Design Business Freedom
What if you had a business coach who was a creative just like you, and could ask them about how they built a successful business they love? That’s what we do each week on Design Business Freedom. Hosted by Melissa Galt –– award winning business coach, marketing consultant, and interior designer with over 3 decades of creative experience –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to create systems and processes, increase your confidence, and build a quality team to support you. The goal is to give you the information and resources you need to avoid being overworked and undervalued, and help you earn more in less time with less stress.
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177: Why You're Losing Money In your Interior Design Practice
02/09/2026
177: Why You're Losing Money In your Interior Design Practice
Fee structure is one of the most powerful – and most misunderstood – pieces of running a profitable interior design business. In this episode, Melissa pulls back the curtain on why your current revenue model may be silently sabotaging your success. Whether you're still billing hourly, unsure how to charge for the real value you deliver, or feeling like your business is "busy but broke," this episode will show you how to fix the foundation. This isn't just a pricing conversation – it's a structural shift. Melissa dives deep into the difference between charging for time and charging for transformation. She shares how flat fees (done right) can revolutionize not only your income but your sanity, your systems, and your client relationships. If you're feeling exhausted, underpaid, or stuck in outdated pricing, it's time to evolve. In this episode, you'll hear: (02:15) Why hourly pricing fails as your business grows – and what to do instead (03:51) The hidden value you’re not charging for (and why that’s costing you big) (06:37) Flat fees vs. hybrid models – which ones scale and why (09:52) How your fee structure should evolve at $200K, $400K, $750K, and beyond (10:50) The most common pricing mistakes designers make that destroy profits (14:33) Why pricing isn’t about persuasion – it’s about leadership Connect with Melissa
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176: Interior Design Team Building for Sustainable Growth
02/02/2026
176: Interior Design Team Building for Sustainable Growth
Building a team is one of the most powerful and often misunderstood growth strategies for interior designers. In this episode, Melissa unpacks the real reasons hiring feels overwhelming—and how structure, not just staffing, is the key to sustainable success. Whether hiring a first intern or building a high-functioning team, getting clear on roles, expectations, and systems can be the difference between burnout and freedom. This episode dives deep into the foundational shifts required to move from reactive to strategic hiring. Discover why the first hire shouldn't be another designer, how to avoid common team-building mistakes, and what systems must be in place before anyone joins your firm. With real client examples, actionable insights, and a reframe on leadership, this is your roadmap to building a team that supports growth—not one that drains it. In this episode, you'll hear: (01:47) Why most designers hire too late—and what to do instead (03:17) The myth that more people fix problems (spoiler: they don’t if your systems are broken) (04:31) The 3 key questions to ask before making a hire (06:01) The first roles that create relief—and why it’s not always another designer (08:29) Client success stories: small teams, big results (12:09) Why systems must come before hiring—and the SOPs every design firm needs (18:29) How to stop performance issues by improving structure, not blaming people Connect with Melissa
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175: 10 BIGGEST Reasons Designers Attend High Point Market
01/26/2026
175: 10 BIGGEST Reasons Designers Attend High Point Market
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting to build your interior design business, this episode breaks down exactly why attending markets—especially High Point—is one of the most strategic decisions you can make. From sourcing fresh vendors to elevating your visibility, Melissa shares the ten most impactful reasons designers prioritize High Point and how to make the experience truly transformative for your firm. This is more than just about seeing pretty things. It’s about building relationships that drive profit, stepping into the spotlight of your industry, and intentionally aligning your market attendance with your business model and goals. Melissa shares personal experiences, tips, and two exclusive events she’s hosting at Spring High Point 2026 designed to accelerate your growth. In this episode, you'll hear: (03:09) Why markets are not vacations—but powerful business environments when approached strategically (08:31) The top reason designers attend High Point: sourcing vendors they never knew existed (11:09) How reconnection and relationship-building at markets open doors with reps, vendors, and accounts (13:22) The explosion of education at High Point—and how Melissa’s Profit Intensive builds on that (17:41) How markets support licensing, influencer work, and brand-building opportunities (24:02) The joy and fun of High Point, and why it's an electrifying, business-boosting experience Connect with Melissa
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174: What to Do When an Interior Design Team Member Quits
01/19/2026
174: What to Do When an Interior Design Team Member Quits
Employee Turnover in Interior Design Firms: What to Do When a Team Member Quits Here is your calm leadership framework for replacing a team member, redesigning roles, and protecting capacity. When a team member leaves, most interior design firm owners feel two things at once: operational disruption and emotional impact. Projects don’t pause, clients don’t wait, and the principal often ends up carrying everything again—quietly, constantly, and at a cost. In this episode of Design Business Freedom, Melissa Galt—interior design business coach and former firm principal of 30 years—shares how strong leaders handle team departures with clarity instead of urgency. You’ll learn what matters when an employee quits, how to stabilize the firm, and how to fill the gap strategically without slipping into over functioning or burnout. This episode is especially for established interior designers and design firm principals who are growing teams and managing real business complexity—and want a calm, proven approach to staffing transitions. You’ll learn how to: (03:04) Avoid the costly mistake of rushing to replace the person (04:30) Audit the role before rehiring (and uncover what really failed) (05:24) Decide whether you need a like-for-like replacement—or a redesigned position (06:04) Use contract or fractional support during transitions (06:50) Protect the principal seat so “temporary” doesn’t become permanent burnout (09:34) Communicate with clients and your team with steady leadership A departure doesn’t mean you failed. It’s data. And when you respond well, your firm becomes more resilient, more structured, and better prepared for growth. Connect with Melissa
