EP 499 | How to Make Small Interior Design Projects Profitable with Miranda Cullen
Not every client needs a whole-house renovation—but that doesn’t mean you have to turn them away.
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with interior designer and entrepreneur Miranda Cullen about her approach to “micro design” projects: smaller jobs that can easily become a lot of work for not enough money. Miranda shares how she created a separate line of business for these projects, allowing her firm to capture revenue, serve clients at different stages, and give designers on her team more opportunities to lead.
They also explore how small projects can become future larger projects, why creating structure around your services matters, and how delegating smaller work can help business owners step away from working in the business and start building a company that can thrive without them.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to determine whether small interior design projects can be profitable for your firm
- Why creating a separate service or division can help you protect your high-end brand while capturing additional revenue
- How to use smaller projects to develop designers, increase their client-facing experience, and create leadership opportunities
- Why serving clients at different price points can lead to repeat business and larger projects in the future
- How strategic delegation can free the principal to focus on higher-value work and build a business that doesn't depend entirely on them
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Give the people who have invested in you an opportunity to grow with you.
Miranda encourages business owners to support their team members—and, in turn, create room for talented designers to grow within the company rather than feeling they have to leave and start their own firms. Be transparent about goals, create opportunities for advancement, and build a business where everyone can move forward together.
About Miranda Cullen
Miranda Cullen is recognized nationally and internationally as a trusted voice in the design and business space, with features in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, LUXE, The Washington Post, and Business of Home. Her perspective goes beyond interiors, she speaks on leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a purpose-driven business in a creative industry. She is currently expanding Inside Stories through a franchise model, and is her memoir, She Designed a Life She Loved, is available through Forbes Books in December 2026.
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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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