If your discovery calls are not productive or it takes WEEKS to get someone to even book a call, your contact form is likely the problem. A poorly structured form can scare away potential clients, waste your time, and attract the wrong inquiries. But with a few strategic tweaks, you can streamline your process before you even hop on a call.

Inside The DTS Files, I’m sharing:

• Why people might not even be filling out your form at all

• What NOT to ask in your contact form—these questions are scaring off potential clients.

• The formatting mistake that makes your form frustrating to fill out.

• The step 98% of luxury service providers completely miss.

Your contact form should qualify leads, not drive them away. Want the exact steps to fix yours? Join The DTS Files today to unlock the full post.

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.

If you’ve ever felt like construction and renovation projects are spinning out of control—delays, unclear responsibilities, contractors ghosting, and clients suddenly treating you like the problem—this post is for you.

Project management during construction is where many designers lose money, time, and patience. But with the right systems and boundaries, you can stay in control, keep your clients happy, and protect your profitability.

In this post, I’m sharing:

• The #1 contract mistake designers make when managing construction projects (and how to fix it).

• How to avoid working with difficult builders—and what to ask before taking on a project.

• Why setting clear pricing and scope for project management can make or break your profit margins.

• The key conversations to have with your GC before construction even begins (miss this, and it’ll cost you).

If construction projects have been a source of stress, it’s time to take back control. The DTS Files gives you access to this full post, plus expert insights to help you structure your services, set better boundaries, and confidently manage every stage of the design process.

Join The DTS Files to read the full post now.

Dear Dakota,

How To Identify Red Flag Clients (vs. clients you just don’t want to work with)?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights. There IS a big difference between the two.

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.

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.

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!