“I’m not a numbers person!”
“I just want to design, not run a business!”
Does this sound like you?
Many interior designers have a passion for dreaming up beautiful spaces, but stepping into the role of a CEO can feel uncomfortable, like wearing a hat that doesn’t quite fit. I understand—I’ve felt the same way before.
In this episode, I share how I changed my mindset and embraced the CEO role, and how you can do the same. My goal is to help you avoid burnout, ensure you’re charging what you’re worth, and prevent chaos behind the scenes.
I break down the mental barriers that hold designers back from realizing their leadership potential and explain how understanding business fundamentals can supercharge your creative success.
I also guide you through the four CEO mindsets that helped me build a business I love: visionary thinking, confident decision-making, strong leadership, and financial ownership.
Being a CEO doesn’t mean losing your creativity; it’s about building a strong foundation that supports and enhances your design talents.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your existing practice, this episode will help you transform from a hesitant creative into a powerful business leader.
Tune in now and take the first step towards becoming the CEO of your business!
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
Overcome your mindset blocks so you can stop avoiding the business side and start leading with confidence
Get practical tips to reduce chaos, avoid burnout, and run a well-oiled design business
Be empowered to take back control and create a business that supports the life you love
Check out these episode highlights
03:05 Why Creatives Resist the CEO Role
Common limiting beliefs:
“I’m not a numbers person.”
“Business is boring/confusing.”
“I just want to design.”
These mindsets lead to:
Burnout
Undercharging
Chaotic project management
Real-life example of designers losing clients due to a lack of systems
05:48 Four Core CEO Mindsets to Adopt
Visionary Thinking
Treat your business like a project.
Visualize the 5-, 10-, and 30-year plan and reverse engineer your path.
Decision-Making Confidence
Use data (P&L, conversion rates) to guide decisions.
Don’t rely only on how you feel about your business—look at the numbers.
Leadership
You influence clients, contractors, and collaborators.
Lead your clients like “Obi-Wan”—be the expert guiding them through the journey.
Financial Ownership
Numbers are fuel, not fear.
Learn the language of business: profit margins, forecasting.
Rebecca’s early mistakes: ignoring finances and operating without a plan.
12:31 Practical Shifts for Stepping Into the CEO Role
Schedule a weekly CEO time to:
Review goals
Analyze finances
Adjust business strategy
Get help where you’re weak:
Hire a bookkeeper or virtual assistant.
Delegate responsibilities as needed.
Use tools that suit your brain:
Spreadsheets, dashboards, sticky notes—whatever works for you.
Create and Follow Systems and SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) = sanity. A lack of SOPs creates confusion and inconsistency.
Benefits of SOPs:
Prevent forgotten steps.
Reduce stress.
Create a consistent, professional client experience.
15:11 Final Reminders
Leadership includes delegation, boundaries, and building culture.
Let go of the “martyr mindset”: working harder doesn’t equal success.
A well-resourced designer delivers better results.
16:33 Challenge for the Week
Block one hour for CEO time. Choose to:
Review finances
Audit your process
Set a 90-day goal
Next Steps
- Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
Grab your freebies:
- Furnishings Investment Guide
- Remodel Budget and Timeline Guide
- Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
- 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career
Take a Quiz!
- Find Your Perfect Interior Design Style if you are curious about your design style
- Find Out What Type of Interior Designer You Should Be!
Check out the best books every interior designer should have here.
Email me at [email protected] if you have suggested topics
DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question
Leave me a rating and review! Click here.
Related Episode
Thanks for listening. I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…