Best How To Grow An Interior Design Firm Podcasts (2025)

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How Word Of Mouth Turned A Tough Trade Into A Thriving Company with Zeke Seaton 16:33

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19h ago16:33

16:33

What if the strongest growth lever in home services isn’t ads, but trust? We sit down with Zeke Seaton of Solid ARM Solutions and Carolina Radon to explore how a healthy-home mission—mold remediation, crawl space encapsulation, moisture control, and radon mitigation—scaled on the back of clean execution and steady referrals. Zeke walks us through t…

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87: Your Business Reality Check Starts Here 25:29

1d ago25:29

25:29

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the work most designers avoid: facing the truth about what actually happened inside your business this year. Before we can build your 2026 vision (that’s coming in Part 2!), we have to strip away the assumptions, the emotions, the “I thin…

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How Boundaries, Delegation, And Transparency Fuel a Thriving Interior Design Firm with Kateri Babb 27:47

2d ago27:47

27:47

Want a behind‑the‑scenes blueprint for growing a creative business without burning out? We sit down with Kateri, founder of Kateri Jane Designs, to unpack the practical playbook that powers her interior design studio: flexible systems, honest communication, and boundaries that actually hold. No fluff—just the exact moves that turn chaotic days into…

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86. What Are You Waiting For? How to Break Through Overwhelm and Actually Move Your Design Business Forward 27:38

8d ago27:38

27:38

Send Katie a Text Message!! In today’s episode, I’m getting real with you — lovingly calling you out and calling you up. If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, waiting for the “right time,” or drowning in overwhelm while nothing truly moves your business forward, this is your wake-up call. I’m sharing the mindset shifts, micro-actions, and systems …

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Music Is Fun Until You Forget To Invoice with Mari Hashimoto 19:38

10d ago19:38

19:38

Want a candid look at how a working musician turns raw talent into a real business without losing the joy? We bring on violinist and violist Mari Hashimoto to share the unglamorous truth behind dreamy ceremonies and flawless gala sets—boundaries, pricing with confidence, airtight planning, and relationships that actually move the needle. If you’ve …

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Be Present in Your Purpose, How A Contractor Rebuilt, Scaled, And Gave Back with Nathan and Jen Dockery 34:07

10d ago34:07

34:07

Start with one truck. Add a bankruptcy, a marriage, a few core subs, and a vision for building big. Nathan and Jen Dockery share how Dockery Group went from reset to rapid growth by anchoring every decision in values, stewardship, and service—and why general contracting pays for the development habit that fuels their creativity. We get candid about…

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Networking That Actually Works; Lessons From A Home Inspector with Michael Van Hall 16:58

14d ago16:58

16:58

If growth feels random and networking feels like wasted donuts, this conversation will reset your playbook. We sit down with home inspector Michael Van Hall of Blue Mountain Home Inspections, a builder-turned-inspector who shows how stacked hands-on skills and structured outreach can turn a solo service into a reliable book of business. From farm f…

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85. From Designer to CEO: How Owning the Vision Grows Your Business 24:26

15d ago24:26

24:26

Send Katie a Text Message!! When you’re deep in the day-to-day of your design business, it’s easy to forget why you started it in the first place. I’ve been there — chasing goals, saying yes to opportunities, and still feeling like something’s off. In this episode, I’m challenging you to step back and look at your business through the lens of a tru…

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We Put Graffiti On Trucks And The Phone Wouldn’t Stop Ringing with Brendan Hogan Asheville Area Movers 22:43

21d ago22:43

22:43

What does it take to come back from losing every single truck overnight? We sit down with Brendan Hogan of Asheville Area Movers to unpack a hard-won playbook for rebuilding stronger: bold branding that makes phones ring, smart technology that shrinks overhead, and a people-first culture that turns stressful move days into positive stories customer…

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84. Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Designer: Why Confidence Is Your Real Growth Strategy 20:32

