Our world is rapidly evolving. We’ve got AI and a whole host of other innovations coming on board and shaking things up. If we're not evolving in our business, we will be left behind. Instead of being fearful of the uncertainty that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond, what if we could hear predictions from someone who studies the future and create a game plan? As a professional futurist, Rebecca Ryan is no stranger to predictions. I’m so excited she’s joining me for this conversation where we’re going deep on questions like: What will design in public spaces look like in the future? What do design firms need to know moving into 2024? And what is this futurism-meets-design project she’s been working on with Libby Castro? This episode is a must-listen for all entrepreneurs, small business owners, design professionals—and humans.In this episode, you will:Learn futurist predictions for 2024 for entrepreneurs and small business owners.Uncover how designers can lead the charge against schismogenesis (and what that is).Discover the impact a futurist (like a designer) can have on a community and society.Full Show Notes Here!👉  Links & Mentioned Resources10 Trends for the next ten yearsThe Work Better ProjectNeoCon 2023 ReviewInterview with Treger Strasberg of Humble DesignThe Little Red BallThe Zen Leader📲Connect with Rebecca:InstagramThreadsLinkedInInstagram (NextGenerationConsulting)📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a step-by-step guide to the construction process (AKA the construction story)? Once you have your contract and are well on your way (especially when working with an architect), you must understand what comes next. It’s about approaching the design process with humility and looking at this as a partnership. And if SDs, DTs, & CDs read like a bunch of alphabet soup, you really don’t want to miss this. Kelly Fridline joins me for a thorough walkthrough of the construction process. In this episode, you will:Discover how the construction story (or process) unfolds so you know what to expect.Learn the best way to have great communication and collaboration with contractors and architects.Uncover the truth about how to best navigate the construction site as a female designer.Full Show Notes Here!👉  Links & Mentioned ResourcesThe FountainheadPresentation By Design Hard HatSafety Vest📲 CONNECT with Kelly:WebsiteInstagram (Kelly) 📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

What exactly is corporate social responsibility? Ever heard of Humble Design? This organization furnishes and decorates up to 13 homes each week in five cities across the country. Back in 2009, Treger Strasberg created a nonprofit and established a system that helps thousands of veterans, women, children, and families stop the revolving door of homelessness. The belief is simple: individuals emerging from homelessness deserve to come home each day to a clean, friendly, and dignified home. How does the 99% success rate of Humble Design really impact a family and a community? I can’t think of a more beautiful way to celebrate the day after Thanksgiving than by realizing we are all so incredibly blessed. And the responsibility and privilege that comes with that blessing is giving back to others through corporate social responsibility. Hear all that and more in today’s conversation!In this episode, you will be able to:Learn how Humble Design came to be and how they support those exiting homelessness.Discover ways you can give back to your local community.Uncover the benefits of corporate social responsibility—for your firm, yourself, & those in need.Full Show Notes Here👉 Mentioned ResourcesHumble DesignFast Company articleHumankind by Rutger Bregman📲 CONNECT with Treger:InstagramFacebookLinkedIn📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

Have you ever wondered what goes into selecting the color of the year? Who picks these trends? Do these colors have any longevity to them? What are we supposed to do with the color choices as designers? And will we ever be done with gray? I am thrilled for you to hear this roundtable discussion with Susan Wadden of Sherwin-Williams and Ruthanne Hanlon of PPG Paints. These ladies dished all the secrets of the meticulous processes to select the year's color. So many variables and pieces of data are analyzed by these large, global teams before we ever hear the color trend results! Designers and consumers alike will love this colorful conversation—specifically about 2024!In this episode, you will:Discover how PPG and Sherwin-Williams chose the color of the year for 2024.Learn the best way to talk about color trends (as a designer) with clients.Uncover the true intention behind color trends.Full Show Notes Here👉 Mentioned Links and ResourcesEp 2 Color Trends of 2023 w/ Sue WaddenUpwardLimitlessKryptonGuacamoleTricorn BlackPurple BasilUrbane BronzeTaigaAntiquarian Brown📲Connect with Ruthanne & Sue:Ruthanne (LinkedIn)Susan (LinkedIn)📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

