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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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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

#timberhandles #timberknobs #cabinethardware #cabinethandles #finishingtouches #drawerpulls #kitchenhandles #kitchenpulls #kitchenknobs #kitchendrawer #kitchendrawers #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #theinteriorsaddict #homerenovations #interiordesignaustralia #interiordesigninspo #transformyourhome #housemakeover #designinspiration #trusttheprocess #designwork #beautifulhomes #dreamhouse #homestylingsydney #beforeandafterrenovation #creatingbeautifulspaces #kitchentrends2022 #kitchenglowup
Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
#everydaydesign #interiortrends #renovationinspiration
#homedesigninspo #lovemyhome #stylingdetails
#loveinteriors #homeimprovements #interiordesignaustralia
#dreamhomeinspiration #homemakeover #personaldesign
#interiordesignaus #creatingbeautifulspaces
#creativehomes #housestyling #sydneyhomes
#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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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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