22d ago20:32

20:32

Send Katie a Text Message!! If you’ve ever looked at another designer’s success and wondered, “What do they have that I don’t?” - this episode is for you. I’m digging into the real mindset work behind scaling a design business - and it’s not about better clients, a bigger team, or even a new offer. It’s about confidence. Because growth doesn’t star…

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Leading Through Chaos With Futurist Thinking with Wendy White 33:52

23d ago33:52

33:52

What if you could spot disruption weeks before it hits and turn it into momentum? That question drives our conversation with Wendy White, co-founder and CEO of Continuum Consulting Services, whose 30-year path runs from ropes courses and catamarans to culture design, change management, and multi-sector collaboration. We unpack how a single signal f…

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Stress Relief On Moving Day; How College H.U.N.K.S. Delivers Peace Of Mind with Anne Smith 24:15

27d ago24:15

24:15

Moving day can feel like a storm. We sat down with Anne Smith of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving in Asheville to unpack how her team turns chaos into calm through mindset, leadership development, and community-rooted service. From the moment they step on-site, their mission is simple: reduce stress. Anne explains why HUNKS—Honest, Uniformed, …

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83: The Limiting Beliefs Stopping You from Scaling Your Business 16:42

29d ago16:42

16:42

Send Katie a Text Message!! So many designers get stuck in their businesses because of the beliefs they carry about money, success, and what it takes to grow. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about the most common limiting beliefs I see in my coaching practice — from thinking you have to struggle to make money, to believing that success takes …

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How Carolina Outdoor Lighting Built A People-First Business with Maja Potocki 21:29

1M ago21:29

21:29

What does it really take to turn a two-person hustle into a durable, people-first business? We sit down with Maja, co-founder of Carolina Outdoor Lighting, to trace the arc from answering irrigation clients’ lighting requests to building a design-led brand known for craft, culture, and steady growth. From the first two-day crash course to a recent …

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From Chaos To Calm with Jess Reed Green Mountain Space 28:12

1M ago28:12

28:12

Imagine walking into a home that felt chaotic yesterday and feels peaceful today. That’s the promise behind luxury organizing done right, and we brought back Jess Reed of Green Mountain Space to unpack exactly how her team delivers one‑day transformations, even across seven counties in Western North Carolina. From the first consult to the final lab…

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Own Your Energy: Coaching For Hospitality Growth with Christine Smith 25:04

1M ago25:04

25:04

What if the biggest block to your team’s performance isn’t strategy, but unspoken tension? We sit down with hospitality business coach Christine Smith to unpack how emotional intelligence, honest conversation, and patient self-trust can transform culture and results. Christine works with owners and small teams to clear friction, create safe spaces,…

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82: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There — And That’s a Good Thing 29:53

1M ago29:53

29:53

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand new series all about building a business that works for you — not the other way around. If you’ve ever felt like your design business has more potential than what it’s currently producing, this conversation is for you. I see you out there trying to scale, trying to take home more …

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From Small Excavator to Booked Solid: How Craft, Focus, and Integrity Built a Local Powerhouse with Ryan Wooten 19:36

1M ago19:36

19:36

What does it look like to grow a local contracting business without billboards, gimmicks, or chaos? We sit down with owner-operator Ryan Wooten, who went from a single excavator to a respected residential grading and retaining wall company by doing one thing uncommonly well: finishing what he starts and making clients glad they hired him. Ryan open…

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81: Scaling Your Design Business Without Losing Your Sanity - A Coaching Conversation 56:16

1M ago56:16

56:16

Send Katie a Text Message!! This week on Success by Design, I’m diving deep into one of my favorite topics: how to grow your design business thoughtfully, without letting it take over your life. I chat with Heather about the differences between W2 employees and 1099 contractors, and how choosing the right type of hire can make or break your busines…

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How a 26-Year-Old Turned Painting Into Premium Hospitality with Cedric Merrills of WOW Painting 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

