There’s a common belief in this industry that if you want to be known for luxury design, you have to only serve high-budget, full-service clients.

But that’s not always true.

In this episode, I’m joined by interior designer Sarah St. Amand to talk about what it really looks like to build a profitable design business while still serving clients at different budget levels. Sarah shares how she offers smaller design packages without diluting her brand, why clear boundaries and communication matter so much, and how designers can stay profitable without feeling like they have to say yes to everything.

We also get into the tension so many designers feel between creating beautiful spaces and running a sustainable business. Sarah is refreshingly honest about the importance of profitability, the role team plays in supporting growth, and why being approachable doesn’t mean undervaluing your work.

This conversation is a strong reminder that luxury is not just about price tags. It’s also about trust, communication, expertise, and knowing how to guide clients well.

 

Episode Highlights
  1. What it looks like to offer lower-ticket design support without weakening your luxury positioning

  2. How smaller design packages can serve a different type of client

  3. Why “pretty but unprofitable” is not a business model

  4. How to set clear boundaries around deliverables, hours, and scope

  5. The importance of understanding a client’s budget before presenting selections

  6. How strategic sourcing impacts profitability

  7. Why communication is one of the most important skills in design

  8. The role of team, operations, and support in building a sustainable firm

  9. Why hiring help can actually improve profitability and quality of life

 

Episode REsource

This episode is sponsored by Programa.

Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It’s designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems.

Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.