Are you stuck thinking “What if I mess up?” or “What if I don’t sound like I know what I’m talking about?” when calling yourself an interior designer?
You’re not alone.
Many talented people with a natural eye for design stay stuck because they’re waiting for someone to give them permission to start their careers. But here’s the truth: you don’t need anyone’s permission except your own.
In this episode, I talk about why you don’t need permission from anyone to become an interior designer—you already have what it takes. I share stories from my journey and common fears many new designers have, like not knowing enough or worrying they’ll make mistakes.
You will learn how to move forward despite your fears, and understand why your “why” is most important. I also provide three simple steps to start your interior design career immediately!
Creativity is personal, and being an interior designer means being brave enough to try. Whether you want to change your niche, charge for your work, or say yes to something new, this episode gives you the permission to begin.
Stop waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect skills. Your design career starts the moment you decide to believe in yourself. Listen now and give yourself permission to become the interior designer you’ve always wanted to be – because I am officially giving you that permission right here, right now.
If you need help getting your business off the ground and running, join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp. Classes start in July.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
Overcome your fear-based thoughts and start believing in your own design abilities
Get official permission to start your interior design career today, with or without a degree or a perfect plan
Learn the 3 simple steps you can take this week to launch your design business
Check out these episode highlights
02:07 Personal Reflection on Waiting for Permission
Didn’t feel confident calling herself an interior designer
Uncertain about what/how to charge
Waiting for someone to tell her what to do
03:12 Common Mindset Blocks
Permission needed to become an interior designer
“I don’t know enough”
“I need another course or certification”
“I might need to go back to school”
Fear-based thoughts:
“What if I mess up?”
“What if I sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about?”
“What if I don’t have ideas when asked?”
“What if I can’t be as creative as other designers?”
Root Cause:
Comparison and social media influence
Impact of seeing polished, magazine-ready projects online
03:58 Core Principle: Expertise Comes From Starting
Key message: “Expertise doesn’t come before you start. It comes from starting”
Experience leads to expertise
04:39 Signs You’re Ready to Start
Indicators of readiness:
Natural talent or eye for design
Drawn to beautiful spaces and things
Can identify room pain points
Think about better room flow and arrangements
Help family/friends with Mood boards, Inspiration boards, and Color palettes
Willingness to learn and improve
Courage to move forward despite fear of failure
06:24 Affirmations and Mindset Shifts
“I don’t need a license to believe in myself.”
The importance of self-belief and the willingness to learn and improve
To be open to pivoting in their niche and to not be afraid of change
The importance of setting boundaries and knowing when to say no to clients
09:40 Direct Permission Statement
“You can be an interior designer, starting today. I give you permission.”
10:00 Practical Steps to Get Started
Offer consultations:
Reach out to neighbors, family, friends
Offer free or low-cost consultations
“Hey, I’m trying a new thing. Can I come over for an hour and give you ideas?”
Social media presence
Post photos of your design work at home
Announce: “I’m starting a new business”
Observe how supportive people can be
Share your WHY
Examples of potential WHYs:
Help aging individuals live safely and comfortably
Help moms create calm amidst chaos
Create personalized spaces for each child
Promote eco-conscious, sustainable design
Support non-toxic home products
Reminder: Your WHY attracts and motivates people to hire you.
11:49 Overcoming the Starting Hurdle
The difference between saying “someday” and doing it today
Time is a valuable commodity
The need to make opportunities happen rather than wait
Reminder: Clarity comes from doing the thing.
Next Steps
Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and launch your design business this summer
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!
Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
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
- Episode 28: Designing Your Success: Finding the Right Niche in Your Interior Design Career with Yvonne Harty
- Episode 27: Can’t Decide on Your Specialty? The Different Interior Design Niche Markets You Can Choose From
- Episode 139: Switching to an Interior Design Career? How to Make Yourself Marketable Without a Degree
Thanks for listening. I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…