Most interior designers don’t have a branding problem—they have a brand drift problem. As your skills, confidence, and fees evolve, the brand you built early on can quietly fall out of alignment with who you are now. And when that happens, it doesn’t just feel off—it actively repels the clients you want to attract. In this candid conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with brand strategist Puja Malhotra to unpack what designers get wrong about branding—and what actually matters. From that subtle hesitation you feel before sharing your website, to the hidden cost of inconsistency, this episode reframes branding as a strategic business tool, not a creative indulgence. If your work has leveled up but your brand hasn’t kept pace, this episode will put language to that uneasy feeling—and show you exactly what to do next. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: - Why brand hesitation signals misalignment, not insecurity - How experienced designers outgrow DIY branding without realizing it - The difference between being visually “interesting” and truly memorable - Why consistency builds trust faster than creativity - How your website should function as an employee—not a portfolio graveyard - When to audit your brand—and when it’s time to bring in professional help - Why timeless branding matters if you plan to grow, scale, or trademark

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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