughout the year that will keep you on track.

You can Etel at www.blossomcpa.ca, email at etel@blossomcpa.ca, and on Instagram @BlossomCPA.

In this episode, I had the opportunity to have a candid conversation about mindset, boundaries, and processes with the talented and ever-resilient designer Jami Sparling.

About Jami Sparling Jami Sparling is the Principal Designer and Creative Director of BryCo. Interiors

She officially turned her lifelong passion for interior design and decorating into a career when she founded BryCo. Interiors in 2019, leaving an 11-year career as a Paramedic, behind.

Jami now operates BryCo Interiors alongside her husband Brad, and offers Full-Service Interior Design & Decorating in London and surrounding areas. Since starting, she quickly realized the benefit of having a team… thanks to reading many business books! They now have a team of 5, a 3000 sq ft warehouse with a design studio, and even a moving van.

BryCo. Interiors is a heart-centered business with a focus on relationship building. They value investing in their growth, both personally and professionally so they can offer their best selves to the people they connect with.

With an emphasis on mental health, Jami has created a positive work environment and company culture where everyone is working within their individual strengths so they truly love what they do. This mindset pours into all of the projects they commit to. Although Jami is the visionary, her husband Brad is their integrator and he keeps everything running like a well-oiled machine. With their systems and processes in place, mixed with their creativity and kind communication, they are dedicated to delivering a great client experience every step of the way.

From the very beginning of the episode, our conversation is very open and honest as Jami shares her life and career journey, along with her experience of overcoming PTSD, her life as a single mom, and a determined career woman. I absolutely loved hearing her thoughts on learning to say NO to people, because as Jami says "when you say yes to one thing you're ultimately saying no to something else" because it really isn't feasible to say yes to everything.

Jami also shares how she runs her business and how she is dedicated to working only with "kind clients" as this ensures a more enjoyable working experience not only for herself but also for the clients as there will ultimately be less friction.

I connected with Jami when she took my Power of Process course the very first time I offered it, since then she's been an active member of our open design community and then took the chance to include me further in her business journey by joining my inner circle coaching membership, Designers Room. Jami shares how Power of Process and Designers Room have been instrumental in helping her make concise decisions in her business. She went from offering all sorts of services to refining it down to 1 core offering and successfully growing her business. (This is music to my ears!)

Dive into the entire episode because you won't want to miss one second of this one.

Get to know who you are. Figure out who you are as a person and that will completely change your life. Jami Sparling

You can find Jami on Instagram @Bryco.Interiors and on her website at brycointeriors.net

In this episode, I share my Dos and Don’ts when it comes to sourcing (one of the most fun but often frustrating parts of being a designer)! Through the episode, I share what I’ve learned about sourcing through the years. Over my design career, I’ve gone sourcing countless times and I’ve had both good, bad, and ugly experiences doing it. As you know I believe that sharing my experiences along with my tips will help you become more efficient and avoid some mistakes I’ve made in the past.

HERE’S MY LIST OF DOS AND DON’TS WHEN IT COMES TO SOURCING: 1. Establish a list of GO-To vendors. 2. Determine what profit margin you want and select your vendors to align with this. 3. Pros and Cons when it comes to custom vs store-bought. 4. How to source effectively. I like to do it by the project. 5. Go in person first before online to get inspired and see finishes. Then source online. 6. Start with vendors where you get the best pricing.

Listen to the full episode to find out more about each of my tips and stories of my experiences throughout my career.

Photography is SO important to a designer's business. It is how you show off what you can do, not only 1 on 1 to clients or on your website but also to the world via magazines and other online publications. It is worth the time and money that you invest to get yourself professional photos of your best projects!

This is why today we’re bringing back Episode 83 with interiors photographer Mike Chajecki. He shares so many tips on how you, as a designer, can produce magazine-worthy photos of your projects.

Interview Mike Chajecki

I had a chance to sit down with my photographer Mike Chajecki and talk all about running successful photoshoots!

Mike Chajecki is a leading Interiors Photographer with almost 2 decades of experience covering Interiors and Lifestyle projects. Many of his works have been published in many of Canada’s top magazines, such as House & Home, Style at Home, Reno & Decor and countless other publications. He often collaborates with some of Toronto’s leading Interior Designers and Publicists to photograph luxurious homes. He is passionate about highlighting the artistic vision behind the beautiful spaces that he captures with his lens. When he is not busy working with some of the most talented designers in the industry, he’s teaching photography workshops. When away from his camera, he loves spending time with his wife and two daughters, and enjoys the outdoors or training for his next cycling race!

I've worked with Mike for years to capture many of our spaces and we have been featured in a multitude of national and international publications using his photos. Through the episode, Mike shares his experience as a photographer, starting out doing weddings and then transitioning to interior photography. He openly shares his perspective about photographing interior spaces and provides a variety of tips and tricks to help designers successfully work through their next photoshoot.

In this episode, Mike and I chat about the importance of finding the right photographer for you, both personality and shooting style. It is vital that you and your photographer communicate well and has a similar aesthetic so that you're 100% happy with the end results!

Make sure you feel comfortable with your photographer! You'll work so much better together.

- Mike Chajecki

You can find mike at mikechajecki.com and on Instagram @mike_chajecki.

-

Join our Designer Facebook community, here.

-

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

In this episode, I’m sharing my 5 tips for getting your clients to sign off on your designs! I’ll also share a bonus nugget which is basically how we do it in my own design firm. Once you establish a way of doing things inside your business, it gives you more confidence to sell your services and designs and inspires clients to have confidence in you.

But I totally understand that getting clients to sign off on every single bit of your design can be a complicated process when you’re starting out or don’t set expectations from the beginning.

My basic 5 tips to get clients to sign off are: 1. Set expectations early & often 2. Always present in person 3. Run a great presentation with samples to have clients touch and feel items (fabrics, tiles, etc) 4. Be clear and firm about the revisions period 5. Have a system in place to get their actual signature on your package (ie. DocuSign)

These are just some tips and tricks that have worked in my business and with my process. I would love to hear what you do that helps clients sign off on your designs, or what struggles you face during this part of your design process. Join the Designer Meet-up Facebook group and let’s have a conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Norcross to talk about PR and getting published as a designer. We touch upon the top publications, strategy, and how you can repurpose content.

About Natalie Norcross

Natalie Norcross is an innovative and driven entrepreneur who knows the public relations world inside and out. Bringing over 20 years of experience with Interior Designers, Lifestyle Brands, and Start-Ups, she has an in-depth understanding of the design and consumer market and a vision for driving business growth, building brand awareness, and securing powerful press placements. In 2008, Natalie launched A Design Partnership to offer brands a multi-faceted approach for forward-thinking brands. Since then the agency has grown into a dynamic group of communication experts who focus on strengthening the brands of our global client base through consumer awareness and media relations.

She is passionate about helping clients transform their brands by securing coverage and feature stories in domestic and international publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Robb Report, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Departures, Town & Country, and World of Interiors. Her team has vast experience working with brands, start-ups, e-commerce, and interior designers across luxury and mass-market categories, including home and design, fashion, tech, beauty, travel, and hospitality.

Natalie is an Official Member of Forbes Agency Council, as well as a regular speaker and panelist in both the communications and design industries.

In our conversation, Natalie and I discuss her experience with the interior design industry, how she built and sold her business and transitioned into PR. We talk about the top 5 publications that most designers ask to get featured in.

Natalie is a collaborative individual and is open to sharing, which led to our conversation about strategy and her tips on how you can take one piece of content and repurpose it in many different ways for many outlets.

This episode is perfect for designers whose goal is to get published but don't really know where to start.

Natalie also shares a variety of free resources on her website such as a photoshoot guide, Nail your Niche Formula, and a Business Workbook. Click here to learn more. She also has another Free PDF all about leveraging your press to help you get the most out of a feature once you get published. Reach out to Natalie via email at natalie@adesignpartnership.com.

Create a kindness business. Check-in with your business. If you created an internal culture, that was so caring, nurturing, and kind, so much that all your employees served your customers with that same kindness. How would your business look different? How would your processes look different? How would you market differently? What would you have to change to create a kindness business?

Natalie Norcross

You can find Natalie on Instagram @adesignpartnership and on her website at www.adesignpartnership.com.

In episode 103, I had the opportunity to interview another amazing designer and beloved POP Alumnus, Laurie Sprague. Laurie’s story is really unique in that she shares her experience moving from Newfoundland and leaving her established design business behind to starting over from scratch in a new city! Laurie has a really great perspective - instead of seeing her move as a setback, she saw it as an opportunity to clean her slate and establish a new process that worked for her new life.

About Laurie Sprague

Laurie Sprague is the president and principal of Sprague Interiors Inc, a boutique interior decorating and design firm that creates homes for happy living. Laurie's mission is to create beautiful spaces while also providing her customers with an exciting, stress-free experience. Sprague Interiors specializes in residential renovations and is based in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Throughout the episode, Laurie talks about her decision to move and how it all worked during the pandemic. She also shares her experience in Power of Process and how she took what she learned and applied it to her new business. Laurie currently has a thriving business and a team of two designers working for her which is amazing!

During our chat, I was reminded that process isn’t set in stone and there is no one-size-fits-all. Our processes are constantly evolving.

If you’re interested in what it looks like to relocate, you’ll find this episode incredibly informative and motivating.

Always charge for your time, Always charge for your consultation even if it's a smaller value. I always charge for my time right from day one. Or else people will devalue you and not really take you seriously. Plus you’re worth it. You have to have the confidence to put yourself out there.

- Laurie Sprague

Learn more about Power of Process, here. (Enrollment for 2022 closes on April 7 2022 at 11:59 pm ET)

In this episode, I wanted to really talk about the importance of investing in your business and doing things like establishing systems and processes! So, what gives? Why bother doing it?

Sometimes business is trucking along and it's good enough. You don't love it and some parts actually give you major stress and frustration, but you feel like you can handle it.

Well, taking the leap and creating an interior design business shouldn't feel like you're just "handling it" or that it's "good enough".

When you invest in your business, it comes back to you tenfold.

This has been my experience! But don't take it from me alone. In this episode, I share the stories of others who have taken the time to develop a process in their business and have had massives changes or successes.

RSVP to my Free Masterclass and kickstart your process journey at www.rebeccahay.co/masterclass

Power of Process is open for enrollment! Doors close on April 7, 2022. Learn more about my signature course for designers at www.rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess

In this bonus episode, I sit down and chat with a star member of our community and super talented Connecticut designer, Jocelyn Polce. We talk about how implementing a process in her business has led to the biggest business transformation within the last 12 months.

About Jocelyn Polce

Jocelyn is the owner and Principal Designer of August Oliver Interiors (A|O), a Connecticut-based interior design studio offering a full-service, turn-key design experience that is centered around telling each client’s unique story. Every aspect of the design – from the drawings down to the door handles – is coordinated, planned, and executed by their team.

The A|O goal is to create a classic room that will stand the test of time, evolve as life does and provide an elevated living experience – Yes, even when kids are involved! Her unique ability to find that delicate balance between living beautifully and functionally with a family stems from her most important role as mom to her 5 young boys.

Her energy is unmatched as is her ability to coordinate the construction chaos and design process. Jocelyn adheres strongly to the belief that communication is key and prides herself in using it with every client and contractor to make her projects run smoothly – on time and on budget.

Jocelyn’s passion for travel and love of vintage treasures is what inspires every design.

She openly shares how much she used to charge for consultations last year versus what she charges now, and it's all thanks to her dedication to implementing systems in her business and treating her business like a business.

Throughout the episode, we talk about how defining your service offering and casting a vision for your business provides you with clarity and gives you the confidence to transform your business. Jocelyn shares how she's been rapidly transitioning her business and the systems she's put in place that help her say NO to projects that don't light her up or fit her process and elevate her client experience.

Jocelyn also shares her experience when she was a student in my Power of Process course in 2021 and now as a member of my private community, Designers Room. Accountability and having an organized set way of learning are key elements that have helped her succeed and bring her business to the next level.

Just start somehow or some way to make progress. I always was thinking before that, if I just don't do it all at once, I can’t do it. Now I think just pick one thing, do it, and don't put it off. Just start. It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to look perfect, because you’re gonna change anyway. So don't be scared, just push forward, even when you're scared to death, just do it.

- Jocelyn Polce

You can find and connect with Jocelyn on Instagram at @augustoliverinteriors or on her website at www.augustoliverinteriors.com.

Join my Free Masterclass all about Process! I share the 5 steps to build your unique process and eliminate the chaos: https://rebeccahay.com/masterclass/

Power of Process is now open for enrollment. Doors close on April 7, 2022. Learn more at https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

WOW WOW WOW! I can't believe this is the 100th Episode of the Resilient by Design podcast!

Before I started Resilient by Design, I wanted to start a podcast for a really long time and had a few failed attempts.

Finally got this one off the ground, and I remember... In those early stages, I watched a video or heard a podcast by Gary Vaynerchuk where someone had asked him to be on their podcast and Gary said, "Sure man, call me once you've reached a hundred episodes!"

So to me, 100 episodes, became a benchmark for a successful podcast. So Yes, I made it!

Today's episode is special and really fun because I share the most listened-to podcasts of all time since I started this podcast in the deep depths of the pandemic in 2020. We pull some of the best moments from your favorite episodes! Woo.

So grab a cup of tea, glass of wine, whatever you're drinking choices, and curl up, and listen to some of the best moments so far of the Resilient by Design Podcast!

--

Want to dip your feet in the water and learn my proven 5 steps to build your unique process and eliminate the chaos? Join my free masterclass: https://rebeccahay.com/masterclass/

If you're ready to dive in head first in your process creation journey, click to learn more about Power of Process, my signature online course that is now open for registration: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess/

Join our Facebook Community for Designers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, we bring back a familiar voice from season 2 of the podcast, Steve Ryan!

Steve is not only a designer, stager, and POP alumni, but he is also a vocal contributor in our designer meet-up community on Facebook, jumping in to provide feedback and helping other designers in our community which just warms my heart!

About Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan of Steve Ryan Designs. I’m a Toronto-based Home Stager and Designer working in the GTA since 2016. I frequently collaborate on staging projects with Details Staging & Design. I’m a graduate of the Interior Decorating program at George Brown College and an OG member of Rebecca Hays’ Power of Process.

In this episode, Steve and I dive into the differences that we both have seen between men and women in the design industry. We focus on entrepreneurs and how from our experiences there is such a difference of mindset between men and women. Steve shares his observations about the difference between how men and women respond to situations.

During the second part of our chat, we talk about money mindset, and how that really affects your business. I share my personal mindset journey when it comes to money, where I am right now, and the exercises that have gotten me there.

You are the trade. The client is the client. They are NOT entitled to your trade discounts. You shouldn’t share them, you shouldn’t pass it on to them. The trade discount is for you. You are the trade! It is basically a commission that the vendor is giving you because you acted as an unpaid salesperson for their company. So stop thinking of it as a discount, and start thinking of it as a commission, because a commission is earned. You earned it, and you’re entitled to every penny.

Steven Ryan

You can find Steven at www.steveryandesigns.com and on Instagram at @steveryandesigns.

Join my upcoming Free process masterclass at rebeccahay.com/masterclass

This topic comes from a direct request from one of our listeners inside our Designer Meet-up Facebook group!

In this episode, I talk about how Covid-19 has really impacted the cost of items across the board, caused stock delays, and how to communicate all this to your clients.

I dive in by explaining the importance of onboarding your clients, what I do to set my clients' expectations early and often, and share what I know that's ben happening in the industry and how it's being handled.

My hope for this episode is that you get some clarity on managing expectations with clients. I get it, there are SO many things that fall out of your control, but as you are the main touchpoint for your client, you'll need to be prepared and find ways to keep our clients happy!

Download my Discovery Call Script here.

Learn more about my signature process course, Power of Process, here.

This Bonus episode is of a very interesting conversation I had with the talented and intelligent Adriana Pietropaolo. In the episode, she shares how she made the choice of going from experienced corporate designer to entrepreneur and residential designer, the imposter syndrome that accompanied the switch, as well as her experience in my signature course Power of Process.

About Adriana Pietropaolo

Adriana is a licensed Interior Designer in Toronto who has been working in the commercial industry for 8+ years, and amidst a prolonged pandemic maternity leave, decided to go out on her own to be her own boss in design. She is a full-time mamma and full-time solopreneur who believes that the Interior Design profession is often severely misunderstood and is passionate about being honest, open, and transparent about it all to help educate and emphasize the incredible importance and value Interior Designers have.

I think this chat with Adriana is incredibly transparent and impactful because of the honest nature of our conversation in regards to Imposter Syndrome and the true value given to interior designers. Adriana shares her many years of experience in the Corporate design world and compares that to her experience being a residential designer so far.

One of my biggest takeaways from our conversation is the impact that POP had on Adriana's life and business. Adriana is part of the Spring 2021 cohort. She joined to figure out exactly what this design world is all about and learn how to establish a process that is client-facing, which is very different than the one you would find in the corporate design world. Adriana talks about the power of community, and how podcasts and POP have really helped her build that confidence in her own design journey.

Let go and try it. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable and know that it's okay to change your mind. It's okay to question and not know, to just analyze everything that you're doing, what you're thinking, and how you felt five years ago versus now. You're a different person. That just means that you're growing and figuring out what's best for you.

Adriana Pietropaolo

You can find Adriana at www.adrianadesign.ca and on Instagram at @adrianapiedesign.

If you want to find out more about my signature course, Power of Process, click here.

Join our Designer Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

This is the first episode in our multi-part Know Your Numbers series. My own Operations Manager, Merilee Wright, and I are teaming up to help you learn the numbers in your business so that you can develop a proper business growth strategy.

In this first part, we're starting with all things Project Profitability. We break down exactly how you can calculate your own project profitability, define terms, discuss the ever-existing topic of sharing your discounts, and how you can compare your projects to determine which are more profitable for your business.

ABOUT MERILEE WRIGHT

Merilee is a former client of Rebecca’s and an accomplished business professional with a passion for coaching people and business owners to achieve their goals.
Skilled in reaching business objectives through alignment of business operations and employee and customer experience, Merilee has a reputation for making an impact. She is known for building high-performing teams and driving efficiency.

With over 30 years of increasingly senior roles in the consumer services, financial services, and retail industries, Merilee has a breadth of experience that includes strategy development, business operations, customer experience, coaching, and change management. Merilee has a unique ability to quickly understand complex environments and provide insight for both executive decision-making and staff implementation.

When she’s not helping business owners grow their business, you can find her on her sailboat!!!

Confession: I've been hesitant to talk numbers with you on the podcast because I didn't feel like I was a good authority on the subject as I'm still learning it all. But then I thought, I can share what I have learned so far and help others just get started.

For years, like a lot of other entrepreneurs, I just knew the money in my bank account and shied away from learning anything else because it all looked so overwhelming. But when it came time to hire and reinvest in my business, knowing my bank account balance, didn't help! I needed to take the time to learn my numbers and exactly how that money ended up in my bank account.

Instead of trying to learn it all, I focused my efforts and took on bite-sized pieces. Project profitability is where I started.

Through the episode, Merilee and I share how to get comfortable with learning the numbers in your business, and how to fully comprehend the basics of calculating your own project profits. We do a deep dive into what all the terms mean and help you build your confidence in determining your business model, what you should be charging, and the way you charge. Understanding each project's profits will tell you a bigger and better story and help you get control of your business - more so than just knowing there's money in the bank.

