Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that Show Houses are big undertakings…but what if it wasn’t just one room—what if it was an entire house? Would it be worth it if it landed you in a major publication like Southern Living?
My guest today, Laura Hodges, recently designed the Idea House for Southern Living. And while she put in countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears, she absolutely believes that a show house can be worth the investment. Today, she’s here to share what it takes and what you can get from a show house experience.
Pick It Apart:
[5:25] Laura shares how she got started with the Southern Living show house, and what her responsibilities were.
[14:34] LuAnn and Laura dive deeper into the ROI for designers and vendor partners participating in such a large project.
[24:34] Laura shares more about the connections and partners she worked with.
[30:30] Laura reflects on the importance of diversity in the design process.
[37:00] Laura discusses the practical side of how she maintained her business while doing the show house.
LuAnn Nigara and Laura Hodges's Ah-Ha Moments
“We started with having the confidence to say yes to a major opportunity. But this is not for the meek of hard work. This is not even just doing a regular show house where you design one room, which is a monumental project to do.” -LuAnn
“It was really important to me that the design house was welcoming and accessible for a wide range of people, variety of cultures.” -Laura
More About Laura Hodges
Laura Hodges is an interior designer with a boutique design firm and retail shop in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area. With a focus on creating beautiful spaces that reflect her clients' taste, Laura's signature aesthetic is narrative, layered, classically tailored and modern, featuring unique vintage finds and curated art. Laura is also a brand ambassador for the Sustainable Furnishings Council, working to increase awareness for sustainable design.
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
#912 Jessica Bantom Continued: Take Action With the Six Habits of Culturally Competent Designers
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s sponsored show, Traci Connell, founder of The Gloss—a free online learning community for designers—breaks down her upcoming Mastermind program.
She also walks us through her proven framework for overcoming money mindset blocks and learning how to take calculated risks that pay off in your business.
Pick It Apart:
[1:40] Traci and LuAnn discuss why money mindset is what truly holds most business owners back from reaching their goals.
[11:13] Traci begins unpacking her RISK framework, discussing how important it is to view mistakes as learning opportunities.
[15:21] LuAnn and Traci discuss why investing in your business and in yourself is a key to success.
[23:48] Traci reflects on the value of knowing your numbers—and using those numbers to make smart business decisions.
[39:05] Traci breaks down her coaching programs and how they can benefit you.
LuAnn Nigara and Traci Connell's Ah-Ha Moments
“Our money mindset belief becomes a filter by which we consciously and unconsciously make decisions.” -LuAnn
“I’m so passionate about numbers because I want you to take a calculated risk, and to me the three components to doing that are having time, having money, and having a team of great people.” -Traci
“I had to find a way to set myself apart in order to become the expert and specialized and even charge higher design fees.” -Traci
More About Traci Connell
Since founding her eponymous firm, award-winning designer Traci Connell is an expert in delivering tailored interiors that are as luxurious as they are livable. With her keen eye for design, space planning and art, Connell brings understated glamour and elegance to a vast range of high-end residential interiors, commercial projects, vacation homes and custom site-specific requests. Her inspiration is attained from her explorations of the world of design, travel, art, nature and culture.
With a renewed appreciation for transforming homes into an ease of escape, Connell breaks through predictability with art curation, cutting edge technologies and custom artisan talents, weaving in special, unexpected elements into every design project. As one of the most trusted design firms in Dallas, she delivers an expertly perfected, streamlined system of service that simplifies and organizes the design process. Her impeccable eye for space planning and design, combined with the team’s in-depth knowledge of project management, proves invaluable for clients ranging from busy young families to empty nesters and those seeking vacation homes.
Connell’s philanthropic work within the Dallas design community includes the Dwell with Dignity “Thrift Studio” fundraiser, a design project aimed to raise money to combat homelessness in the city of Dallas and surrounding areas. She is currently serving on the ASID Texas Community Board.
Traci Connell Interiors has proudly been named a Kips Bay Decorator Show House Designer of 2021, D Home Best Designer in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and has been included on the Luxe Interiors + Design Gold List in 2018, 2020 and 2021. The firm’s work has been recognized in national and regional media publications including Luxe Interiors + Design, Wall Street Journal, Traditional Home, Modern Luxury Interiors, D Home and AD Pro among many more.
Register for the Buy Wholesale for Profit intensive!
Today’s show is sponsored by The Gloss.
#525 Traci Connell: Take Your Business from Setback to Success
#554 Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale for Profit
#909 Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Normalizing Wealth With The Gloss
Today on the podcast I’m joined by Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso, for the second in our new series, Overheard. We’re taking a trip down memory lane and talking about what we wish we knew then—spilling the tea on times we’ve tripped up, and sharing the qualified advice and business-savvy gleaned from those tough times. Because whether you’re a beginning, rising or seasoned designer, there are always mistakes made along the way, but, more importantly, lessons learned.
Pick It Apart:
[9:02] Alex talks about the power of saying no.
[16:56] Kate talks about why setting baseline standards is important, as opposed to creating the client expectation of going above and beyond.
[29:57] Kate shares a cautionary tale about scaling.
[40:38] Erika tells about how she learned not to spend her client’s money as if it were her own money as a luxury designer.
[44:03] Jennifer shares her origin story and how it tested not only her business, but her marriage.
[56:35] Alex explains the hard-earned lesson of assumptions—when it comes to your team and your clients.
LuAnn Nigara, Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso's Ah-Ha Moments
“If you find yourself in a position of not being able to define—if not your niche, at least your ideal client—then you might be in that pattern of the of the yes mode. And life gets a lot better, and the job gets a lot more fun, when you're able to identify your ideal clients.” - Kate O’Hara
“When you're giving somebody something for free, they need to know about it.” - LuAnn Nigara
“Document. Document. Document. Write everything down. And then don't just hold on to it, but make sure you share it, or it's in a place where it can be accessed [by your co-workers] if you're not available.” - Alex Alonso
“If you want a business to scale, neither you nor anyone else can be irreplaceable.” - Kate O’Hara
“You will arrive, but it may be via a different mode of transportation…I think keeping that in mind, prevents you from trying to model someone else's process and really staying true and authentic to making this business part of your lifestyle.” - Erika Ward
“What is meant to be is meant to be, and that was always meant to be part of my journey. So I can't hide my head in the sand about it. I just have to take my lumps and move on.” - Jennifer Stoner
“The larger you let your business grow into that, the more challenging it can be, I think, to steer a change, you know, the ship keeps getting bigger, it's a little less nimble now to turn and shift.” - Kate O’Hara
“There really is no perfect business. There are stagnant businesses. There are struggling businesses. But I think that if you have an abundance mindset—if you're open, if you're self reflective, if you're proactive—then you'll always find yourself on a path that's going to serve you.” - Kate O’Hara
More About Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso
Erika Ward
Erika Hollinshead Ward is an acclaimed and published interior and furniture designer, distinguished as the visionary behind Erika Ward Interiors—a design firm and showroom celebrated for seamlessly blending contemporary and classic aesthetics. With a passion for crafting timeless interiors and fostering lifestyle and wellness, Erika has become a sought-after figure among both discerning consumers and reputable brands.
Equipped with a robust background in business and finance, coupled with over a decade of experience in the interior design realm, Erika has emerged as a trailblazer in East Coast design, extending her influence to clients nationwide. Since the establishment of Erika Ward Interiors in 2006, the firm has experienced remarkable growth, leaving a trail of satisfied clients who attest to the team's meticulous attention to detail and client-centric approach. Impressively, more than eighty percent of Erika's business stems from repeat clients and referrals, a testament to the enduring quality of her work.
Beyond her successful design ventures, Erika collaborates closely with renowned brands such as Home Depot, High Point Market, ADAC Atlanta, S.C. Johnson and Company, and Rowe Furniture, lending her voice as a spokesperson and brand ambassador in targeted marketing campaigns.
Yet, amidst her professional accomplishments, Erika finds her most fulfilling roles in her personal life—as a devoted wife to her husband, Chris, and a nurturing mother to their five children.
Kate O’Hara
CEO + Creative Director, O’Hara Interiors
Kate O’Hara is the CEO + creative director for O’Hara Interiors where she pioneered the interior design firm’s expansion to national markets and international clientele. Today, O’Hara Interiors is one of the most well-known interior design studios in the country whose award-winning work has been featured on the Architectural Digest, Wall Street Journal, Better Homes and Gardens and beyond.
Named one of Austin’s Social Influencers and Minnesota’s Top 32 Under 32 Marketing Professionals, Kate is a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from social media, to women in business, to online branding.
