Many small interior design firms struggle to market themselves and attract new business, especially during a down economy. Steve Nobel, Decorative Furnishings Association Executive Director and interior design consultant, comes to the rescue with a new series of courses on design entrepreneurship at the New York School of Interior Design.

The courses will touch upon all areas of creating a successful business, including leadership and vision, market trends, as well as nuts-and-bolts operational issues such as developing a business plan, legal documents, and business processes. The result is a practical, no-nonsense guide to help designers navigate through the business challenges of today’s market and create a successful firm (fee: $100.)

The Business of Design takes place Friday, January 27, 6-8pm. This course is a detailed overview of the business of design and is intended to provide an orientation to what design business owners should know, be able to do, or have one for them. It introduces a systematic approach to the basics of any design business.

The Vision for a Design Business takes place Friday, February 24, 6 – 8pm and Saturday, February 25, 10am – 12pm (fee: $200.)

This course focuses on how a design business is conceived, plans are crafted and choices are made in developing the vision for a design business. Participants will explore and discuss issues facing entrepreneurs such as creating a business plan, assessing the risks of winning new clients, measuring success, the role of the principal as leader, and their choices when balancing both a professional and personal life.

This is an ongoing series of courses offered in various semesters. To register for a course visit http://www.nysid.edu/icps or call 212-472-1500 ext.209.