business plan for interior decoration

Tips for a Simple Interior Design Business Plan to get you Started

So you’ve decided you’re going to start your own interior design business. Congratulations! But have you thought about putting together a business plan for your new venture? 

Writing down what you’re trying to achieve, the services you’ll offer, and other important factors will help you streamline your business strategy, keep you focused on your goals, and (perhaps most importantly) make sure your idea makes sense.

It’s a good idea to create a business plan before investing money in your new business; that way, you’ll have a better understanding of how it’ll make money and whether it’s likely to be profitable.

Throughout this guide, I’m going to explain the importance of having a business plan for your interior design business and take you through what information to include.

Here’s to a well-planned and successful interior design business!

What's in the article

Why do I Need an Interior Design Business Plan?

There are various benefits of putting together an interior design business plan before going ahead with your new venture, but it really boils down to two factors:

• Helping you understand your business
• Helping you explain your business to others

Helping you Understand your Business

Before you do anything, you need to get your thoughts in order to ensure you have a viable business idea. Writing things down usually helps them make sense, and it’s no different with a business plan.

Your interior design business plan will help you:

• Summarise your business idea:  What you’re trying to achieve, what services you’ll offer, how you’ll operate etc.
• Identify goals and potential problems: Set out goals and how you’ll achieve them, and identify any risks and how to overcome them.
• Plan your business operations: From sales and marketing to onboarding staff.
• Get your finances in order: Estimate your revenue, business expenses, and any financing you’ll require to get your business off the ground.
• Pinpoint your priorities and identify any gaps in the business 

Helping you Explain your Business to Other People

A business plan can also help you convince other people to back your business. This includes:

• Financial assistance: If you’re planning on getting financial backing from investors or securing a bank loan for your interior design business, you’ll need to present a well-formed business plan.
• Employees and suppliers: Potential employees and suppliers are unlikely to work with a business if they don’t know what it does. A business plan will help you explain this so you can onboard staff and suppliers before getting started.
• Explaining your business: Writing down a business summary will help you better explain your business to other people, so next time you’re asked what your business does (or will do), you won’t fumble over your words.

Interior Design Business Plan Top Tips

Before writing your business plan, keep the following points in mind:

Write it for an Outsider

Write your business plan as if the person who’s reading it knows nothing about you, your business or the interior design industry. This will likely be the case when it comes to getting investment.

Keep it Concise

Don’t go into too much unnecessary detail. Keep it to the point and focus on the sections listed below. After all, you want people to read it!

Be Realistic

Avoid skimming over potential risks and problems, and be honest and realistic about finances. Being over-optimistic might get you the loan you’re after, but it could lead to problems in the future.

Know your Market

Make sure to include market research, details on competitors, where your business fits into the interior design market and what makes it different to what’s already out there.

What to Include in your Interior Design Business Plan

When it comes to writing your business plan, try to use the following structure: 

Executive summary

Elevator pitch

About the business owner

Products and services

Business structure

The market: Customers, competitors and market overview

Section 7: 

Sales and marketing strategy

Business operations

• Business expenses

Section 10: 

Financial forecasts 

Let’s go into a bit more detail on each section:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is essentially a summary of your interior design business plan, so it’s best to write this section last. It should include key points, so if someone were to only read this section, they’d still have an understanding of your business and what you’re trying to achieve.

Your executive summary should include:

• Business name and type of business (e.g. sole trader or LTD company)
• A summary of the services you’ll offer and/or products you intend to sell
• Mission statement: What is the aim of your business? (e.g. become the number one interior design service in your area)
• Goals and objectives: It’s good to include short, mid, and long-term goals. (e.g. generate [amount] of profit in the first year)
• Financial summary: Financial goals and any secured or required funding 
• Keys to success: How will you achieve your objectives? (e.g. provide high-quality services and first-class communication)

2. Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short summary of your business. It’s what you’ll tell people when they ask what your business does. Writing down an elevator pitch will help ensure you have a clear idea of your business direction and enable you to give a concise, well-formed description when you explain your business to others.

It should include:

• What your business does
• Who your target audience is
• Your unique selling point (USP): What sets you apart from competitors?

3. About the Business Owner

Add a bit about yourself, why you want to start an interior design business, and any experience you have in the industry. Things to cover include:

• Who are you? 
• Why do you want to start this business?
• What experience do you have?
• Relevant qualifications and training
• Relevant hobbies and interests

4. Services you’ll Offer

How is your business going to make its money? Explain the different interior design services your business will offer and whether you’ll also sell any physical products. 

• A list of services you’ll offer as an interior designer
• Any products you’ll sell
• Plans for future products and services

5. Business Structure

Will you work as a sole trader and hire contractors to help, or will you hire employees? Do you have a network of suppliers in place to help you carry out your projects? Include information on your employees, contractors, suppliers, and their roles in this section:

• Whether you’ll hire full-time employees or outsource to contractors
• Job roles and responsibilities
• List of suppliers needed to help fulfil projects

6. Market Summary

The market summary section of your business plan should include information about the current market and market trends, your target audience, and competitors. This section will not only help outsiders understand your target market, but it’ll also help you understand how best to advertise your products and services.

Your market summary can be split into a few sections:

Target customers

• Target customer profile: Who are your target customers?
• Who are you selling to? (e.g. businesses or individuals, residential or commercial)
• Why do they/will they buy from you?
• Any already confirmed orders 

Competitors

• Who are your competitors?
• What’s your USP? What makes your business different? 
• SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats 

Market research

• Size of market
• Market trends
• Field research (Ask prospective customers what they think about your business idea)

7. Sales and Marketing Strategy

How will you reach your target customers, and what channels will you sell your products through? What price point will you sell your services at? The sales and marketing strategy section should cover:

• Sources of income: How will you sell your products and services? (E.g. online services, products, commercial and residential projects)
• Marketing channels: How will you advertise your products and services?

 (E.g. word of mouth, social media, direct mail, trade shows)

• Pricing strategy: What price point and why?
• Are you likely to get repeat customers or retainer clients?

8. Business Operations

This section covers the day-to-day running of your business, what’s involved in each interior design project or the production of any products you sell, where your business will operate, what equipment and insurance you’ll need, etc.

• Production/projects: How long will it take, how much will it cost you?
• Payment: How will customers pay? (e.g. upfront, deposit, payment plan)
• List of suppliers: Who are your suppliers?
• Business premises: Where will your business operate from?
• Equipment needed: What equipment do you need for your business to operate?
• Licenses and insurance: What licenses and insurance do you need for your business to operate?

There are various expenses involved in running a business, so you’ll need to list these. Your expenses will include things like:

• Business premises
• Employee/contractor wages
• Merchandise production
• Loan repayments
•  Financial Forecasts 

Financial forecasts can be tricky if you’re just starting out, but try to put together a realistic calculation for the next three to five years. Essentially, you need to prove that your business will survive and become profitable. If you’re a small business or startup, speaking to an adviser at your bank may help with forecasting.

