Grab a drink and get ready for the most real talk, spill-the-tea convo, not just about what it takes to set up a flat fee billing system, but also about the reality of leading a team, growing a design firm, saying no, and marketing a small business.

In this candid conversation, Rebecca sits down with Texas-based designer Caron Woolsey of CW Interiors to unpack the real-world journey from hourly billing to profitable, sanity-saving flat fees.

Caron shares practical, specific details about how she refined her process, trained her team to track time wisely, and built the courage to say no to clients who weren’t the right fit—all while protecting her joy, her margins, and her time.

If you’re new, listening to this will set you up for success.

Seasoned? You’ll feel seen plus get tips and encouragement to help you stay the course (or get back on track).

If you’ve been curious—or terrified—about switching from hourly billing to flat design fees, this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and kick in the pants you need to make it happen.

Enjoy!

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About Caron:

Caron Woolsey is the founder and principal designer of CW Interiors, a boutique interior design studio based in The Woodlands, Texas. Guided by the philosophy of “fewer, finer,” Caron leads a close-knit team devoted to creating bespoke residential interiors that feel timeless and deeply personal.

Known for her approachable leadership and meticulous attention to detail, Caron partners closely with clients, architects, and artisans to shape homes that reflect the individuality of the people who live in them. Her work spans from large-scale new builds to thoughtful renovations, always marked by cohesive architectural flow, a curated mix of classic and contemporary elements, and a deep respect for craftsmanship.

Caron believes that true luxury comes from intention and authenticity. Through CW Interiors, she continues to inspire clients and collaborators with a vision that celebrates quality, beauty, and the enduring meaning of a well-designed home.

To connect with Caron and CW Interiors:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

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Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com

Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy

Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast

And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

What happens when an interior designer finally gets crystal clear about who she works with—and who she doesn’t?

In this episode, interior designer Amanda Welch of Brooksvale Design (Woodinville, WA) shares how refining her website copy, clarifying her process, and boldly posting pricing transformed her business.

Amanda tells us why it was scary (but powerful) to put pricing on her website, how adding personality to her copy started attracting the right projects, and shares a big shift that let her save time while booking better clients.

Amanda went from fielding constant mismatched leads and awkward payment conversations to working only with her dream clients on projects that fit her expertise—and her life. She opens up about the fears she had around “looking exclusive,” how she overcame them, and why drawing firm boundaries actually gave her more confidence, better clients, and a healthier business.

If you’ve ever wondered how to:

• Write interior design website copy that actually works
• Set clear client expectations from the start
• Confidently charge for consultations and deposits
• Stop wasting time on bad leads

…this conversation will give you practical ideas to streamline your design business and attract clients who value your work.

If you’ve ever struggled with saying no, setting expectations, or putting your real personality into your website, this episode will give you the push (and permission) to own your value and streamline your process.

Find Amanda at https://www.brooksvaledesign.com/

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Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com

Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy

Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast

And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

Want your contractor to rave about you (and send you referrals)?

Turns out, the secret isn’t great design—it’s great design files!

You know: floor plans, elevations, and material lists. They aren’t just nice to have. They are essential to a smooth project!

In the latest episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know, Rebecca chats with general contractors Chris and Lisa of Raincap Construction (Seattle, WA) to get the inside scoop on what makes design documentation truly contractor-friendly.

We cover:

• The mistakes designers regularly make in their design files
• What contractors wish we knew (but don’t always say)
• How better documentation = smoother installs, fewer headaches, + happier clients

Thank you to Chris and Lisa for sharing their time and real-world examples of how well-prepared design files prevent miscommunications, keep costs in check, and help projects run on time (who doesn’t love a drama-free install?!).

Whether you're a designer looking to refine your process or a contractor wishing designers would—this episode is packed with insights to help both sides collaborate more effectively and deliver top-notch results.

Give it a listen and turn your contractors into your biggest allies! 🎧💡

#InteriorDesignBusiness #ContractorCollaboration #DesignDocs #DesignSuccess #StreamlineYourProjects

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👷‍♂️💛👷🏻‍♀️ Connect with Chris, Lisa, and the team at Raincap Construction

---

Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com

Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy

Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast

And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home