In this episode, I sit down with Dixie Willard, founder of Poised and Plumb for a candid conversation about the two essential forces that drive a thriving design business: marketing and systems. Marketing brings in clients, but systems keep them happy.
Key Takeaways:
You can connect with Dixie on IG at: poisedandplumb
Looking to get to break your income ceiling in your interior design business? Apply to the Luxury Client Academy here: https://luxuryclientacademy.com/
To get great referrals, you can be visible, you can spark interest...but if those referrals don’t convert into real buyers, your referral machine stalls right there.
In Part 4 (the final episode of this series), we’re closing the Purchase Gap, the reason you might be getting leads, but not landing clients at the level you want.
Because referrals aren’t the finish line, they're the starting line.
And if the people being sent your way aren’t ready to buy, don’t have the budget, or don’t understand your value — the system breaks.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
When Visibility, Interest, and Purchase are aligned, referrals stop being random and start being reliable, and closing becomes the obvious next step!
Want the full Referral Machine installed in your business?
Join me live for Double Your Referrals on Dec 3rd at 12PM Eastern.
I’ll teach this entire framework, plus scripts and templates you can implement immediately. Sign up link is below 👇
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
Ever leave a networking event thinking, “That was such a good connection!”…and then nothing happens?
In Part 3 of this 4-part Referral Machine series, we’re closing the Interest Gap, the reason promising conversations don’t turn into real business.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Next up:
✅ [Part 4] The Purchase Problem, turning referrals into qualified luxury buyers!
And if you want the scripts, framework, and live coaching to make interest effortless, join me for Double Your Referrals on Dec 3rd at 12PM Eastern, it's free, live, and built to get your referral machine moving. Sign up link is below 👇
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
If your referrals have been slow, unpredictable, or packed with the wrong kind of inquiries, this episode is going to make everything click.
In Part 2 of the series, I'm closing the Visibility Gap, the reason so many talented designers stay the best-kept secret in their market even when their clients are thrilled.
This episode breaks down how to get visible in the right places to the right people, so referrals become consistent and scalable.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Next up:
✅ [Part 3] The Interest Gap, how to turn promising connections into real follow-through and referrals.
And if you want the scripts, framework, and live coaching to make visibility effortless, join me for Double Your Referrals on Dec 3rd at 12PM Eastern, it's free, live, and built to get your referral machine moving. Sign up link is below 👇
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
If your referrals feel slow, unpredictable, or like they’re coming from the wrong people, there’s a reason, and it has nothing to do with your talent.
In Part 1 of this 4-part series, I’m breaking down the three gaps that are the leaks in your referral pipeline, the places where momentum stalls and opportunities never convert.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1) Why your referral system feels random (even when you’re “doing all the things”).
2) The 3 gaps that keep referrals from flowing:
3) The VIP Method that closes the gaps and creates a simple system so referrals stop being accidental and start being predictable.
If you want high-quality referrals that turn into real buyers, start here.
This episode sets the foundation for the series, and shows you exactly what needs to change before the phone starts ringing consistently.
Next up:
✅ [Part 2] Visibility Gap, how to stop being the best-kept secret and get seen by the right partners.
And if you want the scripts, framework, and live coaching to make referrals effortless, join me for Double Your Referrals on Dec 3rd at 12PM Eastern, it's free, live, and built to get your referral machine moving. Sign up link is below 👇
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
If you want more referrals but it's just not happening, here's what you need to know. Most designers either stay invisible (because they don’t know what to say), or they jump in too fast, asking for business before any trust exists.
You need to go on a date before you get married. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact process for building profitable, predictable referral partnerships without being pushy, awkward, or overly forward.
You'll learn:
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
📣 Don’t Miss my Free Live Workshop
If this episode lights a fire under you (and it will!), make sure you join me for my upcoming free workshop:
Double Your Referrals: December 3rd, 12pm Eastern
I’ll teach you the exact steps to build referral partnerships that send you clients 24/7.
Sign up here: Elevateinnercircle Double Your Referrals https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
If you’re a designer who’s tired of showing up at random events, or waiting for client referrals to “hopefully” turn into business…this episode is for you!