Your financial forecasts should include:

• Historical sales figures from the last three to five years (if applicable)
• Sales forecast: How much money you expect the business to take
• Profit forecast:  How much profit you expect the business to make
• Monthly cash flow and business bank balance
• Balance sheet: Your business’ assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity (smaller businesses may not require this

As you can see, a lot goes into starting your own interior design business. And while creating a business plan might seem like a long process, it’ll definitely help you in the long run. 

About The Author

Freddie Chatt

Related posts, 15 incredible interior design coffee table books that will never go out of style, the definitive guide to space planning in interior design, what is a mood board and how to create one, scandinavian interior design: everything you need to know.

How To Write a Winning Interior Design Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for interior design businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every interior design business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is an Interior Design Business Plan?

An interior design business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write an Interior Design Business Plan?

An interior design business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Interior Design Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful interior design business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of an interior design business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your interior design
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your interior design business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your interior design firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen interior design business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of an interior design business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the interior design industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, an interior design business’ customers may include:

• Businesses (office, retail, and hospitality firms)
• Other designers, architects, and homebuilders

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or interior design services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your interior design business via public relations, speaking engagements, or networking.

Operations Plan

This part of your interior design business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for an interior design business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include hitting certain customer targets or partnering with specific retailers or distributors.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific interior design industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Interior Design Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Interior Design Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup interior design business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Interior Design Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your interior design company . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written business plan is an essential tool for any interior design business. The tips we’ve provided in this article should help you write a winning business plan for your interior design firm.  

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How to Write a Business Plan for Your Interior Design Business

7 ways to create luxury interior design on a limited budget.

• Margot LaScala July 31 2023 . 7 min read

Starting your own interior design business is a special time filled with firsts. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and forget to iron out the finer details. Writing a business plan is the best first step you can take when it comes to starting your interior design business because in doing so, you’ll force yourself to get specific about your dreams, look at the practicals, and carve out a clear course of action. Your business plan is your roadmap for setting up your business processes, spreading the word about your services, and finding new clients. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Determine Your Niche

You have the opportunity to create the interior design business of your dreams. While the project possibilities are endless, it’s important to define your niche. Defining your niche will set you apart from your competition by making you a specialist in a specific design style, a certain type of space, a particular type of client, or even for designing within a certain budgetary range.

According to Carla Aston, there are many ways to find your niche. "I think it’s important after each project or even consultation, if you do those, to reflect back and make notes of what sparked joy within you." Maybe you love the farmhouse look, traditional homes, or a more sleek and modern style. You might also want to ask yourself who you enjoy working with. Maybe you’ve found that certain types of clients, like young families or single millennials, are consistently a delight for you to collaborate with, or perhaps there’s a certain type of space like kitchens or luxury hotels that you genuinely enjoy designing.

Once you’ve found your niche, it’s important to develop a detailed understanding of who your ideal clients are, the pain points they’re likely facing, and what their desires are, so you can develop a design process that delights them at every touchpoint. This will also help you create a marketing strategy that speaks straight to the hearts of those seeking out your services and positions you as the obvious choice.

"Over time, I've developed budget parameters, personality traits of desired clients, style of design, size of projects, locations where I want to work, etc., that spark joy for me and I've designed my business model to accommodate only those jobs. Remember that saying no to a job that doesn't fit into your model is almost more important than saying yes to one that does,” says Aston.

Step 2: Define Your Services

The next step is to define your services. What services bring you the most joy? Some interior designers love managing projects and coordinating with tradespeople, while others would rather delegate these tasks. Decide on which services you’d like to offer and personally tend to and which you’d rather have someone else handle.

There are so many different types of interior design services you can offer . Design consultations, space planning, furniture selection, art curation, custom window treatments, plumbing, flooring, lighting, installation, and re-designs are just a few. Some services, such as construction and window design, even overlap with architecture. It’s also important to specify which types of spaces your services are for so you can attract projects you enjoy. Commercial, institutional, residential, and office spaces are just some of the spaces to consider.

Next, conduct market research by taking a look at the language your competitors are using and interviewing prospective clients about their desires and pain points. Having this information in your back pocket will help you further define your services and communicate them in a way that speaks straight to your ideal clients.

Step 3: Decide on Your Rate.

There are many questions to consider when it comes to determining your rate. For starters, how much money do you need to make at a minimum to cover your current expenses and meet your income goals? How much money will you need in addition to meet your savings goals and also to live comfortably? Next, ask yourself, in a given amount of time, how many projects can you reasonably accomplish? Will you bill hourly or charge a flat rate per project? Once you’ve decided on each of these factors, establish your rates. It all boils down to the number of projects you can do in a certain amount of time and how much money you’ll need to live comfortably.

And don’t underestimate your expertise. Sharing knowledge is a service in itself, implementing it for people will naturally cost even more. If you charge too low, you’ll give people the impression that your services aren’t as high quality as other designers who might charge more for the same services. No matter what, it’s important that you make a profit.

You can also find creative ways to save money. Develop good relationships with vendors and tradespeople and look for vendors who offer discounts for interior designers. You can also consider upcharging for materials by a certain percentage.

Most importantly, when sharing your rate with your clients, it’s important to communicate your process to them and explain the amount of time that’s involved. Your clients will never understand how much work goes into a single project unless you clearly define the scope and lay out all of the details for them.

Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy.

Now, it’s time to get started on your marketing strategy. Where do you want to be in 5 years? Dream big. For example, do you need a certain number of projects by a certain time? Do you want your work to be published in a certain magazine or a certain number of magazines to help build brand awareness and showcase your work? Marketing yourself well will get you there.

The best way to spread the word is by word of mouth. Attend networking events and local interior design shows. Build relationships with local vendors, and hand out business cards and other marketing collateral. When people enjoy working with you and love the quality of your work, they’ll naturally want to tell everyone about your services. This is why it’s important to create the best client experience possible where you delight your clients at every stage of the process, which begins with building a beautiful and consistent brand.

Develop a consistent brand that reflects the personality of your business as well as your niche. You’ll need a logo and a beautifully designed website that matches the quality of your work. If you settle for anything less, you’ll be doing yourself a huge disservice, some might even call it self-sabotage.

Squarespace has stunning website templates that you can use to showcase your interior design work. There’s no need to have a lot of pages on your website—the simpler the better. For optimal results, you’ll need a homepage, about, services, portfolio, and a contact us page with testimonials and beautiful images placed throughout your site. Since interior design is largely visual, hiring a professional photographer is key.

To learn more about branding for interior designers, check out our post Identifying Individuality and Building an Authentic Brand .

And don’t forget to ask your clients for reviews about their experience working with you, and keep all of your reviews on your website. You’ll also want to create a social media presence to provide an online community for your dedicated clients and a platform to attract new ones. You can share your client reviews on social media periodically with an accompanying image or blog post. Have fun with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and PPC ads, and use Canva to easily create stunning social media graphics.

Step 5: Get a Solid Accounting System.

Last but not least, get a solid accounting system to make your life, or your accountant or bookkeeper’s life, easier. Design Manager is an accounting software designed with interior designers in mind. With careful item tracking, in-depth drill downs for each item, interior design specific reporting, and easy anywhere, anytime access, Design Manager can help you save time and money by streamlining your entire interior design business from anywhere in the world.

