About Gail Doby

Why did Erin and I create Design Success University? I spent over twenty years learning how to market and run an interior design business and made lots of costly mistakes.  Because there weren’t any mentors in our industry that I could find, and my competitors didn’t want to share information, I felt very alone and frustrated. Like you, I just wanted to build a successful practice and enjoy my passion of design.

Until now, I haven’t seen classes with practical advice that really works for our specific business challenges.  That’s why we are determined to design and provide the best quality educational resources custom-tailored specifically for you as an interior designer that are affordable and convenient.  We deliver our classes by webcast, webinar, teleseminar, transcripts, downloadable MP3s so you don’t have costly travel expenses and you can access the materials when it is convenient to you.

Our member’s favorite programs include our Value Based Fee series that helps you completely separate yourself from the competition with your fixed fee offer so you remove the stress and conflict over time bills; our Design Mastermind is your unique opportunity to connect 3 other designers in non-competitive markets so you can share your challenges and get answers.  You will feel supported, encouraged and inspired; Marketing Intensives that include interviews with top marketing experts and coaches to teach you cutting-edge marketing strategies (2 tracks) so you attract the right clients; and our Business Mastery Membership which includes a Monthly Mentor Class and live Q & A to teach you specific business success skills like budgeting, planning, time management and constraint theory – how to remove the roadblocks to your business success.

About my background

I spent 6 years in sales and marketing for a Fortune 500 company in the home furnishings industry after receiving my BSBA in Finance & Banking. (I called on interior designers and architects.) I then worked for a distributor of carpet and flooring products and also called on designers and architects for 4 1/2 years.

After that, I fell into facilities planning and commercial design in Dallas. I will never forget my first day on the job. I saw a design board with the finish selections for our new office – Pepto Bismol pink paint was selected for the break room. Needless to say, by the time the building was complete, the walls were not pink!

During my time in Dallas, several friends asked me to help them with their homes. I helped them decorate, shop, hang pictures and coordinate all of the details. At that point, I did not have formal training…just a natural talent for design.

I moved to Denver in 1990 to work as the Marketing Director for a graphic software business and met my husband shortly after moving to Denver.

In early 1991, a friend that I knew when we both lived in Dallas flew me to Cleveland to help her with her home. I was hooked. I decided that it was time to go back to school for my interior design degree. By the time I finished my degree, I was already working full-time for myself in residential design.

Some of the highlights of my design career include the complete construction design and interior project management for a nearly $5 million spec home and millions of dollars of renovation projects. I am a construction junkie.

A few years ago, I started taking classes and reading, and reading and reading and taking more classes. All of a sudden, I realized that there was an avalanche of information to absorb about new marketing techniques on the Internet.

I had an epiphany. I want to help my right-brained colleagues learn new and easier ways to do business. I started asking some of my designer friends about their challenges and frustrations.

My friends really don’t want to worry about the business part of the profession. Does that sound familiar? Most of you want to have a balanced life, create beautiful interiors for great clients, and work with respectful and competent vendors and tradespeople.

You want to renew the passion for the fun parts of the business and minimize the stress that is inherent in our chosen profession. Our work is often under-appreciated and misunderstood.

When I take classes and people ask what I do, they immediately stereotype me as a “designer” that really doesn’t understand business. The first time this happened, I was insulted. Instead of letting this irritate me, I decided to do something about it.

Because of my unique insider perspective, business background, passion for learning and mentoring, I feel compelled to help. Although you may have an interior design degree and you take CEU classes, there are many other new skills that you may need to learn or improve.

If we can deliver this education adapted to your unique learning style, do you think you could learn better, faster and for less money than what I’ve invested? Please give me feedback and direction, because I love to learn, and I want to help you.

I have felt many of the same frustrations that you have. I also know from the discussions with my designer friends that the underlying passion that led all of us to this industry needs to be nurtured and in some cases, rekindled.

You bring so much joy to your clients, and I want you to receive the appreciation and monetary rewards that you have earned and deserve. We are here to inspire and encourage you to your highest level of success.