S5 Ep 185 Booked by Accident? It’s Time to Get Intentional
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Release Date: 07/14/2025
S6 Ep. 193 Decision Speed is a Moneymaker
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Indecision is one of the most expensive habits you can have in business. Every time you delay—whether it’s raising your rates, hiring help, or investing in the support you need—you’re leaving money, time, and momentum on the table. In this episode, I’m sharing why overthinking costs you far more than mistakes do, how to build decision speed as a profitable skill, and the tools I use (and teach my students) to stop spinning and start moving forward. IN THIS EPISODE, I’M TALKING ABOUT: The four traps that keep designers stuck: perfectionism, scarcity thinking, people-pleasing, and...
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S6 Ep. 192 The Silent Profit Killers
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey y’all, in today’s episode I’m pulling back the curtain on the silent profit killers that sneak into your design business and quietly drain thousands from your bottom line. These aren’t the big, obvious issues like not charging enough or overhead being too high—these are the sneaky, day-to-day habits that fly under the radar but add up fast. I’m sharing where I’ve personally lost money (yep, guilty), where I see designers leaking profit all the time, and most importantly, how to patch those leaks so you can keep more of the money you’re already working so hard to...
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Episode: S6 Ep 191 When Clients Say One Thing… But Mean Another
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey, hey, hey! In this episode we’re talking about something that feels scary but will absolutely change your business: saying no before you feel ready. I know how hard it is to turn down a project—what if the right one doesn’t come along? What if word gets around that you turned someone down? I’ve had all those same fears. But here’s the truth: every time you say yes to the wrong project, you’re blocking space for the right one. I’ll share the hidden costs of saying yes to everything, how to recognize the red flags early, and the exact scripts you can use to say no without...
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S6 Ep 190: How Turning Down the “Wrong” Work Accelerates Your Growth.
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey, hey, hey! In this episode of Design for the Creative Mind, we’re talking about something that feels scary but will absolutely change your business: saying no before you feel ready. I know how hard it is to turn down a project—what if the right one doesn’t come along? What if word gets around that you turned someone down? I’ve had all those same fears. But here’s the truth: every time you say yes to the wrong project, you’re blocking space for the right one. I’ll share the hidden costs of saying yes to everything, how to recognize the red flags early, and the exact scripts...
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S6 Ep 189: Stop Over-Delivering: Why Doing More Is Costing You Time, Money, and Sanity
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Season 6: Off the Record: The Hidden Curriculum of Design Business They didn’t teach you this in design school. You won’t hear it in a CEU course. And most business coaches wouldn’t dare say it out loud. This season of Designed for the Creative Mind is your backstage pass to the unspoken skills, strategic instincts, and hard-won wisdom that separate hobbyists from high-earning design business owners. From reading between a client’s words, to knowing exactly when to say no (and how to do it without burning bridges), to spotting profit leaks before they sink you — these are...
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S5 Ep 188: No Portfolio? No Problem: The Secret Strategy to Attract High Paying Clients
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey hey hey! I’m so glad you’re here with me today on Designed for the Creative Mind. Whether you’re listening from your studio, your car, or curled up with a glass of wine (not in the car, please), you’re in for a really insightful conversation. I brought on the fabulous Mina from Duke Renders to talk about all things renderings—especially how they can help you build a strong portfolio even if you don’t have a single professionally photographed project. If you’ve been holding off on putting your work out there because you’re waiting for the “perfect” photos, this...
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S5 Ep 187 From Italy to the UK: One Baker, Two Countries, Big Design Dreams
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Today, we’re crossing the pond! I had such a fun and inspiring chat with one of our fabulous Bakery graduates, Marta Rosato, who built her thriving interior design business all the way from Bristol, UK. Her story is filled with courage, creativity, and a whole lot of clarity — and I know you’re going to love hearing it. Marta didn’t start out in interior design. She spent 20 years working across Europe in project management and event organizing, and later as a marketing strategist for sustainable tourism. But after moving to the UK and becoming a full-time mom, she had a moment...
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S5 Ep 186 Why Your Dream Clients Don’t Know You Exist (Yet)
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey, hey, hey y’all! We’re back with Part 3 of our “Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design” series—and today we’re tackling something that stings a little... but only for a second. You know that feeling when someone tells you there’s food in your teeth? Yeah. It’s kind of like that. Awkward for a moment, but ultimately a gift. Because once you know, you can fix it. Same goes for today’s topic: Why your dream clients don’t know you exist… yet (and yes, that “yet” is doing some heavy lifting). Here’s what we get into: The real reason the best...
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S5 Ep 185 Booked by Accident? It’s Time to Get Intentional
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Hey friend—this episode is for you if you’ve ever had a dry inbox and wondered, Where the heck are my dream clients?I’ve been there. Back when I started ML Interiors Group, I hustled hard, did great work, and just hoped the right clients would find me. And for a while… it worked. Kind of. But behind the scenes? Total chaos. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I call being “booked by accident”—when your leads are inconsistent, your clients are sometimes not the right fit, and you’re crossing your fingers instead of working a plan. If your business has...
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S5 Ep 184 If You Build It, They Still May Not Come
Designed for the Creative Mind™
Welcome back to Designed for the Creative Mind, the podcast where we get real about what it actually takes to build a beautiful and profitable interior design business. In this episode, Michelle kicks off a brand-new series called Booked by Accident vs. Booked by Design—a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered why your dream clients still aren’t showing up, even though you’re doing “all the right things.” Michelle unpacks what’s really going on in today’s economy and why relying on referrals, a pretty Instagram feed, or a solid reputation alone just isn’t enough anymore....
info_outlineHey friend—this episode is for you if you’ve ever had a dry inbox and wondered, Where the heck are my dream clients?I’ve been there. Back when I started ML Interiors Group, I hustled hard, did great work, and just hoped the right clients would find me. And for a while… it worked. Kind of. But behind the scenes? Total chaos.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I call being “booked by accident”—when your leads are inconsistent, your clients are sometimes not the right fit, and you’re crossing your fingers instead of working a plan. If your business has ever felt like feast or famine, this episode is your wake-up call (and also a hug).
We talk about:
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The signs you might be booked by accident (yes, even if you’re busy)
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Why marketing isn’t optional—it’s a system, not a side task
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The three pillars of intentional visibility: Identity, Message, and Method
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How treating marketing like design (with strategy and intention) changes everything
I also share Sarah’s story—a designer who went from burnout and scattered marketing to landing a full-service client within a month—just by getting intentional and consistent. And let me be clear: this isn’t about bro-marketing or becoming an influencer. It’s about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a plan that fits you.
We’re not waiting around for a referral fairy with a waitlist and a bottle of champagne. We’re designing businesses on purpose.
Oh—and if this hit home, don’t miss my free upcoming workshop, Booked by Design. We’re going hands-on:
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Day 1: Nail your message so dream clients say, “Finally, someone who gets me!”
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Day 2: Get seen and get leads with marketing that actually works for designers
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Day 3: From crickets to clients – we’re doing live coaching and clarity work
Grab your seat at thedesignbakehouse.com under “Events,” or just hit the link in the show notes.
Remember: you are a CEO. And it’s time to start showing up like one—with visibility that’s as intentional as your design work.
Until next time, keep designing your business as beautifully as you design your spaces.