Once you’ve determined your niche, defined your services, decided on your rate, developed your marketing strategy, and found a solid accounting system, you’re well on your way to starting a successful interior design business. Write everything down so you can periodically refer back to your business plan to keep yourself on track.

Learn more about why Design Manager is the best accounting software for interior designers by checking out our interview with bookkeeper Brad Shark right here .

Angela Sanders, Contributing Author

Topics: Business of Design

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Starting an interior design business is a popular move for people who study the craft of creating a space that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The combination of expressing yourself and executing your vision for clients is tough to pass up, despite the obstacles that small business owners often face.

Being successful in the field of interior design requires more than just an eye for decoration, though.

Starting with the fact that interior designers require a degree from an accredited university (those without a degree are interior decorators ), they also need extensive knowledge of the materials, software applications, and structural and health codes required to build out a home or business. There is also the matter of business acumen, the ability to balance your artistic expression with the needs and wants of the client, and the time and paperwork it takes to actually start a business.

“Great design is the marriage of form and function in a balanced and harmonious whole—and staying on budget while doing it,” says Beverly Solomon of Beverly Solomon Design.

“So yes, the artist in me can often want to do things that are more challenging, out of the box, and often expensive than the client is looking for, but listening in order to understand what the client hopes you can achieve is the major skill you must develop.”

Solomon’s international firm is based just outside of Austin, Texas, on a historic farm where she lives and works with her husband, artist Pablo Solomon. She self-financed the creation of the business after working in sales and marketing for various big-name companies, including Ralph Lauren and Revlon.

Like how each interior design business has a different focus, clientele, and model—every state has different rules and regulations for opening a small business. If you've been wondering how to start an interior design business of your own, read on for the steps you'll need to follow.

How to start an interior design business: The ultimate guide

As we mentioned, setting up an interior design business is a balancing act. As a creative, your ultimate goal is to create a business where you can use your eye for design on a daily basis. But before you can pursue your passion in the form of a legal business, you'll have to complete some tasks. Let's take a closer look at what you need to do to open an interior design business.

Step 1: Choose your business name and structure

Once you're ready to start an interior design business, you'll first need to choose a business name and decide what kind of business entity you want to use. It may be tempting to put one or both of these things off, but they will be necessary to continue with the following steps of starting an interior design business.

Luckily, most interior designers use their own names as their business name, which may increase the likelihood that your name is available for use. Either way, you will want to check the availability of business names in the state where you'll be operating your interior design business, which can typically be done through the website of your secretary of state.

After confirming that the name you want is available, you'll likely be able to reserve this name for a specified time period while you gather the other items necessary to officially register your business.

At this stage of setting up your interior design business, you'll also need to choose a business entity, such as a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation. The business entity you choose will affect your company's business taxes, as well as the level of risk you're exposing yourself to if any legal issues arise.

It will also depend on whether you're starting your interior design business yourself or with a partner. We recommend consulting a business attorney if you're unsure which entity to choose, as they can guide you in the best direction for your specific needs.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Step 2: Prepare and plan for your interior design business

The next step in starting an interior design business is to create your business plan. A business idea is just that, an idea, but your business plan shows exactly how you plan to take that idea and turn it into a profitable business. Not only is a business plan a vital tool for you to use as a roadmap when your interior design business is starting out (and continuing to grow), but it's also necessary if you plan to seek funding, as banks or investors will want formal documentation that you have a plan for how to turn a profit.

As such, your business plan will include everything from an overview of your company's leadership team and legal structure (which is why we chose a business entity in Step 1) to a market analysis and plan for how you'll market your own company, rundown of the exact types of services you'll offer as an interior designer, and (most importantly to potential investors) a financial plan with at least three years of financial projections.

If this is your first entrepreneurial endeavor, a business plan can seem overwhelming. The good news is you can use a business plan template or business plan software to make the process easier and ensure you're not leaving out any important information.

One part of the business plan for your interior design business that you can really build out is your plan for supplies, customers, and how you'll generate hype around your new interior design business so you can turn a profit.

Tips to connect with suppliers, customers, and media outlets

Interior design is an industry-driven by connections. You’ll need them to find your clients, to market yourself, and to establish fruitful relationships with suppliers of materials and furniture. And this is a key part of planning for your interior design business.

“I began my business by basically selling the art of my husband to high-end clients. When they began asking our design advice on various projects, I saw an opportunity,” says Solomon. “I decided that I wanted to use my expertise, experience, and connections from working with the major designers to start my own businesses.”

Solomon says that creating connections with the media has helped her in everything from marketing her interior design business to letting her set the price point.

“In art and design, you're selling your abilities, but what really sets the price you can get is your name recognition,” she says. “I knew from my days in sales and marketing that the place to focus was on name recognition. So we concentrated on building relationships with those in the media who could put our names out there.

“One of the secrets to our success has been working with writers, publishers, photographers, filmmakers, and producers to create symbiotic relationships that have resulted in their getting good information, interesting stories, illustrations, photographs, connections, and advice. In return, we've gotten literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of free publicity and built strong name recognition.”

Another common way to leverage connections is to form relationships with manufacturers in order to get the best deals on products or when buying in bulk. If you find yourself drawn to a company that builds in a similar style to your own, you’re in good shape—but don’t hamstring yourself, Solomon advises.

“Teaming up with various furniture stores and manufacturers can be as tricky as it is rewarding. Make sure that you're finding a good match, and not just a deal out of desperation. Pushing products that are absolutely the best for your client is a good thing, but pushing crap can ruin your reputation,” she says.

Thinking through your own strategy to form connections and market your interior design business should be included in your business plan, both for your own reference, as well as to show potential investors you're serious about your business.

Step 3: Register your interior design business and get an EIN

The next step in starting your interior design business will be to use the name you secured in Step 1 and register your business. The registration process varies in each state, as does where and how you'll register your business .

Some states will allow you to register online while others require you to submit forms via mail. In most states, you'll likely deal with the secretary of state's office, while other states specifically have branches of government for small businesses.

You should also register your interior design business with the IRS and apply for an employer identification number, or an EIN. This can take a matter of minutes online and you could be approved right away.

There are a number of benefits of getting an EIN, even if it's not required for your business. For instance, it makes it easier to file your business taxes, get credit reports, hire employees, open a business bank account, and more.

Step 4: Obtain any licenses or business permits

You're now well on your way to setting up an interior design business. Once you've registered your business, you're ready to obtain the appropriate business licenses or permits. Like the registration process, this will also depend on where your interior design business will be located and which government regulations apply.

Depending on where you're located, you might need to meet specific interior designer license benchmarks as well: 24 states have passed interior design legislation to this effect.

Check with the Small Business Administration or your local chamber of commerce to see which city, county, and state permits you need to start your interior design business. You might also need a sellers permit and sales tax license, and if you have employees, you’ll need a federal employer identification number for tax purposes as well (if you didn't already set this up in the previous step).

Step 5: Open a business bank account and get a business credit card

The next step in starting an interior design business is to set up a business bank account and business credit card . Not only will this help you establish business credit, but it will also be vital to keep your business expenses separate from your personal spending for tax and funding purposes, as well as just more easily be able to manage your business finances.

