I am writing this at the tail end of what can only be described as an essay crisis, and tomorrow the essay gets handed in. On Monday 28 September, the Interior Design Practice System launches.
It is 80 lessons across 14 modules, and it follows the stages of the design process from first enquiry to handover.
I've built it as a companion for the working designer: somewhere to find the systems and processes a practice needs, at the point in a project when you need them. Everything from preparing for the preliminary meeting; to calculating fees; all of procurement; schedules and specifications; snagging; installation; and handover to photograpy. It includes nine client-facing packs, because a well-run studio is not only easier to work in, the client should feel the benefit too.
I am tired, dishevelled, and proud. I will be showing it off properly very shortly.
1. The Week in Brief
Business in a Box is under way. A lovely new cohort started this week and hit the ground running. This time the Practice System is built into the course, so we are blending business planning with the management of the design process itself. The plan and the way you deliver it belong together, and it's a huge asset to have access to these materials.
Wednesday's session with Peter Burch of March Branding was very well received, and in four days it is the fastest growing video on my YouTube channel. If you missed it, you can watch it here. I made notes as we went, and I shall turn them into a short article for you in the coming weeks. Highly recommended.
I spent time with BIID designers this week discussing strategy and business planning, and it was great fun, well, I had great fun, I hope it was mutual. More on this to come, as we move into Q4 and turn our attention to reflecting on business in 2026 and looking ahead to 2027.
2. Dates for the Diary
📆 Monday 28 September. The Interior Design Practice System launches - for those of you already enrolled, thank you. Please be aware the launch will be late in the day!
📆 Saturday 3 October. The blog returns.
📆 Sunday 4 October. The full newsletter returns.
📆 Thursday 8 October, 10am. The Big Push kicks off. Our Q4 push to finish the year well. The link to join will be in the Hothouse group on FaceBook.
📆 Monday 12 October, 11am. Decorex. I am presenting under the Business & Interiors banner. I'll be chatting at a roundtable event, the subject is positioning, and avoiding identikit branding. It has been a few years since I've been to Decorex, and I'm very excited to be back in the fold.
3. My Week in Hothouse
The numbers, and nothing else. I'll be ramping the marketing back up again once I've cleared the decks next week.
Final Word
Two short issues, both out on time, a course built in between, and new cohort launched live, and webinars led and hosted. The commitment was to turn up every Sunday, and I have.
Next week, the full service resumes.
I am so looking forward to a productive final quarter for all of us, there is still everything to play for,
Julia Founder, Hothouse
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