291. From $500 Flyers to a $7M Show Home: The Contract Lessons Behind Erica Gelman’s Thriving Luxury Design Business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Release Date: 06/26/2025
310. Beyond Survival Mode: Building a Stable, Profitable Interior Design Business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Feeling stuck in the cycle of doing everything yourself? In today’s episode, we explore what it really takes to move beyond survival mode and build a stable, profitable interior design business. Rebecca is joined by design-build founder Mae Reedy, who shares her hard-earned lessons on systems, hiring, communication, and managing a growing team. If you’ve been in business for a few years and you’re craving more stability, better processes, and the confidence to scale, this is your episode. You’ll learn how to create predictability inside your projects, protect your creative time,...
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309. Your Next Level Starts Here: The Mindset Shift Every Designer Needs to Scale Successfully
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Scaling doesn’t mean building a big firm or losing touch with what you love. It’s about clarity, confidence, and control. In this solo episode, Rebecca dives into the mindset shift that helped her build a business that supports her life (not the other way around). She shares her five go-to reflection questions to help you visualize your next level and start leading like a CEO. Listen in to learn how to: Scale your design business without burnout Redefine what success looks like for you Build systems that give you freedom, not stress Learn more about my Looking...
info_outline![Grow your team, Grow your Business with Dina Holland [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/194596110?height=50&width=50)
Grow your team, Grow your Business with Dina Holland [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Want to grow your interior design team without losing your creative edge? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca sits down with Dina Holland (Honey & Fitz) to talk hiring, delegation, process, and profit. Dina shares how authenticity on Instagram acts as a built-in client filter, why documentation is non-negotiable as you scale, and what she’s learned running an e-commerce shop alongside a thriving studio. You’ll learn: How team growth changes your role—and why that’s a good thing The nuts and bolts of delegation (design vs. purchasing vs. PM) Pricing confidently and reframing “budget”...
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308. From Solo Designer to Recognized Brand: Cheryl Luckett on Building a Business That Stands Out
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Designer, educator, and all-around powerhouse Cheryl Luckett joins Rebecca to share how she went from a full-time corporate career to running Dwell by Cheryl Interiors...without burning everything down to start over. She walks us through her intentional 36-month exit plan, how she built her audience through blogging and Instagram back in 2012, and why consistency online still matters for designers in 2025. Cheryl also talks about pivoting into more construction/new build work and the power of in-person networking. In this episode: Growing your design business while you’re still employed...
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307. You’ve Got Systems—Now What? How to Scale your Interior Design Business
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
You’ve got your systems dialed in—now what? In this episode, Rebecca dives into what comes after systems. Learn how to scale your interior design business by elevating your client experience, building your team, gaining financial clarity, and finding mentorship that propels you forward. Perfect for established designers ready to grow sustainably without losing their sanity. Learn more about my Download our Free Resources ➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my ➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my of increasing your revenue Looking to elevate your...
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306. The Cool Girl's Guide to High Point Market with Marisa Wilson
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Headed to High Point Market? Designer and Cool Girls Guide founder Marisa Wilson breaks down exactly how to plan your days: curated events, must-visit showrooms, where to eat, transit tips, and how to protect your energy so you actually enjoy market. We also compare Round Top vs. High Point and why market truly is for every designer. In this episode: High Point vs. Round Top—what’s different and why it matters Marisa’s curated showrooms + events you won’t regret Transit hacks: shuttles, the Go Anywhere van, walking routes Where to eat (and when to skip the “free lunch”) Wellness...
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305. Nashville Recap: What I Learned in a High-Level Mastermind (and How Designers Can Apply It)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
In this episode, Rebecca takes you behind the scenes of her recent trip to Nashville for Amy Porterfield’s high-level mastermind. She shares what really happens inside the room, the lessons that shifted her business, and why community is the key to scaling a profitable interior design firm. Episode Highlights: You can’t grow alone. Having peers who understand your challenges accelerates your success. Honesty about money matters. Talking openly about profit margins helps you build smarter, more sustainable businesses. Environment shapes perspective. Stepping away from client work gives...
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304. High Point Market: is it worth it?
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
High Point Market is often called “Disneyland for Designers” — but is it really worth the investment of time and money? In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why attending HPMKT has been one of the smartest moves for her design business. From sourcing smarter and building vendor relationships to staying inspired and charging with confidence, Rebecca breaks down exactly how market can pay for itself many times over. Plus, she shares practical tips for navigating showrooms, capturing inspiration, and making connections that last long after the event. Episode Resources: Read the...
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303. Monetize Every Project: Turning Small Jobs Into Big Business with a Franchise Model
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
What if you could make every project, big or small, profitable? In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with award-winning designer Miranda Cullen, founder of Inside Stories, about her innovative interior design franchise model. Dive into the episode to listen to: How micro-design services turn small jobs into revenue What it really costs to buy into a franchise The systems, training, and marketing support that make it work Why fixed-fee pricing backed by data gives designers confidence If you’ve ever wondered how to scale without burning out, or how to stop turning away “too small”...
info_outline![Is Fixed Fee Billing Right for you? [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/192909995?height=50&width=50)
Is Fixed Fee Billing Right for you? [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Is fixed fee billing the answer for your design business—or a fast track to lost profits? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca Hay dives deep into hourly, fixed fee, and hybrid billing models, sharing the real pros and cons of each. You’ll hear her candid stories of undercharging, discounting, and scope creep, along with the practical steps she uses today to track hours and charge with confidence. If you’ve ever struggled with pricing, client billing conversations, or knowing what to charge, this episode is for you. Episode Resources Download our Free Resources ➡️ Pre-qualify...
info_outlineIn 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 process.
Episode Highlights:
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Interior design contract tips that save you time and money
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How to handle revisions without getting stuck in feedback loops
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What to include in your proposal (and why it matters!)
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Why Erica stopped using flat fees—and what she uses now
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How to create boundaries while still delivering white-glove service
Episode Resources:
- Episode 147: Protecting yourself with a contract. Why you need a contract as an interior designer with Erica Gelman
- Episode 154: The ins and outs of designing a show house with Jennifer Muirhead
- Princess Margaret Lottery Grand Prize House
- Learn more about Erica at her website and follow her on Instagram.
Download our Free Resources
➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script
➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue
Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses
➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course
➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.
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