Planning for success in your interior design business

Do you set aside time  on your calendar to plan for your business on a regular basis? I find that not every designer does this regularly.  You’re the CEO of your interior design business and you need to plan for your business and not just let it happen by accident. My recommendation is that you…

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By Drue Lawlor, FASID Do you or your team members feel as if you have to know everything, be able to answer any question asked of you, and prove you are an expert in every area of your field in order to build a financially successful business? If so, you are probably like many others…

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Counsel Clients When Selling Your Design Concept

Managing client expectations is one of the most challenging aspects of the initial phase of a design project.  Clients often have only a vague idea of what they want or what their budget will buy them.  They have trouble envisioning what the final result will look like or how their lives will be different in…

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Are You Asking The Right Questions

By Drue Lawlor, FASID Director of Coaching at DSU Whether interviewing for a virtual assistant or for someone who will be working in your office, making the decision about who to hire is critical.  They need to fit into the culture of your firm and, depending on their job, being a team player might be…

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What to Say When Clients Say No

At any point in a design project the client may raise objections.  They may feel the budget or your fees are too high.  They may not like the design concept or the colors you’ve chosen.  They may refuse to accept an item you have purchased for them.  You may feel confused, frustrated, angry, or even…

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A Project Management Tool for Every Designer

If you’re still using to-do lists, checklists, voice reminders and sticky notes to manage your projects, I encourage you to consider switching to a project management tool.  Whether you’re a sole practitioner or a large A&D firm, there is a tool to suit your needs.  The time you invest up front in getting familiar with…

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Take Your Client on a Design Journey

Experience is the new luxury.  Affluent consumers are spending more on travel, resorts and fine dining, less on luxury goods and home furnishings.  For interior designers, that means you need to rethink your marketing strategy.  Instead of promoting your access to custom and to-the-trade-only products, or showing them pictures of someone else’s project, offer them…

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Where affluent clients are shopping

According to a  trend report from Unity Marketing published in 2015, Affluents Online:  A Generational Perspective of How Affluents Use the Internet in their Luxury Lifestyles,  shows that since 2015 retail sales have grown steadily at 17% while online shopping has doubled. “Online e-commerce is the growth darling at retail, continuing a steady upward trend…

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