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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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A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 30, 2016

Guess what? This is our six month anniversary! I have two very special shows for you this week. The first show we are going to meet one of the masterminds behind the fabulous curatedkravet.com platform. Curatedkravet.com is celebrating a few milestones of its own. This spring marked the one year anniversary of the hugely successful curatedkravet.com!

Our special guest today is Will Hunt Lewis, Senior Director of Merchandising of curatedkravet.com! In this position, he oversees all business done with merchandising and product development for all product category. Today Will Hunt and I are going to talk all curatedkravet.com from quality, delivering times, to the designers that curate the rooms.

Show Notes:

  • How long has Will Hunt been with Kravet?
  • What were the vision/goals for curatedkravet.com?
  • What are some of the best features of curatedkravet.com?
  • What kind of products are on the website?
  • How are the products sourced?
  • What does he love best about the website?
  • How is customer service handled?
  • How are designers found for the website?
  • What is a “magalog”?

Resources:
www.curatedkravet.com
Code for 10% off: ckpodcast
www.facebook.com/windowworksnj

 

Dec 28, 2016

On the show today you are going to meet Sarah Daniele! Sarah was recommended to me by a previous guest and my friend, Rachel Moriarty. So, who is Sarah Daniele? She is a very smart, take- the- bull- by- the- horns type person, interior designer and also happens to be the co-founder and CEO of Mydoma Studio!  Sarah has a degree in interior design, has worked for others and then eventually started her own business, Mydoma Studio. Her business focuses on residential renovations, add-ons, kitchen, and bath. Today she is going to share with us a little about her career.

Show Notes:

  • When did Sarah start her new software?
  • What were her guidelines for her new software system?
  • Was her software originally for other designers?
  • When did she decide to let other designers use her program?
  • What changes were made to her software program to fit other designers?
  • How did she know that other designers would need a different program than herself?
  • How did she build her beta team to test the new product?
  • Is Mydoma Studio an accounting software?
  • Where did the name Mydoma Studio come from?
  • How did she decide the “look” of her website?
  • What is the usability of Mydoma  Studio?
  • What is Mydoma Studio and what can it help designers do with clients?
  • What is the process to sign up for Sarah’s program on Mydoma Studio?
  • What is a product catalog builder?
  • What does it mean when the product catalog builder is global?
  • How does a designer get the client on board using Mydoma Studio?
  • Would the client still have access to their studio after the project is finished?
  • How are the invoices incorporated in the program?
  • Is there a way for the designer to view the project like they are the client?
  • What is the targeted audience for Mydoma Studio?
  • How are the fees decided?

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

Dec 26, 2016

Have you heard of Chairish yet? If you haven’t yet I am so happy to introduce you to this brand and Anna Brockway: one of the founders of this brand! Listen in to Anna’s story of how she started her company only three and a half years ago and it already has 150000 items available on the site

Show Notes:

  • What is Chairish?
  • Why did she start the business?
  • What is the Chairish pink book?
  • Is it a business or a feature?
  • Research the market!
  • What kind of special features does the Chairish site have?

For the rest of the show notes, please visit our Resource Center-- Window Works

 

Dec 23, 2016

Deborah Rosenberg is here with us today on Power Talk Friday. If you remember Deborah was first on the show on episode 82. Deborah is the founder of an ultra-luxury design firm, Dimare Design and www.certifiedcrueltyfree.net. She is a leader in cruelty-free and wellness healthy design. During episode 82 she talks about her passion for animal’s rights and how she has skewed her interior design firm to stand firmly behind this passion of hers to be cruelty-free. Deborah believes that luxury design should look good, feel good and do good. 

Deborah has also been on TLC as a featured designer; she has appeared on the Today Show; she writes articles and lectures on humane and wellness design. If you haven’t listened to episode 82 you need to go back and listen to it because you will get full details of how she runs her business and her great business principles. She mentioned in that episode that she was working on a certification program for interior designers, if you have a passion to bring this to your business as well. The course is launching!

You can read the full show notes at www.windowworks-nj.com/deborah-rosenburg

Dec 21, 2016

On the show, today we are lucky to have Amanda Gates with us! Amanda is the principal of Gates Interior Design, a Feng Shui practitioner, a podcaster, an award-winning blogger and very soon a published author. She has been seamlessly marrying interior design and Feng shui for over 17 years to help her high-end clients awaken their souls and rejuvenate their spirit all through the art of intentional design. She is best known for her classic design with a modern twist and was selected by Nashville Home and Garden Magazine as one of the top designers to watch. Her designs and educational blog which was named top 25 interior design blogs in the world! Amanda is quite accomplished and is very generous to share her advice.