To help keep you on track with us in the episode, we've created a Free Resource with Project Profitability terms and examples for you. Grab the resource here.

Don't be afraid of your numbers. Pick a project and just get started. Don't anticipate what it's going to be, don't assume. Find a project and just get started.

Merilee Wright

Join our Private Facebook Community for Designers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the intelligent and bubbly Sarah Bilicki to talk about her business journey and all of the changes that she has implemented since she started actively focusing on systemizing her business.

About Sarah Bilicki

Sarah is the Principal Designer of Sarah Elizabeth Design + interiors, a residential design studio based out of the west end of Toronto, Canada, with a focus on custom kitchens and bespoke renovations. Sarah's background in a variety of design fields has led her to develop a true passion for residential design.

"There's something special about creating homes and interior spaces that provide for the people who live in them"

Sarah values the time, effort, and investment that is required when developing spaces that enhance homeowners’ everyday lives. She creates amazingly beautiful and personal spaces that above all else function while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"I'm here to help homeowners envision the true beauty of their home."

Throughout the episode, Sarah shares how 5 years ago she was working on an hourly rate with only a spreadsheet and NO process! She never really used to think about her business as a service. But because of the chaos, she realized something had to change and she started investing and dedicating time to work ON her business instead of spending all her time working IN her business.

She shares her experience with taking my signature course Power of Process, as well as her takeaways from being a continual member of my inner community, Designers Room. Sarah shares the changes she’s made in her business that has made a world of difference. She now has phases and steps, client-facing documents, internal documents to keep her accountable throughout the entire process.

Sarah has an infectious personality and has made leaps and bounds in growing her business and further shares her goals and plans for the upcoming year!

"You just need to start. It doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't matter if you've been in the business a long time or you're just starting out. Wherever you are, just start and you'll see growth. Dedicate that time to business growth and you'll see growth for sure." - Sarah Bilicki

You can find Sarah at www.sarahelizabethinteriors.com and on Instagram @sarahelizabethdesigninteriors.

Join the waitlist for my signature course Power of Process: rebeccahay.com/pop-waitlist

Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Today's episode is a rebroadcast from our first season of the podcast all about project productivity.

So what does this mean?

In this episode, I talk about how every project I used to run was chaotic, I thought that was just the way it was in this industry. I share when things shifted for me and some sure-fire ways you can upgrade your productivity and efficiency when you're running your design projects... and maybe even your life.

This episode is a direct response to a request by one of my Instagram followers who asked me to talk about project productivity. (If there’s a topic you’d like me to talk about please send me a DM to @MsRebeccaHay)

In this podcast, I compare running a design business to running a restaurant.

It’s all about PROCESS. Without a dialed-in process, you will spin your wheels running a design job.

I share why I think stagers have it figured out and what my experience was like before I established a repeatable process.

-

If you're interested in deep-diving into the world of process and developing a unique for you, join the waitlist for my signature course, Power of Process, that's coming back this Spring 2022: https://rebeccahay.com/pop-waitlist/

--

Join our Facebook community for Designers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

If you are looking to grow a team or make your small team bigger, or scale your business in any way, you're going to love my chat with Regan Baker! In this episode, we talk about everything from Regan's internal company structure to her company's transformation over recent years to scheduling 1-hour lunch breaks for everyone, all the way to how internal systems are everything you need in your business!

About Regan Baker

Regan leads Regan Baker Design with 17 years of experience in Interior Architecture and Design. She firmly believes that design should be comfortable, modern, and personal, and she strives to bring these aspects to every project she works on. After spending the first 7 years of her career at great firms such as The Gettys Group and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, she began to understand her unique style and skills were applicable on a more intimate scale in residential design. As a fashion-forward and design-savvy mom, she knows that personal style and lifestyle function are equally important features in a home, and believes in creating spaces that are an extension of who you are as an individual or family.

Regan has a fantastic business mindset and shares the slow progression of what her business used to look like versus now. I'm in awe of what she has been able to do with her business in the last few years. One of my biggest takeaways is how her company schedules a 1-hour lunch for everyone! Honestly, I’m currently not doing that, I sometimes just eat at my desk.

Relinquish control. Trust your team and make sure you have a process and standards in place because it will make your life easier.

Regan Baker

You can find Regan at www.reganbakerdesign.com and on Instagram @reganbakerdesign.

--

Join our Facebook Community of Designers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Want to be the first to know when my signature course is returning? Join our Power of Process Waitlist: https://rebeccahay.com/pop-waitlist/

This episode comes directly from a question asked in our Designers Meet-up Facebook group, aka a dedicated listener! In episode 89 I spoke about my expenses and one I had listed was a publicist. This created curiosity about why I hired a publicist, what they did for me, and how much it all costs, and so in this episode, I delve into exactly that – my experience with hiring and working with a publicist!

Throughout the episode, I share my personal and self-focused reason why I initially engaged a publicist. Guess what, it was definitely NOT client-focused, it was more of a vanity play. I saw and heard about others in the industry working with a publicist and getting featured on magazines, speaking on stage, and getting their own shows that I wanted my chance at that.

I also open up about my experiences with the pricing plans and costs of hiring a publicist, since I have worked with a few through the years. Depending on the type of publicist, they either charge a one-time flat fee where they try to get you in front of the right people, while some work on a retainer basis per month – this is the one I’m most familiar with. When it comes down to numbers, it is all dependent on experience, service level, and region – I’ve seen prices from 1,500 all the way to 5000 and beyond.

Lastly, in this episode, I share what my tips are before you hire a publicist. Depending on your goal your needs will be different and not every publicist has the same connections and service offering. I talk about the goals I’ve had throughout the years and what each publicist helped me accomplish.

--

Join the Designer Meet-up Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

In this episode, I chat with Rhea Claire all about how to effectively use a paper planner as support for goal setting and to help keep you on track. We also dive into how she got around starting her lifestyle brand as a side hustle on top of having her full-time job in a design firm all during the pandemic, and lastly, she shares her passion for financial literacy. About Rhea Claire Rhea is the founder and creative mind behind Rhea Claire Lifestyle, a company based on all things planning and goal setting. Originally she started with daily planners but that quickly expanded into goal setting and Financial planners as well as stationary. Rhea loves helping people actually achieve their goals and create plans to help get them there while using fabulously designed products. Rhea is a young designer in Toronto and started this brand in her spare time.

If you know me, you know I enjoy taking pen to paper to get my thoughts out and draft plans and goals. During our conversation, Rhea explains how she uses her planner and I share how I intend to use it (or if you have any other planner it applies too) to keep track of my goals this year.

We dive into her other passion, financial literacy, and how you can use a planner to keep track of expenses and be mindful about spending and budgeting. She shares her belief that if you know how much you have and if you predict when you have to spend, it can alleviate a lot of stress around money.

This conversation with Rhea Claire was inspirational as she really brought forth the belief that you CAN do that extra thing that you’re passionate about, even while you’re working full time!

These goals that you set, the passions that you have are there for a reason, so follow them! Put effort in what you love and the universe will give that back tenfold. Rhea Claire

You can find Rhea on Instagram, Pinterest, and on her website rheaclaire.com.

--

Join the Designer Meet-up Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

What is your relationship with money? In this episode, I chat with Erinn Bridgman who is a money management and mindset coach and we talk about the importance of paying yourself in your business, the idea that you can forecast your income and strategize as a design entrepreneur, and the power of money mindset! About Erinn Bridgman

As a money management and mindset coach, Erinn Bridgman empowers female entrepreneurs to design a business that is not just ‘profitable’, but actually grows their personal wealth. Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, Erinn cut her chops by scaling her photography business to over six figures in under two years, affording her the capital to begin funding the real estate empire she and her husband now run. Ever passionate about supporting women as they uncover their own potential and earning power, Erinn supports female business owners to not just ‘scale their business’ but to use it as a means for building personal wealth. When she’s not working with clients or finding her next investment property, Erinn can likely be found vacationing around the world and spending quality time with friends, her husband, and daughter, Ava.

I know for me Money has always been a complex topic that I loved to hate. Its taken years to start understanding what the numbers in my business actually mean and where they can take me. During our conversation, Erinn goes into the powerful idea that we need to be paying ourselves more and not just keeping our money in our business. She believes in developing a good money mindset so that you don't only have a profitable business but also great personal wealth. She shares how she coaches primarily women entrepreneurs through personal development and helps them acknowledge their limiting beliefs when it comes to money.

Erinn also shared two of her favorite money books: 1. Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas 2. You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

If you don't already, start doing some affirmations around money: "What are the few limiting beliefs that I can acknowledge about money?" I believe that wealthy women can change the world. Erinn Bridgman

You can find Erinn at erinnbridgman.com, on Instagram @erinn_bridgman, and on YouTube. You can also take Erinn's Money IQ Quiz, here.

Join our Designer Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386543625374544

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Happy New Year & Happy new Season! This is the first official episode of Season 3!

In this episode, I dive into the second part of my Annual Company Planning. You can find Part 1 of my Annual Company Planning by listening to episode 89.

I find it helpful to break up your Annual Company Review and Planning because part 1 allows you to do the financials and dwell on the previous year, while part 2 is focused more on goals and getting ready for the year ahead.

Initially, I would try to fit this entire checklist and review into one VERY LONG day with my team, but by the end, we were exhausted and glazing over the important details that would actually help us reach our goals.

I would recommend listening to this episode with pen and paper writing and doing the exercise as I go through it. (Freebie to come - Jan 20, 2022)

--

Join our Designer Facebook community, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Welcome to season 3, which also happens to be my third year doing this podcast in a pandemic- Wow!

Here's hoping that by Season 4(2023), we'll be totally looking a little more "normal".

I'm really excited, not only for 2022 but for the season of podcast guests that we have lined up, and the topics that I've started brainstorming. Today we are sharing a few snippets with you of some upcoming guests for the podcast to get you excited!

I also just want to say thank you! You have been resonating with the content that I've been putting out which is amazing, and you've been an incredible support. I can't wait to welcome so many more listeners into our community.

Like I mentioned we have some exciting things brewing. I've got some ideas in my head, and Vera and I are having some strategy sessions on what we can do to make the podcast that much more fun, that much more entertaining. But I would also love to hear what you want! Take 1-minute to complete our podcast survey to let us know what topics you'd like us to cover and what guests we should interview: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KQ2VLFK

You can also send me a DM on Instagram or send us an email info@rebeccahaydesigns.com and let us know which podcasts you love listening to. Is there a certain topic that you've been really struggling with as you build and grow your business that you would love us to touch upon or maybe expand upon? I know there are so many things we can talk about, but we really want to have the podcast be helpful to YOU the listener!

In this world of business, online entrepreneurship, and just growing successful, I can't wait to share what I've learned, but also learn from our incredible guests. So also, if you guys have any ideas of guests that you think would be awesome on the podcast, please send them our way. Tell them to reach out to us! We are always open and looking for new guests. Or to bring back old guests, So if there's someone that you loved listening to that you'd love to hear more from, let us know we'll invite them back.

Stay tuned for a brand new episode, the very first in Season 3 next Thursday!

xo, Rebecca

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook, here.

This year is so close to the end and to celebrate we are rebroadcasting a very special episode! Today marks the end of Season 2 of the Resilient by Design Podcast and to celebrate we're sharing the MOST LISTENED TO EPISODE OF THE YEAR! 🎉 Drum roll please... this year our top episode is no. 71 with the talented Karin Bennett of Karin Bennett Designs! 🙌 In this episode Rebecca and Karin have a very earnest conversation about first and second careers, grasping opportunities as they arise and a big one - how to fire a client! Give it a listen and let us know what you think! Do you have a different top episode of the year? Share your fave on social, we'd love to know it!

Happy New Year 🎊 and we can't wait to bring more fantastic guests and insightful episodes to you in the coming year! 🍾

This episode is extra special because I had the opportunity to have a very real and honest conversation with Karin Bennett of Karin Bennett Designs here in Toronto. We spoke earnestly about all things business, from her time on television working with the Property Brothers, to business financials and her minimum for projects, and her experience firing a CLIENT – we covered it all!

Karin Bennett is the owner and principal designer at Karin Bennett Designs, a Toronto-based interior design firm. Karin grew up with parents that are modern-day House Flippers. Her mom was a designer and realtor who loved to fix up homes and move on to the next challenge so renovating and designing homes is in Karin’s blood. Karin was chosen to be the design lead to work alongside Jonathan & Drew Scott for a few seasons of their hit show, Property Brothers as well as their new shows Buying & Selling and Forever Home.
Karin Bennett Designs is a full-service design firm specializing in large-scale remodels and new builds. We believe in designing a home that is both functional and stylish. We want each homeowner we work with to have a home they love and reflects their lifestyle. At Karin Bennett Designs, we always say we want you to Love The Space You Live In.

Through the episode, Karin and I talk about her previous career as a massage therapist and how she switched gears into the interior design industry. Karin believes that you should follow opportunities as they arise, follow the processes to learn about them, and once you have all of the details, then decide if it’s something that lights you up. Her opportunity working with the Property Brothers came as one of those opportunities that seem unlikely and one with a long process, but because she followed the opportunity through, she has been able to work on television for many years on various shows. There is a benefit to every opportunity, and it’s all about your vision for your business and where each opportunity fits in your plan.

Karin speaks about her time in television and her main takeaways – positive and negative – that she has applied to run her business. She further talks about the importance of having a process in your business, and how vital it is to stick to it with every SINGLE client.

Karin’s Words of Wisdom:
* Go with your gut and develop a good process. * Don’t think you have to charge the minimal amount because you’re starting out.

You can find Karin Bennett at karinbennettdesigns.com, and on Instagram @karinbennettdesigns , and on Facebook at Karin Bennett Designs.

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook, here.

--

   ***Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!***

Doing Year-End Reviews changed my business. I'm not even exaggerating! Up until a few years ago, I didn't review how I did the previous year and just kept plowing forward hoping for the best. But how can you really set goals and know whether you can achieve them or if you're running a sustainable business if you don't review how you did? Answer: you can't! In today's episode, I share how I do my Year-end Review with a focus on financials.

I walk through the financial review I do such as reviewing my total sales, my expenses including how much I pay myself and my employees, all the way to my top-earning projects, and what the profit margins tell me about my business.

It is worth dedicating the time to focus on the task of reviewing your year because it will give you a new perspective on how your business is doing, which types of projects are helping to grow and sustain your business, and know if all of your efforts are contributing to the future vision for your company and/or your life.

Since financials is a big part of the Year-end Review, I will be back with a Part 2 to talk all about the project side of the business and figure out what lights you up and truly aligns with your business.

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

As we near the end of the year I think its a great time to review your year and plan ahead. In the following episodes, I plan to share how I do my End of Year Review, but before we look back, and before we plan ahead, I think the first step is goal setting.

In this episode, I share some goal-setting learnings that have been reinstated by the book I am currently reading, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.

Writing something down is powerful because it allows that information to better stick in your mind and resonate with you. The same thing applies when you're setting goals. It's important to have a vision in your head, but when you commit those ideas to paper, it is scientifically proven that you are more likely to achieve them.

Through the episode, I share how visualization and goal setting in this way have been a powerful tool for me when I envision my life and business because it has given me drive. I strongly believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it. It is so important to be strategic and be intentional about what you want from the yead ahead. Try writing down your big goal and possible steps for how to get there.

If you want to hear more about visualization, listen to episode 65.

-

Join our Facebook community and share your goals from 2022 in a safe place where we're all supporting each other. Click here to join.

-

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Mia Parres

In this episode, I sit down with the talented and multi-passionate Mia Parres of Mia Parres Designs and talk all about her entrepreneurial journey that led her from HGTV to her own design business, to a brand new business venture.

Mia is the Principal Designer of Mia Parres Design, a high-end residential design firm based out of the Beaches in Toronto, Canada, with clients all over the GTA, Muskoka, and Cayman.

From new builds to full home renovations, to furniture packages and styling, MPD thoughtfully blends coastal California with contemporary lines and seamless vintage character.

Mia is also passionate about her luxury linen and loungewear line, ABODE, which specializes in curating the perfect bed sheet and All Day PJ for women looking to invest in their rest.

I love that throughout the episode Mia is so generous with her knowledge and shares it all! Collaboration is the reason why I do this podcast.

Further into our chat, Mia shares her struggles with learning the ins and outs of running a business and how to generate a passive income. We also delve into accountability and how important it is for any entrepreneur and business owner - Mia has an accountability partner! However, if you don't have an accountability partner in your business, there are other ways to get that via a coach, community, or business/friend groups. One tidbit that really stuck with me about our conversation was Mia's take on teamwork. It's better to be intentional with who you hire if you want to grow and scale your business. Mia's Words of Wisdom

I believe that entrepreneurs are artists. Don't be afraid to put pen to paper and just get started! Don't be afraid of failure, just start manifesting.

You can find Mia on Instagram at @miaparresdesign, on her website at www.miaparresdesign.com, or to connect with her bed linens and loungewear go to www.lovemyabode.com or on Instagram @lovemyabode. -- Join our Designer Community on Facebook here. -- Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Today we are REBROADCASTING a brilliant episode all about process!

Process is so incredibly necessary when you're building and growing your business for so many reasons, but here's just one: What happens to your business if you need to take a sick day or a week off for vacation?

You need to have processes and systems in place to help your business run without you being around 24/7. Having a process will help you get that entrepreneurial freedom that many of us crave!

We hope you enjoy the episode!

xo, Rebecca and Vera

This episode is a bit different, and I know I say this often but one of my favorites to date. Two of my designer besties and I talk shop in a roundtable discussion all about process.

In today’s episode, I chat with Jessie Kelly, of Jessica Kelly Design, and Carly Nemtean of Carriage Lane Design + Build and Co-founder of the Collective Workspace. Both of these successful ladies have been in the industry for years and have built their businesses on strong processes.

Here’s a fun fact, all three of us have strong processes to run our projects and businesses, but each one is unique. There is no process that is one-size-fits-all. Through the episode, Carly, Jessie, and I share how our businesses grew, how we came to find our niches, and how we developed our unique processes to fit our service type and clientele.

Find Jessie at www.jessicakellydesign.com and on Instagram @jessicakellydesign

Find Carly at www.carriagelanedesigns.com, www.thecollectiveto.com, and on Instagram @carriagelanedesign_build

--

Send us a DM on Instagram @msrebeccahay

Join our Designer Meet-up Facebook group, here.

Before we dive into the episode, I just wanted to say: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY AMERICAN FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FOLLOWERS! 🦃

----

Today's episode is a solo where I share how I manage the pipeline in my design business.

We've received so many questions regarding pipeline management in our design community that I really wanted to provide some help by telling you how I keep track of things in my design firm.

Through the episode, I talk about the program we use to track all of our projects, Asana, and exactly how we use it. We heavily depend on our project management program to not only keep our design team on track but also to let us know when we can take on new projects and when we are at capacity and need to delay the start date of a new project.

One thing I'll share right now is to always communicate your projected start date with a potential lead from the very first point of contact and as they progress down your process, keep them updated!

--

Join our Facebook Designer Community, here.

Interview with Louis Duncan-He

In this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Louis Duncan-He, a fantastic Calgary-based designer and multi-passionate entrepreneur to talk all about his entrepreneurial journey and having a resilient mindset that helps him rise about what others may think.

