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A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

In today's world being a talented interior designer isn't enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful interior design business. Design school doesn't always teach you the critical business skills to be sure your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well Designed Business is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 35 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices.
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 29, 2017

Welcome to another episode of Power talk Friday! Today LuAnn has Stephanie Chung with her on the show. Stephanie has a company called Stephanie Chung and Associates, where she offers Sales Training, Executive Coaching and also Small Business Mentorship, to companies nationwide. Stephanie also has a course, called High Ticket Selling Made Simple which has been designed to help business owners sell more and make more. Listen in to find out more about Stephanie and her company.

Stephanie used to work as a Sales Executive in the Aviation and Private Jet Industry, where she mastered the art of high ticket selling. She has mentored and coached numerous people, including some of the highest paid, most elite Sales Professionals in the country. She serves Business leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Sales Professionals, using her proven Executive Coaching and Sales Training. Stephanie is a contributor on ABC, CBS, and NBC and she's authored Profit Like A Girl- A Woman's Guide To Kicking Butt In Sales And Leadership and also Embrace The Suck- How To Grow And Succeed In Business. LuAnn is really beyond tickled with all of this, so listen in now, as she and Stephanie discuss the mindset moves that are necessary to really scale your sales.

Show highlights:

  • What it all really comes down to is your own version of your own self-worth. Your financial beliefs play a role in the whole equation and sometimes people tend to struggle with that when selling their intellectual property. Stephanie digs into all the factors that contribute to that struggle.
  • Financial self-worth and your mindset- why you should be very careful to never let your own financial beliefs creep into any sales conversation.
  • It's never about you- it's always about the buyer in front of you.
  • Stephanie explains how you can break out of a limited mindset. Remember that it's not your concern how much your customer can afford. You need to ensure that your presentation of your product (your digital footprint), or service actually aligns with your product or service.
  • Run your business with excellence.
  • If someone agrees to meet with you, it means that they've already done some research about you and they have already decided that you are going to be worth their time.
  • Always approach a conversation with a buyer by looking at what it is that they want or need.
  • Ask the buyer questions that go a little deeper, because sometimes the buyer can't really articulate what it is that they need.
  • Use the power of silence.
  • Really knowing your stuff and getting results will help build your confidence.
  • Stephanie shares a technique that she uses with her VIP clients, called Pre-emptive Strike. Know the objections that are going to come your way and bring them up in advance, so that you can control the message.
  • Remember to never bring your price down, if the buyer can't afford it. Rather take something away. This way you keep your price integrity.
  • Only ask the buyer questions that you don't know the answers to. This will help you better understand how to solve their problem.
  • After setting your agenda with a client, mention that you're not necessarily the Designer for everyone.... Great for getting the right
  • If you really want to become a better salesperson, there is ample information out there, for you.
  • Stephanie has done courses before, specifically for Interior Designers. (For example, High Ticket Selling Made Simple)

Links:

Stephanie's website: www.stephaniechung.com You can find loads of free resources there.

To get a free download of Stephanie's book, go to: www.profitlikeagirl.com

Dec 27, 2017

My guest today is Judi Kieffer, who has over 24 years’ experience in hospitality, luxury residential, and restaurant design. Her portfolio is full of top-tier projects and satisfied clients. In our conversation, she shares advice about how she built and now manages her design firm in Boise, Idaho. Judi is involved as an advocate for the personal and professional development and for sustainable products and developments.

She participates in several local philanthropic and civic groups and is a mentor for women’s and children’s organizations. She was recently appointed as a spokesperson for the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified Green Globe auditor. Her passions are yoga, fine wine, riding horses, hiking, and inspiring other designers to run more profitable and enjoyable businesses. Join me for this conversation with Judi!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How Judi’s career began, working for three different companies before opening her own firm
  • The benefits of experience, classes, and various job positions before going out on your own
  • What it’s like to build your own design firm in the beginning: cold calling, mailings, projects, and referrals
  • What the builder or architect needs to hear from the commercial designer: how our services can fit into your project
  • How to use directories for leads on upcoming commercial projects
  • How to find free top sheets in your local area
  • The benefits of long-term relationships in the design business
  • Judi’s recommendations for software, including Quickbooks, Studio Designer, and MORE!
  • The challenges as your business grows: having systems in place and using personality profiles as you add more people to your team
  • Day-to-day running the firm: journals and calendars
  • Judi’s superpower? Using the interior as a marketing tool
  • Clear practices for charging fees
  • Judi’s advice to a new designer with no portfolio: show your passion and excitement, have confidence, ask questions, and present solutions
  • Judi’s interest in green building products
  • The recent surge in green products
  • Advice Judi’s received that is still with her:
    • Be absolutely true to your passion
    • Honor yourself
    • Allow yourself time to breathe, renew, and relax
    • Be transparent in communication
  • What’s ahead for Judi? Hiring an office manager and hosting eco-glamping retreats

Resources:

Website and social:
 
http://www.kiefferdesigngroup.com
https://www.instagram.com/kiefferdesigngroup/
https://www.facebook.com/Kieffer-Design-Group-92036290457/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kieffer-design-group/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judikieffer/

For the free WindowWorks newsletter, text 444-999 and enter “designbiz”

www.usgbc.org  (Find out more about green building products)

Search the GreenWorks or Green Standard group in your local area

Judi recommends the following books:

ECO-preneuring by John Ivanko

The Northwest Green Home Primer by K.L. Smith and Kathleen O’Brien

The Philosophy of Sustainable Design by Jason F. McLennan

Women in Green by Kira Gould and Lance Hosey

Value Pricing for the Design Firm by Frank Stasiowski

A Guide to Principles and Practices for Interior Designers by Harry Sigel

Marketing and Selling Design Services by Mary V. Knackstedt

Interior Designers Business Handbook by Mary V. Knackstedt

Dec 25, 2017

Welcome back! Our guest today has been in the interior design business for 17 years! Andrea Schumacher started her own eight-person firm, Andrea Schumacher Interior Design, including herself in Colorado in 1999. Andrea has experience in commercial and residential spaces and she has set design for television at Days of Our Lives and Columbia Pictures! She has a BA in interior design from the F.I.D.E.R. accredited Colorado State University and a certificate in Universal Design from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. Today she is going to share with us how she does things at Andrea Schumacher Interior Design and how she makes everything more efficient and successful and how you can too.

Show Notes:

  • She can have how many projects in the pipeline at one time?
  • How are the positions broken down at Andrea Schumacher Interior Design?
  • Did she work for anyone before she started her own firm?
  • How was Andrea Schumacher Interior Design started?
  • Explain how everything is broken down up front!
  • What about the customers that can’t be pleased?
  • When does the “process” go into the project manager’s hands?
  • Why doesn’t she like to hear a budget before the design project begins?
  • What was her aha moment that there needed to be a change with her accountant to get her books straightened out for her design firm?
  • Who is Chandra and what is her role in Andrea’s firm?
  • What are some ways that Chandra has increased profitability for Andrea’s firm?
  • How much has her profitability increased since Chandra has started working at Andrea Schumacher Interior Design?
  • Keep yourself as humble as possible and own up to your mistakes!
  • What is the next big thing for Andrea Schumacher Interior Design?
  • What is Design Leadership Network?

For the rest of the show notes, please visit our resource center: Window Works 

Dec 22, 2017

We have Kae Whitaker with us once again on today's Power Talk Friday- this time for her fifth appearance on the show! She appeared previously on episodes #26, #66, #114 where she discussed branding, how to hire and train interns, how to conduct a proper year-end review of your business and last month on episode #259 she spoke about the subject and content of a typical sale funnel email sequence for interior design firms. Today she's back to talk some more about email marketing and she will be explaining how to set up an email marketing system, with some great tips for doing it really effectively. She will also be discussing the main idea of email marketing, the difference between broadcast emails and triggered emails, how your blog actually connects and supports your email marketing and how to segment your list and what to do with the different lists. Listen in to find out more.