Show Notes:

  • How does she incorporate her design with the phrase “good design enhances your lifestyle but intentional design enhances your quality of life?”
  • What does intentional design mean?
  • What is BTB?
  • How long has Amanda been studying Feng Shui?
  • How does she divide Feng shui and interior design in her business or does she?
  • How does Amanda figure out if she has found “her people”?
  • Hoes she figure out if a person is not a client for her?
  • How did her blog get started?
  • How many elements are in Feng shui?
  • When is her book, Detoxing Clutter with Feng Shui” coming out?
  • What is her book about?
  • How can you get your blog known?
  • What are some tips to starting a blog?
  • How can a podcast appeal to potential clients?
  • Why is it important to work with a coach?
  • Why is it important to join a mastermind?
  • Why is it important to look for a coach outside of your business industry and shop around?
  • Be cautious of the advice you take when starting out!
  • How do you figure out who you should work with?

Resources:

“Detoxing Clutter with Feng Shui”

 

Her website:
https://gatesinteriordesign.com
 
Her Blog- Rated Top 25 in the World for Interior Design:
https://gatesinteriordesign.com/blog/
 
Her Podcast:
Design 101
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/design-101-designing-your/id505550006?mt=2

 

Dec 19, 2016

Julianne Taylor is the founder and creative director of Taylor Burke Home: a luxury home décor brand offering bold, unexpected and sophisticated in furniture and lighting. Since launching Taylor Burke Home in 2012 Julianne has quickly emerged one of the home décor’s most prominent female entrepreneurs. She is also known in the industry as a trend setter and taste maker. She has a BFA in interior design from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Human Resources from the University of South Carolina. 

Show Notes:

  • What famous show did Julianne appear on?
  • How did Taylor Burke Home come into thoughts?
  • What were the biggest factors getting Taylor Burke Home going?
  • How did she do a proof of concept to make sure her business was going to be successful?
  • How much money do you need to start your business?
  • What is “SCORE” and how can it help when starting a business?
  • Be careful of the dream killers!
  • What made Atlanta the place to debut?
  • What sort of products does Julianne have at Taylor Burke Home?
  • How many female entrepreneurs did Julianne interview for her book, DesignHER?
  • What was the experience like interviewing these ladies for her book?
  • Are there certain things that Julianne would say female entrepreneurs would go through when running a business?
  • What nickname did she get working in her business?
  • What advice would she give to other female entrepreneurs starting out or planning to start a business?

Resources:

www.score.org 

www.taylorburkehome.com 

“DesignHER”

info@taylorburkehome.com 

1-800-860-5821

www.amazon.com

Dec 16, 2016

I’m so glad you tuned into power talk Friday! We have Kae Whitaker with us again! This is Kae’s third time on the show. If you have missed her first two shows you need to know she is a Houston-based branding and business developing strategist. Her company caters to personal coaches, personal brands, interior designers and event industry professionals. Kae’s personal coaching focuses on the whole brand. She understands very clearly that in order for you to be successful that all the pieces within your brand company have to line up. With over ten years of sales and marketing development she understands the way consumers think, what makes them want to buy your product or service. She has dedicated herself to helping creative businesses become more profitable and more productive. We are going to do an end of year planning. This is going to be a two-parter. Kae is going to talk to us about looking back on our year and what we need to evaluate to make good decisions moving forward. Krista Coupar is going to be talking to us on the following show. She is going to talk us about planning for the new year.

Show Notes:

  • What is one of the first things to look at when looking back on the year?
  • What are some things that will get in the way of accomplishing goals for the year?
  • What are some other markers to look at at the end of the year?
  • Who should you be looking at when evaluating for the year besides internally in your business?
  • What social platform is best for your business?
  • Take good notes!
  • How can you evaluate the “processes” that were used throughout the year?
  • Are there any tools that may be more helpful than the ones you are using?
  • What could be the reason you are unhappy with your job and how can you fix this?

Resources:

www.kaewhitaker.com

www.facebook.com/kaewhitaker

www.Instagram.com/kaewhitaker

www.parascope.com/kaewhitaker

Dec 14, 2016

Today’s show was a departure for me. It was recorded live at the Javits Center at the boutique design show in New York. If you are unfamiliar with BDNY let me give you some background. Boutique design New York is the leading trade fair and conference for hospitality design industry. Fall of 2016 marked the seventh year in a row that designers, architects, and other industry professionals gathered together for the two-day event November 13th and 14th. If you are currently designing for hospitality, contract or commercial or you aspire to work in the industry this is the show to attend. There are rows and rows of booths full of samples and sales representatives waiting to tell you about their latest products and services. 

