Designed for the Creative Mind™

If you're constantly getting inquiries that sound like this…
"How much do you charge?" "Can you give me a ballpark?" "What do you charge per room?"
You're not alone. And no, it doesn't automatically mean your leads are cheap.
In this episode, we're getting real about why price shopping leads keep showing up in your inbox, and the uncomfortable truth most designers don't want to admit:
If your leads are price shopping, your marketing is teaching them to.
Because when your messaging is vague, your process isn't clear, and your content only shows the finished product, clients don't understand what they're actually hiring you for. So they default to the only thing they can compare: price.
In this episode, I'm breaking down:
Why clients ask about pricing so early (and why it's not personal)

The biggest marketing mistakes that attract price-first inquiries

How to educate potential clients through your marketing without sounding snobby or defensive

What to change on your website, Instagram, and inquiry process so your leads come in pre-qualified

How to position yourself as the expert so pricing becomes part of the conversation, not the first question

If you want better leads, higher-end clients, and inquiries that sound like "we want to hire you," instead of "what's your hourly rate?" this episode is your wake-up call.
Because the goal isn't to convince people you're worth it.
The goal is to market in a way that makes the right clients already know you are.
Ready to fix your marketing?
Check out Lead Lab Essentials and Lead Lab PLUS (linked below) to get the structure, strategy, and support you need to stop winging your marketing and start attracting clients who are ready to book.
 
RESOURCES:
MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands-on visibility program, no contract, only $59/month or our new PLUS level for done-for-you marketing for $179/month.
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab
Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/
SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.
https://mysidemark.com/
Join our Free Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad
Get clarity on your next best step today! 
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/review-planning-guide
Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me!

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with interior designer, creative instigator, and community builder Rhobin DelaCruz. Rhobin has worked with brands like GQ, TED, and MTV, but what really stands out is how intentionally he approaches both design and business. From the way he talks about community to how he shows up at High Point Market, everything he does is rooted in purpose, clarity, and connection. This conversation covers a lot of ground—from career pivots to nonprofit work—and it's one of those episodes that reminds you how powerful design can really be.
In this episode, we talk about:
How the Design Besties were formed and how a simple group chat turned into a mission-driven nonprofit

Why transforming teachers' lounges became the heart of the Design Besties' work and the unexpected emotional impact of their first project

How thoughtful, well-designed spaces can support wellness, leadership, and community within schools

What it means to be named a High Point Style Spotter and how Rhobin approaches that role

Rhobin's unconventional path from advertising and MTV into interior design

The reality of gatekeeping in the design industry and how community has shifted in recent years

Why investing in business coaching and showing up at market with intention changed the trajectory of his career

I loved this conversation because Rhobin is so honest about both the challenges and the wins. His story is a reminder that careers don't have to be linear, community really does matter, and when you lead with intention, the opportunities tend to follow. I hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired to take up space, connect more deeply, and build something meaningful in your own work.
 
RESOURCES:
 
INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery
 
SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.
https://mysidemark.com/
 
MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on visibility program, no contract, only $59/month or our new PLUS level for done-for-you marketing for $179/month.
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab
 
Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/
 
Join our Free Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 
 
Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide
 
Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

In this episode of Designed for the Creative Mind, Michelle sits down with home staging coach Marianne Cherico to explore how staging can become a powerful extension of an interior design business. With decades of experience in real estate and staging, Marianne shares practical strategies for building relationships with real estate agents, shifting mindset, and positioning staging as an investment rather than a luxury.
 
You'll learn how designers can diversify income streams, stand out in a competitive market, and communicate value in a way that attracts long-term clients and referrals. Whether you're new to staging or looking to refine your approach, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and real-world experience.
 
Marianne's freebie is 3 Steps to Fully Book Consults with Agent Referrals -https://coachingbymarianne.com/3-steps-to-book/
 
 
RESOURCES:
 
INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery
 
SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.
https://mysidemark.com/
 
MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab
 
Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/
 
Join our Free Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 
 
Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide
 
Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

In this episode of Designed for the Creative Mind, I'm sitting down with Natalie Froom, founder and principal designer of Studio 180 Design. Natalie and I go way back—she came through the Interior Design Business Bakery shortly after the pandemic, back when she lovingly calls herself a "baby designer." Fast forward to now, and she's running a growing studio with a team, a refined process, and big plans for the future.
This conversation is one of those full-circle moments I absolutely love. We talk about how Natalie's background in psychology and nutrition led her to interior design, how wellness and environment are deeply connected, and how her business (and confidence) evolved over time. If you're a designer who's still figuring out your niche, your process, or your next level—this one is for you.
 In This Episode, We Talk About:
How Natalie's background in psychology, nutrition, and wellness naturally led her into interior design

The connection between mental, physical, and environmental wellbeing (and why it matters in design)

Finding your niche by doing the work—and letting your projects guide you

Why Natalie focuses on busy, high-level professionals who want a true turnkey experience