What if your contractor experience felt more like a five-star hotel stay than a gamble with your calendar and patience? That’s the challenge Cedric Merrills took on when he left wedding photography to build WOW 1 Day Painting in Asheville—a company that pairs speed with hospitality and backs it with systems anyone can understand. We talk about the …

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Building Trust: Home Inspections, Growth, and the Power of Planning with Will King 19:23

2M ago19:23

19:23

Buying or selling a home shouldn’t feel like a blindfolded leap. We sit down with Will King—former teacher, now owner of Highside Home Inspections—to unpack how steady maintenance, clear education, and intentional planning reduce anxiety and create real value in every step of the real estate journey. From pre-listing inspections that prevent last-m…

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80: Building a Resilient Design Business - Even When the Economy Isn’t (Part 3 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty) 25:53

2M ago25:53

25:53

Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome back to Success by Design! I’m wrapping up our three-part series, Your Interior Designer Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty, with one of the most important conversations we can have right now — how to build a business that bends but doesn’t break. In this episode, I’m sharing how to strengthen your found…

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From Second-Generation Electrician to Strategic Partner: How Thomas Fleming Builds Trust, Talent, and Cash Flow Resilience 31:42

2M ago31:42

31:42

Ever wonder why a $150/hour service call doesn’t mean the owner makes $150? We pull back the panel with Thomas Fleming, president of Strategic Electrical Solutions, to explore the real economics of the trades—7,000 hours of experience, a daunting license exam, payroll and workers’ comp, trucks and tools, and the thin margins that still have to fund…

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79: Creating Demand in a Slow Market (Part 2 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty) 19:11

2M ago19:11

19:11

Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers — welcome back to Success by Design! I’m Katie Decker Erickson, and this week we’re diving into part two of our three-part series, Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create demand even when the market feels quiet — because slowing down doesn’t mean sitting still…

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78: Pricing with Confidence in a Shaky Economy (Part 1 of Thriving Through Economic Uncertainty) 19:41

2M ago19:41

19:41

Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to Success by Design! I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series called The Interior Designer’s Survival Guide Through Economic Uncertainty. Let’s be honest—the economy feels weird right now. Clients are cautious, interest rates are high, and confidence can feel scarce. But while you can’t control the broader …

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Ten Years, Two Markets: How Big Frog Turned Branded Apparel into a Community Growth Engine With David Riddell 25:31

2M ago25:31

25:31

What if your logo could sell for you every day—quietly, consistently, and everywhere your customers go? We sit down with David Riddell of Big Frog Custom T‑Shirts to unpack a decade of growth powered by flexible production, community presence, and relentless follow-through. From single-shirt solutions to thousand-piece runs, David explains why a re…

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When entrepreneurship gets hard, sell something—and keep customers, team, and mission first with Brad Currin WNC Built 16:18

2M ago16:18

16:18

What if a remodeling company could also be a recovery engine for families and a launchpad for veterans? That’s the story Brad from WNC Built brings to the table—a ground-up look at how service, sales, and culture can scale a local business while delivering real impact in Western North Carolina. We start with the work on the ground: additions, kitch…

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77: The 2025 State of the Design Industry (And What You Need to Do About It) 3:43

2M ago3:43

3:43

Send Katie a Text Message!! Hey designers, it’s Katie Decker Erickson, and today I’m giving you something totally different — no fluff, no hype, and no sugarcoating. This is your five-minute State of the Industry for interior designers, and a heart-to-heart about what’s really going on behind the pretty photos and Pinterest boards. Because let’s be…

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How a Banker and Nurse Became Cedar Experts with Dale and Stephanie Hatfield 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

By Bill Gilliland

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From Crawlspaces to Classrooms: How Justin Berger Revolutionized Home Inspection 39:31

2M ago39:31

39:31

Justin Berger takes us behind the curtain of home inspection entrepreneurship, revealing how his business evolved from a simple scheduling concept to the comprehensive team-based approach that's driven 20% year-over-year growth for Home Inspection Collective since 2017. What sets this conversation apart is Justin's refreshing honesty about the entr…