Louis Duncan-He, founder and principal of Louis Duncan-Designs is an award-winning, internationally published Calgary-based designer and decorator that believes spaces should be timeless, authentic, and expressively your own. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, his signature West Coast perspective plays on the innate tension between elegant and relaxed, bold and effortless, and refined and organic.

At Louis Duncan-He Designs, our unique client-centered approach strives to thoughtfully reveal the authentic aspirations of each individual to create spaces that are inspired and restorative to the soul. Whether you have a very developed sense of style or have no idea where to start, we're here to meet you wherever you are. Above all else, we promise our journey together will be collaborative, insightful, and fun.

Notable accolades include being one of Coveted Magazine's +100 Top International Interior Designers of 2020, Avenue Magazine’s 2019 Top 40 Under 40 Award, serving as a monthly design columnist for Canadian Reno and Decor, and features in such publications as Reveal by the Property Brothers.

Through the episode, Louis shares his career path and details about his multiple entrepreneurial endeavours. Being a multi-passionate individual, Louis has started multiple successful businesses in the marketing and interior design industries.

Louis speaks a lot about his mindset, and how he believes that the more successful people, more specifically entrepreneurs, are those who do not listen to other people's opinions on their ventures. As an entrepreneur, it's already incredibly taxing to start and run your own business and stay confident in what you are attempting to do because of all the ups and downs of business. If you listen to what other people have to say, you may end up talking yourself out of a great opportunity and advancement! It doesn't really matter what other people do or think - do you!

Words of Wisdom:

You can be whoever you want to be. You can be someone who does a lot of things or someone who does one thing. There's no rule, and anyone that tells you there is, they're not going to be in the same space as you.

Catch Louis and Rebecca on IG Live as they continue their conversation on Thursday, November 18 at 12:30 pm ET | 9:30 am PT at @msrebeccahay.

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook, here.

--

***Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!***

In this episode, I share 7 BIG mistakes I’ve been over the years of being in the interior design industry and running my business! 😱

Recently in our design studio, we’ve been having conversations while onboarding new team members about design processes and why things are done the way they are, and it got me thinking about how I came with my processes and best practices. Guess what?! It was through MANY MISTAKES over the years!

Through the episode, I go into detail about these 7 big mistakes that I have made during my design career:

Mistake #1 - Ordering from a memo, NOT A CFA
Mistake #2 - Not being present on-site for big installations
Mistake #3 - Not collecting payment first
Mistake #4 - Giving FREE consultations
Mistake #5 - Not inspecting products
Mistake #6 - Pulling the trigger on ordering TOO EARLY
Mistake #7 - NOT HAVE A PROCESS (facepalm)

I hope this episode is helpful for 2 reasons - 1️⃣ that you find comfort knowing that others have made these mistakes or bigger ones and YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and 2️⃣ Take note of my mistakes and ensure that you don’t repeat them! 😉

If you like this episode and want to hear more about my mistakes, wins, fails, and unique situations while I’ve been a designer and a business owner, send me a DM on Instagram @msrebeccahay!

--

Join our Designer Community on Facebook, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview Mike Chajecki

I had a chance to sit down with my photographer Mike Chajecki and talk all about running successful photoshoots!

Mike Chajecki is a leading Interiors Photographer with almost 2 decades of experience covering Interiors and Lifestyle projects. Many of his works have been published in many of Canada’s top magazines, such as House & Home, Style at Home, Reno & Decor and countless other publications. He often collaborates with some of Toronto’s leading Interior Designers and Publicists to photograph luxurious homes.
He is passionate about highlighting the artistic vision behind the beautiful spaces that he captures with his lens. When he is not busy working with some of the most talented designers in the industry, he’s teaching photography workshops.
When away from his camera, he loves spending time with his wife and two daughters, and enjoys the outdoors or training for his next cycling race!

I've worked with Mike for years to capture many of our spaces and we have been featured in a multitude of national and international publications using his photos. Through the episode, Mike shares his experience as a photographer, starting out doing weddings and then transitioning to interior photography. He openly shares his perspective about photographing interior spaces and provides a variety of tips and tricks to help designers successfully work through their next photo shoot.

In this episode, Mike and I chat about the importance of finding the right photographer for you, both personality and shooting style. It is vital that you and your photographer communicate well and has a similar aesthetic so that you're 100% happy with the end results!

Words of Wisdom:

Make sure you feel comfortable with your photographer! You'll work so much better together.

You can find mike at mikechajecki.com and on Instagram @mike_chajecki.

You can also find Mike at our upcoming Photography & Publishing Workshop on Tuesday, November 9 at 10 AM ET, where he is one of the keynote speakers and will share more of his perspective and knowledge on running smooth photoshoots, as well as other photography insights, such as ownership and all you need to know about it. Learn more about the workshop.

--

Join our Designer Facebook community, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

We are rebroadcasting a brilliant episode with an amazing guest, Margot Austin!

Margot is a former magazine editor and co-owner of AustinSmyth Communications. She has years of experience working with editorial teams and photoshoots!

In this episode, Margot shares her thoughts on getting published and where you should invest when it comes to marketing.

If you want to hear more from Margot, myself, and Interiors photographer Mike Chajecki join our Live Online Photography & Publishing Workshop on November 9, 2021!

In this workshop, we will cover the importance of photography in branding, how to prepare and run a successful photo shoot, and how to photograph your projects for editorials!

What we'll cover:     * How to capture your brand with photography

Why professional photography is a great investment in your business
How to talk to your clients about photoshoots
Best practices of working with a photographer
Budgeting for a photoshoot
How to create a shot list
Tips on shopping for styling accessories
The mistakes to avoid on shoot day
What magazines are looking for
What are scouting shots and why you need them

You will walk away with the knowledge and know-how to truly leverage your photoshoot to get you published and attract dream clients.

Learn more at rebeccahay.com/liveworkshop

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Interview with Margot Austin

I had a total fangirl moment in this episode as I had the opportunity to interview Margot Austin of AustinSmyth Communications!

In this episode, Margot and I chat all about getting published, what it means to get published in print, and the value of leveraging multiple touchpoints to attract your ideal client.

Margot Austin is a Toronto-based interiors stylist and partner in AustinSmyth Communications, a boutique agency helping interior designers and design brands level up their communications and get noticed. Margot also works with a select few clients per year on residential design projects. Margot’s love of design grew during her early career as a magazine journalist, including 15 years in senior roles at Style at Home and House & Home. She’s an avid DIYer and divides her time between Toronto, Northumberland County, and a tiny cottage on PEI (when it’s safe and permitted!), along with her husband, Kevin, an antique dealer, and French bulldog, Pixie.

Through the episode, Margot goes into depth about the things you should focus on to grow your brand and reach especially when you’re starting out. She also explains how through her various career opportunities and changes she has come to fully understand the power of telling stories with pictures and words. She has been on all sides of print publishing, from having her home on the front cover to being the editor of multiple magazines to seeing her clients’ work featured in print.

Being published in a print magazine is not only about showing your work off to the public, it’s about telling a special story, making your client the main character with an issue and you as the designer are the hero with the solution. Margot explains that getting an editorial in a magazine is like handing off your work to professional storytellers who understand the magic of a great story and will maximize it to not get a high readership but also to attract your ideal client.

Margot further goes onto explain that the avenue in which you choose to focus on regarding PR, is dependent on your goals. You need to reach people where they are going to be. Getting published in a magazine is just one outlet for one goal, but there is a lasting quality to getting on a magazine.

Words of wisdom from Margot Austin

People need to believe in themselves and not so much look at their peers. Look within yourself, and think about your best client-designer relations and how you can replicate that in the future.

Never stop learning or being inspired by doing something new – you’ll rejuvenate yourself, your business, and your creativity.

You can find Margot at margotsmyth.com, margotaustin.ca, on Instagram as @austinsmythcommunications or @margotaustin, and on clubhouse and TikTok at @margotdoironaustin.

--

Join our designer community on Facebook, here.

Interview with Katie Storey

In this episode, I had the amazing chance to talk about something that I have been passionate about for years with the talented and knowledgeable Katie Storey!

Katie Storey is the founder and principal designer of Storey Design, a full-service interiors firm based in San Francisco. She has been recognized by California Home & Design, Wallpaper, Vogue, Domino, Luxe Interiors, and World of Interiors. She is also the founder of the Good Future Design Alliance, an alliance of design and builds professionals committed to reducing waste in the industry. “I had two choices: start this movement or change careers.”

The waste Katie was seeing every day in her interior design practice kept her up at night. The breaking point came when she ordered a couch from Oakland for a client in San Francisco, which was promptly sent 3000 miles to a distribution center in North Carolina before being shipped back to the Bay Area. Katie knew the sustainability initiatives she was implementing as a small design firm, although necessary, weren’t enough. She also knew that meaningful and lasting change would require greater industry involvement. Katie began to brainstorm ways she could prompt radical changes in the design & build industry, & connected with her greater SF community to see what could be done. After building relationships with Recology and SF’s Department of the Environment, she began creating what is now the Good Future Design Alliance – a movement to dramatically reduce waste and change the way my industry does business. They are new in their form, but with the wisdom and experience of leading designers, builders, and makers, they are here for the long fight toward a better future.

Through the episode, Katie shares her story and the journey that led her to start the GFDA. For decades, the design industry has been wasteful and not focused or conscious of the carbon footprint nor the environmental impact of the products and services that are used. However, in recent years, there's been a shift as people are realizing how important the planet and living healthy is for our present and future.

I shared details about my own firm's journey to sustainability, and Katie and I talked more about the many issues designers face when trying to source and work more sustainably, and she even provided some solutions. There is a way to DO better and find a balance in the design industry.

Words of Wisdom:

If we can survive the pandemic and adjust, we can definitely adjust and meet this climate moment!

You can find Katie Storey and the GFDA at www.thegfda.com or on Instagram @thegfda.

--

Join our Facebook community, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Sensei Victoria Whitfield

This episode is a little different as we dive into gaining clarity for your business through meditation with Sensei Victoria Whitfield.

As the world's first Business Reiki Master and hostess of the 5-star rated Journeypreneur Podcast on iTunes, Sensei Victoria Whitfield helps empathic entrepreneurs and leaders stay grounded and clear as they navigate the emotional rollercoaster of business development, by using the power of strategic meditation. Sensei Whitfield is a published author, a successful 6-figure energy healer, and has toured the world showing heart-centered and growth-minded leaders how to get connected to their Natural Intuition and truly be visionary, so they can work less and increase their impact.

Through the episode, Victoria and I chat about her strategic method of meditation and how you can practically incorporate it into your workday while bringing in your 5-senses.

Sensei Victoria also speaks to how you can use meditation to make your money and gain clarity on your business goals. She shares practical and actionable meditation tactics that make meditation more tangible and achievable to do more often.

Words of Wisdom:

Choose to enjoy the journey. You don’t have to lose your glow as you grow in business.

You can find Sensei Victoria Whitfield at victoriawhitfield.com, or on Social Media @senseiwhitfield. You can also text the word "ready" to 411321 to receive her clarity guide. You can also find her book, Natural Intuition, on Amazon.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

--

Join our Design Facebook Community here.

In this episode, I talk all about what modern marketing is and the importance of finding your balance. I also share success notes from Momentum Alumni (MOGs) who have implemented all they learned last year and have come out the other end with a better understanding of how to present their business, and communicate to their ideal clients.

Modern marketing is not about just going digital, its about finding the right balance for you of old and new methods (much like in design) that work to increase your reach. What I think is really powerful is that now we have access to this democratized platform where you can post and talk about anything, anywhere, anytime - but here lies the overwhelm. The trick is understanding where you need to be which is directly related to who you are, what you offer, who your ideal client is, and what they need.

Through the episode, I share how I tried it all, from speaking on stage to lawn signs to posting every single day multiple times a day on Instagram, to weekly YouTube videos - the list goes on! I did this for a long time, and I struggled to keep up with it AND run my business. There's a quote that says " when you try to do it all - you don't do anything well". That's what happens when you try to market yourself everywhere and anywhere because you see others doing it, instead of finding your way and doing what feels natural and comfortable for YOU.

The student success stories I share are a testament to what can be learned in my Momentum Marketing course, where I guide you to crafting your own unique marketing plan to attract your dream clients without overwhelm and exhaustion.

--

You can learn more about Momentum, here! It's an 8-week challenge to increase your brand visibility & attract raving fan clients! Doors close on October 7 2021 at midnight EST. Click to learn more about Momentum.

Interview with Cristalee Brinkworth

This bonus episode is another special one because I had the chance to sit down with another on one of my MOGs (Momentum Originals), Cristalee Brinkworth, and talk all about her journey to rebranding to her business and her experience in my Momentum Marketing course.

Cristalee Brinkworth has been designing since 2015 and is the founder of Clay & Oak Design. She is known for her modern-casual style and her attention to detail, Cristalee has a passion for expertly designing inspirational homes that breathe authenticity to her clients. Cristalee grew up rurally in the Kamloops area, where she developed a strong appreciation for local and expertly crafted finishes. She holds dear to the craftsman's stories of their trade and thrives on their expertise to develop ideas for her projects. Cristalee lives with her husband Teague, their two daughters Mikayla and Amber, and fur baby Piper on a small acreage in the community of Kamloops, BC.

"I'm obsessed with natural materials. They age beautifully just like humans."

Through the episode, Cristalee and I chat deeply about her journey to building her business and what it took to rebrand after taking Momentum. I appreciate Cristalee's openness and willingness to share her journey, and her acceptance of progress over perfection.

We speak further about meeting clients where they are at and focusing on what feels right and natural to you when it comes to marketing, rather than doing the status quo. We also chat about the comparison trap that many find themselves in when observing other design businesses on social media. Cristalee and I both agree with the mentality that you can't compare your beginning with someone else's middle, and that you should focus on what YOU can do, and that everyone just puts forth their own "highlight reel" which means that you don't know what's going on behind the scenes.

You can find Cristalee at www.clayandoak.ca and on Instagram @clayandoakdesign.

--

Want to learn how to attract that idea, client and fill your pipeline with worthy projects? Join my Free Live Training where I share how to attract the right design clients right now, and 5 marketing mistakes to stop making! Click here to Save your Seat!

--

My Momentum Marketing course is back! It's an 8-week challenge to increase your brand visibility & attract raving fan clients! Click to learn more about Momentum.

Interview with Dina Holland

I had the absolutely pleasure to sit down with the wonderfully talented designer and my good friend, Dina Holland of Dina Holland Interiors & of Honey and Fitz! We covered a lot of ground in this episode! We chatted about the value of the process (Dina was speaking my language) and how to set up your systems so that your business and team are successful. We also talked about Dina's e-commerce business, Honey & Fitz. Dina was incredibly honest and transparent about how she set that up and how it runs now. Lastly, we talked about the value of team building and how the key to growing your business, is investing in people!

Dina Holland is the founder and principal designer at Dina Holland Interiors. You might also know her from her Instagram handle Honey and Fitz. Working primarily in residential design, Dina's colorful, new New England traditional style has been featured in national publications such as House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, and Coastal Living. She resides just outside of Boston with her husband, 2 young sons, and their French bulldog Parmigiano Reggiano, aka Reggie.

Throughout the episode, Dina is very honest about her team-building journey and how she runs her business now that she has a team. She shares how she went through the transition from solo designer and focusing primarily on the nitty-gritty of the design, to a business owner mentality and focusing on managing people and spending more time working ON her business instead of IN it. Dina talks about how difficult but necessary this transition can be, and how as a business owner you have to reassess where you add the most value and provide a unique skill set.

Words of Wisdom

Educate yourself as quickly as you can about what things actually cost.

Don't assume you know what a client thinks something should cost. It's for the client to decide how much they want to spend on something. Take the word budget out of your discussion and call it an investment.

There's no shame in saying "I tried it but. it didn't work"... so what, the point is I tried it and there are always more opportunities.

You can find Dina Holland at dinahollandinteriors.com and on Instagram @HoneyandFitz.

--

Want to learn how to attract that idea, client and fill your pipeline with worthy projects? Join my Free Live Training where I share my top ways of connecting you with your dream client. Click here to Save your Seat!

--

My Momentum Marketing course is back! It's an 8-week challenge to increase your brand visibility & attract raving fan clients! Click to learn more about Momentum.

Interview with Nikki Nash

It's been awhile since I talked about marketing with another individual as passionate as today's guest! I sat down with Nikki Nash to talk about how you can market your unique self, stay authentic the entire way through, and develop a strategy that works to fit that.

Nikki Nash is a Podcast Host, Hay House author, motivational speaker, and creator of the Genius Profit Society, a training and development program on a mission to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to share and profit from their message.

Through the episode, Nikki and I talked about how staying authentic and finding a marketing strategy that works for YOU, is the best way to tackle marketing your business. What might have worked for one person, doesn't mean it'll also work for you. Marketing is very personal. You can listen to the strategies that have worked for people in the past, but until you try them out over and over again and tweaking them to fit your authentic self, there is no way of knowing the same strategies will work for you.

Nikki shared a lot about developing a foundation prior to marketing. You need to know the basics: who you're marketing to, how are they spending their time, how are you going to connect, and any other foundational details that can help you develop a plan. A marketing plan is less about the tactics and more about building a foundation to answer all of your who, what, where, when, how, and why. Nikki also explains that you don't have to do it all - you don't have to be on all of the platforms, doing all the things. Choose 1 platform and 1 way to bring clients in, and focus on that until you perfect it before you take on something else.

Nikki's Words of Wisdom:

Marketing and building your brand is not as complicated as people make it seem. More often than not its more a mindset game than a marketing problem!

You can find Nikki at www.nikkinash.co, and on instagram @nikkinashofficial.

--

Join my free live training where I'll be sharing the top 5 ways to land your dream clients and increase your revenue. 3 Dates are available. SAVE YOUR SEAT!

--

Join our Design Community in our Designer Meet-up Facebook group. Click here!

Interview with Robbin Caskenette

In this bonus episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with fellow designer and Momentum Alumni, Robbin Caskenette.

Robbin Caskenette is the principal designer and owner of Robbin Caskenette Interiors in Markham, Ontario. Last summer, Robbin took part in my inaugural course, Momentum Challenge (now named Momentum Marketing), followed by Power of Process, and is also part of my exclusive design community.

Since Robbin began strongly investing in herself and in her business, she has been steadily growing her business and transforming her mindset. Robbin went from being a stay a home mom to becoming a successful creative entrepreneur in the design industry.

Through the episode, Robbin shares how being part of online courses and a community of like-minded individuals has really helped her become aware of how she needed to change her business, and that’s half the battle - Identifying what needs to change and improve.

Robbin also shares that although she is keen to share and is comfortable being active in the community, there are those who aren’t. Having a safe space to listen and take in information from others is super important when you’re growing your business. Hearing what other people have experienced, helps to put things into perspective as an entrepreneur - especially because sometimes it feels like you’re on a lonely island. There is so much to be said for showing up and being part of a community.

You can find Robbin at www.robbincaskenetteinteriors.com or on Instagram @robbincaskenetteinteriors.

--

Momentum Marketing* is returning this fall, click here* to add yourself to the waitlist and get more details in your inbox!

--

Join our private Facebook community, here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview Hilary Decesare

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Neuro-certified coach Hilary Decesare, and we talked about some of my favourite topics, mindset, perception, and foundation building.

