So You Want to be an Interior Designer

*Final episode for 2023Let me ask you a question? Do you reflect on the year that was? Do you take action to ensure the mistakes aren’t repeated, and that you are geared for absolute success in the new year? Let’s discuss…Today the 3 things are questions you need to ask yourself, so you can enter the new year with self assurance. They may not be the questions you thought you would ask either.Hey you its, I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 12. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5.  My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at adamscougall.com/podcast

Let me ask you a question? How much energy are you putting into creating income streams that don’t just involve you running after interior design projects? Do you have a backup income stream that you can tap into when things get too quiet? Today I want to break down 5 ways that you could make additional income that don’t involve a design client.Hey, you it, I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 11. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5.  My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your bills.But first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz In today’s episode, I discuss 5 ideas that could develop into additional income streams. They involve you helping other designers in areas that they are not confident in, or don’t have the time to manage. I know that the ideas I mention specifically in this episode may not be in your wheel house of expertise, but I do want you at least thinking about ways you can add value to other designers lives, that also benefit you with additional income stream.Got some feedback on what you need to hear about next? Let me know your feedback by emailing me over at adam@adamscougall.com.Enjoy the episode!

Let me ask you a question? Are you a goal setter? Do you think forward and set out a plan to achieve whatever you want for the next 12 months? I’ve created my goals for 2024, and I want to share with you why it’s important for me to do it and why I encourage you as well. Let’s discussHey you its, I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 10. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the design quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz Highlights from this episode include:1- Start with big, benchmark goals·       I share with you my goals for 2024, but more importantly, what big goals are you defining in the next year?2- Break it down in 3-month segments·       Studies show that we really focus on our success in our short blocks of time. Break your goals down into 3 areas of your life, and in 3 month or quarterly increments.3- Don’t create too many!·      Creating too many will see us drop the ball and probably not achieve anywhere near the basics we set out to achieve. Keep it simple and edit, edit, edit so you can see achievable results.Keen to learn your strengths and opportunities as you approach 2024? *Take the design quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 

Let me ask you a question? Have you ever engaged the services of a coach? A coach that works with you to create an action plan or bolsters your confidence and enthusiasm to keep going when things are waning? I’ve had many coaches over the last 8 years and I want to share what worked, what didn’t and what I suggest you do if looking for a coach.Hey you I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 9. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. In this episode I cover two reasons you should absolutely should seek out a coach, then one little thing I'd like you to look out for before you sign up with your coach...1- Your coach will help take 'the blinders' off your ideasA coach can help greatly with our 'blind spots' by giving us ideas for ways to improve ourselves that we aren't able to see for ourselves. The results can be extraordinary.2- Seek a coach who’s achieved what you want to achieveI chose my current coach because she had 'lived' the experience that I needed to build and fine tune from scratch.  Its extremely common to get excited by working with somebody who has already achieved the things you are not sure you will ever be able to. Getting a coach that has gone through what you are dying to experience  is a very important part of our success. if they've done it, they can certainly help you to do it!Q 3- AVOID: Coaching without a roadmapMany coaches offer a package of sessions without a plan. This is ok if you are happy going where the wind blows that week, but generally unplanned programs, or 'blocks of sessions' aren't the best route to take. I discuss this in more detail in the show...Flailing in your Interior's business, and would like immediate clarity? Take my quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz to get your action plan emailed today. It's only 15 questions and takes less than 3 minutes!

Let me ask you a question? Do you continue to invest in your learning as an interior designer?  If you are still new to the game, have you figured out your marketing strategies, how to charge to make money and perfect the client experience so you get ongoing referrals? My guess is no.In this episode I am going to share what my experience attending one of the best interior design conferences in the world. Luann Live!  LuAnn Nigera is the podcast host of ‘A Well-designed Business’ and is considered ‘mother network’ in the design community. Luann's podcast has had something like 8M downloads and offers interior designers the best tactics advice and experience available, online. In her first live event in since 2019, It was a dream of mine to venture to the states to take the 3 day event in person. Stay with me to hear my thoughts on it and tell you why it was worth the investment. Let’s discuss...I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 8. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your bills.In this episode the how and why on three important takeaways:1- You will get incredible ideas that you could not think of yourself·       I share the learnings from people I have met who have given me amazing ideas in everything from lead generation [getting our next clients] to creating furniture lines and releasing books.2- You get inspired to 200% the success of your business·       I share my learnings specifically on how to segment your published work, and focus on multiple resources rather than just the traditional ones we focus on when publishing our projects.Q 3- You will make new friends from all over the world·       I share the value in making the effort in travelling internationally, and the friendships I cemented [with people I have only ever met online] and the new ones I am now fostering.soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz

Let me ask you a question? Are you still yet to run your first design or decorating project and are wondering how to do this with confidence? If this is you [or somebody you know] I'm going to help with that today.Hey it’s  Adam Scougall of the So You Want To Be An Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 7. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career, then get clarity by taking my design quiz!*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz1- Do your first job for free·       It’s ok to do this, especially when you have little to no experience. ·       This takes the pressure off whilst you are learning.·       You will quickly learn your value and feel confident to start charging next time.2- Run them through a contract·       A contract keeps the faith going for you and the client. It keeps everyone on track.·       Even if you are feeling like you are making all sorts off blunders along the way, the contract helps you keep on track with the bare bones of what you need to deliver. If you have delivered what’s in the contract, you’re covered!·       Zero out the dollar value of what you are doing, but still send an invoice! Generally, these include the consultation phase, the design phase and the project implementation phase, even if it's a small decorating project.2- Take photos and spread the word!·       Make sure you have an advance agreement to be able to photograph your work. Don't do anything for anyone that won't allow you to promote your talent!·       Make the most out of this. If you have to to bring in additional props, furniture of other items-do it. When it comes to photos, more is more and it's ok to embellish. Everybody does it!·       Don't let your imposter syndrome or self doubt tell you that because it's your first job, it isn't 'good enough'. Make it something to remember!*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz Email me at adam@adamscougall.com if you would like to chat further!