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From Louisville to Western NC: How Lyn Mabry Built a Pure Design Business 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

What happens when you take a leap of faith, leave behind a successful business, and start over in a new community? Lyn Mabry, founder of Designing Spaces by Lyn, did exactly that when she followed her dream of living in the mountains of Western North Carolina. After 25 years in the design industry and a thriving business in Louisville, Lyn handed h…

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76: From Overwhelmed to Scaled: How My Client Shannon Grew Her Interior Design Business 27:51

2M ago27:51

27:51

Send Katie a Text Message!! Scaling an interior design business isn’t just about hustling harder—it’s about systems, boundaries, leadership, and strategic support. In this episode, I sit down with my client Shannon to share her journey from feeling overwhelmed to confidently scaling her interior design business. We talk about the unexpected lessons…

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From Recession to Success: How BCA Architecture Grew Through Community with Brent Campbell and Erin Foy 29:36

2M ago29:36

29:36

What happens when you launch an architecture firm on the very day a recession begins? For Brent Campbell, founder of BCA Architecture and Design, that seemingly terrible timing in 2007 became the foundation for a thriving Asheville-based practice that now employs eight people and handles projects ranging from custom homes to commercial buildings ac…

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Building Legacy: From Family Trade to Luxury Construction with Doug Peterson 18:47

2M ago18:47

18:47

What does it take to build multi-million dollar luxury homes in today's challenging market? Doug Peterson of Peterson Builders TX pulls back the curtain on his third-generation construction business that's thriving in the competitive Texas Hill Country. Doug shares candid insights about the risks and rewards of scaling a construction business, reve…

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The Balanced Business: Building Coastland Tree Works with Spencer Unger 23:52

2M ago23:52

23:52

What does it take to transform specialized skills into a thriving business while maintaining your sanity and creating a workplace people actually want to join? Spencer from Coastland Tree Works reveals exactly that in this candid conversation about his entrepreneurial journey. After honing his craft through a comprehensive apprenticeship in Germany…

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75: Interior Design Debriefs: The 20-Minute Profit Booster 14:02

2M ago14:02

14:02

Send Katie a Text Message!! In this week’s episode, to wrap up our Project to Profit Series, I'm getting real about the one step most designers skip that could save you hours, protect your margins, and stop you from repeating the same costly mistakes project after project. Here’s the kicker: research shows that teams who actually take this step imp…

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From Decks to Airbnbs: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams with Derek Prince 23:09

2M ago23:09

23:09

Derek Prince takes us behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial journey as founder of Pro Property Services, Asheville's premier exterior contracting company specializing in deck construction, siding, roofing, and log cabin restoration. But this isn't just a story about building physical structures – it's about building multiple successful businesse…

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Paver Perfection: Building a Niche Business Empire with Garfield Jones 18:42

3M ago18:42

18:42

Carving out a specialized niche might seem limiting, but for Garfield Jones of Paver Perfection, it's been the foundation of his entrepreneurial success. Broadcasting from Palm Beach - what Garfield calls "the paver capital of the world" - this episode delves into how focusing exclusively on paver restoration created a thriving business that comman…

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74: The Secret to More Interior Design Referrals 19:38

3M ago19:38

19:38

Send Katie a Text Message!! What if one happy client didn’t just mean a beautiful portfolio photo — but also became the gateway to three more dream projects? That’s the power of a referral strategy for designers that actually works. In this episode, I'm sharing why most interior design referrals don’t happen by chance — and how to move beyond “word…

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Hurricane to Opportunity: Rebuilding Western NC Business with Brett Hulsey 33:03

3M ago33:03

33:03

Brett Hulsey's journey from college newspaper staffer to media company owner defies conventional wisdom about print's demise in a digital world. As owner of Holsey Media Group and WNC Business Magazine, Brett shares how he transformed a small publishing operation into a thriving enterprise with approximately twelve magazine titles serving Western N…

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Reputation, Reliability, and Retirement Plans: A Different Kind of Painting Business with Jeremy Gunn 35:24

