Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your design or wrapping business, staying ahead of the curve requires continuous learning and inspiration. From mastering cash flow to discovering the latest AI tools, we've curated the ultimate resource list to help you grow, learn, and thrive in your industry. Ready to level up your business? Let's start with the quick wins and dive in.
Podcasts for Learning on the Go
Perfect for those long drives between jobs or whilst catching up on your admin.
- Business of Home Podcast
Interviews with creatives and entrepreneurs in the design space. Brilliant for learning from others who've walked the path before you.
- A Well-Designed Business
Practical advice for running a profitable design business. No fluff, just actionable insights you can implement straight away.
Social Media Inspiration
Influencers & Companies to Follow
- @beckiowens – Interior designer with a lifestyle brand that shows how to build a personal brand
- @architecturaldigest – AD is the international authority on design and architecture. AD provides exclusive access to the world’s most beautiful homes and the fascinating people who live in them, bringing its audience a wealth of information on architecture and interior design, art and antiques, travel destinations, and extraordinary product
- @thewrapfam – Community for wrap professionals where you'll find tips, tricks, and camaraderie
LinkedIn for Networking
LinkedIn isn't just for corporate types—it's brilliant for wrap and design professionals. Use it for connecting with:
- Other wrap professionals to share techniques and referrals
- Business owners in adjacent industries (e.g. property developers, interior designers)
- Suppliers and manufacturers for partnerships and insights
Pro tips:
- Share project updates and case studies to showcase your work
- Engage with posts from industry leaders and potential clients to build new relationships
Books for Business Growth
These books offer practical insights into running a creative business, managing clients, and boosting profitability. Think of them as your business mentors in book form.
Top 3 Seminal Reads
- The Interior Design Business Handbook by Mary V. Knackstedt
A comprehensive guide to profitability, branding, and client management for design professionals. This one's a game-changer for anyone serious about building a sustainable design business.
- Designing Your Business by Gordon T. Kendall
Focuses on legal, financial, and ethical aspects of running a design business. Perfect for getting your business foundations rock-solid from the start.
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
A game-changing approach to managing cash flow and ensuring profitability. This book will completely transform how you think about money in your business!
Don’t have time to read an entire book? Use Blinkist to listen to the key ideas from almost any book in just 15 minutes.
Free AI Training Courses for Small Businesses
The future is here, and it's powered by AI! These courses will help you harness artificial intelligence to streamline your business and effortlessly increase productivity.
Top Picks
- Digital Boost AI Course
A 3-week hands-on course tailored for small businesses with fewer than 5 employees. Perfect for most wrapping and design businesses. Join here
- AI Empowerment for Small Businesses – Coursera
Learn how to use AI for marketing, forecasting, and customer service. It's like having a digital assistant for your business! Enroll here
- Google's Introduction to Generative AI
A 30-minute crash course on how AI can transform your business. Quick, practical, and completely free. Start here
The Essential Role of Design Software
For interior wrap professionals, the ability to visualise and present your work is just as important as the hands-on installation. This is where mastering design software becomes your digital advantage, allowing you to create stunning visuals that sell your concepts and elevate your brand.
Key Adobe Programs
Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for creating precise, scalable vector designs—perfect for layout plans, branding elements, and wrap templates that won't lose quality when resized.
Adobe Photoshop is essential for creating realistic, high-impact mockups that help clients see exactly how a space will look after installation. It's the ideal tool for showcasing your work in a compelling way.
Free Training Resources
While the full Adobe Suite can be expensive, you can learn the fundamentals for free. These are some excellent options to get you started:
- Adobe’s Official Tutorials: Adobe provides a wide range of free tutorials on their website and on YouTube. These official guides are a great starting point for beginners.
- Coursera and Alison: Platforms like Coursera and Alison offer free introductory courses on both Photoshop and Illustrator, providing structured lessons to build a solid foundation.
- YouTube: Many talented designers offer free, high-quality tutorials on YouTube. A quick search for "Illustrator for beginners" or "Photoshop crash course" will give you a wealth of content.
Why It Matters
By mastering these tools, you can transform your role from just an installer to a design partner. You'll be able to:
- Pitch your ideas with confidence.
- Create compelling visuals for clients.
- Build a professional portfolio that showcases your creativity.
Ready to Take Your Marketing to the Next Level?
Head over to the William Smith Online Academy and enrol in the FREE Marketing Tips course. Learn how to:
- Build marketing personas that really work
- Improve your website to convert more visitors
- Take better before-and-after photos that wow clients
- Create compelling case studies that sell your services
Start learning here