Kae is the owner and CEO of Kae Whitaker Solutions. She uses her more than ten years of experience in retail sales and marketing development to really focus on helping small businesses to stay competitive in their respective markets and to surpass their revenue goals.

Having worked with some of the nation's largest retailers, Kae has now utilized her expertise in retail sales and marketing development to create her premium coaching programs that really assist small business owners to tune into what matters most in their marketing efforts and to streamline their processes while maximizing on their clientele. Kae's highest achievements come through helping others to reach their goals, and she would love the opportunity to help you to take your brand to the next level, so listen in to find out what she has to share with you on the show today.

Show highlights:

  • How LuAnn initially found Kae through her online reputation.
  • Understanding the type of emails that you're going to send and the categories of emails that exist within those types.
  • The importance of using a different approach when purchasing leads or email lists.
  • Kae's advice is for everybody regardless of the size of your email list.
  • The role of email marketing in the customer journey.
  • Sending different email content to the groups of people who are at different points in the customer journey.
  • The difference between broadcast emails and trigger emails.
  • Segmentation campaigns- what they are and when and how to use them.
  • An example of a trigger email for interior designers.
  • What you need to look for in your email provider.
  • Why segmenting is really so important.
  • How to avoid becoming a victim of the spam monster.
  • What the engagement would look like if you hire someone to set the process up on your behalf.
  • When to use re-engagement campaigns.
  • Ways to grow your email list through intentional engagement.
  • How to target growing your email list geocentrically through the content that you're putting out on social media.
  • Where email marketing fits into marketing funnels.
  • Why it would even be worthwhile to create just one funnel.

Previous episodes mentioned on this show:

Farrha Hyman #43

Cheryl Janis #41

Links:

Kae's email: kaewhitaker@kaewhitaker.com

Kae's website: http://kaewhitaker.com

Dec 20, 2017

Welcome to today's show! We have Dixie Willard, of Dixie Willard Design in Tennessee, with us today. Dixie is a co-host of the Design and Style Podcast with Rachel Moriarty, of Rachel Moriarty Interiors and today we will be talking to her about the  Design and Style Community and about how her partnership with Rachel and their podcast came about. Today, Dixie also discusses her own business and she talks about the Community Projects that she's involved with too. Listen in, to find out more.

Dixie got her Design Degree at the Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she graduated with honors. She has worked for an Architecture Firm as well as having worked as a Designer and a Bookkeeper, for a high-end furniture store and she has done e-design for Pottery Barn Kids, PBTeen, and West Elm. In the middle of all of that, she also managed to earn her NCIDQ Certification.

After traveling around the world, Dixie and her Air Force husband have finally settled down in their forever home, in East Tennessee. Dixie loves taking continuing education classes for fun and reading Design Blogs, to keep up with all the latest trends. Listen in today, to find out more about Dixie, her Podcast and how she's really changing lives, out there, one Designer at a time!

Show highlights:

  • Dixie talks about what it took for her to obtain her NCIDQ Certification.
  • Dixie's work with Ethan Allen.
  • Dixie's experience of being a Bookkeeper for a high-end furniture store.
  • The skill she's learned from first being an Air Force brat and then an Air Force wife.
  • Their move from Oklahoma to Tennessee, where they knew absolutely no-one.
  • Dixie talks about how she and Rachel met, at a Mastermind in Oklahoma.
  • How the Design and Style Podcast came about.
  • All about Rachel and Dixie's Visibility Challenge.
  • To join the Visibility Challenge, go to Design and Style on Facebook and ask to join.
  • The hardest part of the Visibility Challenge and the fantastic results that inevitably ensue, as a result of doing it.
  • What's going to be happening in Dixie's community, at The Visibility Lab.
  • The very exciting and special episode planned for the first Visibility Podcast for 2018, on the Design and Style Podcast.
  • Moonshine tasting in the Smokey Mountains with Rachel.
  • What happened at the Visibility Conference.
  • The fantastic Community and Service Projects that Dixie does and how she assists, design-wise, at the Restoration House of East Tennessee.
  • How you, as a Designer, can get involved with the Dwell With Dignity
  • The service work that Dixie does, for Kingdom Design Ministries, for children who have suffered a trauma, or tragedy in their life.
  • What it takes to rappel down a twelve story building!
  • The awesome gains that you could enjoy, as a result of being a part of a networking group.

Links:

The Design and Style Podcast website: www.designandstylepodcast.com

Design and Style can also be found on:
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
iTunes
Youtube

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Remya Warrior #266

Dec 18, 2017

Today’s guest is Laura Thurman of Laura Thurman Design Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. She specializes in a global aesthetic that is filtered through a modern lens influenced by her upbringing in Los Angeles, as well as her world travels. Laura Thurman Design Studio services include custom interiors, re-design, weekend styling, and in-field developer selections. Laura talks about the importance of educating clients about the interior design process. To that end, she explains on her website to clients and potential clients the difference between “off the shelf” and “custom made.” We also discuss how she is harnessing the power of building meaningful relationships with peers and industry leaders in helping to grow her firm. In fact, our meeting is a direct result of her commitment to getting out her “box,” reaching out and asking for advice, and for remembering to return the favor. Laura is always thinking of ways to give value back to the new colleagues and mentors she has met. Laura is a delight, and I’m sure you will like her and learn much from what she has to share about intentional networking.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How doors have opened recently because of networking and building professional relationships
  • What Laura has learned from Amy Flurry’s book, Recipe for Press: Designer Edition:
    • How to pitch an idea
    • Why you need to do your homework
    • How each project has multiple offshoots
  • Giving serious thought to your WHY
  • How to tactfully cultivate peer relationships, beginning with being intentionally present
  • Why “thick skin” is important for entrepreneurs to cultivate
  • How social media helps with networking
  • How doors open when you “put it out there”
  • Educating the client:
    • Mainstream and retail = “off the shelf”
    • Quality and exclusive = “to the trade”

Resources:

Episode 108, Amy Flurry

Episode 203, Darla Powell

Recipe for Press: Designer Edition, by Amy Flurry

Dec 15, 2017

Welcome to today's episode of Power Talk Friday! LuAnn has a really special treat in store for you today - her husband, Vince will be joining her on the show! LuAnn has recently had a lot of people asking her to address the topic of husband and wife teams, working together.

She recently interviewed Syd and Shea McGee, of Studio McGee (#270) and there are also a few more interviews scheduled with husband and wife teams, which are to be aired in the near future. Vince has already appeared on the show once before, where he talked to LuAnn about the kind of advice that he would give to new entrepreneurs just starting out in their business. He discussed establishing a mission, core values and also systems. So if you're interested in finding out more about any of that, please go back and listen to episode #78. Today, LuAnn and Vince will be talking about how they've managed to be in business together for so many years, and still, like (let alone love) each other! Listen in to find out more!

Vince is the brains behind the finances at Window Works, with a degree in Accounting and also an MBA in Business. He has been the fearless leader at Window Works for thirty-five years this December and he has achieved a very recognizable level of stature within their Window Treatment and Awning community. He has served on a number of Marketing and Operations Advisory Boards, for Window Works and for Dorosol (The Awning Company that they use most often) and he served for just less than two years as the Vice President of Franchise Sales, for Decorating Den. Listen in today, to find out more about how Vince and LuAnn have managed to work together, really successfully, for so long.

