Episodes

  • Hospitality is Profitable for Everyone

    Hospitality is Profitable for Everyone
    Sep 1 2025
    292: Hospitality is Profitable for Everyone Welcome to today’s episode! With me is Rick Campos — a recovering interior designer, podcast host, and design business coach. Rick is certified in Coaching the Unreasonable Hospitality methodology, and we’re diving into what it really means to go beyond service and show up with true hospitality. Stick around for practical insights and action items you can start using right away in your interior design business. Topics Mentioned: Hospitality Community Intentionality Listening Key Thoughts: Recognizing where the client touch points are and recognizing the likes and the wants and the desires of that individual client actually slows us down enough to make it an intentional meeting so that we can make sure we're touching all of the things that matter to them. Michele Williams I have tested the theory, and it does work because it means you're listening, and all of a sudden that evokes an emotion, a feeling, and that's what makes a true impact. It's what makes an ordinary moment extraordinary. Rick Campos The nice thing is you can build it into the business and it's not an accidental. These things are very thought out and planned for even within individual budgets. Michele Williams Those are the moments that we focus on, that we drill into. Not the big moments that everyone else is paying attention to because everyone else is already doing it. It's those little moments that's going to set you apart. Rick Campos Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Rick: Email: rick@designbizsurvivalguide.com Instagram: @Designbizsurvivalguide Website: Design Biz Survival Guide References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Secret Service: Hidden Systems That Deliver Unforgettable Customer Service by John R. DiJulius III Banana Ball: The Unbelievably True Story of the Savannah Bananas by Jesse Cole 7 Days Out on Netflix, SE 1; episode 7
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    55 mins
  • 3 Ways to go from Hobbyist to Interior Design Professional

    3 Ways to go from Hobbyist to Interior Design Professional
    Aug 17 2025
    291: 3 Ways to go from Hobbyist to Interior Design Professional

    Welcome to the show! Today we’re diving into how to go from hobbyist to professional—whether you’re in interior design or building any creative business. We’ll cover three powerful areas that can transform your journey: mindset, boundaries, and intentionality. So, grab a pen and paper, and let’s reflect—where are you still showing up like a hobbyist, and where are you ready to level up and own your role as a professional?

    Topics Mentioned:

    • Mindset

    • Boundaries

    • Intentionality

    • Sustainability

    Key Thoughts:

    • When we have the mindset of a professional, we're certainly going to create a boundary to make sure that we're making a profit or we're not going to engage in the work. Michele Williams

    • Being intentional about what we do, having these mindsets that we talked about of a very professional mindset, creating good boundaries, all of those things start to move us into that proactive stance instead of a reactive stance. Michele Williams

    • Having a very intentional, clear focus of what you're doing really creates grounding, it creates trust, it creates an environment where people can get behind it and kind of push that boulder uphill with you because they all know that they're pushing in the same direction. Michele Williams

    • Sustainability shows up because we have sustainable processes, we have sustainable team dynamics, and we have sustainable profitability. Michele Williams

    Contact Michele:

    • Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

    • Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

    • Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • LinkedIn: Michele Williams

    References and Resources:

    • Work with Me

    • The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

    • CFO2Go

    • Metrique Solutions

    • E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber
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    32 mins
  • Self-Care is Profitable for You and Your Business

    Self-Care is Profitable for You and Your Business
    Aug 3 2025
    290: Self-Care is Profitable for You and Your Business

    Today’s guest is Katie McDonald, a powerful self-care strategist who helps high achievers get things done without coming undone. After overcoming her own burnout, Katie now guides others from constant doing to intentional being. If you're feeling overwhelmed or running on empty, this episode is for you.

