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 Gail’s background

Gail Doby is the Chief Vision Officer and Co-founder of Design Success University, LLC, and your Interior Design Business Success Mentor. 

DSU features interview series with top business and marketing experts, New York Times best-selling authors and successful interior designers who share their knowledge and passion with their interior design colleagues.  DSU offers mastermind groups, marketing intensives, mentoring and membership programs.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science Business Administration in Finance & Banking in 1977, Gail spent six years in sales and marketing for a Fortune 500 company in the home furnishings industry, where she called on interior designers and architects.  Following that, she worked for a distributor of carpet and flooring products, and again called on designers and architects.

In 1987, Gail worked for a subsidiary of American Airlines and fell into a role of interior design and facilities coordination for two fast-paced commercial projects. It was around that time that friends began asking Gail to help them with their homes, and the idea of officially becoming an interior designer began taking form.

In 1990, after moving to Denver, Gail married Harry Doby; shortly thereafter she was awarded her Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design.  Since then, Gail has received numerous design awards.  She is a frequent contributor to many interior design magazines, as well as being an author and a speaker.

Gail’s interior design career highlights include a range of high-end renovation, design and construction projects for multi-million dollar estates.  She built a nearly $900,000 business in 2000 before 9/11.  When business slowed down, she scaled back her operation so she could return to what she loved – construction design.

A member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Gail is also a member of omen in the Home Furnishings Industry Today, and she is NCIDQ certified.  Gail received a Social Media Strategist Certification from the International Social Media Association.

A self-admitted construction junkie, Gail is a passionate student of business, information marketing and social media.  Gail loves mentoring and coaching interior designers to save years of costly mistakes due to trial and error.  

How DSU Came Into Existence…

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.