They launched the same year. But only one is still in business – and thriving. Here’s what successful interior designers really do differently.
Meet Jane and Debra (names have been changed to protect the talented—and the tired). Both launched their interior design businesses in the same year. Same city. Same market. Similar design skills, drive, and creativity. Both were ambitious and full of potential.
Debra didn’t try to figure it all out on her own. Jane did. That’s where their journeys took two very different turns. Here’s how it played out.
Jane and Debra both hit the ground running – networking, learning, and saying yes to every opportunity. Like most new designers, they were wearing all the hats: marketing, sales, sourcing, managing clients, trying to figure out pricing, writing proposals on a couch – covered in fabric samples, toggling between Pinterest boards and QuickBooks – at midnight.
Jane checked into a coaching program, but decided to wait. “Maybe later, when I have more time,” she said.
Debra joined. Not because she was ready, but because she wanted to get ready faster – and she didn’t want to do it alone.
By the end of year 1, their businesses looked pretty similar. But the foundation Debra was building was already setting her up for a different kind of future.
Well into their second year, both designers were “fully booked.” Projects were rolling in. Their calendars were packed and their inboxes were full. But there was one big difference.
Jane was burning out, because she was…
👎 Undercharging
👎 Customizing every proposal
👎 Chasing invoices
👎 Panicking between projects
Debra had built a real structure, including:
👍 A streamlined onboarding and proposal system
👍 Clear pricing models
👍 Templates that saved her hours each week
👍 A financial buffer in her bank account
Debra had systems, support, and—best of all—she was finally paying herself. Jane felt like she was drowning in her inbox, while Debra was wrapping by 4 pm.
By the end of year 3, the differences became impossible to ignore. Debra had become a go-to, successful interior designer in her niche. She wasn’t just “getting referrals.” She was attracting aligned clients.
Her website made it clear: Here’s what I offer, here’s the result you can expect, here’s how we work together. No guessing, no haggling. People were drawn to her clarity and confidence. She had healthy boundaries, which allowed her to turn down projects that weren’t a fit. She was operating like a pro.
Meanwhile, Jane continued to say yes to anything that came her way. She looked busy, but she was spinning and still winging it. She was hoping the next job would finally feel different.
In each case, clients noticed – they could feel the difference between a designer with a process, and one without. One of Debra’s clients said, “You were the only designer who made it feel easy to say yes.”
By year 5, Jane had done everything she thought she was supposed to:
Still, she felt overwhelmed and underpaid, and was seriously considering giving it all up.
And Debra? She was working fewer hours than ever. Her business supported her, not the other way around. She took her first unplugged vacation in years, and her team handled things while she was away.
It wasn’t luck, it was leadership. It was the power of choosing structure over stress.
Today, Debra runs a thriving, profitable design firm. She leads a small team, charges what she’s worth, and works only with clients who respect her process. Her business runs without her needing to be in it 24/7. She is in control.
Jane? Still guessing. Still undercharging. Still saying, “Maybe next year.” She’s not failing, but she’s tired. And deep down, she knows it doesn’t have to be this hard.
What made the difference? It wasn’t talent, luck, or timing. It was support, structure, and strategy. Debra stopped trying to figure it all out on her own. She got coaching and community support and implemented real systems through Profit Insiders Academy, providing her business with the foundation it needed to grow, and became a successful interior designer.
Are you like Jane, still trying to build a business that barely lets you breathe? Or are you like Debra – ready to lead a company that enables you to live the life you want?
Where you’ve been doesn’t have to define where you’re going. You’re only one decision away from a completely different story.
Click here to see what the updated Profit Insiders Academy can do for your sanity and your bottom line. No pressure. Just clarity.
Many talented designers try to figure everything out on their own. Without structure, pricing clarity, or systems, they burn out quickly – even if they appear “successful” on the outside. To learn more, check out Profit Insiders Academy!
Coaching provides proven strategies, accountability, and expert guidance to help you implement systems, price correctly, attract ideal clients, and grow a sustainable business. To learn more, check out Profit Insiders Academy!
Profit Insiders Academy is a group coaching program created specifically for interior designers. It helps you build a profitable, process-driven business with ongoing support, resources, and training. To learn more, check out Profit Insiders Academy!
No! Like Debra in the story, most designers join because they want to get ready faster. You don’t have to have it all figured out—just be willing to grow. To learn more, check out Profit Insiders Academy!
Absolutely. With the right support, pricing strategies, and systems, many designers increase revenue, reduce overwhelm, and even work fewer hours while earning more. To learn more, check out Profit Insiders Academy!
