EP 506 | How to Build a More Profitable Interior Design Firm with Christine Babini and Amy Pariser

Starting an interior design firm takes more than design talent. It takes a clear vision, smart business decisions, and systems that support the work. But how do you build a firm that can take on different types of projects, manage changing client expectations, and remain profitable?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Christine Babini and Amy Pariser, co-founders of Parini, an award-winning interior design firm based in Detroit. They share how they built their business from the ground up, expanded from hospitality into residential and commercial design, and why detailed time tracking and the right fee structure are essential to understanding profitability.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to build a firm around the business you want to become, even when you're just starting out
• Why diversifying project types can create greater stability in an interior design business
• How detailed time tracking helps you price projects, forecast workload, and protect profit
• Why Christine and Amy shifted to time-based billing for residential projects as scope and timelines change
• How client and vendor relationships can lead to new project opportunities across residential and commercial design
• Why clear fee expectations and regular communication help keep clients and projects aligned

Design Intervention: Use your energy when you have it. Amy shares why business owners should take advantage of those moments of motivation to tackle the work that needs to get done. Christine's advice? Position yourself as the firm you want to become—and have the confidence to claim your seat at the table.

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About Christine Babini and Amy Pariser

Amy Pariser and Christine Babini are the co-founders and partners of PARINI, a Detroit-based interior design studio specializing in hospitality, commercial, and residential design. The pair met in 2014 while working at the same design firm, and a serendipitous trip to Iceland sparked conversations about building something of their own.

In 2018, they launched PARINI with $2,000 from their personal savings, two new laptops, and a shared entrepreneurial vision. Since then, Amy and Christine have grown the studio into a dynamic team with an expanding portfolio of award-winning projects, bringing a thoughtful, hospitality-driven approach to spaces ranging from hotels and restaurants to residences and large-scale developments.

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