I’m breaking down the real story of how one designer went from totally stuck and exhausted, to generating a $12K design fee in just two weeks…PLUS opening doors to opportunities she never imagined. All from one strategic shift in how she networked.
Inside this episode, I'll unpack:
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
If your inbox has been quiet and the phone hasn’t rung in weeks, you’re not alone. Every interior designer hits a dry spell at some point. But if it’s been months and zero new projects, this episode is your wake-up call.
Sign up for my FREE workshop: Double your referrals: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7, 12/3, 12pm Eastern
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
I share what’s really going on when leads disappear, and it’s not just the economy. (Although yes, cycles are real!) Whether you’ve been relying on the phone to “just ring,” or you’ve lost touch with your past clients and trade partners, this episode will help you course-correct, without panicking.
You’ll learn:
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
Feeling scattered? Disorganized? Wondering if you’re too all over the place to even work with a coach? Maybe you’re exactly where you need to be.
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
In this episode, I share how the chaos in your business often mirrors that big pile of laundry we all dread - everything jumbled together, overwhelming, and impossible to sort through.
I share how to take your business from from “dumped on the floor” to “sorted, folded, and put away” in your marketing and operations, one intentional system at a time.
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd 12pm Eastern (11am Central/10am Mountain/9am Pacific)
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
https://elevateinnercircle.com/double-your-referrals
Applications now open for the Luxury Client Academy. Apply here https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
*Get a seat in my new workshop: Double your REFERRALS*
If your client referrals have dried up and the thought of being more visible makes you want to throw up, is episode is for you.
Today, we’re diving into why client referrals aren’t a sustainable strategy, what’s really behind the fear of marketing yourself, and how to reconnect with creativity and curiosity so that marketing starts to feel natural, aligned, and even… fun.
You'll learn:
New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd!
Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7
12pm Eastern.
In this episode, I dive into how to sustain effective marketing momentum in the final quarter of the year. With the holiday season approaching, I talk about why NOW is the PERFECT time to stay visible, connect with potential clients, and strengthen referral relationships.
Open Office Hours this FRIDAY! 10/17 12:00 Eastern. Free and open to all coaching clients and non-clients. RSVP to the next session here: pam@elevateinnercircle.com
Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
This episode kicks off Week 3 of my October Open Office Hours, a 4-week live series all about falling back in love with your business again. RSVP here: pam@elevateinnercircle.com
Feeling overwhelmed by all the events, expos, and networking invites?
In this episode, I’m helping you sort the signal from the noise so your time spent networking actually leads to relationships, referrals, and great work...not just another stack of business cards.
We’ll talk about:
• The 3 types of rooms, and which ones to prioritize
• How to spot the right collaborators fast (without the pitch)
• What conversation themes actually uncover fit and values
If you’ve ever walked into an event and thought, “Why am I even here?”, this one’s for you!
Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
This episode kicks off Week 2 of my October Open Office Hours, a 4-week live series all about falling back in love with your business again.
RSVP here: pam@elevateinnercircle.com
In this episode, I go over what this week's live zoom session will be like, how it can help you get unstuck and why you need to be there!
Office hours:
When: Friday, Oct 10 @ 2PM Eastern
Topic: Finding Clients When Your Pipeline Feels Crunchy
How: Free, casual, and open to anyone (not just clients!)
I'm hosting these sessions as a mix of market research + meaningful conversation, a space to share what’s really working (and what’s not) when it comes to getting clients.
👉 Want to join?
Email me, DM on IG @pameladurkin
Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
Bigger isn’t always better, it’s just…bigger. And sometimes, it’s a whole lot messier.
In this episode of the Six Figure Designer Podcast, I’m sharing why the most profitable and fulfilling design businesses aren’t the ones chasing more staff, more projects, and more hustle. They’re the ones making intentional choices about which clients to serve, how to market, and who to network with.
You’ll hear the story of a designer who looked “successful” on paper with 23 projects, but was underpaid and stuck on the hamster wheel.
After repositioning her for better projects, everything shifted. Fewer jobs. Bigger profits. More breathing room.