    Topics Mentioned:

    • Burnout

    • Self-care

    • Strategy

    • Accountability

    Key Thoughts:

    • We're so used to quieting ourselves and our needs so that we can focus on others, that we don’t give ourselves permission to turn around to even ask ourselves what do you want. Michele Williams

    • Much like when an interior designer goes into a space, empties it all out, we need to empty it all out. Our bloated schedules empty it all out. Clean out a closet? Empty it all out. And then curate intentionally one thing after another, choose what you let back in. Katie McDonald

    • I will say the one thing that I had to learn early on is when I asked the question, I couldn't say, okay, achiever Michele, you've asked the question, now get up and go do something. You have to sit there and listen. Michele Williams

    • Celebrate any progress, celebrate any learning as growth opportunity and then you'll show up for more growth opportunities. Katie McDonald

    Contact Michele:

    • Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

    • Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

    • Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • LinkedIn: Michele Williams

    Contact Katie:

    • Email: katie@katiemcdonaldspeaking.com

    • Instagram: @_bnourished

    • Website: bnourished.com

    • LinkedIn: bnourished

    References and Resources:

    • Work with Me

    • The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

    • CFO2Go

    • Metrique Solutions

    • How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now!
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    57 mins
  • The Entrepreneurial Journey

    The Entrepreneurial Journey
    Jul 20 2025
    289: The Entrepreneurial Journey

    Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into the entrepreneurial journey—from the spark of an idea to building a business with real impact. We’ll explore the key stages of growth, the evolving challenges at each step, and what it takes to succeed along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward. Tune in, take notes, and discover where you are on your entrepreneurial path.

    Topics Mentioned:

    • Strategy

    • Visionary mindset

    • Investment

    • Management

    Key Thoughts:

    • There is no shame in where we're starting from. The only shame that comes is if we stay there too long out of fear or not doing something so that we never progress. Michele Williams

    • I think people underestimate how much time that truly takes to own that role of CEO visionary. Yes, you might not be knocking off tasks for one of your projects, or for one of your design projects, but it takes true time and intention to get into that visionary mindset and really predict what's to come. Courtney Bramlett

    • When we are thinking about moving forward and strategy, I would say the more that you can build it in from the beginning at least the idea of strategic thinking, which means this business is more than what is happening today. Michele Williams

    • The best strategizers can strategically think through their daily task and how to align it to that vision state, and that takes time and practice and by allowing yourself that time to even do it. Courtney Bramlett

    Contact Michele:

    • Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

    • Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

    • Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • LinkedIn: Michele Williams

    References and Resources:

    • Work with Me

    • The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

    • CFO2Go

    • Metrique Solutions

    • How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now!

    • FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth

    • E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber

    • Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz
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    47 mins
  • Invest in Yourself for Business Growth

    Invest in Yourself for Business Growth
    Jul 6 2025
    288: Invest in Yourself for Business Growth Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Kacey Graham, owner and principal designer of Boehm Graham Interior Design. From working alongside her mother on over 17 interior design show houses to leading her own successful design firm, Kacey shares her inspiring journey of business growth. We’ll dive into the key investments she made in herself and her team to build a thriving interior design brand. Topics Mentioned: Self investment Growth Hiring Excellance Key Thoughts: I needed someone that really had a different energy and a different experience base, business mindset, and financial backing. Enter Michele Williams, Scarlet Thread Consulting. I remember crying and going, I can't afford to hire her, and it was kind of like I slapped my own face and said I can't afford not to hire her. And that was the best decision I ever made. Kacey Graham Everything's building blocks. So, we can't skip over those heavy, difficult pieces. Whether it's in organization or marketing or financials, we've got to put the basic building blocks together. Michele Williams It's going to be an evolution. Much like our homes are our workshop, our businesses are always evolving and always improving. That should always be the goal. Kacey Graham You've got to have your thumb on the pulse of what's happening in the economy because hiring somebody to do something today that we hired three, or four years ago the price would be completely different. Historical data informs the future. Michele Williams Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Kacey: Email: kacey@boehmgrahamdesign.com Facebook: Boehm Graham Interior Design Instagram: kacey.graham Website: www.boehmgrahamdesign.com References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth
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    49 mins
  • The Hidden Costs of Winging It in Your Design Business

    The Hidden Costs of Winging It in Your Design Business
    Jun 15 2025
    287: The Hidden Costs of Winging It in Your Design Business

    In this episode, we unpack the hidden costs of winging it in your design business. Michele shares why flying by the seat of your pants can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and financial messes. She dives into the power of intentional planning, strategic hiring, and clear marketing—all rooted in a strong, future-focused vision. If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing, this one's for you.