Jennifer Stoner
Jennifer Stoner is the acclaimed design leader behind her eponymous full-service firm, Jennifer Stoner Interiors, headquartered in Richmond, VA and Charleston, SC. For close to two decades, she has been applauded as the “go to” luxury designer for prominent c-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. From family estates to secluded weekend properties, her custom designed homes are always elegant yet approachable and personality driven. Today, her properties have captured the attention of Traditional Home, Aspire Design & Home, Forbes, and Home & Design. A noted tastemaker, Jennifer has been celebrated for her sophisticated, personality-driven style in both fashion and home. Today, she is often requested to speak at industry events educating fellow designers on creating signature business systems and VIP client experiences. Jennifer has been hand-picked to be a “Best of KBIS” judge at the upcoming 2023 KBIS in Las Vegas, NV, the industry’s leading Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.
Jennifer started her career path with a business degree and law degree from the University of Florida. She went on to work as a litigator in one of the country’s largest firms and became in-house legal counsel for Mayo Clinic. While she loved the analytical side of practicing law and the project management aspects, her creative side of her soul was beckoning. She now puts her business and project management background to good use by developing signature business systems which allow her team to create VIP client experiences. Jennifer’s passion is evident in the new construction or renovation process. She enjoys being an integral member of the client’s design-build team from the very beginning, believing that the collaborative efforts of the architect, builder and interior designer will ultimately lead to the smoothest process for her clients and the best possible finished product.
Jennifer’s favorite pastime is travel and she loves to explore the globe while adding to her enviable rolodex of resources and artisans for her clients. Most recently she was selected as one of a small group of distinguished designers from the US to attend two global design events. She traveled to Valencia, Spain on a sponsored trip by Tile of Spain, to Cevisama, the leading luxury tile and stone exhibit. She was also included in a select group of kitchen designers to travel with the NKBA to the German Haus Fair, an international kitchen and bath showcase. These incredible experiences are valued by Jennifer because they allow her to bring more informed and advanced offerings to her select group of clientele.
Alex Alonso
The studio team collective is led by design principal Alex alonso. a maximalist at heart, after years in media and entertainment on both coasts and travels abroad he launched a studio that embraces a global perspective and celebrates the power of storytelling through spaces. reflecting a distinct design approach that is all about the mix, the result is a bold sensibility he calls “modern Victorian.”
Cuban-born Alex grew up under insanely humid Miami days. After attending Northwestern University and working in advertising in Chicago, Alex moved to Los Angeles where he worked in entertainment for many years. All along he perfected his craft in his true passion, design. His travels have taken him across five continents and function as a constant source of inspiration for his designs.
A voracious collector, Alex is drawn to anything with a story.
Alex was recently on Bravo Tv's hit design competition series, "Best Room Wins" where his "transitional" room design earned him a coveted spread in ElleDecor.com. His room was judged by design maven and host, Genevieve Gorder, Elle Decor Editor-in-Chief, Whitney Robinson and design icon, Jonathan Adler.
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
AWDB #6: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward
AWDB #130: Kate O’Hara -Director of Marketing & Business Development for Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #184: Amber Lewis – Important Business Tips to Run Your Interior Design Firm
AWDB #215: FaceBook Coaching Sessions- Show #1 with Kate O’Hara of Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #278: Erika Ward – Master Business Skills 1st, Interior Design Skills 2nd.
AWDB #612: Jennifer Stoner: The Power of the Logic-Based Conversation in Interior Design
AWDB #820: Alex Alonso: Always Say Yes to a Client, Except When You Should Say No
AWDB #840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life
AWDB #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. For today’s Power Talk Friday, I am joined by Audrey Faust of Faust Consulting. Audrey is an accomplished finance expert with an accounting degree, an MBA, and a NeuroCoach certification. She works with women entrepreneurs to take charge of their finances. Audrey’s clients build wealth through her non-judgmental space for learning and growth.
Today’s episode is not your average finance conversation. In addition to some other tips, you may be relieved to know that Audrey gives one main strategy for building wealth that anyone, anywhere, at any time can do. And that is to change your money mindset.
Pick It Apart:
[3:10] Audrey explains why 80% of businesses that view their finances once a month are more successful.
[12:49] How your employees can block your growth.
[16:41] Audrey shares the first thing you can do to build wealth.
[27:27] The importance of showing your kids examples of abundance.
[31:08] Why your net worth is important in the process of building wealth.
[42:38] Tactics to start building wealth.
LuAnn Nigara and Audrey Faust's Ah-Ha Moments
“Businesses are 80% more successful if they look at their finances monthly,” - Audrey Faust
“What you focus on grows, whether it be your money or your wealth, it grows,” - Audrey Faust
More About Audrey Faust
Audrey Faust is an accomplished finance expert, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs to take charge of their finances. Audrey holds an accounting degree, an MBA, and a NeuroCoach certification, Audrey has successfully built her own multi-million-dollar wealth through various types of personal endeavors and investments.