The first interview is with Irina Peer. Irena is the director of design and merchandise for the Robert Allen Group. Robert Allen was showcasing two of its latest collections: Looks Natural and Performance Upholstery. They also gave an exclusive sneak peek at 701 Velvet, their new line they launched the next day. 

The second interview we are going to meet Robert Duban and Karen Keating from Kravet! In this interview, you will learn about the options you have in hospitality and health care industries. Did you know that Kravet is the only company to have guaranteed in stock crypton fabrics? I'll let Robert and Karen tell you what else is new at Kravet.

My next chat is with the vice president of JF Fabrics, Tony located in Toronto. They are going to talk about their new line and their crypton collection and how it has value for residential and commercial applications.

Do you remember episode 16 of the podcast with Charles Pavarini III of Pavarini Design Associates? If you do, you will remember that Charles and Randall were busy designing a new line of lawn furniture.  

Show Notes:

  • What is special about the Robert Allen performance book?
  • What some features that a person in hospitality would not like to miss from the Robert Allen Group?
  • What kind of research did Irina do for these collections?
  • What are some qualities that the 701 Velvet collection have?
  • What are some of the new introductions to the collections from Kravet?
  • What does every product/collection at Kravet have?
  • How many people are working to get these designs going for Kravet?
  • What would Robert and Karen want everyone to know that could not come to their booth at BDNY?
  • Where do they get their inspiration?
  • What is going on in the contract line for JF Fabrics?
  • What is the great thing in the fabric in the crypton home collection at JF Fabric?
  • What sort of products do Charles and Randall use for their new lawn furniture collection?
  • How was the journey getting the final product for their lawn furniture?
  • Where are, their products made?
  • Can you buy just one piece or do you have to buy in bulk?
  • Are Charles and Randall the only lawn furniture company of their kind?

Resources:

www.pavarinidesign.com 

www.olfoutdoor.com 

www.robertallendesign.com 

www.kravet.com 

www.jffabrics.com 

 

Dec 12, 2016

I am so grateful to have Kimberley Seldon on the show today. She has been requested by more than one guest that has been on the show. Kimberley is not only going to further beautiful luxury design, but also help by teaching interior designers how to emulate you and have a fabulous business. Kimberley is a brilliant and talented woman of many trades. She is an interior designer, editor, keynote speaker, broadcast personality and runs her online platform “Business of Design” where she teaches professional development to designers, decorators, stagers and stylists! 

Show Notes:

  • When did Kimberley have her “come to Jesus” moment in her career?
  • What caused her to have a “come to Jesus” moment?
  • Is it possible that interior designers make mistakes?
  • Should you bill the client if a mistake happens outside the company?
  • What were some of the challenges working with her own business coach and transitioning with her coach?
  • How did she make her paperwork not suck?
  • Why is it important to have good paperwork?
  • How do you present yourself when you are a brand new interior designer?
  • What are some things you should not do when first starting out?
  • “The wrong client will never turn into the right client.”
  • Should you charge for your consultation?
  • How much should you charge for your consultations?
  • What is Business of Design and what does it offer?
  • Is there a book coming in the near future?
  • If there is a book what would it be about?
  • What does her business look like on the inside?
  • How many courses does Kimberley offer?
  • What is the difference between the free membership and paid membership for her courses?

Resources:

 www.businessofdesign.com/awdbpodcast 

www.businessofdesign.com 

www.kimberleyseldon.com 

 

Dec 9, 2016

Welcome to Power Talk Friday! I am delighted to have Thomas Corley with me today. Tom is first and foremost fellow New Jersey folk. Tom is a CPA, financial planner and an author. It’s his books and research he has done for these books and speaking engagements on this topic that drew me to him and his platform. He has written three books so far: Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals, Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to be Happy and Successful in Life, Change your Habits, Change your life. I love topics that teach us something about taking ownership of ourselves as people, as business people, as parents, employees etc. and pushes us to better ourselves. Today Tom is going to talk to us about what he has found while doing his research and how to help yourself help yourself. 

