Problem: Article: In order to successfully start a decorating business, you will need vendors who can supply the necessary materials and supplies. Without an accredited interior designer license, you may not be entitled to designer discounts, but you can negotiate when buying in bulk or offering repeat business. Ask for updates about the latest decors and any decors that are yet to arrive in the market. This can help keep you ahead of your competition. Additionally, you can be creative in your shopping. Find inexpensive sources for materials, such as overstock stores and consignment shops. A consignment or thrift store, for example, can also give you more unique or vintage items than you may get at larger vendors. A common way to begin a career as a decorator is to function as a product-driven designer by marketing products and designing interiors around these particular products. You may want to consult with manufacturers or vendors to see if there are any opportunities available. You can set your rate based on an hourly fee (the easiest way to charge), charge by square footage (usually the choice for commercial work), or charge a flat fee (though this will only work if your client supplies all the necessary products and furniture). Remember your markup. A markup for an interior decorator is typically a minimum of 15%, but you may choose to vary this based on your experience and potential for work in the market. Know what your competitors are charging, and also how they are charging (for example, by hour or by square foot). This will make your business more competitive in the market. For example, you may choose to decorate offices, communal spaces, or private homes. Alternatively, you may want to specialize in decorating historical buildings. You can combine organizing with decorating, work in home staging for people selling their homes, or some other specialty. Consider what opportunities may be available or necessary in your hometown. Depending on where you live, there may be a great demand for refurbishing older buildings, or decorating a new apartment complex that rents furnished apartments. You may want to consider working for a franchise like Decorating Den or opening your own shop. This can be a great way to get your name known and showcase your work to the public. You will reach a larger audience than you might by word of mouth alone.
Summary: Form relationships with vendors. Set your rate. Determine your target market and/or specialty.

Problem: Article: It is a relationship myth that a solid relationship does not require work. Be prepared to put the work in. You can accomplish this by addressing any problems with your partner before they rear to their ugly heads. For example, you notice your partner withdrawing more money out of a shared account than usual. Instead of building a case over time, you might address the issue right off by saying "I noticed you have been needing more money lately. Do we need to adjust our budget to account for this?" You will never be perfect nor can you expect this from a partner. There will always be issues that come up and you can either learn to treat them as you would any other obstacle or you can hide them until they balloon into a huge problem. Make a commitment to hold a weekly check-in in which either of you can bring up any issues you have on your chest. Communicating problems with the idea of tackling them as soon as they come up helps you establish a strong foundation. Pick your battles wisely. Not every issue needs to turn into a battle. There will be some that need to be talked out, others that go unsaid and finally some that just end up not being important compared to what you gain from the relationship. Compromising may include writing out a pros and cons list to points of disagreement and talking through the list objectively. Talking aloud may clearly point out which choice is mutually beneficial. It also means finding a way that both of you can have your needs met without jeopardizing the needs of the other. Another way you can compromise is doing things one person's way one time and then favoring the other person's opinion the next time. For example, you may watch one person's favorite movie one night and the other person's top pick the next night. Before you find yourself waging war against your partner about a small issue, assess how important the matter truly is to the happiness and growth of your relationship. If it's truly not a big deal, move on. Relationships are about the "we" and not the "I" or "you". Focus on honest communication to work through problems together with room for each of you to give and take. Learn from one another instead of working against one another. For example, if you need a sum of money to pay for a big purchase, you can sit down and find ways for both of you to contribute. Each of you can put money into savings for a span of time, or cut back on non-essential expenses. Using terms like "we" as in "We will get through this" or "us" as in "Let us figure out a solution together" help foster a teamwork approach. Every relationship comes with ups and downs. When you encounter an issue, go through it logically and objectively and make a decision based on a the mutual well-being of both partners. Be sure to clearly define what you need from a partner and what you intend to give to your partner. Follow through on your obligations to your partner and speak up when he or she isn't doing the same in a constructive manner. It is a myth that you do not need to tell your partner what you value and need. You are mistaken to think that simply because your partner loves you, he or she should know what you need. Mind reading is impossible and the expectation of it merely hinders your growth. Communicate your desires simply by saying something to the effect of "Charity is really important to me. What can we do to honor that moving forward?" This is one area that can be very dangerous if you ignore it until it becomes a bigger issue. Make sure you share financial values early on in the relationship. If you want to save for the future while your partner lives for the moment, this may not end up lasting long term. Sit down and discuss where each of you stand financially. Create a budget if you live under the same roof. Talk to a financial counselor if you have trouble seeing eye-to-eye.
Summary:
Discuss issues upfront instead of letting them grow in size. Be willing to compromise. Work through problems as a team. Make your values and needs known to your partner. Get on the same page about finances.