logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
23m 40s

127 | How to Handle Unexpected Problems ...

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Designer, Interior Design Mentor, Designers Coach
About this episode

What happens when things don’t go as planned in your design projects?

A contractor gets sick, a supplier raises prices, or a hidden problem adds unexpected costs—these surprises can cause major stress and financial loss.

Uncertainty is inevitable, but with the right preparation, you can stay in control and keep your business running smoothly.

As an interior designer, you need to be ready for the unexpected.

In this episode, I share real-life stories of unexpected challenges and how to handle them like a pro. Learn the proactive strategies I use to manage these situations, including building a solid contract, establishing a retainer policy, leveraging your professional network, maintaining financial buffers, and keeping your business profitable - even when the unexpected happens.

With these strategies, you’ll feel more confident and prepared for anything that comes your way.

Don't let the unexpected catch you off guard. Tune in to discover the best ways to safeguard your interior design business and keep your projects on track. Plus, check outMy Design Mentor for expert guidance as you build a thriving design career.

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

  • Discover real-life stories of delays, cancellations, and hidden costs, and how to manage them
  • Evaluate existing contracts for provisions for cancellations, pauses, and unforeseen events
  • Identify strategies to establish a financial safety net to avoid debt and burnout

Check out the show notes >>>How to Handle Unexpected Problems in Interior Design Without Losing Money or Feeling Stressed

NEXT STEPS:


  • Grab your freebies:

    Connect With Me:

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (02:00) Uncertainty in Design Projects

    (04:08) Real-life Challenges & Unexpected Situations

    (08:28) Contracts as Protection

    (12:13) Managing Client Expectations

    (13:32) Financial Strategies for Stability

    (14:40) Proactive Strategies for Managing Unexpected Situations

    (15:45) Knowing When to Enforce vs. Bend Contract Terms

    (19:26) Building a Support System

    (21:04) Final Thoughts and Conclusion

    Up next
    Jul 7
    146 | How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache With Ronniesha Rivera
    Have you ever wasted hours searching for the right help for your interior design business, only to feel frustrated and stuck? What if there was an easier way to find the right people who truly understand interior design?In this episode, I chat with Ronniesha Rivera, an interior d ... Show More
    26m 55s
    Jun 30
    145 | The State of Interior Design in 2025
    Is the interior design industry evolving too quickly, and are you prepared for it?Or maybe you are questioning whether pursuing a career as an interior designer is still a wise decision in today's landscape.In this episode, I take you through how the interior design industry has ... Show More
    19m 46s
    Jun 23
    144 | How to Rewire Your Money Beliefs to Increase Profits in Your Design Business With Audrey Faust
    "You have to work hard for money" or "Money doesn't grow on trees" are just a few of the money beliefs that many of us grew up with. These childhood beliefs may be quietly hindering your design business.In this episode, I chat with expert CFO and money mindset coach Audrey Faust ... Show More
    29m 51s
    Recommended Episodes
    Jun 2024
    126. 6 manières de se rassurer et de gérer l’incertitude en tant qu'entrepreneur
    Quel est ton meilleur conseil / astuce pour faire face au stress de l'incertitude ? Envoie-moi un petit email pour le partager 💌 _ Le plus dur quand on est entrepreneur ou freelance ? Gérer le stress de l’incertitude financière et la difficulté à se projeter. Un gros client qui ... Show More
    15m 36s
    Dec 2024
    Ep. 40: 5 Steps to Prepare Your Design Business for a Prosperous 2025!
    Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!In this episode of Earning by Design, I’m sharing five essential steps to help you prepare your design business for a successful 2025. These are the exact steps I take every December to reflect on the past year, set m ... Show More
    24m 1s
    Jan 2025
    145 Psychological Tricks to Sell Design Services
    Selling doesn’t have to feel pushy or uncomfortable. In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, I’m breaking down the psychological tricks that make selling design services feel natural. From building trust to framing your services as solutions, these strategies ... Show More
    27m 15s
    Mar 2025
    Ep. 44: Breaking Through the $50K Freelance Ceiling: Here’s How
    Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!Many freelance designers hit an income ceiling around $50K per year, despite putting in more hours and taking on more projects. It's not about working harder—it’s about working smarter.In this episode, you'l ... Show More
    26m 49s
    Mar 2024
    100 Strategies to Grow Your Design Business with Chris Do
    It's a milestone worth celebrating! The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast is proud to announce its 100th episode! Over the past 100 episodes, we've had the privilege of hosting some of the sharpest minds in the creative industry. Our guests have shared their experiences ... Show More
    1h 5m
    Nov 2024
    589: Why Most Architecture Firms Fail at Succession Planning with Rion Willard
    Succession planning is a daunting task for many architecture firm owners. The thought of transitioning leadership brings up fears of losing firm culture, financial instability, and operational chaos. In this episode of Business of Architecture, host Rion Willard dives deep into t ... Show More
    44m 29s
    Apr 29
    Where Graphic Designers Waste Perfect Inspiration & How You Can Break Free!
    Graphic designers chase inspiration like it's gold—but most are flushing it down the drain without even realizing it.You feel the rush after a conference, a workshop, a killer keynote... but days later? Poof. It’s gone. And you're back to the same-old grind.But what if ... Show More
    20m 8s
    Mar 2025
    The Secret to a More Creative, Profitable & Stress Free Graphic Design Career YOU Need to Embrace
    Hustle culture has convinced Graphic Designers that working at 100% all the time is the only way to make it. Spoiler alert: it’s NOT.Graphic designers are burning out, overworking, and grinding themselves into the ground—all in the name of “success.Truth Bomb: More work ≠ better ... Show More
    34m 11s
    Nov 2023
    83 How to Become a Fully Booked Graphic Designer with Shay (Bucketlist Bombshells)
    Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer podcast. In this insightful conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Shay, founder of Bucketlist Bombshells, to uncover the secrets behind getting booked out 3, 6, and even 12 ... Show More
    1 h