She is committed to promoting financial literacy among women, she provides a supportive, non-judgmental space for learning and growth, which has led to clients achieving great success.
Audrey's vision extends beyond financial prosperity; she encourages women to attain comprehensive wealth, encompassing monetary success, time, and ultimate freedom.
She equips women with the necessary tools and wisdom to confidently build wealth. Audrey’s primary goal? To help women build genuine wealth and foster enduring peace of mind concerning their financial future.
When she's not working, Audrey cherishes her time with her husband, their three adult children, a grandchild, and her three four-legged friends. She loves to travel between her homes in Northeastern PA and Southwestern FL, soaking in each place's distinct charm.
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
AWDB #895: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers
AWDB #913: Power Talk Friday: Terri Taylor: The Importance of Money Mindset in Charging Your Worth
WTFP: #254: Jessica Harling: Confronting or Firing Family Members in Your Business
WTFP 256: Jessica Harling: Firing a Family Member Part 2: 9 Tips to Make it as Painless as Possible
Hi, welcome to a Well Designed Business. My guest today, Nina Parvaresh, founder and principal of Concept-Me, is the definition of a go-getter.
After training as an architect in Paris, Nina began her career at the age of 23 by jumping foot-first into a full-scale design project in the Middle East, working primarily in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Nina has faced many unique challenges, including working in a male-dominated space in a male-dominated part of the globe, taking on projects for powerful families in the Middle East, and navigating cultural differences as she worked in various parts of the world.
And yet, in many ways Nina struggles with the same things that many entrepreneurs do—trying to break away from the grind to focus on becoming the CEO.
Today, she’s here to talk about the unique aspects of global design work, the importance of knowing your clients and understanding the market, and how she hopes to grow her firm.
Pick It Apart:
[0:27] Nina shares her story of starting her firm in the Middle East and the challenges she faced along the way.
[06:55] Nina and LuAnn reflect on the importance of growth, learning, and evolution.
[13:46] Nina shares how she found herself facing such a large-scale project with no experience at the age of 23.
[17:36] Nina reflects on the mistakes she has made and the lessons she has learned.
[25:48] Nina and LuAnn discuss what it takes to lead a large team and how to free yourself up as the CEO.
LuAnn Nigara and Nina Parvaresh's Ah-Ha Moments
“It’s a testament to tuning into your intuition and your gut instinct. So many times we say, don’t put a pen to paper until you get paid—and that’s usually right. But there’s a difference between going for it and taking a risk versus just laying down and doing something for free.” -LuAnn
“This is not a job you can do individually. You need to be able to count on people as the years go by, and you need to be able to surround yourself with experts that are better than you.” -Nina
More About Nina Parvaresh
As an only child, I come from a family of strong women. With Persian roots, I was born and raised in Paris where I became an architect by training and made that my entrepreneurial pursuit. As a third-culture kid, I got to live in different cities from New York to Istanbul. This has engrained a global sense of belonging in me and fed my creative process of gathering inspiration. When I touched down in Jeddah at age 23, I was ready to grab the bull by the horns! I was excited about the opportunities I saw in the market and was hungry to make the best of it. My first project at such a young age is still one of my most important ones because it set the stage for what I’ve done since. So, in short, I remember the young excitement, the hungry ambition, and most importantly, the look on my first client’s face when I laid out my plans for their house on a 14-seater dining table and recognized that the designs exceeded their expectation!
Paris has always been home, but I also lived in New York and Istanbul, which is by far my favorite city! After that, I traveled a lot but was based in Jeddah and Dubai. I have always been drawn to cities that have soul, character and an element of chaotic order. Cities make their character through their architecture and their people. The reason I chose Dubai as my checkpoint right now is its great energy, its being a hub of so many global people and its cosmopolitan appeal. I tend to grasp the energy of different cities and I am drawn to the stories they tell.
As a boutique scale firm, my vision for Concept Me was to handle projects in a very holistic manner that takes the project from A to Z. Whatever we do is always focused on creating a unique personality for any space. Creativity is at the core of what we do, being able to bring life and soul to high-end residential projects. However, we also have a mission to be ‘client-centric’. My aim is to have clients that trust us blindly, tell us what they want, and then get peace of mind until we hand over the project they had seen in their mind’s eye. We’ve made this possible at Concept Me with our multi-disciplinary team and their international talent.