Show Notes: 

  • Did Tom grow up wealthy?
  • What does his research contain and how does he go about doing his research?
  • What are rich and poor habits?
  • What did he learn while doing his research?
  • What is the comparison between wealthy people and exercise?
  • What are the differences between a goal and a dream?
  • What are more rich habits that wealthy people participate in?
  • What are the habits that wealthy people don’t participate in?
  • There are how many types of luck?
  • How do rich and poor people accumulate their luck?
  • How is the type of luck determined?
  • Why are technical people important and how can they help your business?
  • How many kinds of habits are there and what are they?
  • What is a keystone habit?
  • How can you open your mind to positivity?

Resources:

Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals

Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to be Happy and Successful in Life

Change your Habits, Change your life

www.richhabits.net 

 

Dec 7, 2016

Welcome back to another episode of A Well Design Business! Today on the show I’m going to talk with Mark McDonough, the founder and editor of “Tastefully Inspired” blog and the curator of the Instagram feed for “Tastefully Inspired”. Mark’s skills and experience blend a very deep understanding of how the internet and social media at the bits and bytes level with some extensive talent promotion experience from a previous career. Mark has worked to build the brands of various top designers like the Robert Thomas Collection, Clodagh Design, Timothy Corrigan, Terry Hunziker, Lori Weitzner and many more. Mark explains that he believes that the world of design is changing and good design more than ever needs to be seen. Therefore, he decides to create Tastefully Inspired to showcase the true tastemakers in our industry.

Show Notes:

  • When did Mark launch “Tastefully Inspired”?
  • How did Mark decide to use the design industry as his nitch business?
  • How long has Mark worked in the marketing industry?
  • How does Mark find the designers to have on his blog?
  • What does every designer he has on his blog have in common?
  • Who calls Mark for ideas for a “cool” designer?
  • What are his goals with his podcast?
  • Where did he come up with the idea to start his own podcast?
  • What are his thoughts about restoration hardware?
  • What are his thoughts about Curated Kravet?
  • Are there specific do’s and don’ts when working with an Instagram?
  • How can you use hashtags on Instagram to increase visibility?
  • What is a five-dot system and why is it important?
  • Can you have too many hashtags on a picture?
  • What is the best way to communicate with designers?
  • How should you do your research when using hashtags?
  • What are some other platforms to use for traffic?

Resources:

www.tastefullyinspired.com

www.curatedkravet.com  

Dec 5, 2016

Ashlina Kaposta is the design blogger behind The Decorista, a household name in the world of interior design blogging. Ashlina works around-the-clock hours as an interior designer, site technician and writer, and she   attends design conferences as either a speaker or a member of the audience.  She has recently launched  a new self-adhesive wallpaper line with graphic stripes, animal prints, and other fun designs!  Here she is on our podcast discussing her inspired designs,  motivated moves, energized creations, and  life-changing choices and decisions.  

Show Notes

  • How Ashlina started her career
  • Why she created the blog Decorista
  • Her tips for building a successful business
  • Importance of taking courses to enhance business skills
  • Why enhancing speaking and writing skills is necessary
  • The role of her blog in her success
  • Attending industry events is very helpful
  • Attending shows and visiting showrooms had a role in her success
  • Continue learning everything you can about the industry and the people in it.
  • The importance of publicity and exposure
  • Building a successful brand
  • Invest in your own stylized photography of your own work   
  • Be intentional - what it means
  • Tips on creating a vision board of your ideal project, the type of project you want to attract and be paid to execute. 
  • Tips for dreams, goals, and planning

You can find the rest of the show notes here: Window Works 

 

Dec 2, 2016

Amy specializes in helping interior designers pitch for press publicity. She follows a proven method of evaluating your press potential, current marketing materials, identification of storylines, and designing a strategic method for your media outreach plus specific recommendations for implementing such method.  She also helps designers in personalized pitch development for your current and future pitching on print and online.

She is an editor and contributor to some of the biggest magazines on the news stand (Lucky, Country Living, Condé Nast Traveler, InStyle, Better Homes & Gardens). Amy authored the book Recipe for Press (Pitch Your Story and Create a Buzz) and then took to the road, sharing her editorial insights with creative entrepreneurs.  Her book  has been called “the small business blueprint for DIY publicity,” packed with good, no-nonsense advice on how to get your story or product onto the pages of influential publications. Amy conducts lectures and workshops to further educate entrepreneurs on how to refine their message, engage media, and create relationships with editors and bloggers.

