140: From Poverty to Limitless Profit: Your Interior Designer Mindset
Release Date: 05/26/2025
154: #1 Silent Success Killer in Your Interior Design Business
Design Business Freedom
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your design business from the inside out? In this episode, Melissa Galt unpacks the #1 silent killer of success in your interior design practice—self-doubt. It’s not about trusting your team, clients, or vendors (though those are important); it’s about building unwavering trust in yourself. When you hesitate, question, or delay out of fear or uncertainty, the cost isn’t just emotional—it’s financial, creative, and strategic. Melissa shares powerful insights, real-life stories, and actionable advice to help you rebuild self-trust and reclaim your...
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153: How Much Does an Interior Designer Make?
Design Business Freedom
In this powerful and mindset-shifting episode, you're going to break free from the outdated belief that interior design is a "nice hobby" or a side hustle. Melissa takes a deep dive into what’s truly possible in the world of interior design when you treat it as a serious business—one with the potential to earn six figures in your first year and scale into the multiple six and seven figures. You'll hear real success stories of designers who shattered income plateaus and made strategic changes that led to exponential growth—without burnout. Melissa shares personal insights from her own...
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152: Interior Design is the Ultimate Deal: No Discount Required
Design Business Freedom
In this powerful episode of Design Business Freedom, you’re getting the ultimate reframe to shut down client discount requests with confidence and clarity. Melissa breaks down why interior design is one of the most valuable investments your clients will ever make—not just for a moment, but for decades of daily joy, beauty, and functionality. She shows you how to confidently articulate that value and stand strong in your pricing, without falling into the trap of unnecessary generosity or fee-cutting. You’ll learn how to shift both your mindset and your messaging so that you and your...
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151: Tame Your Inner Imposter: Escape the Interior Design Comparison Trap
Design Business Freedom
If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling short compared to other designers, this episode is your gentle but firm nudge to stop measuring your worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Melissa pulls back the curtain on imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, sharing 20 practical, mindset-shifting steps to silence that inner critic and step fully into your brilliance. You’ll walk away with tools you can use daily to reset your thinking, build unshakable confidence, and create unstoppable momentum in your design business. From naming your imposter something silly, to creating a...
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150: The One Marketing Move for Interior Design Clients, Cash, and Confidence
Design Business Freedom
In this milestone 150th episode of Design Business Freedom, you're guided through a refreshingly simple yet strategic approach to overcoming slow seasons in your interior design business. Instead of succumbing to the overwhelm of "more marketing," Melissa Gault, your interior design business coach, walks you through the transformative power of choosing one intentional action to focus on for 30 days. This episode is packed with tangible ideas and real-life examples to help you bring in clients, cash, and confidence—without the hustle. Melissa shares 12 proven marketing strategies specifically...
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149: Skip the Scope Creep: The Design Agreement that Safeguards Your Sanity
Design Business Freedom
Believe it or not, I see so many designers flying without a net, which is what I call it when you work without a letter of agreement or with one that has absolutely no protection for you in it. A letter of agreement is just another word for a contract, but it sounds much friendlier. Most importantly, a letter of agreement will outline all stipulations, clauses, and information that you and your client need to set up a positive and professional project timeline. Your business needs to have a document that provides protection for your profits and peace of mind for you as the principal of the...
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148: Speak The Language of Luxury Design to Attract Top Clients
Design Business Freedom
What if I told you that the words you choose can have an impact on your bottom line? One of the best ways to attract affluent clients is by choosing the right words–words that not only magnify the worth of your work but sow the seeds of success. That means discarding limiting words like "expensive" and "cheap" and embracing empowering language that reflects the true value of your projects and services. But, that’s not to say that this is an easy fix! Amending how you use and choose words in your vocabulary can be one of the most difficult changes you can make because the way we speak is so...
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147: Charge Your Worth in Interior Design, Without Apology
Design Business Freedom
When was the last time that you evaluated how you are compensated for your creative services? The last time that you raised your rates to reflect your experience and value? You know what I’m about to tell you: it’s time, in fact, you’re overdue! Today we’re diving into how to accurately charge for your services based on your value rather than your worth. You’ll learn how the solutions that you provide to the three universal problems every client has–health, wealth, and relationships–are your greatest advantage in accurately pricing your services. You’ll understand why it’s...
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146: Your Interior Design Freedom Starts Here
Design Business Freedom
Melissa delivers a heartfelt reminder that the real freedom you crave in your design business—and your life—starts within. She walks you through a powerful, affirming list of freedoms you’re entitled to claim, from releasing self-doubt and shame to designing a business that truly lights you up. This is your invitation to step into your full brilliance and own every part of your creative journey. Whether you’re tuning in post-Independence Day or just need a reset, this short and powerful episode serves as a soul-boosting guide. Melissa's affirmations are designed to help you realign...
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145: How to Leverage Every Project for Future Profit
Design Business Freedom
If you’ve ever found yourself wishing that the stellar work on the latest design project you’ve been devoting your time to would definitively translate into sustained growth even after that project is over…well, you’re in for a treat this episode. There are three specific ways to guarantee that you will grow your business with every project that you take on. Today, I am deep-diving into each method to ensure you get the most bang from each project you take on. I’m walking you through the art of amplifying your brand's credibility using client testimonials, underscoring the value of...
info_outlineIn this episode, Melissa dives deep into the subconscious money beliefs that are silently shaping your design business—from the way you price your services to the clients you attract. If you've ever found yourself undercharging, over-delivering, or justifying your rates with “I’m not experienced enough,” this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll learn how your inherited and unexamined beliefs are costing you profit, energy, and growth, and how to reprogram those thoughts for wealth and worthiness.
Melissa walks you through not only the common money myths that plague interior designers, but also practical, mindset-based strategies to flip your internal script. She shares actionable steps to help you increase your income by expanding your belief in your value and capacity. You’ll finish this episode equipped with tools to align your business mindset with your financial goals—and to confidently own your worth as a designer and leader.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:
- (01:26) Why “money doesn’t grow on trees” and other inherited beliefs are keeping you small
- (03:37) How broadcasting your “newness” as a designer can sabotage trust with potential clients
- (06:20) The fear of outgrowing your circle—and how to choose expansion over playing small
- (12:13) The hidden cost of undercharging and over-delivering: up to 50% profit left behind
- (17:54) A powerful exercise to expand your capacity and reframe your financial potential
- (26:14) The mantra that changes everything: “The right client values the transformation we deliver”
SUPPORTING RESOURCES:
- Juliana Garcia: https://julianagarcia.com/
- DM Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagault_
- Melissa's Email: [email protected]
When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.