This episode of Design Business Freedom is all about facing a hard truth: waiting for the “right time” in your interior design business is costing you dearly. Melissa shares from the heart—and with personal stories, coaching wins, and actionable insight—how fear disguised as patience is sabotaging your growth, your profits, and your dreams. Whether you're hesitating to raise your rates, unsure about coaching, or stuck in a cycle of overwork and undercharging, this episode brings clarity to what’s really at stake.

Melissa pulls back the curtain on what happens when you stop waiting and start moving, even when you're not "ready." You’ll hear inspiring client success stories, a strong case for coaching, and real talk about the emotional and financial costs of delay. If you’re longing for more time, more income, and more joy from your business, Melissa offers a compelling roadmap to help you reclaim it all—starting now.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:10) Why waiting is the ultimate “bank breaker and profit stealer”—and how to move past it.
• (04:39) The fears designers face around success and failure—and how to reframe them.
• (07:35) How underquoting costs you more than you realize—and what to do about it.
• (10:39) Why “ready” is a myth—and how two designers stayed stuck at $300K for years.
• (17:52) The difference between true business success and burnout masked as hustle.
• (25:26) How waiting impacts your profits, peace of mind, and personal life every single month.

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Book your design business assessment
• Melissa’s free resource: Language of Success: 35 Word Choices to Boost Your Worth and Wealth

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

In this powerful and practical episode of Design Business Freedom, Melissa dives deep into the mindset and mechanics of effective delegation. As an interior designer, you're likely juggling dozens of tasks—but not all of them need to be on your plate. Melissa shares her personal journey with hiring, including the lessons learned (and a few funny stories), and unpacks exactly how you can delegate with clarity, confidence, and purpose to grow your business without burnout.

You’ll discover the strategic approach to offloading tasks that drain your energy and how to identify what truly belongs in your zone of genius. Melissa walks you through not just what to delegate and to whom, but how to do it well—without losing control or compromising your vision. Plus, she reveals how to leverage AI and outsourcing as part of your team for even more freedom.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:33) Why starting with an intern can be a smart first step—and how it changed Melissa’s business.
• (04:00) The real value of your time and why hiring before you feel ready is often essential.
• (09:12) How to identify your zone of genius with three simple questions.
• (14:07) What to delegate first: the repetitive, admin, and energy-draining tasks.
• (27:22) The exact framework Melissa uses to delegate effectively—including examples, deadlines, and check-ins.
• (46:08) Why every hire is an “explore the fit” period and how to confidently catch and release if it’s not working.

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

• Book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

In this insightful episode, Melissa Gault takes you deep into the often-overlooked question of "why" in your interior design business. She challenges the assumption that bigger is always better, highlighting the hidden costs and emotional toll that can come with growing a large team or expanding operations. Through personal stories, coaching examples, and real-life experiences, Melissa helps you explore whether what you really need is more, or simply different—and more aligned with what truly matters to you.

You’ll hear how letting go of the hustle and embracing a leaner, more intentional business model can actually lead to higher profits, more creativity, and greater personal satisfaction. Whether you’re just starting out or decades into your design journey, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and make sure your business is built to serve your goals—not someone else’s idea of success.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:23) Why one Scottsdale designer let go of her entire team and became more profitable and fulfilled
• (04:13) The truth about million-dollar revenue firms that don’t deliver six-figure personal incomes
• (07:01) The hidden costs of large teams and how overhead can eat away at your profit
• (13:32) How digital tools and remote contractors can help you scale smartly without growing payroll
• (24:18) The hard truths Melissa learned running her own retail store—and why a pop-up may be the smarter move
• (33:33) Why knowing what you want to do with your income will help you achieve it faster

SUPPORTING RESOURCES:

Book a call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.