In this episode, Laurie from To The Trade for Interior Design Community sits down with Marc and Corey from Designer Advantage, a leading procurement tool and accounting software designed for interior designers. Marc, the founder, narrates his journey from being an accounting major in Boston to launching Designer Advantage, tackling the challenges of effectively managing an interior design back office. Both Marc and Corey explore the difficulties faced by designers, such as overwhelming administrative duties, and explain how their software solutions simplify over 100 steps involved in handling custom orders. They also talk about Marc’s role as a pro bono CFO, audit practices, and how Designer Advantage’s best practices have benefited numerous firms. Tune in for valuable data-driven advice on improving your bottom line and alleviating the stress of managing an interior design business.
Time Stamp-
00:00 Introduction and Special Guests
00:35 Founding Designer Advantage: Marc’s Story
02:28 Challenges in the Interior Design Industry
05:23 Corey’s Role and Company Growth
07:27 Unique Value Proposition of Designer Advantage
15:55 Improving Designer Profitability
18:46 Business Strategy and Best Practices
24:32 Client Management and Emotional Support
33:07 Understanding the Challenges of C Clients
33:39 Leveraging AI and Data for Client Management
34:05 Strategies for Working with Different Client Types
35:48 Fostering Community Through Webinars
37:32 Business Education for Designers
41:01 Financial Trends in Interior Design
41:57 Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing
47:48 Importance of Client Referrals
48:57 Tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
52:58 Maximizing Profit Margins
58:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
