EP 279 | Business Systems for Architects & Designers with Brooke Aitken (Part 2)
Can the same business systems work for both architects and interior designers?
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues the conversation with Brooke Aitken to explore how Business of Design™ principles apply within an architectural practice—and why strong systems are essential no matter your creative discipline.
After nearly giving up on her business, Brooke found renewed clarity and direction through structured processes, but she’s still pushing for the next level of growth. This episode dives into contracts, timelines, client management, and maintaining high standards without compromising your values.
If you’re an architect or interior designer looking to strengthen your business foundation, this episode offers practical strategies you can apply immediately.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
• Why simple, easy-to-understand contracts create better client relationships
• How to maintain quality standards without compromising your principles
• Why giving clients too much “homework” can slow projects down
• How tighter timelines improve project momentum and profitability
• Why strong business systems apply across creative industries
• How structure and process support long-term business growth
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Joining BOD™ was the best piece of advice (from KS on a podcast) because it gave me an instant connection to a global think tank of BOD™ members. I quickly realized that being in the BOD™ community is raising the profile and lives of all interior design professionals across the world. The more we teach our clients the nature of our process and how it should be commensurately paid, the more we are globally redefining the nature of interior/archi design.
About Brooke Aitken
Brooke is both a Registered Architect and Interior Designer and her firm is based on the combination of both practices to create seamless designs from the external-in and internal-out. Her award-winning practice, widely published across the world, currently consists of 8 female architects and designers working both in Australia and California. She has recently launched a homewares company Rill & Stone with her first luxury rug collection collaboration with Tsar Carpets internationally.
Brooke recently launched a homewares business (www.rillandstone.com) with a has rug collection “Passage” in collaboration with Tsar Carpets and has a new book by Booq Publishing, “House Stories Old Vs New” which is available through Rizzoli bookstore.
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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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