Designing a Business: How Many Clients Can I Handle?
Design business coach Chelsea Coryell weighs in on how to find the right number of clients and projects
Interior designer and design business coach Chelsea Coryell of Washington state-based consulting and training firm Design for a Living has been helping fellow designers grow their businesses for more than a decade. In her last Designing a Business column, she addressed pricing. This time around, she’s breaking down the best ways to determine your client capacity.
Q. Is there a magic formula for how many clients and projects to take on at a time?
A. The best way to assess how many clients and projects you can manage at one time depends on three things: how organized you and your business are, the size of your projects and whether you’re working with a team or going solo.
Q. Is there a magic formula for how many clients and projects to take on at a time?
A. The best way to assess how many clients and projects you can manage at one time depends on three things: how organized you and your business are, the size of your projects and whether you’re working with a team or going solo.
The following week I’ll have a touch-base appointment to make sure I’m on the right track and to nail down a few key focal point items with my client. I make sure I take excellent notes and keep everything documented in their project file.
A few days later I present my complete design, collect any money that I need to make purchases and then start the fun task of ordering furniture. I schedule my team of tradespeople and organize all our paperwork — this is where having support really makes a difference.
If you’re lucky enough to have an assistant, they can handle your ordering and scheduling. It’s also helpful to work with a contractor and tradespeople with whom you have a great working relationship. You can sleep easy knowing that you don’t have to baby-sit your projects. (I always use the same people on my projects and I consider them a crucial part of my team.)
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A few days later I present my complete design, collect any money that I need to make purchases and then start the fun task of ordering furniture. I schedule my team of tradespeople and organize all our paperwork — this is where having support really makes a difference.
If you’re lucky enough to have an assistant, they can handle your ordering and scheduling. It’s also helpful to work with a contractor and tradespeople with whom you have a great working relationship. You can sleep easy knowing that you don’t have to baby-sit your projects. (I always use the same people on my projects and I consider them a crucial part of my team.)
New Ivy App Gives Designers Tracking and Measuring Tools and More
As soon as you’ve gotten all of that taken care of, it’s a game of hurry up and wait. Most special-order furniture will take at least six weeks to come in, and your team of tradespeople will have their own schedule to handle.
This is the perfect time to take on a new client using the exact same process. Once you get your system down, it’s simply a matter of wash, rinse, repeat.
When your pieces start to arrive in your receiving house and your contractor says they’re almost finished, it’s time to get ready for your install. This means shopping for accessories and all the details that make up your beautiful design.
This will be a busy few weeks, so you need to be focused on tying up any loose ends and making sure that all your invoices have been paid and accounted for. This is not the time to take on new projects.
This is the perfect time to take on a new client using the exact same process. Once you get your system down, it’s simply a matter of wash, rinse, repeat.
When your pieces start to arrive in your receiving house and your contractor says they’re almost finished, it’s time to get ready for your install. This means shopping for accessories and all the details that make up your beautiful design.
This will be a busy few weeks, so you need to be focused on tying up any loose ends and making sure that all your invoices have been paid and accounted for. This is not the time to take on new projects.
If you have new potential clients calling for your services, it’s perfectly fine to put them on a waiting list. Everyone loves a designer who’s in high demand, and it will likely make them want to work with you even more.
Every successful designer has strengths and weaknesses, but most would agree that time management is a challenge for everyone. Being able to control your schedule is the No. 1 key to managing your business, as well as your income.
A word of caution: If this career is new to you, you really don’t want to grow too fast. Take it step by step and grow your client list at a rate that is compatible with your skills and experience. You’ll want to find a balance between working with enough clients to earn a decent income and being focused enough that you’re able to provide great service to your clients.
It takes practice to juggle multiple projects, even for seasoned designers. Be patient and give every job you work on your best efforts. It will be the greatest marketing tool you have, and over time you’ll know how much you can handle all at once. As your experience grows, so will your ability to work multiple projects.
This content contains only general information and guidance and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your area or business, consult with a qualified professional.
Have a question for Chelsea? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Chelsea Coryell or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
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Every successful designer has strengths and weaknesses, but most would agree that time management is a challenge for everyone. Being able to control your schedule is the No. 1 key to managing your business, as well as your income.
A word of caution: If this career is new to you, you really don’t want to grow too fast. Take it step by step and grow your client list at a rate that is compatible with your skills and experience. You’ll want to find a balance between working with enough clients to earn a decent income and being focused enough that you’re able to provide great service to your clients.
It takes practice to juggle multiple projects, even for seasoned designers. Be patient and give every job you work on your best efforts. It will be the greatest marketing tool you have, and over time you’ll know how much you can handle all at once. As your experience grows, so will your ability to work multiple projects.
This content contains only general information and guidance and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your area or business, consult with a qualified professional.
Have a question for Chelsea? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Chelsea Coryell or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
More on Houzz
How Do I Set My Pricing Structure?
Build Relationships That Benefit Your Business
Should You Invest in a Separate Studio Space?
The first week I’ll meet with my new client in their home and follow a step-by-step intake form that I’ve created to keep us on track. This is also when I have my contract signed and collect half of my design fee. Then I start designing right away.