Recently, we offered a brand new training on how to create and format construction documents and spec books. If you missed it, be sure to add your name to the waitlist here to know when we’re hosting it live again..

In the live training, we covered:

• Industry standards for formatting CD sheets, and numbering and sequencing sheets within a construction document set

• Utilizing recognized drafting symbology appropriately, and ways to format construction and fabrication notes on construction drawings

• Standard formatting for plans, elevations, sections, and detail drawings, and how to cross-reference related drawings between sheets in a CD set

• How to distribute appropriate materials and finish information between schedules on a CD sheet, and within a Spec book

• The most thorough and efficient ways to format information and links within a spec book

• How to document your process and standards for CD and spec production so you can more easily outsource that work

One designer who attended the training provided this feedback:

“The level of detail discussed in this training was 🔥. I had no idea an interior designer should be producing documents at the same level as an architect. I earned a certificate in interior design, so none of this was ever taught. I am thankful that my eyes have been opened to what I should really be doing.”

We thought this was a great opportunity to discuss the differentiation between an architect’s role and an interior designer’s role, and the competencies an interior designer should have regarding construction documentation. 

Join me inside The DTS Files for insights based on my work with hundreds of interior design businesses.

They’re not louder. Not flashier. But they’ve built businesses that back them up—and it shows.

In this new article, I’m breaking down the seven specific traits I see time and time again in the most confident interior designers (and how you can work your way toward having them). 

Quiet confidence? Sign.me.up!

Join me inside The DTS Files for insights based on my work with hundreds of interior design businesses.

Welcome to another edition of Dakota Design Company’s Guest Expert Interview series on the blog. We’re thrilled to share expertise from female business owners and leaders in the interior design industry, from interior photographers to marketers, financial advisors, branding experts, and beyond.

Each of our expert guests was selected because of their unique insights and perspectives on various topics that will help any interior design business owner take their business to the next level. These experts are Dakota Design Company insiders, and many have worked with us and our designer clients in the past. We hope you enjoy this series, and that it brings you new insights, tips, and tricks to add to your interior designer toolbox. 

We asked Emanuela Schneider, founder of Marketing Interiors by ES, a boutique marketing studio for interior designers & the home industry, to share the first steps interior designers should take on Pinterest to boost visibility and if she sees Pinterest driving more leads and new clients for interior designers. Here's what she said:

I was recently invited to join a group of interior designers who meet once a month to discuss their businesses. We did an “ask-me-anything” style call and it was tons of fun. One designer asked me this:

How do I know when it’s time to scale my business?

I loved this question because it’s important to think about this from the very first day you start your business. But the truth most people won’t tell you? 

Scaling too soon (or scaling the wrong thing) can actually hurt your business more than help it.

Let’s talk about what scaling your interior design business really means and how to know if you’re ready.

If you've ever felt like you're the only one keeping all the balls in the air—checking, following up, and still finding dropped details—you’re not alone.

One interior designer recently asked how to create a smoother team workflow that doesn’t require constant oversight.

Inside the post, I’m sharing five things to do to give your team clarity, keep projects moving, and give you peace of mind.

💡 It’s control-freak approved and micromanagement-free.

Want the full strategy? Join The DTS Files to unlock it inside this members-only post.

We received this question from an interior designer:

Dear Dakota, I'm going to be hiring my first full time employee. What do I need to know and do? 

Hiring your first full time employee is a big step (ps: it’s NOT the same as bringing on a 1099 subcontractor). It usually means your business is expanding, your workload is steady, and you’re ready to bring in support so YOU can focus on the parts of the business only you can do.  

As exciting as it is, it can also feel scary and overwhelming. You want your new team member to feel welcomed and supported, but you also want to make sure you hire the right person (because hiring mistakes are expensive and time consuming!).

Note: this is not legal advice and I am not an employment attorney. Please check with an attorney in your state for any state-specific requirements.

Here’s what I recommend to help you start your new employee off on the right foot:

Wondering how much of your team's time should actually be billable?

If you're trying to run a profitable design firm (without burning out your team or yourself), knowing the right billable hour targets for each role is essential. In this member-only article, we’re breaking down ideal billable percentages for junior designers, project managers, renderers, and even you as the business owner, plus what non-billable time is actually worth keeping on the calendar.

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