Starting your own business—especially as a first-time entrepreneur—can feel like navigating in the dark. No roadmap, no guarantees, just you, your ideas, and a whole lot of trial and error.

As a two-time business owner, I’ve been through it all: the unnecessary investments, the branding that came too early, the fear of charging too much, and the game-changing decisions that led to real success.

In this post, I’m sharing the most important lessons I’ve learned—the ones that will save you time, money, and stress as you build your business. You’ll learn:

• What your number #1 focus should be from day one

• The investment most new designers are excited to make, but SHOULDN’T (yet)

• The single most important hire I made early on that changed everything

• How to trust yourself and take fast action—even when you’re scared

• The one thing you must define before making any big decisions in your business

If you’re launching or growing your design business and want to build it the right way from the start, this is for you. Read the full post based on my experience working in the luxury services industry since 2007. Join The DTS Files today.

If you’re considering joining a professional membership organization that serves interior designers and supports the industry, it’s important to ensure that the organization is a good fit for you and your business, so the membership dues are a worthwhile investment. Additionally, all the organizations I’m highlighting below are very welcoming, provide ample opportunities to expand your horizons, and help to form social connections with like-minded people—always a plus!

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Nothing will lead to burnout faster than working all the time but barely turning a profit. If you feel like you’re constantly in motion but your bank account doesn’t reflect your effort, it’s time to take a hard look at what’s really happening inside your business.

The reality? It’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. And for many interior designers, the reason they’re struggling to make money comes down to five key issues.

Inside this post, I’m breaking down:

• The hidden inefficiencies that are eating up your time and profits

• The biggest pricing mistakes designers make (and why your rates might be too low)

• How your marketing and client process could be attracting the wrong clients

• Why your overhead might be quietly killing your profits

• The first thing you need to fix to stop the cycle of overwork and under-earning

If you’re tired of working 24/7 and still feeling stretched thin, this article will help you pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back—and what to do next. Join The DTS Files for my advice.

What if you could attract better clients, increase your fees, and reduce your overwhelm—just by making a few simple tweaks to how you run your business?

The truth is, inefficiencies in your scheduling, communication, and client experience could be costing you time, money, and credibility. And your potential clients? They notice.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

• The #1 mistake slowing down your business (that most designers don’t even realize they’re making)

• How a $10/month software can immediately elevate your client experience (and let you charge MORE)

• Why efficiency = luxury (and how to position it in your pricing and marketing)

If you’re tired of juggling manual scheduling, endless back-and-forth emails, and clunky client communication, it's time to make a change.

Join The DTS Files to unlock full access to my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

What should I do when an interior design client won’t pay?

When a Client Won’t Pay: How to Handle Non-Payment & Protect Your Business

There’s nothing worse than chasing a client for payment after you’ve poured hours into their project. Suddenly, you’re not just an interior designer—you’re a collections agency, too.

But before you assume the worst, it’s important to understand why a client may not be paying—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Inside this post, I’m breaking down:

• The most common reasons clients delay or refuse payment

• Proactive strategies to avoid non-payment before a project even starts

• How to structure contracts, invoices, and payment schedules so you never have to chase a client down again

• What to do when a client refuses to pay, including the steps to take before resorting to legal action

This is a must-read for any designer who wants to protect their revenue, set firm payment policies, and confidently discuss money with clients—without the awkwardness or stress.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Thinking about heading to High Point Market for the first time, or heading back this year and wanting to really make the most of the experience (and the investment)? 

We polled our designers and are sharing some of their best tips and advice to help you strategically navigate High Point Market, with less stress and a solid plan. 

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How do I handle hourly clients who keep adding to their projects? The additional requests are hard to keep track of and I feel like I’m never able to complete a project because there are so many little things that are always open. HELP!

If you’ve ever had a client start with one room, then slowly add "just a few more things"—a light fixture here, a paint color there—until you feel like you're stuck in an endless cycle of selections, this post is for you.

Scope creep can derail your process, push your workload over capacity, and train clients to expect on-demand access to your expertise. So how do you manage additional requests while maintaining a clear process, ensuring profitability, and keeping your projects on track?

Inside this post, I’m sharing:

• How to set scope boundaries from the start—even as an hourly designer

• The red flag moment when a new request should become a new project

• Why "just saying yes" leads to burnout and client dissatisfaction

• How top designers structure their process to keep projects moving

If managing client expectations feels like a constant struggle, don’t miss this one.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

When Should Clients Hire an Interior Designer? Here’s How to Set Expectations

If you’re getting inquiries from potential clients who expect their project to be completed within weeks of reaching out, you’re not alone. Most people don’t realize how long the interior design process actually takes—and it’s your job as the expert to educate them.

This post walks you through simple ways to set clear expectations around project timelines so clients reach out before they’re in a rush (and before you have to turn them away!).

Inside The DTS Files, you’ll find:

• Done-for-you language for your website, contact form, and marketing to clearly communicate availability.

• The best FAQ questions to include on your site so clients come in informed.

• A client waitlist strategy to stop losing leads when your schedule is full (and get them to happily book for a later date).

• How to position your process as high-touch and premium, so clients see the value in planning ahead.

If you’re tired of last-minute inquiries and want clients to reach out earlier, join The DTS Files to unlock this post and get the scripts and strategies to set expectations with ease.