Amy co-founded Paper-Cut-Project, a company whose clients include Kate Spade, Christies, Hermès, Cartier, and the Victoria & Albert museum. Paper-Cut-Project’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Italian Vogue, Nylon and Marie Claire Taiwan. Amy is also the creative director of Parlore, helping to develop and position a product management app and trade resource for interior designers.  

Show Notes

  • Techniques to create buzz for your business using the press
  • How press helps your marketing
  • Amy’s role in your press marketing
  • The advantage of choosing Amy over other PR firms
  • Are you ready for a publicist?
  • What makes a good pitch and when to pitch
  • Why Amy wrote the book Recipe for Press
  • Standard method of pitching
  • A pitch is short, concise but the homework takes a lot of time
  • Amy’s publicist strategy
  • The best things to do and the worst things to avoid in pitching
  • The importance of research
  • The different approaches for online and printed magazines
  • Understanding the editorial calendar
  • What are the blogs to write in
  • Quick way to find who writes about who
  • Creating content for interior designers
  • Creating long-standing relationship with a publicist

You can find the rest of the show notes and resources  at www.windwworks-nj.com

 

Nov 30, 2016

Hi Welcome to another episode of  A Well-Designed Business. On the show today I have Brook Devenport. Brook is the owner of Blinds & More located in Minnesota. We are going to hear Brook’s personal story and how she took a business that practically started by accident and after nearly 6 years she transformed it into a well run, profitable business with 7 team members who together do both custom window treatments and interior design in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa.

Show Notes 

  • The business didn’t magically grow into a high earning business.

It took a lot of planning and tool-using

  • Initial sales targeting was $60,000 in yearly sales.
  • On the second year annual sales was $178,000.
  • Current sales run to $650,000 annually
  • Sales goal was but sales was
  • Things they did differently to achieve the sales goal
  • Her husband’s role in the success of her business
  • Tracking appointments and tracking dealer’s performance
  • All the tools they installed to track and monitor the business
  • Their “ahah” moment
  • Color coding the hard files
  • The Tony Robbins effect on their business
  • Being intentional. What it means
  • When they decided to run a business, to work on her business, not simply in her business.
  • The role of advertising on her success
  • Quotables:
  • If you know how to sell, you can sell almost anything. – Luann
  • Take responsibility for setting your goals for monitoring your expenses, for analyzing every project for net cost and net profits.
  • Manage your business with your eyes wide open.

You can find the rest of the show notes and resources  at www.windowworks-nj.com

Nov 28, 2016

I have another fun show for you today! Taylor Spellman is with us today. Taylor is a New York based interior designer and staging expert. She is also the host of Bravo’s new TV show “Yours Mine or Ours”. No matter what she is designing- whether it be a 10-million-dollar penthouse, the lobby of a high-rise or the showroom for a fashion client-- her super down to earth personality combined with her bold style makes her a stand out in our interior design community. Taylor has the unique and unteachable talent using high end one of a kind pieces to an afternoon spent at the Goodwill. Today you will learn how she came from humble beginnings and now has million dollar clientele in New York City.

Show Notes:

  • Did Taylor go to school for interior design?
  • What are some pros for an interior designer that was not classically trained in the interior design field?
  • What do Taylor’s clients have in common?
  • How did she decide she wanted to work with men for her niche?
  • How long did she research her idea for her niche before launching the idea?
  • What did Taylor go to school for?
  • What were Taylor’s intentions for her career?
  • What is Taylor’s competitive edge?
  • Nothing just happens!
  • How did she discover staging as another niche?
  • How did she find events to attend in real estate and build relationships?
  • Why is it a good idea to have a lawyer?
  • What opportunities came about before “Yours Mine or Ours”?
  • What is the show “Yours Mine or Ours” about?
  • Is it all just about real estate when helping clients with their homes?
  • How does she execute her design on the show?
  • Where do her girls from her business fit in while Taylor is working on set?
  • Is there any other advice she would give to her colleagues?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works 

Nov 25, 2016

Welcome back to another power talk Friday! I am happy to introduce to you Lindsey Anderson who is also known as One Click Lindsey. The reason for this is that she is a professional coach, counselor and her business is in helping. Lindsey is the founder and CEO of Trafficandleads.com. Today we are going to talk about how to get your web presence to work for you.

