In today's episode, I'm continuing my myth-busting season and tackling one of the biggest beliefs holding designers back: the idea that clients only care about money. If you've ever taken pricing questions personally or felt pressure to lower your rates just to keep projects moving, this conversation is for you. I'm breaking down what's really happening when clients push back on price — and why it's almost never about trying to save a few dollars.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why clients aren't price shoppers — they're confidence and clarity shoppers

• How money questions are often a signal of uncertainty, not rejection

• The real reason designers internalize pricing resistance (and how to stop)

• What clients are actually buying when they hire a designer

• Why leadership, process, and clarity matter more than being "competitive"

• How shifting from price-focused to value-led changes everything in your business

At the end of the day, your clients aren't looking for cheap — they're looking for smart. They want to feel safe, supported, and confident that they're making the right decision. When you lead with clarity and step fully into your role as a professional, pricing stops being the problem and starts making sense.

If this episode hits home, keep your eyes open for what's coming next. Inside Back to School and the Interior Design Business Bakery, this is exactly the work we do — helping you communicate your value, own your expertise, and build a business that supports you instead of draining you. Remember: you're not selling sofas. You're selling transformation, leadership, and a beautifully guided experience.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

Join our Free Facebook Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

In today's episode, I'm breaking down a myth that keeps so many designers stuck on the burnout hamster wheel: the belief that "helping people means keeping my prices low." I see this all the time in our industry — designers who genuinely want to serve end up undercharging, overdelivering, and attracting clients who don't respect their expertise. And it's not because they lack talent. It's because they've tied generosity to their pricing instead of their business structure. This entire conversation was sparked by a listener who shared that she gives white-glove service but still charges around $50 a week because she wants to help "real people," only to attract clients who constantly want more for less. If that hits a little close to home, this episode is going to speak directly to you.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why lowering your prices does NOT make design more accessible
• The real reason undercharging attracts boundary-pushing clients
• How money stories and identity beliefs keep designers stuck in the cycle of overgiving
• Why "professionals hire professionals" is a mindset shift that changes everything
• How low pricing breaks your business model (and your spirit)
• What sustainable pricing actually needs to cover in your design studio
• Why generosity cannot be your business model — it must be the overflow
• How aligning your pricing with your value strengthens confidence, boundaries, and client experiences
• What becomes possible once your business is profitable: passion projects, philanthropy, accessibility, and impact
• How to begin shifting your identity so you can charge like the professional you already are

When you truly understand that your pricing isn't tied to your worth — and that you can only help people from a place of overflow, not depletion — everything changes. Your energy shifts. Your confidence expands. Your boundaries get stronger. And your clients feel that difference immediately. This episode is an invitation to stop building a business on sacrifice and start building one on sustainability, clarity, and stewardship of your gifts. And if you're ready to align your pricing with the actual value you provide, the Interior Design Business Bakery is exactly where that work begins. I'll see you in the next myth-busting conversation.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

Join our Free Facebook Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

Early in my design career, I thought referrals were the ultimate sign of success. A happy client, emotional reveal, or heartfelt thank-you note — surely that meant more business was on the way, right? I quickly learned the truth: referrals are unpredictable behavior, not a reflection of love, skill, or value. In this episode, I'm sharing why relying on referrals alone creates a fragile business and what you can do to build momentum that's intentional and sustainable.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
• Why referrals are not a love language — they're inconsistent and circumstantial
• How relying solely on referrals can keep your business fragile, underperforming, and undercharging
• Why visibility and consistent presence are the real drivers of predictable growth
• Practical ways to show up intentionally so clients and prospects truly understand your value

Referrals are the icing, not the cake. If you want a business built on intention rather than chance, you need a strategy that includes consistent visibility, clear messaging, and intentional marketing. This episode will help you release the emotional weight of waiting for referrals, step confidently into your role as the visible, trusted leader of your business, and start creating momentum that's predictable and sustainable.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

Join our Free Facebook Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact