Business of Home News

business advice

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December 17, 2024

Creative business coach Sean Low counsels one firm principal that in the pursuit of a new kind of clientele, value engineering is a red herring.

business advice

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December 3, 2024

How do I set healthy boundaries around holiday time off?

Creative business coach Sean Low helps one designer strategize how to make holiday time off a business priority—and communicate that message to staff and clients.

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.

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