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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.

Connect with Katie

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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

Send Katie a Text Message!!

What if one happy client didn’t just mean a beautiful portfolio photo — but also became the gateway to three more dream projects? That’s the power of a referral strategy for designers that actually works.

In this episode, I'm sharing why most interior design referrals don’t happen by chance — and how to move beyond “word of mouth” into a system that brings you consistent, pre-qualified leads.

If you’ve been wondering how to get more design clients without burning out or relying on chance, this episode is a must-listen.

Check out the show notes and other resources at

https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/secret-to-more-interior-design-referrals

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

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Scope creep: two little words that can drain your profits, stretch your timeline, and zap your energy if left unchecked. But here’s the twist—done right, scope creep can actually fuel your profit margins and strengthen client relationships.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the sneaky ways scope creep shows up (and why it feels so personal). The #1 mindset shift that transforms extra client requests into profit opportunities. What to say in the moment when a client asks for just one more thing, and so much more!

Check out the show notes and other resources at

https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/scope-creep-solutions-for-interior-designers

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

Send Katie a Text Message!!

Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.

In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on why onboarding isn’t just paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protects your margins.

Check out the full show notes and other resources at

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

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

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

Send Katie a Text Message!!

If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.

In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer.

Check out the full show notes and other resources at

https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/the-hidden-costs-of-discounting-your-interior-design-services

Connect with Katie

LinkedIn

Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers

Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm

Website

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

Send Katie a Text Message!!

This week, we’re kicking off a six-part series I’m calling "Turning Projects into Profit." As designers, we pour our hearts into projects that photograph beautifully, but sometimes those same projects barely move the financial needle. I know that tension well because I’ve lived it in my own business. That’s why this series is all about helping you stop leaving money on the table and start building a business that fuels your creativity and pays you well.

And we’re starting with one of the biggest traps in our industry: free consultations.

Check out the full show notes and resources at

https://successbydesign.coach/podcast/b/how-to-turn-consultations-into-paid-opportunities

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