Hilary DeCesare is an award-winning entrepreneur, Transformational-Neuro Certified Coach, CEO of The ReLaunch Co., featured speaker in Silicon Valley and conferences nationwide, as well as a relentless philanthropist as seen on the hit ABC show Secret Millionaire. She's made it her commitment to help women fire up possibilities mid-life, taking a time most try to bypass and instead turn it into a time to focus on inspiring business ventures, have clarity in relationships, and instil how YOU are ultimately the creator of your purpose aligned lifestyle and the life you live. Having faced several setbacks herself, she has a unique foundational process in The ReLaunch Effect and The Model 3H, which provides the step by step to go from stuck on autopilot to transform when you combine the Heart, the Head and the Higher Self this is the magic that creates a powerhouse of possibility in every area of your life.

Throughout the episode, Hilary and I chat about the idea of mindset and foundations in regards to your business. We also talked a lot about the feeling of being stuck, especially as a creative entrepreneur. It's incredibly important to have an end goal or the right intention behind everything you do, or else you end up spinning your wheels and never making it past the milestones you've previously reached - be it project size, company size, financially, or even creatively.

Hilary further explains how you are in total control of how you perceive your situation and your goals., and how encouraging and empowering it is to know that just changing your perspective, can make you jump leaps and bounds toward new milestones.

Words of Wisdom:

You are not your thoughts, you are the thinker of your thoughts.

You have the power to make the decision right now: Do you want to stay where you are or do you want to be in a new place 6 months from now?

--

You can find Hilary at therelaunchco.com, on Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn.

--

Momentum Marketing is returning on September 28, 2021, click here to add yourself to the waitlist and get more details in your inbox!

--

Join our Facebook group, here.

We're back from our little break with a bonus episode for you about the power of finding a niche and pinpointing what makes you and your business unique.

Have you ever heard the saying "The Riches are in the Niches"? This means that the more you focus on your target audience to be a very specific group, the more success you will have reaching these people, connecting with them, and converting them into paying clients.

When I talk about this in my courses, Power of Process and Momentum Marketing, one question always pops up "What happens if I niche down? I don't only have 1 type of client that I like or want to work with. Do I say no to all those that don't fit in with the target client I'm striving towards?"

Finding a niche is not about limiting yourself but about finding the common denominator between you and a group of possible clientele that have similar interests. You can still serve everyone, but when you market your business it's easier to talk to one type of person than try to be everyone's cup of tea and reel no one in.

In this episode, I talk about how finding a niche is less about looking out to your audience and actually starts by looking within and finding what makes you and your business unique. First finding what makes you genuinely unique, will ensure that when you are communicating to your niche market, you are authentic and are more able to connect and develop relationships with potential clients. Listen to the full episode as I share how I went about finding what made my business unique and developing my niche.

--

Momentum Marketing is returning at the end of this month, click here to add yourself to the waitlist and get more details in your inbox!

In the meantime, join our private Facebook community here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Rebroadcast week #2

Episode 17 is all about putting your business into the perspective of where it currently lives, what have you done so far, and what you plan to do to get you to where you want to go - ie. how to work with the right clients and ideal projects!

--

When you first start out running your own business you're grateful for whatever work you can get. But if we're not careful we end up going down a path that feels frustrating, working with clients that don't make us love our job anymore.

Today I'm sharing the importance of recognizing the WRONG clients and how to stop working with them. It's as much about understanding your ideal client as it is recognizing the red flags of the clients that just aren't the right fit for you.

I walk you through an exercise that I do every year to review all my projects and see which ones worked well and which ones did not.

I also share the checklist I use during every discovery call with a potential client to help me assess if they are the right fit.

REBROADCAST ALERT~ INTERVIEW with Rachel Moriarty

In this episode, I interview Rachel Moriarty and we go deep into the importance of publicity.

How visibility in your business is more important than you think and how she’s used her unique style to build an untouchable brand. She is forthcoming and full of fun tips and takeaways.

Rachel Moriarty is an award-winning designer, #1 best-selling author, and industry leader in the use of color. A multifaceted creative, Rachel expanded her California-based business to include a licensing deal with tile company, Unique Design Solutions, a Global Brand Ambassadorship with the Canadian company, Be | OUTSPOKEN as well as being named a 2020 Style Spotter by High Point Market Authority. Rachel’s iconic designs and unique personal philosophy have been featured in many publications, including Vision Magazine and San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyle, and Rachel has been featured on HGTV and The Design Network. She maintains an expanding roster of both residential and commercial design clients.

We share her top tips for Running a Resilient Business:

Referral Business: Happy clients and contractors = repeat, and referral business
Online and Print Visibility: Positions you as an expert. Creates trust and credibility which has led to referral business.
Multifaceted Approach To Business: Leveraging all of your talents to create various income streams. Influencer Marketing Opportunities, Brand Collaborations, Licensing Opportunities.
Online Tech: Leveraging online technology to expand not only how you work with clients but who you can work with. I have design clients throughout the US and mentoring clients all over the globe.

Stay tuned to the very end of the episode. Rachel shares some key insights into what we all need to do to get noticed!

Interview with Ana Raynes

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down and speak with a digital marketing expert, Ana Raynes, and we chatted about the importance of social media metrics and growing as entrepreneurs.

Ana Maria Raynes is an entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and owner of the marketing agency, Simplified Impact. She studied at the London College of Fashion, and credits her previous life in fashion for her creativity and high energy. She was a co-founder of the Internet fashion startup Smart Is Cool, where she was responsible for social media and information technology. Following her position with Smart Is Cool, she pursued a career in e-marketing.
Ana has since worked in social media and content marketing with agencies in the New York and Boston areas. She has led digital marketing campaigns for clients such as HSN, Wendy Williams, Football Legend Carl Banks, iHip for Snooki, Eastbay, Aer Lingus, SkyMall, and more. Prior to the launch of her own business, she was Vice President, Content Marketing at Didit. As a thought leader in her field, she has been invited to speak at conferences such as PPC HERO, NY Small Business Expo, NYXPO, Philanthropy Day, CORE, and Vistage.

One of my favourite things about speaking with entrepreneurs is seeing how multi-passionate people are and the incredible journeys people take typically going from industry to industry until they find what lights them up. Ana and I spoke in-depth about her origins as a fashion designer in New York, and how she morphed into an entrepreneur of a completely different industry after moving to Rhode Island!

Ana talks about the importance of reviewing and knowing your social media metrics in growing your business - whether you are a B2C or B2B business. We also go into depth about how valuable having a niche is especially when you're starting out and wanting to grow your business rapidly. Ever heard of the saying "The riches are in the niches"!

Lastly, Ana and I chatted about morning routines. I've always heard that really successful entrepreneurs have really consistent mourning routines to get themselves ready to take on the day. Ana shared how she wakes up around 4 am, meditates, journals, reads and catches up on industry news, all before breakfast and doing the mom thing around 6:30 am and then heading onto work. For the last few years, I've been doing my best to develop a morning routine that works for me and makes me feel energized - I have yet to find my jam. Most importantly Ana and I talked about how it doesn't matter what others do if it doesn't work for you. Having a standard morning routine that you follow each day is about feeling good, energized, and starting out your day strong. With this in mind, I'm ready to switch things up a little and do it my way - I'll report back ;)

You can connect with Ana and her team at www.simplifiedimpact.com.

Momentum Marketing* is returning this fall, click here* to add yourself to the waitlist and get more details in your inbox!

--

Join our Design Community on Facebook - Click here!

Today I’m talking about a very hot topic in our design community, pricing your services.

In this episode, I share my experience with pricing my services and talk about my mindset and relationship with money. I also share how much community and the power of collaboration have changed and continuously impact how I charge for my services.

I cover my story about all of the little and big things I did when I started in this industry working for another designer and how I transitioned into my own business. Through the years I have definitely made my share of mistakes when it came to undercharging my clients while trying to find the right amount and correct way to charge for what I do.

Over the years I’ve come to realize that it’s not enough to just know someone else’s rate and compare that to yourself and what you have to offer. Pricing your services and charging what you’re worth takes into account your experience, what you’re offering, how long you’ll take to complete your offering and so much more. When a client argues with your pricing, they are usually not your ideal client and don’t understand the value of the service you’re offering.

During the episode, I also share my personal relationship with money and how my upbringing has affected that. I also go into detail about how I’m reevaluating and repairing my money mindset. If you’re trying to establish a healthier relationship with money and become more accustomed to charge what you’re worth, I strongly recommend the book: You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero.

If you take only 2 things away from this episode and what will help you to price your services correctly its this: 1. You need to focus on your money mindset. Find out what’s holding you back? Explore your relationship with money. 2. Collaborate in your industry - Find out what others in your area are doing? Actively pursue community and don’t think of it as competition. You will find people to encourage you to charge more money so that you’re fair to yourself.

I’d love to continue this conversation with you in our Facebook group: Click here to join Designer Meet-ups.

I’m excited to announce that Momentum Marketing is returning this fall, click here to add yourself to the waitlist and get more details in your inbox.

Interview with Karin Bennett

This episode is extra special because I had the opportunity to have a very real and honest conversation with Karin Bennett of Karin Bennett Designs here in Toronto. We spoke earnestly about all things business, from her time on television working with the Property Brothers, to business financials and her minimum for projects, and her experience firing a CLIENT - we covered it all!

Karin Bennett is the owner and principal designer at Karin Bennett Designs, a Toronto-based interior design firm. Karin grew up with parents that are modern-day House Flippers. Her mom was a designer and realtor who loved to fix up homes and move on to the next challenge so renovating and designing homes is in Karin’s blood. Karin was chosen to be the design lead to work alongside Jonathan & Drew Scott for a few seasons of their hit show, Property Brothers as well as their new shows Buying & Selling and Forever Home.
Karin Bennett Designs is a full-service design firm specializing in large-scale remodels and new builds. We believe in designing a home that is both functional and stylish. We want each homeowner we work with to have a home they love and reflects their lifestyle. At Karin Bennett Designs, we always say we want you to Love The Space You Live In.

Through the episode, Karin and I talk about her previous career as a massage therapist and how she switched gears into the interior design industry. Karin believes that you should follow opportunities as they arise, follow the processes to learn about them, and once you have all of the details, then decide if it’s something that lights you up. Her opportunity working with the Property Brothers came as one of those opportunities that seem unlikely and one with a long process, but because she followed the opportunity through, she has been able to work on television for many years on various shows. There is a benefit to every opportunity, and it's all about your vision for your business and where each opportunity fits in your plan.

Karin speaks about her time in television and her main takeaways - positive and negative - that she has applied to run her business. She further talks about the importance of having a process in your business, and how vital it is to stick to it with every SINGLE client.

Karin's Words of Wisdom:
* Go with your gut and develop a good process. * Don’t think you have to charge the minimal amount because you’re starting out.

--

You can find Karin Bennett at karinbennettdesigns.com, and on Instagram @karinbennettdesigns, and on Facebook at Karin Bennett Designs.

--

Join us inside our Designer Facebook group, click here.

Can you believe it's August?! Because we're just coming back from a long weekend (if you're in Canada) we thought to reshare an episode from Season 1 - sometimes they're too good to just publish once and let it sit in the archives.

Confidence is something that many people struggle with, not just as individuals, but also as business owners, and most definitely as creative entrepreneurs. And so we wanted to rebroadcast this special episode about building confidence - because sometimes we all need that kick in the behind to figure out our own worth and LEARN to be confident in ourselves and our abilities.

We hope you enjoy it, and we'll see you next week with a brand new episode!

Here's what Mel Robbins has taught me: Confidence isn't a personality trait, it's a learned skill.

Today's episode is all about how I learned to be confident in my process, and in turn, in my business. Being confident has nothing to do with being an extrovert, and those who lack confidence are not all introverts. Confidence is not dependent on your personality traits and whether you're a social individual.

It's not a surprise since I have this podcast, that I have the gift of the gab. But for years, I severely lacked confidence in myself and my business! In this episode, I share how I slowly trained myself to become confident in my business. Here's a preview: it all started when I created my process and FOLLOWED it!

One big hint that you lack confidence is if everyone else (i.e clients and trades) is running your projects! In this episode, I talk about pushing past your comfort zone to implement your process and take back control of your business. After doing this a couple of times, it'll become second nature to you... and guess what, you'll just naturally learn how to be confident!

Interview with Amira Alvarez

Today's episode is a juicy one as I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Amira Alvarez all about the psychology of success and how to identify the barriers that are stopping you from achieving your dreams and full potential in life.

Amira Alvarez is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a global coaching company helping entrepreneurs, empire builders, and rising stars in all fields achieve their goals and dreams faster than they ever believed possible.

She is a former victor of the hamster wheel that so many entrepreneurs get stuck on, and knows all too well what it's like to be seduced by the momentary sense of accomplishment one feels when a project is finished or a sale is closed. That's why she's made it her mission to provide clear strategies for anyone to take their business to the next level - without sacrificing their inner peace along the way.

Amira and I had an insightful conversation about being a parent and about the impact of how we were parented ourselves. We also talked immensely about what she calls "terror barriers", which are the deep reasons why you may not have yet achieved your dreams and goals, or are living at your full potential.

Oftentimes due to our past experiences and personal barriers, we put off taking action because our subconscious says it can't happen until "later". But if we don't focus on our invisible barriers, put down actual dates of when goals need to be met, and actually hold ourselves accountable to them, we may miss opportunities and our chance to fulfill our calling and true potential in business and in life.

Through the episode, we also talked about sales, and how entrepreneurial freedom comes from mental and emotional freedom but also financial freedom. It is incredibly important for a business person to understand and become good at money.

Amira also provides an understanding of how we should view compensation. Compensation is made up of 3 things:

The NEED for what you do;
The ABILITY you have to do it;
The difficulty in REPLACING you.

This episode is full of insight and amazing takeaways! Every topic in our chat resonated with me on a deep level that it left me energized to make my own life decision - sooner than I intended!

Words of Wisdom from Amira: What people desire, desires them. Be aware of what's stopping you from acting on your desires, and do whatever is necessary to stay unstoppable in the pursuit of your desires. You can't let yourself be stopped by all those fears that are invisible.

--

You can find amira at theunstoppablewoman.com, on her own podcast, The Unstoppable Woman Podcast, and in her Facebook group Be Unstoppable.

--

Click here to join our Designer Facebook Community!

In this episode, I share 5 things that I think have truly improved our ability to offer a good project management experience. Since our design firm is full-service, we are there for our clients from start to finish, from concept development to design implementation.

I’m not by any means saying that we’ve perfected this portion of our process, but over time we’ve learned from our mistakes and instead of being reactionary, we try to be preventative in our project management. Let’s face it, no project is perfect no matter how much you plan things out, things drag on, one mistake or issue pops up after another, and our clients start to get frustrated because a project is just not finishing.

When you offer full-service, the project management ends up being the biggest part of the project, and our job when we’re hired to implement is to keep everyone happy - the client, the trades, and our own team.

There are lots of little things that we do on a regular basis on a project basis that I think make our project management experience better. But we're still learning. We're still growing and we still have a lot of opportunities to learn. But in this episode, I share with you, the five things that I think have dramatically helped improve our experience for our customers and ourselves.

5 things that have helped:

Having 1 project lead who owns the project
Having a clearly defined process
Have a full, completed design package before we start construction
Place all of the orders a minimum of 2 weeks before demolition begins
We have a flat fee structure

BONUS: We give our clients a proper TV-like reveal

By making these changes the project management experience that we are able to offer has improved and we feel a lot better about the experience we’re offering our clients.

I’d love to hear what you think of the 5 things that I shared in this episode today. In full transparency, what works for me, might not work for you, but I hope my knowledge and experience give you inspiration and ideas for what you can do to improve your project management experience for yourself and your clients.

Let me know what you do to ensure a seamless process in the comments below! #collaborationNOTcompetition

--

Join our Design Community on Facebook. Click here!

Interview with Sascha Lafleur

In this episode, I had the pleasure to interview the lovely Sascha Lafleur of West of Main. We got to talking all about scaling your business and virtually servicing your clients.

Sascha Lafleur, co-founder and principal designer at West of Main, has had a passion for design for as long as she can remember. She attributes her creative flare and an abundance of artistic energy to early influence by her immediate family, which includes woodworkers, builders, artists, and fashionistas.

Sascha studied communications before moving to Montreal to study interior design; a city that fostered a strong design aesthetic that she carries to this day. Her personal style is collected, romantic, and traveled, inspired by nature, culture, and "the stories and connections behind the artistry." In the albeit temporary absence of world travel, Sascha looks to books, social media, and films for timeless and thoughtful inspirations for her trademark style.
This celebrated, local, and international award-winning designer is known today for curating thoughtfully layered, traveled designs. Sascha started West of Main Design in Ottawa where she is committed to co-designing spaces that are a true reflection of her clients’ lifestyles and passions, and ones that will carry them through not just today, but for years to come.
Today, her award-winning firm continues to expand as Sascha leads corporate and full-scale residential projects across North America westofmaindesign.com.

Sascha and I had a very real conversation about how she grew her business in 6 short years. She goes into detail about her background and journey, and how she managed to do all this in a short amount of time by investing in her people. Sascha spoke about how growing a business is like taking a leap of faith in people, investing in people, because it's 10x harder to do it all yourself!

The second part of our chat was all about servicing clients virtually which is something a lot of designers are apprehensive about. The fear is that you won't be able to provide the same client experience virtually and then you get stuck with an unprofitable business model. Sascha goes into detail about how her companies service people online or remotely, while still offering full-service design. She says communication is key and have an exceptionally detailed presentation package every time you chat with a remote client is vital!

I absolutely loved my chat with Sascha and had so many "AHA" moments and takeaways that I want to start doing with my team.

Enjoy our chat! & Let me know what else you'd like to hear on the podcast. I'm here to help our design community!

xo, Rebecca

You can find Sascha on Instagram @westofmain & @westofmainshoppe.

--

Join our Design community on Facebook. Click here!

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

While running a business, especially a service-based business, we've all encountered unsatisfied, unhappy, and difficult clients. Nobody is perfect, and dealing with someone who is upset can get the best of us. So in this episode, I'll be talking all about how to deal with unhappy clients, sharing some of my recent experiences, and my tips on how to diffuse an unsatisfied client situation.

When I started my business, I used to take everything SUPER personally. Every slightly negative comment made me second guess everything about myself and what I was doing, and it started to sour my relationship with my clients in my own mind. We as creative entrepreneurs have a tendency to get defensive. But here's something we have to remember, when a client has a problem or is unhappy with something, it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with them.

More often than not, clients have the tendency to make mountains out of molehills especially if you work in residential construction/decor because they are emotional invested in the outcome. Our goal as service-based businesses is to always help the client fix any issues and leave happy so that they give amazing referrals.

In this episode, I share the exact wording I used in a recent client email to deescalate a situation and give my team time to troubleshoot while ensuring the client felt like we listened to them. I also share 5 tips that have worked for me whenever I hear from an unhappy client.

Stop and don't react immediately. Don't get defensive and put yourself in your clients' shoes.
Clarify and identify the problem with your client. Don't try to solve it right away - it may not be the best way!
Troubleshoot a solution - best done behind the scenes. Sometimes it's an easy fix if you're given time to think it through.
Reassure your client that you're there until the end to problem solve. You are a team!
Apologize respectfully if the issue was something that you did wrong. Accountability is everything!