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173: Why Successful Interior Designers Choose a Word for the Year
01/12/2026
173: Why Successful Interior Designers Choose a Word for the Year
Why Successful Interior Designers Choose a Word for the Year: How Interior Design Firm Owners Use Focus, Clarity, and Authority to Lead Better Businesses As an interior design firm owner, clarity and confidence matter more than motivation. In this episode of Design Business Freedom, Melissa Galt, interior designer, firm principal, and business coach with 3 decades of experience, explains why choosing a word for the year is not a mindset exercise, but a powerful leadership tool for interior designers running real businesses. When designers reach the principal seat, they’re no longer just designing, they’re leading teams, setting boundaries, pricing services, managing growth, and making decisions that affect revenue, culture, and capacity. Motivation isn’t the problem. Focus is. A single, intentional word creates a stabilizing center for leadership. It reduces decision fatigue, strengthens boundaries, and helps interior designers respond with clarity instead of reacting under pressure. In this episode, Melissa walks through how your word becomes a filter for: (2:51) Emotional regulation and energy protection (7:37) Client decisions and scope boundaries (8:19) Pricing confidence and profitability (9:15) Leadership presence with your team (11:54) Long-term clarity as your firm grows This conversation is especially valuable for established interior designers and design firm principals generating more than $200K+ annually who are navigating complexity, responsibility, and the invisible weight of leadership. You don’t need more goals. You need a clearer way to lead. Choose the word that reflects the designer - and the leader - you are becoming, and allow it to guide your decisions with steadiness, confidence, and far less resistance. Connect with Melissa
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172: Interior Design Contracts: The Clauses Designers Need to Protect Time, Profit & Sanity
01/05/2026
172: Interior Design Contracts: The Clauses Designers Need to Protect Time, Profit & Sanity
In this episode of Design Business Freedom, Melissa Galt - interior designer, firm owner, and industry veteran of nearly 30 years - details the contract clauses interior designers secretly wish they could include, and what those wishes reveal about where your agreement needs to be stronger. From unpaid redesigns and client indecision to boundary violations, scope creep, and emotional labor, these real-world scenarios are costing interior design firms time, profit, and peace of mind. Melissa walks through the professional contract language and structural fixes that protect designers while elevating client experience, without sounding harsh or unapproachable. This episode is especially for established interior designers and design firm principals generating $200K+ annually who are ready to lead with authority, protect their expertise, and stop absorbing stress that doesn’t belong to them. You’ll learn how to: (03:09) Prevent endless revisions and unpaid labor (04:25) Maintain design authority with high-end clients (06:22) Enforce communication boundaries with trades and clients (10:45) Stop client-created emergencies and urgency (18:35) Strengthen your interior design agreement as your business grows Your contract doesn’t just protect you—it teaches clients how to treat you. If you’re ready to stop hoping for better behavior and start designing better boundaries, this episode will change how you think about your interior design agreement forever. Connect with Melissa
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171: Interior Designer Profit Pipeline Playbook
12/29/2025
171: Interior Designer Profit Pipeline Playbook
If your design pipeline feels a little light as you head into the new year, this episode is your ultimate remedy. We're not talking about frantic marketing tactics or overwhelming reinventions—just 20 simple, strategic, and relationship-driven ways to seed your client pipeline with high-quality opportunities. These aren't just ideas; they're actionable and powerful plays straight from the Profit Pipeline Playbook. From thoughtful client reconnections to visibility-boosting strategies and authority-building tips, these tactics are designed to help you become magnetic and memorable—without the burnout. Whether you're craving clarity in your messaging, better positioning, or just a few fresh ways to show up consistently, this episode gives you the practical tools to move your firm forward with confidence and ease. In this episode, you'll hear: (03:22) Why planting client seeds is more powerful than chasing leads (07:11) The handwritten note strategy that helped grow a multimillion-dollar design firm (08:18) How to ask for an introduction (not a referral) and make it easy for them (14:49) Why thoughtful social media comments can dramatically boost your visibility (21:10) What to say in your portfolio captions that actually converts viewers into clients (36:11) The most overlooked way to tell clients you're open for business (and trigger FOMO) If you're ready to attract better clients, price with confidence, and build interior design marketing strategies that actually work, join me for my complimentary masterclass, Or DM me "BEST YEAR" and I'll send the link. Connect with Melissa
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170: Interior Design Burnout: When Success Becomes Unsustainable
12/22/2025
170: Interior Design Burnout: When Success Becomes Unsustainable
Success should feel empowering—not exhausting. But for many interior design firm principals, what looks like “making it” from the outside is actually draining them dry behind the scenes. In this episode, Melissa peels back the curtain on what happens when design success becomes unsustainable, and burnout becomes the price you’re paying. If you’re constantly juggling all the roles, overwhelmed by client work, and finding that your profits are flatlining despite your growth, this conversation is your wake-up call—and your lifeline. Melissa shares the five critical steps every overwhelmed designer must take to stop being the bottleneck and start leading like the CEO their firm needs. It’s time to let go of heroic solo efforts and embrace the structure, support, and strategy that will get you your life back. You’ll learn how to delegate with intention, price with clarity, and lead with outcomes—all while eliminating burnout and creating a business that truly supports the life you want. In this episode, you’ll hear: (01:08) The silent truth behind your growing design firm: it’s not sustainable (03:03) Why overwhelm isn’t failure—it’s your business begging you to evolve (05:25) The hidden reasons your profit isn’t growing (and how to fix it) (09:26) The myth of willpower and why scaling requires real structure (11:21) The magic trio for deciding what only you should do in your business (14:39) How to build a business that supports vacations, predictability, and peace If you're ready to attract better clients, price with confidence, and build interior design marketing strategies that actually work, join me for my complimentary masterclass, "7 Shifts to Grow Your Design Firm Without Burning Out", at or DM me "BEST YEAR" and I'll send the link. You’ve got this: I’ve got you always! Connect with Melissa
