Designer's Oasis

How do I build an interior design business? How do I get portfolio-worthy projects? Do I “have to” offer full-service interior design? How do I charge for my services? What if I want to do things differently with my interior design business? How do I take my design business to the next level? Feeling overwhelmed? I got you friend. Welcome to the Designer’s Oasis Podcast. Consider this your place for a fresh drink of water for the inspired, creative, ambitious, and let’s admit it, occasionally overwhelmed interior designer. Whether you are just starting your interior design business or you’re looking to grow or scale, here you’ll find actionable, real-world, and above all SIMPLE ways to launch, establish, and scale your interior design business with confidence. Introducing your host, Kate Bendewald of Kate Bendewald Interior Design, real-life interior designer, mama, and CEO who grew her 6-figure interior design business on word-of-mouth referrals. Kate doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to running your business. Instead, she offers authentic, approachable advice to help you start where you are.

Last refreshed: June 28th, 2025 at 2:24 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

EP 6 | How to Implement a “Trade Day” for More Successful Projects

We schedule trades so that there is some overlap between related trades. This allows for the best ideas to flow and they can discuss what they need from each other. One of the most important steps in the Interior Design Process is “Trade Day” especially on those small to mid-scale projects or cosmetic projects. “Trade Day” is the day that you arrange for your vendors or trades to walk your interior design project so you can discuss their scope of work and they can collect whatever photos/measure...

Jul 07, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 6

EP 5 | How to Create a Successful Client Welcome Packet

Think about what your clients are experiencing. Hint - Your clients will give you these words Look in their clients intake form and use their words. This episode focuses on all things involving the welcome packet that you deliver to your clients. We will talk about how to create a professional, beautifully designed welcome packet and how to use it best as well as dive into some of the specifics of what pages to include. We will also talk about a few misconceptions surrounding the welcome packet....

Jun 30, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6

EP 4 | 10 Elements to Define your Interior Design Services

Having clearly defined design services is paramount to running an efficient and organized business. It not only helps you get clear on the details such as the deliverables, the investment, and the timeline, but it also helps you to talk about your services to your clients with clarity and confidence. And let’s be honest, confidence is what we’re after here right? You can also use the details to help you put together those very important client deliverables such as your Services & Investment ...

Jun 23, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 4

EP 3 | Being Boutique - 3 Ways to Serve Your Clients so they Become Natural Evangelists for Your Work

Being boutique is about delighting your client EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Today we are going to talk about what it means to “Be Boutique” in your business. Being boutique doesn’t have anything to do with being small. It has everything to do with how you show up and serve your clients - and when done well, experiencing the natural benefits such as being able to charge more and cherry pick the clients and projects you want to work on. SOunds pretty good right? In this episode we answer questions like…...

Jun 16, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 3

EP 2 | 5 Types of Interior Design Services to Consider Offering

You don’t need to do it all! Think about your personality and what is a good fit for YOU and your clients! When it comes to design services and the different options that we, as interior designers, have when it comes to what we each offer, I don’t believe in a one size fits all approach. In many cases, designers today don’t want to do procurement due to lead times, construction costs and delays, etc. Many of you may want to have a menu of options for clients. In this episode, I share what I feel...

Jun 09, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 2

EP 1 | 3 Core Truths about Running a Design Business

“You don’t have to get it right. You just have to get it going.” – Mike Litman So first let’s talk about why I want to go from blogging → podcasting. Over the past few years I have been sharing my content through the Designer’s Oasis website (and fun little fact - there are over 78 blog posts you can still find there!). Recently I decided to switch over to providing content via podcasting because I’m more of a podcast listener myself. I figured if my audience is kinda like me, you like to learn ...

Jun 02, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Designer's Oasis Trailer

May 04, 2022•2 min

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