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Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls.

Today's conversation is one I think every interior designer needs to hear because there is a particular type of stuck that I see all the time in our industry.

And it isn't a talent problem.

The designers I speak to are incredibly talented. Their portfolios are beautiful. Their client work is exceptional.

Yet quietly behind the scenes, the months feel inconsistent.

One month is busy.
The next feels silent.

Enquiries come in but don't convert.

Pricing feels like a guess every time a proposal goes out.

And underneath it all sits this exhausting question:

"Why does this still feel so hard when I'm so good at what I do?"

If that feels familiar, then this episode is absolutely for you.

As we move towards the halfway point of the year, I want to invite you into a different conversation. One that isn't about working harder, posting more content, or trying to squeeze more hours into your week.

Instead, I want to help you look at the lessons you need underneath your business.

Because after coaching more than 50 interior designers, one thing has become incredibly clear.

The market is not the problem.

There are enough clients.
There are enough projects.
There are enough opportunities.

What is often missing is the business structure underneath that allows you to consistently attract, convert, deliver and profit from those opportunities.

In today's episode, I am walking you through the nine lessons that sit underneath every successful interior design business.

We dive into:

• Pricing and building a structure that allows you to charge confidently

• Creating an enquiry process that converts consistently

• Positioning yourself so clients understand your value

• Communicating your transformation rather than just your deliverables

• Building a client journey that naturally creates referrals

• Strengthening your confidence through structure and clarity

• Becoming more visible in a way that feels consistent and aligned

• Understanding financial forecasting and why it changes everything

• Creating a sales process that feels supportive rather than pushy

Because talent may get you into this industry.

But structure is what keeps you in it profitably.

Throughout the episode, I also share why these lessons are not nine separate things to fix.

They're one interconnected system.

When one area improves, it strengthens the others.

And when one area is weak, you'll often feel the impact across your entire business.

This episode is designed to help you identify the one lesson that needs your attention most right now, so you can create meaningful momentum over the next 90 days and carry that growth into the final quarter of the year and beyond.

If you know you're capable of more but your business isn't yet reflecting your talent, this conversation will help you understand exactly where to focus next.

I would love to know what lands most for you after listening.

Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls.

Today’s conversation is a really important one because we are talking about something I see so many creative women quietly struggling with behind the scenes, nervous system overload, overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, and trying to run a business inside structures that were never built for creative minds.

Because the truth is, I don’t believe most interior designers are struggling with capability.

I believe they are struggling with capacity, structure, and trying to force themselves into routines, schedules, and expectations that simply do not support the way their brain naturally works best.

In this episode, I share my own experiences of working late nights, running on adrenaline, pushing myself right up against deadlines, and operating in survival mode during the earlier years of my business. I talk honestly about the shifts I had to make to build a business that actually supported me creatively, emotionally, and energetically, rather than constantly draining me.

We dive into understanding energetic capacity versus time capacity, identifying your peak performance levels, time blocking, building white space into your diary, and separating “on the business” work from “in the business” work.

This conversation is about giving yourself permission to stop building your business around burnout and start building it around sustainability.

Because your creativity deserves structures that support it, not systems that punish it.

Join Lisa-Marie and the women inside the Design Boss Diary world, follow on Instagram HERE and discover more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and beyond.

Other episodes are available on our YouTube channel HERE.

Ready to build a business that actually supports your creativity, capacity, and wellbeing?

If you know you’re wildly talented but craving more structure, clarity, boundaries, forecasting, systems, and support inside your business, there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to supportive group programmes designed to help women build sustainable and profitable interior design businesses, every space has been created to support you differently depending on where you currently are in your journey.

To explore what support could look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 currently has a limited amount of spaces remaining.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would absolutely love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials tagging @Design_Boss_Diary, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design Business Strategist and Soulful Leadership Mentor x

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Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls. Today’s conversation is a really important one because we are diving into the foundations that make up a profitable, sustainable, and well-structured interior design business.

After 16 years in the industry, I have seen businesses built in so many different ways, some supportive and scalable, and others completely built on the fly, with no real systems, structure, or financial roadmap behind them.

And the truth is, talent alone is not enough to build a profitable business.

You can be an incredible designer, but if your pricing structures, procurement fees, trade coordination, management fees, forecasting, and financial systems are not properly set up, you will constantly feel like you are chasing your business rather than leading it.

