When you own and operate a design firm, you get to bring spaces to life, work with amazing clients, and leave your mark on all your projects. But it’s not always easy. Design can be expensive and keeping your business financially healthy can sometimes feel like choosing between profit, the integrity of your design, and your client. That’s exactly why we started financial counseling.

Starting an interior design business is exhilarating, but it’s also one of the most challenging endeavors you can take on. The road from passion to profitability is anything but linear.

Running an interior design business can feel like spinning a dozen plates at once. From managing client relationships to staying on top of finances and marketing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Running an interior design business can be overwhelming to say the least. You’re faced with balancing creativity, client expectations, and the business of interior design, it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

Financial strategies  for small businesses  are a cornerstone of sustainable business growth but for interior design firms it can be particularly challenging. Balancing creativity and  profitability requires a nuanced approach that safeguards the unique design vision and values of the firm while ensuring that the business remains financially viable.

In the realm of luxury interior design, maintaining impeccable client relations is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. For designers who are looking to refine their business practices and enhance their client interactions, focusing on operational excellence can make all the difference.

In the world of project management there is no one size fits all approach. Not all firms need a project manager and many do but don’t know if they can justify the expense. There is concern there won’t be enough work or a lack of confidence by firm owners that they will know how to manage a team member in this role.

A business audit is the most effective step in making changes to your operations. A business audit is a comprehensive and impartial assessment of your interior design operations and the results you're getting. It is an effective means of assessing your effectiveness, processes, accomplishments, and progress toward achieving organizational objectives.

In the competitive world of interior design, effective business development is the key to sustained growth and success. In this article we’ll explore steps and strategies for establishing an effective business development practice in 2024 and beyond.

Heading to the DLN Summit in Mexico City? Be sure to read our 19th&CO insider’s guide to what to see, eat and do if you can squeeze it in, stay longer or plan another trip.

As the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, it’s important to know how to make your way around High Point Market (HPMKT). Held biannually in High Point, North Carolina the fall show is October 14 - 18, 2023 and the Spring 2024 show will be April 13 - 17, 2024.

Interior designers must allocate resources for marketing and recruiting, these two areas often intertwine and they significantly impact success in the industry.

Deciding whether to spend money on attending interior design trade shows depends on your professional goals, budget, and the specific benefits you expect to gain from attending these events.

In the design world, particularly with larger projects, design work is frequently a collaborative effort. This makes it challenging to ascertain the exact contributions and abilities of a single designer, concealing their distinct skills in the vibrant tapestry of collective creativity.

As interior designers the right tool kit is essential for project success. Let’s start with the foundational tools for every interior designer.

In today's unpredictable business landscape, it's critical to have an established strategy for steady growth that sees your interior design firm through the slow and busy periods. A proactive approach to business development is needed to overcome economic challenges and unlock new opportunities.

The ultimate goal as interior designers is to create beautiful spaces that make dreams a reality for clients. This means ensuring harmonious work environments that inspire and empower our teams which in turn leads to innovation and productivity.

In the fast-paced, competitive world of design recruitment, how can you secure top talent effectively? Recruiting top design talent is a high-stakes game of speed, precision, and effective communication. Let's unravel the secret strategies that can help you or your recruiting partner excel in this challenging domain.