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169: 12 Beliefs Blocking Your Interior Design Business Growth
12/15/2025
169: 12 Beliefs Blocking Your Interior Design Business Growth
In this episode, we're dismantling the 12 beliefs quietly sabotaging your interior design business growth, the limiting mindsets about pricing, portfolios, networking, and visibility that keep talented new designers stuck, undercharging, and invisible. If you're in your first or second year and wondering why marketing feels hard, why clients question your pricing, or why you're still waiting for that "big break," this episode shows you what beliefs to release and how to reframe them for real momentum. In this episode, you'll hear: (04:15) Why you don't need an office to hit six figures (06:30) How to network with intention (not desperation) (13:30) Stop announcing you're new and lead with confidence instead (18:22) The pricing trap keeping you undervalued (23:10) Why your portfolio doesn't need to be perfect to start (26:45) When certifications become procrastination (29:15) How boundaries build your brand (33:42) Why you can work from anywhere (even after moving cities) (38:55) The one client who brought in $1.5M, and why consistency is your big break If you're ready to attract better clients, price with confidence, and build interior design marketing strategies that actually work, join me for my complimentary masterclass, "7 Shifts to Grow Your Design Firm Without Burning Out," at or DM me "BEST YEAR" and I'll send the link. You've got this: I've got you always! Connect with Melissa
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168: The Hidden Costs of Interior Design Success (And How to Take Back Your Profit)
12/08/2025
168: The Hidden Costs of Interior Design Success (And How to Take Back Your Profit)
In this episode, you’ll discover the hidden costs of running an interior design business, the quiet money leaks, emotional spending habits, and overlooked subscriptions that slowly chip away at your profit. Instead of tightening everything to the point of restriction, we walk through how to make more intentional, aligned investments so your business feels lighter, more transparent, and far more sustainable. If you’ve been wondering where your profit is going, or why your business feels more expensive than it should, this episode shows you exactly where to look and how to take back control. In this episode, you’ll hear: (02:18) Why “looking the part” doesn’t require overspending (05:40) How to audit your wardrobe, branding, and personal presentation with intention (10:12) The silent profit leaks hiding in your tech stack and tools (14:55) When memberships and associations help, and when they’re just noise (19:43) The difference between appearances and aligned investment If you’re ready to understand the true story your numbers are telling, and build a business that supports your life, book your confidential Design Business Assessment at or DM me “DBA” and I’ll send the link. You’ve got this: I’ve got you always! Connect with Melissa
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167: Creative Comeback Rituals to Reignite Your Design Genius
12/01/2025
167: Creative Comeback Rituals to Reignite Your Design Genius
In this episode, you’ll discover what really happens when your creative spark starts to fade, and how to bring it back with intention. Instead of pushing through burnout or hoping inspiration magically returns, you’ll learn the simple, practical rituals that help me (and the designers I coach) reconnect to our senses, revive our imagination, and protect the creative energy our work depends on. If your creativity has felt muted or stretched thin, this episode offers a clear path back to feeling inspired again. In this episode, you’ll hear: (01:44) What creative burnout really looks like for designers (04:10) How to build a morning ritual that sparks inspiration (08:27) The boundaries that protect your creative energy (12:52) Sensory practices that reconnect you to imagination (18:36) Why seasonal creative retreats transform your design vision If you’re ready to build a business that supports your creativity, book your confidential Design Business Assessment at or DM me “DBA” and I’ll send the link. You’ve got this: I’ve got you always! Connect with Melissa
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166: Lead With Imagination: The Interior Designer’s Edge in a Data-Driven World
11/24/2025
166: Lead With Imagination: The Interior Designer’s Edge in a Data-Driven World
In this episode, Melissa takes you beyond the dashboards and metrics and into the heart of what makes your design business truly thrive — your creativity. You’ll explore the often-overlooked power of right-brain leadership and how reconnecting with your imagination can be your secret weapon in a data-dominated world. Melissa shares insights on how intuition and emotion drive not just beautiful interiors, but exceptional business decisions and client transformations. This is your invitation to pause the analytics and remember why you started designing in the first place. You'll learn how to trust your instincts, innovate instead of imitate, and inspire your clients with vision and feeling — not just formulas. Melissa shows you how to blend the precision of data with the magic of creativity to build a business that’s not just profitable, but deeply fulfilling. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:08) Why design is a sensory experience, not a spreadsheet — and why that matters now more than ever (03:03) The cost of creative burnout from data obsession — and how one designer found her spark again (04:07) How to use your intuition as a powerful business decision-making tool (05:32) The role of imagination in leading clients into bold, transformative design choices (07:35) Why merging logic and creativity creates a business that’s magnetic, original, and profitable (08:59) The difference between efficiency and excellence — and how imagination drives both Do you know exactly what’s holding your firm back from those six- and seven-figure projects and the design fees and profit that go with them? Most interior design firm principals don't. That's why I invite you to schedule your complimentary Design Business Assessment, a confidential 1:1 with me on Zoom. It's the first high-impact step to diagnosing your bottlenecks—from pricing to process—and getting absolute clarity on the bold action required. Stop working harder, start working smarter. Book today at . When you're ready to reveal your firm's growth opportunities and work with me to get there, let's go.
