Send us a text Welcome to Part Three of our special four-part series on building a profitable interior design business with Laura Thornton! In this episode, Laura brings together everything you’ve learned so far—understanding your numbers, tracking your time, and getting lean on spending—and reveals how to turn efficiency into profit that’s yours to keep. If you’ve invested in your systems, process, and team, you deserve to be rewarded. Laura shows you how efficiency and smart procurement are no...
Aug 25, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 132
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura Thornton sits down with financial therapist Aseel El-Baba to dive deep into the hidden challenges creatives and designers face around money, self-worth, and pricing. Aseel shares her inspiring personal journey from growing up in Lebanon and immigrating to Canada, to becoming a Bay Street financial advisor, and ultimately shifting to a holistic practice as a financial therapist. Through her story and expertise, Aseel revea...
Aug 18, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 132
Send us a text Welcome back to The Business of Beautiful Spaces! This is Part 2 of our special four-part series on building a profitable interior design business with Laura Thornton. In this episode, Laura shares why tracking your time is one of the smartest—yet most underused—profit strategies for designers. From eye-opening stories about flat fees gone sideways to actionable tips on building better habits, Laura breaks down how understanding where your time really goes can transform both your ...
Aug 11, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 131
Send us a text In the first episode of our special four-part series, Laura Thornton—founder of Thornton Design and The Profit Academy for Interior Designers—shares the essential financial foundations every designer needs to run a truly profitable business. Drawing from her own journey and real-world client stories, Laura breaks down the difference between revenue, profit, fixed and variable costs, and tackles the age-old designer dilemma: margin versus markup. Whether you’re just starting out or...
Aug 04, 2025•15 min•Season 3Ep. 130
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I’m joined by Gabriela Eisenhart of Silo Studios to discuss how interior designers can confidently add construction management to their offerings—and boost profitability in the process. Gabriela shares how designers can start integrating construction-related services, improve communication with contractors and clients, and take more control over project outcomes. We cover everything from procurement strategies and vendor coordi...
Jul 28, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 129
Send us a text Some are fortunate enough to discover their passion when they are young — Caron Woolsey is one of them. A native Texan, growing up Caron spent the summers visiting her grandparents in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is where her love of interior design, historic homes, and her appreciation for Creole and French Colonial architecture was born. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech, Caron embarked on a career in oil and gas, which spanned 16 years. While she loved her career...
Jul 21, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 128
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura Thornton reveals why accessories are the secret weapon for both designers and clients—and how they can turn “nice” rooms into wow-worthy homes and boost your profit margins. Learn how to educate clients who think they only need the basics, why accessories matter for every project (and photo shoot!), and the business strategies that can turn those finishing touches into real revenue. Be sure to follow along on Instagram @t...
Jul 14, 2025•15 min•Season 3Ep. 127
Send us a text Are your leads or clients suddenly silent? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura Thornton shares practical strategies for what to do when you’ve been “ghosted” by a client or prospect. From using systems and trackers to sending the perfect “magic email,” Laura explains how to stay proactive, get clarity, and keep your design business moving forward—without the stress or self-doubt. Laura also reveals smart ways to keep your business top of m...
Jul 07, 2025•11 min•Season 3Ep. 125
Send us a text Today we are diving deep into a topic that is close to my heart and wallet—pricing your services for profitability. With over 20 years in the interior design industry, I've seen it all, and I'm here to share the golden nuggets of wisdom to help you further your business. Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If ...
Jun 30, 2025•20 min•Season 3Ep. 125
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I’m joined by hiring strategist Jamie Van Cuyk, founder of Growing Your Team. Jamie shares her expertise on how interior designers can confidently hire their first (or next) team member, avoid costly mistakes, and build a supportive, productive team that fuels business growth. From crafting the right job posting to onboarding effectively, she offers practical tips for hiring with intention and creating a team culture that refle...