After having experienced a renovation firsthand with the first phase of #HAYHOMERENO, I can relate to the frustrations that my clients experience, and sometimes just listening and acknowledging the issues or points of frustration is enough to start working toward a resolution.

If you haven't watched the #HAYHOMERENO series on YouTube. Click here to watch. Did I miss any tips that have been game-changers when dealing with unhappy clients? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram. Click here and join our Designer Meet-up Community on Facebook. #collaborationnotcompetition

Happy Canada Day! Since it's a holiday in the great white north, we've decided to share an oldie but a goodie!

We are rebroadcasting Episode 9 from Season 1 today featuring Tiffany Leigh. This episode is an amazing one because Tiffany shares a lot of her wisdom and insight on creating value as a designer, digital marketing and branding tips and so much more that's she's learned from running her design business.

Enjoy the rebroadcast & we'll be back next week with a brand new one for you! - xo, Rebecca

--

Rebroadcast

INTERVIEW – Tiffany Leigh

In this podcast, I sit down with Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Design to talk about the importance of knowing your value as a designer, how to express that value to clients, and how to build your brand to build your confidence.

Tiffany shares so many great nuggets of wisdom about how you need to invest in yourself, hire a team early, and what she did to grow her Instagram following.

Her trick for not letting new leads slip through the cracks might surprise you!

We talk about the importance of your brand touch-points and how all of the documents you send need to look pretty.

She has grown her Instagram following through pretty pictures and multiple collaborations. She shares her recent collaboration with the Home Depot and Autumn Hachey to design her own beach house.

We even get into all of the good things she learned from working for celebrity designer Sarah Richardson!

Interview with Ana Pilling

I was able to chat with Ana Pilling, a member of our Designer Meet-ups community and a wonderful window treatment vendor that I've known for years and that we've worked with in the past.

Ana is the co-owner of Night and Day Window Decor, a custom window covering business, that she started from the ground up in 2004 with a friend from university. She arrived in Canada from Yugoslavia in 1993 at the age of 17 and has an educational background in Occupational Health and Safety. She and her friend and business partner, Jason, decided to start a blinds business with nothing but a bit of stubbornness, an entrepreneurial spirit, and thankfully, support from their families. What started as 3 people, a van, a website, and a shop-from-home model, turned into a 3 location retail business mainly serving the GTA and cottage country, where today she finds myself more in a role of an operations manager and a consultant on special projects, like ones with design firms.

Ana is a very visual person, a bit of an artist, and most definitely passionate about interiors with a touch of obsessiveness about textiles and patterns. Why I do this? She simply wants to set and be a good example to her community, family, and people that work with her. Today, Ana is 45, married to a wonderful man for 21 years, mom to two awesome teenagers, ashtanga yoga lover and part-time teacher, a scuba diver, and a breast cancer survivor.

Through the episode, Ana and I chat about her journey to starting her business and how she got to have 3 locations, and how it's never too late to change the trajectory of your life, regardless of age and goals. Cut yourself some slack, your journey changes as you grow and develop and that's OK.

We also chat about how to speak to your clients about incorporating window treatments to not only increase your bottom line but also leave a lasting impression. Often times when I encourage my clients to invest in an element that I believe is worth it in the long run, they end up appreciating and thanking me for persuading them.

Lastly, we also talk about hustling as entrepreneurs and always trying to find that balance between work and home/family life, as well as the value of keeping an open mind and learning as you go. She said a wonderful quote during the episode that really resonated with me, "The more you learn the more you can earn". Ana was definitely speaking my language!

I hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to download her freebie, click here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Recently I've been experiencing a big life event that's blowing my mind and it is a direct result of the power of intention and goal setting, and so I hope this episode motivates you, kicks you into high gear, and inspires you to go for your dreams!

If you've been listening for a while or follow me on Instagram, you know that I'm a small-town girl at heart, who currently lives in the concrete jungle, Toronto, Canada. I grew up going to summer camps and lakeside cottages and absolutely LOVE the country. One of my big dreams is to have my own piece of land in the country.

Through the episode, I talk about the goal-setting exercises I've done over the years from various courses I took, books I read, and podcasts I listened to. (Fun fact: In every course I teach, I make module one or the welcome section, a visualization and goal setting exercise, because I believe this is vital in turning dreams into goals).

I go into detail about my time as a student then actress-waitress in Vancouver and how I've done multiple vision boards through the years as my dreams and goals changed. Further, into the episode, I go into what I do every morning and every day to see myself one step closer to my goals.

I fully believe that if there's something in your life that you want to achieve, you CAN do it! What you put out there is what you attract, and if you put out the intention of your goals, the world will open up for you!

I would love to know if you have goals that you've started sharing out loud. Join our designer meet-up Facebook group and share in our safe community.

Interview with Cady North

Today’s guest was made for the Resilient by Design Podcast not only because she is the author of a book called The Resiliency Effect, but also because of her mindset on life and goals.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Cady North, author, speaker, podcast host, investment advisor, and Anti To-Do List CEO of North Financial Advisors.

Cady North always knew she wanted to help others find financial resilience. Her parents were small business owners, and she learned to balance a business checkbook by the age of 13. Before taking the leap to start her financial planning business, she spent more than a decade advising high-level executives of Fortune 500 companies while working for industry giants such as Bloomberg and Financial Executives International. Cady writes about money, mindset, behavior, mental health, and work culture.

Through the episode, Cady and I chat about the importance of your money mindset, recognizing where you are and what you want to create, imposter syndrome, her sabbatical, and what it means to make a change in your life, and our mutual need to stay busy.

Cady works with women to support their money journeys and build resilience for the future. She ensures that their dreams align with their finances, because it's extremely important that your business allows you to live the life you want.

In the episode, we talk about how we often identify ourselves with what we do instead of who we are and get caught up in our own heads. We often focus on what we SHOULD be doing instead of doing what we WANT or LIKE to do. Cady encourages people to live their lives more in sync with their goals and values instead of what they “should be doing”.

We also talk about her book, The Resiliency Effect. Her book is filled with stories of modern women who made changes to live more in sync with their purpose and passions, The Resiliency Effect teaches you to: Embrace and overcome adversity so you too can live your biggest dreams; Determine what habits and coping strategies are blocking you from success; and take tangible steps to make lasting changes in your life.

You can find Cady on her website at cadynorth.com and on Instagram @cadynorth. Find her book on Amazon.ca, click here.

--

Also, here's my small request for the day, visit my website, rebeccahay.com, and tell me what do you want to see! I'm in the middle of revamping the website and would love your feedback because I want it to serve you better! Send me a DM on Instagram or email at info@rebeccahaydesigns.com.

--

Click here to join our Facebook community for designers.

Let's talk about boundaries and setting client expectations.

Setting boundaries is something I'm constantly working on. I believe that as creative entrepreneurs, as designers, we often want to please people at all costs to keep everyone happy to the point where they step all over us. As a service-based business, my client experience is everything, and we do our best to provide the most amazing customer service possible, however, even then it can go unnoticed. In this episode, I tell my own client stories, share steps that I follow in my own business to set boundaries and set expectations, and what I do when a client pushes back.

As designers, we would not have a job without our clients, however, some clients can drive us crazy! (This is just a fact in any business - especially service-based businesses). While we as design professionals are trying to put together the perfect combination of texture, layers, and space, we also have to deal with our client's input, some more than others, and any other concerns they have. Of course, our first reaction as a service business and people pleasers is to make the client happy at all costs, but sometimes the cost outways the benefit.

In the past, I have put my clients' happiness above my own peace of mind, and it cost a bit of my sanity, I lost the ability to be present with my family and friends, my ability to unwind and find a balance between work and life because it just left me emotionally and mentally drained. I think that we've all done this, gone the extra mile at our own detriment.

As much as the client matters, we as design professionals are not saving lives, and we have to think of ourselves too. We run a business, not a charity, and we are not personal assistants. We went into business most likely to be creative, MAKE MONEY, and because we wanted flexibility! So setting boundaries isn't a bad thing. It allows both parties to separate work and personal life.

Through the episode I go into further detail about the following tips that have helped me set my client expectations and establish boundaries:

I do NOT provide my personal cell phone number (Our team emails and the office phone is good enough).
My fee structure is non-negotiable (it changes as the scope changes but I am not cutting deals).
I show my clients my contract during the consultation (and bring it up during our discovery call).
We communicate our preferred method of communication early on (unless there is a pipe-bursting emergency cell phones are not to be called).
We are open, honest, and consistent with our communication and let our clients know when we should be expected on site.
Pre-selecting E.V.E.R.Y S.I.N.G.L.E aspect of the design early on and presenting the entire design to our clients secures a more reassured sign-off from our clients! (We have fewer flip-flopping minds).

Setting boundaries with clients is really helped by setting expectations EARLY AND OFTEN. You have to vocalize how you want your clients to experience your service and process from the get-go. The best way to set boundaries is through the tiny yet important details that go through in your communication and how you manage "crises" that come up.

I hope this helps you set boundaries and find a way to create a work-life balance.

--

Join our design community - click here

Today I’m talking about consultations and how to run them so that both you and your client get the most out of your time together.

I’ve had quite a few questions about how I run consultations within my community and so there is it, I’m sharing what I do to prepare, how I used to run my consultations, how I do it now, and some tips on how to convert a consultation into a full paying gig.

In this episode, I talk about how I didn’t charge for my consultations when I started my business. It wasn’t because I didn’t value my time but because the person I worked for before didn’t charge for theirs. I just thought that since they were experienced and not charging for consultations, that was just the best way to do it too. But what I didn’t realize at the time was the importance of that designer’s experience. He didn’t charge for consultations because almost every lead he had would turn into a full project job - That was the caliber of client and level of experience he was at, not me.

I quickly learned, that if I don’t charge for my consultations, my time and expertise as a designer were not as valued and I was not attracting the right type of client that could actually afford my services. I then shifted my mindset and started running my business as a business. The first thing you should do when you shift into this mindset is to charge the right value for consultations. (Obviously, every city and town is different, but the point is that you’ve got to charge!)

After a few years, I realized that it was time for another change. I was doing too many consultations at a relatively inexpensive fee and not many of those turned into full-fledged projects (which is obviously the goal when running a design business). After reassessing, I nervously increased my consultation to be a more premium fee, and guess what, I got fewer consultations… But more full-paying design jobs! Raising my rates for my time, knowledge and expertise attracted my ideal client, a higher caliber client that could afford my services and beautiful designs through to the end.

Through the episode, I share other lessons and tidbits I’ve learned about consultations such as:

Get a scheduler - this will save you or your team from having back and forth conversations about dates and times for booking consultations
Arrive prepared and ready to reiterate your messaging using multiple mediums
Set expectations for your clients early and often - This is essential throughout the duration that you are working with a client. Talk timelines, budgets, and when you’re taking on new projects.
Listening is the most important thing you can do at a consultation, then come the ideas
Connect with your client based on what you see around their home - Show them you’re human and fund a common element so that you can make a personal connection
Show proof of the value you are bringing them and the possible problems that you will find solutions for - Use past magazine publications, client reviews, past or ongoing project images with a story

One of the biggest game-changers in my business that completely altered the consultation experience I provide was the implementation of a pre-qualifying call, which I call a Discovery Call after the lead reaches out. Having a phone call before a consultation is booked is vital because you get to learn about the project, you can set expectations in terms of money and timeline, and one of the most important things, you find out if you’re right for each other. It all starts with this casual short conversation. (You can get my Discovery Call Script at rebeccahay.com/discoverycall)

Lastly, I share some tips on the best ways to convert a consultation into a full project job. I have found that reassuring them that you know what you are doing simply by having a clear-cut process, helps to establish trust even as a newbie designer. The more you educate people on your process, on your role, and with all of the knowledge that you have, the easier it’ll be to convert that consultation into a full client.

Download my free consultation checklist at rebeccahay.com/consultationchecklist

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Margot Austin

I had a total fangirl moment in this episode as I had the opportunity to interview Margot Austin of AustinSmyth Communications!

In this episode, Margot and I chat all about getting published, what it means to get published in print, and the value of leveraging multiple touchpoints to attract your ideal client.

Margot Austin is a Toronto-based interiors stylist and partner in AustinSmyth Communications, a boutique agency helping interior designers and design brands level up their communications and get noticed. Margot also works with a select few clients per year on residential design projects. Margot's love of design grew during her early career as a magazine journalist, including 15 years in senior roles at Style at Home and House & Home. She's an avid DIYer and divides her time between Toronto, Northumberland County, and a tiny cottage on PEI (when it's safe and permitted!), along with her husband, Kevin, an antique dealer, and French bulldog, Pixie.

Through the episode, Margot goes into depth about the things you should focus on to grow your brand and reach especially when you're starting out. She also explains how through her various career opportunities and changes she has come to fully understand the power of telling stories with pictures and words. She has been on all sides of print publishing, from having her home on the front cover to being the editor of multiple magazines to seeing her clients' work featured in print.

Being published in a print magazine is not only about showing your work off to the public, it's about telling a special story, making your client the main character with an issue and you as the designer are the hero with the solution. Margot explains that getting an editorial in a magazine is like handing off your work to professional storytellers who understand the magic of a great story and will maximize it to not get a high readership but also to attract your ideal client.

Margot further goes onto explain that the avenue in which you choose to focus on regarding PR, is dependent on your goals. You need to reach people where they are going to be. Getting published in a magazine is just one outlet for one goal, but there is a lasting quality to getting on a magazine.

Words of wisdom from Margot Austin

People need to believe in themselves and not so much look at their peers. Look within yourself, and think about your best client-designer relations and how you can replicate that in the future.

Never stop learning or being inspired by doing something new - you'll rejuvenate yourself, your business, and your creativity.

--

You can find Margot at margotsmyth.com, margotaustin.ca, on Instagram as @austinsmythcommunications or @margotaustin, and on clubhouse and TikTok at @margotdoironaustin.

--

Join our Facebook community here.

Our podcast turns 1 today! 🎉

It's been a wonderful year of sharing all of my marketing, business, process, and mindset knowledge with you. Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to chat with so many amazingly wise people, some of whom have become friends and coaching of mine.

When I jumpstarted this venture last year, during the beginning of a global pandemic, I couldn't have pictured where we are today. We love seeing our listener count grow and so filled with joy when we hear success stories from listeners who just had "AHA" moments during a podcast and took action to just change their life.

It has been an absolutely amazing year, and I can't wait to keep making episodes for you, keep chatting with guests, learning and sharing all of the things along the way!

In honour of our 1st birthday, we're rebroadcasting our very first podcast!

Keep listening and sharing! I do this for YOU - my treasured listener, my audio friend! 💖

Resilient by Design Podcast celebrates its 1st birthday!

Interview with Alaa Yassin

This episode is a special one for many reasons:

This is episode 60!
I got to interview Alaa Yassin, a talented local designer and lovely past student of mine.
This week marks our podcast's 1 year anniversary! (Can you believe it?!)

In this episode, Alaa and I chatted about the importance of mindset, the turbulence of running a design business through a global pandemic, and how to pull yourself out of the comparison trap and focus on collaboration within the community.

Introducing our guest:

Alaa Yassin is the founder of Interiors by Luli, an award-winning interior decorating and design studio. Her work is recognized by compelling transitional and modern classic interiors. Alaa approaches her design process with a thoughtful understanding of client’s unique lifestyle demands, passions, and goals. But in order to focus on her clients’ needs and her business growth, she knows mindset is everything. It’s not easy but it’s a work in progress, especially during these difficult times.

Throughout the episode, Alaa and I talked about how we met and the social media facade of being a "perfect Pinterest Mom", and the way that designers are perceived.

We delved deep into what it means to have a healthy and positive mindset. There's a lot of talk about staying positive, always seeing the good, finding solutions and looking for the silver lining, but the mindset is about focus and being in control of yourself. It's about setting up healthy habits and routines but giving yourself the permission to be flexible. It's incredibly helpful to recognize the difference when someone using toxic positivity and when someone is genuine.

Alaa also speaks to recognizing your personal worth and not allowing others to distract you and derail you. When you recognize your worth and focus on growth that's when good things will happen. At the end of our conversation, I asked Alaa to share one final nugget of wisdom and she more than delivered.

Growth is on the other side of uncomfortable. When you push yourself out of your comfort zone, when you feel nervous, that's when exciting things happen.

You can find Alaa at www.interiorsbyluli.com, on Instagram @interiorsbyluli, and on Facebook at Interiors by Luli.

--

Join our Design Community on Facebook: Designer Meet-ups

This solo episode is short and sweet but filled with a lot of good takeaways about the value of having an online presence as a designer and business owner.

When I initially started my Instagram account years ago, I struggled with the idea behind it, was it for vanity or competition? I think this is sometimes a struggle that some business owners have. In this episode, I explain the main reasons why you need to have an online presence to grow your business.

In my opinion, it all starts with this quote by Simon Sinek, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.” Meaning: there are so many interior designers out there, but every single one has a different purpose behind the service they offer.

Social media is a powerful tool to share the “WHY” of your business.

I also cover the doubts that many people have of Instagram and other social media platforms actually working to attract your ideal client. Years ago I would have been alongside the Nay-sayers, but in recent years, mainly in 2020-2021, I’m singing a different tune, because almost all of my leads that turn into design jobs followed me on Instagram or had seen my designs on Instagram before they contacted me. Put in the work, it does pay off. Being present on social media platforms adds to your legitimacy as a company. It gives you a chance to educate your ideal client on what you do, how you do, and why you do and build a rapport with them before they reach out to you. A lot of what service-based businesses do relies on the trust of their clients, building this relationship early on just helps with that trust factor, and makes you relatable to them.

In the episode, I also speak to the two other reasons why you should have an online presence and that is: reinforcing your brand and selling a lifestyle. I’d love to hear about your thoughts on being active and present online and on social media. Leave me a comment below.

Join our Designer Meet-ups Community on Facebook. Click here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

This episode is all about how I the quarterly review for my business. When I shared on Instagram at the end of March that I was having an all-day meeting with my team to review the past quarter and plan ahead, I had a lot of people reach out and ask me what was a quarterly review meeting and how did I run one. So this episode is in answer to all those messages.

A quarterly review meeting is a time to step back from working in your business to assess what you’ve done in the last 90 days, where you’re currently at, and where you want to go in the next 90 days.

I can’t take all the credit, I got this idea to run a quarterly review for my business for Gino Wickman’s book, Traction. It has been my bible for running and growing my business and team for the last few years. (This is not an Ad, I genuinely love this book and it has helped me so much!) Since I first read about quarterly reviews in the book, I have tweaked it to fit my business and my team but basic elements are there. In this episode, I’m going to walk you through how I run the quarterly review meeting for my business, so if you want to introduce something like this into your company - solo or in a team, grab a pen and take some notes.

It’s super important to take this step back and assess every three months because if you’ve set goals for the year, you need a way to keep yourself (and your team) on track to actually achieving them. If you set yearly goals but you never check-in and review, how do you know you’re working towards them? More often than not if you don’t check-in and break down your big hairy audacious goals into smaller bite-sized pieces, the end of the new year will come and they will still be sitting on your to-do list. If nothing else a quarterly review meeting will keep you and your team accountable to the values in your organization.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Spencer Snakard

This episode is a little different because we’re talking all about mindset and how to stop holding yourself back with Executive Transformation Coach, Spencer Snakard.

