EP 479 | The Thinking Mistakes Keeping Interior Designers Stuck (And Broke) with Jill Saltzman

May 5, 2026

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“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure… that just ain’t so.”

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with entrepreneur and author Jill Salzman to unpack the hidden thinking patterns that keep interior designers stuck—financially, professionally, and mentally.

Because most of the time, the issue isn’t a lack of strategy.

It’s the beliefs you’ve built your business on.

From pricing and profitability to clients and growth, designers often operate from assumptions that feel true—but quietly limit progress. This conversation challenges those assumptions and helps you see where your thinking—not your effort—is holding you back.

If you’ve ever thought, this should be working by now, this episode will hit home.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • Why the problem you think you have is often not the real problem
  • How beliefs about money and clients quietly limit business growth
  • The difference between being busy and being truly profitable
  • Why designers stay stuck in “good enough” instead of building great
  • How fear of success shows up as overwork, undercharging, or avoidance
  • The role of vulnerability in making real business changes
  • Why the wrong peer group can keep your business small
  • The difference between a coach, consultant, and true thinking partner
  • How to recognize when your thinking—not your strategy—is the issue

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

The best piece of advice I ever received was to focus on the next thing, and only that thing, before moving on.

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

About Jill Salzman

Jill Salzman is a business and personal coach who helps entrepreneurs make more money by breaking rules and finding what truly works for them. She’s the author of three books — including The Best Business Book In The World* (*According to My Mom) — and has shared stages with Richard Branson and Sheryl Sandberg. Dubbed a “mogul” by CNNMoney, she mixes real talk, bold strategy, and humor to make business success refreshingly human.

https://jillsalzman.com

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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.