While you may be tempted to go with the same bank that you have a personal account with, don't assume this is your best option. Business banking needs are different from your personal ones, and you'll want to consider things like minimum balance requirements, monthly fees, how many monthly transactions you'll be allowed, your need for ATM access, and more when choosing a business bank account.

The majority of businesses will benefit most from a business checking account , but if your interior design business starts making a profit and you can keep that money in a bank account instead of investing it back into the business, you may also consider a high yield savings account to help your money grow.

Likewise, you will want a business credit card that's separate from your personal one so you can easily keep track of your business expenses. Again, you'll want to consider what you need from a business credit card before choosing the best one for you.

Credit cards with a 0% introductory APR can be an especially appealing option for businesses that are just starting out and may not yet qualify for funding options. With these types of cards, you can purchase bigger items for your business upfront and pay them back without interest. Just make sure if you do opt for this strategy that you're aware of when the 0% APR offer ends and are confident that you can pay off your balance by that date.

Step 6: Explore funding options

As you consider the finances of your interior design business, you may find you need additional funding to get your business off the ground. The saying, "You need to spend money to make money," rings true for new businesses—especially in an industry like interior design where each project will require you to spend a significant amount of money on materials and supplies, while you may only receive payment once the job is completed.

Exploring your business loan options is a good idea to see what possibilities you have and what solution you can find for your business. You may find a startup loan is right for you, or a line of credit or invoice financing may be a better fit.

You should also think carefully about what parts of your business you will spend the money on, as well as how much you need and a plan for how you'll pay it back.

How to Iinvest in the basics

As Solomon advises, you don’t necessarily need to invest in an office space, especially when first starting out. There are other basics that you’ll need first, including:

Fabric samples and design accessories: Sample books with various styles, colors, and textures will help you and your client better understand each other’s vision for their space.

Room decor: Whether your office is on the main street in town or your home, having pieces from different manufacturers and collections gives your clients an understanding of your range, as well as ideas for their own project.

Professional group memberships: For example, joining the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) gives you access to marketing and development advice and tools, professional education opportunities, and other benefits that depend on the regional ASID office. Mentorships and advice from those already established in the industry are especially valuable when you're first starting your interior design business.

Start Your Dream Business

How to start an interior design business: The bottom line

“Never forget that interior design is as much about how the client wants a space to feel as to how the client wants it to look ,” says Solomon.

This speaks to the fact that interior design is a unique business: It asks owners and directors to balance their own need for artistic expression with both practical logistics and the requests of the client. It's a complicated job, to be sure.

There’s plenty of the usual responsibilities that fall to small business owners in interior design—coordinating marketing efforts, hiring and managing employees, controlling inventory, and monitoring the supply chain. But there’s also the added element of creating the spaces in which people work, live, and play—a powerful form of expression that for many will be worth the challenges.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

Home Decor Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Home Decor Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their home decor companies. 

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a home decor business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Home Decor Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your home decor business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Home Decor Business

If you’re looking to start a home decor business or grow your existing home decor company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your home decor business to improve your chances of success. Your home decor business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Home Decor Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a home decor business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan (hand it to them in person or email to them as a PDF file) and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for home decor companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a home decor business.

If you want to start a home decor business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide and sample below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your home decor business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of home decor business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a home decor business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of home decor businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. 

• Give a brief overv iew of the home decor industry. 
• Discuss the type of home decor business you are operating. 
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. 
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team. 
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of home decor business you are operating.

For example, you m ight specialize in one of the following types of home decor businesses:

• Complete home decor service : Full-service home decor design and placement. This type of company utilizes designers who visit in-home clients for consultations and recommendations through the home decor replacement process.
• Restore or replace decor service: Clients request partial home decor service for one room or one area of the home, often with restoration goals for furnishings. Designers visit in-home to fulfill these requests.
• Online home decor service: This service includes online consultations and recommendations for customers via video or by photos submitted. Designers make recommendations for online or in-store purchases.  
• Home decor accessory service: Customers may choose to change interior accessories to suit special occasions or seasons. Designers may offer in-home visits and recommendations with follow-up visits.

In addition to explaining the type of home decor business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of home decor clients served, or reaching X$ revenue generated through sales. 
• Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the home decor industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the home decor industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your home decor business plan:

• How big is the home decor industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your home decor business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your home decor business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals or families.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of home decor business you operate. Clearly, homeowners in high-end homes would respond to different marketing promotions than homeowners in starter homes, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers. Ideally you can speak with a sample of your target customers before writing your plan to better understand their needs.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are othe r home decor businesses. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes furniture-restoring companies, department stores, furniture stores, paint or wallpaper outlets, upholstery stores, etc. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of home decor business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide cost-saving decor ideas for individuals in starter homes?
• Will you offer digital room-mapping services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a home decor business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type o f home decor company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide brand name accessories at reduced prices, reupholstered furnishings, upscale room designs, or rewards for frequent customers?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of yo ur plan, yo u are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your home decor company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your home decor business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your home decor marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and upscale magazines
• Reach out to websites 
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your home decor business, including setting appointments, planning and providing home decor assistance, invoicing clients and paying bills, etc. 

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth client session, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your home decor business to create a franchise.

Management Team

To demonstrate your home decor business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing home decor businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a home decor business or successfully running a home furnishings department in a retail store.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance s heet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 5 new clients per day, and/or offer home decor parties within certain neighborhoods ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your home decor business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. 

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a home decor business:

• Cost of decor and furnishing samples, photography, videography and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of contracted clients you serve.

Writing a business plan for your home decor business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the home decor industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful home decor business.

Home Decor Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my home decor business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your home decor business plan.

How Do You Start a Home Decor Business?

Starting a home decor business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Home Decor Business
• Create Your Home Decor Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Home Decor Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Home Decor Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Home Decor Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Home Decor Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Home Decor Business Equipment
• Develop Your Home Decor Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Home Decor Business
• Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

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OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.  

Click here to see how a Growthink business planning consultant can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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Interior Design Business Plan Template

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What you get with this template

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Features clear and simple instructions from expert business plan writers.

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Get the most out of your business plan example

Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

1. Don't worry about finding an exact match

We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

3. Know why you're writing a business plan

To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

More business planning resources

Simple Business Plan Outline

How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

How to Start a Business With No Money

How to Write a Business Plan

10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

Industry Business Planning Guides

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Interior Decorator Business Plan Template

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

Starting your own interior decorating business is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. However, to turn your dream into a thriving reality, you need a solid plan in place. Enter ClickUp's Interior Decorator Business Plan Template!

With ClickUp's template, you can:

• Define clear business goals and strategies to navigate the competitive interior decorating industry
• Identify your target market and develop tailored marketing plans to attract ideal clients
• Create detailed financial projections to secure funding and manage your business operations effectively

Ready to elevate your interior decorating business to new heights? Let ClickUp's template be your guiding light in the world of design and entrepreneurship!

Interior Decorator Business Plan Template Benefits

Elevate your interior decorating business with the interior decorator business plan template.

