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business advice

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November 19, 2024

Is cutting commissions the right move for my firm?

Creative business coach and longtime flat-fee advocate Sean Low reminds one reader of the three big reasons why commissions were never the best billing approach—and why that’s truer now than ever.

business advice

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November 5, 2024

How transparent should I be with clients about my firm finances?

Creative business coach Sean Low clarifies for one designer why they should never ask a client for their budget, and should instead consider sharing their client count and their revenue goals.

business advice

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October 22, 2024

A controlling client is steamrolling me at every turn. How do I take back the reins?

Creative business coach Sean Low lays out three crucial ingredients to gaining trust and maintaining authority throughout a design project: clarity, brevity and intention.

business advice

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October 8, 2024

Is it a mistake to lower my project minimum to drive new business when things are slow?

Creative business coach Sean Low explains why a designer who raised their budget and scope minimums during the pandemic boom should not bring them back down now, even amid a tough economy.

business advice

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September 24, 2024

I’m ready to pivot into interior design. Where should I start?

Creative-business coach Sean Low advises an aspiring designer how to harness her transferable skills and adopt the mindset she’ll need to find success in the industry.

business advice

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September 10, 2024

Starting my own firm hasn’t gone how I expected. Should I take a job at someone else’s?

Creative-business coach Sean Low helps one designer see the importance of self-compassion—and giving themselves some time to explore their options before committing to their next step.

business advice

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August 27, 2024

I work in the ultraluxury end of the market. Do I really need to charge an upfront engagement fee?

Creative business coach Sean Low explains why charging an engagement fee and never fronting cash are two crucial financial components of a successful design business—and why one designer working at the highest income tier should not hesitate to embrace both.

business advice

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August 13, 2024

Across the industry, standards of behavior seem to be deteriorating. What happened to taking the high road?

Creative business coach Sean Low advises a designer who’s drained and demoralized by a slew of clients and competitors who seem to have lost all grace and good faith.

business advice

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July 16, 2024

Hourly plus commission still feels like the safest way to charge. What am I missing?

Charging hourly along with a product markup remains common industry practice for designers who fear not having their time fairly compensated. Creative business coach Sean Low talks one designer through the potential downsides of this popular approach.

business advice

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July 2, 2024

How do I get over my anxiety about handing off client communications to my team?

Creative business coach Sean Low reminds a firm principal that before they can delegate confidently and effectively, they must shore up the foundations of their business’s identity and values.

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