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Welcome to The DTS Files for Interior Designers

The DTS Files is a library of expert insights for interior designers who want to grow their businesses. Articles are human written and 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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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

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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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Seven Tips to Recession-Proof Your Design Business

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.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

Why Your Interior Design Clients Keep Requesting Revisions (and what to do about it)

If client revisions are eating into your profits and dragging out timelines, you’re not alone. Many interior designers struggle with clients who second-guess their selections, request endless changes, and hesitate to approve final designs. The good news?

This isn’t a “bad client” problem—it’s a process problem.

In this members-only post, I’m sharing exactly how to structure your design process to reduce revisions, set clear expectations, and ensure clients confidently approve your designs the first time.

Inside, I’ll share:

  • The one fix that will instantly cut down on unnecessary revisions (it happens before the presentation).

  • How to guide clients toward the best design decisions—without making them feel pressured.

  • The critical mistake designers make when presenting options (and why it leads to more second-guessing).

  • How to create a revision policy that protects your time, your profitability, and your sanity.

If you’re tired of endless reselecting, stretched-out timelines, and feeling like you’re losing control of your projects, this post will give you the exact framework to streamline your process and keep projects moving forward.

Upgrade to The DTS Files membership now to unlock my advice!

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

How to Apply Disney World’s Client Experience to Your Own Business

Disney World isn’t just an amusement park—it’s a masterclass in client experience. Every detail, from the first inquiry to the final farewell, is designed to create a seamless, high-touch, and wildly profitable customer journey.

Inside The DTS Files, we’re breaking down:

  • How Disney eliminates transactional friction to create a premium experience (and how you can, too)

  • The small onboarding tweak that builds excitement and reduces overwhelm for clients

  • Why Disney’s efficiency model is key to running a smoother, more profitable design process

  • How to extend the client experience beyond project completion for long-term loyalty

If you want to elevate your client experience and attract high-end clients who trust your process, upgrade to The DTS Files for full access.

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SYSTEMS & OPS, HIRING Katie McFarlan SYSTEMS & OPS, HIRING Katie McFarlan

Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring for your Interior Design Business

If you’re thinking about hiring but don’t know where to start (or you’ve made a bad hire before and want to avoid repeating the mistake), this post is for you. Growing a team is one of the fastest ways to scale your business—when done right. But hiring the wrong person? That’s expensive, stressful, and a total drain on your time.

Inside The DTS Files, I’m breaking down:

  • The #1 hiring mistake that slows down your business growth

  • Why searching for “another you” is hurting your hiring process

  • The biggest red flags to watch out for when interviewing candidates

  • The simple method to determine exactly who you should hire first

If you want to grow your team without the overwhelm, upgrade to The DTS Files for full access!

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan

Why Professional Photography is Critical for Growing Your Interior Design Business

If you want to attract dream clients with big budgets who trust your expertise, you need to do this one thing—it’s the common thread among every multi-million dollar design firm I’ve worked with. And no, it’s not about networking harder, lowering your prices, or running paid ads.

Ew.

Inside The DTS Files, I’m breaking down:

  • The key investment that instantly elevates your credibility and makes clients eager to book

  • The biggest mistake designers make when showcasing their work online (and how to fix it)

  • The exact steps to ensure your portfolio attracts more of your best projects

  • How to track where your ideal clients are finding you—and use that data to land better leads

Want to transform your pipeline and start booking high-end projects consistently? Upgrade to The DTS Files for full access!

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

How to Use Loom Videos in your Interior Design Process to Enhance Client Experience

If you’re an interior designer looking for a simple way to cut down on endless back-and-forth emails, impress your clients, and streamline your entire design process, you need to incorporate video messaging into your workflow.

I use this one tool to personalize my own inquiry process, present deliverables, and provide high-touch client communication—without adding more to my plate. Inside The DTS Files, I share exactly how you can use video messaging to:

  • Deliver polished and professional proposals that help you book clients faster

  • Reduce client confusion and eliminate extra revisions

  • Train your team and document key processes for seamless operations

  • Onboard clients

  • Present your work

Want to see how top designers are using video to create a luxury experience (and how you can, too)? Upgrade to The DTS Files to unlock the full post.

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HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR READERS:

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Really just here to figure out your pricing?

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PRICING PLAYBOOK for INTERIOR DESIGNERS

The Complete Guide to Pricing Your Design Services

Grab my pricing playbook, The Complete Guide to Pricing your Interior Design Services, to learn:

  • the six most common pricing models for designers

  • who each one is best for, and

  • how to know if your pricing model is broken

NEED BUSINESS SUPPORT ASAP?

SHOP TEMPLATES

Plug-and-play templates, questionnaires, processes, and guides for interior designers who want to stop reinventing the wheel with every new project.

The Design Library helps you streamline client communication, set clear expectations, and protect your time—so you can spend less time in your inbox and more time designing. Inside, you’ll find:

✔ Professionally written client emails and marketing guides for every step of the process.
✔ SOPs to standardize service delivery and create a seamless, high-end experience.
✔ Contract templates with sample scopes to protect you, your team, and your clients.

What took me years to refine can be in your inbox in minutes.

Katie McFarlan Dakota Design Company Premium Client Process templates for Interior Designers

*for interior designers only, not interior design business coaches, consultants, mentors, strategists.

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SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Learn from me and my team (comprised of industry experts and educators) all the things they don’t teach in design school. And we know because two of the women on my team went to interior design school and are professors!

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. We are familiar with various software types, team structures of 1 to 20, and the challenges that are coming, whether you’re on your way to your first $100,000 or already making multiple millions.

On-demand and live step-by-step trainings for your busy schedule.

Katie McFarlan Dakota Design Company Premium Client Process templates for Interior Designers

*for interior designers only, not interior design business coaches, consultants, mentors, or strategists.

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COMPLIMENTARY QUIZ FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

You don’t need to overhaul everything. You just need to fix the right thing.

This 2-minute quiz will help you identify what’s holding you back and how to fix it.

JOIN 19,000+ DESIGNERS EVERY FRIDAY

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