EP 137 | How Interior Designers Can Attract Ideal Clients with Valerie Foley

What makes an interior design business truly magnetic to clients?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Valerie Foley to discuss how mindset, energy, and personal alignment influence the success of an interior design business.

As a service-based business owner, you are deeply connected to your brand and client experience. Valerie explains why attracting ideal clients begins internally — through confidence, clarity, and intentional living — and how maintaining personal equilibrium helps designers create stronger relationships and business growth.

In this episode, we learn:
• Why interior designers ultimately determine the level of success they achieve
• How mindset and daily thoughts influence business growth and opportunities
• Why viewing homes as sacred spaces can strengthen your value proposition
• How personal energy and enthusiasm impact client relationships
• Why balance may be unrealistic, but equilibrium is attainable
• How authentic alignment helps attract better-fit clients
• Why brand evangelists and loyal clients are powerful marketing assets
• How strong personal well-being supports stronger leadership, creativity, and business success

Design Intervention

Differentiation is a great way to attract clients. Be the expert in one area.

Take Aways

Simon Sinek Answer the why—why you do what you do is a story that is magnetic to potential clients.

Valerie Foley is a Creative Shepherd, Idea Finder and Writer. Most of her career has been spent in advertising. She started out in New York City, went to the Martin Agency in Richmond, Virginia and has since performed as a Creative Director for award winning firms in Detroit.

She loves helping clients profit and succeed in our crazy, upside-down, anything-goes, new marketing world. In fact, she led the creative swat team that produced $365 million in incremental revenue in one year for a Fortune 500 company. Valerie’s clients have included: JCPenney, UPS, Barely There Bras, Krylon, Owens Corning, AAA, Saab, The Kennedy Library and Museum, Penn Gaming, Smithfield Foods, GEICO, and others. She’s also won more than a few awards along the way, including – CA, Graphis, Kelly Awards, Caples, ECHOES, EFFIES, Richmond Show, the D Show, OBIES, One Show, and Cannes Shortlist.

Valerie’s favorite starting point is with a beginner’s mind. Her passions include family, friends, beaches, meditation, fresh figs, dance, hair products and gong sessions. She’s also a closet poet. The goal, always: the best and fewest words in the best order. (Hmmm. “Always” should come out.)

Thank you to our amazing sponsor!