If you’re juggling a full plate of projects, constantly working, but still not seeing the profit you want, take a listen as I dive into what it really takes to thrive as a lean, boutique design business.
Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
In today’s episode, I'm diving into a pattern I see far too often: changing your own boundaries before the client even asks you to.
Whether it’s squeezing in more rooms for the same fee or downplaying the real time and expertise your work requires, I'm going to talk about why this happens, how it shows up in your business, and what to do about it.
You'll learn:
Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com
If you’ve ever hired a coach, or considered it, and felt unsure if it was really going to move the needle in your business, this episode is for you.
I pull back the curtain on how my coaching inside the Luxury Client Academy is intentionally designed to be different, and why it works. No fluff. No general advice. Just deep, individualized support that actually helps you grow a luxury-level, referral-driven design business.
You’ll hear:
If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of “figuring it out,” this episode will show you what it looks like to finally move forward with a clear plan, strong support, and me in your corner who treats your business like it's my own.
Learn all about the Luxury Client Academy with the apply link below.
Applications now OPEN for the Luxury Client Academy until FRIDAY 9/19 >> Apply here!
What if the key to more dream projects isn’t being everywhere online... but being unforgettable to the right people locally?
In today’s episode, I shares how 50 Mile Fame is the real secret to consistent, high-quality referrals in 2025, and why it beats chasing Instagram trends every single time.
You’ll hear:
Whether you're feeling invisible in your community or just overwhelmed by all the online noise, this episode will ground you in what works, relationships, trust, and intentional visibility.
Inside the Luxury Client Academy, we take this even further:
This isn’t fluff. This is how you become known, trusted, and booked in the circles that matter.
Be sure to apply with the link below!
Learn all about the Luxury Client Academy with the apply link below.
Applications now OPEN for the Luxury Client Academy until FRIDAY 9/19 >> Apply here!
In this short but powerful episode, I shine light on the three biggest fears designers have when deciding whether to join the Luxury Client Academy:
If you’re stuck in a cycle of second-guessing, taking on the wrong projects, or simply treading water, this episode will help you step back and ask:
“What is it really costing me to stay where I am?”
💡In this Episode, you'll learn:
🎁Bonus mentioned:
Apply for the Luxury Client Academy by Friday, 9/19 to get:
Learn all about the Luxury Client Academy with the apply link below.
Applications now OPEN for the Luxury Client Academy until FRIDAY 9/19 >> Apply here!
As designers, we pride ourselves on being resourceful, so it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we should be able to figure it all out on our own. But what’s that mindset really costing you?
In this episode, I break down the true price of staying stuck in DIY mode, and how trying to “do it all yourself” is actually delaying your growth, draining your energy, and keeping you from the clients and projects you really want.
You’ll hear:
If you’re tired of piecing it all together alone and ready to finally realize those financial and project goals, this episode is for you!
Apply for Luxury Client Academy elevateinnercircle.com/lca-sales
Watch the Rapid Referrals Replay https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/OTBPWyIonOC1Ipf0X0o3T2PKJCjycLoKKblEbRfaUFUS7f2Sv-B4aNcOI0_vIap2.HU6suBb3qRjLdR2a?startTime=1757519765000
Listen to the Rapid Referrals Replay https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rapid-referrals-challenge-replay/id1687347465?i=1000725956042
The Replay is only available for a few more days!
Applications now OPEN for the Luxury Client Academy >> Apply here!
If you’ve been banking on client word-of-mouth, this episode is your reset. I’m sharing the referral system that changed my business and why 90% of my best projects came from industry partners.
In this episode:
🎟️ Join the Rapid Referrals Challenge on Sept 10 @ 12pm ET, I’ll help you pick your top partner and give you fill-in-the-blank scripts to reach out while we are in the room.
Grab your seat here https://elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge
💼 Curious about working 1 on 1 together? Explore the Luxury Client Academy here Elevateinnercircleelevateinnercircle.com/lca-sales
Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: https://elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge
Applications now OPEN for the Luxury Client Academy >> Apply here!