Interiors Insider

Beyond the studio - rebuilding life and business after Breast Cancer

Most business owners don’t know how to switch off. We’re constantly grinding away, working behind the scenes to give our all and serve our clients in the best possible way. But to what end? Is it really success if it comes at the cost of our health and relationships? Far too often, it’s only when life throws a curve ball that we stop to think about the way we are living our lives and even consider slowing down. For Kaz, owner of Viva Life Pilates, that curve ball showed up in the form of breast cancer. Now, she’s rebuilding her life and business in an entirely different way. Before her diagnosis, Kaz was what many would call a success story. She was a powerhouse, juggling life with two children, a rapidly growing Pilates business, and a coveted spot in national advertising campaigns. But beneath that facade was a whirlwind of stress and a life teetering on the edge of burnout. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to bring this important story to light, not just as a tribute to Kaz's courage, but as a vital reminder for all of us hustling in our businesses. Kaz's discovery of a lump pushed her into a series of investigations, ultimately leading to a devastating diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer, progressing quickly to stage 3. It was a wake-up call no one asks for. The realisation that we often wait for life-altering events to slow down resonates deeply with me. After her diagnosis, Kaz was forced to confront not only the disease but an overwhelming obligation to her business. Her story is one of resilience, supported by a phenomenal team that kept Viva Life Pilates thriving in her absence. All of us in business fear stepping away and losing what we've built—but Kaz is living proof that sometimes, stepping back is stepping forward. Navigating through chemo and surgery, Kaz found herself asking life’s crucial questions about priorities and sustainability. The experience taught her that true success wasn't in how hard she was working—it was in how she was taking care of herself and the people around her. After multiple surgeries, chemo and radiation, Kaz returned to her studio with a renewed mission—not just for her business, but for her personal health. She learned the art of delegation, setting boundaries, and prioritising what matters most. As someone who is pretty much glued to my phone to run my business, I take this lesson to heart. Our businesses should enhance our lives, not overshadow them. Resources & Links: Connect with Kaz from Viva Life Pilates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivalifepilates/ [https://www.instagram.com/vivalifepilates/] Website: https://www.vivalifefitness.com.au/ [https://www.vivalifefitness.com.au/] Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship [https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship] Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713] Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72 [https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72] Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio [https://interiorsinsider.myflodesk.com/freemasterclass]

10 ways to Market and Grow your Interior Design business without Instagram

Personally, I love Instagram. I believe it’s absolutely key for designers to utilise this tool to showcase their portfolio, style and personal brand.  However, I know it’s not for everybody. For many designers out there, the pressure of social media can send them into a downward spiral. Keeping up with the algorithm and creating endless Reels can be exhausting.  If this is you, you might be wondering if it’s even possible to grow your business without it.  The good news? There are some extremely effective ways to elevate your business visibility and growth without relying on social media.  So let’s dive into my top ten tips to use in conjunction with Instagram – or allow you to spend a little less time on it. I'll take you through:  1. Leveraging Google My Business 2. Optimising Your SEO 3. Embracing Blogging 4. Email Marketing Strategies 5. Networking With Referral Sources 6. Utilising Local Facebook Groups 7. Offering a Stellar Client Experience 8. Confidently Niching Your Services 9. Re-engaging Past Clients 10. Attending Trade Shows I hope these strategies offer you some relief from the pressures of performing on socials, and inspire you to try out some sustainable growth pathways that keep your business vibrant and connected.  So, get excited and reach out to someone new in your business today! Resources & Links: Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here [https://founddlegal.com/?sca_ref=1806190.GWq1fHr4At] We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link! [https://flodesk.com/c/MCYPHN] Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship [https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship] Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713] Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72 [https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72] Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio [https://interiorsinsider.myflodesk.com/freemasterclass]

The Power of Investment: Why Spending Money is Key to Growing Your Design Business

Here's the hard truth: if you're not willing to invest in your own business, you cannot expect others to want to invest in you.  Spending money on your business can feel risky, especially when you're trying to save or are unsure of future projects. Yet, the reality is that to make money, you have to spend it.  Strategic investments in your business aren't just expenses; they are vital tools that create opportunities, streamline processes and elevate your work. The good news is, running an interior design business, unlike a lot of other types of businesses, demands relatively low start-up and ongoing costs.  Today, we’re exploring how spending money is key to growing your design business, and the areas you should really be investing in to enhance your reputation as a professional. This covers things from your website and headshots to your social media presence.  Remember, your brand is your reputation, and often the first impression potential clients have of you. If you cut corners here, you’re really signalling to your clients that you’re not confident in your value - and who wants to invest in that?  Ultimately, adopting a return on investment mindset changes your perspective; it’s here that you realise every dollar you invest has the potential to multiply.  Investing in your business is a non negotiable. If you want to see sustainable growth and success, whether it's money, time or resources, what you put into your business is what you're going to get out of it. Resources & Links: Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here [https://founddlegal.com/?sca_ref=1806190.GWq1fHr4At] We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link! [https://flodesk.com/c/MCYPHN] Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship [https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship] Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713] Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72 [https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72] Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio [https://interiorsinsider.myflodesk.com/freemasterclass]

The Cycles of business and life

The cycles of business are real.  There are ups and downs. We love our business, then we hate it. We’re on fire, and sometimes we’re totally off the mark. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay. Normal, even! You might be surprised to hear that I’m currently going through my own challenging cycle in business. While I love learning, am very motivated and overall a high achiever, I’ve been questioning myself, my abilities and where I’m actually headed. It’s been making me feel stuck, like I’m going nowhere.  Could this be a sign of burnout? While burnout might be a bit of a buzzword these days, it’s all too common for small business owners - particularly women - to experience its effects.  So today, we’ll be exploring how to navigate the cycles of business and life, how to recognise and avoid burnout and what it means to prioritise yourself in the process.  I'll take you through embracing the ups and downs, being aware of your emotional and mental state during fluctuations and practical tips on avoiding getting to breaking point.  We never want to get to burnout. We never want to get to that stage where we're stuck in bed or cannot get up, which happens to far too many women juggling life and business.  So, take a rest, step aside, invest in your personal health and remember: as a small business owner, you are in control! Resources & Links: Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here [https://founddlegal.com/?sca_ref=1806190.GWq1fHr4At] We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link! [https://flodesk.com/c/MCYPHN] Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship [https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship] Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713] Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72 [https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72] Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio [https://interiorsinsider.myflodesk.com/freemasterclass]

Do you really need a design qualification to succeed?

Do we need to be qualified?  Is the interior design industry likely to move towards mandatory qualifications? This topic is a hot one, and quite controversial amongst a lot of designers and creatives in the industry these days. So much so, that it almost made me nervous to record this episode!  But it’s a topic worth discussing, because let’s face it: the argument of qualified vs unqualified can deepen the imposter syndrome that’s rampant in our industry, particularly in Australia, making a lot of creatives scared to move forward in business.  There’s also the fact that professional bodies like the Design Institute of Australia are now advocating for industry standards, which could potentially include formal qualifications. They’re looking to ensure a high level of professionalism and competency within the industry.  So, will qualifications become a mandatory part of our future?  Let's explore the pros and cons and try to understand what this means for everyone in our field - qualified or not. Resources & Links: Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here [https://founddlegal.com/?sca_ref=1806190.GWq1fHr4At] We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link! [https://flodesk.com/c/MCYPHN] Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship [https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship] Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713] Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72 [https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72]