Lauren Nelson: Business Operations at a Boutique Studio

$Unique Kitchens & Baths: Custom Cabinetry Crash Course: Unique Kitchens & Baths: A Crash Course on Custom Cabinetry Episode Details. We’ve all heard the age-old saying, “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” and oftentimes it’s also the top priority for interior design clients. Today’s guest has dedicated her business to the art of custom cabinetry and kitchen design and with over 15 years of experience, she has a lot of tips to share. Tanya Smith-Shiflett, owner and founder of Unique Kitchens & Baths, has seen and thought of everything when it comes to balancing form and function in these well-loved spaces. IDCO Studio has worked closely with Tanya on a number of projects and I recently had the pleasure of working with her and her team to bring my dream kitchen to life. Working with Unique Kitchens & Baths has been proven invaluable time and time again and I’m so excited to share a fraction of Tanya’s knowledge with you today. In this episode, Tanya and I discuss: Starting a busi$

Brittney Vier: Financial Planning for Interior Designers: BONUS EPISODEBrittney Vier: Financial Planning for Interior DesignersAs an interior designer running your own studio, the finances can feel overwhelming. From taxes to payroll, there are so many things to consider. Today’s guest, Brittney Vier, is answering all the most important, the most confusing, and even just the “Where do I start?” questions. This virtual bookkeeper for interior designers shares tips on how not to leave money on the table, ways to ensure your business can stay afloat during times of uncertainty, and who should make up your financial team. Plus, Brittney shares what we can do now, before the end of year, to prepare for a stress-free tax season in this BONUS episode of The Interior Collective.In this episode, Brittney Vier and I discuss: The differences between + how to read financial statements Business entity structures + how they relate to finance Which finance experts to hire and when The best accountin by The Interior Collective

61 min listen

Kate Abt: When Your Signature Style Trends: Kate Abt: When Your Signature Style Trends Episode Details In an industry where your look literally defines your brand, the pressure to find your signature style can be overwhelming. Defining your look in spite of trends can be critical to the success of your studio and crucial to attracting your ideal clients. So what happens when your look starts trending? Can you still stand out in a sea of lookalikes? Today’s guest is helping us navigate all of those questions and more. Kate Abt of Kate Abt Design opened her studio over a decade ago and immediately established her iconic aesthetic–timeless, collected, and livable. With her English roots and California influences, she’s found the beautiful balance between classic and effortless interiors, despite the ebbs and flows of design trends. In this episode, Kate and I discuss: How to identify your signature style How interior design trends evolve over time Which elements in a design are import by The Interior Collective

37 min listen

Laura Hodges: Leaning into Sustainable, Ethical Design: Laura Hodges: Leaning Into Sustainable, Ethical Design Episode Details. It’s no secret that the interior design industry can be one of over-consumption, unnecessary waste, harmful toxins and unsustainable resource harvesting. However, we believe that sustainability should be at the forefront of every project. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with LEED AP and GREEN AP interior designer Laura Hodges about how she implements more sustainable practices in her design business. Laura is taking us through her technical education in environmentally conscious interior design and how she puts it into practice in her design work. In this episode, Laura and I discuss: How to forge a path to sustainable design How sustainable design impacts a home’s livability How to encourage clients to accept ethical design Best practices for repurposing and reusing materials Which elements of interior design work are well recycled Impactful sustain by The Interior Collective

45 min listen

Alison Giese: Interior Design as Your 2nd(+) Career: Alison Giese: Interior Design As Your 2nd(+) Career Episode Details. Oftentimes the path to success isn’t linear and it might take a little longer than expected to find your true calling. In this episode of The Interior Collective, we’re exploring ageism in the interior design industry, how to avoid it, and if it even matters. If social media makes you feel like starting a career in your 40s or 50s is out of the question, today’s guest is here to tell you that it’s never too late to break into the industry. Award-winning interior designer Alison Giese found her passion for design after making two major career changes and she’s sharing her tips for breaking into the interior design industry, and creating a sustainable, thoughtful business with longevity. In this episode, Alison and I discuss: Getting into the interior design industry How to overcome fear of failure Social media marketing Helpful skills for the design industry How t by The Interior Collective

39 min listen

Bria Hammel: Pivoting in Times of Uncertainty + Expanding Into Commerce: Bria Hammel: Pivoting in Times of Uncertainty + Expanding Into Commerce As an interior designer, how do you keep your doors open during times of uncertainty? The short answer: Diversify your revenue streams and always, always be willing to pivot. Walking us through this process is Bria Hammel, the creative director and CEO of Bria Hammel Interiors. After over a decade of business, Bria has become adept at finding ways to keep her studio thriving despite any hardships in the national economy. Full service design, complete furnishing projects, spec homes, designs for full neighborhood developments, design expert consultations, a digital store, a physical store, events, and product collaborations–Bria knows how to do it all and how to do it all really, really well. In this episode, Bria Hammel and I discuss: First steps in starting a business Handling stress as a business owner How to maintain a small but nimble t by The Interior Collective

51 min listen

Becca Interiors: How to Source Everything: Becca Interiors: How to Source Everything Episode Details After years of light, bright, and airy design trends, we’re finally seeing the industry embrace color, pattern, and vintage goods in a big way. Today’s guest has always used these features thoughtfully, in a way that feels collected, warm, and full of character. Becca Casey of Becca Interiors is joining me to dig into two really critical topics for running an interior design business. From walking us through sourcing all the things, to the systems and processes required for contractors and builders to execute her beautifully nuanced designs, Becca is so generously sharing the details in this jam-packed episode. In this episode, Becca and I discuss: How to use color and pattern with intention Reliable sources for quality interior furnishings How to find the right trade partners Which items are best to source from trade partners How to ensure a vintage piece is authentic and high qu by The Interior Collective

46 min listen