3M ago35:24

35:24

What does it take to build a thriving business in a traditionally blue-collar industry? Jeremy Gunn of JBG Painting reveals the surprising answers in this candid conversation about entrepreneurship, employee retention, and creating real value. Starting just four and a half years ago with nothing but a desire for independence, Jeremy has built a pai…

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What Happens When Dreams Meet Strategy with Jacqueline Boone 24:41

3M ago24:41

24:41

Dreams fuel every great business achievement, yet most organizations struggle to bridge the gap between inspirational vision and practical implementation. This disconnect isn't just philosophical—it's costing the global economy $438 billion annually in lost productivity through employee disengagement. Jacqueline Boone, founder of Dream Academy, joi…

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Unlocking the Value of Your Business: Insights from Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with Jeff McKeehan and Chris Buehler 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

Successful entrepreneurs know their business is often their largest asset, yet most lack a clear strategy for unlocking its full value when it's time to move on. Jeff McKeehan and Chris Buehler from Viking Mergers & Acquisitions pull back the curtain on the complex world of business transitions, revealing insights that could potentially double what…

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Same-Day Decisions: How Local Banking is Disrupting Finance with Andy Nadeau 28:26

3M ago28:26

28:26

When was the last time your banker gave you a same-day decision? For most business owners, the answer is "never" – but Andy Nadeau and his team at FB Financial are changing that reality in Western North Carolina. "We tell business owners what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear," explains Nadeau, who brings over three decades of fin…

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How SEO Changed Everything for 4 Square Roofing, with James Hamilton III 20:22

3M ago20:22

20:22

What happens when you combine roofing expertise with self-taught digital marketing skills? James from 4 Square Roofing reveals the blueprint that transformed his business from struggling startup to a lead-generating powerhouse without spending a dime on marketing agencies. After 15 years in real estate's feast-or-famine world, James discovered roof…

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73: Scope Creep Solutions for Profitable Interior Design 17:40

3M ago17:40

17:40

Send Katie a Text Message!! Scope creep: two little words that can drain your profits, stretch your timeline, and zap your energy if left unchecked. But here’s the twist—done right, scope creep can actually fuel your profit margins and strengthen client relationships. In this episode, I'm breaking down the sneaky ways scope creep shows up (and why …

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The XP League Revolution: How Local Entrepreneurs Are Transforming Youth Gaming Culture with Cheryl and Mark Chambers 25:09

3M ago25:09

25:09

Ever wondered how to transform your child's gaming obsession into something that actually builds valuable life skills? Meet Cheryl Chambers, who along with her husband Mark, is revolutionizing youth gaming culture through XP League Asheville. From Minecraft battles to Fortnite competitions, Cheryl explains how XP League creates coach-led, in-person…

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Asheville is Open: How Local Businesses Are Bouncing Back Together with Jessica Kanupp 28:31

3M ago28:31

28:31

Ever wondered what happens when you join your local Chamber of Commerce but never show up? Jessica Kanupp, Director of Member Marketing and Sales at the Asheville Chamber, calls this the "ultimate missed opportunity" in this energetic conversation with host Bill Gilliland. As Asheville continues rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, Jessica shares enc…

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Crafting Purpose Through Furniture: The Journey of Jeremy French 32:00

3M ago32:00

32:00

Jeremy French, founder of Making Whole, takes us on a profound journey through the intersection of craftsmanship, recovery, and entrepreneurship. What began as his personal battle with addiction in the 1990s evolved into a mission to create an apprenticeship program where recovering addicts build custom furniture—not just as a vocational skill, but…

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Mastering the Lost Art of Human Connection with Sherry Wheat 22:44

3M ago22:44

22:44

What happens when you build a business around something most entrepreneurs hate doing? You create a 25-year success story. Sherry Wheat, founder of TeleSales, joins us to reveal how direct conversation remains the secret weapon in business development, even as digital marketing dominates the landscape. Wheat's journey began in 1998 when she discove…