Crafting a solid Interior Decorator Business Plan Template can be a game-changer for your interior decorating business. Here's how it can benefit you:

• Securing Funding: Clearly outline your business goals and financial projections to attract potential investors.
• Target Market Strategy: Define your target market and strategies to reach them effectively.
• Client Attraction: Showcase your unique selling points and marketing plans to attract clients.
• Efficient Business Management: Streamline your operations and manage resources effectively for business success.

Main Elements of Interior Decorator Business Plan Template

To kickstart your interior decorating business, ClickUp’s Interior Decorator Business Plan template offers:

• Custom Statuses: Track progress with statuses such as Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do for efficient business plan management
• Custom Fields: Utilize custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to store essential information, ensuring all details are organized and easily accessible
• Custom Views: Explore different perspectives with views like Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide for comprehensive business planning
• Goal Tracking: Set and monitor business goals, strategies, target market analysis, financial projections, and marketing plans for effective business growth

How To Use Interior Decorator Business Plan Template

Creating a solid interior decorator business plan is crucial for your success in the competitive industry. By utilizing the Interior Decorator Business Plan Template in ClickUp and following the steps below, you can lay a strong foundation for your business and set yourself up for growth and profitability.

1. Define your vision and mission

Before diving into the details, take the time to establish a clear vision and mission for your interior decorating business. What sets you apart from competitors? What values do you uphold in your services? Having a strong vision and mission will guide your decisions and help you stay focused on your goals.

Use a Doc in ClickUp to outline your vision statement and mission statement for your business.

2. Analyze the market and competition

Conduct a thorough analysis of the interior decorating market in your area. Who are your competitors? What services do they offer, and at what price points? Understanding the market landscape will help you identify gaps and opportunities that your business can capitalize on.

Utilize the Table view in ClickUp to create a competitive analysis chart and track market trends.

3. Define your services and target audience

Clearly define the services you will offer as an interior decorator. Will you focus on residential projects, commercial spaces, or both? Additionally, identify your target audience - the demographic and psychographic characteristics of the clients you want to attract.

Use custom fields in ClickUp to categorize your services and target audience for easy reference.

4. Develop a marketing and sales strategy

Outline your marketing and sales strategies to attract clients and grow your interior decorating business. Will you rely on social media marketing, partnerships with real estate agents, or local networking events? Having a clear plan in place will help you reach your target audience effectively.

Create tasks in ClickUp to set marketing goals, plan campaigns, and track sales activities.

5. Set financial goals and projections

Establish realistic financial goals for your interior decorating business. Calculate your startup costs, projected revenue, and expenses. Setting financial targets will help you track your progress and make informed decisions to ensure the financial health of your business.

Utilize Dashboards in ClickUp to create financial projections and monitor key performance indicators related to your business finances.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Interior Decorator Business Plan Template

Interior decorators and aspiring business owners can utilize the Interior Decorator Business Plan Template in ClickUp to create a comprehensive plan for their interior decorating business.

To get started, click on “Add Template” to incorporate the Interior Decorator Business Plan Template into your Workspace. Ensure you select the appropriate Space or location for this template.

Next, invite relevant team members or stakeholders to your Workspace to begin collaborating on the business plan.

Here are the steps to effectively use this template:

• Utilize the Topics View to organize different sections of your business plan such as goals, strategies, and financial projections
• Use the Status View to track the progress of each section, marking them as Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, or To Do
• The Timeline View will help you set deadlines and milestones for completing each section of the business plan
• Navigate to the Business Plan View to get a holistic overview of your entire plan in one place
• Refer to the Getting Started Guide View for tips and instructions on how to effectively use the template

Enhance your business plan by utilizing the custom fields:

• Add information to the Reference field to link related documents or resources
• Mark sections as Approved to signify completion or approval
• Use the Section field to categorize different parts of the business plan for easy reference and organization.

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Interior Design Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting an interior design business can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and guidance, you can hit the ground running and create a successful business. The #1 Interior Design Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides all of the essential elements that help business owners create a professional, detailed and effective plan. This article will discuss the key components of this template, how to use it to your advantage and how it can help you create a winning business plan.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Interior Design Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Interior Design Business Ideas [2023]
• 25 Catchy Interior Design Business Names:

How to Write a Interior Design Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your interior design business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your interior design business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a interior design business:

Our mission at Interior Design is to provide a wide range of services to help clients create and maintain a personalized, beautiful, and functional home environment that fits their individual needs and lifestyle. We will take the time to get to know our clients, understand their needs, and help them develop a plan that meets those needs. We strive to be the go-to resource for customers seeking quality design solutions for their living spaces.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Interior Design Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your interior design business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your interior design business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your interior design business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your interior design business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a interior design business?

To run a Interior Design business, you will need the following equipment, supplies, and permits:

• Computer or laptop with design software
• Camera, printer and scanner
• Designer tools such as scissors, rulers, and measuring tape
• Fabrics samples and colour swatches
• Business permit from your local government
• Furniture and accessories for styling your designs
• Insurance coverage for business liabilities and losses

5. Management & Organization of Your Interior Design Business.

The second part of your interior design business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your interior design business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Interior Design Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a interior design business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a interior design business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your interior design business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your interior design business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your interior design business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Design Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a interior design business.

A business plan for an interior design business is necessary to clearly outline the goals and objectives of the business, create a detailed operational plan, and provide potential investors or lenders with a comprehensive understanding of the scope and structure of the business. It should include an executive summary, market analysis, financial projections, and an action plan. A business plan will help guide the long-term growth of the business and ensure that it remains on track to reach its desired outcomes.

Who should you ask for help with your interior design business plan?

You should ask a professional business consultant or an experienced interior designer for help with your interior design business plan. Additionally, there are resources online, such as online templates and step-by-step guidelines or video tutorials, that can provide useful information for your plan.

Can you write a interior design business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to create an interior design business plan yourself. While there is no one-size-fits-all template for creating a business plan, there are a few essential components that should be included in any effective plan. These essential components include: an executive summary, a market analysis, a company overview, a financial plan, and a marketing strategy. Additionally, make sure to research local regulations and industry standards to ensure that you’re in compliance with all requirements of your local area.

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Interior Design Business Plan Example

Published May.05, 2017

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Noor Muhammad

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Table of Content

Do you want to start an Interior Design business plan?

Like all other businesses, starting an interior design business can be hard, no matter who tries to start it. But having an interest in the niche can get you ahead of many.

A business plan contains all the necessary details needed to start a business. All businesses start with an idea and a business plan, be it a business plan for interior design or an engineering consulting business plan .

A business plan will help you figure out all the requirements you need to fulfill to start a viable business. You can learn about the structure of a business plan online . You can also go through sample business plans related to your niche to learn all the details. You can also learn how to write a business plan for interior design by going through the sample we’ve provided below.

Executive Summary

2.1 about the business.

Pro Interior Design will be an Interior Design startup established in Montana. The main target of the business will be to provide optimal design and decoration services to the residential as well as the commercial community throughout Montana. The business will offer various services ranging from full building planning to designing small spaces. 

2.2 How Will the Business be Managed? 

No company can succeed without good management. Therefore, before establishing an interior design start-up business , you need to develop a management plan.

A good practice is to hire skilled managers for the task. Besides, business management software also helps conduct business operations without difficulty.

