S6 Ep 196: The 90% Plan

Hey y’all, it’s Michelle Lynn! Let’s talk about something that’s gonna ruffle a few perfectionist feathers—the 90% Rule. It’s my way of saying thatdoing less is actually the fastest way to make more.

Perfectionism might feel like a badge of honor, but babe, it’s a profit killer. In this episode, I’m breaking down how overdelivering and chasing “perfect” are draining your time, your energy, and your money—and how to flip that into efficiency, profit, and freedom. I’ll walk you through how to decide where to give your full 100% and where 90% is more than enough. Because guess what? Your clients can’t tell the difference—and they’re already wowed.

🔍 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• What the 90% Rule is (and why it works)

• Why perfectionism is not service—it’s self-sabotage

• How “overdelivering” confuses clients and eats your profit

• The difference between excellence and perfection

• Real stories from ML Interiors Group (and how one change saved us 10–15 hours per project!)

• Where to give 100%: client experience, communication, and installation

• Where 90% is plenty: backend systems, sourcing, and social media consistency

• How the 90% Rule frees you to take on better clients, protect your creativity, and actually enjoy your business again

💡 WHY THIS MATTERS:
You don’t have to give 110% everywhere to build a wildly successful design business. You just need to knowwhere it counts.When you stop trying to perfect every detail and start focusing on what actually drives results, you make more money, get more energy back, and give your clients a smoother, more confident experience.

📎 LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Learn more about The Interior Design Business Bakery→designbakehouse.com

• Free Workshop:Rolling in the Dough→ https://thedesignbakehouse.com/workshop

• Check out Sidemark, our sales and marketing tool for designers → https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

• Connect with me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/