Ep 232: The Art and Science of Procurement - In-House, Outsourced, and Everything In Between

Procurement can either elevate the client experience or become the biggest bottleneck in your business. In this candid roundtable discussion, Michelle Lynne sits down with Alicia Taylor of Alicia Taylor Interiors, Ryann Swan of Ryan Swan Design, and Blair Ryan of The Dove Agency to talk about the realities of procurement in interior design firms.

From in-house teams to outsourced solutions, these powerhouse women share how they manage procurement, communicate with clients, charge for their services, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you're a solo designer or leading a growing team, this conversation will help you create a procurement process that supports both profitability and exceptional client experiences.

In This Episode, We Discuss: The different procurement models designers are using today

The pros and cons of keeping procurement in-house vs. outsourcing

How firm size and market influence procurement decisions

Why clear processes and communication are critical to success

The importance of creating seamless client experiences during procurement

How regular client updates reduce stress and build trust

Common areas where procurement processes break down

The connection between procurement and bookkeeping—and why it matters

Why every designer should be charging a procurement fee

Various ways firms structure procurement and installation fees