This episode is really about bringing awareness to the hidden gaps that quietly stop interior designers from becoming profitable and sustainable long term. We’re talking about creating a well-oiled machine behind the scenes, understanding your numbers, building a financial roadmap, and learning how to confidently position and sell your services with clarity and conviction.

Because when you truly understand your business, your pricing, your profit margins, and your client journey, everything changes. This is your invitation to stop bobbling along and start building intentionally.

Join Lisa-marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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Welcome back to the podcast, my gorgeous souls.

Today’s episode is a really important conversation for creative women in business, especially those of you who are wildly talented at what you do, but behind the scenes feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally drained, and like you’re constantly trying to catch up.

Because I truly don’t believe the issue for most creatives is capability.

I believe the issue is structure.

So many interior designers and creative business owners are trying to operate inside systems, schedules, and expectations that simply do not support the way their brain works best. And eventually, that leads to nervous system overload, burnout, and running a business fuelled by adrenaline rather than sustainability.

In this episode, I’m sharing my own experiences, the habits I had to unlearn, the structures I had to rebuild, and the practical toolkits that helped me create a business that supports my creativity rather than punishes it.

We’re talking about creative capacity, peak performance, time blocking, nervous system support, CEO days, white space, and how to stop building your business around survival mode.

This is your permission slip to build your business differently. To work smarter, softer, and more intentionally. And to create a business that feels good on the inside as well as the outside.

Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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In today’s episode, we are having a very real conversation about business, the kind that doesn’t often get spoken about. Because the truth is, building a business isn’t linear. It isn’t neat, predictable, or always moving forward in the way you expect, and if you’ve ever found yourself questioning your progress or wondering if you’re behind, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

I’m joined by Steff Bolton, my business bestie and together we’re talking about the importance of community, support, and having the right people around you as you grow. Whether that’s a mentor, a coach, or simply a business bestie who just gets it.

We also share an analogy that I think will really land with you, building your business like a wardrobe, because success isn’t built from one piece. It’s layered, intentional, and created over time.This is a warm, honest, and grounding conversation about resilience, connection, and why you are not meant to do this alone.

If you want to connect with Steff or myself:

Find Steff on Instagram with her coaching and mentoring business HERE

Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HEREand find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and beyond.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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In this calming and insightful episode, Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui is joined by Olya to explore the powerful connection between scent, the nervous system, and how we show up in our businesses as women.

Together, they unpack how essential oils are not simply about fragrance, but about bio communication with the body. Olya shares how scent can bypass the brain’s control centre in just 22 seconds, directly influencing the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotion, stress, and memory.

This conversation moves beyond surface-level wellness and into practical, grounded ways that female entrepreneurs and interior designers can use scent to regulate their nervous system, improve focus, and support creativity. Olya also introduces the concept of personalised oil protocols, using tools such as ZYTO scans to identify deeper stressors and tailor support in a more intentional way.

They also explore how scent can be integrated into business environments, from daily routines to client experiences and retreats, creating spaces that feel both supportive and energetically aligned.

This episode is a gentle reminder that how you feel within your business matters just as much as what you do, and that small, intentional practices can have a powerful impact on your energy, clarity, and performance.

Please Note: Only CPTG doTERRA oils labelled “I – Internal” or “Oil Supplement” are suitable for internal use. Internal use should be guided by your wellness advocate or a qualified aromatherapist and is recommended only for adults and children aged 12 and above.

If you want to connect with Olya and dive into her world then:

Find her on Instagram HERE

Book a free wellness discovery chat HERE

Join Lisa-marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026 and Beyond.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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If this episode has resonated with you, if you’ve been avoiding procurement, or feeling disconnected from it, then this is your invitation to go deeper.

On 1st May, Lisa-Marie is joining forces with Elizabeth Kelly from The Procurement Studio for a dedicated masterclass designed to help you:

• structure your procurement properly
• implement systems that actually work
• and turn this area of your business into a profitable, supportive process

This is where we take everything you’ve heard in this episode… and show you how to apply it.

SAVE YOUR SEAT

Procurement is one of the most avoided, and misunderstood, areas of an interior design business.Not because you’re not capable of running it…But because no one has ever really shown you how to structure it properly.

