Today with Katie Ryan Pluer we are discussing what it takes to build a successful business partnership in the interior design industry. Katie brings a wealth of experience in business development, marketing, and advertising — along with a successful track record of buying and selling businesses. She has a keen understanding of what it takes to create a profitable business, and has spent the past few years getting settled in the interior design industry as Vice President of Natasa Jones Interiors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
If you have a partner or are considering one, or if you are looking to scale your interior design business anytime soon, Katie is here to share valuable insights. We are getting into the nitty gritty of partnership — from evaluating the business and legalities to personalities, percentages, and profitability.
Pick It Apart:
[1:11] Katie shares how she and Natasa met while working together more than a decade ago, how they realized they were a good fit for partnership, and how they began working together again in their current roles.
[5:52] Katie discusses how she officially approached Natasha about becoming partners and the process of having the business evaluated and buying in.
[14:40] LuAnn asks Katie what business owners need to think about before they get their business evaluated for sale or partnership.
[29:03] Katie outlines how she and Natasha negotiated the terms of their partnership, including ownership percentages, legalities, and the importance of open and honest conversation.
[41:46] Katie emphasizes the value of tracking both revenue streams and profit margins.
LuAnn Nigara and Katie Ryan Pluer's Ah-Ha Moments
“We're kind of like a Venn diagram. Like, I have my little part, she has a little part. And then we intersect. And the stuff that we intersect—we're just like on the same page. But we're also not afraid to challenge each other.” – Katie Ryan Pluer
“If you're running your business, you should pay yourself.” – Katie Ryan Pluer
“If you are considering a potential partnership with someone, and before you make the purchase, and the final deal, if you can't have open and honest conversation, then…how the heck do you think you're going to have it when you both have skin in the game?” – LuAnn Nigara
“Sometimes there's some ego in ownership and creating your own business. And if you're willing to put that ego aside and bring someone in that can help grow your business—grow it together—it's really worth it…If you find the right person that understands and has as much love for it as you do, I think it'll be a good fit. - Katie Ryan Pluer
More About Katie Ryan Pluer
Katie Ryan Pluer holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of WI-Madison. Katie is an entrepreneur, and currently is a Partner & Vice President at Natasa Jones Interiors. Her expertise is in business development, marketing, and advertising. Over her 20-year professional career, Katie has used her skills to promote and grow business across several industries including interior design, finance, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. She has bought and successfully sold several businesses including (4) uBreakiFix stores and Sign Gypsies MKE.
Katie has had the honor and privilege of serving on the development committee for Nia Imani, the Board of Woman for MACC and as the Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at Lueder Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual. She has a passion for service and a love for Milwaukee. Katie was raised in a culture of caring for those in need, and volunteering as a way to make an impact on the community.
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
WCAA 2024 Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships
AWDB 570: Natasa Jones: How to Maximize the ROI on Any Webinar, Course or Conference
AWDB 646: Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd: Building a Friendship and An Interior Design Partnership
AWDB 857: Power Talk Friday: Shannon Lopez: The ERC Program – Do NOT Skip This Episode!
AWDB 876: Natasa Jones: Making Bold Moves to Achieve Big Results
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we run an entire new segment! It's "On Air Strategy Sessions"! In today's episode, we have Melissa Fields with us. Melissa is the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. So, let's meet her!
More About Melissa Fields
Shades of Gray Design Studio is a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. It was started in 2018 shortly after Melissa Fields, the Founder and CEO, retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service.
A retired Air Force officer turned interior designer, took her side hustle and deep passion for all things beautiful and developed it into a business. Melissa wanted to create amazing spaces for people who were going to stay in their homes long term and enjoy the investment they put into their space.
She shifted her focus towards designing residential spaces. Although not formally trained, she is a passionate creative who not only has an eye for design but firmly believes and understands that the details matter. Melissa also knows the power of beautiful and intentional design to truly transform people on a mind, body, and soul level. Because Melissa is so obsessed with the details and a high level of quality, she wanted to have a solid foundation and obtained a certification in residential interior design through the New York Institute of Art and Design.
Shades of Gray Design Studio believes in creating not just beautiful, functional spaces but telling the story about the humans that reside there. We are all unique and that’s what makes us so special. Our homes should reflect that. Melissa loves using color, texture, and boldness in her
designs. She strives to incorporate a modern, contemporary feel while blending luxury and comfort...making it truly one-of-a-kind. It’s all about elevating the living space and empowering her clients with the knowledge that they are worthy of being surrounded by beauty.
