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ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES

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ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY

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EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

| ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES I ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY | EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Welcome to The DTS Files for Interior Designers

Business analysis, advice, CLIENT INSIGHTS and field notes for interior designers

The DTS Files is a library of expert insights for interior designers who want to work in a more streamlined, efficient way. Articles are based on real-world consulting experience, strategies I've personally implemented in design businesses across the US and Canada, and a perspective most business educators can't offer: I've been on both sides of the table, as a business consultant and as a luxury design client. Read more below.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE, SYSTEMS & OPS, PERSONAL Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE, SYSTEMS & OPS, PERSONAL Katie McFarlan

12 Things I Don’t Do in My Business

As business owners, we spend so much time figuring out what to do that we rarely stop to think about what we should stop doing. Over the years, I’ve refined my process, grown my team, and built a successful business that serves both my clients and my life. And a huge part of that? Letting go of things that don’t serve me, my business, or my time.

In this post, I’m sharing the 12 things I don’t do in my business—things that have helped me scale efficiently, maintain strong boundaries, and create a client experience that’s both profitable and sustainable.

  • Why I never let a prospect book a call before screening them (and why you shouldn’t either).

  • The one thing I do not subscribe to, follow, or consume—and how it’s helped me grow faster.

  • How I structure my availability to avoid burnout and keep my brain fresh for deep, strategic work.

If you’re feeling stretched too thin, overcommitted, or like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this post will show you the small (but powerful) shifts you can make to take back control.

Join The DTS Files to read the full article now.

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PERSONAL, SYSTEMS & OPS Katie McFarlan PERSONAL, SYSTEMS & OPS Katie McFarlan

How to Give Your Interior Design Business (and Yourself) the Gift of Time

The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself as a Business Owner This Holiday Season

As an interior designer, come holiday season time, you’re probably deep in client gifting—but what about you? What if, instead of just focusing on giving to others, you gave yourself the gift of time, clarity, and efficiency?

High-performing business owners know that success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In this article, I’m sharing the strategic ways I (and my most successful clients) use this time of year to reset, refine, and invest in our businesses so that next year runs smoother, faster, and more profitably—without burnout.

  • Discover the simple but powerful CEO ritual that keeps my business on track year-round.

  • Learn how to structure your slow season so you come back refreshed instead of buried in catch-up work.

  • Get an inside look at the exact systems and tools I rely on to save hours every week—so I can spend more time with my family (without things falling apart behind the scenes).

Ready to take control of your business before the new year? Join The DTS Files and access the full post.

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HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR READERS:

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Looking for help with pricing?

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PRICING PLAYBOOK for INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Start with The Complete Guide to Pricing Your Design Services

Learn the most common pricing models used by interior designers, where each works best, and how to spot the signs that your current pricing structure needs to change.

NEED BUSINESS SUPPORT ASAP?

SHOP TEMPLATES

Need the documents behind a streamlined process?

The Design Library includes the client-facing investment guides, proposal templates, welcome guides, SOPs, questionnaires, contracts, and business tools we use and recommend for interior design firms.

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SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

After consulting with and doing hands-on implementation for over 100 interior design business owners, I’ve seen what works (and doesn’t) across every business model imaginable. The Workroom houses our focused trainings for interior designers on pricing, construction, service structure, business operations, and other areas we teach inside design firms

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Proven strategies and tools to streamline and elevate your interior design business.