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Success by Design - Mastering the Business of Interior Design
Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & Clients
Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.
In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I discuss why onboarding isn’t just about paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protects your margins.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
Why onboarding is the foundation of client trust and project success.
The four pillars of a strong onboarding process: welcome + orientation, rules + responsibilities, a communication map, and a clear process timeline.
How proposals, contracts, and welcome packets work together to eliminate scope creep and prevent budget blowouts.
Real-world coaching examples where small onboarding tweaks transformed chaos into clarity (and protected profit).
“You’d never start a project without a scope of work, so why start a client relationship without one?”- Katie
If you’ve ever had a client assume you’re their GC, expect daily check-ins, or stall your project with weeks of silence, this episode will change how you onboard forever. Because clear expectations at the start aren’t just good business practice, they’re the key to running a sustainable, profitable design firm.
Mentioned Link
Check out our legal contracts → https://successbydesign.coach/products
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!
Click Here to read the full episode transcript.
This episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
I'm your host, Katie Erickson
I’m a commercial exterior and interior designer with an MBA and nearly 20 years in the industry. When I’m not leading my coast-to-coast, multi-million dollar firm, I love sharing real talk on the business of design, blending insights from 20 years as a business professor. I keep it honest—balancing work and chasing my two girls around.
Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & Clients
Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.
In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I discuss why onboarding isn’t just about paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protects your margins.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
Why onboarding is the foundation of client trust and project success.
The four pillars of a strong onboarding process: welcome + orientation, rules + responsibilities, a communication map, and a clear process timeline.
How proposals, contracts, and welcome packets work together to eliminate scope creep and prevent budget blowouts.
Real-world coaching examples where small onboarding tweaks transformed chaos into clarity (and protected profit).
“You’d never start a project without a scope of work, so why start a client relationship without one?”- Katie
If you’ve ever had a client assume you’re their GC, expect daily check-ins, or stall your project with weeks of silence, this episode will change how you onboard forever. Because clear expectations at the start aren’t just good business practice, they’re the key to running a sustainable, profitable design firm.
Mentioned Link
Check out our legal contracts → https://successbydesign.coach/products
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!
Click Here to read the full episode transcript.
This episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
Interested In Sponsoring The Podcast?
Interior Design Onboarding to Protect Profit & Clients
Every design project begins with excitement, but if you skip one crucial step, that excitement can quickly spiral into misunderstandings, scope creep, and profit loss. That step? Onboarding and expectation setting.
In this episode, part of our Project to Profit series, I discuss why onboarding isn’t just about paperwork and contracts. Done right, it becomes your profit protector, a system that saves you stress, strengthens client trust, and protects your margins.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
Why onboarding is the foundation of client trust and project success.
The four pillars of a strong onboarding process: welcome + orientation, rules + responsibilities, a communication map, and a clear process timeline.
How proposals, contracts, and welcome packets work together to eliminate scope creep and prevent budget blowouts.
Real-world coaching examples where small onboarding tweaks transformed chaos into clarity (and protected profit).
“You’d never start a project without a scope of work, so why start a client relationship without one?”- Katie
If you’ve ever had a client assume you’re their GC, expect daily check-ins, or stall your project with weeks of silence, this episode will change how you onboard forever. Because clear expectations at the start aren’t just good business practice, they’re the key to running a sustainable, profitable design firm.
Mentioned Link
Check out our legal contracts → https://successbydesign.coach/products
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!
Click Here to read the full episode transcript.
This episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
insightful conversations & super RELATABLE!
Excited for a podcast directed towards interior designers that covers the business and creative mindsets needed to run a successful firm. Throwing in life balance to every conversation makes this super relatable. Great conversations.
Colorful Conversations is like having a fun chat with your artsy friend who also knows how to create success! Katie's podcast is a must-listen for folks who love design and want to make money from their creative passions. She keeps you in the loop about the latest design trends while dropping priceless tips on turning your creativity into a successful business. Whether you're a design enthusiast or a budding entrepreneur, Katie's show is a goldmine of ideas and inspiration. So, tune in and get ready to blend style and success with her friendly and informative episodes – you won't want to miss it!
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insightful conversations & super RELATABLE!
Excited for a podcast directed towards interior designers that covers the business and creative mindsets needed to run a successful firm. Throwing in life balance to every conversation makes this super relatable. Great conversations.
Colorful Conversations is like having a fun chat with your artsy friend who also knows how to create success! Katie's podcast is a must-listen for folks who love design and want to make money from their creative passions. She keeps you in the loop about the latest design trends while dropping priceless tips on turning your creativity into a successful business. Whether you're a design enthusiast or a budding entrepreneur, Katie's show is a goldmine of ideas and inspiration. So, tune in and get ready to blend style and success with her friendly and informative episodes – you won't want to miss it!
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