314. How Successful Designers Plan Their Year: My Proven Step-by-Step Goal Setting System
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Release Date: 12/18/2025
326. Why Your Project Budgets Still Feel Off (And How to Fix Them)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Your project budgets aren’t totally wrong—but they don’t feel solid either. In this episode, I break down why that happens (even after you’ve gained experience) and how to fix it. We’re talking about: Why early budgets should be ranges, not detailed breakdowns When the real budgeting work actually begins How to validate your numbers with trades and real data The mistake that quietly erodes client trust If your budgets feel inconsistent or hard to stand behind, this episode will help you move from guessing to grounded, confident numbers. Learn more about my new coaching...
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325. The Pivot That Scared Me (and what comes next)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
There comes a point in business where what once worked no longer feels aligned. In this episode, I’m sharing a big decision: after years of teaching my signature program, Power of Process, I will not be launching it again. This isn’t about walking away from something that didn’t work. It’s about recognizing when you’ve outgrown something that did. We’re talking about the stages of business growth, how to know when it’s time to pivot, and why so many designers feel stuck even after building their systems. If your business is working, but something feels off… this episode is for...
info_outline![The Dos and Don’ts of Hiring in your interior design firm with Laura Tolhoek [Rebroadcast] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/199834275?height=50&width=50)
The Dos and Don’ts of Hiring in your interior design firm with Laura Tolhoek [Rebroadcast]
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Hiring can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re not sure if you’re setting things up the right way. In this rebroadcast episode, Rebecca sits down with HR expert Laura Tolhoek to break down the key decisions every design business owner needs to make when hiring. They cover subcontractors vs employees, what needs to be in your contracts, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can create problems later. If you’re thinking about hiring or want to refine your approach, this episode will give you the clarity you need. Episode Resources:
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324. Was It A Bad Hire...Or Just Bad Onboarding?
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Hiring someone in your design business should make things easier… but sometimes it does the opposite. Tasks get misunderstood. Expectations feel unclear. And before long you’re wondering if you made a bad hire. But what if the problem wasn’t the person you hired? In this episode, I’m sharing why many hires fail in small design firms and how a simple 30-60-90 day onboarding plan can completely change the outcome. I walk through how to structure the first 90 days, define success clearly, and create an onboarding process that builds confidence for both you and your new team member. If...
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323. How to Offer High-End Design at Different Price Points
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
In this episode, I sit down with Sarah St. Amand to talk about how she’s built a design business that serves different types of clients without discounting her expertise or compromising her brand. We talk about smaller design packages, profitability, client communication, team structure, and why designers need to stop equating beautiful work with business success. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay true to your aesthetic while still building a profitable, sustainable business, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Serving different client budget levels without diluting a...
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322. Stop Losing Money on Construction: Flat Fees, Procurement, and Boundaries
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Construction projects shouldn’t be your biggest stressor — or your biggest money leak. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with construction management expert Renee Biery to talk about: Flat fees vs hourly billing Charging in advance Procurement on renovation projects Allowances and contractor negotiations Liability myths designers believe How construction stabilizes your income If you’ve ever felt burnt out on renovations or unsure how to price them profitably, this conversation will shift how you think about construction entirely. Episode Resources: To learn more...
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321. Why Your Business Feels Calm One Month and Chaotic the Next
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
One month your design business feels calm and steady. The next, it feels chaotic and uncertain. If you’ve ever experienced that swing, this episode is for you. Rebecca Hay unpacks the recurring cycle almost every interior designer faces: expansion followed by contraction. She explains why inconsistency doesn’t mean you’re failing and how a lack of structure, not a lack of talent, is usually the real issue. You’ll learn how to stop reacting to slow seasons, build systems that support you year-round, and shift from panic into leadership. Because calm in business isn’t constant...
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320. The 4 Systems Every Design Business Needs
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
If your design business feels harder than it should, you’re not alone. In this episode, Rebecca shares the three essential systems every successful interior design business needs: process, profitability, marketing, and leadership. You’ll hear real stories from her own journey, including what happened when she was booked out but losing money, why hiring didn’t work at first, and how building structure created confidence and ease. Talent isn’t enough. Instagram isn’t enough. Referrals aren’t enough. Sustainable success comes from strengthening the right systems. Which one have you...
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319. What I Learned Designing a $12 Million Home (and Working for a Luxury Designer)
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
Luxury isn’t louder. It’s calmer, quieter, and more confident. In this episode, Rebecca shares what she learned designing a home that sold for over $12 million and working for luxury designer Steven Taylor for five years. This isn’t about expensive finishes. It’s about premium service, trust, leadership, and building a process that makes clients feel taken care of. Rebecca also reflects on Steven’s passing in late 2025 and the lasting business lessons he left behind. Episode Highlights: Why luxury is really about service How premium clients think (and what they don’t care about)...
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318. Owning your niche. How this HGTV winner turned her love for up-cycling into a thriving luxury design firm
Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay
HGTV Flea Market Flip winner and luxury designer Sarah Trop joins Rebecca for a candid conversation about owning your niche and building a design business that doesn’t follow the rules. Sarah shares how she turned her love of upcycling and storytelling into a thriving luxury design firm, why taking risks changed everything for her career, and how biophilic design helps create calmer, more meaningful homes. In this episode, they discuss risk vs. reward, working with different client personalities, designing with intention instead of trends, and why curated, sustainable spaces are becoming the...
info_outlineIf you want 2026 to feel more intentional and less reactive, this episode is your reset.
In this guided Year in Review + Goal Setting workshop, I walk interior designers through my proven system to reflect on the year, review key numbers without overwhelm, and set clear goals you can actually execute.
Grab a notebook, pull up your calendar, and follow along.
Episode Highlights:
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The year-end reflection questions that reveal wins, challenges, and money makers
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The “Repeat vs. Never Repeat” exercise to guide next year’s decisions
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What to review financially (even if you’ve avoided it) and why gross revenue matters
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How to calculate your consultation conversion rate
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How to plan your year backwards based on project size and goals
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Time blocking basics (free days, buffer days, focus days)
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The mindset shift: act like the future version of you today
Episode Resource:
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