Essentially, I am juggling a bit too many roles at the moment, which is maybe natural in a boutique scale company environment. However, I am working on this, gradually! Primarily, however, one of the key elements of my role is client management. I take it upon me to understand my client’s mindstate, to reassure them, to direct their vision and to inform them of the rationale behind our design choices and how we can bring their space to life in the best way possible. The second key element is to be the final decision maker on all design choices.
As part of a multi-disciplnary team, one that is driven by creative input, it can become challenging to keep all the creative choices from different people consistent, so that’s where I come in so we can have a final, polished, cohesive space instead of a pastiche. And finally, one of the hats I wear is the business development hat, whereby I keep signing deals while heading the design department!
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
AWDB #578 Lori Morris: When Working with the Luxury Client, the Answer is Yes!
AWDB #639 Mina Duque: Starting an Interior Design Firm in a Foreign Melting Pot
AWDB #823: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan
WTFP 255: Tim Yurek: The Critical Difference Between Exit Strategy and Succession Strategy
WTFP 253: Tim Yurek: Three Disturbing Trends That Put Small Businesses at Risk
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. For today’s Power Talk Friday, I’m sitting down with Sharon Lipovsky, owner of Point Road Studios. Sharon aims to banish the world of limiting mindsets. Sharon has helped many interior designers attain their vision, including taking an aspiring interior designer from idea to seven figure business. Point Road Studios supports human development as a required step to growing both our influence and our bottom lines.
Pick It Apart:
[6:42] Sharon shares an example of her own experience making the mistake of working only towards the outcomes.
[17:32] Sharon explains her process of coaching clients on how to obtain their “best thinking.
[26:40] Sharon describes the “vision funnel” to get to your end goal.
[30:47] LuAnn and Sharon discuss the importance of listening to your inner voice.
[50:18] The importance of having a diversity of perspectives within your team.
[55:05] How Sharon works with interior designers.
LuAnn Nigara and Sharon Lipovsky's Ah-Ha Moments
“When we lead with vision we can look to the future to get inspired and also look to the past to recognize how your story may be both holding you back and propelling you towards your vision.” - Sharon Lipovsky
“To be able to take action we have to have our ‘best thinking’ of what our vision will look like. Use your vision, including the feelings you get from it, to make the right decisions to keep you on the right track.” - Sharon Lipovsky
“There has to be space for you to recognize when your intuition has gathered the correct data, but also honor and recognize how and when to act upon it.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Sharon LipovskyDriven by her personal mission to banish the world of limiting mindsets, Sharon believes that there is nothing stopping you. She leverages her champion listening superpower with clients to spark awareness, shift perspectives and energize the growth process. Her work is informed by her background as a sales and marketing executive, change agent and business owner.
Sharon partners with clients ranging from tech-savvy startups and founder-led enterprises to globally-recognized brands and corporate powerhouses. What unites the leaders and teams she supports is that they are reinventing the way we do business. Point Road clients celebrate that focusing on human development is a necessary step to growing both our impact and our bottom lines. Together we really can do more than the sum of our individual parts.
You can connect with Sharon every Wednesday on the Design Yourself podcast where she shares tips and inspiration for how to lead a well-designed life. As part of designing her own self, Sharon relocated in 2018 from her native Washington, DC to the Catskills of NY. You can read about her adventures in reimagining home in Dwell and the New York Times. When not stewarding the visions of her clients, you might find Sharon sowing seeds in the garden with her children, delighting in the creative cuisine of her husband or cold plunging with girlfriends.
Design Yourself Podcast: Apple Podcasts
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You've Defined Your Brand...Now What? - LuAnn Nigara
Book Your Vision Reading - For the next 4 weeks, you can use code “luann” for additional $100 savings!
Early Adopters of Remote Work, They Moved Upstate Before Covid - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Today I am joined by Brittany Farinas, owner of House of One. House of One is a multifaceted Miami-based interior design firm, specializing in curated luxury residential and commercial projects.
Brittany has taken leaps in her business right from the beginning, some leaps most designers are nervous to make. Working her tail off with two waitressing jobs and real estate, Brittany was able to invest in her business early on and achieve legitimacy and an increase in ROI ten-fold.
Pick It Apart:
[:55] Brittany explains why curating the business side is as important as curating the designs.
[11:34] LuAnn explains why she thinks design professionals shy away from investing in their business in the beginning.
