How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm, : A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects

✍ Scribed by Albert W. Rubeling FAIA

• Publisher: Allworth Press
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 257
• Edition: Second Edition
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

For interior designers and architects who have always dreamed of having their own design firm…this book can make that dream a reality. How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm takes readers step-by-step through the process of establishing a business, from developing a business plan to running an office. This comprehensive guide is packed with nuts-and-bolts information on such topics as getting financing, setting fees, establishing a client base, advertising and marketing, dealing with insurance and banking, and getting accounting and legal assistance. There’s even valuable help with the psychological challenges of starting a business—fear, risk, guilt, success. Filled with real-life success stories, business checklists, and self-evaluation forms, this invaluable guide offers everything designers and architects need to make their dreams come true.

✦ Table of Contents

Title Page......Page 2
Copyright Page......Page 3
Table of Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 8
Acknowledgments......Page 11
PART 1: Making the Decision......Page 14
1 SO YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN DESIGN FIRM?......Page 16
2 FACING THE HARD QUESTIONS......Page 22
PART 2: The Reality of a Start......Page 36
3 INVESTING IN YOURSELF......Page 38
4 VISION AND GOAL SETTING......Page 42
5 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS......Page 48
6 BANKING CONSIDERATIONS......Page 84
7 MARKETING CONSIDERATIONS......Page 96
8 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS......Page 124
9 INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS......Page 136
10 OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS......Page 150
PART 3: Getting Down to Business......Page 164
11 DEVELOPING PRELIMINARY BUSINESS AND MARKETING PLANS......Page 166
12 FEAR, RISK, AND GUILT......Page 182
13 SUCCESS......Page 200
14 THE FUTURE......Page 208
Recommended Readings......Page 228
Appendix A: Sample Design Proposal......Page 230
Appendix B: Glossary of Accounting Terms......Page 238
Appendix C: Glossary of Legal Terms......Page 242
Appendix D: Glossary of Banking Terms......Page 244
Appendix E: Glossary of Insurance Terms......Page 246
About the Author......Page 252
Index......Page 253