To ensure good management of all aspects of your business, you need to develop an interior design studio business plan. You can learn how to develop a good business plan through this executive summary sample business plan for interior design. 

You can also get guidance regarding good business plans through plans of related niches like business plan for banking to learn about finances. In your business plan, you will need to ensure that all aspects of the business are well-planned beforehand. Your business plan interior design should include technical, financial, personnel, and marketing details to ensure a successful start of the company.

2.3 Customers of Interior Design Company

The customers of Pro Interior Design will belong to all domains, professional as well as regular. The recurring and targeted customers of the start-up will be:

• Residential Communities
• Educational Facilities
• Event Spaces

2.4 Business Target

The target of Pro Interior Design as mentioned in our interior design firm business plan pdf is to gain a 30% market share of the Montana Interior Design market within the first 2 years. 

Our financial targets to meet for the first three years of our launch are displayed below:

Company Summary

3.1 ownership .

Pro Interior Design will be owned and operated by Grace Ralph. Grace completed her BFA two years ago after which she worked with an architecture and design firm. However, the idea of starting her own unique brand of interior design services appealed to her. So, when she had enough capital, she decided to launch Pro Interior Designs. 

3.2 Why the Interior Design company will be started

Grace wanted to provide a flexible range of services. She noticed that most interior design companies were providing services at expensive rates and they were unaffordable for small workspaces or families. She decided to provide smaller packages and individualistic services to target the often-ignored market.

3.3 How the Interior Design company will be started

Step1: Develop a Plan

To start an interior design business, you will need a business plan for an interior design firm. Business planning is crucial as it helps you combine all your operations to achieve the specific and measurable goals that you had set for the business.

To learn what components must be included in a business plan, you can take help from the interior design business plan sample pdf provided here. You can also refer to related plans like an architecture firm business plan . 

Step2: Get Funding

The next step is to get the money for starting your business. When you first start a business, chances are that you will not have enough monetary resources to scale your business idea the way you need to. That is where investors come in. You can add such aspects in your business plan for an interior design company that shows financial feasibility to attract potential investors. 

Step3: Pick a Location

Next, you will need to find the perfect place for your office. For Pro Interior Design, Grace decided to procure a regular office space right next to a popular florist shop in the commercial center. 

Step4: Go Online

Businesses need to consider their online presence as that is where most transactions are carried out nowadays. To cater to this, Grace decided to hire a social media manager to maintain company personas on the web. She will also invest in the development of a website for basic communication with clients.

Step5: Promote and Market

Marketing is a very important aspect to ensure the success of a business. To promote the business, Grace will personally see the progress of social media managers and invest in other forms of marketing.

Whether you are starting a design business from home or not, you will need to decide on a list of services that you will provide to your customers. Deciding on the scope of services in your interior design firm business plan helps you figure out other details like finances and marketing ideas for your business. 

This planning is an essential part of the business plan of any company. So, whether it is a construction company business plan or a business plan for interior design services, you will need to first decide which services you will be offering to your customers. 

In this interior design business plan example, we are providing the services that will be provided by Pro Interior Design. 

• Space Planning

The designers at Pro Interior Design will help you model your spaces according to your need. In this way, offices can adequately utilize the space that is available to them and families can make the most of their homes/ apartments. 

• Decorative Selections 

Pro Interior Design will offer customized and domain-specific decorative selections to its customers. Our designers will make your spaces alive with lighting and hardware selections. 

• Furniture & Accessories

Our company will also provide a furniture and accessories selection service where our designers will offer tips and samples to customers to choose from. 

• Art Selections

For our more artistic and ambiance focus customers, we will also offer the services of special art and design consultants that will help the customers in finding the best art pieces for their spaces be it an office or a room.

Marketing Analysis of Interior Design Company

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Starting an interior design company can seem like a tremendous task with many complexities involved. The process becomes easier if you do a marketing analysis first. The marketing analysis helps you go through interior design business plan examples and learn how your competitors are running various operations.

You can gain in-depth insight into your target market by going through different interior designer business ideas. Afterward, when you develop your own business plan for an interior design firm. You should use your knowledge about past, present, and future market trends to shape your marketing strategy.

For this interior design marketing plan example, we are providing the market details for Pro Interior Design. You can use these as guidance for your own interior design startup business plan.

5.1 Market Trends

According to IBISWorld, the US Interior Design industry has a market size of about $17 billion with almost 120,000 businesses operating throughout the country. The industry is also expected to grow at a rate of 3.1% in this decade which means that it is prime time to open a business in this niche. 

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The target customers of Pro Interior Design according to this sample business plan interior design company are divided into the following groups:

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5.2.1 residential community.

Our main target customers will be the residential community of Montana. As Pro Interior design provides flexible services at both a small and large scale, these customers are expected to make use of our small-scale services the most. They are expected to utilize our designers for space planning and decorative services. 

5.2.2 Offices

Our second target customers will be the small and large businesses around the area that needs to remodel their offices or want consultations regarding the design and space planning of new spaces. 

5.2.3 Educational Facilities

We will also provide services to educational facilities that want to utilize their spaces to the maximum. Our trained designers will help these institutions make a space that is truly focused on learning.

5.2.4 Event Spaces

Lastly, we will also team up with event planners to provide services regarding space consultation, furniture, light, and hardware accessorizing. This will allow us to gain more regular customers in the event planning niche

5.3 Business Target

• To become one of the top 3 interior design startups in our city within the first year.
• To expand the range and scale of our services to cater to large projects.
• To earn a profit margin of $10k per month by the end of our second year.
• To gain customer confidence and satisfaction and maintain it above 96%.

5.4 Product Pricing

Our prices will be much less as compared to our competitors in the market because we offer a larger range of small-scale services for homes and offices. This will be a significant advantage for Pro Interior Design in the market.

Marketing Strategy

While writing a business plan interior design, you need to focus a lot on your marketing strategies as they stand to be the difference between a business that is successful and one that is not. A marketing plan should be included in your interior design business plan company description before you arrange for establishing the business in a physical location. 

And just like a real estate flipping business plan , your business plan interior design company should also include details about how you will market your services.

Below, we are presenting the marketing plan for an interior design business called Pro Interior Design: 

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We provide small-scale services for houses at a much cheaper rate.
• Our customers can communicate with us to create different packages suited to their needs.
• Our customers can get a 5% discount on all services if they register with us for a year.
• Our policies are customer-centric, we remain in touch with them through the website. 

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will promote our business by holding small events throughout the city.
• We will use social media platforms to get the word out
• We will offer a 30% discount to the first 50 customers.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

One of the essential keys to learning how to run a successful interior design business is to hire a good workforce. Well-suited employees can help your business boom. Especially, in a business in which sales depend on direct interaction between people and customers, the qualifications, skillset, and behaviors of employees become all the more important. To have an idea of what staff is usually hired in such businesses, you can go through remodeling business plan or an interior design company business plan pdf like the one shown here. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 5 Certified Designers
• 2 General Cleaners
• 2 Sales Executives to handle social media and website
• 1 Accountant
• 1 Receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

To ensure that your business is a success, you will need to develop a financial plan for an interior design business. A good financial plan should include a detailed analysis of the price of your products, your sales, and the profit earned against each sale.

