Our Services

In business for yourself, but not by yourself

What Sets
Us Apart

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Just like your designs are custom to your clients, your business is successful when it is built for you.

The Collective was created to support interior designers with tailored, industry-specific guidance that honors the many ways a design business can succeed. We’ve coached designers using a wide range of business models, and we help you build the one that fits your goals, clients, values, and life.

What sets us apart:

  • Personalized Guidance (Not Templates)
    We don’t hand you a framework and send you on your way. We work with you to create solutions that are aligned, realistic, and right for your business.

  • Industry-Specific Perspective
    We understand the nuances of interior design businesses (pricing structures, procurement realities, client dynamics, and growth paths) because we’ve seen them work in many forms.

  • Boutique, Founder-Led Support
    When you work with The Collective, you work directly with Erin and Keri. No hand-offs. No layers. Just thoughtful, consistent support.

  • Partnership Over Prescription
    We listen before we advise. We ask better questions. And we help you make decisions with clarity and confidence. So your business grows in a way that actually feels good.

This isn’t about doing more.
It’s about building a business that works for you.

Our Services

You don’t have to figure out the business side alone.
You were never meant to.

Group of six women standing in a brightly lit room, with a text overlay reading 'Business Foundations Program'. Erin Hildmann, business coach with The Collective for Designers standing with a group of Foundations Program Graduates

Our signature business coaching program for interior designers ready to build a business that’s structured, protected, and sustainable.

Best for designers who want:

  • Clarity around their business direction

  • Systems that support their time and creativity

  • Confidence in pricing, processes, and decisions

  • A solid foundation before scaling

Business Foundations is our signature business coaching program for interior designers who are ready to stop guessing and start building with intention.

Most designers were never taught how to run a business, whether in design school or while working for another firm. Foundations fills in those gaps, helping you create a business that’s aligned, profitable, and built to last.

“Build a design business that works for you, not the other way around.”

  • Foundations walks you through the core areas every design business needs—without overwhelm or generic advice.

    Inside the program, we focus on:

    • Target Audience & Positioning
      Get clear on who you serve, why they choose you, and how to communicate your value.

    • Brand & Online Presence
      Align your brand, messaging, and visibility so the right clients find you.

    • Pricing & Profitability
      Build pricing models that reflect your value and support your financial goals.

    • Processes & Systems
      Streamline workflows, client experience, and internal operations.

    • Legal Safeguards
      Establish contracts, boundaries, and protections that support long-term stability.

    • Tech & Tools
      Choose and implement tools like Dubsado, QuickBooks, and Canva with intention.

    • Sales, Marketing & Networking
      Create sustainable ways to attract and convert aligned clients.

    • Understanding Your Numbers
      Build confidence in your financials so you can make informed decisions.

  • By the end of Foundations, you’ll have:

    • A clear business roadmap

    • Systems that support your time and energy

    • Confidence in pricing and decision-making

    • A business built on structure, not stress

    • A foundation you can grow from with intention

    • Interior designers who want to build their business on a solid foundation

    • Designers stepping out of survival mode

    • Creative entrepreneurs ready to invest in clarity and structure

    • Designers who value guidance, integrity, and community over competition

    • Personalized coaching

    • Industry-specific guidance

    • Practical implementation (not just theory)

    • Available as 1:1 coaching or small-group cohort

Three women sitting at a table with a laptop, engaged in a business strategy session.

A supportive, in-person–first community for interior designers who value connection, perspective, and shared growth.

Best for designers who want:

  • Ongoing connection with peers who understand the business of design

  • A sounding board for decisions and ideas

  • Perspective beyond their own four walls

  • Growth rooted in collaboration, not competition

Strategy Sessions provide focused, one-on-one business coaching for interior designers facing a specific challenge or decision point. These sessions are ideal when you need space to think, talk through options, and leave with a clear path forward.

Whether you’re refining pricing, reworking your process, or navigating a leadership decision, Strategy Sessions are designed to meet you where you are and support intentional progress.

“When you need clarity, perspective, and a plan (without committing to a full program).”

  • Every session is personalized, but common topics include:

    • Pricing strategy and client buy-in

    • Process breakdowns and workflow inefficiencies

    • Client fit, boundaries, and communication

    • Systems and tools (Dubsado, QuickBooks, Canva, AI, and more)

    • Contracts, legal safeguards, and professionalism

    • Moving out of reaction mode and into leadership

    • Developing Processes and Standard Operating Procedures to scale your business

    • Knowing when and how to hire well

  • By the end of your session, you’ll have:

    • Clear perspective on what’s working and what’s not

    • Confidence in your next best step

    • A practical, personalized action plan

    • Renewed momentum grounded in clarity

    • Interior designers ready to make changes in their business

    • Designers facing a specific challenge or decision

    • Creative entrepreneurs who want guidance without long-term commitment

    • Designers who value thoughtful, industry-specific insight

    • Duration: ~60+ minutes

    • Format: Virtual

    • Availability: Limited; sessions are typically booked several weeks in advance

    One intentional conversation can change how you lead your business.

Group of six women standing in a brightly lit room, with a text overlay reading 'Business Foundations Program'. Erin Hildmann, business coach with The Collective for Designers standing with a group of Foundations Program Graduates

A supportive, in-person–first community for interior designers who value connection, perspective, and shared growth.

Best for designers who want:

  • Ongoing connection with peers who understand the business of design

  • A sounding board for decisions and ideas

  • Perspective beyond their own four walls

  • Growth rooted in collaboration, not competition

Running a design business can feel isolating, especially when you’re making decisions behind the scenes with no one to talk them through. Community Membership creates a consistent space for interior designers to connect, learn, and grow alongside peers and industry experts.

This is not a drop-in networking group. It’s a structured, supportive community designed to offer real insight into how other designers run their businesses. So you gain clarity, confidence, and perspective over time.

“Because better business is built together.”

  • Community Membership blends in-person connection with virtual support to meet you where you are.

    As a member, you’ll have access to:

    • Weekly In-Person & Virtual Round-Ups
      Stay connected through consistent, low-pressure touchpoints.

    • Open Office Sessions
      Drop in, ask questions, and get real-time support.

    • Expert Deep Dives
      Learn from guest experts and apply insights directly to your business.

    • Peer Reviews & Collaboration
      Get a second set of eyes before presenting big ideas to clients.

    • Social & Support Circles
      Connect through coffee breaks, shared work time, and informal conversation.

    • Vendor Lunch & Learns
      Build relationships with trusted industry partners.

    • Group Chat Access
      Ongoing support and real-time feedback between sessions.

    • Preferred Vendor List
      Access a curated list of trusted vendors and resources.

  • Our community is anchored by consistent touchpoints, including:

    • 1st & 3rd Tueday - Collective: Open Office
      Drop in, ask questions, get support.

    • 2nd Tuesday - Collective: Expert Deep Dives
      Learn from guest speakers and implement together.

    • 4th Tuesday - Collective: Coffee + Collaboration
      Mix, mingle, and share with fellow designers.

  • Over time, members often experience:

    • Less isolation and more confidence in decisions

    • Greater perspective on how other designers operate

    • Increased clarity around next steps

    • A renewed sense of inspiration and momentum

    • Interior designers and Creative Entrepreneurs in or near Denver Colorado.

    • Designers craving connection without comparison

    • Creative entrepreneurs who value integrity, collaboration, and growth

    • Designers who want ongoing support alongside other coaching or programs

    We are better together—as individuals, as designers, as a community.

  • "Joining the Collective was the best decision I made for myself and my business. You don’t have to do this alone, and with this group, you never will. If you’re even thinking about joining, that’s your sign. This program will meet you exactly where you are, and then help you go so much further than you imagined."

    Christie Arena, Christie Lori Design & Interiors

  • “Foundations helped me launch my business and get off the ground faster than I ever could have on my own. The individualized coaching helped me explore different ways of doing things and choose what felt like the best fit for me.”

    Lauren Winter, Saltbox Design Co

  • “I wouldn’t have a streamlined process, contracts, or pricing confidence without The Collective. Their guidance expedited everything and helped me build my business the right way.”

    Brittany Krieg, BODHI Interiors

  • "I feel supported and more confident in my ability to run my business after Tuesday Roundups. The emotional support and the suggestions can shift me from feeling overwhelmed and stressed, to excited to keep going. Not only do I feel better leaving the meetings but often are given tangible goals and tasks that I can do immediately."

    Ann Marie Winkler, Huron Interiors

  • “Erin and Keri helped me locate my blind spots, develop efficiencies, and provided a community that’s been a game changer for my business. I can’t recommend them enough.”

    Mary Engelken, Mary Engelken Interiors

Erin and Keri consulting interior designer on business strategy, all three look at a laptop together while Erin Hildmann points at the screen

Let’s Work Together

We are thrilled to "meet" you and cannot wait to hear more about you and the future of your design business. Schedule a  quick call with us to talk more about your hopes and hurdles, our process, and answer any questions you may have. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you’re building or rebuilding the foundation of your business, Business Foundations offers the most comprehensive support.
    If you’re facing a specific challenge or decision, Strategy Sessions provide focused, one-on-one guidance.
    If you’re in or around Denver and looking for ongoing connection, perspective, and shared learning, Community Membership offers consistent support.

    If you’re unsure, we’ll help you determine the best fit during a discovery call.

  • Yes. We work with interior designers in their first few years of business as well as those who’ve been established but want more clarity, structure, or confidence.

    Our approach adapts to where you are. There’s no “right stage” required.

  • No. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter business models.

    While we use proven best practices, everything we do is tailored to your goals, clients, values, and capacity. We help you evaluate options and build what fits your version of success.

  • When you work with The Collective, you work directly with Erin and Keri.

    We’re a boutique, founder-led firm. That means no hand-offs, no junior coaches. You’ll receive thoughtful, hands-on support from the people who built the Collective.

  • While our community includes in-person gatherings in Denver, we work with interior designers across the U.S.

    Strategy Sessions and Business Foundations are offered virtually, and Community Membership includes in-person support.

  • Each service is designed with a different level of commitment:

    • Community Membership: 3-month minimum

    • Business Foundations: 10-week program (1:1 or small group cohort)

    • Strategy Sessions: Booked individually, as needed

    This allows you to choose the level of support that fits your needs right now.

  • Our services are designed to meet designers at different stages:

    • Community Membership: $250/month

    • Business Foundations: $3,000 (cohort) or $5,000 (1:1)

    • Strategy Sessions: Starting at $250/session

    We’re happy to walk through options and help you decide what makes sense during a discovery call.

  • Start with a 30-minute discovery call. We’ll talk through your goals, challenges, and determine whether working together is the right next step.