How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series) [Paperback]

Nita B. Phillips (Author), Suzanne DeWalt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own home-based interior design business? Have you been hesitant to put your plans into action? This guide contains all the necessary tools and strategies you need to successfully launch and grow your own business.
You'll get practical, real-world advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based interior design business. You'll learn how to develop a business plan, estimate your start-up costs, price your services, network, publicize your business, and stay profitable.
Whether you want to specialize in window treatments or design entire rooms, this guide will give you the foundation for building a successful home-based business.

Learn all about:

Getting Clients and Referrals
Outshining the Competition
Bidding Competitively
Managing Your Sales
Advertising on a Budget
Organizing Your Business
Getting Paid

Use these special features and workbook pages:

Start-up Cost Worksheet
Products and Services List
Sample Balance Worksheet
Profit-and-Loss Worksheet
Cash-Flow Projections
Worksheet
Vendor Sale Sheet
Change Order
Bid Sheet

About the Author

Nita B. Phillips is an interior designer based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Upon obtaining her associate degree in interior design, she began her career working for a local firm. After gaining some experience she started her own retail business, which she ran for six years. She currently runs her own home-based interior design business, which specializes in consultation for private clients and builders of model homes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 4th edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762738774
• ISBN-13: 978-0762738779
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am impressed with this book....., February 2, 2007

By 

Glimmer Girl (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

I agree with Juan's assessment that using "Interior Design" in the title could mislead potential readers. Since Juan sufficiently addressed this issue in his review, let's now assume that this book is titled more correctly, "How to Start a Home-Based Interior Decorating Business".

After a successful 11-year career in apparel design/production, I found myself jobless due to corporate downsizing. After soul-searching and research, I decided that I wanted to go into business for myself and that becoming an interior decorator would be a perfect fit for my skills and interests. So I purchased this book several months ago and have referred to it on an almost daily basis as I take steps to set up my business.

Ms. Phillips has a clear, concise writing style. There is no "fluff" in this book. Even though I already know some of the details on business/home office set-up, it was helpful to read it in this format and in the context of interior decorating.

There is so much I do NOT know about this industry, and that is where this book shines. The author does a stellar job of explaining the day-to-day nature of interior decorating, how to decide if this business is right for you, and the importance of writing a detailed business plan.

The book also provides business form templates that you can copy and use. Finally, the Product Overview section outlines specific instructions on measuring and costing out your projects.

I strongly recommend this book as a starting point and ongoing reference guide for anyone interested in starting a home decorating business from home.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The title should have been: "How to Start a Home-Based Decorating Business", March 7, 2006

By 

Juan A. Lucio "juannyc" (The Rocky Mountains!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

An even better title would have been "What You Need to Start and Maintain a Successful Home-Based Decorative Surface & Window Treatment Retail Business". If it had that title, I would have given it 5 stars! Why do publishers encourage such deception?

The dust jacket information about this book leads you to think it is all about Interior Design, and it is not. For example: Ms. Phillips states one of the key differences between the designation of "Interior Designer" and "Decorator" is becoming a member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) which requires Interior Design or Architecture related education and experience in related fields.

I would assume most readers picking up this book have little of either if any. Then she decides to use the term "designer" throughout the book, instead of the more appropriate and realistic term of "decorator". Why? Is there a stigma about being a decorator? (By the way, one can also become a member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) as well and legally be called an Interior Designer.)

As for a home-based surface treatment and/or decorating business, this book is good. The listed topics are important and Ms. Phillips does a good job of covering the details in simple language. She has some good questions on whether running your own business is for you and the pros and cons of entrepreneurship. Obviously she has been there, and has sweated it out too! Also featured are smart advertising and marketing ideas.

I felt the information on office set-up and computing was behind the times, but then again I am a gadget guy and tend to be up on these matters.

In conclusion, a person, without any experience, wishing to start and effectively run an interior decorating business that focuses on surface treatment decoration products and services (such as flooring, carpets, textiles, fabrics, wall coverings, wallpaper, and window treatments) would do quite well with this book. I think it is a great business, and there is great potential for a lucrative business.

However for someone wanting to do "Interior Design" (more than just surface treatments), they will be left dissatisfied. I advise you to look elsewhere.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars how to start a home-based interior design business 4th, September 7, 2006

By 

J. L. shea - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

Before I purchased this book I read Juan's review, but being the"Doubting Thomas" kind of person I am, I bought it anyway. I should have listened to Juan. His review is completely accurate.