268. What premium clients expect from their interior designer
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Release Date: 02/13/2025
280. Why Most Designers Are Scared to Raise Their Rates (And What You Can Do Instead)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Is your pricing keeping you stuck in a loop of burnout, resentment, and budget clients? In this solo episode, Rebecca reveals why most interior designers fear raising their rates — and how that fear is rooted in impostor syndrome, lack of industry standards, and the false idea that clients won’t pay more. She breaks down the real cost of underpricing (spoiler: it’s not just about money), and shares a four-step framework to help you charge what you're worth — with confidence. You’ll walk away with tangible interior design pricing strategies and new ways to talk about your value that...
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279. Real Estate Strategies Every Interior Designer Should Know
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Designers — ever wonder how real estate agents could help grow your business? 🏡 In this episode, I chat with Wendy Smith, a Toronto-based realtor and founder of Matter Homes, about real estate strategies every interior designer should know. We talk about what buyers really want in today’s market, how move-in-ready design impacts resale value, and why partnering with real estate professionals can be a total game-changer for your business. Wendy even shares how she gifts interior design consultations (with one of our own POP alums!) as part of her closing strategy — it’s marketing...
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278. Interior Design Photography on a Budget: How to Use Your Smartphone Like a Pro
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Before this episode, I didn’t believe you could take professional-quality design photos with a smartphone. Now? I’m rethinking everything… Linda Holt is a former pro photographer turned educator who teaches designers how to shoot amazing photos with just their phones. In this episode, she explains why smartphones are more powerful than you think—and why owning your own photos might just save you from a lawsuit. We talk about: The 3 keys to professional-looking phone photos Why hiring a photographer isn’t always the best move The hidden risks of copyright (and how to avoid them)...
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277. 5 time-saving automations every entrepreneur should have
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Time is your most valuable asset. In this episode, Rebecca shares 5 simple, impactful automations every designer should implement to save time and reduce overwhelm. From client intake to content planning and communication, these tips are designed to help you streamline your systems—without relying entirely on tech. Whether you're managing a growing design firm or flying solo, these are the processes that can free you up to focus on the parts of your business you love most. What You’ll Learn: How to automate your client intake The power of canned email templates Smart tips for...
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276. Smart Hiring Strategies for Interior Designers Ready to Scale
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Thinking about hiring but feeling overwhelmed by where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Decker-Erickson, founder of the multi-million dollar remote design firm Color Works and host of Success by Design. We dive into how to know when it's time to hire, the difference between contractors and employees, and how to create a strong company culture—even with a fully remote team. Katie shares her real-life experiences, from the moment she had to hire to the tough lessons learned through team transitions. We also talk about the financial mindset around hiring, the power of...
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275. What you Missed Inside My Bootcamp: How to Pre-Qualify Interior Design Clients
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
If you missed my last Standout Designer Bootcamp—or even if you didn’t—don’t skip this episode! One of the most powerful tools I shared in my recent bootcamp is the Investment Guide—a game-changer for interior designers looking to secure the right clients. In this episode, I break down exactly what an Investment Guide is, how to use it effectively, and why it’s key to pre-qualifying your clients and avoiding time-wasters. I’ll share a personal story from my own journey, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and actionable steps to implement this strategy in your business. The truth is,...
info_outline![Calculating Project Costs Before Clients Hire You [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/185685630?height=50&width=50)
Calculating Project Costs Before Clients Hire You [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Every client wants to know what their project will cost ASAP, and guessing and throwing out a number will only do you and your client a disservice. This episode is going to help you dial in on your expertise and experience to remove the guesswork and the regret for project estimates. I dive into how you can find out what it costs to decorate or renovate a space without relying on simple guessing or giving the client a number that isn’t fair or profitable for your business. As a business owner, I’m always looking for a better way for the aspects of my business where I feel there can...
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274. Why It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Passion in Interior Design
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Is it ever too late to start over? Our guest, Natalie Froom, proves that the answer is a resounding NO! This episode is all about why it’s NEVER too late to follow your passion in interior design. Natalie, founder of Studio 180 Design, took a bold leap in her 40s to launch her interior design firm, leaving behind a career in psychology and nutrition. In this episode, she shares how she went from helping friends for free to building a thriving business, why she believes creativity thrives within structure, and how she balances artistry with the practical demands of running a business. A Power...
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273. The Power of Letting Go: Why This Designer Stopped Managing Construction
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
This episode explores the journey of launching a new interior design business after stepping away from an existing and thriving design-build. Keely Gow, co-founder of the newly launched JK Studio in Muskoka, Ontario, shares her infectious passion as she talks about the decision behind her new business launch, why she chose to work with a partner, and what led her to shift her focus exclusively to offering full-service interior design. Keely opens up about some of the hard truths and realizations she had before making these major career moves, as well as the specific goals she set—goals that...
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272. Scaling Smart: Niching Down, Streamlining Processes & Hiring Early
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Success in business isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with Anika Schachtler, a rising star in the interior design world, to discuss how she has built a thriving interior design business by refining her processes, niching down, and hiring early. Since her last appearance on the podcast, Anika has made incredible strides—shifting her business model, growing her team, and eliminating unnecessary client emails by communicating less but better. She shares the mindset shifts that helped her scale, how she refined her process to...
info_outlineWe all want to work with our version of a premium client, but before we do so, we need to establish a premium approach. Working with premium clients demands a premium approach, and in this episode, I'm sharing how to do exactly that!
This episode shares examples of what kind of client this person actually is and what they expect. One spoiler I'll give away is that a premium client doesn't always equate to "premium money".
I share a few questions to ask yourself to help you create a good first impression, stand by your boundaries, and include unique personal touches in the entire experience. I dive into some examples of how I learned this lesson the hard way and use some "Rebecca tough love" to encourage you to ensure your clients feel safe, secure, and can relax trusting that you've got their best interests at heart.
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