March Momentum
Putting Belief in Action for Your Interior Design Business
“Creative people have to believe in the value of their work. If you don’t have any belief, then you can’t give anything. Designing is an act of giving, and a belief in the value of the work fuels the desire to express something.” – Peter Saville, Renowned British Art Decorator and Graphic Designer
Being an interior designer and running your own business can be difficult. There are a multitude of responsibilities within the business that can overwhelm you at any given time. But throw in your personal responsibilities, too, and it can simply wear you out. You may find yourself trying to prioritize from a place of chaos, rather than a place of calm and purpose.
This is where someone like Andrea Liebross can come in to help guide you through the processes and strategies to literally coach you back out of the chaos and back into believing in not only yourself, but your business.
“I’m really big about helping people see that belief is just as important as budget, marketing and metrics,” says Liebross, a business coach, keynote speaker, author and founder of She Thinks Big. “And they have to believe that things are going to work and going to happen.”
Liebross, who started her business coaching firm in 2018 works with a number of professionals, including interior designers.
“I help them shift from being reactive to being strategic, or from being exhausted to being energized, or from being more of an owner/operator to being a leader,” she shares. “And when they make those shifts, their margins improve, their timelines kind of calm down, their teams function, and then that designer feels more herself in her business than ever, and I think that sort of belief in action.”
We had the pleasure of hearing Liebross speak during the 2025 Fall High Point Market event, so we invited her to share some insight into how she founded her business, her background that led to starting the business and advice she may have for you—our members who have a passion for interior design.
You are the brand (even when you’re not in the room!)
Why your systems, pricing, and process might just be more important than your visuals.
Jeff Bezos once said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
That idea feels like the perfect place to end this series. Because branding isn’t just how you attract clients, it’s how you treat them once they’re in your world.
Workers' Compensation for Interior Designers: Debunking the Biggest Misconceptions
Workers Compensation is one of the most misunderstood, and most critical, parts of an interior designer’s insurance program. Designers regularly lift, install, travel, and work inside clients’ homes. All it takes is one slip while carrying a sofa, a fall on a staircase, or a car accident during a client visit to trigger a costly claim. Without Workers Comp, those medical bills and legal costs often fall directly on you, even if a subcontractor or helper is involved.
Common Misconceptions (and Why They’re Dangerous)
1) “I work alone. I don’t need Workers Comp.”
Reality: Even if you’re the only person in your business, you can still be injured on the job, and many health insurance plans exclude work-related injuries. That means no coverage for medical bills or lost wages.
2) “I only use friends or family. They won’t sue me.”
Reality: When someone gets seriously hurt, their medical provider, not the person, often triggers the claim. The state can step in, and you can be held liable regardless of your relationship.
3) “I hire movers or subcontractors who are exempt or owners, so they can’t file a claim.”
Reality: Even exempt workers can sue you for negligence. Courts frequently hold the hiring designer responsible if an injury happens while working on your project.
4) “The subcontractor showed insurance, so I’m protected, even if the owner is excluded.”
Reality: If the owner doing the physical labor is excluded from their own coverage and gets hurt, they can still pursue a claim against you.
5) “If I get hurt, my health insurance will cover it.”
Reality: Most health insurance policies deny work-related injuries. You could be personally responsible for all medical bills.
6) “I’ll just say the injury didn’t happen at work.”
Reality: That is insurance fraud, and in many states, it's a criminal offense. Providers are trained to identify workplace injuries.
Why Workers' Compensation Matters
Workers Compensation covers:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Death benefits
- Job-related injuries like lifting accidents, slips and falls, tool or equipment injuries, car accidents during work travel, and even carpal tunnel
Most states legally require it, and even if they don’t, the financial protection it provides can save your business from catastrophic loss.
Whether you're a sole designer, growing your team, or using subcontractors, Workers Comp is one of the smartest and most responsible investments you can make.
Don’t wait for a claim to reveal a coverage gap. Protect your interior design business with Workers Compensation built specifically for your industry.
Have questions? Speak with our specialists at (877) 438-7369.
DSA Insider: Contract Tips, Events and Fresh Reads
Design Contract Tip From Attorney Wendy Estela:
Tip No. 11: Termination Clauses Matter
Always resolve disputes confidentially and outside of court. Discussions and final settlements should be confidential and the parties should agree not to disparage each other when trying to settle a dispute and after the dispute is settled. Remember that a bad Google review can destroy your business.
Resolving disputes confidentially and outside of court helps protect your reputation, your client relationships, and your business as a whole. By including confidentiality and non-disparagement agreements, designers can prevent negative public commentary—like damaging online reviews—that can impact future opportunities. Taking a proactive, professional approach to conflict resolution ensures you stay focused on your work while safeguarding your brand.
Attorney Wendy Estela often reminds that clarity helps designers avoid uncomfortable negotiations, maintain boundaries, and exit projects cleanly while protecting the value of their work.
Upcoming Events:
Spring High Point Market: April 25–29, 2026
High Point Spring Market is back April 25–29, 2026, bringing together the best of the design industry for an inspiring week of new collections, trend insights, and meaningful connections. It’s the ultimate destination for designers looking to discover what’s next and connect with the brands and peers shaping the industry.
And if you’ll be there, so will we—send us a DM, we’d love to connect in person!
Fresh Reads:
The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon: Paintings by Snowy Campbell
Step inside the refined world of Bunny Mellon in The Enchanting Interiors of Bunny Mellon, a stunning collection of paintings by Snowy Campbell that beautifully document her iconic residences. Blending art, antiques, and personal treasures, this book is a masterclass in creating interiors that feel both sophisticated and effortlessly lived-in.
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