Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast2 Jun 2025

141 | Hiring Help for Your Design Biz? How to Choose Between an Employee and a Contractor

Interior designers often get confused about whether to hire an employee or an independent contractor because the decision involves several complex factors—legal, financial, and practical—that aren't always clear at first glance.

In this episode, I break down the pros and cons of both options, including cost, commitment, legal rules, and how much control you have. I also share my real-life experience of hiring interns and contractors to full-time employees, and explain why shifting your mindset from fear to strategy is key to sustainable growth.

I also talk about setting up your business as an S-Corp, protecting your work with contracts, and why thinking like a CEO is key to building a business that lasts.

Tune in now and start building a business that supports your growth.

And if you need help getting your business off the ground and running, join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp. Classes start in July.

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

Get a clear comparison of hiring options to make the right decision for your interior design business
Learn how setting up your business structure (like switching to an S-Corp) can make hiring easier and more legit
Set up your design business for long-term success and potential future succession planning

NEXT STEPS:

Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and launch your design business this summer

Grab your freebies:

Connect With Me:

Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com
Instagram: @rwarddesign
Website at rwarddesign.com

Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction: Why Hiring Help Becomes Necessary

(02:48) Fears and Misconceptions About Hiring Employees

(04:16) Low-Risk/Low-Reward of Contractors vs. High-Risk/High-Reward of Employees

(04:54) Rebecca's Journey into Hiring

(08:23) Benefits of Becoming an S-Corp

(13:15) Advantages of Hiring Employees Over an Independent Contractor

(16:47) Legal Considerations (Especially in California)

(18:58) Mindset Shift and Strategic Hiring

(20:37) Practical Tips for Hiring and Managing Employees

(22:10) Final Thoughts

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