[16:38] Brittany shares what she experienced regarding external support for her investment decisions, both positive and negative.
[21:08] Brittany shares her five-year plan, which includes staging.
[30:44] Brittany explains House of One.
[34:51] Shares her “come to Jesus” moments.
LuAnn Nigara and Brittany Farinas's Ah-Ha Moments
“Being good at owning a business is just as important as being good at the designing,” - Brittany Farinas
“We can all eventually reach success, but the differentiator is believing in ourselves and that we can do it as soon as possible,” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Brittany Farinas
House of One is a multifaceted Miami based interior design firm, specializing in curated luxury residential and commercial projects. By prioritizing creativity and an exceptional client experience, CEO and Creative Director Brittany Farinas is known for guaranteeing that every client experiences The Art of Living With Style.
With their promise to deliver a distinct style of seamless luxury living, HO1 creates fluid interiors through elaborate spatial planning and FF&E selection. Making it their mission to design spaces that tell a story and exceed the expectations of their clients through high quality 3D visualization, HO1 strives to create stunning, experiential properties while encouraging their clients to become creative collaborators.
At House of One, no design is ever the same. Brittany and her team are able to showcase this through custom furniture design, which is what the firm is most known for. Having designed some of the most notable interiors in South Florida and with works featured in AD Pro, Domino, Vogue Living, Wall Street Journal and Haute Residence to name a few, House of One has carved and solidified their place as one of the fastest growing and most influential firms in the interior design sphere.
LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
AWDB: #55: Rachel Moriarty – Message to Solopreneurs- Act As If the World is Watching
506: Power Talk Friday: Natalie Norcross: A Design Partnership
AWDB #544: Power Talk Friday: Natalie Norcross: 5 Things To Do To Get PR
AWDB #741: Leia Ward: Getting Started with Luxury Staging
AWDB: #849: Power Talk Friday: Staci Davidson: Why You Need Someone to Handle Everything But Design
Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by trained sex and relationship coach turned personal brand photographer Raj Banyopadhyay, of Series A Photography. We are discussing what personal branding means to him, how similar his process is to yours as an interior designer, and how he helps his clients uncover and embody their stories with powerful photos that help them connect with their audience.
Pick It Apart:
[8:06] Raj explains his mission as a photographer.
[11:06] Raj and LuAnn discuss the nuances of branding and having a personal brand, and how it relates to interior design.
[25:28] Raj and LuAnn discuss the importance of creating the moodboard for the photography session and why she got stumped with this step.
[34:57] LuAnn explains why the tiger is her spirit animal.
[42:46] Raj walks through what is going on behind the scenes during his photo shoots, how being a sex and relationship coach informs his photography, and the importance of attunement.
[52:57] LuAnn and Raj discuss shame and how it effects both personal and professional relationships.
[1:01:01] Raj his thoughts on influence and inclusivity in the historical context of photography and how that still impacts our thoughts today.
LuAnn Nigara and Raj Banyopadhyay's Ah-Ha Moments
“My goal as a photographer is, of course, to get beautiful pictures. But more importantly, is for you to feel safe in expressing yourself fully on camera…I love seeing the transformation that comes out in front of the camera and the transformation that they take out into the world of seeing themselves better, loving themselves better.” - Raj Bandyopadhyay
“I see personal brand, as the relationship that you've created with your audience.” - Raj Bandyopadhyay
“It's a difference between capturing a beautiful photograph of you, and actually capturing you. And it's a difference between creating a beautiful room that could be anywhere or creating a room that's for that specific client.” - LuAnn Nigara
“The stuff that comes up for us in front of the camera is exactly the stuff that comes up for us in the bedroom.” - Raj Bandyopadhyay
More About Raj Banyopadhyay
In 2016, Raj was a Data Scientist at a hot Silicon Valley startup; with a comfortable 6-figure salary, status that came from success in a sexy field, and only a mild sense of mid-life dissatisfaction.
Then his partner, his then-wife of 8 years, came out as transgender.
Seeing his partner find joy in his true self forced Raj to ask the question, “What do I need to change in my life to feel true to myself?”
That journey led him to training as a sex and relationship coach, pursuing his creative passion, and eventually, finding a fulfilling life as an artist and photographer in NYC.
Today, as a personal branding photographer, he helps coaches, speakers and entrepreneurs convey their full, multifaceted, vibrant stories on camera.
He's passionate about helping people feel safe to express themselves fully as human beings and to build a deep, genuine, lasting connection with their audience.
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