Design Business Coaching
by an Interior Designer
Success by design
mastering the business of interior design
Learn how from an MBA-backed business strategist and multimillion-dollar firm owner.
Design Business Coaching by an Interior Designer
Accelerating Your Passion into Higher Profitability & Purpose
Learn how from a multimillion dollar firmowner and MBA professional
What it is like to work with katie
LIsten to the latest episode
Join us for a vibrant podcast where we seamlessly blend the realms of design and business in a fun and professional setting. Available on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms!
Stressed, Tired, and Working Too Hard
with no work life balance?
I Know Because I've Been There
You might be thinking...
“I love design, but why do I feel like my business is running me rather than me running it?”
You’re not alone. While there are many business coaches, and even more design mentors, few have proven business success like Katie.
As an MBA-backed expert and multimillion-dollar firm owner with nearly 20 years in the interior design industry, she combines real-world experience with holistic business coaching to help you build a profitable, sustainable design business.
Or maybe you're thinking...
“I love designing, but I feel like I'm constantly working without seeing the profit I should. Why is this happening?”
You’re not alone — most interior designers face this exact challenge. It often comes down to undercharging, inconsistent pricing structures, and lost profit from unbilled hours or scope creep.
Katie combines her MBA-backed expertise and 20 years of proven business success to help you identify where your money is slipping away and redesign your systems for true profitability. Through her holistic business coaching, you’ll learn how to confidently price your services, protect your time, and build the foundation for a 7-figure design business.
Or you're expanding into commercial design...
“I'm ready to scale my services.”
The segue from residential interior design to commercial interior design can come with some hesitation. Do you have enough understanding of the types of insurance, permits, schedules, partnerships, vendors or workflows involved with introducing commercial projects into your portfolio? Why learn the hard way? Let’s make sure you have a full understanding of the needs and differences of what’s required in taking on commercial design projects from someone who has done it for nearly two decades.
What We Can Cover
You have the drive!
You just need the expertise.
1.
Business systems & Processes
Chaos doesn’t have to be the norm. Katie helps you put smart, repeatable systems in place — from client onboarding to project management to procurement — so your business runs efficiently. With the right processes, you’ll free up your time, reduce stress, and finally feel in control of your business instead of letting it control you.
2.
Commercial & Hospitality design expertise
Most business coaches can talk about design, but Katie has lived it — in both residential and commercial spaces. With nearly two decades of multifamily and commercial design experience, she helps you understand what developers and investors value most, so you can expand into larger, more profitable projects and stand out from other designers.
3.
Financial & ROI Focus
Great design should be beautiful and profitable. Katie helps you uncover where your business is leaking profit, clarify your pricing, and create strategies to prevent scope creep. She shows you how to position your services as an investment, not an expense, so clients see the value and you see the ROI (Return on Investment)— in every project and in your bottom line.
4.
scaling & growth
You don’t have to do it all yourself. Katie guides you through hiring, expanding services, or taking on bigger projects, always with an eye on sustainable growth. She helps you scale intentionally, so your business supports your life — not the other way around — and you move from doing it all yourself to leading a thriving, profitable firm.
ABOUT YOUR COACH
Get To Know Katie
Katie Decker-Erickson founded Color Works in 2007 to blend her passion for color and design with her MBA-backed business expertise. What began as a small creative venture has grown into a multimillion-dollar, process-driven design firm operating in 20+ states.
With certification from the International Association of Color Consultants and Designers and nearly two decades of experience, Katie brings a rare balance of creativity and strategy—helping interior designers achieve beauty and profitability through a proven, ROI-focused approach.
What began as a part-time endeavor is now a multi-million dollar business born of smart and intentional growth.
I started with a cardboard box and paint chips, literally. Wherever you are, I can help you get to where you want to be through proven processes and first-hand experience of starting, growing and running a design firm.