Show Notes:

  • How can you capture the email address of a potential client?
  • What does it mean to capture an email address of someone who visits the website?
  • Are most of the people that visit the website ready to commit?
  • What is an e-book?
  • What is email marketing?
  • Are there other ways besides eBooks to resource your website?
  • What is Fiverr and how can it be helpful?
  • How often should you email the email addresses you receive?
  • What does it show when you email people who have given you an email address?
  • After getting the email address do you need to hire a professional to help manage the emails?
  • What is MailChimp and how can this be helpful?
  • What do you do if what your offer is not working?
  • What could you include in your emails?
  • How should you write the emails?
  • Why is Lindsey’s nickname One Click Lindsey?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works.

Nov 23, 2016

Kate Greunke  is with us today! Kate is a published author, entrepreneur and founder of Kate the Socialite. Kate the Socialite is a marketing firm and niches in marketing for interior designers, window treatment professionals and remodelers. After two years of watching interior designers be taken advantage of by big companies and listening to her clients say and tell her how difficult it was to keep up with their email and social marketing, Kate decided to create a solution. She had already been designing custom newsletters and social media content for years. Not everyone could or would spend big bucks on a custom package. She decided to create a marketing solution that was affordable and easy to use, something that could be easily customized and sent in just a few clicks. Then a short time later, Socialite Subscribe was born!

Check out Kate's website at  www.katethesocialite.com.

Show Notes:

  • How did Kate arrive at her platform niche?
  • Who were her best customers?
  • What happened to her business when Kate found her niche?
  • What are her services she provides for businesses?
  • How does she make the newsletter different for everyone?
  • What kind of success stories does she have?
  • Does she have services to help with technical services?
  • What social media platforms does she help people use?
  • To get Kate’s help do you have to be bound with a contract?
  • Is it a good idea for a client to sit down and evaluate their time before signing up?
  • What about those people who do not have a mailing list or a small mailing list?
  • What are the pros to having a smaller mailing list sometimes?
  • What does your mindset have to do with the success of your business?
  • How often does she have a meeting with her clients and how does the interaction go ?
  • When was she first offered a publishing contract?
  • When did she write her first novel and what was it about?
  • What is her favorite part of her job?
  • What role does her husband play in her business?
  • What sort of free services can you get with her program?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works 

Nov 21, 2016

Something must be in the air, I keep running into fourth generation business owners! Last week Scott Kravet was here for our 100th episode and he told us about the history of the Kravet family. He is part of the fourth generation of the Kravets to work and run Kravet Inc.

Today we have Jake Baer on the show with me and he is the twenty-eight-year-old CEO of Newel. Newel is the home of the largest decorative art collection and furniture in the US. Newel has been known for many years for its prop rental business since the 1930s. Jake was named the CEO of Newel in 2015 and he has really spearheaded change with a brand-new gallery in Manhattan. He has recently moved their collection to a massive warehouse in Long Island City in Long Island. We are going to talk about how he is moving Newel into a new age.

Show Notes:

  • What was it like for Jake growing up in a family business?
  • Who did he work with to learn the business?
  • What sort of challenges has Jake faced being a young CEO?
  • Are his siblings involved in the business: Newel?
  • What is he doing for newer/younger interior designers?
  • How can you get in on the dinners that Jake holds for interior designers?
  • How does his business help people who live the apartment life?
  • Can furniture be shipped out all over the US?
  • What kind of antique furniture does Newel have to offer?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works

 

Nov 18, 2016

Welcome to another power talk Friday! We have Shauna Lynn Simon with us again today! If you listened to a previous power talk Friday, we started talking about how to host a successful home consumer event. In the first episode, we talked about the first three things that you need to do to set up a successful event. This included choosing your title, choosing the venue for the workshop, how to market your event and securing sponsors. Today Shauna Lynn is going to take it further with us and talk about content creation, managing and selecting guest speakers if it’s not yourself, handouts that you should possibly do using your event for a lead generation machine.

Show Notes:

  • How can you create a good visual at your event?
  • If you don’t access to electronic presentation what are some other ways to present?
  • How can you prepare for your speaking part?
  • Do you want audience participation?
  • How should the area for seating be set up?
  • When should you ask for donations at an event?
  • How can you use your vendors to explain designs better?
  • What should be the focus at your event?
  • How do you choose a guest speaker?
  • How can you increase your reputation at these events?
  • What other material should you include in the goody bags?
  • What is a lead generation machine?
  • Free is good!
  • Why is it important to use a professional event planning program?
  • How can you ask for guest’s email addresses?
  • How important is a “thank you” after the event?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center:  Window Works

Nov 16, 2016

Before I introduce our guest on the show today, Joni Vanderslice I have a big announcement! I am happy to introduce a new sponsor to the show: Mydoma Studio. If you remember a couple of weeks ago we had Sarah Daniele, the CEO of Mydoma Studio who told us about her company, how she came to found it, and all the features it has for you to help run your interior design projects more efficiently. If you missed that show you should go back and listen to Sarah and all about Mydoma Studio! In the meantime, thank you Mydoma Studio for recognizing these fabulous interior designers that we have here at A Well Design Business.