Jun 23, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 124
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , we’re uncovering the often-overlooked details that can make or break your bottom line as an interior designer. From light bulb installation to crown moldings, cleaning services to designer switches — these seemingly “small” extras can add up to significant lost revenue if you’re not pricing them properly. Laura walks you through a checklist of commonly forgotten line items that not only increase your profits but also enhance yo...
Jun 16, 2025•12 min•Season 3Ep. 123
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I’m joined by Nicole Fisher, principal of BNR Interiors, a New York-based luxury residential design firm known for its layered, editorial approach to interiors. Nicole shares her fascinating journey from working on fashion editorials and styling with Lady Gaga’s team to curating timeless, soulful interiors filled with vintage treasures and bespoke pieces. Her eye for detail, honed through years in the fashion world, now shapes ...
Jun 09, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 122
Send us a text REPLAY: Starting off a presentation on the right foot is key. An interior design presentation package should be a visually engaging and comprehensive set of documents and visual aids that communicate the designer's ideas and concepts clearly and effectively to clients. By incorporating a range of visual and interactive elements into their presentation package, interior designers can elevate their presentations and help clients better understand and appreciate their designs. The ke...
Jun 02, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 122
Send us a text n this inspiring episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , Laura chats with Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community and host of the To-The-Trade Podcast . Laurie is a connector, a cheerleader for designers everywhere, and a true thought leader in the interior design industry. With over 94,000 members worldwide, IDC has become a trusted space for designers to share, learn, laugh, and grow—especially during times of industry change. Together, Laurie and Laura di...
May 26, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Send us a text This episode couldn’t be more timely. As many of us are navigating a major shift in our businesses—grappling with pricing pressures, uncertain clients, and the ever-growing noise around tariff talks—it can be hard to stay positive, charge what we’re truly worth, and hold firm on the value we bring. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest, Andrea Liebross. Andrea is a business and mindset coach who works with unapologetically ambitious women entrepreneurs across a variet...
May 19, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 120
Send us a text Elle is an avid reader, ocean lover and Brit-girl born to travel. She's also obsessed with helping interior designers stand out and get paid. Elle spent 10 years writing for luxury magazines, and today she blends rich storytelling and editorial design into results-driven websites for interior designers. She lives in Hong Kong and has two kids and a very naughty chihuahua. Follow Elle on Instagram at @imellekwan or contact her through her website at https://ellekwan.com/services Ge...
May 12, 2025•37 min
Send us a text In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many interior designers and decorators wrestle with— how to get help without the pressure of hiring full-time staff. I’m joined by the incredible Ronniesha Rivera , founder of Vetted by Design , who specializes in helping creatives streamline their businesses with the support of skilled virtual assistants. We’ll explore how VAs can become a powerful extension of your team—allowing you to delegate with confidence, reclaim your t...
May 05, 2025•38 min
Send us a text In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Laura sits down with Carly Nemtean — Principal Designer of Carriage Lane Design Build and Co-Founder of The Collective Workspace — for a real conversation about what many designers are feeling behind the scenes. From navigating the post-COVID slowdown to dealing with tariff challenges and shifting client expectations, Carly and Laura talk candidly about the emotional and financial realities of running a design business right now. This epis...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Send us a text Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the powerful partnership between interior designers and trusted vendors—and how that collaboration can elevate not just your design vision, but your bottom line. Joining us is Idilia Lucente, Sales Manager at Decor-Rest, a family-run Canadian furniture company known for their commitment to quality, customization, and the kind of customer care that makes doing business feel more like working with family. With over four decades of ...
Apr 21, 2025•40 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces , I sit down with Ronniesha Armstead, founder and CEO of Vetted By Design, to tackle one of the most common questions in the design industry: How do you know when it’s time to hire help? If you’re feeling overwhelmed with admin work, spending more time managing orders than designing, or simply questioning if you need support—this episode is for you. We discuss how outsourcing tasks like accounting, renderings, AutoCAD drawings, a...
