Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

Six years ago, Ching Tan was winging her process, second-guessing herself, and walking into client conversations unsure of what would happen next. Today, she runs a full-service interior design firm, works with custom builders, and takes on large-scale projects with budgets reaching $1 million+. So what changed? In this episode, Ching returns to Resilient by Design to share how building structure behind her talent changed the way she runs her business. We talk about how she learned to pre-qualify clients, confidently lead conversations with clients and trades, price projects by phase, communicate consistently throughout a project, and stand behind her designs instead of letting everyone else steer the ship. We also get into working with builders versus homeowners, managing large project budgets, moving into full-service design, and why the process you use today should continue evolving as your business grows. If you're still winging parts of your projects or waiting until you feel completely confident before taking on bigger work, Ching's story is proof that you don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. You need a strong foundation you can build from. Episode Resources: Ready to create your own process? Learn more about Power of Process® and build the structure behind a more confident, streamlined interior design business. Episode 28: What you need in your business to gain your clients' trust Find Ching at www.taninteriors.ca and on Instagram @taninteriorsds -- This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

When is an ideal client a lemon? When you don't have the process to serve them. Today I'm talking about two very different interior designers. I've been both of them, and maybe you have too. One is saying yes to every consultation, decorating job, and small project that comes through the door, hoping it will eventually lead to something bigger. The other already knows she wants to offer full-service design but feels unsure, intimidated, or overwhelmed by everything that comes with it. Full service isn't a level you "graduate" to as a designer. It's a business model, and it isn't right for everyone. In this episode, I'm sharing five questions to help you decide whether full-service interior design is actually the business you want to build. We're talking about the work beyond the design, the kind of client relationships you want, fewer versus higher-volume projects, profitability, lifestyle, and why saying yes to everything can actually keep you from the projects you want most. I also share how I went from taking on lots of smaller projects to building a full-service firm, and why the biggest shift wasn't better marketing or a prettier portfolio. It was process. Because when you can clearly articulate the entire journey, clients can finally trust you to take them on it. Episode Resources: Episode 209: Why Decorating Can Be More Lucrative Than Design Episode 222: Tailor Your Business to Your Lifestyle Rebecca Hay YouTube Channel Learn more about Power of Process: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess -- This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

What happens when you stop winging your interior design business and start putting real processes behind it? In this episode, I'm joined by interior designers Ale Cretul, Andrea Krill, and Jocelyn Polce to talk about how dramatically their businesses have changed over the last few years. From Andrea leaving corporate finance and building a growing design team, to Jocelyn moving from 20+ clients a year toward fewer, larger projects, to Ale realizing she needed to learn the business behind the design, their paths look very different. But the common thread is clear: they started treating their design businesses like businesses. We talk about process, hiring, client boundaries, confidence, community, mindset, bigger projects, difficult clients, and the importance of defining what success actually looks like for you. You'll also hear how the three of them found an unexpected peer support system in one another and why having people around you who understand your goals can completely change the way you navigate business growth. If you're busy doing the work but still feel like you're figuring out your business one project at a time, this conversation is for you. EPISODE RESOURCES Power of Process is now open for enrollment until October 8th. Learn more here: https://rebeccahay.com/powerofprocess 237: Transforming a side hustle into a full-time interior design business with Andrea Krill 246: How one POP alum moved from side hustle to full time designer & never looked back with Andrea Krill 101: [Bonus] It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to start. The biggest 12 month business transformation with Jocelyn Polce 171: The biggest 2 year business transformation with Jocelyn Polce 131: High Point Market, is it worth it? Part one Roundtable 132: High Point Market, is it worth it? Part Two Roundtable Guest Websites Andrea Krill Interiors Ale Cretul Interiors August Oliver Interiors -- This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

I didn't go from sourcing $20-a-yard fabric to confidently presenting $300-a-yard fabric overnight. In the early years of my business, I wanted to create elevated, custom spaces, but I was constantly trying to save my clients money. Cheaper fabric here. Retail instead of custom there. And eventually, the design I had envisioned would get watered down. In this episode, I'm sharing what actually helped me break out of that cycle. We're talking about knowing your numbers, setting realistic client expectations, presenting higher-end options with confidence, giving clients fewer choices, having a backup ready, and getting comfortable with the fact that sometimes your client is going to say no. Because if you want to move your design business upmarket, you can't wait until you magically find clients who are already asking for $300-a-yard fabric. Sometimes, you have to be the one willing to put it on the table first. Listen in for the behind-the-scenes story of how I learned to do exactly that. -- FREE WORKSHOP: Ready to Book Better Full-Service Clients? If you're ready to move beyond clients who question every dollar and start booking better-fit, bigger-budget projects, join me for my free workshop: 3 Mistakes Standing Between You & The Full-Service Design Business Of Your Dreams I'm breaking down the common mistakes that can keep talented designers from booking dream clients, plus the practical shifts I used to build a more professional client experience, present proposals with confidence, and grow my own design firm. Save your spot for the free workshop → rebeccahay.com/dream -- This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Where do you find premium design clients? I think that might be the wrong question. In this episode, I'm breaking down why you don't simply "find" better clients. You have to become the designer they want to hire. I'm sharing my own experience getting stuck in the budget client referral loop, why your portfolio can either reinforce that loop or help you break out of it, and what I've learned about the way premium clients actually make decisions. You'll hear why professionalism matters beyond beautiful design, how your website, photography, offers, and process influence the calibre of projects you attract, and why premium clients often want fewer choices and more confident leadership. I'm also explaining an important distinction: a big budget does not automatically equal a premium client. If you're ready for bigger projects but feel like your current inquiries aren't reflecting where you want your business to go, this episode will help you identify what may need to change. Resources: Learn more about the Consultations that Convert Bootcamp: https://rebeccahay.com/bootcamp Learn more about Power of Process -- This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.