Welcome to The DTS Files for Interior Designers

The DTS Files is a premium content hub for interior designers who want to grow their businesses with expert-backed strategies, real-world consulting insights, and proven frameworks.

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ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES

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MEMBERS-ONLY ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY

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PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

| ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES I MEMBERS-ONLY ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY | PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

MARKETING Katie McFarlan MARKETING Katie McFarlan
Preview

Three Things Interior Designers Should Consider When Investing In Photography for Their Design Portfolio with Photographer Linda Pordon

This week, we asked interiors photographer Linda Pordon to share three things photographers wish designers knew, and what to consider when investing in interior photography for your design portfolio.

Linda is a recognized interiors photographer based out of the New York/New Jersey area. Her work has been published in outlets including Better Homes and Gardens, Domino, Elle Decor, and the NY Times. 

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

Why Client Onboarding Can Make or Break Your Interior Design Business

Why is Client Onboarding so Important for Interior Designers?

In my seven+ years of working with interior designers to help them price their services and streamline their business processes, I have repeatedly seen ineffective client onboarding (or lack thereof) cause issues, mismatched expectations, lack of trust, and frustration throughout an entire project. 

Client onboarding is a crucial step in working with clients that applies to all business owners - and one that is severely overlooked and underdeveloped, leaving much to be desired. When done right, it has so many benefits: …

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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

7 Reasons to Streamline Your Design Contract Process and Send Contracts Quickly

If it takes you weeks to send a detailed scope of work, design fee, and contract to a potential client, your number one goal should be to cut that time way down. Your goal should be ONE to TWO days. YUP!

Seven Reasons Why You Must Get Contracts to New Clients Quickly:

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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DEAR DAKOTA, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan DEAR DAKOTA, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

Dear Dakota | How To Make Interior Design Discovery Calls More Productive?

Dear Dakota,

I’m needing some major help lately.

My weeks are completely bogged down with constant repetitive phone calls and emails regarding our process.

This has never happened to me before, and in the last several months, it is all I am dealing with. 

HELP!

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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ACCESS A PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT ADVICE for INTERIOR DESIGNERS

My strategies have shaped the way thousands of interior designers and luxury service providers do business.

Inside The DTS Files, you’re getting the original insights straight from the source—tested, refined, and backed by my experience working with 100+ design firms.

And because this is a members-only space, I can go deeper than ever before—sharing the real strategies that help designers build profitable, sustainable businesses with confidence.

HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR MEMBERS:

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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.

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

SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Learn from my team (comprised of industry experts and educators) and me 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!

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 trainings for your busy schedule.

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

JOIN 16,000 DESIGNERS EVERY FRIDAY

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

COMPLIMENTARY QUIZ FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Feeling stretched thin in your design business?

You’re busy—but is your business actually working for you? If you’re constantly putting out fires and second-guessing what to focus on next, this 2-minute quiz will show you exactly where to start.