    Topics Mentioned:

    • Missed Opportunities

    • Peace

    • Process

    • Being Intentional

    Key Thoughts:

    • When I was winging it, I realized there was a huge cost to me, to my peace, to my time, and certainly to my money. Michele Williams

    • We're working on the wrong initiatives, the wrong plans, and things that might support us in the short term, but not in the long term. Michele Williams

    • I would like to work with an intentionality on where I'm going, what I'm doing, who I'm doing with, and how I'm going to show up in the world, because that brings me peace. Michele Williams

    • The goal here is to really be able to have an intentionality in what we are doing so that as we do it, we know that we are checking off those tasks and those goals that are moving us closer to the business that we want to become. Michele Williams

    Contact Michele:

    • Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

    • Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

    • Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

    • LinkedIn: Michele Williams

    References and Resources:

    • Work with Me

    • The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

    • CFO2Go

    • Metrique Solutions

    • How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now!

    • FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth
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    13 mins
  • Profitability of Working with a Family Member

    Profitability of Working with a Family Member
    Jun 1 2025
    286: Profitability of Working with a Family Member On today’s episode, we’re joined by Beth Meyer and Abby McLane of Beth Meyer Design, a mother-daughter team specializing in luxury residential interiors. Featured in Southern Home and LUXE, they’ve built a trusted brand through elegant design and smart business growth. We’ll explore how they started working together, their approach to profitability, and the benefits of running a family-based interior design business. If you're looking for real strategies to grow your design firm, this one’s for you. Topics Mentioned: Strategy Organization Technology Key Thoughts: That was the whole reason I started the coaching practice as having come from burnout myself. When I get those calls, my heart feels for that, because I've been there, and I know what that feels like. The exhaustion and the mental load and the emotional turmoil, it's real and it's heavy. Michele Williams I went back to the strategic plan where we are in structuring the company and roles and SOPs. You're giving them the tools they need to do their job well. You're not just giving them expectations that they really can’t meet. Beth Meyer There is something about your daughter or your mom in the business having your back in a different way that gives you the courage to continually push forward. So not only does iron sharpen iron to keep each other accountable and focused and better and growing and all the things, but there is something about the courage that one person lends to another person to move forward. Michele Williams Our goals are the same and we have done a deep dive into our missions, our values, and all the things. When we are both pushing each other, it's built-in accountability to reach those goals. Abby McLane Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Beth and Abby: Email: abby@bethmeyerdesign.com Facebook: @bethmeyerdesign Instagram: @bethmeyerdesign Website: https://bethmeyerdesign.com/ You Tube: Beth Meyer Design References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
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    1 hr
  • The Top 5 Profit Drains in Your Interior Design Business

    The Top 5 Profit Drains in Your Interior Design Business
    May 18 2025
    285: The Top 5 Profit Drains in Your Interior Design Business Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’re diving into the five biggest profit drains that can silently sabotage your interior design business. If you’ve ever wondered where your money is going or why your profit margins aren’t where they should be, this episode is for you. Grab a pen and paper—because you’ll want to take notes on how to boost profitability and take control of your money management starting today. Topics Mentioned: Pricing Financials Ideal Client Managing Cash Flow Effectively Key Thoughts: You cannot sell more of something at a really bad price and continue to make money, a bad price is a bad price. Michele Williams An ideal client is somebody who has the same value statements that we are coming in with as the company and there's a value continuance between us and that client. Michele Williams The more we're fighting people, processes, or not knowing what the numbers are, the more it's going to cost us the profits and the money, but also the profitability of peace in our lives. Michele Williams Know how money comes in, know how revenues are recognized, know how profit is recognized, and know when you need those funds. Michele Williams Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Metrique Solutions - Free Month Promo Code How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
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    17 mins