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Six Figure Designer
Pam Durkin
130 episodes
2 days ago
Struggling to find great clients and design projects? Not making enough money and struggling to manage the projects you have? This is the show for YOU!
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All content for Six Figure Designer is the property of Pam Durkin and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Struggling to find great clients and design projects? Not making enough money and struggling to manage the projects you have? This is the show for YOU!
Show more...
Design
Arts,
Business,
Marketing
Episodes (20/130)
Six Figure Designer
Ep 129: Fall in Love with VISIBILTY (Without the Ick)

*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:

  • Why relying on client referrals keeps you stuck in reactive mode, and what to do instead.
  • The emotional truth behind why marketing feels “salesy” (hint: it’s not about strategy).
  • How to work through the discomfort of showing up online instead of scrapping everything and starting over.
  • Why perfectionism is just fear wearing nice clothes.
  • How to bring your creativity and curiosity into your marketing so it feels authentic, not exhausting.

New Workshop coming Wednesday, December 3rd!

Double your REFERRALS: 3 Simple Steps to get partners that refer clients 24/7

12pm Eastern.

Grab your seat here!

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5 days ago
39 minutes 2 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 128: Missing the Mark on Marketing? Top 3 MISTAKES I See Designers Making

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

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2 weeks ago
32 minutes 38 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 127: How to Network Without WASTING Your Time

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

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3 weeks ago
25 minutes 16 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 126: Is your pipeline getting CRUNCHY?

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

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1 month ago
9 minutes

Six Figure Designer
Ep 125: Small but MIGHTY: A Smarter Way to Run Your Design Business

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

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1 month ago
34 minutes 10 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 124: Client-First Doesn’t Mean You Come SECOND

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:

  • Being “client-centric” doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. When you lower your standards to be helpful, you’re not serving your client, you’re diluting your value.
  • If your offers aren’t clearly defined, you’ll constantly be negotiating them on the fly. Clarity for you = confidence for them.
  • You don’t need to justify your pricing, you need to own it. Stop explaining, start leading.
  • Practice matters. Walking through real client questions in advance makes you sharper and more grounded when it counts.

Get on the Luxury Client Academy Waitlist: https://www.luxuryclientacademy.com


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1 month ago
25 minutes 33 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 123: What I DO That Most Coaches Don’t

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:

  • Why accountability is only part of the equation (and what most coaches miss)
  • The 5 specific things I deliver that help designers earn back their investment 10x over
  • How my process is structured to get you clarity fast and keep you moving
  • What a real business audit looks like, and why it’s the first thing we do together
  • The power of consistent, customized coaching every two weeks (with real-time access between calls!)
  • Why being “organized” isn’t a bonus—it’s the backbone of real business growth

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!

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1 month ago
12 minutes 49 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 122: How to Become 50 Mile FAMOUS

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:

  • What “50 Mile Famous” actually means (and how it changed Pam’s business)
  • Why vendor relationships still outperform social media
  • How to build trust with builders, realtors, editors & more in your local area
  • The Shock & Awe Box strategy for making a lasting impression
  • What you really need to become the go-to designer in your market

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:

  • Build your Top 10 Referral List
  • Design your custom Shock & Awe Box
  • Set up follow-up systems that keep you top-of-mind
  • And learn how to position yourself as the designer every vendor wants to refer

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!

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1 month ago
12 minutes 50 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 121: Worried? Will the LCA work for you?

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:

  1. 💸 The Investment: Is it really worth $6K?
  2. ⏰ The Time: Can I fit this in when I’m already maxed out?
  3. 💭 The Confidence Gap: What if I can’t do this... or what if Pam can’t help me?

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:

  • Why investing in the right help isn’t a risk, it’s the key to unlocking more profit, confidence, and clarity
  • What time-smart support really looks like inside the Academy (hint: no fluff, no busywork)
  • Why you don’t need to “feel ready” to start, just willing to build the business you actually want
  • The truth about why you’ve had some great clients, but not enough of them, and how to fix that

🎁Bonus mentioned:

Apply for the Luxury Client Academy by Friday, 9/19 to get:

  • A 30-day money-back guarantee
  • A bonus ticket to the in-person Naples Experience

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!

