S7 Ep.204 The Myth of “Helping People Means Keeping My Prices Low”

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a myth that keeps so many designers stuck on the burnout hamster wheel: the belief that “helping people means keeping my prices low.” I see this all the time in our industry — designers who genuinely want to serve end up undercharging, overdelivering, and attracting clients who don’t respect their expertise. And it’s not because they lack talent. It’s because they’ve tied generosity to their pricing instead of their business structure. This entire conversation was sparked by a listener who shared that she gives white-glove service but still charges around $50 a week because she wants to help “real people,” only to attract clients who constantly want more for less. If that hits a little close to home, this episode is going to speak directly to you.

In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why lowering your prices does NOT make design more accessible • The real reason undercharging attracts boundary-pushing clients • How money stories and identity beliefs keep designers stuck in the cycle of overgiving • Why “professionals hire professionals” is a mindset shift that changes everything • How low pricing breaks your business model (and your spirit) • What sustainable pricing actually needs to cover in your design studio • Why generosity cannot be your business model — it must be the overflow • How aligning your pricing with your value strengthens confidence, boundaries, and client experiences • What becomes possible once your business is profitable: passion projects, philanthropy, accessibility, and impact • How to begin shifting your identity so you can charge like the professional you already are

When you truly understand that your pricing isn’t tied to your worth — and that you can only help people from a place of overflow, not depletion — everything changes. Your energy shifts. Your confidence expands. Your boundaries get stronger. And your clients feel that difference immediately. This episode is an invitation to stop building a business on sacrifice and start building one on sustainability, clarity, and stewardship of your gifts. And if you’re ready to align your pricing with the actual value you provide, the Interior Design Business Bakery is exactly where that work begins. I’ll see you in the next myth-busting conversation.

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