Ever feel like you’re not being truly heard by your clients? You’re not alone—communication can be tricky, especially when dealing with different personalities.

In today’s episode, we’re talking D with Sierra Collins! A long-time BOD™ Partner, Sierra has worked with all our Boss Groups and countless members to master the art of effective communication. Kimberley first met Sierra years ago during her own DISC assessment, and the lessons still resonate today.

Sierra breaks down how understanding DISC can transform your client interactions, including:
- Why we’re all a mix of DISC—and why that’s a good thing
- How to hire for a balanced mix of communication skills
- Why having systems and solid contracts can give you the D courage you need

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

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EP 424 | Talking D with Sierra Collins

We all want the healthiest client relationships possible, right? Well, it’s an inside job. Sure, better systems to run your business and projects will significantly improve your client relationships. Absolutely. However, in addition we may also need to address what’s going on between our ears! Long standing patterns of negative thought can morph into negative patterns of behavior, which keep us stuck. 

In this episode we learn:
- how the '10% right' principle can be used in conflict resolution
- implement a 3:1 positive ratio in your thoughts and interactions with clients to improve the relationship and get your way more often
- to consult your elder, wiser self when at an impasse or stuck on a decision
- the transformative impact of celebrating small steps and victories

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 426 | 10% Right with Janine Aurichio

Who transitions from a cushy job in the corporate Craft Brew world into running an interior design studio? Our guest, Alexis Vitale. That’s who. While the corporate world gave her structure, business knowledge, sales skills, and more, it took tremendous courage to make the switch. Find out what mattered most to this business owner during her transition.

In this episode we learn: 

•	taking a calculated risk is scary, but staying stuck in fear is worse  
•	don’t be ok, with just being ok—go for great
•	it’s all about relationships—make frequent dates with new people and grow your network

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 429 | From Beer to Design with Alexis Vitale

Slow season got you feeling... stuck? You're not alone. In this episode, our Advocate-in-Chief  shares 5 smart moves every interior designer can make when work slows down. From reconnecting with past clients to finally creating that operations manual, these are actionable, empowering steps to help you emerge from any lull stronger, sharper, and ready for whatever’s next. Whether you're in a rut or just need a reset, this is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode we learn:
- why former clients are your most valuable leads—and how to reconnect without being salesy
- what goes into a killer operations manual and how it can change your business
- systems you finally have time to implement that will pay off all year long
- how to use slow seasons to sharpen your skills and expand your value
- yes, it’s ok to raise your rates even when business feels slow
- how mindset shifts during slow periods can lead to powerful breakthroughs

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 431 | 5 Smart Moves when Business is Slow with Kimberley Seldon

What are Business of Design® members thinking about these days? Since Director of Operations, Cheryl Horne, speaks to members on a daily basis, she’s got answers. Cheryl and Kimberley dish about smart ways to increase current project sizes, how to determine how many jobs is the right number for you and why it’s so important to ignore your inner worrier when it comes to billing clients.  

In this episode we learn: 
•	key ways to determine which projects are most profitable
•	why it's beneficial to train new staff with BOD™ modules 
•	three profit levers to pull when your business is in a famine era
•	what happens when a client wants to shop themselves 
•	which course should you take first when you are a new employee

EP 432 | Member Qs with Cheryl Horne

Daniela Furtado is back and this time we put her on the spot by rapid firing the top marketing questions interior design professionals ask us at BOD™. As usual, she is full of insights and great suggestions.

In this episode we learn:
- what quantifies a good marketing return
- how to build a referral strategy that works
- how to manage a mix of offerings on your website
- should your prices appear on your website
- talk about money early and often

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 433 | Marketing 1-2-3 with Daniela Furtado

Outdoor spaces aren’t separate from interior design—they’re a powerful extension of it. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with landscape architect Steve Griggs, who has spent more than 40 years transforming backyards into beautiful, functional sanctuaries. Steve makes a compelling case for why interior designers should integrate landscape design into their scope of work (SOW) and partner with landscape professionals from the very beginning of a project.