Moreover, a comprehensive financial plan should include 3-year projections of break-even analysis, business ratios, balance sheet, etc. to help you direct your finances in a better way.

In this interior design firm business plan pdf, we are detailing the financial plan for Pro Interior Design. You can also refer to other business plans like HVAC business plan to find out what you should add to your financial plan.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

• How do I start my own interior design business?

You can start your own interior design business by thoroughly researching your idea and developing an interior design business plan sample to present to prospective investors. 

• What are the 7 elements of interior design?

The business ideas for interior designers are based on the 7 main elements of interior design which are:

• How do Interior Designers get clients?

Interior designers can either work for big architectural and design firms or freelance as consultants. And once they have enough clients, they can also start their own businesses with the help of an interior design business plan. 

• What are the types of markets for interior design?

Interior design has a very vast market as most professional spaces need to be properly designed. Nowadays, people also prefer to hire design consultants to help with their homes. In this interior design firm business plan pdf, you can see the marketing segmentation part for greater detail.

Download interior design business plan sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Home Decoration Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » B2C Sector

Are you about starting a home decoration business? If YES, here is a complete sample home decoration business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a home decoration business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample home decoration marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for home decoration businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

If you are interested in starting a home decoration business, you can be rest assured that there is no limit to the fortune you can make from the industry as long as you are creative and have good networking skills. If you are looking for a business to start as an entrepreneur with a design and creativity background, then you can consider starting your own home decoration company.

Although a home decoration company can be operated from home, especially if it is being managed by an individual, but it pays to operate from an office facility. The truth is that you would need an office space to be able to run this type of business if indeed you want to work for corporate organizations and even government agencies.

Just ensure that you secure an office decent enough to host the caliber of clients you will be dealing with. An office in the business district of your city might just be ideal for you – but all the same, you don’t need to go beyond your means to get a very expensive office space. It is advisable to start your business small and then grow it big.

If indeed you are interested in starting a home decoration company, then you will surely find this comprehensive business plan very helpful.

A Sample Home Decoration Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Interior decorators, also known as home decorators, work with homeowners or business owners to furnish and adorn an interior space according to their preferences. The decorator must usually work within a budget and order the necessary design elements for their clients.

The truth is that interior design is a multidimensional vocation that covers activities such as conceptual development, communicating with the stakeholders of a project, management and of course the execution of the design (project).

Home decoration companies are responsible for planning the design of both living and commercial facilities such as hotel, motels and lodges; they have mastered the art of turning their ideas or concept into reality. The projects that home decorators handle can be broad in scope.

It could range from structural modifications to the selection of matching furniture, curtains or blind, wallpaper and lighting et al.

The Interior Designers industry is indeed a big industry that has experienced consistent growth and innovations over the last five years. However, the industry is projected to experience marginally better conditions over the next five years.

As long as the housing market is expected to improve strongly, there will also be corresponding growth for residential interior designers as existing home sales and housing stats make up ground over the five-year period.

So also, increase in corporate profit, growth and expansion of corporate organization will open up business opportunities of interior design companies because there will be need for organizations to remodel their facilities to meet up with changing trends.

Statistics has it that the Interior Designers industry has a low level of market share concentration. For instance, in 2016, the top four leading interior decoration companies accounted for less than 10.0 percent of the industry’s total revenue. It is fact that market share concentration has not changed significantly in the last five years.

It is important to clearly state that the Interior Designers industry is a highly fragmented industry with thousands of players, of which only a small percentage of the players generated an annual revenue exceeding $1.0 million. A large number of players in interior designer industry are self-employed because of the nature of the job they do and of course the low startup capital required to start the business.

The interior design industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much active in all the parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 102,848 registered home decoration cum interior design companies responsible for employing about 127,467 and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $13bn annually.

In 2014 alone, the federal government of the United States of America spent a total sum of $11,270,048 on Interior Designers. During the period in review, they awarded 437 interior design contracts to 77 interior design companies, averaging a value of $146,364 per company.

The industry is indeed highly competitive and of course a growing industry with steady growth rate of 3.0 percent annually. The interior design industry is very open to any aspiring entrepreneur who has the required skills to start his or her own home decoration business.

As a matter of fact, it was projected that over the next five years, new technology will continue to emerge that will make it easier for more players to come into the industry hence increasing the competition.

The interior design industry will continue to blossom because more and more households and corporate organizations are beginning to realize that somehow, they would need the services of home decorators to help give their facility the needed look befitting of their organization or personalities.

From all available statistics, it is safer to say that the industry is growing steadily despite the competitive nature of the industry.

Lastly, some of the factors that encourage entrepreneurs to start their own home decoration company could be that the business is easy to set up and the startup capital is indeed affordable; you can actually start your own home decoration business from the comfort of your house.

All you need to do is to create an office somewhere in your house. People usually pay you for the result you can deliver as it relates to helping them design their facility to their expectation.

2. Executive Summary

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is a U.S based home decoration (interior design) company. We have been able to secure a standard office facility in a busy business district in Las Vegas – Nevada. We are a world class home decoration company that is set to compete in the highly competitive interior design industry not only in the United States market, but also in the global market.

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. will be involved in the all aspects of home decoration cum interior design services such as Residential interior design, Commercial (Hotels and Lodges) interior design, Merchandise sales, home decorating consulting services and other related services.

Our business goal is to become one of the leading home decoration companies in the United States and we will make sure that every home decoration job that we do can favorably compete with the best in the industry. Our workers are going to be selected from a pool of talented and highly creative home designers in and around Las Vegas – Nevada and also from any part of the world especially from Milan and Paris as the business grows.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with leading home decorators in the United States and throughout the globe.

At James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. our client’s best interest come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is founded by two siblings James Creflo and his twin sister Janell Creflo. They both graduated from The Interior Design School of London and they have over the years garnered the required experience that will position them to become a major force to reckon with in the industry in the United States of America and across the globe.

3. Our Products and Services

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. was established with the aim of maximizing profits in the interior design industry. We want to compete favorably with leading home decoration and interior design companies in the United States which is why we have put in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that all our designs and related services rendered meet and even surpass our customers’ expectations.

Our products and services are listed below;

• Residential home decoration cum interior design services
• Commercial (hotels, motels, and lodges) interior design services
• Merchandise sales
• Home decorating consulting services
• Other related services like giving interior makeover to historic buildings, vehicles, such as ships and aircraft et al.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to establish a standard home decoration company whose services and brand will not only be accepted in Las Vegas – Nevada but also throughout the United States of America and other parts of the world.
• Our mission is to build a home decoration company that will be known to execute top notch projects and to become the number one choice of real estate agencies and other stake holder in the industry. We want to build a home decoration company that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the industry.

Our Business Structure

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is a home decoration company that intends starting small in Las Vegas, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading companies in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

At James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc., we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer
• Creative Director

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Home Decorators / Interior Designer

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job result
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Creative Director:

• Serves as project manager for the organization; works directly with employees
• Responsible for designing concepts for home makeover and facility uplifts
• Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.
• Builds company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications / journals; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Ensures that the organization works in line with international best practices.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Model demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Create new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empower and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets

Accountant/Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.
• Serves as internal auditor for James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.

