24. What Designers Get Wrong When They Go Out on Their Own with Georgia Economakis

After nearly 30 years in the interior design industry, Georgia — founder of Designs by Georgia — reached a pivotal moment: stay comfortable, or take the leap into business ownership.In this episode, Georgia and host Ronniesha Rivera have an honest, no-fluff conversation about what it actually takes to start and run a sustainable design firm — especially at the construction and kitchen & bath level, where liability, budgets, and boundaries matter more than aesthetics.Georgia shares why hiring an accountant first (before your first job!) is non-negotiable, why designers must bring in a lawyer early to draft contracts that protect them, and how blurry roles with contractors can quickly become a legal nightmare. Together, they break down how to set firm boundaries, qualify clients during discovery calls, identify red flags within minutes, and confidently walk away when a project isn’t the right fit.The conversation also dives deep into the realities of kitchen and bath design — from why it’s a highly specialized discipline, to how Georgia sets realistic remodel budgets starting at $100K+, manages client expectations, and communicates costs without fear or apology.If you’re a designer thinking about going out on your own, transitioning into kitchen and bath, or tightening up your business systems to protect your time, energy, and liability — this episode is a must-listen.You can find Georgia at:https://www.designsbygeorgia.com/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaeconomakis?igsh=YmRxYmd2aTF3c2c%3DThis Episode was brought to you by Vetted by DesignIf you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.www.vetted-bydesign.comhttps://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & InstagramFounders & Friends InstagramFounders & Friends FB group*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry