The Business Education Your Design School Forgot to Give You

The Interior Design MBA*

Developed and taught by David Shepherd
University Professor
The Nation's #1 Interior Design Business Consultant

For Interior Design Firm Principals Who
are Serious About Their Futures, Whether as a Sole Practitioner or Leader of 30+ People

A rigorous 24-Unit program which includes only the topics essential to your success, and none of the ones that aren't. All Units are delivered in easy-to-understand videos featuring David Shepherd as your personal guide.

(Don't forget to bookmark this site as www.interiordesignmba.com)

Trends change. Social media comes and goes. Fads threaten to shake things up. Only one thing NEVER changes—the business skills required to earn what you deserve.

"Now I've got total control!"

"I used to dread it when my so-called experts tried to explain business stuff to me, like my financial statements or cash flow or even my marketing metrics. Now, thanks the the Interior Design MBA Program, I've taken total control of my business. It's not about knowing everything, in fact a big part is understanding that I DON'T need to know everything. This knowledge gave me total confidence in running my firm and building my future."

—Tanya Shively, Interior Designer
Scottsdale, AZ

24 Units Covering Every Major Business Topic You Need to Know

Creating Wealth

Learn why interior design offers unique opportunities to generate serious wealth.

Right-size Your Firm

Avoid the feast and famine problem of revenue and resources.

Your Unique Strategy

Use a proprietary process created specifically to make you stand out.

Get Pricing Right

See how firms have increased profits 100% and more with strategic pricing alone.

Simplify, Simplify

From Thoreau to Jobs, you will learn how the high performers root out complexity.

Stop the Madness!

Develop a focused marketing plan in one day and leave the trendy madness behind.

Financial Statements 101

You'll soon know more than your accountant about what truly matters!

Dreams Cost Money

And "money" is not sales or profits or expenses. It's CASH and it's time to increase yours.

"I wondered if it was just over my head"

"I've tried hard to learn key business principles, including accounting, technology, strategy, and more. But it just never took. I really wondered if it was just over my head. But the IDMBA Program was radically different. I even told David that it was the first time in my career as a designer that I ever really got it!"

—Jodell Clarke, Interior Designer
Dallas, TX

When to Hire (And Fire)

Nothing poses a greater threat than hiring and inspiring the right people.

Taming Exploding Tech

From 3D software to virtual reality to AI, you'll need a "philosophy of tech" to win.

Don't Tell Your Lawyer!

Your Letter of Agreement is far more a marketing document than a legal one.

Powerful Presentations

Close the gap between a great design and the client's confidence in you.

"I was in such a slump..."

" It was well worth the investment of time and money. This Program constantly surprises you and takes you to the next level. It was life-changing. I was in such a slump and didn’t know why and felt very frustrated and even defeated. And within just a few weeks of learning and applying these methods I turned my entire business around and it’s been a fun experience as well as a successful one."

—Edwina Alexis, Interior Designer
Friendswood, TX

Learn to Love Sales

You won't need your plaid jacket and cigar when you learn what selling really is.

How to Tame Time

Whether you bill for hours, product, flat-fee, etc., all you really have is your time.

Procurement as Strategy

Most designers jump in and quickly get buried. Learn whether to offer buying at all.

How to Catch a Whale

No interior designer will create wealth without landing the occasional whale. Here's how.

What You'll Receive the Instant You Enroll

You'll receive an email on how to log into your personal IDMBA Portal where all of your resources will be waiting for you, as well as instructions on how to begin and complete the Program.

I'M READY TO ENROLL

Building Your Dashboard

The numbers you really need to know are not the ones your bookkeeper thinks!

Budgeting for Profit

With the help of Excel, you'll learn exact sales and expense levels for your profit goal.

Margin & Markup Math

No single mistake costs designers more on every job than getting this wrong!

The Time for Action

After completing this course, it will be time to implement. We'll get you started here.

Meet Your Instructor - David Shepherd
Design Business Expert; Master Teacher

David Shepherd brings the perfect resume to the task of making serious business principles easy, accessible, and highly-customized for interior designers. He will quickly teach you everything you need to know about running a profitable firm, and none of what you don't. Consider:

✅ 27 years in academia teaching small business courses including finance, strategy, technology, and family-owned business at two major universities.

✅ 24 years helping interior designers, from sole practitioners to principals of large firms, simplify their business models and create detailed action plans for sustained profitability.

✅ More than 4,300 interior designers have attended his live events;

✅ More than 400 design firm principals have worked with David as a member of a coaching network or individual consulting client.

✅ Hundreds of online courses sold on topics including pricing, cash flow, strategy, and his comprehensive Interior Design MBA Video Program.

"A genius; David gives you a roadmap for exactly what to do!"

—Corinne Brown
Brown Design Group

Are You Ready to Secure Your Financial Future?
Compare to Traditional "MBAs"

Why is the IDMBA Not Accredited?

To offer an accredited program, we would have to teach you endless subjects that are of no value to an interior design professional. For example, the Harvard and Stanford MBA programs have required courses in such fields as Big Data, Global Management, Derivatives, Six Sigma, and Tax Accounting! The IDMBA strips all that out and focuses only on what matters to YOU!

Enroll and Start Today!

Whether you choose one payment, or one of our convenient payment plans, start changing your future TODAY by enrolling in the Interior Design MBA Program!

ENROLL NOW
(This course could pay for itself in just one job!)

A Personal Guarantee from David Shepherd

This program is designed to pay for itself many times over when applied. That has been proven by interior designers for many years. I'm so certain of this, that if you work through the first four Units and conclude that the complete Interior Design MBA Program will not deliver a return on your investment, simply reach out and we will refund 100% of your tuition—no debate, no hard feelings.

