How It Works

The Designers Collaborative (TDC) is a buying collective with over 500 interior design members and growing. This is what it means to have power in numbers. We are able to offer the largest amount of options, with a list of over 300 vendors at the best price tiers in the industry. TDC members can buy at the same price levels that furniture stores do. No more getting outpriced by the internet, and still make incredible markups. It is a win-win!

Members gain access to our organized shared Google Drive containing master spreadsheets, price lists, vendor logins, and exclusive tools. Members can independently shop and price projects. When ready to order, you send your Purchase Order (PO) to TDC’s dedicated Account Holder (AH), who places the order for you. You pay the AH for the items plus an 11% administrative fee and any shipping costs. Orders ship to your chosen receiving warehouse, and you schedule delivery to your client. If damages occur, the AH will handle them for you.

Every TDC member is a vetted, active professional in the interior design industry—either an interior designer, decorator, or home stager. Some work solo from home offices; others are part of larger firms with showrooms or retail spaces.

Many members experience rapid business growth after joining because of the profits they earn. They’re able to hire staff, expand their offerings, and even open retail or studio spaces. Plus, TDC offers community, education, and templates to help you along the way.

Please complete our membership application—you will also need to provide a Resale Certificate.

No special qualifications are needed beyond being an interior designer, decorator, or stager. Your business must be registered with your state or province. Any design professional with a business license and/or resale certificate is welcome to join.

Yes. For the benefit of our group, we review each applicant’s website, social media presence, and state or provincial registration to verify legitimacy. If you’re new to the interior design industry, you can share photos of your work or school projects to verify your status.

Yes! We accept members at all stages. If you don’t yet have a website or social media presence, you can email us floor plans, mood boards, or project photos (cell phone photos—complete or in-progress—will do!)

Yes. For Canadian Members: You’ll need a freight broker (we can recommend one) to handle paperwork and taxes for border crossings. There are additional fees, so profits for Canadian members may be slightly lower—but many find the community alone worth the membership.

Absolutely! We need members to buy as well as account holders (members who hold and offer accounts to fellow members). Both are equally valued members of our community.

That’s perfectly fine. You are not required to share your accounts.

The annual fee is $659. Renewal occurs on the anniversary of your join date.

Membership to TDC is like Disney World—you pay to enter and then get to enjoy everything offered as much as you like. Access to our database, a private Facebook group, thriving community, education and custom digital tools, meet-ups at High Point and other trade shows and events, and much more.

TDC’s database is well organized with everything you need to source, price, and order for your projects. The main folder includes key documents like the vendor list and ultimate source guide, which save time and provide education—plus a variety of bonus digital tools custom-made for TDC members. Each vendor also has its own folder with price lists and a document called How to Order that answers common questions. The database empowers members to be in the driver’s seat.

Absolutely! Most members recoup their investment in just one order. The education and community alone make it worthwhile.

Offering your manufacturer’s account with our group may help keep it in good standing—meeting (or exceeding) manufacturers’ annual purchase requirements to maintain your great price point, for example. It may also provide you with an additional revenue stream, as account holder members earn an 11% administrative fee on each order processed. Not to mention the outstanding supportive community!

TDC partners with over 300 vendors across all categories, price points, and styles. You can request the vendor list here!

We’re constantly adding new vendors. If one isn’t currently offered, we can help you open an account and become the new account holder. We often crowdsource opening orders using the power of 500 members.

You’re free to order wherever it makes the most sense for your business.

Absolutely! Many of the orders members place use COM.

You can begin ordering right after joining. You’ll receive database access and a welcome email series with videos and helpful documents. We do recommend joining before any major deadlines so you can familiarize yourself with the process stress-free.

There are no minimums—order as much or as little as you like.

Ordering through TDC takes the same time as your current process.

The experience may vary slightly by account holder, but each outlines their process in the How to Order document. TDC always offers the best vendor price tier available (usually “stocking dealer”).

It’s similar to working with a vendor sales rep. You send your PO, pay for items plus an 11% fee, and the account holder manages vendor payments, freight billing, and logistics.

TDC has plenty of tools to help you get up to speed, including orientations, video tutorials, and recorded webinars. If you prefer one-on-one guidance, mentors are available for $95/hour to walk you through your first order or other topics.

TDC has an extensive list of receiving warehouses and we can recommend one for you. We also offer plenty of helpful tools for freight companies, best practices, and an estimated cost list.

The account holder is the go-to for everything with your order, including if something comes in damaged. Send photos and a description right away, and they’ll contact the vendor to resolve the issue.

No. TDC does not profit from member orders, which allows us to offer the best pricing in the industry.

Definitely! In many cases, it’s safer! Our account holders are fully vetted and most have been active members for years with a proven track record of ordering for others. In addition, TDC maintains an Emergency Fund (EF) to protect members against the exceedingly rare event of members acting in bad faith. This EF excludes the ordinary ordering mishaps such as damages, mistakes, and the unexpected. The EF compensation to TDC members is subject to the approval of TDC admins. We are committed to providing a totally secure place to purchase.

There is no catch, but it is understandable to think this is too good to be true. TDC was founded by Heather McManus, an interior designer who struggled to make profits after years of plenty of other success. With the mission statement of helping designers, this is the only group of its kind. Created by a designer for designers.