Thriving in the Interiorscape Industry: Taming Financial Stress

We’ve all heard the saying “money is the root of all evil.” Whether or not that’s true, it can certainly be the root of something else—stress. In the interiorscape industry, financial stress can feel especially intense, with inflation still elevated, borrowing costs remaining above pre-pandemic levels, and payroll, benefits, and material expenses continuing to climb, all amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Managing your business finances, boosting sales, and protecting both your livelihood and that of your staff and vendors can feel daunting. It’s a financial rollercoaster, isn’t it?

Financial Recovery Strategies for Your Interiorscape Business

Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed by money challenges, I carve out a few hours—or even a whole day—to unwind and de-stress. I often work in my garden, call a friend, or do something creative—anything that eases the tension and lets me focus on the present moment. After giving myself time to decompress, I create a plan of action to tackle the money concerns specific to my interiorscape business. Below are strategies that have helped me regain control of my company’s financial health.

Reduce Interest Rates on Business Debt

Over the years of running my interiorscape company, I hadn’t really considered how much lowering interest rates on business credit cards could improve cash flow. Then I discovered, through Experian’s business marketplace, that you can view matched credit offers and—depending on your credit profile—sometimes find introductory 0% APR balance transfer deals. By exploring those options, I found a lender that let me transfer a portion of my business debt with zero interest for a full year. That reprieve from elevated interest rates can bring enormous relief to an interiorscape business managing tight budgets.

Shop for Insurance to Cut Recurring Costs

Paying for insurance every month can feel like an unnecessary burden—until the unexpected happens. Insurance is essential for any business, but there are ways to get the coverage you need without draining your budget. Switching providers can help ease financial pressure, so even if you’re satisfied with your current commercial liability policy, dedicate a day to calling insurance agencies for quotes. In my case, my auto insurance provider was able to merge my personal and business coverage, giving me everything my interiorscape clients required at a much lower cost.

Track Expenses to Uncover Hidden Costs

Managing your interiorscape business finances can be complex, and it’s impossible to make improvements if you don’t know exactly where your money goes. I thought I had a good sense of my spending, but it wasn’t until I started keeping a detailed log of every receipt that I truly understood. Even with modern tools like QuickBooks, some hidden costs can slip by, so tracking manually can reveal sneaky areas where you can cut back. It’s surprising how easily purchases can be justified as “business necessities.”

Once I began tracking my expenses, I discovered a bad habit—over-buying foliage, of all things. As an interiorscaper, what’s wrong with stocking up on extra plants? The problem arises when that inventory sits in the back of the greenhouse, becoming too unwieldy or diminished to use for client projects. Separating out the cost of these impulse purchases showed me I was spending over 20% of my material budget on them.

Build a Solid Financial Foundation for Your Interiorscape Business

Years ago, when the housing market crashed, I was losing clients left and right and drowning under financial strain, wondering how I was going to pay the stack of bills on my desk. Eventually, I mustered the courage to meet with a financial advisor. While our meeting didn’t magically solve everything, it helped me create a plan for my business and showed me how small, intentional changes can make a big difference. Despite the challenges you face, you have the power to build a stable financial base for your interiorscape business and ease the emotional stress associated with money. Here’s how to do it.

Recognize You’re Not Alone in Financial Stress

If you’re feeling upset, stressed out, or losing sleep over your business finances, you’re far from alone. While not industry-specific, recent research from CreditWise shows that 73% of Americans consider money their number one source of stress. Even more concerning, financial stress often goes hand in hand with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Never be afraid to seek help or talk to someone if the pressures of running an interiorscape company start to feel overwhelming.

Assess Your Finances and Spending Habits

Before you can make meaningful changes, take time to evaluate your business’s overall finances and your own spending patterns from a bigger-picture view. Understanding where your money goes and how you approach it is the first step toward building better financial health. Each of us has a unique relationship with money, and recognizing your habits and attitudes can be a powerful way to start improving your financial well-being as an interiorscape business owner. Once you know where you are and where you want to be, you can begin developing smarter money habits—whether your goals include saving, paying off debt, or creating a budget aligned with your future aspirations. Breaking those goals into smaller tasks can make them feel less overwhelming and far more achievable.

Get Professional Guidance

Once you’ve assessed your current financial situation, the next step is to enlist help and begin implementing small, intentional changes. A financial counselor can guide you in creating a plan tailored specifically to your interiorscape business needs and future goals. Clearly defining your objectives and putting them down on paper creates a visual reminder of what you’re striving for and gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Achieving financial goals doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time and some trial and error to discover what works best for your unique situation.

Even small adjustments in daily operations—such as focusing on essential purchases and trimming unnecessary costs—can make a substantial difference to your company’s financial health. Small sacrifices today can lead to significant gains tomorrow.

Create a Budget and Stick to It

Budgeting is the cornerstone of saving money and gaining control over your financial priorities. It means breaking down needs and wants, then making conscious choices about how to allocate your resources. Establish a budget that reflects your financial goals and commit to sticking to it. A clear, realistic budget can help your interiorscape company manage cash flow more effectively and reduce monetary stress over time.

Schedule Regular Financial Check-Ins

Regularly reviewing your interiorscape company’s financial progress and holding yourself accountable are key parts of effective money management. By building routine check-ins into your business schedule, you can stay on track with your goals and boost your confidence in managing your finances. These sessions might include discussions with your partners, banker, business consultant, or advisor to be sure you’re on the right path.

Dedicate a set amount of time each week—even just 30 minutes—to track your business finances and make it an integral part of your routine. Over time, tasks such as reviewing your budget, balancing accounts, and managing payments will become less stressful. As you get more proficient, you may even find that these check-ins can be done on a bi-weekly schedule.

Navigate Financial Challenges With Confidence

Money has a remarkable ability to evoke strong emotions, especially when you’re running a business. Whether you’re facing rising inflation, overwhelming bills, or business loans, monetary pressures can take a toll on your mental well-being. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to remember that you have the power to regain control over your company’s finances and ease the emotional weight they can create. By using effective strategies and seeking support when needed, you can navigate financial stress with confidence and work toward a brighter future for your interiorscape business.