Listen on Business Podcast for interior designers on apple podcasts
Listen on Spotify: Success By Design Business Podcast for Interior Designers
Listen On YouTube: Success By Design Podcast Mastering The Art of Interior Design
YouTube Music: Success By Design Mastering The Business of Interior Design

Welcome to

Success by Design - Mastering the Business of Interior Design

the-hidden-costs-of-discounting-your-interior-design-services

The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design Services

Podcast| Education| Trends| Design
August 27, 2025•1 min read
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.

In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can actually harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer.

Inside the episode, you’ll hear:

  • Why discounting creates harder—not happier—clients

  • The math behind why “just 10% off” can wipe out a third of your profits

  • How luxury brands protect their value (and how you can too)

  • Smarter ways to reward repeat clients and referrals—without lowering your fees

And of course, our signature game of Two Truths and a Lie makes an appearance. (Spoiler: repeat clients don’t need discounts… they need recognition.)

If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, second-guessing your rates, or feeling nervous about saying “no” when a client asks for a deal, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air—and a profit boost for your design business.

Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson

Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!

Instagram

LinkedIn

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.

discounting design servicesinterior design business strategypricing for interior designershidden costs of discounting client discount requestsrepeat client policyreferral rewards for designersscope vs price adjustmentdesigner profit marginshow to say no to discount
Back to Blog
Katie Decker-Erickson host of Success By Design Podcast

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.

the-hidden-costs-of-discounting-your-interior-design-services

The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design Services

Podcast| Education| Trends| Design
August 27, 2025•1 min read
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.

In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can actually harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer.

Inside the episode, you’ll hear:

  • Why discounting creates harder—not happier—clients

  • The math behind why “just 10% off” can wipe out a third of your profits

  • How luxury brands protect their value (and how you can too)

  • Smarter ways to reward repeat clients and referrals—without lowering your fees

And of course, our signature game of Two Truths and a Lie makes an appearance. (Spoiler: repeat clients don’t need discounts… they need recognition.)

If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, second-guessing your rates, or feeling nervous about saying “no” when a client asks for a deal, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air—and a profit boost for your design business.

Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson

Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!

Instagram

LinkedIn

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.

discounting design servicesinterior design business strategypricing for interior designershidden costs of discounting client discount requestsrepeat client policyreferral rewards for designersscope vs price adjustmentdesigner profit marginshow to say no to discount
Back to Blog

Interested In Sponsoring The Podcast?

the-hidden-costs-of-discounting-your-interior-design-services

The Hidden Costs of Discounting Your Interior Design Services

Podcast| Education| Trends| Design
August 27, 2025•1 min read
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

If you’ve ever said, “I gave a discount just to keep the client happy,” this episode of Success by Design is for you.

In this week’s Projects to Profit series, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common traps interior designers fall into: discounting. What feels like a quick win for keeping a client can actually harm your profit margins, dilute your brand, and erode your confidence as a designer.

Inside the episode, you’ll hear:

  • Why discounting creates harder—not happier—clients

  • The math behind why “just 10% off” can wipe out a third of your profits

  • How luxury brands protect their value (and how you can too)

  • Smarter ways to reward repeat clients and referrals—without lowering your fees

And of course, our signature game of Two Truths and a Lie makes an appearance. (Spoiler: repeat clients don’t need discounts… they need recognition.)

If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, second-guessing your rates, or feeling nervous about saying “no” when a client asks for a deal, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air—and a profit boost for your design business.

Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson

Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!

Instagram

LinkedIn

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.

discounting design servicesinterior design business strategypricing for interior designershidden costs of discounting client discount requestsrepeat client policyreferral rewards for designersscope vs price adjustmentdesigner profit marginshow to say no to discount
Back to Blog
Katie Decker-Erickson host of Success By Design Podcast

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!

Why Don't you leave us a Review too?

Listen on APPLE PODCAST
Listen on Spotify

Here's What listeners Are saying...

Listener Reviews

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!

Why Don't you leave us a Review too?

APPLE PODCAST
Listen on Spotify

Would you Like Katie to Be a Guest on Your Show?

Business Coach and Mentor for Interior Designers Katie Decker Erickson
Business Coach for Interior Designers: Katie Decker-Erickson

Learn More About color Works Coaching

Ready to experience your own breakthrough conversation with Katie?

Take the first step toward meaningful change—book your coaching session today and discover the transformative power of Katie’s guidance.

Schedule a Free Call with Katie Decker Erickson for Coaching for Interior Designers

Explore

successbydesign.coach- All Rights Reserved - Terms & Conditions - Cookie Policy