a note from my desk....
Happy Fall! π
There's something about this time of year that I absolutely love.
The cooler mornings, the changing colours, the return to routines and, of course, making our homes a little cozier as we settle into fall.
And just like that, we're heading into the final quarter of 2026!
I always find this time of year a little bittersweet. Summer seems to disappear in the blink of an eye, and suddenly we're looking at the last three months of the year.
But I also love the opportunity fall brings to refocus.
If you set goals back in January that haven't quite materialized, there's still time. And if your priorities have shifted since then, perhaps it's time to give yourself permission to change the plan.
You don't have to accomplish everything before December 31.
But you can be intentional about what deserves your time and attention over the next three months.
And speaking of making time for your business, I have two upcoming events I'm excited to share with you!
Let's dive in! π
This Week Inside the Method
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This Week's Blueprint|Three Ways to Approach Your Final Quarter
π Look at the year you've actually had, not the one you planned.
Think back to January. What did you envision for your business this year?
Now look at where you are today.
Maybe you've taken on projects you never anticipated. Perhaps you've changed your services, rethought your pricing or discovered that the type of work you used to love isn't what excites you anymore.
Your business has probably taught you a few things over the past nine months.
Before you plan the next three, take some time to acknowledge those lessons.
πChoose what deserves your capacity.
There's a temptation to treat October through December as a sprint to accomplish everything we haven't done.
But not every unfinished goal still deserves a place on your calendar.
Perhaps this quarter is about completing existing projects rather than taking on more clients.
Maybe it's about finally documenting your processes, reviewing your profitability or improving the way you onboard new clients.
Choose one or two meaningful priorities instead of spreading yourself across ten.
πStart thinking about the business you want to walk into in January.
Imagine returning to your desk after the holidays.
What would make you feel excited to get back to work?
A more manageable calendar? A clearer financial picture? Better-defined services? A client journey that doesn't require you to reinvent everything with every new project?
Don't wait until January to create those things. Time to do this is now.
Because the decisions you make this fall can help shape the business you'll be running next year.
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This Week's Workshop
ποΈ The Webinar Series Is Back!
Tuesday, October 6 | 1 PM ET
Beyond the Mood Board: What Every Interior Designer Wishes They Knew
After taking a little break over the summer, I'm thrilled to bring back our webinar series!
And I couldn't think of a better way to kick things off than a conversation with the ladies from Poised & Plumb.
We're going beyond the beautiful designs to talk about the lessons, skills and experiences that actually shape a career in interior design.
We'll explore transferable skills from previous careers, the things we wish someone had told us when we started, and what we've learned along the way.
Whether you're just beginning your design career, transitioning from another profession or have been in business for years, I think you'll enjoy this conversation.
Bring your coffee, your questions and join us for an honest conversation about the business behind beautiful design.
π οΈ Our Monthly Business Workshop Is Coming!
Tuesday, October 13 | Live Online
'm also excited to continue our monthly workshops based on The Thoughtfully Designed Businessβ’ Method.
These workshops are an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of client projects and spend some dedicated time working on your business.
We'll continue exploring the five blueprints that help interior designers create organized, profitable businesses that support the lives they actually want to live.
Because building a better business doesn't happen by accident. It happens when we make the time to work on it.
Mark October 13 on your calendar. I'll be sharing more details about this month's workshop soon!
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CEO Reflection
βBefore your fall calendar fills up with client meetings, installations, sourcing trips and all the other things that come with running a design business, I want you to consider one question:
What is ONE thing you could change in your business over the next three months that would make the biggest difference to how you begin 2027?
Maybe it's finally documenting that process you've been keeping in your head.
Maybe it's looking more closely at your numbers.
Maybe it's creating better boundaries around your time.
Or perhaps it's simply getting back into the habit of making regular appointments with yourself as the CEO of your business.
Whatever it is, give it some space on your calendar.
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π Keep Building
I'm looking forward to reconnecting with everyone through our webinars and workshops this fall.
One of my favourite things about this work is bringing designers together to share experiences, have the conversations we don't always get to have and remind ourselves that we don't have to figure everything out alone.
Here's to cozy sweaters, fresh perspectives, meaningful conversations and finishing the year with intention.
Happy fall, everyone! π
I'm grateful you're here.
Until next Friday, π
Marsha
Helping interior designers build businesses as thoughtfully designed as the homes they create.
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