Let me ask you a question? Are you confident and comfortable with your current contract? Perhaps you call it a letter of agreement that’s all good. In today’s episode I want to discuss with you the 5 parts to your contract that you cannot leave out of your agreement. Let’s talk about it.Hey it’s, Adam Scougall of the So You Want To Be An Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 6. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quizOk, now back to the 5 must have’s1- You design process outline·      A roadmap to realizing the full vision of your project·      Must include how the design phase works and what they will expect. When you will engage other trades, when. Any construction will start etc and what the finish line looks like.2- Your scope of work·       Your scope of works is where the designer details a comprehensive list of items that the design will cover·       This helps you stick to what you agreed to do within your design fee and avoid ‘scope creep’·       Scope Creep has happened in almost all projects, so you must document this and explain that there must be a new agreement or hourly that kicks in if requests for extensions are requested.3- Your deliverables!·       Understanding what your client will be getting from you regarding floor plans, elevations, sketches, 3D Renders, physical models, and samples is integral for many reasons.·       Not that long ago, I charged a good friend a nominal fee and didn’t take them through my normal contract process, which means they did not understand the limit to the deliverables. I could have kicked myself! Because I left myself open to not specifying how many revisions were allowed in the design concept, she kept requesting changes because there was no impact to her cost wise! You can bet that I have not repeated this again and stay strictly to my terms of one revision only to the original design concept.4-Your fee structure·       Be transparent about how you and your contractors will charge. It’s good to understand how all trades charge and also set expectations to them about what you’re and the client understand in terms of how they will be billing.·       Do you offer trade discounts? If so, what split are you offering? If you aren’t offering trade discounts, which I have recently moved away from, then do they do not pay anything more than retail. If you contract does not stipulate you offer discounts, then your client can’t expect you to offer them halfway through the project.5- Your legal·       You want your contract to be a handbook that both you as the client and the designer can refer to if anything issues may arise during the renovation process.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 

Let me ask you a question? Are you struggling to find interior design clients? As much as you spread the word about your business, posting on Instagram and creating this perception of abundance in your office, you still lay awake at night wondering how the heck you can find new clients . It’s true that 2023 is drawing to a close and we want to consider what’s ahead in 2024.In this episode I am going to share what almost 50K in interior design coaching (didn’t) teach me, and what I had to discover for myself that worked. And what I am going to suggest doesn’t rely on the law of attraction or just sending out the right message to the universe. My approach is numbers driven. The more you go out and promote todays client filling strategy to your business  partners in the field, the greater percentage of success you will achieve. Simple as that.If you don't know me already, it's Adam Scougall here of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 5. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on, rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career, take the quiz! It takes 2 minutes, is only 15 questions and you get your own personalised report.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 

Let me ask you a question? As an interior designer or decorator, do you know what you should be charging your clients in 2024?In this episode, I’ll discuss with you the high, medium, and low tier and work out where you can confidently fit in in 2024 and after.Who is this show for?  This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you must take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz Ok, Lets cover the 3 tiers and work out where you should fit in hereQ 1- Tier 1 -low·       Have you just come out of design school? ·       Have you minimal to no documented body of work [i.e., photographs, testimonials] that substantiate your experience?·       Do you have an issue with confidence and feel that you may flounder/apologise more if you charge higher than keeping it low?Q 2- Tier 2- mid·       You now have several projects catalogues, website, and social proof of your work·       You’ve run several design jobs and understand how in-depth it is and not for the faint hearted.·       You are comfortable keeping it solo, or are hiring out for the basics, such as bookkeeping and accounting.Q 3- Tier 3 -high·       Several years of experience and are now working from an external location·       You have staff and need to ensure that all overheads are covered, such as sick/paid leave, insurances etc·       You have a public profile that substantiates your ability to command higher rates and you feel confident that you sit in the realm of the top design echelon you see on TV or magazines.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 

What’s the difference between and Interior Designer and a Decorator?Let me ask you a question? Do you know the difference between and interior designer and a decorator?We discuss 3 questions to ask yourself if you are deciding which way to go here.Welcome to episode , I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want To Be An Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 3. My aim for the show is really to teach you the thrills, reveal the spills and show you can create an Interior Design career that fits your lifestyle But first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz So You Want To Be an Interior Designer?Ok, Now back to the 3 questionsWhat- I’m going to explain the difference and tell you why some people are hung up on the difference between the twoHow- Give you true definition as well as well as why it’s ok to be a hybrid if you want to Why?- Because you want to know your strengths and understand how to position yourselfOk, Now the 3 questions Q 1- Are you interested in function as much as form?·       If you find yourself thinking as much about the internal cupboard of the kitchen, as much as the fabric on the roman blind over the sink, you probably have a designer’s mindQ 2- Do you want to do Residential or Commercial projects?·       Much of Interior Design specific education is based around commercial elements·       Commercial projects will require detailed technical drawings, as well as industry standard codes to be able to get the drawings approved etc·       Residential projects allow more details ‘fluff and tease’ than commercial projects.Q 3- Are you techy?·       You don’t need to be a technical wizard, but there are tools that you will need to learn to be a designer [ArchiCAD, or even sketch-up]·       If you aren’t techy, you can outsource the skills to need the needs of the design market [i.e kitchen/bath/joinery design]Action stepsTake a piece of paper or open a word doc and write your pros and cons Leave a comment if you have some thoughts if you are watching on YouTube, and please subscribe if you like the content. *Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz