# 104 | Take a Look Inside the Interior Designer's Business Blueprint with Esther Ellard and Colleen Slack
“You don’t have to build your business someone else’s way—you get to build it around your values, your lifestyle, and the way you actually want to live.”
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In this episode, I sat down with two longtime Designer’s Oasis members, Esther Allard and Colleen Slack, for a conversation about what it really looks like to build an interior design business that feels aligned, profitable, and sustainable. We talked about the power of community, the importance of learning from other designers, and how much can change when you stop trying to force your business into someone else’s version of success.
One of the things I loved most about this conversation was hearing how both Esther and Colleen have made intentional decisions to shape their businesses around their lives, values, and goals. Esther shared how a difficult client experience became a turning point in her business—one that pushed her to create stronger boundaries, charge appropriately, and build a business that supports her faith and family. Colleen shared how she has evolved her firm over time and recently stepped more fully into a unique niche by incorporating human design and nervous system regulation into her work.
What stood out so clearly in this conversation is that there is no one “right” way to run an interior design business. The best businesses are not built from copying someone else’s formula. They’re built by getting honest about what matters most to you, what kind of life you want your business to support, and what kind of clients and projects are truly the right fit. That kind of clarity changes everything—from your pricing to your processes to the way you show up with confidence.
We also talked about how valuable it is to have a community where designers can be honest about what’s happening behind the scenes. So much of this industry can feel isolating, especially when you’re running your business on your own. Having a space where you can ask questions, share ideas, get feedback, and learn from the lived experiences of others can make all the difference. This episode is a reminder that you were never meant to build your business alone.
If you’ve been craving more support, more clarity, or a more aligned way of growing your business, I think you’ll really connect with this conversation. Esther and Colleen both shared such thoughtful, honest reflections on what it means to evolve your business with intention, and I know their stories will resonate with so many designers.
Mentioned in this episode:
DOORS ARE OPEN! Interior Designer’s Business Blueprint
FREE DOWNLOAD: 7 Habits of Highly Profitable Interior Designers
