Designer's Oasis – Détails, épisodes et analyse

"Sometimes we think one thing is the goal, but as we start moving through it, it shifts and pivots. The goal might stay the same—but the how can change."   In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful (and often uncomfortable) parts of entrepreneurship: pivoting. Whether you're evolving your services, redefining success, or quietly questioning whether the path you're on still fits, this conversation is a reminder that change isn't failure—it's growth.   Here's a glance at this episode… 👉 Why pivoting isn't failure—but often a sign of growth and deeper alignment 👉 How to recognize when you're forcing yourself into someone else's version of success 👉 The importance of clarifying your values before making big business decisions 👉 How seasonality (in life and in business) can shape your services and revenue model 👉 Why giving yourself permission to change may be the most strategic move you make   Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN the waitlist: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint

• Register for The Spring Reset - March 9th - 12th, 2026

 

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/blueprint   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube  ------------------------------------- ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗- designersoasis.com/episode/permission-to-pivot

 

For Interior Designers Who Want Profit, Peace, and Portfolio-Worthy Projects

Doors are open for the Interior Designers Business Blueprint 2.0 Course and the Designer's Oasis Membership - find out more here!

Doors Close September 30th!

🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/join   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis  

In today's episode, we discuss how to attract the right kinds of clients for full-service interior design projects. It can be challenging to find clients who are wanting to commit full-service so I am going to share a few methods and tips for attracting these types of clients.  We are also going to dive into the benefits of full-service design (for clients and designers), how to attract the right clients and how to actually manage a full service project.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to attract full-service interior design clients
• The benefits of full-service design.
• What types of clients are the best fit for full-service design

Mentioned in this episode: 

• JOIN: Designer's Oasis Membership
• FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
• Sign up for The Brief today!
• Masterclass: Project Management for Interior Designers 
• Podcast: Episode #2-  5 Types of Interior Design Services to Consider Offering
• Blog: 12 Tips for a Rock-Solid Consultation 
• Masterclass: How to Sell your Interior Design Services with Confidence.
• Shop: Services & Investment Guide Template
• Shop: Welcome Packet Template

  🎯 Learn More: Interior Designer's Business Blueprint - https://www.designersoasis.com/join   WANT MORE?  🛒  Template Shop - 10% off the shop PODCAST10 (Limit one use per customer) 🔖 Interior Design Business Articles   ⬇️  Free Resources   FOLLOW ALONG 🤳Instagram  📍  Pinterest  📺 YouTube    -------------------------------------   ***Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts*** FOLLOW this channel so you never miss an episode! - https://www.youtube.com/@DesignersOasis   EPISODE WEBSITE ⇗-www.designersoasis.com/episode/14

You don't know what is going to work unless you start doing the work. You will ALWAYS be refining so you just have to get started.

 

Limiting beliefs, you know those sneaky thoughts that creep in sabotage your progress? When left unchecked, they can wreak havoc on your potential. I hear a lot of limiting beliefs from the designers I work with. 

 

Today I'm sharing some of the common limiting beliefs I hear over and over again. We're going to examine  7 of them and try to untangle them. The truth is, if you're feeling stuck in business, it might not be what you're doing (or not doing) that is the problem, rather it may be your thinking or beliefs that are holding you back.

In this episode, we answer questions like…

1. What to do when you are just feeling stuck.
2. How you can pull yourself away from those limiting beliefs.
3. How to tackle the most common limiting beliefs I hear over and over.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[03:30] I dive right into the first limiting belief that you need to have all of your processes "figured out" before you can take on clients. (Hint: you have to jump in before you can start to figure it out and refind the process) 

[05:07] I discuss how not finding immediate success is not a reason to give up. We see a lot of people's success without seeing the hard work or process behind it. It's just an illusion and we need to continue to grow and trust the process.

[11:02] I tackle the age-old idea of when to invest in your business. How long can you bootstrap your business and when do you need to start investing in some way? I share why you should be investing in your business from the start, even in small ways.

[15:35] I jump into the limiting belief that you can't afford to make mistakes. I share how this can throw you into analysis paralysis and how to overcome this idea.

[22:10] I share all about the idea that you can't start to charge for your services until you have a few projects under your belt. Your services are valuable, no matter where you are in your business.

[24:30] I talk all about the idea that once you have "x", you'll be confident and put yourself and your business out there. I share how to build that confidence in your business.

