Congratulations! You’re in the ESTABLISHING Phase

You have great momentum and you’re learning a ton through real (paid) client experience.

However, while you’re making great progress, many days it just feels like you can’t escape the noise of everything there is to do. 

You're not alone my friend. “Overwhelm” often feels like the official emotion of the Establishing Phase.

It may feel challenging to know exactly what to focus on next. Because of this, you may find yourself stuck in research mode, trying to find solutions to everything.

Here is the truth: (spoken warmly like your college bestie who is your biggest cheerleader)

It’s time to stop wasting precious time on every webinar you come across and googling to the ends of the internet and soliciting advice from free Facebook groups for fractured advice.

Find your person and stick with them. Otherwise, these activities are the Achilles heel of progress. 

It’s more important than ever to take daily imperfect action. 

This season is all about establishing systems and processes that will streamline your business so you can deliver an exceptional client experience. It’s time to get all those ideas swirling in your head down onto paper and organized into systems that help your business hum.

It requires intention and focus, but the good news is that much of this work will happen naturally through real client experience. 

In this season, your primary focus will be on documenting processes that will help you deliver an excellent client experience while growing your income and enjoying the freedom you’ve been yearning for. 

Key Insights

How to know you’re ready to move onto the next phase of business

  • You have a weekly rhythm in place to help guide your daily activities.

  • You feel pretty confident when you have new client discovery calls and consultations.  

  • You have a documented workflow for each service you offer.  

  • You have proposal templates for each service type you offer (i.e. Full-Service, Designer for a Day, etc.).  

  • You are actively developing relationships with vendors, trades, and companies you want to work with, including opening trade accounts.

  • You have a bookkeeping system in place. (Even better a bookkeeper!) 

  • You have a system for tracking your time so you can start to understand how long specific tasks take. 

  • You have prepared a Services & Investment Guide as well as a Client Welcome Packet. 

  • You are actively serving multiple clients at once and have at least 1 professionally photographed project to showcase.

  • No secrets here! Everyone you know knows what you do for a living. You are actively and regularly engaging in marketing activities.

  • Bonus Points: You’ve attended at least one interior design market such as Vegas Market or Highpoint. 

Be Aware of These Blindspots

Mistaking Busy Work for Productivity

It’s easy to mistake activity for productivity when there’s so much to do. Be conscientious about spending time on activities that will actually move your business forward.

Early success often comes from a little bit of healthy hustle. But this phase requires systems to sustain that growth. Failing to implement processes in your business will lead to inefficiencies and burnout.

Perfectionism & Missed Opportunities 

Perfectionism is the enemy.  Don’t get so focused on “perfecting” systems that you avoid marketing your business. This leads to missed opportunities. 

Remember, just like actual seasons you’ll have opportunities to return to everything you create and iterate over time.  Don’t be afraid to try stuff and see what works. 

Overwhelm from Too Much Input

Seeking endless advice from podcasts, webinars, and Google searches can create information overload (It may even be the thing that landed you here. But NOW…it’s time to take action!) 

Avoid getting stuck in research mode instead of taking imperfect action on what you’ve learned.

Hey designer!
I’m Kate. 

I’m an interior designer, girl-mom, dark-chocolate aficionado, and an estate sale junkie. 

I started Designer’s Oasis with the intention of supporting designers just like you, who have no shortage of big dreams - AND - could use support, resources, and community to help them along on their journey.

And here you are...Here we are! 

It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you! 

With over 15 years of experience as a professional interior designer and 10 years at the helm of my own design firm, I’ve learned a few things about what works….and what doesn’t.

I’m here to share it all with you. 

What I Wish For You

I created this quiz and these resources because I want you to feel empowered and equipped to make BIG moves for yourself this year. 

I have to be 100% honest. Building an interior design business isn’t easy.

But it can be incredibly rewarding with huge revenue potential while also providing you with flexibility for better work-life balance. 

If you’re new around here, consider this your new home for interior design business resources, tools, community, and support. 

Building a business takes time and no one gets to where they are alone. Even Tiger Woods - the greatest golfer of ALL TIME - has a golf coach.  (Promise there won’t be too many sports references around here but when I heard that, I was like…“Of course, he does!”)  

Personalized Resources for the ESTABLISHING Phase

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Next Steps

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