August is a great month for catching up on your task list and reassessing your goals. It's a slower month for most of us, as our clients try to squeeze in one more vacation before school starts. If you're smart, you'll take advantage of these "dog days" of summer! Here are 4 things that you...

You can't escape the constant news of a looming recession, or inflation, or stagflation (WHAT??). It's a constant drumbeat in the news and from economic forecasters. We are in a weird place as designers because many of us are still busy from all of the work we've had the last two years. Many of...

The most important marketing tool you have is your portfolio of project images. They visually promote your incredible work and attract potential clients, press, and possible industry partners. And if you're like so many other designers, you've been putting off photo shoots during the last...

Spring cleaning is so cathartic - you sweep out the winter blues and let the sun shine in! That's great for homes, but I think summer is the best time to clean out and reorganize your office. There's nothing better than a well-organized system, and that holds true for your office, your paperwork,...

You finally have the budget signed, you have the subs all lined up, and you're ready to GO on your latest fabulous design project! BUT - how do you stay on track with that project budget? What if things go off the rails?? That isn't a crazy thought in today's up-and-down supply chain situation...

When you own your own business, things like spring break, snow days, and summer vacation are just different ways of saying "work days." Right?!? And for those of use in the design business, we've been running so hard for two years that we don't even know what a vacation is. But that has to stop....

Why did you start your business in the first place? I'm sure you loved the creativity of it and the beauty of what you have to work with. But you also wanted to have a successful and thriving business that makes money, right?!?! That's what we ALL want. And the one thing that can hold you back...

Most interior designers that I've worked with understand the basics of their financials. They can figure out how much money is coming in and how much is going out. But it's surprising how many small business owners don't know their profit margins, especially since that's the KEY marker of how...

There are at least 4 points in the year when you should stop everything and review how your business is doing. Of course it's at every end-of-quarter time! But it's especially important to tackle this at the end of the year and at the midpoint of the year. Why now? Because you want to ensure that...

It's been such a chaotic year for business, especially if you own your own company. It's felt like we've been running on a giant hamster wheel without enough hours in the day to get everything done! Being productive is a good thing, but we can get stuck in that busy-busy mentality and...

As a business owner, we are constantly under pressure to make money. That pressure is exhausting and can lead to massive burnout. I know! I've been there. We want to enjoy our business and spend more time on other things other than making money. Am I right?! So, once you realize...

You have the best marketing materials. You've lit candles and put out snacks. You KNOW you have the best design ideas for their project. And you REALLY want to design this house. But.... you didn't get the job. Were your fees too high? Did you blow it with the wrong design ideas? Nope, you just...