The Profit is a Choice Podcast
Owning every choice in your business is not for the faint of heart. Each Monday, join Michele Williams, strategic profitability coach for the interior design industry as she interviews guests who are taking control of their business one decision at a time to increase their profits. If you are an entrepreneur who wants to make money while working in your passion, this is the podcast for you.
301: Why Aligning Your Resources is the Key to Executing Your Strategy
On the podcast today, I’m joined by Courtney Bramlett, owner of The Good Sower, and the powerhouse behind marketing and operations at Scarlet Thread.
In this episode, we’re talking about the alignment of resources—how you’re investing your time, energy, and effort into the areas of your business that truly matter and will move you to the next level. Together, we are bringing a practical, grounded perspective on focusing your resources with intention so your business can grow without unnecessary overwhelm.
Get ready for a fun, insightful, and energizing conversation.
300: Upcycling with Purpose: How Sustainable Design Brings Peace to Your Space
Joining us on the podcast today is Sarah Trop, owner of FunCycled in upstate New York. By day, Sarah transforms spaces and furniture through thoughtful, sustainable design, and by night, she shares her creative life as a lifestyle blogger—she’s truly fun to follow and watch.
In this episode, we’re talking about upcycling—what Sarah lovingly calls FunCycling—and how intentional, sustainable design can bring a sense of peace into the spaces we live and work in. We’ll also explore what it means to be good stewards of what we’ve been entrusted with, especially throughout the design process.
This conversation is creative, meaningful, and uplifting—and I know you’re going to enjoy it.
299: Year-End Wrap Up: Creating Margin in Life and Business
Joining me today on the podcast is Ceil DiGuglielmo, host of the Sew Much More podcast and owner of the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library. Every year, Ceil and I sit down for an end-of-year business catch-up to talk honestly about what worked, what didn’t, and what we’ve learned. We ask each other thoughtful, leading questions to get a real glimpse into work, life, balance, and how all of those pieces fit together.
Our hope is that as you listen, you’ll reflect on your own year and maybe ask yourself some of the same questions. This year, we spent a lot of time discussing what it means to create space and margin in our lives—and the importance of checking in with ourselves rather than looking to a book, a podcast, AI, or anything else for the answers. It’s about learning to hear ourselves think again.
298: How to Scale Your Business Without Diluting Your Brand
Today we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges for growing businesses — scaling without losing control of your brand. Growth is exciting, but it can also expose every weakness in your systems, your messaging, and your client experience. So in this episode, we’re talking about how to protect your brand’s integrity as you bring on more clients, more team members, and more opportunities. Because scaling should amplify your brand — not dilute it.
297: The Referable Client Experience
Joining me today on the podcast is Stacey Brown Randall—a returning guest and someone you’re going to love hearing from again. Stacey has been on the show twice before, and today she’s back to share insights from her brand-new book, The Referable Client Experience.
You may also know her as the author of the multiple award-winning book Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, and as the host of the hugely popular podcast Roadmap to Referrals. Beyond her work as a consultant and coach, she’s also a wife and mom of three, bringing a grounded, real-world perspective to everything she teaches.
In this episode, we’re diving into what it truly takes to create a client experience that naturally generates referrals—without the awkward asks or uncomfortable scripts. You won’t want to miss this conversation.
296: How Insurance Builds Wealth: Key Benefits for Financial Growth
Today I’m joined by Susan Glass and Caitlin Raad of The Glass Group, experts in helping individuals, families, and business owners build financial security and confidence through smart insurance strategies.
Susan and Caitlin specialize in showing how different types of insurance can be layered to protect not just a person—but their family, employees, and business as a whole. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with both of them several times, and every conversation has uncovered new insights into how insurance can be used as a tool for stability and growth.
So even if the word “insurance” makes you think of that class you wanted to sleep through in college, trust me—this episode is one you won’t want to miss.
295: Avoiding Common Mistakes When Charging Premium Rates
Raising your prices can feel like a bold move—but what happens when your premium rates don’t deliver the results you expected? In this episode, we’re uncovering the most common mistakes entrepreneurs and service-based professionals make when charging high-end prices.
Learn how to identify the gaps in your pricing strategy, communicate your value effectively, and attract clients who are ready to invest at your level. If you’ve ever wondered why your premium pricing isn’t landing the way it should, this conversation will show you exactly how to fix it.
294: Find the Habits Driving Your Business
Discover how uncovering your thinking habits can unlock your greatest potential. In this episode, we sit down with Liz Taylor—former Motorola mechanical engineer turned serial entrepreneur, certified health and Enneagram coach, and Habit Finder specialist. With over 24 years of business experience and coaching since 2015, Liz shares how identifying the thought patterns that drive or derail success can transform high-achieving business owners. Learn how Habit Finder reveals your strengths, exposes hidden roadblocks, and helps you align your God-given talents with your passion for lasting growth.
293: Unblock Your Cash Flow: Strategies to Free Up Money Fast
Have you ever hit a point where your design business cash flow just isn’t flowing? The truth is that money doesn’t always stay steady—it moves in and out, up and down. In today’s episode, we’re digging into how interior designers can get the money moving again with quick cash flow wins, plus a long-term cash management strategy for financial stability and growth.
292: Hospitality is Profitable for Everyone
Welcome to today’s episode! With me is Rick Campos — a recovering interior designer, podcast host, and design business coach. Rick is certified in Coaching the Unreasonable Hospitality methodology, and we’re diving into what it really means to go beyond service and show up with true hospitality. Stick around for practical insights and action items you can start using right away in your interior design business.
291: 3 Ways to go from Hobbyist to Interior Design Professional
Welcome to the show! Today we’re diving into how to go from hobbyist to professional—whether you’re in interior design or building any creative business. We’ll cover three powerful areas that can transform your journey: mindset, boundaries, and intentionality. So, grab a pen and paper, and let’s reflect—where are you still showing up like a hobbyist, and where are you ready to level up and own your role as a professional?
290: Self-Care is Profitable for You and Your Business
Today’s guest is Katie McDonald, a powerful self-care strategist who helps high achievers get things done without coming undone. After overcoming her own burnout, Katie now guides others from constant doing to intentional being. If you're feeling overwhelmed or running on empty, this episode is for you.
289: The Entrepreneurial Journey
Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into the entrepreneurial journey—from the spark of an idea to building a business with real impact. We’ll explore the key stages of growth, the evolving challenges at each step, and what it takes to succeed along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward. Tune in, take notes, and discover where you are on your entrepreneurial path.
288: Invest in Yourself for Business Growth
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Kacey Graham, owner and principal designer of Boehm Graham Interior Design. From working alongside her mother on over 17 interior design show houses to leading her own successful design firm, Kacey shares her inspiring journey of business growth. We’ll dive into the key investments she made in herself and her team to build a thriving interior design brand.
287: The Hidden Costs of Winging It in Your Design Business
In this episode, we unpack the hidden costs of winging it in your design business. Michele shares why flying by the seat of your pants can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and financial messes. She dives into the power of intentional planning, strategic hiring, and clear marketing—all rooted in a strong, future-focused vision. If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing, this one's for you.
286: Profitability of Working with a Family Member
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Beth Meyer and Abby McLane of Beth Meyer Design, a mother-daughter team specializing in luxury residential interiors. Featured in Southern Home and LUXE, they’ve built a trusted brand through elegant design and smart business growth. We’ll explore how they started working together, their approach to profitability, and the benefits of running a family-based interior design business. If you're looking for real strategies to grow your design firm, this one’s for you.
285: The Top 5 Profit Drains in Your Interior Design Business
Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’re diving into the five biggest profit drains that can silently sabotage your interior design business. If you’ve ever wondered where your money is going or why your profit margins aren’t where they should be, this episode is for you. Grab a pen and paper—because you’ll want to take notes on how to boost profitability and take control of your money management starting today.
284: The Hidden Costs of Employment
Joining me is Jessica Harling, founder of Behind the Design. Jessica is a seasoned expert in employee and process development, specializing in recruitment, training, and change management for design organizations. Her work helps businesses streamline costs, increase productivity, and develop high-performing teams. In this episode, we'll discuss practical business strategies for interior designers for effective hiring, onboarding, and retention to ensure your team thrives. Enjoy the conversation!
283: Implementing Profit First with Success
Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’re talking about Profit First—a powerful money management system that is proven to boost interior design business profit. If you're making money but never seem to keep it, or constantly juggling funds, you're not alone.
We’ll show you how Profit First helps you separate money with purpose, avoid the “robbing Peter to pay Paul” cycle, and make smarter financial decisions. Whether you're just launching or scaling your design business, this episode is packed with strategies to help you pay yourself first and grow a more profitable interior design business.
282: Design Mentorship for Beginners
Welcome to today's episode. I’m thrilled to have Rebecca Ward with me. Rebecca is an award-winning interior designer based out of Sacramento, California, and she’s truly dedicated to nurturing emerging talent in the design industry. Not only does she host the Design Curious podcast, but she also runs a mentorship program called My Design Mentor. Rebecca focuses on answering those essential early questions for anyone looking to build their business in interior design. In this episode, we’ll discuss the many paths people take into the industry and the common questions new designers face as they start their careers. Tune in for valuable insights on how to kickstart your journey and make smarter business decisions in interior design. I hope you enjoy our conversation!