That’s fair to you, and it ensures that those who enroll in the Program are serious and committed to invest the time.

101 LIFE-CHANGING BENEFITS YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS PROGRAM

See All 101 Benefits

Highest-Impact

Stop working harder every year just to feel financially stuck.
Build a business that supports your lifestyle instead of consuming it.
Make work optional someday—not by luck, but by design.
Gain clarity about how your business actually makes money—and why it sometimes doesn’t.
Stop letting clients, competitors, or fear put a ceiling on your earning potential.
Keep more of what you earn—without needing more clients.
Reduce financial anxiety by knowing exactly where you stand.
Raise prices with confidence—without apologizing or over-explaining.
Stop reacting to daily problems and start moving toward long-term freedom.
Feel confident about what your business should be earning at this stage of your life.

Strategic Clarity & Control

Understand why strategy matters more than talent, hustle, or experience.
Learn how successful firms earn more while doing less.
Stop copying competitors and start making intentional choices.
Focus on fewer, better clients instead of chasing everyone.
Build a business where daily work actually leads somewhere meaningful.
Learn how saying “no” can dramatically increase profitability.
Gain clarity about what truly differentiates you in the market.
Reduce overwhelm by narrowing what actually deserves your attention.
Feel grounded knowing your efforts are aligned with clear goals.
Turn confusion into calm by finally having a plan that makes sense.

Pricing, Profit & Money Confidence

Capture more profit from the work you’re already doing.
Learn how pricing affects profit far more than most designers realize.
Stop undercharging simply because you’re unsure what clients will tolerate.
Discover why the “right” price is about perception—not math.
Turn pricing into a strategic advantage instead of a constant worry.
Reclaim confidence in selling merchandise instead of avoiding it.
Stop leaving money on the table out of habit or fear.
Learn how to charge in ways that feel fair and profitable.
Understand exactly what “enough” income looks like for your life.
Break free from the belief that more sales automatically mean more profit.

Structure, Simplicity & Sanity

Right-size your firm so it fits your goals instead of trapping you.
Stop guessing whether your overhead is too high—or too low.
Design a structure that works in both busy and slow periods.
Avoid building a business that only survives in perfect conditions.
Eliminate unnecessary complexity that quietly drains your time and profits.
Learn how simplicity creates focus, power, and profitability.
Stop adding systems, tools, and processes that don’t really help.
Create breathing room by cutting what no longer serves you.
Reduce decision fatigue and mental clutter.
Build a business that feels lighter instead of heavier every year.

Cash Flow & Financial Peace of Mind

Stop confusing profit with cash—and avoid dangerous surprises.
Learn how to keep cash flowing even during slow periods.
Protect yourself from becoming your clients’ bank.
Gain peace of mind by knowing what’s coming in and going out.
Learn how better policies can instantly improve cash flow.
Make confident decisions without constant financial worry.
Finally understand your financial reports without becoming an accountant.
Know which numbers matter—and which ones don’t.
Stop being surprised by your own financial results.
Feel in control instead of dependent on others to explain your business.

Marketing, Selling & Client Selection

Attract clients who value you—and are willing to pay accordingly.
Approach marketing with intention instead of hope or desperation.
Stop the feast-and-famine cycle that creates constant stress.
Learn how much you can afford to spend to attract better clients.
Shift from “more leads” to “better opportunities.”
Present your services with confidence and clarity.
Help clients understand exactly what they’re paying for—and why.
Reduce hesitation and indecision during the sales process.
Stop losing projects due to unclear communication.
Feel comfortable selling without feeling “salesy.”

Hiring, Time & Operations

Hire with intention instead of desperation.
Understand the true cost of adding another person to your firm.
Avoid expensive hiring mistakes before they happen.
Build a team that supports you instead of overwhelming you.
Decide when hiring helps—and when it hurts.
Take control of your time instead of chasing it.
Stop losing billable hours to poor tracking or uncertainty.
Gain confidence invoicing without second-guessing yourself.
Ensure your experience and efficiency benefit you, not just the client.
Simplify operations so they don’t dominate your day.

Procurement, Agreements & Protection

Simplify procurement so it doesn’t run your business.
Decide whether procurement should support profit, lifestyle, or both.
Avoid systems that create more work than value.
Protect your time while maintaining a professional client experience.
Turn agreements into tools that support clarity and trust.
Reduce misunderstandings before projects even begin.
Set expectations that protect both you and the client.
Learn how to discuss money and process without tension.
Avoid conflicts that drain energy and time.
Create agreements that feel clear, professional, and fair.

Execution, Momentum & The Future

Turn strategy into clear, manageable daily actions.
Stop spinning your wheels and start making progress that matters.
Know exactly what to work on—and what to ignore.
Replace constant busyness with focused momentum.
Feel confident that your daily actions actually matter.
Build habits that quietly compound into real results.
Stop relying on motivation and start relying on structure.
Create forward motion without burnout.
Build a business that grows calmer—not more chaotic—over time.
Gain confidence that you’re moving toward something real.

The Deeper Payoff

Build a business that gives you more time, energy, and enthusiasm.
Design a career that still works as you get older.
Stop feeling trapped by the business you built.
Replace uncertainty with quiet confidence.
Feel proud of how your business actually runs.
Know that your success is intentional—not accidental.
Create financial breathing room instead of constant pressure.
Build long-term security without sacrificing the present.
Trust yourself to make better decisions going forward.
Experience what it feels like when your business finally works for you.
Create a clear path from where you are today to true professional freedom.