[26:47] I discuss the misconception that selling is somehow about convincing people and share why believing that sales are "icky" can hold you back and limit your growth.

[31:01] I wrap up with how to ask yourself if a thought is a limiting belief or a true challenge.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Podcast → 5 Business Mistakes I Learned the Hard Way
• Designers Oasis Shop
• To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink

 

The experience a client receives and great service is so important. Lucky for me, that comes pretty naturally based on my experience working in fine dining. The goal at the end of a meal is to leave the customer with a full belly, and a dopamine hit from laughter and being with people they love. My goal was to make it feel like an effortless and seamless experience, which is the same goal I carry into my interior design business!

Today I share all about how I feel that my experiences working in a few fine dining establishments helped shape me to be a better manager of projects and clients and to help me understand what high end clients want. 

In this episode we answer questions like…

1. How your past experiences have/can shape your interior design business
2. How you can use these experiences to create your unique selling proposition
3. What I learned from waiting tables that helped me craft my business

Here's a glance at this episode…

[04:40] I share how previous experiences (waiting tables or not) have shaped your ability to create a unique selling proposition for your interior design clients.

[08:26] Experience is everything, right? I share how to figure out the experience a client is after and help to provide that in your service. The goal is to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well.

[11:55] I jump into efficiency when providing service and how to create efficiency in your business. I share how to handle billing, emails, and correspondence to streamline your time.

[14:39] I share how important it is to truly know your audience when relaying information. From contractors to clients to vendors, it matters how you relay information related to the interior design project.

[17:24] Anticipating needs of our clients is KEY! I share how you can anticipate common needs for clients.

[20:48] I jump into how to mitigate mistakes, those that are in your control and those that are not in your control. I share when and how to share those mistakes or delays and how to relay this information to your clients in a positive way.

[26:40] I share how to make friends with your back of house staff, your contractors, etc in a way that can help your business thrive, help with mistakes and concerns along the way, and how to nurture these relationships.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Designers Oasis Shop

Be willing to own your experience and the value that you bring to your clients and projects. If you feel you're worth what your charging, so will your clients!

Want to raise your design rates? Your costs have increased and it's time you raise your rates to match this. It's tempting to put our emotions into these decisions but today is all about sharing how to make this a little easier!

In this episode we discuss things like…

1. How to raise your rates and fees with ease.
2. How to deliver the message that your rates will be changing.
3. How to feel your worth what you're charging so your clients do as well.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[05:13] I share about how you could gradually increase existing clients as you increase your rates to newer clients coming in. Remember: not all clients have to be at the same rate.

[08:35] Don't be afraid to lose some clients. I share how raising your rates may lead to some loss of clients but this makes room for new clients.

[09:45] I share how you can explain your rate increase to clients and discussion points you may want to have.

[12:00] I share about using a fee ladder structure and how you can share this with your clients as well as timelines to share with clients.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• BLOG - How to stop doubting your design fees

BLOG - Raising your Rates for Interior Design Clients

Pick one or two to help propel your business into the new year in new light and an organized mindset and business.

This episode is all about mini projects to help you set up and organize your design business for the new year. I'm going to be sharing 10 options that will hopefully get your mind thinking about the new year with a fresh start. 

In this episode we discuss things like…

1. How to prep your business during this down time to give you a fresh start
2. How to feel energized and refreshed in the new year

Here's a glance at this episode…

[03:55] I start with the first category of projects, all related to branding for your business. You can start with revamping your services and investment guides and/or welcome packets.

[07:20] Auditing your website and/or social media can make for a great mini project(s) during a little downtime. I share how to look at and audit your pages. 

[12:58] I dive into the next category → organizing projects! This may be your sample library, your files, and even your bookmarks for your laptop!

[17:30] I share some small visibility projects to increase the visibility of your business in the new year. Looking into some of the organizations and networks you could become a part of can help you hit the ground running in the new year.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• SHOP - Client Welcome Pack (Canva Template)
• SHOP - Services & Investment Guide (Canva Template)
• BLOG - How to Organize Your Digital Files for your Interior Design Business 
• BLOG - How to Organize Your Materials Library 

 

I think there's this idea that once you decide on your ideal client, you're done and in reality you need to come back to this many times in your business.

Today is all about failures and mistakes in business. I'm pulling back the curtain on the top 5 mistakes I have made in my business.I want to share these mistakes to normalize them and hopefully my mistakes can help you from making those same mistakes. 

