Dear Dakota,

How do you handle clients who refuse to give you a budget, despite explanations and an initial design presentation?

This week’s Dear Dakota question comes from an interior designer who’s struggling to get a budget from clients—even after the initial design presentation. Talk about frustrating!!!!!!!

If you’ve ever felt stuck in this situation, you’re not alone. Budget conversations can be tricky for a lot of the interior designers I talk to.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

The market is shifting, and client budgets are tightening. What worked last year—rolling with unexpected costs, clients saying "yes" to everything—isn’t working now. If you’re seeing more hesitation, scope changes, or pricing pushback, it’s time to recession-proof your business before the slowdown hits hard.

In this members-only post, I’m sharing the seven essential strategies interior designers need to implement now to stay profitable, keep projects moving forward, and protect their bottom line—regardless of what the economy does next.

Inside, we’ll cover:

• Why relying on product markups alone is risky—and how to structure your fees for financial stability.

• The biggest mistake designers make when discussing budgets (and how to set clear financial expectations from day one).

• How to audit your expenses, assess your marketing, and refine your processes to build a lean, resilient business.

• What to do if a client suddenly changes their budget—and how to handle the conversation with confidence.

If you want to ensure your interior design business thrives no matter the economy, this post is a must-read.

Upgrade to The DTS Files membership now to access the full post.