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1 month ago
8 minutes 33 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 120: The Hidden COST of “I’ll Just Figure It Out Myself”

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:

  • The 3 most overlooked costs of figuring it out yourself (time, money, and confidence)
  • What shifts happen when you get real support (and stop second-guessing every move)
  • How the Luxury Client Academy helps designers attract aligned, high-trust clients again and again

 

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!

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1 month ago
32 minutes 15 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 119: The Referral System That Saved My Calendar, My Sanity & My Profit

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:

  • Learn who gets the first call in your market—and why you need to be in their orbit
  • Avoid the “one-basket” trap and diversify where your projects come from
  • Get my approach to outreach that feels genuine (not salesy) and actually gets replies

 

🎟️ 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!

Show more...
2 months ago
33 minutes 3 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 118: From Winging It to LEADING It: How Audra Transformed Her Discovery Calls

Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge

 

In this episode, I’m sharing how Audra, one of the incredible members inside the Luxury Client Academy, completely changed the way she approaches discovery calls.


She used to go in unsure, trying to say the “right” thing and hoping it would land. Now?

She shows up as the expert.

She leads the call with intention.

And her clients feel the shift.


Here’s what we break down in this episode:

  • What changes when you stop “winging it” and start leading the call
  • How confidence and clarity build trust (and close better clients)
  • Why discovery calls aren’t about impressing, they’re about qualifying
  • Audra’s exact mindset shift that helped her step into leadership
  • How to know if your discovery call is working for you, or against you

If you’ve ever walked away from a client call feeling unsure, undervalued, or like you gave too much away… this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air!

 

If you've been looking to change how you've been getting business, then check out my Luxury Client Academy, doors open soon!

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
52 minutes 42 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 117a: Design Is Better Together: With ASID CEO Khoi Vo

In this special episode recorded live at ASID’s National Conference, Gather, I got to sit down with ASID CEO Khoi Vo and talk about the enduring value of a professional community in a fast-paced, digital world.

 

On point for celebrating celebrating 50 years of design leadership, you’ll hear Khoi’s perspective on why in-person connection still matters, what makes gatherings like this irreplaceable, and how ASID continues to serve designers at every stage of their journey.

 

It highlights how meaningful connection is what drives a sustainable, joyful design business.

 

If you’re a small-but-mighty designer who wants to grow through relationships, this episode will remind you: design is better together!

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
11 minutes 22 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 117: Why Gatherings Matter: 50 Years of Connection, Community & Craft

Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


In this special episode recorded live from ASID’s Gather conference, I reflect on the power of real-world connection in an increasingly digital world. As ASID celebrates 50 years, I explore what professional community still means for today’s boutique designer and how showing up in person leads to more meaningful relationships, stronger referrals, and a more joyful business.


If you’re feeling stuck behind a screen or wondering how to grow your business without the social media hustle, this episode will remind you, it’s not about growing your audience but your influence with the right people.

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
11 minutes 34 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 116: Why Saying 'No' Was the Profit Boost Alfie Needed

Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


 

After 25 years in the interior design industry, Alfie Rowan has learned how to say no with confidence, qualify clients early, and embrace her authentic self, both in her business and her brand. She shares how this shift helped her raise her rates, attract better-fit clients, and focus on the projects that truly light her up.

You’ll hear:

  • How Alfie turned down a high-profile project (and why it was the right move)
  • The minimum spend she uses now to filter inquiries (hint: $50K+)
  • The mindset shifts and systems she used to triple a project fee, from $7K to $23K
  • Her advice for designers who feel the pressure to “people please” their way into burnout
  • A peek into the Naples Experience and how it transformed Alfie’s perspective on high-end design


Alfie’s story is a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to water yourself down to be successful, in fact, doing the opposite has drawn her dream clients in.

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 9 minutes 35 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 115: Why Your Design Business Feels STUCK & How to Move Forward

Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: https://elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


Ready to get your design business out of neutral? Let’s hit the gas together!


In this episode, I’m getting real about why your design business might feel stuck and exactly what you can do about it (no more frantic posting, fruitless pitching, or losing your mind over social media).


I’ll share the top five reasons things might be stalled, from waiting on those elusive client referrals to chasing every “maybe” lead, getting lost in the social scroll, and more and I’ll give you actionable steps so you can move forward with more confidence and less overwhelm.


Let’s leave burnout behind and build a business you love together!

Can’t wait to see you in the next episode. Keep going, and stay inspired!

