Interior Design Business
Tips & Tricks

3 Ways to Avoid Bad Subcontractors business clients communication construction contractors decorating electricians entrepreneur home house ideas interior design interior designer kathleen dipaolo painters plumbers project team remodeling renovation roi system small business smart subcontractors tips

There are so many horror stories in our industry about bad subcontractors. Like the tile installer who took off with your client's payment, AND without finishing the job. Or the movers who showed up in dirty shirts and showing way too much of the "plumber butt" than anyone should ever see....

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Why Systems Make You More Confident in Your Business business business goals clients color decor decorating design entrepreneur home house ideas interior design interior designer kathleen dipaolo living organization pattern return on interiors roi system rooms small business smart space tips trends

I've often said that the number one reason we have trouble selling our services is a lack of confidence. If you aren't confident in your business, you will not get the clients that you want, you won't get the fees that you want, and you REALLY won't hit those goals that you've been dying to...

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One of the Best Gifts for Your Clients binder clients gift interior design

We're moving quickly into the holiday season, and that always makes me think of gifts for my clients. One of the best gifts that any designer can give their clients may seem too mundane but is SOOO important, and that's the maintenance binder! WHAT?! A binder full of paper?? Yes! You will make...

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Installation Day Tips (in the time of COVID!) interior design

Everything has been upended this year – absolutely everything, including design installations! And given that our business is about the home, it’s been even crazier. How we work with clients is definitely something that can change week to week. It’s hard to stay on top of...

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How to Make More Money in Design business goals interior design

If you're reading this and expecting a magic bullet to bring you tons of cash...you're in the wrong place! BUT, I do have tips that I know work and that I know will help you make more money. Sadly, they aren't going to involve a wand or any kind of good luck charms. HA! This is more about tough...

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Interior Design is 70% Sales interior design

If you became an interior designer because you loved the creative side, you're not alone! ‍ You wanted to design beautiful homes and help fabulous clients - it's really what we all dream about in this business. But once you open your own company, you quickly realize that the creative part of...

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4 Ways to Improve Your Portfolio interior design

When someone is looking for an interior designer, even if they've already received referrals, they're going to go straight to your website and your portfolio. As a designer, you have no way to talk to those prospective clients, so all you can do is hope they like what they see. And if they don't?...

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3 Ways to Stay Motivated interior design

In the middle of a pandemic and a shutdown, it's definitely hard to stay motivated and keep your mind on your work. In fact, psychologists are warning that we all need to acknowledge and deal with the fear and anxiety we're feeling if we're going to move forward. And that doesn't even address the...

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3 Ways You Could Be Sabotaging Your Business interior design

Running your own business is tough, and it's even harder today with a pandemic and economic uncertainty adding to the challenges we normally face. And then there's an even bigger issue that can completely sabotage a business. That is the owner – or in other words, YOU. Without realizing...

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Tile Grout Dos! bath bathroom design interior design selections

Oh! Selecting grout can be so hard! Especially if you and your client have invested so much time- and money!- installing that gorgeous tile in the bathroom. So how can we be sure to select the best grout so that it lasts- and your gorgeous tile stays that way?

Blending In

When to...

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Why Communication Is More Important Now than Ever clients communication interior design interior designer

Communication is ALWAYS important in our business - we have to stay in touch with our clients, contractors and builders, vendors, and more! But during this time of uncertainty, communication is more important than it EVER was! Why? Read on....

Your Clients Are Worried, Too

All of that worry,...

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5 Ways to Wow with Digital Presentations clients design presentations interior design presentations

We all know that design presentations are when you should really WOW your client - it's the one point that can make or break the project! So it's key to have everything in place to show your very best work. But wait - how in the world do you do that in our new normal?? If you can't be in front of...

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