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165: Crafting Your Digital Twin: AI Meets Your Personal Interior Design Brand
11/17/2025
165: Crafting Your Digital Twin: AI Meets Your Personal Interior Design Brand
In this episode, you're going to discover how to harness the power of AI to create a "digital twin" — a smart, always-on brand ambassador that mirrors your tone, values, and voice. Rather than fearing technology, you're invited to design with it, intentionally shaping your AI to sound and look like you so it can consistently communicate your design genius even when you're off the clock. Melissa walks you through how to capture your unique brand DNA — from your tone and vocabulary to your values and visual identity — and teach it to AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, or Gemini. You’ll learn how to build a core brand library, train your digital systems, and safeguard your brand integrity while leveraging automation for consistency, scalability, and profitability. If you've ever wished you could be in more than one place at once, this is your blueprint. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (03:13) What a digital twin really is — and why your design brand needs one (05:29) How to define your brand tone, vocabulary, and values for AI use (08:06) The secret to identifying your brand DNA with your own content (09:59) What belongs in your core brand library to train your AI tools effectively (13:27) Automating without losing your voice — how to maintain soul in scale (17:29) Why regular audits of your AI-generated content are essential to brand integrity If you’re ready to build your own digital twin — one that reflects your design genius, amplifies your brand voice, and runs while you rest — let’s talk. Head to and book your 1:1 confidential Zoom Design Business Assessment. Or DM me with DBA and we’ll share a link. Because your best business partner might not be a person — it might be the smarter, faster, AI-powered version of you, that amplifies your talent to capture better clients, bigger projects and more profit. You’ve got this: I’ve got you always!
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164: The Human Advantage in an AI World for Interior Designers
11/10/2025
164: The Human Advantage in an AI World for Interior Designers
In this episode of Design Business Freedom, you're invited to reframe the AI conversation and lean into what makes you irreplaceable as an interior designer. Melissa explores how, in an increasingly automated industry, your real value lies in being profoundly human—tapping into empathy, intuition, and sensory design to create transformation, not just transactions. This episode is a call to deepen your client connections and showcase your unique touch in ways AI can never replicate. Melissa walks you through the three core areas where the human advantage shines: design discovery, design delivery, and client experience. From reading body language on Zoom to curating sensory design reveals and hosting unforgettable completion celebrations, you’ll learn how to make clients feel truly seen, valued, and celebrated. This is how you set yourself apart in a sea of sameness and attract the luxury clients who crave personal connection and presence. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (02:14) Why AI can replicate images, but not the emotion or transformation behind your designs (03:35) The three stages of your business where your human advantage matters most (04:41) How emotional intelligence turns your discovery calls into loyalty-building conversations (05:51) Elevating your design delivery through sensory experiences clients will never forget (09:03) The power of completion celebrations and how they drive referrals and client advocacy (12:06) Where to draw the line between automation and personalization for a high-touch, high-profit business SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Do you know exactly what’s holding your firm back from those six- and seven-figure projects and the design fees and profit that go with them? Most interior design firm principals don't. That's why I invite you to schedule your complimentary Design Business Assessment, a confidential 1:1 with me on Zoom. It's the first high-impact step to diagnosing your bottlenecks—from pricing to process—and getting absolute clarity on the bold action required. Stop working harder, start working smarter. Take the assessment today at . When you're ready to reveal your firm's growth opportunities and work with me to get there, let's go.
