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7 Apr 2025 | |
2025 |
I'll never forget the moment I realized I couldn't push myself any further. It was almost midnight, and I was still at my desk finishing a client's design proposal while chugging a glass of wine and eating fistfuls of crackers right from the box (I guess that counted as dinner?). I was hangry, worn out, and owndering, What am I doing wrong? This isn't what I thought being a designer would look like.
When you're working nonstop and barely making it, the idea of working less while earning more can feel impossible. But here's the thing:
It's not.
I've made it happen, and you can too. The secret is working smarter, not harder. (Sounds cliche, yes, but hear me out.) Here's how:
Build a Strong Team
One of the biggest mindset shifts you need to make is letting go of the belief that only you can get a task done right. This thinking keeps entrepreneurs stuck, overworked, and unable to scale. If you're still clinging to the "I have to do it all myself" mindset, congratulations - you've just hired the world's most overworked, underpaid employee: yourself! Fire that version of you and start building a team.
I didn't wake up one day with the perfect support system - I built it for my firm, Lesley Myrick Interior Design, step by step.
I hired my first part-time virtual assistant for just 5 hours a week.
As my busness became more profitable, I slowly grew my team, finding support in the areas I was weak in (specifically bookkeeping and social media).
There hires allowed me to focus on what I love (interior design and coaching other designers!) and let go of what I don't (account and creating Instagram reels!).
When you delegate, you create space for high-value work that actually moves your business forward. You'll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish - and how much more you can earn - when you're not buried in tasks someone else could handle for a lot less than your hourly rate.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Are you still stuck in annoying, time-consuming processes? If so, it's time to get on board with new tech and automation.
Your business thrives on creativity, but mundane tasks - like invoicing, social media scheduling, and client follow-up emails - eat away at your time. The good news? These are incredible (and affordable) tech tools that can streamline your workflow.
I started by testing free and budget-friendly automation tools to see what worked best for my business. In the beginning, a free Asana account helped me get organized with my tasks and deadlines (and I still use that same system today).
I invested in design-specific software to manage sourcing, ordering and tracking, which made things so much faster and easier than the spreadsheets and scattered notes I used to use. And ChatGPT has saved me an incredible amount of time writing and polishing emails.
As my business grew and I had more money available, I invested in better systems that made scaling so much easier. Now, automation handles a ton of the behind-the-scenes work, and I couldn't be more grateful for my "robot team" keeping things running smoothly.
That means I get to focus on what really matters - welcoming new clients who are excited to invest in our top-tier design services.
Price for Profitability
One of the most common mistakes interior designers make? Underpricing their services. Many believe lower rates wil attract more clients, but in reality, it often leads to being broke and burned out.
You can't build a sustainable business if you're constantly overworking and undercharging. Pricing should be an ongoing process, not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy.
Trends evolve, client expectations shift, and your experience grows - all factors that should be reflected in your pricing structure.
If you haven't reviewed your rates recently, now is the time. Here's the truth: Your ideal clients aren't just looking for the cheapest option; they want an expert who delivers real value and a stress-free experience.
When you confidently position yourself as a solution to their design challenges, you'll attract clients who respect your expertise - and are happy to pay for it.
Ready to Make More While Working Less?
If you're tired of overworking and feeling broke, it's time to change what you're doing.
Put down the half-empty box of crackers and glass of wine, and listen up: learning how to delegate, use technology, and price your services correctly will allow you to build a business you love while actually having a life (and a real dinner!).
If you're open to a new approach, I'd love to show you exactly how I got my life back and started loving my business again. Click here to learn more.
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