Show highlights:

  • Vince shares some of the core reasons that he thinks they have managed to work so happily and successfully with each other and with their third partner, Bill.
  • How the Universe has really gifted them with their different yet clearly defined roles within their business.
  • Recognizing their very different strengths and skills, which really blend well together, for the benefit of their business.
  • Not micromanaging each other or their staff really works well for Vince and LuAnn.
  • What makes a really great Salesperson.
  • Their 'code' of who gets the final say if there's a disagreement about something in the business. (Unless it's a money decision).
  • Letting go of your inner 'control freak' to find harmony in your business relationships.
  • The importance of moving on after a deal has been done and signed off, regardless of what may transpire later.
  • The importance of having a basis of respect in any relationship to avoid issues.
  • It's so much easier to be in business with your spouse when you really do love and care for one another.
  • Observing the fine line of respect/familiarity.
  • Always keeping the bigger picture (the business) in mind when disagreements arise.
  • The benefits of using rationality rather than emotional manipulation.
  • Delineating responsibilities yet allowing people to grow by allowing them to work within their strengths and to run with what they do really well.
  • It really helps to curb disagreements if you can actually feel the pain of your partner.
  • Always keeping what's best for the business uppermost in mind.

Links:

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Vince Nigara #78

Syd and Shea McGee #270

Dec 13, 2017

Welcome to today's show! We really have the most amazing surprise for all of you today- we have Syd and Shea McGee, of Studio McGee on the show with us! Shea was on the show about a month ago, (episode #236) where she talked about how Studio McGee was created in a spare bedroom and then, after many late nights of brainstorming and sharing their dreams, Shea and Syd decided to turn what was a small business for a stay at home mom, into something way beyond that.

Today, you will hear Shea discuss how she always knew that she wanted to do high-end Design. She also talks about two business decisions that Syd was instrumental in making very early on, which allowed them to attract the kind of client that they really wanted to work with and she explains how Syd has also really helped her to approach certain problems in business with the right perspective.  Listen in to find out more about this dynamic duo and their approach to running a really successful business.    

Studio McGee has been featured in House Beautiful, Domain Home, Design Sponge, Apartment Therapy, SMP Living and One Kings Lane, as well as many others. This show will also appear as a video on LuAnn's Youtube channel. (Go to Youtube for A Well Designed Business.) Listen in today and experience the really tangible love, respect, and admiration that these two have for one another and discover how Shea's dream to build a Design Empire is fast becoming a reality.

Show highlights:

  • What was going on in Syd's mind when they made the decision to move to Utah.
  • Shea explains how Syd got involved bringing his really valuable perspective to the business.
  • How Syd managed to figure out a way organize the operations side of their business by assessing the problems and then finding solutions.
  • How Syd managed to streamline their systems by building their own internal software.
  • Syd's initial focus was really on allowing the Designers to get on with their designing.
  • The sacrifices that they made initially to ensure that there was enough content for their business to grow.
  • The great pay off they've had from consistently investing the time in putting out really high-quality photos on Instagram.
  • How to know when it's the right time to start charging more.
  • How Shea and Syd have pushed each other, to create their Design Empire.
  • The time it took for them to afford to create their own catalog.
  • Attracting the type of clients that they have now.
  • The financial risk that they took and what they put on the line to keep going forward to create their dream.
  • The kind of support that Shea and Syd give one another.
  • How they came to be doing their Webisodes on Youtube.
  • Some of the actionable things that they have done, to really grow their business.
  • All about McGee and Co, a website that they started about a year ago where you can go online and order from their really great product line.
  • It's really demanding to be a very good mom and a great entrepreneur, but it can be done!

Links:

Shea and Syd's website: www.studio-mcgee.com

You can do your purchasing from: www.mcgeeandco.com

Shea and Syd on Instagram

Shea and Syd on Facebook

Shea and Syd on YouTube

Follow A Well Designed Business on YouTube

For your free offer, from MyDoma Studio, as a listener to the podcast, go to: www.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.

Dec 11, 2017

Welcome to today's show! We have Nina Magen, the Principal of Contour Interior Design, on the show with us today. Nina is a very savvy lady, who has a lot going on, on both the business and the Design side. The fact that she is driven is evident in the nine-year rise of her Design Firm and it also shows in the way that she runs her business. Today we talk to Nina about the significant impression it made on her and her business when she was on American Dream Builder TV show. We also talk to her about her staff: how she hires and what she looks for when hiring someone. So listen in to find out more.

Contour is an international, full-service Interior Design firm, with offices both in Houston and Miami. There is a long list of award-winning interiors in the Contour portfolio, which have received recognition from NBC, Bravo and HGTV Networks, as well as acknowledgment for Best Interior Architecture and Best Commercial Interior, by Paper City. ASID also awarded them Best Commercial Interior. The work of Contour has been featured in Rue, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Interiors Magazine and Lux Interiors and Designs, to name just a few. Listen in today, to find out more about Nina and her approach to running Contour Interior Design.

Show highlights:

  • Nina explains how she came to have such an international team.
  • What Nina does to encourage her team to learn from each other and to think outside of their comfort zone.
  • American design and architecture, as compared with the more modern, forward-thinking European design.
  • Nina discusses her approach and what she looks for when she's ready to hire a team member.
  • The criteria for advancement, that Nina looks for in her team members.
  • What it takes to be a really successful Designer.
  • Nina discusses where her interest in being on a TV show came from.
  • How Nina managed to get onto American Dream Builders TV show in 2014.
  • Nina's harrowing experience on American Dream Builders.
  • How Nina leveraged her life-changing experience on the TV show.
  • Nina's constant growth, personally and business-wise, since being on the TV show.
  • The things that Nina is looking forward to doing, in the future.
  • How to get to be the Designer for celebrity homes.

Connect with Nina:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Go to www.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness to find out how MyDoma Studio can help you to run your firm more efficiently. There's a special offer there for you too, as a podcast listener.

Previous shows mentioned on this episode:

Amber Lewis #184

Dec 8, 2017

Welcome to another episode of Power Talk Friday! We have Ashley Faulkes, the CEO of Mad Lemmings with us on the show today. Ashley creates Wordpress websites and he also is an SEO expert, which is one of the main reasons that LuAnn invited him onto the show. She knows that there are many of you out there, wondering about the merits of blogging and wanting to find out how to go about doing it. This is a topic that we really can't seem to get enough information on, so listen in and learn from Ashley, who is an expert when it comes to blogging and creating websites.

Ashley, whose company is fourteen years old, is an Australian who is now living in Switzerland. After skiing one time, on the last run of the day, Ashley fell, twisting his leg and breaking it in thirty-seven places. He then had to spend three days immobilized in hospital, waiting for the weekend to be over and for the surgeons to get prepared to operate. It was well worth the wait, however, and he was also really lucky because they ended up doing a first class job and getting excellent results with his leg. The spin-off of this was that it brought Ashley to blogging, which then brought him to a whole new endeavor, which he became really good at, through getting educated and also teaching. Listen in now, to find out what Ashley has to share with you about SEO and Website Creation.

Show highlights:

  • Ashley's opinion on the difference between a Square Space site and a Wordpress
  • Migrating to a new website with all of your current content.
  • How to attract people to your website, if you're doing the website yourself.
  • Optimising your Home Page and your Services Page.
  • Making a habit of getting reviews on your website for SEO- you can even set up a link for that.
  • Getting onto your local listings, to create SEO links, when starting out.
  • Leveraging social proof, through getting your business listed with The Chamber Of Commerce, or Government Institutions.
  • Finding the biggest bang for your buck, for SEO rankings.
  • How to find out, rather than guessing, if there are any people searching for a particular topic, before writing a blog post.
  • Thinking about reasons that people would need your services, for effective blogging.
  • How to create links to your website.
  • Getting access to Google tools.
  • Using the right keywords for great rankings.
  • Pictures can be worth a thousand words.
  • Using Youtube for great rankings.
  • The value of re-purposing your content.

