Are you running a profitable interior design business—or are you simply hoping you are? In this candid conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with interior designer and former financial advisor Erin Hackett Nordholt to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing design firm owners: protecting profit. Together, they unpack the hidden habits that quietly erode profitability—from underestimating freight and absorbing unexpected costs to avoiding project post-mortems and convincing yourself that "breaking even" is good enough. If you've ever hesitated to look closely at your numbers or assumed a project was profitable because it felt successful, this episode will challenge you to think differently. Because building a thriving interior design business isn't about staying positive—it's about facing the numbers, learning from every project, and creating systems that protect your bottom line. In this episode we learn: - Why "toxic positivity" may be the biggest threat to your interior design business - How hidden costs like freight, tariffs, and procurement mistakes quietly destroy profit margins - Why every design firm should conduct a post-project financial review to improve future profitability - How understanding your numbers leads to better pricing, stronger systems, and more confident business decisions - Why profitable interior designers stop apologizing for making money—and start protecting their margins - How small financial improvements compound into a stronger, more sustainable design business

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

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