So You Want to be an Interior Designer Podcast

So You Want to be an Interior Designer

Adam Scougall
Every week Adam Scougall breaks down the nuts and bolts of creating a design life that is unique to you.  Focused on the those considering a mid-career sea change, the show aims to support you in creating the ideal lifestyle business in design. Forget having to do it the way all of the other design moguls tell you 'it should be done'. You do you.
EP# 5 How do I get more Interior design clients in 2024?
Let me ask you a question? Are you struggling to find interior design clients? As much as you spread the word about your business, posting on Instagram and creating this perception of abundance in your office, you still lay awake at night wondering how the heck you can find new clients . It’s true that 2023 is drawing to a close and we want to consider what’s ahead in 2024.In this episode I am going to share what almost 50K in interior design coaching (didn’t) teach me, and what I had to discover for myself that worked. And what I am going to suggest doesn’t rely on the law of attraction or just sending out the right message to the universe. My approach is numbers driven. The more you go out and promote todays client filling strategy to your business  partners in the field, the greater percentage of success you will achieve. Simple as that.If you don't know me already, it's Adam Scougall here of the So You Want to Be an Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 5. This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on, rather than ones you have to take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career, take the quiz! It takes 2 minutes, is only 15 questions and you get your own personalised report.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 
Oct 23, 2023
24 min
EP #4 What hourly rate should I charge in 2024?
Let me ask you a question? As an interior designer or decorator, do you know what you should be charging your clients in 2024?In this episode, I’ll discuss with you the high, medium, and low tier and work out where you can confidently fit in in 2024 and after.Who is this show for?  This show really is for mid-career aspiring interior design or decorating solopreneurs that need support in building their own interior design business whilst working 9 to 5. My aim is to help you balance your time and make more money whilst being able to choose the projects you want to work on rather than ones you must take to pay your billsBut first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz Ok, Lets cover the 3 tiers and work out where you should fit in hereQ 1- Tier 1 -low·       Have you just come out of design school? ·       Have you minimal to no documented body of work [i.e., photographs, testimonials] that substantiate your experience?·       Do you have an issue with confidence and feel that you may flounder/apologise more if you charge higher than keeping it low?Q 2- Tier 2- mid·       You now have several projects catalogues, website, and social proof of your work·       You’ve run several design jobs and understand how in-depth it is and not for the faint hearted.·       You are comfortable keeping it solo, or are hiring out for the basics, such as bookkeeping and accounting.Q 3- Tier 3 -high·       Several years of experience and are now working from an external location·       You have staff and need to ensure that all overheads are covered, such as sick/paid leave, insurances etc·       You have a public profile that substantiates your ability to command higher rates and you feel confident that you sit in the realm of the top design echelon you see on TV or magazines.*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 
Oct 16, 2023
24 min
EP#3 What's the difference between a Designer and a Decorator?
What’s the difference between and Interior Designer and a Decorator?Let me ask you a question? Do you know the difference between and interior designer and a decorator?We discuss 3 questions to ask yourself if you are deciding which way to go here.Welcome to episode , I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want To Be An Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 3. My aim for the show is really to teach you the thrills, reveal the spills and show you can create an Interior Design career that fits your lifestyle But first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz So You Want To Be an Interior Designer?Ok, Now back to the 3 questionsWhat- I’m going to explain the difference and tell you why some people are hung up on the difference between the twoHow- Give you true definition as well as well as why it’s ok to be a hybrid if you want to Why?- Because you want to know your strengths and understand how to position yourselfOk, Now the 3 questions Q 1- Are you interested in function as much as form?·       If you find yourself thinking as much about the internal cupboard of the kitchen, as much as the fabric on the roman blind over the sink, you probably have a designer’s mindQ 2- Do you want to do Residential or Commercial projects?·       Much of Interior Design specific education is based around commercial elements·       Commercial projects will require detailed technical drawings, as well as industry standard codes to be able to get the drawings approved etc·       Residential projects allow more details ‘fluff and tease’ than commercial projects.Q 3- Are you techy?·       You don’t need to be a technical wizard, but there are tools that you will need to learn to be a designer [ArchiCAD, or even sketch-up]·       If you aren’t techy, you can outsource the skills to need the needs of the design market [i.e kitchen/bath/joinery design]Action stepsTake a piece of paper or open a word doc and write your pros and cons Leave a comment if you have some thoughts if you are watching on YouTube, and please subscribe if you like the content. *Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz 
Sep 28, 2023
20 min
EP#2  Should you aim for high end clients?
Welcome to Episode #2 of ‘So You Want to be an Interior designer’. My aim for the show is really to teach you the thrills, reveal the spills and show you can create an Interior Design career that fits your lifestyle In today’s episode, I’m asking you another critical question- Should you aim for high end clients? In this episode, I focus on the three essentials to consider before you decide that being an affluent client chaser is worth the effort!Enjoy!Here’s a glance at this episode…Q 1- Can you build trust in their inner circle?·       What contacts can you create that will lead to the projects you desire?·       How can you consistently show up to be of service?Q 2- Can you handle large size projects?·       Have you worked with a building team before?·       How can you understand very clearly how your service will fits in with their service?Q 3- Can you stand by your value?·       Some clients may want to interfere with your process.·       Have a robust contract that fee system that you are confident in sticking to. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsAlso, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Links mentioned in this episode: soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quizsoyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/coaching
Sep 16, 2023
25 min
EP#1:Is an Interior Design career right for you?
Welcome to the very first episode of ‘So You Want to be an Interior designer’. My aim for the show is really to teach you the thrills, reveal the spills and show you can create an Interior Design career that fits your lifestyle In today’s episode, I’m asking you the critical question-Is a design career right for you and how you live? There are a number of questions you want to ask yourself before you commit your time, money and blood, sweat and tears to this industry. There can be high highs, and sometimes, well a few lows. Ultimately, I believe the good outweighs the bad, so strap yourself in and let’s get talking about your fabulous Interior Design aspirations! In this episode, I focus on the three essentials to consider before you make your passion a reality. There is no ‘one size fits all’ and I want to let you know that you can be happy designing your life with as little or as much design as you can handle! I certainly have!Enjoy! Here’s a glance at this episode…Question 1:Are you happy being 20% creative, and 80% business driven?·       Business acumen trumps talent! I rarely get complex with numbers, but ths percentage split is very accurate so let’s discuss in more detail.Question 2: Are you prepared to make a living in other ways, when the road gets tough?·       Projects can and do slow down at time. No matter what some may tell you. I discuss ideas that can bring additional income during famine, as well as during feast.Question 3: Do you Love it? Or should you leave it??·       Are you trying it on for size, or diving in because you don’t want to die ignoring your passion? I discuss with you what you need to make this work long term. Spoiler alert! It’s something to do with your heart.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsAlso, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Links mentioned in this episode: soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/coaching 
Aug 31, 2023
19 min