As I said we have Joni Vanderslice with us today and she is the owner and president of J. Banks Design Group in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Joni founded her firm thirty years ago! Since then she has nurtured the Hilton Head Island-based operation into an internationally recognized force of residential and resort design. J. Banks Design takes on a global portfolio of projects that translates resort living to home and home living to resort-living.

Show Notes:

  • How many people are in her firm and how many interior designers does she have working for her?
  • How did she get started?
  • What is a catalyst in business and why is it important to have one?
  • How did Joni’s consultant help her with her firm?
  • How should you write a job description?
  • How did she use a philosophy of using gifts to build her firm?
  • How should you mentor new interior designers?
  • What are the “words”?
  • What are the other people at the firm doing that are not interior designers?
  • Are the jobs at the firm mostly full time or part time?
  • What does Joni’s day look like at J. Banks every day?
  • How often does she have meetings with her team?
  • What is the Valentine Project?
  • How is Kravet Inc. helping with the Valentine Project?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works.

Nov 14, 2016

This is a celebratory episode dear loyal listeners! This is our 100th podcast episode and it’s time to celebrate! It’s certainly a very optimistic number as the podcast prognosis goes:  If you make it to the 7th episode, you can make it to the 45th … and if you make it to the 100th you’ll make it for a while! Our guest for this landmark episode is Scott Kravet, the great grandson of Samuel Kravet, the founder of Kravet Inc. 

Kravet Inc. will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2018. Another 100th reason to celebrate! Kravet Inc. was established in 1918 by Samuel Kravet, and it has grown to be  the industry leader in the home furnishings industry -- fabrics, furniture, carpets, drapery, trimmings, wall coverings, and others. The family’s commitment to innovation has helped the company transform from a small fabric house to a global leader, representing brands and designers from all over the world. Kravet Inc. owns Kravet, Lee Jofa, Groundworks and GP & J Baker, all high-end fabric houses that specialize in style, luxury and exceptional design.

Scott Kravet, part of the company’s 4th generation, is the Creative Director and Head of Product Development. Having a near encyclopedic knowledge of fabrics, he oversees all aspects of product development for Kravet and its brands. He is an alumnus of Emory University and the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Scott manages creative teams in 5 design studios in New York and worldwide. He travels the globe sourcing products from the finest craftsmen and best mills.  

I’m deeply grateful to Kravet Inc. for continuing to sponsor our podcast (since 2015) which by now is followed by professional  groups consisting of over 70,000 and growing! At the minimum, Window Works  get contacted by 5 interior designers daily and they all mention the Well-Designed Business podcast as the source and resource. Thank you, Kravet Inc.!!

Show Notes

  • Kravet products are for trade-only.
  • All products are available to interior designers only to protect their interests
  • Retail sales are for interior designers only
  • Kravet designs remain cherished and fashionable for a long time
  • Kravet Showrooms are updated with the latest featured designs regularly
  • The “for trade only” policy does not seem to be an issue
  • All lamps, trays, pillow, textiles, all neatly laid out corporate products on exhibit  
  • Honor and respect what your family has accomplished as  a personal, professional, and corporate policy
  • It’s not enough to create beautiful anything; you must package and market it smartly.
  • Reinventing the business
  • Reaching out to the influencers
  • Watch out for the Kravet Centennial where they will be honoring all the people who have helped them all these years.
  • Check out Episodes 10, 59, 17, 34, and 74 where designers talked about their experience in working with Kravet. Kravet has a culture that supports creativity, collaboration, kindness, and respect to your clients and vendors
  • An archive of over 30,000 textile collections is currently on exhibit; check out with ASID for the details.

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works.

Nov 11, 2016

It’s power talk Friday again! I have a treat for all of you today. I found our guest, John Muldoon while I was doing research, and I got jazzed up when I saw what John is doing! We are going to be talking to him about his “business” (a consulting firm) that he has had for twelve years! But we are really going to get into his powerful blog called The Monthly Experiments Project.

