Scaling an interior design business isn’t about hustling harder or taking on more clients—it’s about working smarter, building systems, and stepping into leadership. Over the years, I’ve coached many talented designers, and one of the most rewarding journeys was working with Shannon.

When Shannon came to me, she was overwhelmed. She was wearing all the hats in her business—designing, client management, project coordination, and marketing—while trying to grow. She was at a tipping point, unsure if she should quit or push to scale. I remember our first conversation vividly: she admitted she was either going to quit or she needed a plan to grow. That kind of honesty and vulnerability is exactly what makes scaling possible.

Through our work together, Shannon discovered that growing her business required some unexpected shifts—not just in strategy, but in mindset. Here are six lessons she learned that every interior designer should know.

1. Leadership Starts With Asking for Help

One of the first things I encouraged Shannon to do was admit where she needed support. Many designers feel like asking for help is a sign of weakness. Shannon had spent years thinking that real leaders had all the answers. She was trying to do everything herself, and it was holding her back.

I told her, “Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing when you need support.” By taking the step to work with me, Shannon embraced what I call courageous leadership. She realized that asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength.

This was a breakthrough for her. Instead of feeling isolated in her business, she could lean on guidance, tools, and frameworks to move forward. And once she started accepting support, she noticed the transformation—not just in her business, but in her confidence as a leader.

Takeaway: If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, reaching out for guidance—whether through coaching, hiring a team member, or using supportive tools—can be the fastest path to growth. You don’t have to do it all alone.

2. Systems Create Freedom

Shannon initially resisted the idea of systems. She worried that documenting her processes would stifle her creativity. I helped her see that systems aren’t about rigidity—they’re about freedom.

Together, we mapped out every step of her client process—from first inquiry to final installation. This included:

• Standardized client onboarding

• Checklists for project phases

• Templates for proposals and design boards

Before this, Shannon had been reinventing the wheel for every project. Once she implemented these systems, she could hand off tasks confidently to her team. Her design manager could run projects independently, and Shannon could focus on the creative direction—the part of the business that truly required her expertise.

The impact was immediate. Projects ran smoother, clients received a consistent experience, and Shannon felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

Takeaway: Systems don’t restrict creativity—they protect it. When you have repeatable processes in place, you can scale without chaos, and your team can take ownership confidently.

3. Boundaries = Profit

Many designers, like Shannon, feel compelled to give away their expertise for free—extra revisions, unpaid consultations, or going above and beyond without billing for it. I introduced Shannon to what I like to call the “Lovely AND Billable” mindset.

We worked on defining clear boundaries:

• Free consultations were structured and time-limited

• Intellectual property, like design ideas and concepts, was recognized as valuable

• Clients understood exactly what was included in their project fee

Shannon was nervous at first. She worried that clients might be turned off. But the opposite happened: her clients respected her expertise even more, and she was able to protect her time and energy.

Takeaway: Setting boundaries doesn’t drive away good clients. It attracts clients who value your work and allows you to be generous in the right ways, without sacrificing profitability.

4. Celebrate Your Wins

Shannon used to rush from one project to the next without acknowledging her successes. I encouraged her to pause and celebrate wins—big or small.

At first, it felt unnatural. Designers are often wired to focus on what’s next, not what’s already accomplished. But over time, Shannon realized that celebrating wins isn’t just feel-good—it’s strategic. Recognizing what worked allows you to replicate it, scale successfully, and reinforce positive patterns with your team.

For example, Shannon reflected on a recent high-end project where she implemented a new client onboarding system. By celebrating the smooth execution and happy client feedback, she could identify exactly what in the process made the project successful—and then apply it to future projects.

Takeaway: Pause to notice and celebrate your wins. Reflection fuels growth and helps you replicate success.

5. Scaling Means Doing Less, Better

Before coaching, Shannon thought scaling meant taking on more clients, more projects, and more tasks. I challenged that mindset. Scaling isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less, better.

We worked together to refine her offers, simplify her client process, and focus on projects that aligned with her bigger vision. She realized that saying no to some opportunities allowed her to excel in the projects that mattered most. The result? Higher-quality work, happier clients, and a more sustainable business model.

Takeaway: Ask yourself: what can I refine or let go of to focus on what truly moves my business forward? Sometimes doing less is the secret to doing it better.

6. Step Into Leadership, Not Just Management

The final—and sometimes hardest—lesson Shannon learned was stepping fully into leadership. For years, she had been managing every detail herself. But leadership is not the same as management. Leaders set vision, guide their teams, and empower others to succeed.

Through coaching, Shannon embraced her role as a leader. She delegated effectively, empowered her team, and focused on high-level strategy instead of micromanaging every task. Projects ran more smoothly, her team thrived, and she felt the freedom to focus on creative direction.

Takeaway: Scaling requires stepping out of the weeds and into leadership. Your business grows faster when your team is empowered to execute your vision.

Working with Shannon reminded me why I love coaching interior designers: growth is rarely about more hustle. It’s about mindset, systems, boundaries, and leadership.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your design business, know that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. With the right guidance, you can move from chaos to clarity—and scale in a way that feels sustainable, profitable, and fulfilling.

🎙 Listen to the full episode: “From Overwhelmed to Scaled: How My Client Shannon Grew Her Interior Design Business”

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