In this practical and eye-opening episode, I open up a conversation that many designers quietly struggle with. The disconnect from procurement, the overwhelm, the sense that it feels chaotic, time-consuming, and easier to avoid than to master.

But here’s the truth…Procurement isn’t the problem, it is the lack of structure around it.

Inside this episode, I reframe procurement as one of the most powerful opportunities within your business. When it is supported by the right systems, processes, and decision-making frameworks, it becomes a streamlined, repeatable, and highly profitable part of your service offering.

You’ll be guided through how to move away from reactive ordering and into a more structured, intentional approach, one that allows you to manage suppliers with ease, track multiple items without overwhelm, and create a seamless experience for both you and your clients.

This is not about adding more to your plate. This is about creating a business that runs like a well-oiled machine.

And if procurement has ever felt like ‘too much’… this episode will completely shift the way you see it.

Join Lisa-Marie and the women in the Design Boss Diary family, follow on Instagram HERE and find more about how you can work with Lisa in 2026.

Other episodes are on our YouTube channel HERE

Ready to be supported inside your business and move forward with clarity, structure, and confidence?

If you’re at a point where you know things need to shift and you’re ready for guidance that actually holds you through that process there are several ways we can work together.

From high-proximity 1:1 mentorship to group spaces designed to build momentum and accountability, each experience is created to support you at different stages of your journey.

To explore what support would look like for you, reach out directly at designbossdiary@gmail.com and start the conversation. 2026 has a limited amount of spaces already.

And as always, if you have loved this episode, we would love for you to leave a review, and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in, then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode, from your Interior Design business strategist and soulful leadership business mentor x

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Welcome to another podcast episode. If pricing in your interior design business has ever felt confusing, emotional, or overwhelming, this episode is for you.

Because no matter what stage you are at in your business, pricing is one of the most important foundations you will build. And when it is not aligned, it can quietly create significant unrest. From second-guessing your quotes to adjusting your fees depending on the client to feeling unsure whether you are charging too much or not enough, it can leave you feeling stuck, uncertain, and exhausted.

In this episode, I take you into a powerful and honest conversation around pricing and what is really happening beneath the surface when it feels hard.

Drawing from my experience working closely with women in my mentorships and with her Pricing for Profit and Service Alignment Accelerator, I share what I see time and time again when reviewing businesses. From misaligned services and inconsistent pricing structures to gaps in procurement, trade coordination, and installation, I highlight how pricing is not just about numbers but about how your entire business model operates.

This episode will walk you through the key shifts required to move from guessing your pricing to understanding it, from feeling like an interior designer navigating projects to stepping into your role as a true interior design business owner.

🚀 Ready to take this further?

If this episode resonates with you and you are ready to stop guessing your pricing and start building a business that truly supports you, there are two ways you can step into this work:

Fully Booked & Highly Paid HERE
Learn the core pricing formulas of the first stage of design in Stage 1 design direction, and frameworks to confidently price your services and remove overwhelm.

Pricing for Profit & Service Alignment Accelerator
Go deeper into your business and align your entire pricing model, from services through to procurement, trade coordination, and installation, so every part of your business is working together profitably. If you want to book onto Pricing for Profit & Service Alignment Accelerator VIP Day + 60-Day support this is for the woman who wants to move into 2026 with clarity and confidence, deeply connected to her business, cutting through overwhelm and guesswork, and stepping out of the cycle of reinventing the pricing wheel. This is where you align your pricing and services, speak with authority, and start hearing yes from the right ideal buyer.

• In-person VIP Day (10:30 am–4 pm, London private members club)

• Beautiful lunch and drinks included

• 60 days of Voxer message support while you implement with confidence

This is a focused, embodied connection, followed by supported execution.

Price £2222 ( Deposit and payment plan available)

Email designbossdiary@gmail.com to reserve your space.

Come over to Instagram and say HI, connect with me and carry on the conversation HERE

🎯 This episode is for:

• Interior designers who feel unsure about their pricing
• Creatives who are tired of guessing and adjusting their fees
• Designers ready to build a profitable, structured business

And as always if you have loved this episode we would love for you to leave a review and if you screenshot this podcast and share it on your socials, tagging @Design_Boss_Diary in then we have a special gift waiting just for you.

See you in the next episode you lovely lot! Xx