Through the month of June, we're talking about those all-important client touchpoints. They're the times when you can make the greatest impact on your clients, whether through customer service or design WOW factors. In this post, I want to talk about the first four touchpoints: Pre-Contract, Client ...

The creativity of your projects is definitely at the heart of great interior design. But the ability to WOO your clients is what is going to make you successful! It's true! Happy clients mean repeat business, and they will refer you to NEW business, too. It's the keystone to any company's success, n...

If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know how important I think communication is. It's the keystone for an effective business, especially one that involves clients! And no matter what challenges or issues you hit during in your company or with a project, you can definitely smooth thi...

There is nothing more awkward than finding yourself in the middle of an argument between a client couple! There are so many times when being a designer can feel like you're also a family therapist - and that's no fun. Emotions are often high around a design project, especially because you're dealing...

Communication is one of my favorite topics - because it can truly make or BREAK your business! This month we'll focus on communication, starting with your clients. How you navigate through a project and deliver on your promises is what will define your company and your reputation. You want to have h...

The key to running a smooth - and less stressful!! - business is by having a full client pipeline! You want to be able to look ahead for the next 12-18 months and know that your income will be solid and you'll be busy. But this isn't a task that can just be reviewed and then checked off of a list. R...

OK - everyone have their seatbelts on? If you listen to economists and forecasters, 2024 is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. But work that you do NOW can help you avoid some of the bigger potholes. I know you're busy and that we're heading into the craziness of the holidays, but we need to look ah...

There are always challenges when we're working with clients. Things can go sideways SO easily! We're dealing with different personalities, people's money, and their most personal spaces, so emotions are already high. But there are ways that YOU can bypass unnecessary drama. Because let's be honest, ...

It is never fun to have a hard conversation with anyone, but it's especially difficult when it's your client. It doesn't matter if they're being difficult, if you've made a mistake on the project, or if you've got to tell them that their furniture order is delayed again. Those tough talks are one of...

Too often we wish things in our businesses could be one-and-done. But that is never the case! Whether it's your financials, your business practices, or your client pipeline, you want to schedule regular times to review and refine. That is especially important with a client pipeline because - if you ...

Finding the perfect potential clients can be a time consuming job - but it is CRITICAL to your future success, and it's something you should be doing all the time. Networking, marketing, and a lot of outreach can pull in some great possible clients, but then what?? It's almost like a dating process,...

One of the best ways to be sure your project rolls along smoothly is the work you do with your clients BEFORE you even start! It's important to educate your clients so they understand how everything is going to move forward. That's ESPECIALLY true if they have never worked with a designer before. Bu...