The importance of process over "just talent" when growing a design business

How collaboration (not competition) elevates design and the industry as a whole

Balancing beauty with practicality—creating homes that are both elevated and livable

Why Natalie believes personality matters more than a rigid design "style"

Growing from a solo designer into a team-based, scalable business

Looking ahead: international growth, team expansion, and better work-life balance

Natalie's journey is such a powerful reminder that you don't have to have everything figured out on day one. Your niche can evolve. Your process can be refined. Your vision can grow bigger than you ever imagined. What matters most is building a solid foundation, staying open to learning, and allowing yourself to grow into the designer—and business owner—you're meant to be.
If you've ever felt like you were "behind," unsure of your style, or still finding your footing, I really think this episode will resonate with you.
Watching Natalie step into her confidence, refine her process, and build a business that truly supports her life is exactly why I do this work. This conversation is proof that when you focus on process, collaboration, and intention, growth follows—both creatively and professionally.
If this episode sparked something for you, I'd love for you to reflect on where you are in your own journey and what your next evolution might look like.
 
Fix the Leaks: The Hidden Places Your Business Is Quietly Losing Time & Money https://www.addevent.com/event/qjrn64tbm77l
 
How to Price Your Design Services with Confidence https://thedesignbakehouse.com/pricing-workshop
 
 
More about Natalie:  Design is Natalie's lifelong passion, where crafting exquisite interiors is an art of precision. Beyond aesthetics, her journey has honed top-tier communication, mediation, and organizational skills.
 
Multitasking is second nature, orchestrating projects with intricate moving parts. Exceeding expectations is the norm, achieved with a proficient, trustworthy team.
 
This commitment to excellence is why Studio 180 Design has proudly earned multiple Houzz awards for exceptional client experience. This is the essence of Studio 180 Design - where meticulous details converge to craft exceptional
 
RESOURCES:
 
INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery
 
SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.
https://mysidemark.com/
 
MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab
 
Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/
 
Join our Free Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 
 
Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide
 
Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

In today's episode of Designed for the Creative Mind, I'm sitting down with Shelby Fowler Moss to talk about something that makes a lot of designers nervous: paid ads. Shelby is a paid ad strategist and sales expert who's helped businesses generate tens of millions of dollars through advertising, and she brings a refreshingly honest, no-fluff perspective to this conversation.
If you've ever felt like paid ads are risky, confusing, or something only "big businesses" can afford, this episode is for you. Shelby and I break down what actually makes ads work, why so many business owners get burned by agencies, and how designers can think about ads in a smarter, more sustainable way—without gambling their money or chasing vanity metrics.
We dig into what success with paid ads really looks like, why understanding the lifetime value of a client is critical before you ever spend a dollar, and how ads should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a quick win. Shelby also shares why most agencies fail to clearly define success, how business owners can protect themselves, and what designers need to know even if they plan to outsource their ads.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Shelby's concept of "digital billboards" for local businesses. We talk specifically about how interior designers can use simple Meta ads on Facebook and Instagram to stay top of mind in the right zip codes, instead of wasting money on traditional local advertising that often ends up in the trash. If you've ever advertised in a neighborhood magazine and wondered if anyone actually saw it, this will hit home.
Shelby also walks us through her "attract, demonstrate, sell" framework and explains why showing your work, your process, and your personality builds far more trust than simply saying you're the best. We talk about creative fatigue, why video matters, and how designers can position themselves as the go-to expert in their market without needing massive budgets or complicated funnels.
This episode is a must-listen if you want to understand paid ads without the hype, learn how to think like an investor instead of a gambler, and explore smarter ways to grow your visibility and client base as a creative business owner.
If paid advertising has been on your radar but felt overwhelming or intimidating, Shelby brings so much clarity to what actually matters—and what doesn't.
 
Shelby Fowler-Moss is a paid ads strategist and sales expert who's helped her clients generate tens of millions of dollars from paid advertising. After running one of the top boutique ad agencies for 7 years, she now teaches entrepreneurs how to think like investors, using ads to build real leverage, not chaos. Her teaching style is straight-talking, high-energy, and rooted in what actually works in today's market, no fluff, no theory, just strategy that scales.
 
Fix the Leaks: The Hidden Places Your Business Is Quietly Losing Time & Money https://www.addevent.com/event/qjrn64tbm77l
 
How to Price Your Design Services with Confidence https://thedesignbakehouse.com/pricing-workshop
 
 
RESOURCES:
Fix the Leaks: The Hidden Places Your Business Is Quietly Losing Time & Money https://www.addevent.com/event/qjrn64tbm77l
 
How to Price Your Design Services with Confidence https://thedesignbakehouse.com/pricing-workshop
 
INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery
 
SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.
https://mysidemark.com/
 
MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.
https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab
 
Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/
 
Join our Free Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 
 
Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide
 
Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact