EP 100 | How Adam Scougall Built a Successful Interior Design Business
What does it take to transition from a corporate career to a thriving full-time interior design business?
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Adam Scougall about his journey from the corporate world into professional interior design and the business lessons he learned along the way. Adam shares how implementing the Business of Design® 15 STEP Project Management Strategy helped him create stronger systems, improve profitability, and gain greater control over his projects.
For interior designers looking to grow their business, this conversation highlights the importance of discipline, consistency, and trusting proven processes.
In this episode, we learn:
• Why strong contracts help attract and retain better clients
• How following proven systems creates more consistent project outcomes
• Why discipline and consistency are essential for long-term business success
• How failing to bill for your time can undermine profitability
• Strategies for managing styling and installations when borrowed accessories aren’t available
• Why clearly defined project roles improve accountability and project management
Design Intervention
Use Kimberley’s contract (make sure to verify it with a local lawyer first!) and read it to your client line by line. It will get you the job!
Adam Scougall is an interior designer who is passionate about creating beautifully unique homes. His fresh, eclectic and never predictable work has been featured in many national and International publications, including Home Beautiful, Real Living, Grand Designs Australia and Singapore’s Metropolitan Home magazine.
Since opening his design business in 2010, Adam has put his personal stamp on a wonderfully diverse list of residential projects. The end results are stunning interiors that celebrate his clients’ unique personalities and lifestyles.
Adam studied design and decoration at Sydney’s International School of Colour and Design and holds over 17 years’ corporate management experience in the financial sector. It is this experience that has embedded his firm’s high standards of exceptional communication and service.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.
✨ BOD™ MINI MASTERCLASS ✨
Guarantee Projects On Time and On Budget
In this 1-hour video training, you'll learn the proven project management system used by Kimberley Seldon to streamline her design process.
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