By collaborating early with builders and landscape architects, designers can ensure cohesive, elevated results that clients are willing—and eager—to invest in. Steve shares practical insights on budgeting, hardscape planning, and how outdoor spaces can become a profitable addition to your services. If you’ve ever wondered how to expand your offerings or increase project value, this conversation will show you exactly why landscape belongs in the conversation.

In this episode you will learn:
- Why early collaboration between designers, builders, and landscape architects leads to stronger results
- How outdoor spaces function as a natural extension of interior design
- Why you should charge confidently for your expertise—clients will pay for value
- How to approach a blank outdoor canvas starting with hardscape
- When it’s better to delay a project than move forward with an insufficient budget

EP 444 | Why Interior Designers Should Add Landscape Design to Their Scope with Steve Griggs

What happens when interior design meets entrepreneurship, experimentation, and bold creative vision? In this inspiring episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto, the powerhouse duo behind Park & Oak, to explore their ten-year journey from independent designers to leaders of a thriving design, retail, and event brand.

Their story is a masterclass in taking risks, embracing pivots, and building multiple income streams that support and elevate their core design business. Christina and Renee share how they followed intuition rather than a traditional roadmap, why collaboration became their competitive advantage, and how saying yes to new opportunities—even imperfect ones—helped them grow faster and smarter.

For interior designers dreaming of expanding their business, diversifying revenue, or stepping into larger possibilities, this episode offers real-world insight into scaling with creativity, courage, and intention.

In this episode you will learn:
- Why the path to your ideal design business is rarely straight
- How multiple revenue streams can complement and strengthen your design firm
- Why experimentation, failure, and refinement are essential to growth
- How partnering with people who complement your strengths creates true synergy
- Why memorable design experiences can lead to your next best clients
- Why rolling up your sleeves, learning as you go, and making mistakes is part of the entrepreneurial process

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EP 445 | Risk & Reward: How Park & Oak Built a Thriving Multi-Stream Interior Design Business

In this episode of the Business of Design® Podcast, Kimberley Seldon sits down with interior designer and bestselling author Erin Gates to explore the principles behind Elements of Timeless Style. Erin shares how to create interiors that feel fresh today while aging gracefully—spaces rooted in quality, personal story, and thoughtful design rather than fleeting trends.

From navigating the emotional experience of building a home to fostering a smooth and collaborative client process, Erin offers practical insights for designers who want their work to feel meaningful, enduring, and deeply personal. You’ll learn why flexibility matters, how to plan for inevitable changes, and why investing in the right team and materials leads to better outcomes every time.

Whether you're designing a client’s forever home or simply striving to produce work that lasts, this episode will help you refine your approach to timeless, story-driven design.

In this episode we learn:
- Why timeless design matters—and how it naturally evolves with the homeowner
- How a smooth, collaborative design process enhances the final result
- The emotional side of building a home and honoring the client’s story
- Why embracing flexibility is essential—because things will change
- Why quality over quantity is the foundation of timeless style
- How to design a space that feels like a forever home (even if the client isn’t staying forever)

EP 448 | Elements of Timeless Style: Designing Interiors That Endure with Erin Gates

Originally aired in 2017, this foundational conversation with branding expert Bruce Philp remains essential listening for any interior designer wanting to strengthen their identity, increase client trust, and build a brand that stands out.

As Bruce puts it, “People don’t buy our product. They buy the belief that we can create and deliver the product. They buy our brand.” In Part 1, Kimberley Seldon and Bruce Philp explore why branding is far more than a logo or tagline—it's the belief system your clients choose when they hire you.

You’ll learn the core elements of a healthy brand, how small business owners can borrow cues from big companies to establish credibility, and the subtle ways entrepreneurs unintentionally undermine their own authority. This episode will help you step into your brand with clarity, intention, and the confidence clients expect from a professional.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The three components of a healthy brand every business needs
- Why outsourcing parts of your brand experience can strengthen client perception
- How adopting the appearance of a corporation builds client confidence
- The three common ways entrepreneurs give away their power
- How to use purpose, positioning, and character to build a recognizable, trustworthy brand
- Why clients choose brands based on belief—not just the work itself

EP 450 | You Are a Brand: How Interior Designers Build Trust & Visibility with Bruce Philp (Part 1)

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

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