Links: 

Ashley's website: www.madlemmings.com

Ashley on Youtube: Mad Lemmings

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Lisa Escobar #258

Dec 6, 2017

Welcome to today's show! Our guest for today is Rasheeda Gray, the Principal of Gray Space Interior Design, which is located in the Philadelphia Metro area. Gray Space is still a side hustle for Rasheeda at this point in time and yet in just under two years, she has already had more than twenty projects! You're probably wondering how she has managed to do this, so today she shares three strategies that she has used, to land these twenty plus projects and also her thoughts on what it takes to succeed in the field of Interior Design. Listen in now, to get some really actionable tips from Rasheeda, to fill your pipeline.

Rasheeda holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and International Business, as well as a Master's Degree and she currently works full time, in a corporate position. She also has a husband and two kids. Rasheeda brings her business skills to her Design Firm, so listen in, as she explains how she's managed to achieve as much as she has, in such a short time.

Show highlights:

  • What led to Rasheeda starting Gray Space Interior Design, as her side hustle.
  • Rasheeda is a strong believer in Vision Boards.
  • How Rasheeda managed to obtain her first two projects.
  • The way that Rasheeda made use of social media to get herself known, as an Interior Designer.
  • The magic mix for Rasheeda's success on social media.
  • The secret to Rasheeda's success on Instagram.
  • Rasheeda's way of growing her business intentionally to attain the kind of success that she has, in such a short time.
  • Taking full advantage of any opportunity to speak at events as a great way to get yourself and your business known.
  • What Rasheeda did to get to know five Realtors.
  • All about Rasheeda's Consultation Special for Cyber Monday.
  • Using Loss Leaders to attract more business.
  • How referrals and testimonials have helped Rasheeda to fill her pipeline.
  • The way that Rasheeda leverages her reviews on Howz, to get more business.
  • How Rasheeda found Cheryl and then selected her to be her mentor.
  • How mentorship has contributed to Rasheeda's success.
  • Why it could be tricky to have a mentor from the same area as you.
  • Why it's important to be upfront with your clients about your working a full-time job.
  • The questionnaire that Rasheeda has her prospective clients complete right in the beginning.
  • Assessing the needs of your clients, then providing solutions for them.
  • The logistics of running a Design firm, a full-time job and a family.

Links:

To take advantage of the special incentives that are being offered to you, as a listener of the podcast:

From My Doma Studio, go to: www.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness

and

From our newest sponsor, Fresh Books, go to www.freshbooks.com/luann

 

Dec 4, 2017

Today we have Remya Warrior on the show with us and she's a New Jersey Interior Designer with a Master's Degree as well as fourteen years of experience in the field. She is active in both the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), where she is currently the Vice President of the New Jersey chapter, and also in ASID in New Jersey, where she is the featured Tech Talk host. Listen in today, to hear all about what that is and also to find out about Remya's very actionable Seven Step Process that she uses to really knock her networking right out of the park.

Remya really loves to cook for her friends and family and she firmly believes that the kitchen is the heart of the home and it is this that has her specializing in Kitchen Design. Being an active member of the WCAA has led her to her falling in love with window treatments and specializing in that area as well.

On Remya's website, there is a line that says that she helps busy, middle-income families create a home that they love and this is something that LuAnn found very interesting because she really enjoys finding out what makes you, as an Interior Designer, different. LuAnn loves researching and finding out what really sets certain Designers apart, for the purposes of the show, and she points out that your clients also want to find something on your website, that really sets you apart as a Designer.  Listen in now, to find out more about Remya and the really interesting things that she does with her business, to set her apart from the rest.

Show highlights:

  • Koffee Break- the Video Resource that Remya used to have on her website.
  • What Remya learned from doing Koffee Break for two years.
  • What Tech Talk is all about and who Remya has connected with, through doing it.
  • How Remya has really managed to up her game, through doing Tech Talk.
  • How Remya selects the people that she interviews on Tech Talk.
  • You can go to the ASID channel on YouTube, to see the library of resources that Remya has created there with her webinars.
  • If you'd like to attend one of Remya's Tech Talk Live Webinars, you will need to friend her on Facebook. (Remya Warrior)
  • Remya gives a detailed explanation of her Seven Step Process designed to help you to network most effectively.
  • The heartfelt and personal messages that Remya sent to only five special people on Thanksgiving.
  • What it takes to create a really effective Sales Conversation.
  • The three separate email sequences that Remya has on her website to put business leads into her pipeline.
  • Building your referral strategy, through Remya's Seven Step Process.

Resources:

Remya's website: www.rwarriordesigns.org

Remya on Facebook-Remya Warrior Designs

Remya on LinkedIn-Remya Warrior Designs

Remya learned this networking technique from her friend Paul McManus!

You can also search for Remya on YouTube and Ted Talk.

To get 10% off your entire first purchase from Curated Kravet, go to www.curatedkravet.com and use the code C K Podcast at the checkout.

If you'd like to be in one of LuAnn's Masterminds, email her at info@luannnigara.com to see if you're a good fit.

Please leave your review for the show on iTunes - LuAnn will really appreciate it

Dec 1, 2017

Welcome to Power Talk Friday! We have an interview with FreshBooks today. A few months ago, FreshBooks and LuAnn started talking about them becoming a regular sponsor for this show.  As pretty smart business people, they both wanted to find out more about one another before joining forces, to see who they would be getting involved with.

FreshBooks asked to do a trial of two or three thirty second ad spots. Before LuAnn agreed to do any commercials for them, however, she wanted to know if they really were right for you, her listeners. And what better way for LuAnn to know if they are the right fit than to apply her ninja interview tactics to them? Listen in to find out more.

LuAnn wanted the chance to ask any and every question that she thought would be helpful, for you to decide if FreshBooks is right for you because she thinks they really are a terrific platform for helping you to track the money side of your Design business.

Today she talks to Julie Kerr, the Marketing Communications Strategist at FreshBooks, about FreshBooks and how she sees them as the perfect side companion to My Doma Studio. Listen in now, as Julie explains how this platform was designed, specifically for the small, serviced-based industry, to take the fear out of accounting and to help you to efficiently input, track and analyze your operations, your projects, and your business.

Show highlights:

  • Julie explains what FreshBooks is all about.
  • Who the ideal client for FreshBooks is.
  • Julie explains why this is the Accounting Software for non-Accountants.
  • FreshBooks have built templates that actually help you to get paid faster.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to track and operate your business seamlessly.
  • You can take a picture of the receipts of money you spent, on gas, lunches or even hotel stays and the information will be automatically uploaded- and even sorted, for tax time.
  • Your company credit cards can be linked to FreshBooks, to have all the transactions automatically uploaded.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to easily assess the health of your business.
  • Julie explains how the whole invoicing process of FreshBooks works.
  • How well FreshBooks would work, as a side companion to My Doma Studios.
  • The really beautiful design of the way that of FreshBooks looks.
  • You can have your questions answered right away, by the Toronto based support team, at their call center.
  • The way that the pricing structure of FreshBooks works.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to track the exact number of hours that have been worked on a project.
  • The different ways that you can stay connected to FreshBooks.

Resources:

You can get a free 30 Day Trial with FreshBooks!  All you have to do is go to www.freshbooks/LuAnn to sign up!

