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Hey designers, it’s Katie Decker Erickson, and today I’m giving you something totally different — no fluff, no hype, and no sugarcoating. This is your five-minute State of the Industry for interior designers, and a heart-to-heart about what’s really going on behind the pretty photos and Pinterest boards.

Because let’s be honest — the economy isn’t doing us any favors right now. Margins are tight, clients want miracles for pennies, and too many designers are drowning in ideas instead of action. So today, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening, why inspiration alone won’t save your business, and what it’s going to take to not just survive, but win in this season.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• The real numbers behind the 2025 design economy (spoiler: it’s not great)
• What the data from Barron’s, the Wall Street Journal, and the NFIB optimism index really means for us
• Why “attitude + affirmation” isn’t a business strategy
• The biggest traps I’m seeing designers fall into right now — undercharging, over-consuming, and constant pivoting
• How I’m shifting my own business to adapt (and how you can too)
• A preview of my upcoming 3-part series and live workshop to help you implement — not just learn — strategies that work in this market

We don’t need more motivation. We need clarity, accountability, and a plan that actually makes money. This industry is at a crossroads — and if you’re ready to stop waiting for things to “get better” and start taking control, this is where it starts.

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Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

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Send Katie a Text Message!!

Scaling an interior design business isn’t just about hustling harder—it’s about systems, boundaries, leadership, and strategic support. In this episode, I sit down with my client Shannon to share her journey from feeling overwhelmed to confidently scaling her interior design business. We talk about the unexpected lessons she learned along the way and how coaching helped her master each step of growth.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Shannon recognized she needed help and took the first step toward growth
• The systems and processes she implemented to streamline her business
• Learning to set boundaries while staying generous and client-focused
• Why celebrating wins is critical to scaling successfully
• Focusing on doing less, better, and prioritizing projects that align with her vision
• Stepping fully into leadership and empowering her team

If you’re an interior designer feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to scale, this episode gives you practical insights and actionable steps. Learn from Shannon’s real-world experience and see how coaching can help you transform your business while staying true to your creative vision.

Thanks so much to our sponsors at Plumtree.it - where they bring specialized technological solutions to interior design.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

Send Katie a Text Message!!

In this week’s episode, to wrap up our Project to Profit Series, I'm getting real about the one step most designers skip that could save you hours, protect your margins, and stop you from repeating the same costly mistakes project after project.

Here’s the kicker: research shows that teams who actually take this step improve performance by 20–25% on their very next project. Yep, it’s that powerful.

And don’t think this is just for big firms — if you’re a team of one, this step may be even more critical to stop repeating mistakes and create the systems that future-proof your business.

Check out the show notes and other resources at

https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/interior-design-debriefs

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website