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 574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy
WTFP 167: Nicole Heymer: How to Find and Highlight Why Someone Should Buy From You
AWDB 125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!!
AWDB 317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen
AWDB 466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?
Today on A Well-Designed Business I’m with Jennifer Davis, the founder of Davis Interiors, a boutique design firm based in Minneapolis. Jennifer's story is proof that intention, manifestation, and a positive mindset can lead to the life and business of our dreams.
In this episode, we discuss Jennifer’s strategies and beliefs that have helped her create a joyful client experience and a successful career. From setting intentions and aligning your actions with your goals to overcoming impostor syndrome and cultivating an abundance mindset, Jennifer offers practical tips and powerful insights.
Pick It Apart:
[1:21] Jennifer introduces her business philosophy that the process should be just as joyful as the finished product, detailing aspects of her process that reflect this.
[6:42] LuAnn and Jennifer discuss technology platforms and automations they use to help their systems and processes run smoothly.
[14:45] Jennifer talks about the power of intention and how it works for her.
[17:46] LuAnn shares a story about manifesting her dream home.
[29:00] Jennifer brings up imposter syndrome and the role it plays in the interior design industry and how meditation can be a helpful tool to overcome this.
[44:48] Jennifer and LuAnn discuss the power of taking five minutes to slow down and clear your mind.
LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Davis's Ah-Ha Moments
“I want the journey that you go through to get from start to finish to be as joyful as the joy you feel at the end of the project when you're in your new space.” - Jennifer Davis
“I think you just have to really believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you and find good mentors and a good design community to be a part of. And then when you set the intentions, you can truly believe that you're worthy of all these things happening.” - Jennifer Davis
“How we carry ourselves through our business relates, and comes back to us, in our personal life.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Jennifer Davis
Jennifer started her career journey in the furniture industry, where she got a taste for sales. Transitioning to an interior design studio, she started as a design assistant and swiftly advanced to a managerial position, showcasing her leadership abilities. Jennifer successfully navigated distribution management and marketing roles for a well-known national furniture retailer based in Minneapolis before leaving to raise her children.
While at home with her children, it wasn't long before friends began soliciting her assistance with their own homes. Balancing her roles as a mother and entrepreneur, she cultivated her client base from a part-time endeavor which quickly grew into a full fledged interior design studio. Jennifer is a firm believer in the law of attraction, maintaining that our attitudes significantly influence the outcomes we experience in life.
Jennifer operates a boutique interior design firm headquartered in Minneapolis, catering to clients nationwide. Her approach to each project revolves around fostering a client experience founded on clear communication, refined processes, swift timelines, and meaningful relationships. Davis Interiors lives by the motto “We want the process to create as much joy as the finished product”.
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
Rebecca Hay’s episode with LuAnn
AWDB #801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation
AWDB #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business
AWDB #895: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m excited to welcome back Katie McDonald, certified holistic health coach and instructor at b.nourished.
As entrepreneurs, we do have a tendency to put ourselves on the backburner, focusing our time and attention on the needs of the business. But if we’re not creating something sustainable—if we’re heading toward burnout, are we really creating well-designed businesses?
It can feel as if we need to justify rest, justify taking time for ourselves, Katie’s take is that we need to view taking care of ourselves in a whole new light—and today she and I are diving deep into the philosophical questions of creativity, well-being, and the way we are intertwined with the business.
Pick It Apart:
[0:02] Katie discusses how our well-being is interwoven into the business—and why taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury.
[5:47] LuAnn and Katie unpack the guilt entrepreneurs often feel for taking free time to rest and reset.
[12:13] Katie talks about how creativity requires rest, stillness, and space.
[17:23] LuAnn and Katie talk about what rest might look like for different people (and why that’s okay).
[29:10] Katie offers practical places to start when committing to self-care.
[38:58] Katie and LuAnn reflect on the business benefits of taking care of ourselves.
LuAnn Nigara and Katie McDonald's Ah-Ha Moments
“The only thing that will create change is our commitment to change—our willingness to look ourselves in the eyes, look at our hear, and say, ‘Something doesn’t feel right.’” -Katie
“We’re always thinking about the future or the next big thing for our business. But in our personal lives, we’re willing to accept mediocrity.” -Katie
“Our well-being is our fuel—the engine for our business.” -LuAnn
More About Katie McDonald
Over a decade ago, the demands of Katie McDonald’s corporate career occupied her every waking moment. She was left feeling depleted and depressed—suffering from spiraling mental and physical health crises that threatened her life.
Left with no choice but to transform her body-mind relationship, Katie abandoned her corporate job and finally started applying her knowledge of self-care, alternative health, and plant-based nutrition.