If you still have any questions, you can email their Support Team at support@freshbooks.com, or you can give them a call at 1-866-303-6061.

Nov 29, 2017

How many times have you, as a Designer,  felt like you were caught between your client and the Contractor? You know the kinds of situations where you have created a floor plan for space, only to find, on your next visit to the site, that a wall has been moved... So, what happens when this happens? Listen in now, to find out.

Judith Neary and Corey Klassen have some terrific insights and advice for you around this subject, on today's Design Biz Live feature. On today's show, Corey and Judith will be talking about how to manage not being the Project Manager. The diversity of the Design Industry is your strength, but sometimes also your weakness, as a Designer, so listen in, as we pick this topic apart a bit and go through the nuances of it, so that you can find out how to avoid being in this kind of situation.

Show highlights:

  • The definition of Project Management.
  • Judith's concept of the three legs of the stool.
  • The challenge that Corey faced recently, around having to manage a project.
  • The role of the General Contractor, as compared with that of an Architect, or a Designer.
  • The different elements that need to be pulled together, to create cohesion in a project.
  • What a really good Project Manager looks like.
  • Where Designers tend to fall down in a project.
  • What the initial Sales Process should cover.
  • Judith's way of preventing the pain factor in a project.
  • Educating the client about the costs of Project Management.
  • When to say 'no' to a project.

 

Nov 27, 2017

Welcome to today's show! Our guest for today, Amanda Evans, is someone you may know through Instagram. She is the Founder and Principal of Amanda Evans Interiors, which is based in Vancouver. Amanda opened her business in 2009, before the birth of  Theo, her first child. Today Amanda talks to LuAnn about what work looked like for her before Theo came into her life, what it looked like after Theo began pre-school and what it looks like now, after their daughter, Marlee, who is now just three months old, was born. Listen in to find out more.

On the show today, Amanda gives a detailed explanation of how she grew and then filled her pipeline, so that now, only three years later, she already has three employees. If you have been battling with ways to give your new (or existing firm) a boost in getting new leads, you're going to really enjoy today's show. Listen in now, to find out from Amanda some ways to handle the transitions in life, both from a business standpoint and when things come at you personally.

Show highlights:

  • Some of Amanda's observations about the transitions in her life, over the last few years.
  • Amanda's really intentional way of creating relationships with the Builders and Realtors that she wanted to work with.
  • What it was like for Amanda, and how she coped, when she first joined the mostly male Builder's Association and started going to networking meetings.
  • Amanda's way of initiating a first meeting, to connect with the Builders and Realtors that she wanted to build relationships with.
  • Some lessons that Amanda learned, and how her thinking changed, while making the transitions in her life.
  • How Amanda was able to up-level her work and take on even more, by hiring people to assist her.
  • Taking the pain out of developing new relationships with Builders or Contractors.
  • How Amanda managed to get ideal team together.
  • Some advice to help you to hire the right people for your business.
  • Amanda's way of growing her Instagram, to get over 12 000 followers.
  • Some things to watch out for, when tagging people on Instagram.
  • You really do need to credit your photographer!
  • Winning ways to work with Instagram.
  • Some tips for engaging with your Instagram Community.

Links:

Website: www.aeinteriors.ca
Instagram: @amandaevansinteriors
Facebook: Facebook.com/amandaevansinteriors
Twitter: @amandaevansinc
 
Previous shows mentioned on this episode: 

Nancy Ganzekaupher #256

Tabitha Carro #235

Shea McGee #236

Amber Lewis #184

Nov 24, 2017

Welcome to another Power Talk Friday! Today LuAnn is really excited to have Joe Haecker, The CEO and Founder of Dezignwall, with her on the show. Listen in to find out more about this awesome social network platform, created specifically for the Design community.

Dezignwall is the fastest growing network for Design and Architectural professionals, worldwide. It is the very first social platform to address the specific needs of the international Design community and it blends the features found on top social media platforms with the ability to produce products. The goal of Dezignwall is to unite the International Design and Products community, in order to help the industry to compete in a constantly changing and growing global marketplace.

Joe's background is in Custom Lighting, for hotels, casinos, high end residential and Daylight Tubular Skylight Industries. He has been responsible for setting trends, developing innovations and also coordinating world-class projects internationally, for more than seventeen years. He has served as Head Of Design for Triton Chandelier, Alger Lighting, and Solatube International. He has also consulted for many custom lighting companies, including iWorks, Spectrum, 3Form Light-Art Schonbek and lots of others. Joe has a passion for the success of the industry and he serves as an Industry Advocate, fostering a focus on global communication, collaboration and restoring the value of luxury in the industry. Joe is a single Dad of two sons and he is very involved in Business Consulting, Mentoring and establishing an ecosystem for startups and Tech Companies in the Antelope Valley and Kern Country areas of Southern California. Listen in now!

Show highlights:

  • Joe explains how Dezignwall came about, what it is and why you, as a Designer, should care.
  • The difference between Dezignwall and Instagram.
  • Dezignwall is a place for one of a kind artisans.
  • The multiple angles that a product can be viewed, on Dezignwall.
  • The awesome features to be found on Dezignwall.
  • Why a Designer would want to upload their projects onto Dezignwall.
  • How Dezignwall works as a sales efficiency tool.
  • How Dezignwall works for Designers and how it works for consumers.
  • Joe's motivation in creating Dezignwall.
  • Dezignwall is the only social network platform that features Podcasts.
  • Joe explains the value of having your Podcast featured on this platform, to tell your Design story.
  • Dezignwall is a tool that has access to analytics, so it can really help you to cater to the specific needs of each client.
  • Everything on this platform can be accessed via a keyword search.
  • The benefits of this platform, for reaching and connecting with a global market.
  • Dezignwall as a system for coordinating the Trade Shows that you attended.
  • The goal that Joe had in mind when creating this platform.

Resources: 

Website: www.dezignwall.com

FB LIVE Talkshow: https://www.facebook.com/events/502777173434577/?ti=cl

Social Handle: @Dezignwall, Inc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCycMyaEpwYZVOg0D7pfIfA/featured

Follow LuAnn on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRScT16XD_jq_NqsPPawDA

Nov 22, 2017

Welcome to today's episode! We have Shannon Tate, a real go-getter, with us on the show today. She opened her business, Shannon Tate Interiors, in 2012, after having worked in a very diverse range of artistic fields, such Acting, Fine Art, Fashion, Writing, Lifestyle Coaching and even spending some time working as a Private Chef. Shannon, who is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach, loves to pair her artistic vision with her sense of empathy, her Reiki training and her knowledge of Ayurveda and Feng Shui.

In addition to her Interior Design Services, Shannon designs and creates custom furniture, art and home décor for her projects. After being in business for only five years, Shannon has been featured in Home Polish three times, Apartment Therapy twice, Design Sponge, Domino, The Nest, New England Home, and Modern Sanctuary. Listen in now, to find out more about Shannon's artistic approach to her Interior Design business.

Shannon grew up both in New York and Los Angeles. On today's show, she shares the story of how she, her husband and their daughter ended up in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, so listen in, to find out more.

Show highlights:

  • Shannon talks about her earlier career, which eventually brought her to Interior Design.
  • A funny story about why Shannon left Design School when she was still very young.
  • The food business that Shannon and her husband ran together.
  • How Shannon has managed to incorporate her Lifestyle Coaching with Interior Design.
  • Their crazy move to Massachusetts, which prompted Shannon to hire a Coach.
  • How Shannon got featured in so many top Design Publications, after opening her business only five years ago.
  • How Shannon works to get what she really wants.
  • The nuts and bolts of how Shannon Tate Interiors is run.
  • Shannon explains her recent change in the way that she charges her clients.
  • How Shannon deals with clients who want to negotiate her contract.
  • Offering excellent Customer Service, without compromising your own principals.
  • What's coming up for Shannon in 2018.

