The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Interior Design Podcast

• Ep. 104 - Let's Talk About Carving Out Your Niche in a Competitive Interior Design Industry

  In this episode, we dive into why honing in on a specific niche can be the game-changer that helps interior designers stand out in a crowded marketplace. Rather than stretching yourself thin trying to appeal to everyone, we explore how narrowing your focus allows you to sharpen your expertise, streamline your marketing, and attract clients who truly value what you offer. From defining your unique strengths to crafting laser-focused messaging, we outline six compelling reasons why “going small” can yield big results for your design business.Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to refine your brand or a newcomer aiming to carve out your space in the industry, this conversation sheds light on how niching down fuels both creativity and profitability. Tune in to discover practical tips, real-world examples, and the mindset shifts needed to thrive in the modern landscape of interior design.Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design I @thorntondesign

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• Ep. 103 - Let's Talk About the Journey to a 20+ Year Career of Entrepreneurship in Design with Crispin Butterfield

  Today’s guest is Crispin Butterfield—an interior designer who has been running her own thriving design business for over two decades. We’re going to dive into the ins and outs of building a successful firm: how she started from scratch, the moment she decided to grow her team, and the challenges she faced along the way. Now, with a wealth of experience under her belt, Crispin is dedicated to giving back to the interior design community, sharing her insights through mentoring, downloadable templates, and a host of other resources. I can’t wait to learn from her journey and unique perspective. Her name is as cool as her story—let’s get chatting with Crispin!Website: https://www.designlifeinc.caInstagram: @designlifeincBe sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design I @thorntondesign

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• Ep. 102 - Let's Talk About Attracting Clients Through Strategic Web Design

  Cathleen Barnes is a web strategist and designer with over a decade of experience in the corporate digital e-commerce world. Specializing in working with interior designers, she creates websites that go beyond stunning visuals to become true business tools.What sets Cathleen apart is her data-driven approach. By leveraging inspector tools and strategy maps, she ensures every website aligns perfectly with her clients’ goals—whether it’s attracting dream clients, increasing bookings, or streamlining processes.Cathleen’s passion lies in showing interior designers how a thoughtful, strategic website can transform their business. She has helped designers boost their online visibility and client conversion rates through personalized strategies that deliver real, measurable results.Website: https://www.cathleenbarnesconsulting.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathleenbarnesconsulting/Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design I @thorntondesign

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• Ep 101 - Let's Talk About How To Set Your Hourly Rate as an Interior Designer

  In this episode, we dive into the essential process of determining your hourly rate as an interior designer. Whether you charge by the hour, use flat fees, or quote per project, understanding your hourly rate is crucial for accurate pricing and profitability. We cover everything you need to consider, from your geographic area, ideal client, and level of service to business expenses, desired salary, and profit margins. Learn how to calculate your rate, track your time, and avoid common pricing mistakes to ensure your design business thrives. Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design I @thorntondesign

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• Ep. 100 - Let's Talk About Creating Clear Communication with our Clients

   As interior designers, we know how critical communication is when working with clients. From the very first meeting to the final reveal, clear and empathetic communication can make or break a project. And let’s be honest, we’ve all had those stressful moments—when things don’t go according to plan, or clients are uncertain or overwhelmed.Well, today, we’re diving into just that! I’m joined by two incredible guests—Alison Maratos, a Clinical Director and Registered Social Worker, and her sister Sarah St. Amand, who brings her unique perspective to the table. Together, they’ll share how we can create environments of trust, understanding, and clean communication with our clients.We’re going to talk about values, scripting, mental checklists, and maybe even some physical ones—tools that can help us stay grounded and effective in our interactions, especially when the pressure’s on. So grab a coffee, take a seat, and get ready to connect with your clients like never before in 2025. You’ll leave this episode with practical tips to build stronger relationships, and hopefully, a little less stress along the waySarah St. Amand: @Sarahst.amandinteriordesignAllison Maratos: https://maratoscounselling.com/team/alison-maslin-maratos/Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design I @thorntondesign

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