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163: The 15 Best Uses of AI in Your Interior Design Practice, Right Now
11/03/2025
163: The 15 Best Uses of AI in Your Interior Design Practice, Right Now
AI isn’t here to replace you—it’s here to release you from the repetitive, time-sucking tasks that drain your creativity and cut into your margins. In this episode, you’ll discover how the most successful designers are already leveraging AI to reclaim hours in their week, streamline operations, and ignite their creative process—all while keeping the human touch at the forefront of their design business. Melissa breaks down the 15 most impactful ways you can use AI right now across four essential areas of your practice: design discovery, administration, marketing, and design delivery. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies and inspiring ideas to automate smarter, serve your clients better, and create more space to enjoy your life and business. AI isn’t the future—it’s your secret weapon now. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:23) How AI can enhance your design discovery process without losing your personal intuition (07:32) Why admin is costing you time, energy, and profit—and how AI can take it off your plate (16:33) An invite to the VIP Designer Branding and Marketing Reboot Retreat in Scottsdale (18:21) The best AI tools for content ideation, SEO, and video script support that match your tone (24:40) How AI can accelerate rendering and visualization while enhancing your design process (29:11) Use AI for FF&E specs and product recommendations to save hours on sourcing SUPPORTING RESOURCES: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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162: How to Get Your Interior Design Firm Found by AI
10/27/2025
162: How to Get Your Interior Design Firm Found by AI
In this essential episode, you're diving into the new frontier of AI-powered search and learning exactly how to make your interior design firm not just visible but preferred by ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other AI search tools. Melissa walks you through why traditional SEO is no longer enough and shares the top 10 strategies to ensure your design business shows up when future clients ask AI who the best designer in their city is. You’ll discover the importance of authority language, consistent branding, optimized metadata, and content that educates (not just inspires). Melissa also shares how to audit your online presence and provides a simple way to test your current AI visibility. With the rapid evolution of AI, you’ve got a narrow window to get ahead—and this episode is your roadmap to owning that competitive edge. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (04:08) Why AI search is fundamentally different from Google—and what it means for designers (07:37) The 10 keys to getting your design firm found by AI, starting with brand positioning (09:00) How weak language (like "help") is killing your credibility and visibility (14:19) The power of location anchoring and why geography now matters more than ever (15:13) How press and media mentions now signal authority to AI tools (23:43) Why AI-readable assets like transcripts and consistent formatting boost your searchability SUPPORTING RESOURCES: — VIP Designer Branding Retreat and Marketing Reboot in Scottsdale, November 12–14, 2025 When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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161: Are You Over Automating Your Interior Design Business?
10/20/2025
161: Are You Over Automating Your Interior Design Business?
In this insightful episode of Design Business Freedom, Melissa challenges the growing trend of over-automation in interior design businesses. While automating certain processes can be a major time-saver, she reminds you that design is a high-touch, sensory-driven, and deeply personal service. Melissa walks you through how automation can subtly erode client trust and connection if you're not using it with intention. You’ll learn how to strike the right balance between efficient systems and meaningful moments that foster client loyalty and emotional impact. From the three critical phases where automation should take a back seat to her powerful Five Senses Framework, this episode is your call to reintroduce the magic of real human connection in your design process. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:01) Why automation should enhance efficiency—not erase intimacy—in your design business (02:34) The truth behind what clients are really investing in (hint: it’s not convenience) (03:13) Three high-touch phases in your process where automation should step aside (04:43) How to use personal check-ins, video walkthroughs, and voice notes to deepen client connection (07:09) The Five Senses Framework to elevate every reveal and create unforgettable client experiences (11:07) A simple 10-minute audit to evaluate if you’ve gone too far with automation SUPPORTING RESOURCES: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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160: The Interior Design Client Experience Map & Journey
10/13/2025
160: The Interior Design Client Experience Map & Journey
Your design work might be stunning—but what truly sets you apart in a competitive market is the experience you deliver. In this episode of Design Business Freedom, you’ll dive into the client journey from start to finish. Melissa walks you through how to turn your design process into an elevated, polished experience that builds trust, eliminates confusion, and leaves your clients raving (and referring). From the initial inquiry to the final reveal and beyond, you’ll discover how every single touchpoint can be an opportunity to wow your clients. Learn how to map your process into a journey that reflects your brand, enhances your value, and runs like a well-oiled (and joyful!) machine. If your current client experience isn’t as polished as your portfolio, this episode is a game-changer. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:05) Why clients hire you for more than just beautiful design—and what really separates you in the market (05:48) How to confidently introduce your feasibility package or style and comfort assessment (12:33) The importance of presenting your proposal live (or via Loom) to avoid the “telephone game” with couples (17:35) What to include in your onboarding expectations document to reduce project interference (26:14) Why presenting just one confident design scheme is your best move—and how to back it up with expert education (34:57) How systems (and support) make procurement smooth and profitable, not stressful (39:08) The final step that too many designers skip—client debriefs and staying connected post-project SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Join Melissa at High Point Market: Saturday, October 25 at 10 a.m. — Universal Furniture: Five Secrets to Scaling Without Sacrifice Sunday, October 26 at 12 p.m. — Antiques & Design Center, Suites at Market Square: Outsource to Escape the Overwhelm When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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159: Create Design Demand to Fill Your Profit Pipeline
10/06/2025
159: Create Design Demand to Fill Your Profit Pipeline
