David Shepherd, MBA, University Professor, Interior Design Business & Strategy Consultant

Over 400 Clients

From sole practitioners to principals of 40-person firms, I've  worked closely with designers experiencing every possible threat and opportunity. More than 4,000 other designers have attended my live conferences. 

20+ Years Developing Solutions

I've worked to develop specific solutions for interior designers that can speed them through a major challenge and on to the next exciting stage. These include my Situation Audit, designed to evaluate every aspect of your firm and make specific improvements, to my ActionMaps designed to create a strategy that truly separates you from the pack. 

Designing Your Future—a 90-day, comprehensive consulting engagement

For design firm principals who are ready to stop guessing, and move forward toward their goals with a clear and effective new strategy.

 Total Investment

$16,500 

$5,500 per 30-day phase · invoiced at the outset of each.

Phase I · The Situation Audit · Days 1–30

No physician prescribes before examining. The Situation Audit is designed to uncover your firm's strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats. This is done through questionnaires, document and financial analysis, individual video interviews (as needed) and a comparison to the best practices of high-performing design firms nationwide. This Phase results in a detailed written report (typically 20-30 pages) which we review together in an extensive video presentation session.

Phase II · The Scenario Builder · Days 31–60

Prepare to have your brain stretched in this wide-open brainstorming Phase. Here, we will discuss not just the type of business model you've built, but many others that you potentially could build, including ones you have likely never considered. (Based on Phase I results.)

I've laid out for clients the possibility of moving from residential to commercial, from all-purpose to specialization, from one location to several, and getting rid of (or adding) operations like retail and online sales. One client bought a moving truck and dominated her remote market. Another opened a branch in another state. Others have branched into providing interiors for yachts, jets, and movie sets. 

And maybe, you want to continue doing exactly what you're doing, just more efficiently and more profitably. That's fine, too, but at least you'll do so with a new focus and commitment to the long-term. This Phase also concludes with a detailed written report and video presentation. 

Phase III · The Strategic Plan · Days 61-90

 Strategy without implementation is aspiration. Phase III delivers your ActionMap — linking your firm's most critical activities directly to its highest goals, with sequence, measures, and timeline. Concludes with a final cumulative report and closing presentation.

At this point, we have not only designed your future, but given a detailed, step-by-step means of achieving it! 

Who is a good fit?

✓ An interior design firm owner with 3+ years of operations

✓ Generating revenue of at least $250,000 a year, up to $5 million

✓ Ready to be honest about what's not working

✓ Willing to devote some time up front to providing the materials I will need.

✓ Know that you can succeed and achieve your highest goals if you just have a clear path.

Who might not be a good fit?

✓Micro managers. During this process, you may not hear from me for a week or two. Much of the work I do is taking the data provided up front and comparing and contrasting it against my extensive knowledge library. I may spend 10 hours on research and analysis for every 1 I spend communicating directly with you. You have to trust the process.

✓ For most, 90 days is the perfect timeframe. If, however, you are in a true turnaround situation (cash crunch) let me know, and perhaps we can accelerate a slightly different turnaround paln.