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How to run a successful interior design business: what you won’t learn at design school

February 7, 2022 Leave a Comment

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โ€œI started seeing a pattern โ€” women going back to study interior design, following their dreams, but then freezing and not doing anything with their studies once they finished. These we amazingly talented designers who lacked the confidence and know how to get started,” says Kylie Tyrell.

Kylie Tyrrell

“When I first started my interior design business, I had no idea just how hard it was going to be! Itโ€™s one thing to be creative, itโ€™s another to know how to run a successful business on your own!”

Here are 10 things Kylie believes you donโ€™t learn at design school, but you will need to succeed in the industry.


1. Your mindset and self belief will ultimately drive your success โ€” you need to be a lifelong learner, you need to work on your mindset every single day and surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers who will help you grow and succeed. For me this means finding my tribe, networking, listening to podcasts and lots of reading. I am very careful who I surround myself with.


2. You will need to know how to price your services โ€” there are no industry standards and this is not really shared in the industry โ€” this is one of the biggest hurdles facing all new designers.


3.ย Be a lifelong learner andย don’tย sweat the small stuffย โ€” this means being the CEO of your business from day one โ€” this is not a hobby โ€” this is a real job! People need you in their lives.


4.ย How to put your offer togetherย โ€” it’s one thing to be good at your craft, but you are going to need to be able to communicate this to your clients โ€” you will need to be clear on the services you offer and what they cost.


5. How to use Instagram for your business โ€” social media is huge and can drive up to 80% of your leads โ€” you need to know what to post and who you are posting to!


6.ย How to say no! Setting boundaries for yourself and your clients is a must. ย You will not survive otherwise.


7.ย How to brand yourselfย โ€” today your brand is so much more than just your logo โ€” you are going to need a website, brand fonts and colours and a style guide to keep you consistent and on track. You are also going to be the face of your brand – you will need to show up and show your audience who you are.


8.ย Where and how to network in the industryย โ€” your peers are your support network โ€” the sooner you get a support network happening, the easier your business will flow. In my experience this can be really tricky as the industry is not known for sharing.


9.ย How to communicate and attract your ideal clientsย โ€” as you get more and more experience you will better understand the jobs and clients you enjoy working with. Communicating and attracting them is a real skill; a lot of this job is about relationship building and creating trust early on.


10.ย The templates and legal documents you need to coverย yourselfย and your businessย โ€” legally you are going to need to know how to protect yourself and your clients โ€” from the very first consultation, you will need to be insured and have the supporting legal documents on hand.

After spending 12 years building and driving her own design business, Kylie decided it was time to get the industry talking and working together. She decided to start mentoring newly graduated students and women wanting to start their own interior design businesses. Early last year, she created the Interiors Insider course; a 12-month experience to help you set up and grow your own business. You get direct access to Kylie, all her intellectual property, spreadsheets and documents that will help fast track your success.

The next round start on 7 March 2022. Doors open on 28 February.

Join the waitlist.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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