As we mark the one-year anniversary of the original Design Business Blueprint, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve embarked upon together. This column, launched in September 2023, was envisioned as a resource to support and empower interior designers and creative entrepreneurs. Over the past year, it’s been an absolute honor to provide you with insights, tools, and strategies to grow your design businesses.
The success of Design Business Blueprint has surpassed my wildest expectations. I’m humbled by the feedback, engagement, and sheer enthusiasm this column has sparked. In fact, I’m proud to share that Design Business Blueprint has inspired other publications to create their own versions of similar columns.
As we celebrate this milestone, let’s look back at some of the key topics we’ve covered, highlight the pivotal lessons shared, and, most importantly, invite you to engage in the next phase of our journey together.
The power of a visionary: A nod to Courtney Porter
Before diving into our greatest hits from the past year, I must first acknowledge the person who made this all possible—Courtney Porter, Editor-in-Chief of Design News Now. Courtney is a true visionary, one who recognized the need for a regular column focused on the business side of interior design. Her forward-thinking approach to industry communication has been transformative. Courtney is a disruptor, challenging the norms of how the design world shares knowledge and insights.
Her decision to bring me in to spearhead this initiative has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Together, we’ve created something unique—a resource that fills a crucial gap in our industry, offering not just inspiration but practical, real-world strategies that have helped designers like you build more resilient, thriving businesses. Here’s to disrupting the status quo, side by side with Courtney and the entire team at Design News Now!
A Look Back: Key Topics from the past year
Over the last twelve months, we’ve tackled a range of topics designed to help you strengthen every aspect of your business. Let’s take a moment to revisit some of the most impactful articles and the lessons they’ve offered.
1. Branding: Crafting your unique identity
Last November’s edition on branding remains one of my personal favorites. In “A Well-Crafted Brand Can Help Your Interior Design Business Grow,” we dove deep into the power of consistent, intentional branding. Your brand is more than just a logo; it’s the embodiment of your design philosophy and professionalism. We shared insights on how to craft a memorable brand that speaks directly to your ideal clients, while also positioning you as a leader in the industry.
2. Time management: Your most precious resource
One of the first topics we covered was the importance of time management. In January’s edition, “A Designer’s Most Precious Commodity… Time!” we dove into why mastering time management is essential for your business success. We explored actionable strategies like creating a master calendar, delegating tasks, and learning when to say no. Time, as I noted, is your most valuable currency—once spent, it’s gone forever. By focusing on efficiency, we can protect this precious resource and use it to grow our businesses wisely.
3. Client management: Building trust and relationships
In February, we shifted our focus to client management, another cornerstone of any successful design business. In “Mastering Client Management,” we discussed the power of clear communication, setting realistic expectations from day one, and how to always stay three steps ahead of your clients’ needs. Managing clients effectively isn’t just about getting through a project—it’s about creating a seamless, trust-based experience that will lead to repeat business and glowing referrals.
4. Carefully addressing politics with clients
As we’ve demonstrated before, Design Business Blueprint isn’t afraid to tackle the tough topics that matter to your business. In the most recent article, “Are Politics Too Taboo to Discuss with Clients?” we explored the delicate balance of navigating political conversations in a professional setting. While some may shy away from discussing potentially divisive issues, we understand that these conversations are sometimes unavoidable and can even deepen client relationships when handled with care.
It’s our continued willingness to engage in real, unfiltered dialogue that sets this column apart. As the original Design Business Blueprint, we’ll continue to provide the insight and guidance you need to face even the most challenging aspects of running a design business. Each of these topics has resonated with readers and sparked meaningful discussions in the design community. And as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing these insights, I’ve equally enjoyed hearing your stories of how these strategies have helped you fortify and grow your business.
Looking ahead: Let’s engage in a conversation
As we step into the second year of Design Business Blueprint, I want to open the floor to you, our loyal readers! What challenges are you currently facing in your design business? What burning questions do you have about scaling, client management, or diversifying your revenue streams?
I invite you to submit your questions directly by clicking here. Whether it’s about managing a growing team, improving your online presence, or something else entirely, I’m eager to hear from you. Together, we’ll address the real issues you’re facing and provide solutions that can be immediately implemented to enhance your business.
Why your input matters
The strength of this column lies in its relevance to you—the hardworking interior designer, entrepreneur, and creative. Over the past year, our conversations have helped shape the topics we cover, ensuring that every article is tailored to the needs of our industry. By sharing your questions, concerns, and success stories, you help me craft content that is informative, actionable, and practical.
Your input will help guide us as we move forward. This column is a living, breathing resource designed to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of interior design business development.
What’s next for Design Business Blueprint?
As we look ahead, I’m excited to continue exploring new topics that will push your business forward. In the coming months, we’ll dive deeper into advanced marketing strategies, creating safe and positive work environments, and how incorporating AI will help future-proof your business in an increasingly digital world.
And beyond that, I want to ensure that Design Business Blueprint continues to be a space where we can exchange ideas and experiences. I encourage you to engage with me on Instagram at @ykdassociates, where we can keep the conversation going beyond the page.
Final Thoughts: Here’s to Year Two!
As we celebrate this milestone, I’m filled with gratitude for the support this column has received. To Courtney Porter, thank you for your leadership and for believing in the need for this critical resource. And to all of you—thank you for making Design Business Blueprint the success it has become.
This column was created for you, the interior designers and creative entrepreneurs who are working hard to build businesses that are successful and sustainable. I hope that over the past year, you’ve found value in the advice and insights shared, and I can’t wait to see where we’ll go from here.
Remember to keep those questions coming, and let’s continue to disrupt and redefine the business side of design together. Cheers to year two of Design Business Blueprint—we’re just getting started!
About Design Business Blueprint
Design Business Blueprint is a Design News Now exclusive monthly column written by Yudi Kaufman of YKD Associates. Yudi is a multifaceted business strategist, entrepreneur, and creative with years of experience navigating the home furnishings and interior design industry. Yudi holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Interior Environments from New York’s FIT – Fashion Institute of Technology. Check back each month for more business tips and insights! Learn more at www.ykdassociates.com. You can submit questions for future editions of Design Business Blueprint here.