Women's Leadership Development Network Spotlight on Katie Decker-Erickson: Juggling Two Businesses Built On Passion
As Seen On
“I needed big picture thinking and am so thankful she provided that.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Katie as I built my business. I loved that Katie made me feel heard. She validated my thoughts and feelings towards ideas. I could send her ideas and talk through them to develop a process of implementation, or realize it’s not the right fit for my business. As a fellow entrepreneur/mom, I felt like she had my best interest at heart and I could connect with her. I have a hard time seeing the big picture and she helped guide me. She had me think about how I want to market myself, who I myself as,and where I want to go with my business. I needed big picture thinking and am so thankful she provided that. From building a brand to producing a logo, having a color scheme, and thinking about the growth of my business, Katie provided it all.”
– KATE SNELSON
Season 12 Episode 6: Business Insights from an Interior Design Veteran (Katie Decker-Erickson)
Episode 64:
Let's Talk about Scaling Your Business with Katie Decker-Erickson From Color Works
Episode 122:
From Jobby to Design Firm; The Business of Building Your Business with Katie Decker Erickson
Episode 222: Tailor Your Business To Your Lifestyle
Episode 276: Smart Hiring Strategies for Interior Designers Ready to Scale
Episode 218:
The Business of Design & The Power of Process with Katie Decker-Erickson
Episode 996: Power Talk Friday: Katie Decker-Erickson: Building True Confidence Through Knowledge and Experience
Episode 108: How to Grow Your Design Business While Staying True to Your “Why” With Katie Decker-Erickson
How Ontological Design & Color Theory Influence Interior Spaces | Interior Design Business Podcast
Implementing Ontological Design Into Interior Commercial Spaces
Zoe Browne kind words
“The biggest surprise to me was actually how grounded Katie is and how she’s been very successful, but still very human and relatable and fun. She had the understanding of where I was coming from, right from the get go, and shared really good practical advice and support. The coaching has paid for itself already in so many ways, even from the insurance perspective, good connections, figuring out what to spend, what to prioritize financially, and what to just put on hold for a minute.”
"Clear, on-point advise and profit-building coaching in every session!"
"Katie is so insightful and understands the issues we all face - yet she has the ability to see a clear path forward. Clear, on-point advise and profit-building coaching in every session!"
– JOANNE LEDBETTER, JOANNE LEDBETTER INTERIOR DESIGN
We want to see interior designers like you succeed
Check Out These Free Resources
Get in on the discussion!
01
Join us for a vibrant podcast where we seamlessly blend design, business and juggling life in a great conversation every other Friday.
Favorite resources – free to access!
For Growing Your Design Business
02
As part of our commitment to your success, we offer a FREE extensive resource library filled with valuable content curated for interior designers. From some of our favorite tools, books, podcasts, experts and more, our resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in your interior design business.
Annual goal planner
Strategically Plan The Upcoming Year
03
Elevate your productivity with our free downloadable planner for the upcoming year! Seamlessly organize your schedule, set achievable goals, and prioritize tasks for maximum efficiency. This meticulously designed planner combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, offering a user-friendly interface for easy navigation. Download now to empower your year with structured success – because the key to a successful future starts with a well-planned present!
We want to see interior designers like you succeed
Check Out These Free Resources
Get in on the discussion!
01
Join us for a vibrant webcast where we seamlessly blend the realms of design and business in a fun and professional setting. Available on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms!
Favorite resources – free to access!ces
For Growing Your Design Business
02
As part of our commitment to your success, we offer an extensive resource library filled with valuable content curated for interior designers. From some of our favorite tools, books, podcasts, experts and more, our resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in your interior design business.
ANNUAL GOAL PLANNER
Strategically Plan The Upcoming Year
03
Elevate your productivity with our
free downloadable planner
for the upcoming year! Seamlessly organize your schedule, set achievable goals, and prioritize tasks for maximum efficiency. This meticulously designed planner combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, offering a user-friendly interface for easy navigation. Download now to empower your year with structured success – because the key to a successful future starts with a well-planned present!
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