When Your Interior Design Business Feels Tough: Strategies for Navigating Challenging Times
Why Business Challenges Don't Mean You're Failing (And What to Do Next)
Episode 110
In this episode, I address the reality that running an interior design business can sometimes feel overwhelming, frustrating, or just plain hard. Learn why these challenging periods don't mean you're doing it wrong or that you're not cut out for business ownership. Discover practical strategies for navigating tough times and how your response to difficulties can transform your studio's trajectory.
Hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Running an interior design business can be incredibly rewarding. There's the creative fulfillment, the joy of transforming clients' spaces, and the satisfaction of building something that's uniquely yours. But let's be honest—it's not all fabric swatches and client reveals.
There are days when it feels like you're dragging your studio uphill in a wheelbarrow, blindfolded. Days when the admin is overwhelming, clients are challenging, suppliers are dropping the ball, and you're wondering if you're really cut out for this business ownership thing after all.
If you've ever felt this way, here's the most important thing to know: You're not alone, and these feelings don't mean you're failing.
It's okay if business feels tough sometimes. It doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It doesn't mean that you're not good at it. It doesn't mean you're not cut out for it. And it definitely doesn't mean everyone else has it figured out except you.
The truth is, feeling challenged is part of the journey, especially when you're building something that really matters to you. What separates confident studio owners from those who struggle isn't the absence of difficulties—it's how they respond when challenges arise.
Identifying the Real Issues: Beyond "Business Is Hard"
When you're in the thick of a challenging period, it's easy to fall into vague generalizations like "everything is overwhelming" or "business is just hard right now." But to effectively address what's happening, you need to get specific.
Zoom Out to See the Big Picture
The first step is gaining perspective:
Take a step back, look at the big picture. Are you just having a rough week or a rough day or even a rough month? Or is there a deeper system boundary or workflow that needs tweaking?
This perspective helps you determine whether you're experiencing a temporary challenge or if there are fundamental issues that need addressing in your business systems.
Ask yourself:
Is this a short-term issue related to a specific project or client?
Is this a seasonal challenge that will naturally resolve?
Is this a recurring problem that points to a systemic issue?
Has this been building for some time, indicating a deeper concern?
Name What's Really Going On
Once you've gained some perspective, get specific about what you're experiencing:
Name it, call it out. Once you are clear on what the actual problem is, you can then work on fixing it.
Common challenges interior designers face include:
1. Overwhelm
Too many projects running simultaneously
Lack of systems to manage workflow
Insufficient support or delegation
Unclear priorities or boundaries
2. Cashflow Issues
Inconsistent project pipeline
Undercharging for services
Payment terms that don't support business needs
Unexpected project expenses
3. Client Fatigue
Difficult client relationships
Scope creep and boundary issues
Communication challenges
Misaligned expectations
4. Isolation
Working alone without peer support
Lack of professional community
Limited feedback on business decisions
Carrying all business stresses individually
By identifying the specific challenge you're facing, you can target your response rather than feeling overwhelmed by a vague sense that "everything is hard."
Overcoming the Shame Spiral: From Self-Criticism to Strategic Thinking
One of the most damaging responses to business challenges is falling into what Beth calls the "shame spiral"—that cycle of self-criticism that turns business difficulties into evidence of personal failure.
Feeling behind is not a moral failure, it's data. Use it, learn from it, and then move on. Move forward.
This shift from shame to curiosity is transformative. Instead of seeing challenges as proof that you're not cut out for business, you can view them as valuable information that can improve your studio.
Practical Ways to Combat the Shame Spiral:
1. Normalize the Experience
Recognize that every business owner faces challenges. This isn't unique to you, and it doesn't reflect your worth or abilities.
2. Separate Identity from Business Performance
Your business having a tough period doesn't mean you are a failure. It means you're running a business, which inherently involves ups and downs.
3. Seek Perspective
Talk to other designers or business owners. You'll quickly discover that even the most successful studios face significant challenges.
4. Focus on Solutions, Not Self-Criticism
For every minute spent criticizing yourself, spend five minutes brainstorming potential solutions.
