134- Part 4: Let's Talk Profit Strategies, Follow the Profits, Not all Projects are Sexy

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the grand finale of our four-part Profitable Design Series with Laura Thornton!

In this essential episode, Laura helps you shift from just designing beautiful spaces to designing a truly profitable business. Learn why reviewing your numbers regularly is more important than any brand board—and how to spot what’s really working for your bottom line, even if it’s not the “sexiest” project in your portfolio.

Discover how small, simple jobs can sometimes pay more than those big, glamorous renovations—and how to stop running your business on chaos and crossed fingers. Laura shares real-life examples, practical strategies, and her favorite questions for post-project reviews so you can lean into what actually grows your business.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why regular profit reviews (by project, product, and service) are your business superpower.
• How to spot patterns and double down on services that are truly sustainable and scalable.
• Why custom and curated pieces often yield higher profits than retail products—and how to talk about this with clients.
• How a simple “post-mortem” after every project can boost your efficiency, margin, and joy.
• How to create a business blueprint—not just a beautiful brand board.

Listen to the full series:

• Listen to Part 1 - Know your numbers. The Foundation of Profitability
• Listen to Part 2 - Time is Money, literally
• Listen to Part 3 - Efficiency gains, they belong to you

If you loved this series and are ready to master the art of pricing your design services, I've created the thing just for you! The Profit Academy for Interior Designers. 

This course is your ultimate guide to mastering the financial side of your design business. You’ll gain the clarity, tools, and confidence to price your projects for maximum profit, build client trust, and create the thriving business you’ve always dreamed of.

Learn more →

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the  principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON.  Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. 

The Business of Beautiful Spaces  I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design                                      I @thorntondesign