EP 277 | Accountability for Interior Designers with Business of Design® Alumni
Do you have the support and accountability needed to grow your interior design business?
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by Kelly Tivey, Justine Sterling, and Tracy Dyck to discuss the power of accountability, community, and strategic support in building a successful design firm.
Growing a business isn’t about one breakthrough moment—it’s the result of consistent action, strong systems, and surrounding yourself with ambitious people who challenge and inspire you.
If you’ve ever wished you had a trusted group of peers to help you stay focused and keep moving forward, this episode will show you why accountability matters.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
• Why business growth requires a strategic, multi-layered approach
• How outsourcing the right tasks creates more freedom and efficiency
• Why successful business owners design businesses that support their goals
• The importance of surrounding yourself with ambitious, like-minded professionals
• How accountability helps you stay focused and motivated
• Why building the right support system accelerates growth and confidence
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Justine Sterling says, “Always get paid for your worth and set a high standard for yourself. This helps all of us.”
Tracy Dyck says, “You get to decide what must be done. You have a choice because you are the boss.
Kelly Tivey says, “Surround yourself with strong, positive, likeminded people.”
About Kelly Tivey
Kelly Tivey Interior Design is a full service Interior Design firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. For 35 years, Kelly has been creating highly individualized homes for her clients and their families. Kelly’s team consists of trusted specialists, trade resources, and design and support professionals who all work together to bring clients the absolute best in design and service.
Instagram | kellytiveyinteriors
About Justine Sterling
Justine Sterling Design is a full-service residential interior design studio situated just north of Boston. She launched Justine Sterling Design in 2008, after working in innovative and prestigious hospitality and commercial interiors and architectural firms in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Boston.
Justine Sterling Design’s projects have been featured in many publications such as New England Home magazine, North Shore Home, Modern Luxury Interiors Boston, The Boston Globe, and Boston Home magazine
As one of the leading local interior designers, Justine has built a portfolio of residential projects varying from small, urban condominium redesigns to kitchen renovations to new construction and entire home remodeling endeavors. Today, she resides in the greater Boston area with her husband, two rambunctious children, and one attention-seeking feline friend.
Instagram | justinesterlingdesign
About Tracy Dyck
Tracy’s love for “solving the puzzle” of how people and spaces interact led her to a career in Interior Design. She received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and is NCIDQ-certified.
Tracy founded S3 Interior Design in 2003 with the goal of building a company that would not only make a positive impact on the industry, but also the community and the environment. After working on all aspects of building the business, and leading design projects, Tracy has since directed her focus on business development and leadership support. Her mission is to continually improve the client and team experience.
Instagram | s3interiordesign
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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.
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