5. Document Lessons Learned
Keep a business journal where you record challenges and what you learn from them. This creates a resource you can refer to in future difficult periods.
Taking Strategic Action: From Stagnation to Momentum
When business feels tough, it's easy to become paralyzed by indecision or overwhelm. The key to moving forward is taking action—even small steps can create momentum.
Make One Decision
Make one decision. When you're stuck in a fog, clarity starts with action. And that action might just be going for a walk. But choose one small thing to fix or shift.
This could be:
Sending that email you've been putting off
Changing a procedure that's not working
Revisiting documentation to clarify processes
Having a difficult but necessary conversation
Implementing a new boundary with clients
The specific action matters less than the act of making a decision and following through. This creates momentum that can carry you forward.
Strategic Rest: When Doing Less Is the Answer
Sometimes the best response to business challenges isn't doing more:
It's also okay to rest. On the other side of the scale, sometimes what you need in that tough patch isn't to do more. It's to pause, to rest, to reconnect with why you started.
Strategic rest might look like:
Taking a day completely away from work
Scheduling a creative field trip for inspiration
Connecting with a mentor or business coach
Revisiting your business vision and values
Spending time with other designers who understand your challenges
Burnout doesn't build bold businesses. Energy, clarity, and support do. Recognizing when rest is the strategic choice is a sign of business wisdom, not weakness.
Building Resilience: Systems That Support You Through Challenges
While every business will face challenges, having the right systems in place can make these periods less frequent and less intense. Consider developing:
1. Financial Systems
Cash reserve for lean periods
Clear understanding of monthly expenses
Diversified revenue streams
Regular financial review practices
2. Client Management Systems
Thorough onboarding process
Clear boundaries and expectations
Communication protocols
Feedback mechanisms
3. Support Systems
Professional network of peers
Mentorship or coaching relationships
Team members or contractors for support
Personal self-care practices
4. Decision-Making Frameworks
Clear business values to guide choices
Decision-making processes for common situations
Criteria for evaluating opportunities
Regular business review practices
These systems create a foundation that helps you weather challenges more effectively and recover more quickly when difficult periods arise.
Real Stories: How Designers Navigate Tough Times
To illustrate these principles in action, let's look at how real designers have navigated challenging business periods:
Sarah's Story: From Cashflow Crisis to Financial Clarity
Sarah, a residential designer, found herself in a cashflow crisis when three projects unexpectedly paused within the same month. Instead of panicking, she:
Zoomed out to recognize this as a temporary challenge, not a business failure
Named the specific issue: inconsistent project scheduling creating cashflow gaps
Made one decision: implementing a new payment structure with deposits and milestone payments
Created a system: developed a cashflow projection tool to identify potential gaps in advance
Today, Sarah's studio has a three-month operating expense reserve and a payment structure that ensures consistent cashflow regardless of project timelines.
Michael's Story: From Client Fatigue to Ideal Client Clarity
Michael, a commercial designer, was experiencing burnout from difficult client relationships. His strategic response:
Zoomed out to recognize a pattern of client misalignment, not just "difficult people"
Named the issue: unclear ideal client criteria leading to projects that weren't a good fit
Made one decision: developed a clear ideal client profile and project assessment criteria
Rested: took a two-week break to reconnect with his design passion before implementing changes
Michael now has a thriving practice working exclusively with clients who value his expertise and process, resulting in more enjoyable projects and higher profitability.
The Path Forward: Resilience as a Practice
Running a confident design business isn't about never struggling—it's about having the tools and self-trust to respond effectively when challenges arise:
This moment doesn't define you, but how you respond to it, that will shape your future.
By developing the habits of zooming out for perspective, naming specific challenges, taking strategic action, and resting when needed, you build resilience that serves your business through all its seasons.
Remember that the most successful design studios aren't those that never face difficulties—they're the ones that use challenges as catalysts for growth, refinement, and renewed clarity about what matters most.
Whether you're currently in a challenging period or want to prepare for inevitable future difficulties, these strategies will help you navigate the ups and downs of design business ownership with confidence, clarity, and grace.