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
25 minutes 41 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 114: Chaos to Clarity: How One Niche Brought Michele’s Design Business Back to Life

In this episode, I sit down with Michele Spadavecchia of Asta Design Group to talk about the pivotal shift that completely transformed her interior design business.

Like many talented designers, Michele found herself pulled in too many directions, trying to serve everyone, saying yes to every project, and feeling the slow drain of burnout. The joy she once had for her work was buried under constant chaos, unclear direction, and a business model that wasn't working.

She almost threw in the towel, but everything changed when we starting working together and Michele made the brave decision to commit to one niche.

We talk about:

  • How she identified a niche that was both creatively fulfilling and profitable
  • The mindset shift that made it easier to say “no” to the wrong projects
  • Why focus is the fastest path to better clients, more profit, and renewed energy
  • The surprising ripple effects a clear niche has on how she approaches marketing, referrals, content and vendor relationships

Michele’s story is a reminder that the right niche doesn’t limit you, it frees you. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, unclear on your direction, or just plain tired of running on empty, this episode will inspire you to focus on what you love most and build a business around it.

To connect with Michele and see here beautiful work: Asta Design Group Website

Learn more about The Luxury Client Academy: Apply Here

Follow me on Instagram for more referral and business growth strategies: @PamelaDurkin

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
55 minutes 30 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 113: Turn Contacts into CONTRACTS: The Referral System That Works

Join the Rapid Referrals Challenge – September 10 @ 12pm ET here: elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


We’ll map your vendor network, decide exactly who to reach out to first, and I’ll give you proven templates for what to say so you can start building your own Referral Machine.

 

Relying on client referrals, social media, or ads to fill your business means you’re working way harder than you need to. In this episode, I’m showing you:

  • Why client referrals alone can’t sustain a thriving design business.
  • The “bridge” to proactive, high-quality industry referrals that deliver 2–3 dream projects a year from one partner.
  • The exact 3-step Referral Machine process I teach inside the Luxury Client Academy.
  • Where most designers get stuck (and how to get unstuck).


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!

Show more...
2 months ago
40 minutes 25 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 112: From $17K to $96K: Tina's Cashflow Breakthrough

Sign up for my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge coming up 9/10/25. Secure your seat here: https://elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


What if one decision could lead to the biggest cashflow breakthrough of your design career?


In this episode, I’m talking with Tina Margrander, an incredibly talented designer who used to cap her design fees at $17,000. After joining the Luxury Client Academy, she shifted how she talks about her value, showed up with more confidence, and started attracting the kind of clients who don’t blink at premium pricing.

Her big win? A $96,000 design fee, and a completely new level of steady, predictable cashflow.


Inside this conversation, you’ll hear:

  • How Tina broke free from the undercharging trap
  • The mindset and messaging tweaks that helped her close high-ticket clients with ease
  • What changed when she stopped “waiting for referrals” and took control of her marketing
  • The power of community and coaching in creating real financial momentum


If you’re ready to move from income plateaus to profitable projects that flow consistently, this episode will show you what’s possible!

To connect with Tina, visit her website: https://tinamarie-interiors.com/

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
50 minutes 30 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Ep 111: Why Vendor Referrals Are Still the Absolute Best Way to Grow Your Design Business in 2025!

Join my upcoming Rapid Referrals Challenge here: elevateinnercircle.com/rapid-referral-challenge


We’re kicking off a brand new series on the Six Figure Designer Podcast and it’s all about creating your referral machine!

In this episode, Pam makes a bold prediction: 2025 is the year of Industry Referrals and she’s breaking down exactly why this model is more relevant, more in-demand, and more effective than ever before.


You’ll hear about:

1) Why AI and Social Media aren’t a real threat to get clients who want professional design help

2) What makes this type of referral more effective and profitable, than any other marketing strategy

3) How industry referrals strike the perfect balance between quality, quantity and right sized projects


Whether you’re new in your design business or are a seasoned owner, this episode sets the tone for a powerful new series filled with real stories, fresh strategies, and honest perspective.


If you want to know how to leverage these relationships for better projects, join my FREE Rapid Referrals Challenge!

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!

Show more...
2 months ago
30 minutes 47 seconds

Six Figure Designer
Struggling to find great clients and design projects? Not making enough money and struggling to manage the projects you have? This is the show for YOU!