Since then, Katie has been on a revitalizing journey of lifelong self-care.
Fully recovered from years of self-neglect, Katie now helps fellow doers embrace self-care so they can do more and be more while leading healthier, more intentional, and more nourished lives.
Katie leads with tough love to inspire, empower, and challenge audiences. She dispels the destructive myth that self-care is an obstacle to productivity and teaches that self-care is, in fact, a tool to create a more powerful and impactful legacy.
Coaching Site and Link to Schedule a Complimentary 30 Minute Self-Care Strategy Session
Link to Bnourished Planner 15% discount code for planners LUANN
Here are the offers for the podcasts listeners
1. A 15% discount off the bnourished quarterly planner using code LUANN
2. Access to my curated resource guide here
3. Whole life assessment (will be a goodie)
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
#881 Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business
Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Jamie Gasparovic, Founder and Principal Designer of Studio Gaspo, a boutique full-service interior design firm. Have you ever had imposter syndrome? Join the club. Jamie has a little secret to combating imposter syndrome, and that is to invest in your business.
Jamie has spent thousands in investments for her business. Six figures in the last year, to be more specific. Before you drop your jaw, listen in to hear all of the value and advice Jamie has to give on investing in yourself
Pick It Apart:
[11:51] Jamie explains how investing in your business can combat imposter syndrome.
[17:35] Jamie is proactive in preventing imposter syndrome, which always seems to come up, by making consistent investments.
[22:28] Jamie shares her takeaways from Sandra Funk’s Interior Design Standard.
[27:16] Benefitting from just being in the room at an event and making connections.
[34:20] Jamie shares the tangible things she has learned from the programs/courses she has invested in.
[42:35] How Jamie decides what kind of investments to make.
[46:24] Jamie’s advice for those who are nervous about making that “big investment.”
LuAnn Nigara and Jamie Gasparovic's Ah-Ha Moments
“When designers ask me if an investment I made was worth it and I say it is. I have a hard time regretting anything because I have a takeaway from everything I have invested in.” - Jamie Gasparovic
“Hearing something in business that you are already familiar with can hit differently when someone else explains it and presents it differently.” - Jamie Gasparovic
More About Jamie Gasparovic
Jamie Gasparovic is the dynamic Founder and Principal Designer behind her boutique full-service interior design firm, Studio Gaspo. Recently, her moody modern aesthetic has been celebrated by Forbes, Architectural Digest, Homes & Gardens, and Apartment Therapy.
With close to a decade of expertise in luxury, large-scale construction ranging from new builds to full-scope renovations, Jamie has created a powerful name for herself in Central Florida. Her robust client list includes professional athletes, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives and busy professionals. Today, she frequently partners with prominent builders and architects to design turnkey properties from floor plans to furnishings.
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
WCAA 2024 Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships
AWDB #709 Jenny and Ben Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors: The Stages and Decisions to Grow Your Design Business
AWDB #759 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing
AWDB #786 Meredith Huck: From Corporate to Interior Design Business: 3 Insights to Succeed
Today With Lesley Myrick:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. For today’s Sponsored Show, I am so happy to welcome back Lesley Myrick of Profit Insiders.
Now, we all know that local business is the backbone of interior design. And yet, our focus often falls primarily or solely on online marketing. But local networking and marketing offer a lot of potential—if you know how to take advantage of opportunities (and measure your success).
Lesley knows that local marketing is about more than joining BNI or your run-of-the-mill networking group. While those organizations can certainly be valuable to your business, Lesley knows that the best way to land local clients is simply by getting out there and meeting people, wherever you might be.
Today, she shares how she makes this work for her (and what you can do to start taking advantage of local opportunities).
Pick It Apart
[5:39] Lesley shares why local marketing is so valuable for interior designers—even more so than for other businesses.
[12:50] LuAnn reflects on the importance of referrals (and why we need to focus on expanding our network).
[23:40] Lesley and LuAnn talk about the value of an elevator pitch, and how to do it the right way.
[33:48] Lesley shares other important local networking opportunities you can put into action for your business (and how to measure your success).
[50:01] Lesley breaks down how Profit Insiders works and how to apply to join.
LuAnn Nigara and Lesley Myrick's Ah-Ha Moments
“I understand as an introvert myself, it can be uncomfortable—the local marketing side of it. It’s easy to hide behind a computer and do social media posts or spiff up your website and update your portfolio, and I’m not discounting the importance of those things. But local marketing is so important because this is a business and an industry built on relationships.” -Lesley
“We often engage in a behavior unconsciously in our own lives that we then don’t apply to our businesses. Would you find a hairdresser off Google? Probably not. You would probably ask people…and yet we think that’s what’s going to happen for our business.” -LuAnn
More About Lesley Myrick
Lesley Myrick is an adventurous, organized, and enthusiastic interior designer in the Atlanta, Georgia area (and she works with clients all over the US and Canada, too). Lesley is originally from Canada and has lived and worked in Toronto, Ontario; Los Angeles, California; Waco, Texas; and now Macon, Georgia. She earned an honors diploma in interior design from Sheridan College in 2005 and launched Lesley Myrick Art + Design in 2015. She works with high-achieving women who are ambitious, adaptable, and committed to personal and professional growth. Lesley helps these driven women bust out of boring homes and helps new interior designers launch kickass businesses they love.
Connect with Lesley Myrick
Other Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #15 Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich
AWDB #37 Lesley Myrick – Strategies I Used to Build My Business
AWDB #159 Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer
AWDB #256 Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients
AWDB #389: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: The Interior Design Profit Formula
AWDB #584 Lesley Myrick: Building a Business From the Ground Up, Again
AWDB #766 Lesley Myrick: Offering Interior Design Without Procurement
AWDB #783: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders for Interior Designers
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today’s show was sponsored by Nancy Ganzekaufer and her program Profit Insiders Academy.
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I welcome design icon Vicente Wolf to the show.
Vicente’s name speaks for itself, as does his reputation. With more than 50 years of experience and wide-known fame, Vicente is a true artist who undoubtedly inspires upcoming designers on a regular basis.
He has a true talent for design—and it begins with understanding the artistry involved. Today, Vicente shares his insights about creativity, design, and knowing the value you bring to the table.
Pick It Apart:
[1:29] Vicente shares his journey and how he was able to produce groundbreaking designs along the way.
[12:05] Vicente and LuAnn discuss Pinterest, regurgitated design, and how hard it is for designers now to produce truly unique creative work.
[21:40] Vicente discusses his hiring process and what he looks for in junior designers.
[32:14] Vicente reflects on client needs, budget, and how to create artistry within the constraints.
[51:42] Vicente turns the tables on LuAnn and asks her take on what younger and newer designers are bringing to the industry.
LuAnn Nigara and Vicente Wolf's Ah-Ha Moments
“Architects are respected and revered. Designers often are not—they are seen as putting frosting on a cake rather than the real value they can bring.” -Vicente
“When you run your own business, you make the rules. You can make a decision when you would love to contribute your gift to someone.” -LuAnn
“How can you break ground if you don’t trust your gut?” -Vicente
More About Vicente Wolf
As a Cuban refugee making his way to New York in his teens, Vicente became a force in the home furnishings revolution, changing the vocabulary of interior design into a sleeker, modern vision starting in the mid-1970s. Known for his high gloss white spaces, he earned the moniker “The White Knight.”
Admired for his impeccable eye and unique perspective, Vicente Wolf has been at the top of the design industry for nearly 50 years. Wolf's work has been featured in all major lists and shelter publications including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Luxe Interiors + Design magazine. Vicente was named to Elle Décor magazine’s inaugural list of design Titans list on their annual roster of A-List of designers in 2021.
In his new book CREATIVE INTERIOR SOLUTIONS (Rizzoli, 2023), he shares the expertise he has honed over the years with project images and easy-to-digest “Lessons Learned”. A passionate traveler, Vicente’s annual jaunts to exotic destinations such as Burma, India, and Thailand provide him with a global viewpoint that he weaves into his residential and hospitality projects, which are displayed throughout the book. According to Vicente, incorporating authentic artifacts and furnishings from these places with modern décor that exude a quiet elegance, captures a sense of earthy charisma, timelessness, and soul. In 1999 Vicente opened VW Home by Vicente Wolf showroom adjacent to his design studio in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
Vicente is an international speaker, author with five book titles to his name, collector, lauded retailer and celebrated visionary. In 2012, Vicente accepted an honorary PHD in Design & Architecture from Boston Architectural College. He passionately supports God’s Love We Deliver as a Trustee.
Creative Interior Solutions (Rizzoli, 2023)
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
Creative Interior Solutions - Vicente Wolf’s book
AWDB #28 Andrew Suvalsky – What Are You Waiting For?
AWDB #384 Sarah Magness: Practical Strategies for Talking Budgets
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. My guest today is Ali Stein, owner of Grabler Brand. This is the first time you have heard from Ali on the show, but not the first time you have heard about her on the show. