The Silent Profit Killers

EP 192: The Silent Profit Killers

PODCAST
September 07, 2025•2 min read
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Hey y’all, in today’s episode I’m pulling back the curtain on the silent profit killers that sneak into your design business and quietly drain thousands from your bottom line. These aren’t the big, obvious issues like not charging enough or overhead being too high—these are the sneaky, day-to-day habits that fly under the radar but add up fast.

I’m sharing where I’ve personally lost money (yep, guilty), where I see designers leaking profit all the time, and most importantly, how to patch those leaks so you can keep more of the money you’re already working so hard to earn.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT:

  • The everyday ways scope creep hides as “little extras”

  • Why untracked time is one of the biggest drains on your profit

  • How inefficient procurement and vendor management quietly eat away at your margins

  • The real cost of client decision delays (and how to stop them)

  • Why discounting out of guilt isn’t serving you—or your clients

  • Practical fixes you can implement right now to protect your bottom line


Profit leaks don’t show up neatly in QuickBooks. They don’t wave a red flag. They just quietly chip away at your hard work until one day you realize your revenue looks amazing on paper… but your take-home isn’t where it should be. Plugging these leaks is often easier and more profitable than landing five new clients—and it will completely change how you feel about running your business.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

Join our Free Facebook Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad 

Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

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Michelle Lynne owns and operates her interior design firm, ML Interiors Group in Dallas, TX. She is also a renowned business coach for interior designers at the Design Bakehouse, where she teaches designers how to make six-figure leaps in their businesses. She is also the founder of Studio Works, a coworking space for interior designers, and a co-founder of Sidemark, the all-in-one sales and marketing software for interior designers. Michelle is currently serving as President for the Interior Design Society DFW Chapter.

Michelle Lynne

Michelle Lynne owns and operates her interior design firm, ML Interiors Group in Dallas, TX. She is also a renowned business coach for interior designers at the Design Bakehouse, where she teaches designers how to make six-figure leaps in their businesses. She is also the founder of Studio Works, a coworking space for interior designers, and a co-founder of Sidemark, the all-in-one sales and marketing software for interior designers. Michelle is currently serving as President for the Interior Design Society DFW Chapter.

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