What if I told you that you could improve your employees’ productivity by over 200%? Yes, you could actually have energized, happy, thoughtful, and super-productive employees by getting clear on just one thing! It’s something that greatly differentiates you from your competition. Your company culture. Josh Dykstra is with me today to talk about all things company culture. What it is and how it impacts your business and where to even begin. And we’re not just talking about typical office culture—Josh helped me settle a debate about building teams remotely. Whether you’re running a small firm or a large one, this episode is packed with helpful tips!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the meaning and importance of company culture.Learn exactly how to craft or improve the company culture in your business.Uncover the secret to attracting energized and happy employees and contractors.Full Show Notes Here👉 Mentioned ResourcesIgniting the Invisible TribeFirms of Endearment Strengths Based Leadership📲Connect with Josh:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

Wondering how entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed are taxed? Does that just make you want to curl up in a ball for the rest of the year? The thing is, if you’re paying money to the IRS, then you’re making money. That’s supposed to lessen the blow, but financial planning as a business owner can be a sensitive and overwhelming subject. Which is why I was so glad Kate Snelson agreed to share her public accounting knowledge with us. We tackled a lot in this episode! From W-9s and 1099s to LLCs, quarterly taxes, and planning for retirement. You’ll walk away feeling much more prepared for Q4 and next tax season!In this episode, you will be able to:Learn how to make smart financial decisions as a business owner.Discover the tax implications for your business if you have kids.Learn how to avoid penalties and interest on estimated tax payments.Full Show Notes Here👉 Mentioned ResourcesHarry Potter Series📲CONNECT with Kate:InstagramFacebookBooking Link (mention you heard Kate on Colorful Conversations!)📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

What is the importance of branding? Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a design firm, having a brand makes you memorable. But good branding doesn’t happen by throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks—it’s strategic and thoughtful. My friend and branding expert, Corey Fuller, is sharing that with us on this episode! We touched on everything from naming a business to finding the perfect typography. This conversation is an incredible resource for anyone looking to brand a new business or rebrand an existing one. In this episode, you will be able to:Uncover the most critical components of branding.Learn the business branding mistakes you must avoid!Discover the importance of branding whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a firm.Full Show Notes Here👉 Links & Mentioned ResourcesEp 3: Relaying your Brand as a mom-preneur with Becca EllisonJaber Crow by Wendell BerryDeep Work by Cal Newport📲CONNECT with Corey:WebsiteInstagram📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

Do you let the natural environment inform your designs? How does color affect your designs? And how can you adequately share what you do when you explain color to your clients? It’s a lot to think about. Lucky for us, my dear friend, Jason Bemis joins us on this episode to talk about nature, psychology, physiology, and color. We’re getting scientific! This is an interview not to miss if you’ve felt like inspiration has been lacking or you’re just looking for something to enliven your designs.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the role color has on our productivity and endocrine system.Learn the best way to explain the impact of bringing nature into the color conversation with your clients.Get clarity around how we can use color, design, and textures to support the human condition.Full Show Notes Here👉 Links & Mentioned ResourcesBe Nice to Spiders The ProphetAICCE Academy📲CONNECT with Jason:Instagram📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Mews, Construction Management and General Contractor at Lippert Bros., Inc., to explore the critical partnership between general contractors (GCs) and interior designers.Jason emphasizes the collaborative nature of this relationship, highlighting how designers bring creative visions to a project while GCs translate these ideas into tangible structures. Effective communication and trust are paramount, as both parties must work closely from project inception to completion.📦Unpacking the Topic:3:45 Design plans with GC plans23:10 Field visits26:23 Precon meetingsFull Show Notes Here📚Expand your Knowledge:Interior Design ResourcesLippert Bros., Inc. Projects📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.

In this episode, we sit down with Wesley Rutledge, licensed Architect at Beck Design. Our conversation explores the dynamic relationship between architects and designers, emphasizing the value of a collaborative approach from the very beginning of the design process. Wes sheds light on the essential role designers play in shaping architectural outcomes, advocating for their involvement at the conceptual stages.Full Show Notes Here📚Expand your Knowledge:Interior Design ResourcesZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“Glass House”Watch Episode 2: Color Trends of 2024 with Sue Wadden📲CONNECT with Katie:Book your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!Business Coaching for Interior DesignersFacebookInstagram🎙We'd love to hear from YOU! Click here to fill out our survey.