Spencer Snakard is an Executive Transformation Coach, Trainer, and Speaker. She works with Visionary Entrepreneurs & Transformational Leaders who are on a mission to make a major impact, helping them to break through barriers to their next level of success while loving life every step of the way ... and without giving up what matters most to them.

She has trained & coached in personal & professional development for nearly 25 years. Her transformative programs cause profound & lasting shifts in participants' lives by getting to the heart of what drives us, what holds us back, and what it takes to be truly fulfilled as spiritual beings having a human experience.

Spencer has a degree in Psychology and extensive training & leadership in Ontology. She is a Professional Certified Coach, a Success Principles trainer, and a Yoga instructor, and brings a sense of play and humor into all of her work.

Our chat became incredibly deep when we started on the topic of human nature, and how we, as entrepreneurs, business owners, humans, women, designers, have survival instincts that more often than not hold us back from achieving more. We really talked about the idea of survival and self-preservation. You’ll hear times in our conversation when I had some “AHA” moments when we discussed how good we are at adapting to our current environments that we often don’t push oversells forward outside our comfort zone to work towards the next success.

During my coaching sessions, I often hear “I’m not ________ enough”, but just because you say it and think it, does NOT mean it’s true. Having these thoughts and not looking within may be holding you back from something new exciting and wonderful.

My main takeaway from chatting with Spencer was that we have to challenge ourselves and our mindsets. Our lives, but also our businesses are affected by how we truly see ourselves, by understanding what our passions are, what our core values are. Figuring this out and being honest with yourself, is often more important to an entrepreneur than having the tactical skills to run a business. This episode is a great one to pause for reflection and food for thought.

You can find Spencer's Free Masterclass at www.transformingmillions.com on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

[REBROADCAST]

Interview with Tiffany Heimpel

This episode is a fun one because I got to interview my friend Tiffany Heimpel who is a sales manager at LinkedIn Canada, and we talk all about sales.

Tiffany has spent her career vacillating between public and private ad, media, and tech companies. She spent her early career in Advertising, went to NBC Universal where she honed her sales skills with Walmart and Amazon. Tiffany currently leads the Enterprise Sales Team at LinkedIn Canada. A sales and marketing leader, Tiffany is also a yogi, runner, dog mom, human mom, and craft beer/chicken wing lover, as well as my good friend and neighbour.

In this episode, we talk candidly about how professionally beneficial it is to have a unique mindset which is incredibly evident with how many directions Tiffany's career has taken (currently landing her as a sales leader without having taken a formal business course). Tiffany also explains what a sales conversion is and how to calculate it for your business. Lastly, she shares a few tips on how to use LinkedIn to amplify your business' reach and sales.

"Sales" is normally not a sexy or fun topic, but trust me when I say listening to Tiffany and I chat in this episode will actually have you enjoy thinking about numbers (and believe me, I'm the last person to say I enjoy numbers).

You can find Tiffany at www.tiffanyheimpel.com or on Instagram @tiffanyheimpel, on Twitter @tiffanyheimpel, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyheimpel.

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a comment. I'd love to know what topics and tips resonate with you. - xo Rebecca

This episode is all about the top 3 mistakes that I have learned from when it comes to hiring. Although this list can be adapted to any industry or business, I share how they affected my design business.

I go into detail about my initial thoughts on hiring, and how making these 3 big mistakes affected my design business, and how you can learn to spot them and avoid making the same mistakes.

I’ll toot my own horn and say that I’ve grown a lot and can spot some red flags before they become issues, but this is not to say that there’s nothing to improve. On the contrary, I am looking forward to the day I can pass off hiring for my company to an HR company that is fully trained to jump through all the hiring loops.

Through the episode, I talk about how I used to be obsessed with hours my employees used to spend doing various tasks, and how that actually cost me more time and money in the end. To give you an idea, I would often deter tasks that I deemed “simple” or “that I can do faster” to myself, which just led to more stress. (I was doing it all backward!)

In addition, I hired because I just needed help, but didn’t have a plan laid out for my new hire. This just led to inefficiencies and more waste of time.

Lastly, I used to hire for skills and experience over personality. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, this one is a BIG one for me. You can teach skills and experience comes with time, but you can teach or change personality, and that is KEY to growing your business. You need to meld well with your growing team, have similar core values, and perspectives.

The biggest lesson learned from all of the hiring mistakes I’ve made is that you have to trust your gut, and don’t be too hard on yourself it is doesn’t work out, it’s all part of the learning curve and growing pains of any business.

Click to join our design community on Facebook

Interview with Etel Igreja

Grab a pen and paper before you press play for this episode because it's full of good tips and takeaways. I had the opportunity to chat with Etel Igreda from Blossom CPA.

Etelvina Igreda, aka Etel, is the Founder and Director of Blossom CPA in Toronto, Ontario. After working in corporate environments for some time, she started her own firm to grow professional happiness for herself and create positive change for her Creative clients. Etel describes herself as an accountant by trade and an entrepreneur by choice. Besides having her business baby, Etel am a mom of 3 and wife of 1.

Fun side note: If Etel didn’t go the business route she would have become a professional translator: she loves learning languages, language rules, and interacting with people.

Blossom CPA is a modern accounting firm where they leverage technology to solve process bottlenecks for their clients, provides peace of mind with Advisory Services, and helps businesses be compliant (and meet CRA deadlines).

I asked Etel to come on the podcast to talk about how you can set up your business for financial success. The purpose of this episode is to empower you with a better sense of how you can manage the financials in your business (new or old).

Through the episode, Etel shares what it means to incorporate your business if you should do it, and why. She also speaks to the benefits of being a sole proprietor and provides some great tips for your year-end and what is actually considered revenue in your business.

We speak further about the typical audit type that designers can face, how to set up your business bank accounts, and various software you can use to keep you organized throughout the year (whether you're a solo or have a team).

Lastly, you won't want to miss the financial and other business definitions that Etel explains, some that took me YEARS to understand. This episode will help you set your business up for success from the beginning, and help you realize that it's the little things that you do throughout the year that will keep you on track.

You can Etel at www.blossomcpa.ca, email at etel@blossomcpa.ca, and on Instagram @BlossomCPA.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Crystal Collinson

This episode is actually part 2 of my conversation with Crystal Collinson all about working with builders and developers. It was my first time taking part in a simulcast, which means you'll find part 1 of our 2-hour conversation on Crystal's podcast, The Productive Designer, and now part 2 right here! Listen to part 1 here.

Crystal is the principal of Crystal Collinson Interiors, a full-service design firm specializing in the Design and Decorating of Model Homes, Sales Presentation Centre’s, Condominium amenity spaces, and small commercial projects. Crystal & her team work with many of the GTA’s largest home builders.

After 18 years in the industry, Crystal has developed an approach to interior design that sets her apart, while setting her clients & trusted trade resources at ease. Running a full-time interior design business while raising a family is not an easy feat. Crystal has the unique ability to be both creative yet extremely organized; keeping a handle on all the moving parts. Living by the philosophy that “Design should solve problems, not create them”. As a self-proclaimed productivity geek, she has developed systems, processes, and hacks to work smarter...not harder.

Crystal is the creator and host of The Productive Designer podcast. The aim of the podcast is to educate, collaborate and motivate all Interior Design professionals to intentionally design the life and business they want.

During the episode, Crystal shares how she started working in this realm of design and shares all about the world of builders and developers. She explains how different builder and developer projects are from residential projects.

Our conversation goes further into branding. Since Crystal and I both have multi-faceted companies, we chatted about her venture into creating an umbrella brand, and the pros and cons of doing that. If you’re interested in branding, this part of the episode is not to be missed.

Lastly, we chatted about hiring and building a team. Crystal and I have built our teams very differently. While I have a mix of people on contract and salary, and this works for me, Crystal has built a team of freelancers and contract employees and it works for her! Building a team is very personal because it depends on your company’s process and how you like to work with others.

One of my biggest takeaways from the lovely conversation with Crystal was the reminder she said towards the end that our jobs as design professionals is 20% design and 80% project management. Listen to the episode to find out what she means by that.

--

Join our design community on Facebook here.

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

This episode is a special one because I'm sharing my students' love notes and success stories in honour of enrollment closing tonight (March 11, 2021) at midnight EST.

I had my first Power of Process students in the fall, and at the end of our journey together I asked them to share their thoughts and how the course impacted their businesses. Let me just say, the feedback was OVERWHELMINGLY AMAZING!

As creatives, we often think that we don't need a structure that we just need free flow to create, but in truth, you need to be organized and have systems in place to actually find time to become inspired and create. If you're too busy trying to run every aspect of your business, when do you actually get to do the things you enjoy? I wanted to share my students' love notes to help you understand how developing a unique process in your business will help you elevate your business, free your time, and up-level the experience you provide to your clients (and to your team if you have one).

Once you have a process, even a rough outline, you need to test it out! You need to use it and get feedback on what works and what doesn’t and use that to build on your process.

Let me be honest, when you start working on your process, it WON’T be perfect. It CAN’T be perfect, because you don’t know how your ideal client, team, or trades are going to react. Depending on the industry dynamics in your area or the types of people you work with, you will need to change and customize it as you receive feedback. Every comment you collect, good or bad, will get your process one step closer to perfect. As you continue to grow, you will continue to build.

Listen to the entire episode and try to find one of my students who has a similar story to you, and see what they say about Power of Process. If you're on the fence, maybe it'll help you take the leap.

--

Want to learn more about my Power of Process course? Great, POP enrollment is now open for enrollment until March 11, 2021 at midnight. Click to learn more!

Interview with Carly Nemtean & Erica Gelman

I've got another bonus round-table discussion episode for you! In this episode, I have a very candid conversation with Carly Nemtean of Carriage Lane Design-Build & The Collective Workspace, and Erica Gelman of Erica Gelman Design, about team building and everything that goes into it!

Carly is a special returning guest to our podcast. She was first on the podcast for another bonus episode with Jessica Kelly. Click here to listen. Carly Nemtean is the Co-Founder and Principle Designer of Carriage lane Design Build and recently the Co-Founder and CEO of The Collective Workspace, A coworking space for the Design and Architectural community. Carly graduated from Interior Design at Sheridan College and started her journey into the industry working for design firms. She met her business partner Rocco in 2009 on one of her job sites and soon found herself working for him at Alta Moda Millwork designing their cabinetry. Shortly after, Carly landed an opportunity to be a designer for HGTV’s Property Brothers and brought Rocco and his companies along to create full home updates with the show. Realizing the success of their skills combined, they opened their own boutique design and build firm, Carriage Lane Design Build in 2011.

Erica Gelman is the principal designer of Erica Gelman Design Inc in Toronto. She graduate of the esteemed International Academy of Design & Technology leads the talented team. Erica prides herself on a keen eye for detail; combining formal training with her flair for style and impeccable sense of colour to create truly unique spaces. Erica’s work can be seen in numerous national lifestyle publications. Her design approach is simple yet sophisticated; a combination of lush textures and bold patterns infused together to create timeless designs.

Our conversation is incredibly candid while we all share our individual experiences while trying to build a team - from hiring, to training, to placing the right person in the right position, and to the complicated event of losing or firing employees.

As a small business owner the onus is on you to plan, to navigate the business (while also designing and interacting with clients), and finally to act as Human Resources - which a lot of us are not equipped for. It can be difficult to grow a team - especially to find the right people to fit your company and your process. Through our chat, Carly and Erica share how they’ve learned to spot some red flags in hiring, some hard-learned lessons through all of their experience hiring, and who they’ve found to help them react efficiently as an employer.

Finally, we talk heavily about leadership, which can make or break a team. Leadership drives results! Carly expresses the importance of being a present leader, because a business is only as strong as its team, while Erica speaks to the importance of celebrating your wins, while also acknowledging and learning from your failures.

You can find Carly Nemtean at www.thecollectiveto.com, www. carriagelanedesigns.com, and on Instagram @thecollectiveworkspace.

You can find Erica Gelman at www.ericagelman.com and on Instagram @erica_gelman.

--

Want to learn more about my Power of Process course? Great, POP enrollment is now open for enrollment until March 11, 2021! Click here!

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Laura Thornton & Colleen Shier

I had the opportunity to speak with two amazing design professionals, Colleen Shier of Spruce Interiors, and Laura Thornton of Thornton Design, in another round-table talk about knowing your value as design professionals, growing and adapting your business, and creating a unique process. (Hint: they both enrolled in Power of Process)

Colleen is the founder and principal of Spruce Interiors in Toronto. Her approachable demeanor and collaborative work style are as much a part of Spruce Interiors' success as her talent for creating timeless, livable interiors, with client service and attention to detail as top priorities. Established in 2005, Spruce Interiors prides itself on well-established relationships with top suppliers, workrooms, and trades as well as a loyal repeat clientele.

Laura Thornton’s journey to becoming an interior designer stemmed from her childhood, where she recalls her agonizing piano lessons with her two sisters every Saturday morning. It was there she discovered Architectural Digest publications because her piano teacher’s father was an architect and had an inspiring library. Laura went to University to study law and political science but quickly knew her heart and skill set was destined to be in Interior Design, where she ended up within her post-secondary schooling. She founded Thornton Design in 1999 and has established wonderful relationships with her clients, family, and friends, and loves offering her insights to inspire residential and commercial spaces.

Our conversation focuses on their reasonings for taking my Power of Process course and their experiences. They were both in my first cohort in Fall 2020, and made a huge impact with their willingness to learn, grow and share within our community. (Community is what we live for!) Although both Colleen and Laura have been in business for many years, they both saw the value in taking Power of Process to improve their existing systems and fine-tune their internal and client-facing processes.

This episode has incredibly interesting perspectives. Colleen is a solo residential designer, meanwhile, Laura has a team and studio that service both residential and commercial. Being in the interior design industry can sometimes feel like you’re alone on an island and joining a community can be just the resource you need. These ladies have enjoyed being part of a design community that is inclusive and collaborative and has helped them elevate their businesses.

Hearing their stories and the impact my courses have had on their lives and business completely fills my heart. Colleen has jumped leaps and bounds with her business since her enrollment in the Momentum Challenge and Power of Process, while also changing her own mindset. Meanwhile, Laura has changed her perspective on her existing process, which she has had for years, and fine-tuned it to better serve her clients and team.

There’s no roadmap to owning a business and evolving it through the years, but there are steps you can take to create a unique process that works for you right now as your foundation, which you can, later on, adapt and build upon as you grow and learn.

--

If you want to learn about creating a process and my course the Power of Process, I am hosting 1 free masterclass on March 4 at 7:30 pm EST about the 5 steps to creating a unique process and eliminating the chaos! Save your seat!

Ready to learn more about Power of Process? Join Power of Process

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with my clients Kelly & Glen Patchet

This episode is SUPER special because it's one that I didn't think I would ever have a chance to do - I interviewed my actual clients! I'm over the moon dreaming about this opportunity and this episode!

Kelly & Glen Patchet, founders of Quarterback Digital, joined me to talk about the importance of marketing while sharing various marketing tactics, why they chose to work with me, AND what it was actually like to work with me and my team!

Kelly and Glen Patchet are Co-Founders of Quarterback Digital, a digital marketing agency in downtown Toronto. Serving clients across Canada and the US, they run the marketing efforts for their clients, driving traffic, generating leads and increasing sales for thought leaders and people who sell their expertise. Leading a team of marketing specialists Glen and Kelly are the marketing quarterbacks calling the plays for their clients.

Throughout our conversation, Kelly and Glen share the reason that they decided to work with my interior design company instead of anyone else - it was my process! This really was amazing to hear because it solidified my belief that if you develop a unique process that works for you, follow it and communicate it to your potential ideal clients, it DOES make a difference and creates raving fan clients!

Further into our conversation, Kelly, Glen & I chat about the marketing. Marketing is incredibly important for any company, big or small, new or established. The more confident you are in the inner workings (process) of your business, the better suited you are to talk it up and market yourself to your ideal client. They shared some marketing tactics that you can use in a service based business.

Lastly, if you stick through to the end, you'll also find out how Kelly & Glen felt when I informed them they had to pay for a consultation with me at the beginning of my process! I really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did recording it!

Don't miss out on my free discovery call script. Click here to get it in your inbox!

& I am hosting 2 more free masterclasses about the 5 steps to creating a unique process and eliminating the chaos! Save your seat!

Want to learn more about my Power of Process course? Great, POP enrollment is now open for enrollment until March 11, 2021! Click here to join!

Interview with Steve Ryan

In this special episode, I interview one of my Power of Process students, Steve Ryan of Steve Ryan Designs. (YAY!)

Steve Ryan is an award-winning, Toronto-based Designer, Home Stager, and Stylist. In addition to his own firm, he collaborates on major staging projects with Details Staging and Design. A graduate of the Interior Decorating program at George Brown College in 2016, he is an accredited member of the Toronto Chapter of the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada. He is also the content creator for DDA Toronto’s Instagram page and coaches small businesses on improving their Instagram feed and brands. He also writes popular blog posts giving design advice on his website.

Through our conversation, we chatted about his experience through the Power of Process course and how it helped him assess his business and pivot his focus. It was an incredibly humbling conversation to have as his coach. Our conversation then drifted to social media, more specifically Instagram.

Steve is not only a designer but quite crafty and a wiz on Instagram. He shared his tips and takeaways about how to build a following and improve user interaction. It definitely got me thinking about the quality of my posts and if I am an over-poster. (eek, I hope not!)

Lastly, Steve shared the best advice someone ever gave him - to learn from those who have come before him; those who have a similar trajectory but are a bit further than you. Learn by example, it'll help you avoid mistakes, and keep growing as an individual and a business.

--

Want to learn more about the course Steve and I chatted about? Great, the Power of Process course is now open for enrollment until March 11, 2021! Click to learn more.

--

Also, I'm hosting free masterclasses about the 5 steps to build a unique process & eliminate the chaos. Join the masterclass!

--

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with the Rebecca Hay Designs team

This episode is an incredibly special one because I interviewed the designers on my team. I asked my team to join me and have a transparent and candid conversation about the Rebecca Hay Designs process. & Wow did I get major insight!

It was an incredible privilege to have Alyssa Griffith, Rebecca Weatherall, and Claudia Lopes talk about what it's like working in our design firm with our current process. Since Alyssa & Rebecca W have been with me for a while, they know what it was like in the early years of my business - and how I used to run projects (hint: it was chaotic!) To contrast it, Claudia, who was only ever introduced to our current process presents a fresh perspective on how it feels to adapt your work style to a company's process.

Through the conversation, we candidly talk about how the early years of our business shaped where we are now, the value of time blocking, and go into detail about which parts of our process help each person with their role in the company - and with clients!

This episode was incredibly eye-opening for me since we don't get many chances to be candid and transparent as a team. It really brought things to perspective! It's wonderful to have a team that does see the value in following a process and bettering it with feedback. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

I'm hosting free masterclasses about the 5 steps to build a unique process & eliminate the chaos. Click to join the free masterclass.

Want to be part of a safe tight-knit community of design professionals, click to join our private Facebook Group.

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Maia Roffey

In this episode, I interviewed Maia Roffey, Principal Designer, Founder, and Owner of Black Sheep Interior Design. I've known Maia for years and we've had many frank conversations about our businesses, our struggles, and our processes. So I brought Maia on the podcast to talk about all things money and how to find and work with the right trades.