When client demand slows down, it’s easy to fall into a mindset of scarcity—but what if these quiet moments are your greatest opportunity to build a profitable future? In this empowering solo episode, Melissa shares exactly how to use any pause in your interior design business as fertile ground for marketing momentum, brand visibility, and long-term demand. You’ll walk away with clear, creative strategies that position you as an in-demand designer—even when inquiries are light. Melissa walks you through actionable steps to fill your profit pipeline through consistent marketing, lead magnets, creative partnerships, and event-driven visibility. From strategic social media content to paid VIP waitlists and completion celebrations, this episode is packed with ideas to create consistent, high-quality client demand on your terms. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:21) Why consistent marketing is your key to avoiding the feast-or-famine cycle in your design business (03:10) How to create a design ROI post series to highlight the tangible value of your work (05:34) Powerful event ideas—from builder lunches to showroom strolls—that increase visibility and credibility (08:35) The magic of a paid VIP waitlist to generate cash flow before projects even start (13:00) Why hosting a “Completion Celebration” can help you generate referrals from past clients (17:01) What to include in a high-converting process download (hint: don’t oversimplify!) (20:03) How to repurpose case studies for five years of future marketing impact (27:43) The importance of keeping your website and footer updated to reflect your professionalism and current offerings When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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158: Design Flat Fees Done Right
09/29/2025
158: Design Flat Fees Done Right
If you’re still billing by the hour, this episode is your wake-up call. Melissa breaks down exactly why the hourly model is holding your design business back—limiting your income, straining client relationships, and undermining your creative freedom. Instead, she introduces flat fees as a smarter, more profitable, and more professional alternative that aligns with the true value of your work. You’ll discover how flat fees are not just a pricing model but a powerful positioning strategy. Melissa walks you through three of her proven flat fee formulas—percentage of project investment, square foot, and per room—showing you when and how to use each. You’ll also learn the critical components you need to price flat fees accurately and how to confidently communicate them to clients without ever falling back on hourly justifications. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (02:00) Why hourly billing leads to micromanagement, stress, and undercharging (04:46) How flat fees bring clarity for clients and consistency for you (06:37) The three most effective flat fee models and when to use each (13:50) Strategic pricing tips that make your fees sound lower (even when they’re higher) (17:03) What details you need to run flat fee formulas in under 10 minutes (29:53) How to confidently present and position your flat fees as premium and professional SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Loom Video Tool: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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157: Stop Hiding & Get Hired by High-End Design Clients
09/22/2025
157: Stop Hiding & Get Hired by High-End Design Clients
Are you tired of chasing luxury clients who never seem to notice you? In this episode, you’ll learn why high-end interior design clients aren’t scrolling through Instagram looking for their next designer—and where they actually spend their time. Melissa breaks down the key mindset shifts and strategic actions you need to stop hiding behind your screen and start making authentic, profitable connections in luxury circles. You'll discover how to step into the world of affluent clients with confidence, elegance, and authenticity. From charity galas and art openings to luxury gyms and country clubs, Melissa outlines exactly where to show up, how to show up, and why leading with genuine curiosity (not a sales pitch) is the fastest path to becoming the go-to designer for high-net-worth individuals. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (00:28) Why high-end clients move differently—and what that means for your marketing (03:02) The power of getting involved in charity events and how to use them to connect (04:49) Leveraging luxury gyms, spas, and wellness clubs to meet ideal clients naturally (07:14) Business and social clubs that offer high-value networking for designers (10:41) How to position yourself as the go-to referral for top builders and architects (13:36) The importance of showing up authentically in luxury circles (no pitch required) SUPPORTING RESOURCES: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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156: Breakthrough to 7-Figures in Interior Design
09/15/2025
156: Breakthrough to 7-Figures in Interior Design
Are you stuck at a revenue plateau in your interior design business and wondering why you can't seem to scale beyond $300K, $500K, or even $750K? In this power-packed episode, Melissa walks you through the most common roadblocks that keep designers from hitting that elusive seven-figure milestone. Whether you’re doing it all yourself, undercharging for your services, or micromanaging your team, she uncovers the exact shifts you need to make to break through each revenue barrier. You’ll discover how to hire effectively, charge profitably, and lead powerfully. Melissa also shares practical tools, action steps, and mindset upgrades that you can start using immediately to shift out of hustle and into high-level strategy. This episode is your ultimate roadmap to creating a sustainable, scalable design business that doesn’t depend on your every move. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:11) Why $300K is the DIY ceiling—and how hiring, even an intern, can get you unstuck (06:23) The hidden value of outsourcing your bookkeeping and financial tracking (14:33) The half-million dollar hesitation—how undercharging is capping your growth (16:58) How flat fees and procurement management fees can transform your profitability (20:34) Why leadership, not labor, is your key to moving from $750K to $1M+ (22:27) The mindset shift required to operate as a CEO, not just a designer SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Dubsado: Motion: ClickUp: Studio Designer: Design Manager: HousePro: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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155: The Designer's Guide for Thriving in Tough Times
09/08/2025
155: The Designer's Guide for Thriving in Tough Times