Apr 14, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 116
Send us a text As the visionary founder of Brenda Brix Consulting and AMR Design, Brenda leads an exceptional team, collaborating with ideal clients to transform her long-standing dreams into reality. Despite facing health challenges and experiencing burnout early on, Brenda's transformative journey led her to create a streamlined and repeatable business structure that allows her the time and mental space to pursue her passions. Brenda has launched a furniture line, has projects across western C...
Apr 07, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 114
Send us a text I’m excited to introduce you to Porsche Williams, the founder of The Prototype , a concierge service that helps interior designers streamline their businesses and elevate their client experience. Porsche specializes in providing unique, done-for-you gifting solutions that seamlessly integrate into a designer’s process—going beyond the expected holiday season to create meaningful touchpoints throughout the client journey. In today’s episode, we’re diving into elevated gifting strat...
Mar 31, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 112
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Tonks, a seasoned interior designer who is transforming the industry with her innovative designer co-op. This collaborative workspace provides designers with shared office space, meeting rooms, and a full showroom featuring access to over 200 vendors. With the collective buying power of over 21 designers and growing, members gain exclusive discounts and vendor relationships that would be difficult to secure independently. Beyond the resources...
Mar 24, 2025•38 min
Send us a text What does it take to build a design business that stands the test of time? In this episode, I sit down with Margaret Donaldson, a seasoned interior designer with over 30 years of experience, to uncover the key principles behind creating a sustainable, profitable, and long-lasting design firm. We discuss how to evolve with industry trends without losing your brand identity, the importance of client relationships, referrals, and reputation, and the strategies for growing and leading...
Mar 17, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 110
Send us a text What’s next in the world of interior design? In this episode, I sit down with Stacy Garcia, a globally recognized trend forecaster, product designer, and industry visionary, to explore the future of design and how interior designers can stay ahead of the curve. Stacy breaks down the 6 key design trends for 2025, sharing insights into the colors, materials, and styles that will define the industry in the coming year. Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspace...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 109
Send us a text Feeling busy but not productive? As interior designers, we juggle endless tasks—client meetings, site visits, vendor calls, and team management—while battling constant distractions. In this episode, I’m breaking down practical strategies to help you stay focused, eliminate distractions, and finally feel like you’re making progress in your business. Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about ne...
Mar 03, 2025•22 min•Season 3Ep. 108
Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by sales specialist Nikki Rausch, a master in recognizing and responding to buying signals. With 25+ years of experience selling to prestigious organizations like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NASA, Nikki shattered sales records and received “top producer” awards along the way. Today, entrepreneurs and small business owners hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazo...
Feb 24, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 107
Send us a text In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Lucy Lagana, a distinguished homeopath and holistic health expert who travels the world sharing her knowledge, including extended stays in exotic locales like the Maldives. Lucy, with her extensive background in homeopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, and allergy clearing, has been a crucial part of managing the host's health for over a decade. Today, we dive into the topic of cortisol—the notorious stress hormone—and its impact on ...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 106
Send us a text In this episode of Let’s Talk About Goals, Your Why, and Building Your Legacy, we dive deep into the power of core values and Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). Discover how clarifying your principles and aiming high can keep you aligned, guide your decisions, and ignite a sense of purpose in both your business and personal life. From overcoming psychological barriers to creating systems that support your vision, we explore practical ways to stay focused on what really matters—mak...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min•Season 3Ep. 104
Send us a text In this episode, we dive into why honing in on a specific niche can be the game-changer that helps interior designers stand out in a crowded marketplace. Rather than stretching yourself thin trying to appeal to everyone, we explore how narrowing your focus allows you to sharpen your expertise, streamline your marketing, and attract clients who truly value what you offer. From defining your unique strengths to crafting laser-focused messaging, we outline six compelling reasons why ...
Feb 03, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 103