In this episode we answer questions like…

1. What do I wish I had done sooner in my business?
2. How can you use your failures and mistakes for growth?
3. Why making mistakes is not a bad thing.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[3:50] I jump right into my first mistake in business - not investing into my business sooner through coaching and business experts.

[08:13] I share about how to identify red flags in clients and how to learn from them. I share how ignoring them can really put you at risk in the long run.

[11:19] I share all about the mistake of blending money (client money and business operations money) into one account and the various ways that you may set up the money involved in your business.

[16:45] I talk about how I used to let my ideal client avatar get stale and how this can impact the types of projects that may come your way.
[19:37] I discuss how I came to the conclusion that I could not do it all. I share how and when I knew I needed to hire and how I was able to work through it.

It's so important to go back and take a look at your intake forms. Maybe you worked with a client who was unsavory, you missed the red flags or you turned down a project because it wasn't a right fit. 

 

Today's episode is all about knowing your ideal client's pain points and how this helps you to talk directly to them. when you are able to do that you can help them see and feel like you get them and you are the answer to their challenges. 

In this episode we discuss topics like…

1. How to discover your ideal client's pain points.
2. How to help you ideal client and show them how you can bring the solution,
3. The 6 ways you can investigate and find the pain points.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[06:12] I share my first step in researching pain points - magazines! I share how powerful the articles and stories can be in finding common client pain points.

[08:49] Online forums can be a source of researching pain points when used properly and mindfully. I share how I have used them in the past.

[10:00] I talk all about the ways that working with clients can help you build up your copy bank and identify pain points via intakes with prospective clients through intake forms and discovery calls.

[19:20] I share how I used a consultation to continue to identify pain points and build on the language your clients are using.
[22:22] The deep dive interview - how this has helped in my business and why I feel like it's a great opportunity to really get to know clients in a personal way.

[25:40] I share why it's so important to go back to notes from client's that  you didn't end up working with and identify the red flags in terms of language and words they used and how this can also help you in your copy and attracting the right clients.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Annual Master Planning Workshop - November 10th, 2022
• Blog Post - How to Run a Discovery Call 

Blog Post - 12 Tips for a Rock-Solid Consultation

I would stand in the fire everyday for women's empowerment around money.

 

In today's episode I have the pleasure of interviewing Jenny Karlsson of Financial for Creatives. Jenny is a certified money coach with a special focus on helping creative entrepreneurs. Jenny is the creator of the #moneycompassdeck (a powerful and practical tool that allows you to connect with the energy of money.) She is on a mission to help creative entrepreneurs heal their money blocks and manage money with confidence. 

 

Today we're talking about how we can set up our business finances so that the naturally occurring ebbs and flows that happen both internally and externally don't shake the foundation of your business. 

 

What I love most about Jenny is her compassionate yet no-nonsense approach to helping empower women to take control of their finance. 

In this episode we discuss things like…

1. How you prepare your business for the ups and downs that are inevitable.
2. How to make your business more stable in the face of changes.
3. How to pay yourself
4. How to build an emergency fund for your business.

Here's a glance at this episode…

[6:22] Jenny shares her back story with us and how she got started working with creative entrepreneurs as a financial coach.

[11:48] Jenny shares all about her Money Compass Deck and how it helps to connect to the energy of money.

[17:20] I ask Jenny why she believes this is so important for entrepreneurs, specifically women to understand and control the finances for their businesses.

[26:35] I ask Jenny to share her top strategies for designers wanting to create the stability in their business. She shares how to make decisions that keep your business profitable. We talk through what accounts you need to setup, how to use them, and how to pay yourself!

[50:40] We chat about diversifying your income and how to create a ladder of services so that you are able to create structure and avoid hustling to do it all.

[01:01:00] Jenny and I chat about how to balance decisions related to hiring and help during busy seasons. 

[01:10:00] Jenny and I wrap up with Jenny painting a picture of what it means to be successful with money in our business and personal finances. She shares what this looks like, what flexibility it can create and what emotions may surround this.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Annual Masterplanning Workshop - November 10th 
• Episode #13 - Auditing your Projects for Profitability 
• Financials for Creatives
• Money Compass Deck
• Follow Jenny on Instagram 
• Jenny's Money Type Quiz 
• Book: Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
• Book: Money Magic: Unleashing Your True Potential for Prosperity and Fulfillment