Home Decorators/Interior Designers (4)

• Liaising with clients to determine their requirement and budget
• Responsible for inspecting and surveying buildings
• Responsible for negotiating fees and setting schedules for the project
• Responsible for researching and drawing up rough plans
• Responsible for developing detailed designs and choosing materials
• Responsible for supervising the work as it is carried out.
• Responsible for preparing drafts or material based on an agreement brief.
• Research and advice the organization on style, genre and other trendy info as it relates to home decoration/interior design.
• Welcomes clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, SMS or phone) provides the client with personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the HR manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to potential clients when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. hired the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured home decoration business that can favorably compete in the highly competitive interior design industry in the United States and the world at large.

Here is a summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.;

Our central strength is no doubt the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient home decorators cum interior designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the interior design industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected home decorators, we have a robust relationship with key stake holders in the real estate industry and of course our designs and services will be guided by international best practices.

As a new home decoration company in Las Vegas – Nevada, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from the government and other top profile clients in the already saturated and highly competitive interior design industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the interior design industry is massive considering the number of individuals and corporate organizations acquiring new properties and would need the services of home decorators to give the facilities facelift. As a world class home decoration company, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that is available in the industry.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing/spending power hence lesser houses would be purchased. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new home decoration company in same location where our target market exists and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Although there are top flight institutions where people go to study interior designing, but it common to find people who don’t have formal training running their own home decoration business. This is what accounts for the high number of sole proprietorship in the interior design industry.

Aside from on-the-job training, most home decoration cum interior design companies usually offer short training (could be in – house) in specific areas such as presentation skills and IT packages.

As a home decorator, you are expected to keep tabs with new trends that are always coming up in the industry. Most interior designers ensure that they follow the traditions or patterns that are synonymous to a region. For instance, as a home decorator in the Arab world, your designs are expected to follow the traditions and pattern in the region.

8. Our Target Market

There is a wide range of both corporate and individual clients who cannot successfully move into their new homes/facilities without hiring the services of home decorators. As a matter of fact, without the services of home decorators or interior designers, the interiors of facilities won’t be as beautiful and welcoming as we can see these days.

We will ensure that we develop strategic pacts with property developers, property management companies, local builders, realtors and home improvement firms. This will give us several options to generate revenue for our company.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individuals who we know can’t do without our services. We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our home decoration services is well accepted in the marketplace. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we will market our services to;

• Construction Companies
• Property Development Companies
• Home Owners
• Corporate Organizations
• Realtors —for their clients’ homes
• Home Improvement Companies
• Commercial builders of office and home complexes
• Home builders’ associations
• Furniture stores
• Paint and wall paper stores
• Flower shops
• Real Estate Owners, Developers, and Contractors
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Religious Organizations (Church hall and other places of worship)

Our competitive advantage

The competition in the interior design industry is getting stiffer by the day, you have to be highly creative and come up with appealing designs and concepts in order to survive in the industry. The industry is indeed profitable and at the same time a highly competitive industry; it enjoys strong demand as people continue to purchase or move into new apartments and remodel old ones.

Clients will only hire your services if they know that they can get nothing but the best from you. We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the interior design industry means that you are not only expected to deliver consistent and highly creative designs, but you must be able to meet set targets.

Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient interior designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the interior design industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

We are not ignorant of the fact that there are stiff competitions in the interior design industry; there are loads of home decorators and interior designers jostling for contracts which is why we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the real estate market and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.

Our goal is to grow James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. to become one of the leading home decoration companies in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Las Vegas – Nevada but also in other cities in the United States of America.

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients and win home decoration and interior decoration contracts;

• Introduce our home decoration company by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, realtors, religious organizations and key stake holders in the real estate industry.
• Promptness in bidding for home decoration or interior design contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations
• List our business on yellow page ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver excellent design and services
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

Sources of Income

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the interior design cum real estate industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to meet and surpass the expectations of our clients.

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. will generate income by offering the following home decoration services and other related services;

• Home decorating services consulting services

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be households and corporate organization who would need the services of home decorators or interior designers whenever they purchase new home, office facilities or are moving into a new facility .

We are well positioned to take on the available market in interior design/real estate industry and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from our first six months of operation and grow our home decoration company to enviable heights.

We have been able to examine the home decoration market, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below is the sales projection for James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of our services and target market;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1):  $150,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2):  $400,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3):  $750,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same home decoration services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the hearts of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate and individual clients in the whole of the Las Vegas and beyond which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our Home decoration company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community-based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google + et al to promote our services
• Install our billboards in strategic locations all around Las Vegas – Nevada
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations and residents in our target areas by calling them up and informing them of James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. and the services we offer
• List our home decoration company in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our home decoration company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are branded with our company logo.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

If you are conversant with the interior design industry, you will realize that the pricing structure ranges from per hour billings to fixed fee to even per square foot billing. Most interior decoration companies adopt all the available pricing systems as it applies to the nature of the job or project they are expected to execute.

At James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. we will adopt all the pricing systems as is obtainable in the industry but we will ensure that we keep the prices of our services a little below the average market rate by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance from corporate organizations who would hire our services.

In addition, we will offer special discounted rates to all our customers at regular intervals. We are aware that there are some one-off jobs or government contracts which are always lucrative, we will ensure that we abide by the pricing model that is expected from contractors or organizations that bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America. Here are the payment options that James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via mobile money transfer
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for our services without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Starting a home decoration company is cost effective because on the average, you are not expected to acquire expensive machines and equipment.

What you should be concerned about is the amount needed to secure a standard office facility in a good and busy business district, the amount needed to furnish and equip the office, the amount needed to pay bills, purchase relevant software apps, promote the business and obtain the appropriate business license and certifications. Basically, these are the areas we are looking towards spending our startup capital on;

• Business incorporating fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring an office space that will accommodate our employees for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $150,000.
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $10,000
• The amount required to purchase the needed software applications – $ 3,500
• The amount of required for launching an official website will cost – $500
• The amount needed to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $70,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about two hundred thousand (200,000) U.S. dollars to successfully setup a medium scale but standard home decoration company in the United States of America.

Generating Startup Capital for James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc.

James & Janell® Home Deco, Inc. will be owned by two siblings James Creflo and his twin sister Janell Creflo. They decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $85,000 and soft loan from family members $15,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals/customers patronizing their products and services.

We know that if we continue to come up with highly creative and unique home decoration cum interior design concept and excellent job delivery for both corporate organizations, government agencies and households, there will be a steady flow of income for the organization.

Our key sustainability and expansion strategy are to ensure that we only hire creative, competent and selfless interior designers, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members. In the nearest future, we will give our most dedicated and prolific employees the opportunity to be part owners of the business via owing shares in the company.

We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will achieve our business goals and objectives in record time.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Securing a standard office facility plus renovation of the facility: Competed
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the startup capital from the founders: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of Logo for the business: Completed
• Secure trademark for our products: In Progress
• Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed furniture, office equipment, software applications, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the business: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the real estate industry: In Progress

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