Show Notes:

  • What is his description of his job and why are there two versions?
  • How did he come up with his brand?
  • What is his blog The Monthly Experiment about?
  • How did he come up with his blog: The Monthly Experiment?
  • Why is he doing his blog The Monthly Experiment?
  • What happened when John finally found a balance between work and life?
  • What did he do to help pick up the business when he started working less?
  • How do you get more referrals according to John?
  • How can you make your blog or podcast more successful and what is the most important quality a blog can have?
  • How can you be more helpful?
  • What are the two things that create the value of a blog?
  • How do you start a blog and how does John help people with this?
  • How do you join his blog challenge and join his free membership group?
  • What are some of the “Experiments” he has done on his blog?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works

Nov 9, 2016

Today on the show I have Carrie Leskowitz! Carrie brings a unique perspective to her work. She is not only an interior designer but she is also a certified Marth Beck life coach. Carrie combines her background in fashion and psychology with twenty years in the interior design industry. She shows her clients how our living space often mirrors our inner space. Her blog: Carrie’s Design Musings, is in its sixth year and has a very loyal following!

Show Notes:

  • How did Carrie come to interior design?
  • What was her experience at Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Why should you go to the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What are the requirements to qualify for the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • How often is the Design Bloggers Conference held and where is the conference venue?
  • Do you get paid or is there money involved going to the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What were her observations at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What did Carrie do while at High Point at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Why did she start her blog: Carrie’s Design Musings?
  • What are the nuts and bolts of her business?
  • How many employees does she have?
  • How does she connect her life coach experience to her interior design business?
  • When did she understand her value, and decide to start sending an invoice for her coaching?
  • What are some typical triggers that people start to think they are stuck?
  • Are there any tips that she would suggest to her clients to help them feel unstuck?
  • Are there any cautions that she would say to a new designer getting started?
  • Try everything!
  • What is something she does herself when she feels overwhelmed?
  • Can you retrain yourself on how to react to certain things or situations that bug you?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works 

Nov 7, 2016

Our guest today on the show is Linda Holt! Linda was recommended to me by a listener of the podcast! Thank you, Marie! She suggested Linda because she admires her work and she loves the interesting bit that she comes from a twenty-year career in photography and she specializes in modeling and celebrity head shots. Linda has worked with more than 3000 celebrities, actors and models as one of Boston’s top headshot photographer. So today she is going to talk to us about why she made the switch from photography to interior design.

Show Notes:

  • What degree did she earn first in college?
  • Why didn’t Linda get a degree in interior design when she went to college?
  • What niche made her so successful in photography?
  • How did she arrive at her systems that she used in her photography business?
  • Why is it important to pay attention to personal details and remember them with clients?
  • How does she use Pinterest and Pinterest Boards for her business?
  • How does she bill for her work and what are the factors that determine the way she bills?
  • Does she talk to her clients up front about money or as she goes?
  • What are the “two hours”?
  • Why did she start her blog Linda Holt Interiors?
  • How often does she blog and how “big” is her blog?
  • How does she write and how does she figure out what to write about?
  • Does she read other blogs or listen to other podcasts?
  • What happened to her when she was at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • How does she help designers use their iPhones to take better pictures?
  • What did Linda win at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What sort of things did she learn from the Design Bloggers Conference?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works.

Nov 4, 2016

We are back with another power talk Friday and we have Fred Berns with us again! As you know Fred Berns has been on the show two other times. We have talked about our bio briefing, our website once over because Fred is a leader in the interior design business coaching arena. He has twenty-five years of experience specializing in helping interior designers grow their interior design firms through more effective websites, more effective programs,  and more effective introductions and bios. Today we are going to talk about selling methods of the masters.

Show Notes:

  • What do financially successful firms have in common?
  • What is the “daily dozen” and how is this helpful to your business?
  • What is saving the best for first and how does it work?
  • What is the number one financial obstacle for designer firms?
  • Treat obstacles as opportunities!
  • What are closing questions and how can they help close a sale?
  • Always talk about a phase two before you talk about phase one!
  • How do you make sure there is “no money left on the table”?
  • What does it mean to have money left on the table and why is it bad?
  • How should a new designer start marketing?
  • What is one thing people can’t get anywhere else?
  • Pay attention to what clients had a problem with in previous transactions!
  • What are common mistakes designers make when selling their services?
  • What is feel, felt, found?
  • How can you use a blog as a good selling tool?
  • What is the best personal tool to use when trying to “sell yourself”?
  • How can you adapt your bio with Fred Bern’s knowledge that he has shared with us?

Download the free resources from Fred Berns from our resource center: Window Works 

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