Power Talk Friday: Kate Saunders: Strategies for Organizing Operations in Your Interior Design Business

Today With Kate Saunders:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. My guest today, Kate Saunders, is a designer with more than 18 years of experience. Over time, she realized that she has strength, talent, and even passion for the backend of the business. She has taken her experience and her strength to form The Designer’s Collab—a company that handles the backend for design firms of all sizes. Today, she’s sharing what she has learned about efficiency, file management, and streamlining your interior design business.

Pick It Apart

[1:38] Kate shares the journey that led her to form The Designer’s Collab

[8:49] Kate and LuAnn discuss systems that streamline businesses

[14:43] LuAnn shares a frustrating roadblock in her business that needs a system improvement

[26:49] LuAnn and Kate talk about the importance of creating a book of standards

[35:51] Kate highlights her new brand, The Designer’s Collab

LuAnn Nigara and Kate Saunders’ Ah-Ha Moments

“It’s really important to set up procedures and standards in the beginning. It takes a lot of time, but it’s so important, especially if you’re trying to grow your business. It helps to keep your entire team in line and understanding what your vision is for your business.” -Kate

“It’s the difference between knowing in your head what you do and having it on paper or digitally. It enables all the things—it allows you to scale, to train, to go on vacation, but it also helps you in crisis too. We’re not getting out of this world without crisis touching us in some way, shape, or form.” -LuAnn

More About Kate Saunders:

Kate started in the interior design industry in 2004 and received her BA in Fine Arts from the Design Institute of San Diego. After a few years as a designer, she went on to receive her master’s in architecture degree from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design. 

Kate has spent the past 18+ years in every facet of the interior design industry; from Construction Management and Architecture, running her own design firm, helping to lead the interior design program for RH, designing side-by-side with acclaimed San Diego and Orange County interior designers, to managing wholesale Trade Programs across the US and Canada. She’s done it all. Now with her to-the-trade outsourcing service, she has created an opportunity for designers throughout the country to utilize services typically restricted to larger firms. 

Whether it be outsourcing your drafting, project management, presentation, and content files, or assisting with installations – The Designer’s Collab can assist in any virtual or in-person service capacity giving the sole designer, or design firm a true 3rd party support system to build their business and enhance their client’s experience with every tool available.

Connect with Kate Saunders

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook

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Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

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Other Shows Mentioned:

#626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design

#520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here!

A Big Thank You to Today’s Sponsor:

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