This episode of Design Business Freedom is your empowering guide for navigating slow seasons in your interior design business with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Melissa shares actionable insights for transforming lulls into launchpads—without discounting your rates, compromising your value, or spiraling into fear. You'll learn why slow seasons are part of the natural business cycle, and how to use them to elevate your brand, reconnect with your network, and set up systems that support long-term growth. Melissa covers smart visibility strategies, ways to reconnect with your ideal clients, and tips for leveraging quiet time to refine your operations and mindset. She also delivers a powerful reminder: clients buy certainty. That means your energy, presence, and belief in your value matter more than ever. Whether you're reworking your flat fee structure, leveling up your social media, or revamping your contracts, this episode offers a no-nonsense roadmap to emerge stronger on the other side. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:10) Why slow seasons happen—and why they don’t mean you’re failing (03:18) How to turn downtime into your most creative and strategic season yet (04:19) Visibility mistakes designers make—and how to stay top-of-mind with your audience (07:08) Ways to infuse your personal style into your brand presence (13:16) How to reconnect with your network and create new collaboration opportunities (17:28) Why staying in your CEO energy is crucial during slow times SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Amy Kartheiser: Emmy Couture Interiors: Isabel Ladd Interiors: Corey Damen Jenkins: Corey’s Masterclass: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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154: #1 Silent Success Killer in Your Interior Design Business
09/01/2025
154: #1 Silent Success Killer in Your Interior Design Business
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your design business from the inside out? In this episode, Melissa Galt unpacks the #1 silent killer of success in your interior design practice—self-doubt. It’s not about trusting your team, clients, or vendors (though those are important); it’s about building unwavering trust in yourself. When you hesitate, question, or delay out of fear or uncertainty, the cost isn’t just emotional—it’s financial, creative, and strategic. Melissa shares powerful insights, real-life stories, and actionable advice to help you rebuild self-trust and reclaim your business growth. You’ll hear the eight major ways self-doubt sneaks in and sabotages your design firm—from delaying key hires and over-offering client selections to undercharging and fearing bold moves. This episode will give you a massive confidence boost, along with practical steps to take control, own your value, and finally get out of your own way. If you’re ready to create more profit, more joy, and more freedom in your interior design business, this is your wake-up call. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:12) How self-doubt shows up as hiring hesitation—and why hiring before you're ready is critical (06:05) The hidden profit you’re leaving on the table when you doubt your product selections (11:45) Why saying yes to the wrong clients kills creativity—and how to fix your marketing instead (16:04) The real cost of undercharging and how to confidently state your fees (18:33) Why leading your clients (and not letting them lead you) protects your process and peace (26:37) How self-doubt around big goals keeps you stuck—and how visualization can unlock your next level SUPPORTING RESOURCES: – book recommendation from the episode When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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153: How Much Does an Interior Designer Make?
08/25/2025
153: How Much Does an Interior Designer Make?
In this powerful and mindset-shifting episode, you're going to break free from the outdated belief that interior design is a "nice hobby" or a side hustle. Melissa takes a deep dive into what’s truly possible in the world of interior design when you treat it as a serious business—one with the potential to earn six figures in your first year and scale into the multiple six and seven figures. You'll hear real success stories of designers who shattered income plateaus and made strategic changes that led to exponential growth—without burnout. Melissa shares personal insights from her own journey, along with lessons from the countless designers she’s coached. Whether you’re new to design or have been in the game for years but feel stuck, this episode will ignite your ambition, remind you of your power, and give you the clarity and courage to aim higher. If you're ready to stop treating your talent like a part-time gig and start treating it like the business it is, this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:05) Why six and seven figures in design aren't just possible—they're within reach (04:20) How one designer hit $1.5M in 18 months after going out on her own (06:36) The real ceiling in your business and how to dismantle it (13:02) Why doubling revenue doesn't have to mean doubling your workload (16:45) How to grow strategically even during a slow season (21:36) The three key traits every successful designer must have: passion, persistence, and ambition SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Follow Melissa on Instagram: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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152: Interior Design is the Ultimate Deal: No Discount Required
08/18/2025
152: Interior Design is the Ultimate Deal: No Discount Required
In this powerful episode of Design Business Freedom, you’re getting the ultimate reframe to shut down client discount requests with confidence and clarity. Melissa breaks down why interior design is one of the most valuable investments your clients will ever make—not just for a moment, but for decades of daily joy, beauty, and functionality. She shows you how to confidently articulate that value and stand strong in your pricing, without falling into the trap of unnecessary generosity or fee-cutting. You’ll learn how to shift both your mindset and your messaging so that you and your clients see design for what it truly is: a transformational upgrade with a return on investment that outlasts any vacation, luxury car, or designer handbag. From residential to commercial projects, Melissa gives you the exact soundbites, analogies, and positioning tools to communicate long-term ROI and educate your clients into appreciating—not questioning—your fees. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:05) How to quantify your value with a 24-7-365 impact that lasts 15 to 30 years (03:09) Why design is not a one-time purchase like a car or a vacation—and how to explain this to clients (06:23) The secret to reawakening client appreciation months or even years after a project ends (08:25) Why discounts devalue your work and train clients to expect more for less (10:30) A powerful ROI breakdown that turns a $150K investment into less than $28/day (13:23) How to reframe price objections with calm confidence, not defensiveness SUPPORTING RESOURCES: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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151: Tame Your Inner Imposter: Escape the Interior Design Comparison Trap
08/11/2025
151: Tame Your Inner Imposter: Escape the Interior Design Comparison Trap
