EP 315 | Client Intake Process for Interior Designers with Porsche Williams

March 14, 2023

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Are you attracting the right clients—or saying yes to the wrong ones?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Porsche Williams to explore how a structured client intake process can elevate your interior design business, improve client experience, and protect your time.

Your intake process is more than just a first conversation—it’s your opportunity to position your value, set expectations, and determine if a client is truly the right fit. When done well, it leads to better projects, smoother workflows, and stronger profitability.

If you want to refine your client experience and work with more ideal clients, this episode is a must-listen.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the principal designer shouldn’t handle initial client inquiries
• How outsourcing intake can elevate your brand and perceived value
• Common red flags to watch for during the client intake process
• Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones
• The importance of collecting consultation fees at the time of booking
• How a strong intake process improves client relationships and outcomes

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

Always prepare for growth. Sometimes you have to bring on additional staff before you have the projects to keep them busy. It seems backward, but this approach allows you to have time to properly train and onboard your team so that when new projects and opportunities present themselves, you and your team have the capacity and knowledge to knock it out of the ballpark!

About Porsche Williams

Porsche isn’t alone in feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done! She’s a mom, wife, entrepreneur, networker, avid tennis fan, wannabe gourmet chef, hostess, sister, friend, and confidant… all the things. That’s why she started The Prototype. Porsche Williams is on a mission to help other busy professionals and luxury service providers have more time with less stress.

www.theprototype.net

Facebook | theprototypelife

Instagram | theprototypelifestyle

Thank you to our Sponsor!

Daniel House Club

Feeling overwhelmed by countless vendor logins, sourcing from too many links, and tracking order statuses across your projects? Daniel House Club is here to help. DHC is founded by designers like you, who have faced the same issues you do. They work to offer the most streamlined process to manage your projects, orders, and delivery statuses all in one place with one login. Daniel House Club is redefining the design business with the industry’s lowest trade pricing and flat rate shipping across top vendors like Eichholtz, Theodore Alexander, Currey & Co., Four Hands and more.

Discover a better way to take control of your business with Daniel House Club. Join as a Pro+ member today and get 50% off your membership at danielhouse.club/bod.

 

What DHC members are saying:

“… I can’t tell you how wonderful it has been working with you and the wider team! Always willing to help, answer questions and support us designers!!!” – Courtney Wigginton, Anne Hendrick Interiors

“I’m so glad I’ve found you, I’ve sold more furniture in the last three months than I have in the last three years because you make it so easy.”  – Meg Waldrop

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.

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