Maia’s formative years were spent in a home built by famed Canadian architect Ron Thom. Visits to properties in Toronto’s Forest Hill and Rosedale neighbourhoods, and trips further afield to the Laurentians and Barbados cemented her appreciation for elegant architecture and beautifully executed spaces.

She graduated from McMasters' multi-disciplinary Arts & Science program in Hamilton Ontario, Maia took a brief detour into law school on the west coast before finding her niche in design. She graduated with honours from Ryerson’s School of Interior Design and completed her BCIN, LEED AP, and NCIDQ designations before founding Black Sheep Interior Design. She is also a dedicated volunteer and proudly combines her love of design and philanthropy as Chair of the annual Home for Life fundraiser for Eva’s Initiatives, a charity fighting youth homelessness in the GTA.

One of the many things I love about Maia is how open she is about her business and the way she does things. She is all about collaboration and community! Through the podcast, we chat about how important it is to keep sharing our sources with each other in order for our own businesses to grow. Maia also shares how she creates budgets for projects, how she bills for a project, and the specific wording she uses to ensure clients don't push her around.

Lastly, Maia and I chat about the one thing that often keeps designers up at night - TRADES! She tells us what she's done over the years to find and align herself with the right trades, and provides great tips on how you can build and foster good trade relationships. (The Unicorn Contractor may actually exist out there!)

You can find Maia Roffey at www.blacksheepinteriordesign.com and on Instagram @blacksheepid.

Click to download my Discovery Call Script & Start your client onboarding process!

Today’s episode is all about how you can build your confidence to finally make those pivots in your life.

If 2020 and now 2021 have shown me anything at all, it’s the power of the pivot. The world is so different than we thought it would be when we rang in the year 2020. We’ve all had to make adjustments to our lifestyles, and most importantly our mindsets and businesses. Sometimes in order to keep the doors open or adapt, you have to make a big decision and pivot your trajectory. Last year in the middle of the pandemic, I pivoted quickly and whole-heartedly and was able to launch this podcast and an online course! Although I’m proud of myself, it wasn’t without hesitation and insecurity.

In this episode, I share how changing your mindset and boosting your confidence is the key to actually making decisions and taking large pivotal steps. I also share some of my own insecurities and 4 ways that have helped me gain confidence and get stuff done over the years. Listen to this episode as I share the key elements in reframing your mindset.

If you're a design professional and what to be a part of an inclusive community of fellow designers, join us inside the private Facebook group Designer Meet-ups

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Michelle Binette

In this episode, I was able to interview Michelle Binette of Michelle Binette Design. Michelle is one of my design buddies! I was on her podcast in 2019 talking about pricing and hiring (click here to listen), and now it's her turn to be in the interviewee's hot seat. In the episode, we have a very candid conversation about how she recently did a complete overhaul of her onboarding and sales process, and how it was created to uniquely fit her personality, her mindset, and her service offering. Having been surrounded by art her whole life, Interior Decorator Michelle Binette brings a unique artistic perspective to every project. Michelle’s rare ability to blend creativity and a systematic approach ensure the client has a great experience every step of the way. In her four short years in Michelle has worked on countless residential projects, been featured on Design*Sponge and Rue Magazine, and is a guest expert on Marilyn Denis. Michelle also hosts ‘Real Talk Design’, a 5-star podcast where she gets real about the business of design. When she’s not changing the world one throw pillow at a time, you can find her catching up on reality TV.

During the episode, Michelle and I talk about how having a process is super important, even if you're a creative individual, and of how you have to look within, and assess the areas of your business that are causing you friction and discomfort. To create a process that's uniquely yours you have to recognize what needs to change and learn from your lessons. Michelle shares how she came to the pivotal decision of changing her service offering and making her business exactly what she wanted it to be. She shares some of what she does to stay strong and firm on the types of projects she takes on (saying no to a possible client is a scary thing for many). You can find Michelle Binette at www.michellebinette.com, on Instagram @michellebinette.design, and don't forget to listen to her Real Talk Design Podcast.

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you’d like on the podcast. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Social Media Manager Emanuela Schneider

In today's episode, I interview the talented Emanuela Schneider is a social media manager for interior designers. Through our chat, we touched upon what it's been like living through Covid-19 in Brazil and the USA, her interest in social media management, and some big mistakes most of us are making on social media.

Emanuela has a background in journalism and copywriting, but found her passion in helping designers with social media marketing. She now specializes in Pinterest and Instagram management, including content creation. She also helps designers generate more leads and actually build a relationship with their ideal clients.

Through the episode, Emanuela and I chatted about the importance of the copy in Instagram and Pinterest posts, how to properly utilize Pinterest to elevate your brand and attract the right clients to your other platforms, and a few different strategies you can apply to your social media accounts to increase interaction.

You can find Emanuela Schneider www.manuschneider.com, on Instagram @marketinginteriordesigners, and on Facebook.

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you'd like on the podcast. Don't forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

Interview with Andrea Freeman

Welcome to the first interview of Resilient by Design Season 2!

In today's episode, I had the opportunity to have a really insightful conversation with Andrea Freeman, Founder of Andrea Freeman Consulting. After years of synthesizing the peak performance habits of the red carpet celebrities and high net-worth clients, she’s served in her event planning business with the mindset work that has worked in her own life/business (as well as with countless coaching clients) Andrea created the H.O.S.T MethodTM. Now she’s on a mission to help service-based business owners realign with their purpose, create greater financial freedom, fulfillment, and make a difference in the world. She’s worked with clients in the events/hospitality, holistic lifestyle, tech, and fashion industries to integrate mindset techniques, refine their business models, and scale quickly.

She started her first business when she was 12, her second business at 26, and her third business at 31. Professionally trained as an educator and leadership development coach she honed her entrepreneurial skills and scaled her celebrity event planning business to multiple six-figures in annual revenue.

Andrea shared how after 3 businesses and a lot of learning later, she was hosting red carpet celebrities in her event planning business, but felt unfulfilled and so she told herself there had to be a better way. I feel like a lot of us have these thoughts and for the most part, have a difficult time fixing them. Our conversation goes a little deep during this episode, so I hope you're ready for it. I really enjoyed speaking with Andrea as she was very insightful, and she speaks right to the heart of what is it that drives our business forward.

You can find Andrea at www.andreafreemanconsulting.com and on Instagram @afreeman_insta. You can also join her free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/uplevelcollective.

Leave a comment below on how you liked this episode and let me know what other topics or guests you'd like on the podcast. Don't forget to rate the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast platform!

It's a brand new year - Hello 2021!

So here's the deal, we've decided since it's a new year, we needed a new season. Let's leave behind 2020 (with the lessons we've learned) and look ahead.

We've already started to record some pretty amazing guests for this season that we're excited to share, but what we really want is to hear from you!

What are you struggling with? What do you wish you could learn more about? Who do you want to hear from? Who is your entrepreneur idol? I'm basically asking, what do YOU want to hear, and what would help?

Leave a comment, or send us a DM on Instagram @msrebeccahay to let us know what you want to hear.

& Remember: new episodes will be coming your way, same day, same time, with your same host ;)

Tune in on Thursday for the first Season 2 interview.

See you soon - xo, Rebecca

[Rebroadcast]

Today’s episode is all about process and why every business needs one.

Process keeps you organized. Process reassures your clients that you’re not a fly by night designer. Process gives clients comfort in knowing what to expect. Process makes selling your services so much easier

Without a process your business and live can be Chaotic.

I share my story and how I never knew how many hours it would take or what to charge. My projects dragged on and on. Mistakes were made because I’d select one item and order and then the next item wasn’t available. But too late to change the first thing. Like a sofa fabric, I was ripe for change & knew that something had to give.

I tried a few processes. Process & billing have always gone hand in hand for me.

I share my own 7 step process. Whatever you decide, decide and implement it.

MY BEST ADVICE try not to veer away from your process too much.

INTERVIEW – Lisa Canning

Lisa Canning is a true inspiration! She’s an author, speaker, coach, mom of eight spreading the word that motherhood doesn’t have to be so hard. She is my friend, my colleague and my own coach and cheerleader.

In today’s episode she and I share how we met (in HGTV) and how her career transitioned from TV host to scattered designer, to writing a book, and finally moving to Florida to pursue the life of her dreams.

She shares her own struggles on the “comparison train” and how she reinvented her design business model before finally making the shift to become a coach. She’s been featured on The Today Show The Hallmark Channel, Marilyn Dennis and so much more.

She has great wisdom to share. This episode will inspire you to reflect on your own life and business and hopefully give you the confidence to decide what success will look like for you.

In the last episode, we did a year in review and I walked you through exactly what do to review a year, assess my profitability, assess my client my base, and where I am as a business owner. If you haven't listened to it, I strongly encourage you to listen, and take notes, because today's episode is going to pick up where we left off!

We've finished 2020 thankfully and now we're diving headfirst into 2021 which is still a bit of a wild card. When the clock strikes midnight, things aren't automatically going to get better, but we need to adapt and make the best of what we've got!

In this episode, I share what I do when I set goals for myself and my business. The key to setting goals is to be realistic, but also proactive! I go through how I break down my big hairy audacious goals into small bite-sized pieces so that I don't get overwhelmed and discouraged. I give myself due dates and make myself accountable for meeting them. There's power behind writing your goals down on paper, and working slowly but actively towards them!

Download this episode's freebie at www.rebeccahay.com/41

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a review or comment. I'd love to know what's resonating with you and what you'd like to hear more about.

Getting your business ready for the new year is a lot of work. You have to financially review the previous year, look at what worked and what didn't in your process or in your projects, and set your goals for the new year. Because I want to share all of the exercises and details I go through each year to get my business ready, I've decided to break up this episode into 2 parts so that you get the most out of it!

In today's episode, I share how I assess how my business at the end of each year. I do some of the assessments independently, however since I do have a team, I often invite them into it too. Reviewing your year is an important part of coming to terms with where you are and where you want to go and how to grow.

The exercises that I share in this episode will help you if you're looking to learn from the past, understand where your business is at right now, and then plan ahead for the future.

--

Next week's episode will be part 2 of this episode and will cover how to set your goals and properly prepare for a new year.

Download this episode's freebie at www.rebeccahay.com/40

--

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a review or comment. I'd love to know what's resonating with you and what you'd like to hear more about.

Interview with Mindy Applebaum

In today’s episode, I interview Mindy Applebaum, founder of Luxury Move Management. We talk all about how she’s grown her business over the last 5 years to employ 18 people, being a mom of 3, her adventure in small claims court, and how to guide clients to following your process.

Luxury Move Management a full-service move management company in the Greater Toronto Area. Mindy founded the company 5 years ago and since then has grown leaps and bounds helping over 400 clients. Her service is essentially an extension of our business as designers, as they move people from one home to the next, taking care of packing, the actual moving, clean up, and so much more!

Mindy has an incredible perspective on business. In this episode, we talk about what she does to deter her clients from hiring an external moving company. Just like many of us, as designers, not wanting our clients to go rogue and hire their own trades. She also shares a really great nugget of wisdom at the very end about the importance of not worrying if you're making everybody happy.

You can find Mindy at www.luxurymovemanagement.com, on Instagram @luxurymovemanagement, or call (416) 937 - 0499.

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a review or comment. I'd love to know what's resonating with you and what you'd like to hear more about.

As we move towards the end of the year, reviewing 2020 and setting goals for the coming year is top of mind. Please enjoy this episode from the archives all about finding the unique pillars of your business and how to market them.

--

I’m digging deep in this episode and giving you the tools to market your business.

This is a juicy super tangible takeaway episode where I talk about finding my unique design aesthetic, tricks to really hone in on your own, and how I discovered the pillars of my business that make me stand out among the competition.

I talk about the book, The Blue Ocean Strategy and the importance of your strategy canvas. Marketing advice that you’d least expect. Listen until the end, because I share a great downloadable resource to get you started on your own. Find it at www.rebeccahay.com/2

Interview with Jean Ross

This episode is a special one because I was able to interview my dear friend and fellow designer, Jean Ross. We met back in my days of designing for TV, and I thought it would be wonderful to chat with Jean and have her share what the lifestyle is really like - since she's been doing it for over a decade.

Jean has been working as an Interior Designer for over a decade and started her design career in the art department at Toronto’s downtown club, Circa. She quickly learned about construction, prop styling, renovating, working with vendors, and the fast world of commercial design in the entertainment industry. This love of a fast-paced environment coupled with her interest in film lead her to design for TV shows such as: Colin and Justin’s Home Heist, Take this House and Sell It, Home to Keep, Backyard Builds, Reno Set Go, Make it Right, Save my Reno, The Goods, The Property Brothers, Buying & Selling & Forever Home.

Throughout our conversation, we dwell back on how we met and briefly worked together, how to get into designing for TV, and the realities of going that route. We also talk about the differences between a TV project and a project with a private client (and touch upon the unrealistic expectations clients on both sides have).

You can find Jean on Instagram at @jeanross.

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a comment. I'd love to know what topics and tips resonate with you. - xo Rebecca

Interview - Tiffany Heimpel

Today's episode is a fun one because I got to interview my friend Tiffany Heimpel who is a sales manager at LinkedIn Canada, and we talk all about sales.

Tiffany has spent her career vacillating between public and private ad, media, and tech companies. She spent her early career in Advertising, went to NBC Universal where she honed her sales skills with Walmart and Amazon. Tiffany currently leads the Enterprise Sales Team at LinkedIn Canada. A sales and marketing leader, Tiffany is also a yogi, runner, dog mom, human mom, and craft beer/chicken wing lover, as well as my good friend and neighbour.

In this episode, we talk candidly about how professionally beneficial it is to have a unique mindset which is incredibly evident with how many directions Tiffany's career has taken (currently landing her as a sales leader without having taken a formal business course). Tiffany also explains what a sales conversion is and how to calculate it for your business. Lastly, she shares a few tips on how to use LinkedIn to amplify your business' reach and sales.

"Sales" is normally not a sexy or fun topic, but trust me when I say listening to Tiffany and I chat in this episode will actually have you enjoy thinking about numbers (and believe me, I'm the last person to say I enjoy numbers).

You can find Tiffany at www.tiffanyheimpel.com or on Instagram @tiffanyheimpel, on Twitter @tiffanyheimpel, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyheimpel.

Don't forget to rate the podcast and leave a comment. I'd love to know what topics and tips resonate with you. - xo Rebecca

In today's bonus episode, I'm sharing my wins! & No, I'm not sharing them to pat myself on the back or as a brag session. I'm sharing these "love notes" or #wins from past clients, past students, and freelancers that have worked with me so that you can understand how having a process will help elevate your business and the experience you provide internally AND externally.

Once you have a process, even a rough outline, you need to test it out! You need to use it and get feedback on what works and what doesn't, and use that to build on your process.

Let me be honest, when you start working on your process, it WON'T be perfect. It CAN'T be perfect, because you don't know how your ideal client, team, or trades are going to react. Depending on the industry dynamic in your location or the types of people you work with, you will need to change and customize it as you receive feedback. With every comment you collect, good or bad, will get your process one step closer to perfect. As you continue to grow, you will continue to build.

Through the episode, I share some of the wonderful feedback I've received and all of my takeaways and learnings from each one!

Remember the doors to Power of Process close TONIGHT at 8:00 PM EST. Click to join Power of Process!

In today's episode, I interview another talented designer and successful female entrepreneur, Sarah St. Amand of Sarah St. Amand Interior Design.

I've been wanting to have Sarah on the podcast for a while because I LOVE her Instagram messaging. Her design style is beautiful and classic, but what I admire the most is how well she communicates her process to her audience and clients. They feel informed and in-the-know every step of the way!

Through this episode, I ask Sarah to walk us through the steps of her refined process. She shares the importance of her client journey and the various client touchpoints that make a real difference in the services and experience she provides.

At the end of the episode, I also share my 4 biggest takeaways from our chat and what I've learned from Sarah as a fellow design professional.

You can find Sarah at www.stamanddesign.com and on Instagram @sarahst.amandinteriordesign

Don't forget to sign up for my Power of Process course. Registration closes on November 17 at 8:00 pm EST. Click to learn more.

Today's episode is very different, and I know I say this often but one of my favorites to date. Two of my designer besties and I talk shop in a roundtable discussion all about process.

In today's episode, I chat with Jessie Kelly, of Jessica Kelly Design, and Carly Nemtean of Carriage Lane Design + Build and Co-founder of the Collective Workspace. Both of these successful ladies have been in the industry for years and have built their businesses on strong processes.

Here's a fun fact, all three of us have strong processes to run our projects and businesses, but each one is unique. There is no process that is one-size-fits-all. Through the episode, Carly, Jessie, and I share how our businesses grew, how we came to find our niches, and how we developed our unique processes to fit our service type and clientele.

Click to learn more about the Power of Process course. Registration closes on November 17 at 8:00 pm EST. Remember to register early and for ELITE for special bonuses.

Find Jessie at www.jessicakellydesign.com and on Instagram @jessicakellydesign

Find Carly at www.carriagelanedesigns.com, www.thecollectiveto.com, and on Instagram @carriagelanedesign_build

Today's episode is a treat because I'm welcoming back Bryan Kaplan, from Construction Consulting Co, to talk all about working with trades.

Bryan is the contractor coach and Guru and has years of experience working with designers on both sides of the fence. Having worked for high-end construction as well as for design firms, he lends a unique perspective to bridge the communication gap between trades and designers.

Within the design community, more often than not there is tension between designers and trades during a project. In this episode, Bryan and I talk about all the ways you can ease the friction between designers and their trades.

We all know that working with trades, whether they be contractors, builders, wallpaper installers, etc, is essential to running a design business. And that’s whether we like it or not. Your ability to work well with your trades will make or break your enjoyment and even your client’s experience of a project.

Listen to the entire podcast until the end to find out a special surprise that's coming next week!

If you want to get in touch with Bryan, you can find him on Instagram at @constructionconsulting.co

& Remember, registration for Power of Process is now open until November 17 at 8 pm EST. Click to learn more about Power of Process.

BONUS EPISODE

The client experience is EVERYTHING in a service based business!

In today's episode how I learned the importance of providing a good client experience and how my clients' journeys affect my internal process.

As designers and business owners, we always want to leave a lasting impression on our clients. We often focus on just giving them a beautiful and perfect final product. But guess what, that's NOT all that matters. The thing that clients remember the most is the experience! Clients will remember and focus on how easy or difficult the process of working with you was. If you don't provide a good client experience you won't receive the best referrals.

I talk more about the steps to building a good internal and client-facing process in my FREE upcoming masterclass. Save your seat!

Or

If you're ready to commit to a full program to help you create a process from start to finish, sign up for my Power of Process course. Cart is now open! Learn more about Power of Process.

Here's what Mel Robbins has taught me: Confidence isn't a personality trait, it's a learned skill.

Today's episode is all about how I learned to be confident in my process, and in turn, in my business. Being confident has nothing to do with being an extrovert, and those who lack confidence are not all introverts. Confidence is not dependent on your personality traits and whether you're a social individual.

It's not a surprise since I have this podcast, that I have the gift of the gab. But for years, I severely lacked confidence in myself and my business! In this episode, I share how I slowly trained myself to become confident in my business. Here's a preview: it all started when I created my process and FOLLOWED it!

One big hint that you lack confidence is if everyone else (i.e clients and trades) is running your projects! In this episode, I talk about pushing past your comfort zone to implement your process and take back control of your business. After doing this a couple of times, it'll become second nature to you... and guess what, you'll just naturally learn how to be confident!