Connect with Shannon:

www.shannontateinteriors.com

Facebook

Instagram

Remember that you can get 10% off your first purchase from Kravet, by going to www.curatedkravet.com  and using the code CK Podcast at the checkout.

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Ren Miller #12

Fred Berns #174

Claire Staszak #166

Amy Flurry #108

Lesley Myrick #37

Marina Umali #248

Kerry Leskowitz #98

To contact LuAnn, you can text her using the word Design Biz on 444999, or you can email her at info@luannnigara.com .

Nov 20, 2017

A special 'hello' to all our new listeners and a warm welcome to the show!  Today we are really happy to introduce you to our guest, Chaney Widmer, the Founder of Mix And Match Design Company. Chaney is a very smart lady, who saw a need in the market and created a really innovative way to fill it. She offers One On One Decorating Services, through her  E-Design and Online Interior Design and on her Mix And Match Blog, she shares her decorating tips and inspiration. Listen in, to find out more about  E-Design and how to make it work profitably for you.

Today, Chaney explains how she created Mix And Match Design, in order to provide affordable and accessible Interior Design to everyone. After many years of writing a Design Blog and helping her friends and family to put together beautiful homes that they loved, Chaney decided that the time had come for her launch her own internet-based Design Business. Chaney is fully committed to taking the intimidation out of Interior Design, whether her client is starting from scratch with a brand new home,  adding a few pieces to pull a room together or even just looking for a way to take their space from looking good to looking really great! Listen in now, to hear Chaney's poised and intelligent approach to her carefully designed business model.

Show highlights:

  • Chaney explains why she chose to focus her business on  E-Design.
  • What motivated Chaney to deal with the specific market that she has chosen to focus on.
  • The demographics of the market that Chaney focuses on.
  • The really reasonable cost of working with Chaney.
  • The number of hours that Chaney typically spends on a $300 project.
  • The time that it takes for Chaney to complete her average project.
  • How her processes have evolved, over time.
  • Chaney's detailed, but not overwhelming survey that she gives her clients to complete.
  • How Chaney created the contract that she currently uses with her clients.
  • How Chaney makes her money through affiliate links.
  • Great resources for an affiliate networks, as a way to earn money through their affiliate programs.
  • The type metric that is sought after, for Affiliate Programs.
  • What creating an Affiliate Link would involve- it's really easy!
  • The kind of service that Chaney offers her clients.
  • How Chaney does her follow-ups.
  • The eDesign Course that Chaney is going to be launching soon.
  • The target market for Chaney's upcoming eDesign Course.

Resources for Affiliate Programs:

                 Reward Style Network – An application based Affiliate Network.

Shop Style Collective – Have a pay per click affiliate program.

  1. J. Affiliate.

Sign up for “How To Launch An E-Design Business" online course email list signup: bit.ly/launchanedesignbusiness

Connect with Chaney on social media:

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Christina Perry: #5

Danielle Liss #179

To get 10% off your next whole order from Curated Kravet Inc. head over to www.curatedkravet.com and use the code CK Podcast at the check out.

Nov 17, 2017

Welcome to another episode of Power Talk Friday! Everyone can start doing their happy dance today because we have Kae Whitaker on the show! After doing her really great series all about Facebook, LuAnn was considering doing another series, about landing pages, click funnels, email responders etc. She was out there, in Podcast Land, listening and looking out for the right person to have on the show- someone who could really relate to you, as Designers, as well as having all the necessary know-how, when out of the blue, she got a notification that Kae Whitaker was going live on Instagram. She went on over to have a look and there was Kae, talking about click funnels and email sequences... It was like hitting the jackpot for LuAnn because she knows that Kae really talks our language, so listen in to find out what Kae has to share with you today, about Email Marketing.

If you're a new listener and you haven't yet been introduced to Kae, this is the fourth time that she's been on this show and she is really well loved by all who listen in. She was on episode 26, 66 and 114. In the past, we have discussed branding, how to hire and train interns and how to conduct a proper year-end review of your business. Today Kae is here to talk about Sales Funnels. What they are, why we need to know about them and how we can apply them to our individual interior design firms. Kae answers the questions: What kind of content should be in an email sequence and how often should I send a potential client an email?

 Kay is the Owner and the CEO  of Kae Whitaker Solutions and she has more than ten years of experience in Retail Sales and Marketing Development. Now, her focus is on helping Small Businesses to stay competitive in their market and helping them to reach and surpass their revenue goals. She has worked with some of the largest national retailers and she now leverages her expertise in Retail Sales and Marketing Development to create her Premium Coaching Programs, that really help Small Business owners to tune in to what matters most in their Marketing efforts, by streamlining their processes and maximizing on their clientele. Kae's highest achievements come from helping others to reach their goals and she really loves having the opportunity to help people to take their brand to the next level. So, listen in now, to find out how to tune in to what really matters most for your business.

Show highlights:

  • Kae explains what a Sales Funnel
  • Why Sales Funnels are really important for Designers.
  • The major difference in the number of conversions, and also the ability to predict revenue, that Kae has experienced in her firm, since starting with Email Marketing.
  • Where to start, with developing your Email Marketing.
  • Thinking about what you could offer for free, in return for an email address.
  • You're really not interrupting anyone, with Email Marketing, because they only opt-in if they're interested.
  • Why video works so well, as an opt-in.
  • What to do, right after getting your first opt-in.
  • How to build a great, trusting relationship, through your emails.
  • The whole point behind Email Marketing.
  • What the content of the sequence of emails, following the opt-in, should include.
  • The right time to schedule a chat with someone.
  • Working with an Automated Email Responder. (Like Acuity Scheduling)
  • Not stopping after the first 'no' can really set you apart from other Designers.
  • If you can muster up the courage to get in front of a camera, do it! The video really converts well!
  • Some alternative ideas, if you don't want to appear on camera.
  • All about what's to be expected from Kae's soon to be launched Email Marketing Bootcamp. It will be live on Tuesdays at 8 pm (Central Standard Time) and it will be recorded, so you can still catch it if you miss the live broadcast.
  • Why Kae designed her Email Marketing Bootcamp- and who it's for.
  • The importance of spending the time to learn something new.
  • Kae's course will cost $949 retail, and you, as listeners to A Well Designed Business Podcast will get a hefty 25% discount. Go to kaewhitaker.com/luanneemail to find the check-out form on the website. You can either pay it all at once, or you can even split it into three monthly payments.
  • Kae will be back on the show soon, to talk about the more technical side of Email Marketing.

Links:

Kae’s course, Email Marketing Bootcamp is open and teaches everything you need to know in order to develop your own pipeline filling email strategy — A Well-Designed Business podcast listeners can get 25% off the $949.00 course by going to 

www.kaewhitaker.com/luannemail

Her website:

http://kaewhitaker.com

Nov 15, 2017

Today we have Lisa Escobar on the show and she has a Design Firm based in Las Vegas. Lisa was initially connected to LuAnn through Christie Leu (episode #182) and Darci Hether (episode #220). Lisa, Christie, Darcy and another Designer, Jessie Cooney, met at an Interior Designer Workshop Summit. They really hit it off and decided to all meet again, for a weekend retreat. Today, on the show, Lisa discusses the value of getting together with other Designers and having some quality one on one time together and she also talks about her firm, Lisa Escobar Design. Listen in to find out more.

