139 - Let's Talk About, Stop Undervaluing Our Industry: Building Wealth and Changing the Standards of Interior Design

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Too often, interior designers fall into the trap of undervaluing themselves and, by extension, our entire industry. In today’s episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m opening up about why it’s time to change that narrative—because we aren’t just creating beautiful spaces, we’re building businesses that deserve respect, profitability, and longevity.

I’ll share a personal story about the moment I chose design over law school—and how even my father, a successful high-end builder in Toronto, doubted whether this could be a lucrative career. At the time, he wasn’t wrong. But the world has changed. From TV and magazines to social media, design has taken center stage. And today, I can proudly say not only has my father changed his mind, but the next generation in my own family is pursuing design as a career—because they can see the opportunity for real wealth and success.

This episode is about embracing that opportunity, raising the bar for our industry, and paving the way for the next generation of designers. Because profitability isn’t just about paying yourself a salary—it’s about building wealth, creating freedom, and setting new standards so that no designer is ever asked to justify their rates or share their discounts again.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why undervaluing ourselves hurts the entire design industry.
• The mindset shift from “earning a salary” to “building wealth.”
• How to embrace profitability as a creative without guilt.
• Why community, mentorship, and accountability are key to raising industry standards.
• The legacy we can leave for the next generation of designers.

It’s time to stop apologizing for our value, start setting new standards, and create thriving businesses that reflect the true worth of our work.

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