If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling short compared to other designers, this episode is your gentle but firm nudge to stop measuring your worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Melissa pulls back the curtain on imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, sharing 20 practical, mindset-shifting steps to silence that inner critic and step fully into your brilliance. You’ll walk away with tools you can use daily to reset your thinking, build unshakable confidence, and create unstoppable momentum in your design business. From naming your imposter something silly, to creating a “confidence kit” of your wins, to swapping perfectionism for progress, this episode will help you reclaim your lane and own it. Melissa also dives into how to curate your circle for maximum support, share your work before it’s perfect, and shift your focus back to your unique gifts. This is a masterclass in turning self-doubt into self-assurance—so you can stop comparing and start celebrating the designer only you can be. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:02) How to recognize the signs of comparison and imposter syndrome before they take hold (03:09) Why naming your inner critic can help you separate from it and take back your power (04:06) How to create a “confidence kit” that keeps your wins front and center (09:54) The freedom that comes from making peace with being a lifelong work in progress (14:31) Why perfectionism is your imposter’s favorite weapon—and how to fight back (27:40) How to surround yourself with the right people and release toxic influences When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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150: The One Marketing Move for Interior Design Clients, Cash, and Confidence
08/04/2025
150: The One Marketing Move for Interior Design Clients, Cash, and Confidence
In this milestone 150th episode of Design Business Freedom, you're guided through a refreshingly simple yet strategic approach to overcoming slow seasons in your interior design business. Instead of succumbing to the overwhelm of "more marketing," Melissa Gault, your interior design business coach, walks you through the transformative power of choosing one intentional action to focus on for 30 days. This episode is packed with tangible ideas and real-life examples to help you bring in clients, cash, and confidence—without the hustle. Melissa shares 12 proven marketing strategies specifically designed for interior designers and emphasizes the importance of alignment, authenticity, and consistency. Whether you're feeling a slowdown in inquiries, income, or inspiration, you'll walk away with a practical plan to shift from scattered effort to meaningful momentum. It's about simplifying your strategy to amplify your results—and this episode shows you exactly how. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (01:09) Why “doing more” during slow seasons leads to burnout, not bookings (03:40) How to select one of 12 proven marketing moves to focus on for 30 days (05:31) Why launching a digital newsletter can be a game-changing visibility tool (07:17) The power of story-driven Instagram content that attracts ideal clients—not DIYers (13:07) Tips for getting into publications and podcasts your clients actually pay attention to (26:11) How optimizing your Google Business Profile can improve local visibility fast SUPPORTING RESOURCES: When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, , with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.
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149: Skip the Scope Creep: The Design Agreement that Safeguards Your Sanity
07/28/2025
149: Skip the Scope Creep: The Design Agreement that Safeguards Your Sanity
Believe it or not, I see so many designers flying without a net, which is what I call it when you work without a letter of agreement or with one that has absolutely no protection for you in it. A letter of agreement is just another word for a contract, but it sounds much friendlier. Most importantly, a letter of agreement will outline all stipulations, clauses, and information that you and your client need to set up a positive and professional project timeline. Your business needs to have a document that provides protection for your profits and peace of mind for you as the principal of the firm while at the same time providing clarity and confidence to your client. And even though this is so important, the legalese that most contracts are written in often makes both designers and clients uncomfortable and overwhelmed. My attorney-approved letter of agreement template is written in plain English and covers everything needed for protection from any snafus that may arise. And in today’s episode, I will walk you through my process of creating the right letter of agreement that is not going to overwhelm you or your clients but will still provide all of the clarity, confidence, and cohesiveness needed for your next project. In this episode, you will hear: How to craft a thorough and protective letter of agreement in plain English that will be easy for you and your clients to navigate Which clauses to walk your clients through when reviewing your Letter of Agreement The importance of presentation and ease of information when crafting your letter Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love to welcome you to our creative community, if you haven’t yet subscribed. We’d truly appreciate it if you drop a review or 5-star rating over on . Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and spreads the word about the podcast Supporting Resources: View my Letter of Agreement template - For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok @MelissaGalt Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at . Let them know we sent you.
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148: Speak The Language of Luxury Design to Attract Top Clients
07/21/2025
148: Speak The Language of Luxury Design to Attract Top Clients
What if I told you that the words you choose can have an impact on your bottom line? One of the best ways to attract affluent clients is by choosing the right words–words that not only magnify the worth of your work but sow the seeds of success. That means discarding limiting words like "expensive" and "cheap" and embracing empowering language that reflects the true value of your projects and services. But, that’s not to say that this is an easy fix! Amending how you use and choose words in your vocabulary can be one of the most difficult changes you can make because the way we speak is so patterned and ingrained in our minds. But, if you can make the changes with fidelity in all aspects of your life–even behind the scenes–you will shift your world and your worth. Join me in today’s episode for my suggestions for the words you need to eliminate and those you should adopt to sound more on-brand for your affluent clients and support your bottom line on the way. In this episode, you will hear: How word choices can increase the worth of your projects and attract affluent clients The impact of client language on the perception of design services and projects. Words to avoid to help you step away from perpetuating limiting beliefs Suggestions for using more creative, empowering language and replacing cliched or negative phrasing Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on . Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Get the Book: For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @MelissaGalt and TikTok @MelissaGaltBusinessCoach Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at Let them know we sent you.
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