Lisa is from Las Vegas, and growing up in the 'Entertainment Capital of the World' has really had an impact on her career, where she has managed to complete a vast range of projects in an impressively short time. She has consulted on and managed high-rise condo transformations, high-end residential spaces, and new build designs, both locally and beyond. She has shaped concepts and designs for Commercial and Hospitality projects alike, collaborating with the best of the industry's Design Professionals. The influence of the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas has helped Lisa to add flair and high style comfort to everything she's touched. Travelling to places such as China, Spain, and France has offered her inspiration to draw from daily, to shape her vibrant and polished style. Lisa is steadily gaining recognition from the Design Community and well-respected brands such as HGTV, Houzz, International Market Centres and the High Point Market Authority view her as a sought after tastemaker and a rising star. Lisa's ten-year history of working alongside Hotel Executives, Nightclub Owners and high profile clientele at top resorts has led her to create a business that really encompasses some very important principals. Lisa was left ingrained with some vital key service values, from the Five Star Five Diamond environment of the Wynn and Encore Resorts. Listen in today, to find out more about Lisa's approach to her Design Business, which really sets her apart from the rest.

Show highlights:

  • The great benefits of spending quality one on one time with other Designers.
  • The 'secret sauce' behind the really valuable time that Lisa spent at the weekend retreat with three other Superwoman Designers, Christy Lou, Darcy Heather and Jessie Cooney.
  • Lisa discusses how her typically high level, CEO, high performer, mostly male, niche market came about.
  • The way that Lisa leverages her previous work experience in the Hospitality Industry, for her current business.
  • How Lisa evolved towards realizing her niche.
  • Looking at your strengths, to find your ideal market.
  • An unintentional marketing tactic that really worked!
  • Lisa's experience of being at Cambria's Residential Style-makers Summit, in Minnesota and how she got to go there.
  • All about Lisa's Firm.
  • The secret to how to ask for money.
  • Paying attention to your gut feelings.
Nov 13, 2017

Welcome! Today, we're really happy to introduce you to Landy Gardner Interiors, which is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Landy Gardner Interiors have a really unique philosophy with which they approach their diverse clientele, where the focus is on individual needs and on combining the comfort of familiarity with new and fresh elements, using techniques both proven and untried. The way that a client works, plays, entertains and relaxes must all be considered, according to the Landy Gardner way of designing. Today, we're really privileged to have Landy's daughter, Dionne, on the show with us.

We originally arranged to have both Landy and Dionne on the show, however, due to some technical hitches on their end, the recording of the interview had to be rescheduled twice. Sadly, in the interim, Landy Gardner passed away. He was a man bigger than life and a great, kind soul and even though LuAnn had very little exchange with him, he made a really deep impression on her.

Today, Dionne talks about how she started working her Dad, the lessons that she learned from him and also about how she will continue to lead his company and carry on with his legacy, with the help of her team. LuAnn is really so very glad that Dionne decided that she still wanted to go ahead and do the interview with her today, so listen in now, as Dionne shares her memories of her father and the inspiration that he was to her.

In 2001, Landy Gardner was named South East Designer Of The Year, by the Atlantic Decorative Arts Centre and he has been named Designer Of The Year by Nashville Magazine. He has been published in Southern Living, Southern Accents, Traditional Home, Nashville Lifestyles, Showcase Of Interior Design, Southern Edition, Better Homes And Gardens, Boulevards, Southern Rooms, Interior Design From Miami To Houston, Spectacular Homes Of Tennessee, Atlanta, the cover of Veranda and a feature in Veranda's twentieth anniversary edition- Twenty Years Of Memorable Rooms. Landy has also been on HDTV's  Interior By Design.

Landy Gardner Interior's design projects include private residences in Tennessee, New York,  California, Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and also The Bahamas. He has designed rooms for the Tennessee Governor's Mansion, the Junior League Of Nashville's show houses and the Judd House, in Dalton, Georgia. Landy's commercial work includes Health Spas and Executive Offices in Nashville and office buildings for Hospital Corporation Of America, across the country, and also restaurants and bars for strategic hospitality. Both Landy and His Daughter, Dionne, are rare and extraordinary individuals, as well as being really talented Designers, so listen in to this bittersweet interview, to find out more about Landy Gardner Interiors.

Show highlights:

  • How Dionne first came to work for her Dad.
  • What it was like for Dionne, when she started working for her Dad.
  • How Dionne got to know and admire her Dad much more deeply, after working with him.
  • How it was all about the client, for Landy- something that really made him remarkable.
  • The really great, collaborative dynamic that existed between Dionne and Landy.
  • How Dionne now finds herself selecting fabrics in the way that Landy would have done it.
  • Landy's amazingly integrated left brain/ right brain approach to his work.
  • Dionne explains how she learned to shop for clients, using Landy's mindful method.
  • Why Dionne and Landy were able to work together, so successfully.
  • The way that Dionne intends to go forward with her Dad's business and honor his legacy.
  • Landy's mindblowing process of installation, for a project.
  • The importance of being clear about the methods that you use, in your Design process.

 Links:

Website:
http://landygardner.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/landygardnerinteriors/
 
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LandyGardner
Nov 10, 2017

Welcome to Power Talk Friday! We have Nancy Ganzekaufer with us today and if you're a new listener to the show and you're not familiar with her, she has already been on the show twice before, first on episode #15, where she spoke about Niche Markets and then again, on episode #159, where she had a very actionable conversation with LuAnn about getting clear and confident about who you are and what you offer. Today we are going to be talking about your business, in words. This will be the kind of show where you may want to take down some notes, so please have your pen and paper ready. Then, listen in, to find out about a fantastic, non-salesy way of having people really want to work with you.

Nancy and LuAnn are eight weeks through their fantastic ten weeks Premiere Online Coaching Program, Money, Mindset, And Sales, with an awesome group of people, who are all working really hard, to get themselves to the next level. So far it's been really interesting and also very rewarding and because this Program has been such an all-round success, they have decided to do it again, so they will be launching their new program, Six Weeks To Success, in January. Listen in to find out more.

Nancy has developed a powerful step by step exercise called Your Business in Words. She guides you in crafting the perfect description of your values, your interior design services and your process all with the goal of attracting more of your ideal client to you. If you have ever struggled with networking, promoting yourself or just need a proven way to make a memorable introduction of yourself, Nancy has the answer for you.

Show highlights:

  • Nancy takes you, step by step, through what their Six Weeks To Success Program, starting on January the 4th, will include. Go to www.luannnigara.com/6weeks to get the details. Registration is open!
  • Nancy's take on the six clear and actionable steps that LuAnn and her husband do for their business, every year in January, or at any time that they're ready to start something new.
  • Really understanding what it is that you do, in your business.
  • Nancy explains her business, in words.
  • The goal of having your business, in words.
  • An exercise to help you to put your business into words. (You can go to www.nancyganzekaufer.com/ybiw for Nancy's free, twenty-minute webinar, to walk you through this process.)
  • Being who you are, and not who you think people want to hear that you are.
  • Adjectives to help you to get past the obvious traits that most Designers are going to bring to the table.
  • Identifying your ideal client and also, the particular problem that you help them to solve.
  • Using directed sentences, to describe your particular uniqueness, in your line of business.
  • Explaining how people can work with you.
  • Saying what the flow of your process is.
  • Saying what your consultations consist of.
  • How to add the enthusiasm for your last sentence.
  • Becoming attractive by showing your passion.
  • The more information that you give to people, the more relatable points they will have, to really connect with you.
  • When it would be appropriate to use your description of your business in words.

