EP 425 | IP and Succession: How Interior Designers Protect Value and Plan What’s Next with Wendy Estela

April 22, 2025

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Succession planning can feel like a distant concern—but in reality, it’s one of the smartest ways to strengthen your design business right now. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with attorney Wendy Estela to unpack what intellectual property really means for interior designers and why protecting it is essential to long-term value.

Wendy explains how thinking about succession early—whether or not you plan to sell—forces clarity around ownership, worth, and structure. A business designed to be transferable is also a business that’s more resilient, more profitable, and less dependent on you personally. This conversation is a wake-up call for designers who give too much away, undervalue their expertise, or delay protecting what they’ve built.

If future-proofing your business is on your mind—or should be—this episode will help you understand where to start and why it matters.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • What intellectual property really means in an interior design business
  • How to recognize and protect your value as a designer
  • Key succession planning options and when to start thinking about them
  • Why building a sellable business makes your business stronger today
  • How knowing what a “good deal” looks like prevents long-term regret

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

You absolutely need to know your worth as a designer. Don’t give it all away.

Designers are very hard on themselves. The best thing you can do is know what a good deal looks like for you, and what a bad deal looks like, and don’t get to a point where you are giving, giving, giving, until you finally get the deal… but it’s not a good deal.

 

TAKEAWAY

Join us for Project Management, A Legal Path to Compliance. Webinar on May 27, 2025 at 12pm EST.

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

About Wendy Estela

Wendy Estela focuses on legal services tailored to the design and creative industries, notably partnering with interior designers from up-and-coming talents to those recognized on the Elle Decor A-List and AD100. With a robust legal background spanning over two decades, she provides trusted counsel on contracts, business law, disputes and risk management.

Her broader practice includes supporting diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses, such as women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, startups, and non-profits, guiding them through the intricate legal landscape that affects both their professional and personal lives.

Wendy holds a BA in Spanish with minors in Communications and International Studies from Boston College, an LL.M. in Environmental Law from Pace University and an LL.M. in Insurance Law from the University of Connecticut.  She is admitted to practice in New York, Connecticut and Utah, and works with clients across the country. Wendy lives in West Hartford, Connecticut with her two daughters, ages 12 and 14, and her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

www.kkc-law.com

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.

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