If you want to learn more about how to create your own unique process and gain the confidence to implement it, join my free masterclass. Save your seat!

Today is an exciting day! My free masterclass is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! Save your seat!

In today's episode, I wanted to share what I've learned about presentations. Before I implemented presentations into my process I was incredibly wary of doing them because I didn't know how successful I would be at them. They seemed like a "nice thing to do" but I thought they wouldn't make a huge impact on my clients. Boy was I wrong! When I actually took the leap and did my first presentation, it changed how my client saw everything!

Having a client presentation helps you stick to your process because it allows the client to feel involved and sets expectations. Also, I share how nervous I was during my very first presentation and everything I've learned since that first time!

Remember to register to join our free monthly designer meet-up happening this Friday. Register here!

My guest today is Ching Tan of Tan Interiors and she is another awesome MOG (Momentum Member).

Ching has been running her own Interior Design business for the past two years, previous to that she worked freelance for Jo Alcorn, a Celebrity designer, and TV personality. She and I talk about why you need systems in your business to give you confidence.

This conversation will resonate with designers who have gone out on their own and understand the chaos of renovations and managing client expectations… and trade relationships. We talk about how the trick to having more flexibility in your business is actually structured. Listen to our very candid conversation!

You can find Ching at www.taninteriors.ca and on Instagram @taninteriorsds.

Sign up here to receive updates about the upcoming Masterclass.

Today's episode turned out to be a lesson and therapy session for myself about my very own home renovation.

I believe the saying goes "Do as I say not as I do" - and boy am I doing that to myself! My home reno has been in the back of my mind, off and on "in the works" for a few years. But this is the year I am FINALLY pulling the trigger. You'd think that with the solid process I have for my business that we use to run every project smoothly, that my own renovation would be simple as pie... but I've become my own worst client! I'm all over the place. In theory, I know the correct steps to take but I keep fumbling and second-guessing myself!

IIn today's episode, I talk about the importance of sticking to your own process and how it is the difference between a dumpster fire of a project and a happily ever after and money-saving project. This episode ended being my wake up call to actually follow what I tell people to do. Instead of making my own life harder, I should stick to my process and simplify the challenge for my family and myself!

Don't miss out on Masterclass updates! Click here to get notified when registration opens!

Interview with Sarah Walker of The Curated House

In today's podcast, Sarah Walker and I take a deep dive into all things health, wellness, and sustainability with a special focus on how interior designers fit into the mix.

Sarah Walker is an internationally published designer based in Oakville, Ontario. As a renowned expert in healthy and sustainable design, Sarah’s passion is to help people use the power of interior design to improve their well-being and live their healthiest, happiest, most beautiful lives. To really give you a sense of how much knowledge Sarah has, she's given herself the nickname "The Health Nerd"! (so cute!)

During this interview, Sarah shares the history of how she earned the title "The Canary in the Design Mines", the shocking stats of how much our interiors affect our health, and a personal story about her fight with Lime Disease at the age of 23. Throughout the interview, I was amazed by the knowledge, strength, and gumption this amazing Mompreneur possesses.

We also touch upon the sustainable design movement and how much it has progressed over the years, as well as the unfortunate "Green Washing" that's happening from companies that just want to jump on the bandwagon. Lastly, we go through various fabrics and which ones are good for your home and most importantly your health! (Quick surprise tidbit: regular cotton is not as good as I thought!)

As promised in the episode, check out Sarah's upcoming virtual masterclass on Healthy Bedroom Design here: dwellingwelldesignacademy.com

Click here to grab a copy of Sarah's Detox guide: dwellingwelldesignacademy.com/detox-guide & you can find Sarah on Instagram @thecuratedhouse

Remember to register for my upcoming masterclass on the 5 Steps to build your unique process & eliminate the chaos. Register here.

Today I interview Joanne Dolan, one of my Momentum Members! She is a shining star and business savvy lady! If you're looking to hire extra help in your design business but are unsure where to start or how to do it then this episode is for you!

Joanne and I discuss the value of hiring a freelancer to assist you in executing design projects and how they can help you make more money.

Joanne officially stepped out on her own in 2018 and opened Joanne Dolan Design, an interior decorating and design consultancy in Toronto, Ontario. Her firm’s focus is two-fold. One: helping urban professionals transform their homes into elevated spaces that reflect their unique personalities, their lifestyle, and achievements in life. And two: helping time-strapped, busy designers grow their businesses by providing her décor expertise on a freelance basis, handling everything from project management to photo styling.

Not many designers I know use change orders. It seems like something only contractors would need right? Wrong! In fact, I have been desperately trying to implement them into my process!

Today's podcast guest is Bryan Kaplan and he shares how change orders can change your business (no pun intended ) for the better. We go into depth about when to use them and how they will help keep everyone on the same page and HAPPY!!

Bryan has always recognized the value in finding the most efficient and repeatable path to complete any task, and in his years in residential construction, he was always at the forefront of companies when it came to integrating technology to leverage everyone's time. Fast forward to today, Bryan works as a business consultant for residential renovation and new build companies helping them streamline their processes, integrate repeatable processes, checklists, templates, and technology to allow them to do more in less time. His vast experience has given Bryan the ability to always approach problems from a "big picture" perspective and solve for the right problem.

Bryan recommended 2 amazing books during the episode. If you're interested in some business book reading, here are the 2 titles:

Good to Great by Jim Collins (click here for more details).
Company of One by Paul Jarvis (click here for more details).

Get alerts about the new masterclass directly into your inbox. Click here to sign up!

I just ordered Tim Ferris’ book the 4-hour workweek and it got me thinking about the simple ways that I have streamlined how I run my business & what I’ve done to increase my productivity and decrease the chaos and stress. But running a design biz can be sooo stressful... Am I right?

Today I share the hacks that I have used over the years and even more recently to streamline my workload to reduce the chaos and gain control of my business. I wish I done some of these things from the beginning!

Click here to get details about the upcoming process masterclass directly in your inbox.

Thalia Toha is an experienced business strategist who specializes in helping emerging business owners get their companies off the ground. Her analytical approach helps entrepreneurs figure out how to overcome growth challenges whether they’re struggling with getting clients, scaling up their business, email marketing, monetizing a product, or chasing down leads.

Her expertise has been featured in various media outlets including Business Insider, The Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Home Business, and iHeart Radio podcasts. Her podcast the Good Grow Great podcast now has avid listeners from 46+ countries worldwide. When she’s not supporting business owners, you can find her trying things outside of her comfort zone like mountaineering and rock climbing with her kids.

Click here to grab Thalia's freebie.

My guest today is my good friend Heather Hadden.

She is the Realtor, owner & team leader at Hadden Homes here in Toronto. She also happens to be one of the most real and authentic people I know. I've always looked up to Heather.

We met at summer camp years ago as counsellors. She was the leader that all the other counsellors were drawn to for her brilliant story-telling abilities.

In ths episode Heather opens up about her own struggle with "keeping up with the Joneses" in the high end world of real estate. We also go deep into how she has rebuilt her business and life after living through infidelity, divorce and being a single mom.

Heather believes this is the best time to be a designer/decorator and thrive. She is a total inspiration!

My guest today is Brittany Steptoe-Wright of BSW Design, who left her high paying job in the corporate world when she was offered a Design Assistant position with Scott Brother’s Entertainment on HGTV. She now runs her family owned design business with her dad and is committed to sustainable and vegan design.

In this episode we talk about how she is a certified Vegan Designer and tries to wrap sustainability, vegan-products, local, handmade, women-owned business into as much of her designs as she can.

She is a dog-mom, life long equestrian, wife to an Army veteran, and big believer in “Design for Real Life” – where having a functional, inspiring space can be conducive to improving all areas of your life.

We talk about our experiences doing design for television and are mutual thoughts on an elitist design industry.

This one is for all the Millennials out there (turns out that I'm a Millennial also)!

My guest today is Arika Pierce. She's a Millennial Success Strategist and expert on multigenerational workforces.

She is a keynote speaker and author of The Millennial’s Playbook to Adulting which provides straightforward guidance and techniques for success.

In this episode, she talks about the power of conversation and how to break down barriers in the workplace. Arika has a unique perspective and has developed key strategies to bridge Millennials to generations before and after them.

We discuss the power of LinkedIn and how it's uniquely positioned to help you network and even attract clients to your interior design business.

Lastly, no episode would be complete without a deep discussion about the power of mindset and avoiding the comparison trap that seems to plague us all. Enjoy!

If there's ever been a year filled with change - 2020 is that year. I recorded today's episode at my family cottage in Muskoka.

It's a reflective one about the necessity of change in our lives and how we handle it. Whether it's your business, your love life, your living situation or other - change can be scary but also good.

I'm not quite on the either side yet but I'm sharing what I've learned in the past few months as I've seen so much change with my business, my passions and now with my dad selling our family cottage.

When you first start out running your own business you're grateful for whatever work you can get. But if we're not careful we end up going down a path that feels frustrating, working with clients that don't make us love our job anymore.

Today I'm sharing the importance of recognizing the WRONG clients and how to stop working with them. It's as much about understanding your ideal client as it is recognizing the red flags of the clients that just aren't the right fit for you.

I walk you through an exercise that I do every year to review all my projects and see which ones worked well and which ones did not.

I also share the checklist I use during every discovery call with a potential client to help me assess if they are the right fit.

Go to www.rebeccahay.com/17 to download the freebie.

Lisa Canning is a true inspiration. She's an author, speaker, coach, mom of eight spreading the word that motherhood doesn't have to be so hard. She is my friend, my college and my own coach and cheerleader.

In today's episode she and I share how we met (in HGTV) and how her career transitioned from TV host to scattered designer to writing a book and finally moving to Florida to pursue the life of her dreams. She shares her own struggles on the "comparison train" and how she reinvented her design business model before finally making the shift to become a coach.

She's been featured on The Today Show, The Hallmark Channel, Marilyn Dennis and so much more. She has great wisdom to share. This episode will inspire you to reflect on your own life and business and hopefully give you the confidence to decide what success will look like for you.

Join Lisa Canning’s upcoming virtual Possibility Mom Conference on July 31 to August 2.

Today's episode is all about process and why every business needs one.

Process keeps you organized Process reassures your clients that you’re not a fly by night designer.

Process gives clients comfort in knowing what to expect Process makes selling your services so much easier Without a process your business and live can be Chaotic.

I share my story and how I never knew how many hours it would take or what to charge. My projects dragged on and on.

Mistakes were made because I’d select one item and order and then the next item wasn’t available. But too late to change the first thing.

Like a sofa fabric I was ripe for change & knew that something had to give.

I tried a few processes. Process & billing have always gone hand in hand for me.

I share my own 7 step process.

Whatever you decide, decide and implement it. MY BEST ADVICE try not to veer away from your process too much.

Resilience means pushing through when you doubt yourself and feel overwhelmed by the competition. But failure can be a good thing!

This my first episode in a soon to be series of non-designer interviews.

Sometimes we find parallels to other industries that help us gain perspective in our own. That's exactly why I am interviewing my good friend Stephanie Davenport, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa. She is a true inspiration!

My best advice to students looking to get their foot in the door in the design industry.

This is a direct response to a request by one of my Instagram followers who asked me to talk about project productivity.

If there's a topic you'd like me to talk about please send me a DM to @MsRebeccaHay.

In this podcast I compare running a design business to running a restaurant. It's all about PROCESS. Without a dialed-in process you will spin your wheels running a design job. I share why I think stagers have it figured out and what my experience was like before I established a repeatable process.

How do you build the confidence to go after your dream client? Before you can even start marketing to attract the right clients you need to recognize yourself as an expert. And I'm talking about how until you feel it you can't be it. I'm sharing a few simple ways to communicate to your ideal client to let them know that you are the right fit for them.

In this mini BONUS episode, I break down the basis behind setting goals for your business. I share the strategy I use and share examples of goals that I have achieved in recent years. It all starts with goal setting and writing your goals down. Growing your business, marketing your business all starts with knowing where you're going and setting out a clear path forward.

https://www.rebeccahay.com/freetraining

In this episode I sit down with Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Design to talk about the importance of knowing your value as a designer, how to express that value to clients and how to build your brand to build your confidence.

Tiffany shares so many great nuggets of wisdom about how you need to invest in yourself, hire a team early, and what she did to grow her Instagram following.

Her trick for not letting new leads slip through the cracks might surprise! We talk about the importance of your brand touch-points and how all of the documents you send need to look pretty.

She has grown her Instagram following through pretty pictures and multiple collaborations. She shares her recent collaboration with the Home Depot and Autumn Hachey to design her own beach house.

We even get into all of the good things she learned from working for celebrity designer Sarah Richardson!

Enjoy!

In this podcast I share why you need to hire help to grow your business. And where to start the hiring process.

As a business owner we take on way too much and our lives become frantic and overwhelming. We struggle to give up control and when this happens we know we are long overdue to hire help.

But making your first hire or even hiring new people can be daunting and overwhelming. So I'm sharing with you what I learned about hiring and growing my team and why it's so important that you take a leap of faith and just do it. And If you’ve hired in the past and it didn’t work out then you need to listen to this episode!

This podcast is all about the 4 pillars of modern marketing.

In this episode I break down the areas I think you need to be focusing on when marketing your business and some strategies you can use to make these tools work for you.

Download the episode freebie at rebeccahay.com/7

Social media can be overwhelming. It can feel like everyone is gaining traction but you.

In today's episode I’m sharing all the tactics you can use to optimize your instagram and grow your reach. There are 6 tactics I will share and if you stick around till the very end I will share my downloadable freebie with the top tips on how to leverage all facets of instagram. Right now is the the PERFECT time to be focusing your efforts and laying the foundations to build your presence on IG.

WHY Instagram?

Instagram is important for creatives because:

It’s a living, breathing portfolio
It’s the most visual of the social media platforms
You can connect with people within your industry (via DM and tagging and sharing LIVE feeds) I’ll get into each of the 6 tactics later on.
Establish vendors relations - DM
Get to know other like minded designers you wouldn’t have the nerve to approach at an in person industry event - because let’s face it - most of those events are pretty snooty! And intimidating (Here's the YouTube video all about why I started this community in the first place… spoiler alert - it has to do with snobbishness)
Instagram is a Publishing platform - like a magazine

At the end I’ll talk about the specific apps that I use to improve the instagram experience.

In Episode #4 with Rachel Moriarty- We learned that Visibility leads to credibility which leads to profitability.

There are so many pathways to growth on IG. There isn’t a one size fits all. and you may find as I walk through each tactic that one resonates more than another with you. For example, I’m a big fan of Instagram Stories. I love to communicate via video and Love that it doesn't have to be perfect.

My motto in business is “progress over perfection” and IG Stories is perfect for this… no pun intended

The biggest trick to using IG well is CONSISTENCY. You cannot grow if you are not consistent. When you’re first starting out focus on one area and once you’ve nailed the consistency down on that one you can layer in another.

INTERVIEW - Cynthia Soda

This episode is such a treat! I interviewed Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design.

We dig deep into the pain points in our businesses when it comes to:

Hiring trades
The reality of designing for TV vs. Real life
How to guide your clients to spending the money to do it right
The importance of confidence & how to value our talent as creatives

You’ll hear two designers and business owners talk about the hard realities of standing up to our clients, why it’s important NOT to be a YES man.

The lessons are multiple in this episode!

Be true to yourself.
Trust your instincts.
Clients won’t trust you if you don’t trust yourself, how can you get your clients to feel comfortable and trust you before you’ve even met them.
How we’re navigating this economic downturn to stay strong as a company.
Turning quarantine into a blessing for the health of your business. It’s time to amplify your message
My love of Pajamas… looking for sponsors :) Will work for jammies.
It’s hard to take the time to work ON our biz and uncover what makes us different. As women we tend to overthink everything and we are so hard on ourselves.
How to find that small thing that differentiates you.
We’re all the same - we’re all struggling with the same things and looking to overcome the same obstacles. We feel like we’re on an island and all alone. Sharing our experiences is so important.
Imposter syndrome! We’re our own worst critics.
Social media & the lockdown - the downward spiral
The parent trap in quarantine.

You can't have it all at the same time. You can do it all but not all at once!

INTERVIEW - Rachel Moriarty

In this episode I interview Rachel Moriarty and we go deep into the importance of publicity.

How visibility in your business is more important than you think and how she’s used her unique style to build an untouchable brand. She is forthcoming and full of fun tips and takeaways.

Rachel Moriarty is an award-winning designer, #1 best selling author and industry leader in the use of color. A multifaceted creative, Rachel expanded her California-based business to include a licensing deal with tile company, Unique Design Solutions, a Global Brand Ambassadorship with the Canadian company, Be | OUTSPOKEN as well as being named a 2020 Style Spotter by High Point Market Authority. Rachel’s iconic designs and unique personal philosophy have been featured in many publications, including Vision Magazine and San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyle, and Rachel has been featured on HGTV and The Design Network. She maintains an expanding roster of both residential and commercial design clients.

We share her top tips to Running a Resilient Business:

Referral Business: Happy clients and contractors = repeat and referral business
Online and Print Visibility: Positions you as an expert. Creates trust and credibility which has led to referral business.
Multifaceted Approach To Business: Leveraging all of your talents to create various income streams. Influencer Marketing Opportunities, Brand Collaborations, Licensing Opportunities.
Online Tech: Leveraging online technology to expand not only how you work with clients but who you can work with. I have design clients throughout the US and mentoring clients all over the globe.

Stay tuned to the very end of the episode. Rachel shares some key insights to what we all need to do to get noticed.

In this first episode I share why I decided to start a podcast and where my story starts.

I dive right into my story and the importance of sharing your journey. From private school pressures to undecided career paths, depression, love affairs and a stint on HGTV, I share it all. My story travels the world from Toronto, to Monreal, to Africa, to Spain, to Vancouver, and back again. I did not follow the straight and narrow path to where I am today.

I’m a serial entrepreneur, a passionate woman, and I’m on a mission to help inspire other designers and creative entrepreneurs to go for their dreams. I truly believe that not one of us is made better than the other. I feel that by sharing our stories it brings us closer together, levels the playing field, and lets other women know that they can do it too.

This podcast is going to highlight how to run an interior design business through my own learnings and the expertise of other successful women and entrepreneurs. If you’re an Interior Designer, decorator, stager or just a creative entrepreneur you can be who you want to be. There’s no formula to success. Let’s learn from each other and make our impact on the world.

This episode is all about routine and what to do when you are seriously lacking one, like in a pandemic!

I share how I’ve been prioritizing my day during quarantine. I use a paper planner - yes you read that right. And I sit down every morning and use it to plan out the tasks for the day. But it’s not just a list. I think about what might throw me off track (like being exhausted - no joke) and I pick top priorities.

I share what times of day are best for creativity and when you should avoid checking your email to minimize stress.

If you want to plan out your day the same way I do, I’m sharing a PDF you can download and use for yourself - for FREE!

I’m digging deep in this episode and giving you the tools to market your business.

This is a juicy super tangible takeaway episode where I talk about finding my unique design aesthetic, tricks to really hone in on your own and how I discovered the pillars of my business that make me stand out among the competition.

I talk about the book, The Blue Ocean Strategy and the importance of your strategy canvas. Marketing advice that you’d least expect and at the end I even share a great downloadable resource to get you started on your own.