271. Finding time to work ON your business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Release Date: 02/24/2025
![Communication hacks for when you’re Out of Office [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/190343485?height=50&width=50)
Communication hacks for when you’re Out of Office [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Why You Need an Out-of-Office Email (And How to Write One) Worried clients will think you’ve disappeared if you take time off? You’re not alone. Many interior designers avoid setting an out-of-office message because they fear it sends the wrong signal. But here’s the truth: OOO replies can actually strengthen your client relationships and position you as a pro. In this episode, Rebecca shares: Why we feel guilty for stepping away (and how to change that) When and how to use out-of-office replies—even for reveal or install days What to say in your OOO message to keep things...
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291. From $500 Flyers to a $7M Show Home: The Contract Lessons Behind Erica German’s Thriving Luxury Design Business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
In this episode, luxury interior designer Erica Gelman returns to share how she evolved her contract from simple terms to a robust, 15-page agreement that protects her time, energy, and profitability. We dive into the real lessons learned through years of client experience, including what it was like to design a $7.3 million Princess Margaret Show Home, how she learned to charge for her value, and the timeline and revision clauses she swears by. Whether you're struggling with flat fees, endless revisions, or client delays, this conversation will help you shift your mindset and sharpen your...
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290.Why Flat Fees Nearly Broke My Design Business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
If you’re still charging based on what you think your clients can afford… or afraid to raise your rates in case they push back… this episode is for you. I’m sharing one of my worst pricing mistakes from the early years, a commercial project that cost me hundreds of hours, drained my confidence, and taught me the hard way how damaging it is to undercharge. It’s a story with no happy ending, but plenty of takeaways. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why fixed fees can be risky if you don’t track your time The real cost of avoiding the money conversation How underpricing attracts the...
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289. If it's your first year in business, you need to do this
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
If you’re in your first year of running an interior design business, this episode is for you. Anna Baldi is the founder of Contrast Interior Design and a recent graduate of Power of Process. After spending two decades working in commercial and set design, Anna finally listened to the entrepreneurial itch she had ignored for 20 years. She quit her job without a backup plan and started her design business the very next day. In this conversation, she shares: The breaking point that led to her big leap What it was like launching a business from scratch Why she joined POP (even though she was...
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288. Why Trade Day Is the Secret to a Smooth Design Project
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Why Trade Day Is the Secret to a Smooth Design Project!! In this episode, Rebecca shares the cringe-worthy story of a chaotic trade day early in her career—and how it nearly cost her a client (and a contractor). That one experience transformed how she approaches the interior design trade day and inspired her to create the system she now teaches inside Power of Process. You'll learn what a trade day actually is, how to run it with confidence, and why it's one of the most overlooked (but vital) tools in a designer's toolbox. What you'll hear in this episode: A behind-the-scenes look at...
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287. The Fastest 2-Month Design Business Transformation You’ll Ever Hear
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
What if two months could totally transform your interior design business? In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa McDonald of MelMac Designs, an interior designer with 15+ years of experience who recently realized her business wasn’t as profitable—or fulfilling—as it could be. She took a leap of faith, joined , and the results were nothing short of amazing. In just two months, she restructured her services, got crystal clear on her ideal client, hired her first assistant, implemented systems, and tripled her project fees. And yes—clients said yes. If you’ve ever felt like your...
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286. How this designer Tripled Her Rates & Landed a Six-Figure Interior Design Project
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
What if you could triple your rates and confidently land your biggest design project yet — in just a few weeks? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Paige Leackfeldt of LANG Design Interiors to unpack her incredible transformation. After 15 years in the industry, Paige launched her own design business — but within the first year, she hit the familiar overwhelm of saying yes to everything, undercharging, and running herself ragged. Enter . Paige shares how enrolling in this course helped her systematize her business, streamline her offers, confidently present her services, and (here’s...
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285. The Biggest Mistakes Designers Make with Ordering (And How to Avoid Them)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Ever lost money (or sleep) over a wrong order, delayed shipment, or missing item? You’re not alone — and in this episode, Rebecca Hay shares the honest, behind-the-scenes mistakes she made in her own interior design business so you can skip the pain and get straight to solutions. Rebecca opens up about the $10,000 sofa mistake that shaped her approach to systems, the software (and simple tools) that can save your sanity, and how to set up order tracking so nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll learn why cross-check systems matter, when to consider outsourcing procurement, and how...
info_outline![An interview with my very own clients. Why having a process made them choose me! [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/188944395?height=50&width=50)
An interview with my very own clients. Why having a process made them choose me! [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
What makes a client say YES to you over someone else? In this episode, I sit down with two of my real-life clients, Kelly & Glen Patchet, founders of Quarterback Digital, to pull back the curtain on what clients really want. We talk about: Why they chose to work with me (spoiler: my process!) What it was actually like to go through my design journey How marketing and confidence go hand in hand for service-based businesses Marketing strategies that help turn leads into raving fans PLUS — hear their honest reaction when I told them they’d need to pay for an initial consultation! If...
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284. The One Project I Should've walked away from
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
We all have that one client project we should’ve walked away from. This is the story of mine—and the powerful (and expensive) lesson it taught me. In this episode, I open up about one of the most challenging experiences in my interior design business: taking on a project that looked ideal on the surface but was packed with red flags I chose to ignore. From clashing personalities and unrealistic expectations to late-night stress and burned-out team members, this project took a toll—financially, emotionally, and mentally. Inside the episode: What early red flags to look for in potential...
info_outlineGrowing a successful interior design business requires more than just serving clients—it takes dedicated time to work on the business, not just in it. In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why prioritizing business development is essential for long-term success and how interior designers can break free from the cycle of constant client demands.
She provides actionable strategies to help designers re-prioritize their time, build efficient systems, and create a strong foundation for growth. By making smarter investments in business operations, designers can scale sustainably and run a business that works for them—not the other way around.
In this episode, listeners will learn:
✅ The four major signs that indicate a business is stuck in reactive mode
✅ Practical steps to work smarter, not harder
✅ The importance of accountability in streamlining business operations
For designers feeling overwhelmed by project management, marketing, and client demands, this episode provides a clear roadmap to reclaiming control, scaling effectively, and running a business with more ease.
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