Resources:
Sign up for Six Weeks to Success - luannnigara.com/6weeks 

Grab Nancy’s Freebie - Your Business in Words at www.nancyganzekaufer.com/ybiw

Nancy’s website

http://nancyganzekaufer.com

Nancy on Twitter:

nancyganzekaufe

Nancy on FB:

https://www.facebook.com/NancyGanzekaufer

Nancy on Instagram:

nancyganzekaufer

Nancy on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyganzekaufer/

Nov 8, 2017

Today we have Anne Rue on the show. Anne is the principal of Anne Rue Interiors and she has more than twenty years of experience in the world of Design, having worked with both high end residential and also commercial clients. Today, Anne shares tons of insights, from her vast experience as a business owner, for you to enjoy and appreciate.  Listen in, as she talks about the complete turnaround in her eighteen-year-old business after she hired a Business Coach and also about the reality of doing Reality TV.

Anne has been creating inspired living spaces for everyone, from professional athletes, multi-family housing properties, model merchandising, senior housing and even luxury motor coaches and yachts. Anne's work has been featured in Florida Design, Orlando Magazine, Orange Appeal Magazine and she's been a Design Expert on Orlando's WESH News On Sunrise and Good Day Orlando, on Fox News. You may even know Anne as the Season Eight Fan Favorite, on HGTV's Design Star, or possibly as the Designer on the hit show, Hotel Impossible, on the travel channel. Listen in now, to find out more about Anne and her fabulous Design Work.

Show highlights:

  • What drove Anne to seek help for her business, after nearly eighteen years.
  • The benefits of working for a really great Designer in your area, regardless of the kind of work you may be required to do.
  • The consequences of moonlighting on super luxury motor coaches and yachts.
  • Utilising the genius of two women and their teams.
  • Where Anne would like to be in her business, in ten years time.
  • Some of the things that Anne learned from her two genius mentors.
  • A book that Anne highly recommends: The Values Factor, by John Demartini.
  • The importance of knowing who you are and where you want to be.
  • The niche market that Anne is currently focusing on.
  • Why Anne is currently cultivating her Builder Relationships.
  • Working out if a project is really worth the time that it will take.
  • The importance of working out your values- both personal values and those relating to your business.
  • Anne's whole experience of getting onto HGTV's Design Star show. (HGTV Star)
  • A view in hindsight of the true reality behind Reality TV.
  • Why Anne is not pursuing a career in TV, even though she does really well with it.

 Links:

Instagram: Anne Rue interiors
Facebook: Anne Rue interiors
Pinterest: Anne Rue interiors
Nov 6, 2017

Welcome to part two of Design Biz Live 3, with Corey Klassen.  The last episode of Design Biz Live (#246) was the interview with Judith Neary, about the Self Assessment Evaluation, (which you can still find at www.windowworks-nj.com/designbiz2) that Judith and Corey put together for themselves and also for you, so that you can learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of yourself, as an Interior Designer and also of your staff. They created this because just like many of you, they battled to structure their fees. Because Judith and Corey really are pretty brilliant, they worked out a way to figure out what you're really good at, what you're not so good at, what you don't like doing, what you're not going to do... the whole thing! In the last episode, LuAnn talked with Judith, who runs a One Man Show, in Vashon Island, off the coast of Seattle, about how she used this evaluation to enable her to work in her particular zone of genius and to structure her projects and fees to best coincide with the things that she does really well and that she really likes to do. Please go back and listen, if you missed that episode.

Today, we have Corey Klassen with us on the show. Corey has his Interior Design firm in Vancouver, Canada and he has a staff, so when he took the evaluation, it was not only for himself, it was for his staff too. Today, Corey will share the results that he learned from his evaluation and also the way that he utilized the information from these results, about himself and also about each of the people on his staff. Then, using that information, he moves into the best way to structure the fees for his Design firm, in order to best serve his clients and also the firm, itself. Listen in to find out more.

Show highlights:

  • One of the key things that Corey recognized from his evaluation.
  • The way that Corey has utilized all the information that he got from the Assessment, without deviation.
  • All the work that Corey does, whether it's for a kitchen, bathroom, or anything else, it all follows exactly the same process.
  • Looking deeper into the data, to figure out where the biggest strengths and weaknesses of himself and his staff were and to align his fees accordingly.
  • Core shares some graphs, demonstrating the conceptual phase of his and his staff's assessment.
  • What the graph demonstrating the execution phase of Corey's Assessment says to him.
  • The importance of documents being communicated correctly, on time, with the right information and all complete, together.
  • A process to ensure that the documents are being communicated correctly, on time, with the right information all complete and together, with MyDoma Studio.
  • Flipping over to using Quickbooks to easily manage accounting systems, to save time.
  • Some key solutions to invite the vendor into the project.
  • Managing punch lists.
  • Using tracking sheets for orders, to really work well as a team.
  • A formulated process that Corey used, to help him to determine the appropriate fees to charge.
  • Addressing, and then utilizing failures to their best advantage.
  • The three phases of the evaluation are also the same three phases of a project.
  • Corey's formula for structuring flat fees.
  • Why Corey charges for each phase, before moving on to the next.
  • The difference between General Contractors and Designers.
  • The importance of really good communication.
  • When product sales come into the picture.
  • The importance of having a Termination Clause in your agreement with a client.
  • Making use of a Design Retainer, which remains retained until the final invoice is done. (Then the balance is refunded.)
  • If you have any questions, either for this section or for the section that Judith covered, please email them to LuAnn, to be answered on the next episode of Design Biz Live. (info@windowworksnj.com and please put Design Biz Live Question in the subject line.)
Nov 3, 2017

Welcome to today's episode of Power Talk Friday! LuAnn is thrilled beyond belief to introduce you to today's guest, Katie Krimitsos! Katie is the founder of the Facebook Community Biz Women Rock, and she uses this platform to educate and bring women entrepreneurs together, from all around the world. When you listen to Katie on her show, she is so real, so empathetic and so willing to share what she's learned and she's really on the ball with her on-air Coaching too, so listen in today, to find out more about Katie and the way that she manages to do so many different things really, really well!

Katie, who has a Masters Degree in Communication, has a great depth of experience in helping and teaching her fellow women entrepreneurs how to get their businesses on track. Within the platform of Biz Women Rock that Katie has created, she has the Biz Women Rock Podcast, she teaches a course on how to create a rocking Facebook Community, she has the Mompreneur Series, she has a blog, she has her Money Moxy Series and she also has the Biz Women Rock Academy, where you get education, support, mindset and strategy training, community challenges, hot seats, goal setting and so much more! Listen in now, to find out what Katie has to share with you on the show today.

Show highlights:

  • A huge and really common pain point around mindset, that most women entrepreneurs tend to experience.
  • How Katie helps entrepreneurs with their mindset.
  • The way that women's roles and responsibilities are really so deeply entwined with how they show up for business.
  • How Katie helps women by reflecting their light back to them.
  • How your own personal development impacts everything about your business.
  • The journey of entrepreneurship never really ends (just like being a parent)- you will constantly be challenged to do things better.
  • Some of the things that make the entrepreneurial journey a bit easier, down the line.
  • How Katie helps people whose backs are against the wall, to get their businesses back on track.
  • What Katie did to help her husband get his business back on track.
  • The steps that Katie took to create a major transition in her business, in order to really make it work.
  • Why you really need to be super clear about what you're doing in your business.
  • Katie explains all about the Biz Women Rock Retreat that she's planning, between the 1st and the 3rd of December.

Links:

Katie's website: www.bizwomenrock.com

Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/biz-women-rock-with-katie-krimitsos/id818183720?mt=2
Twitter: @katiekrimitsos
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekrimitsos/
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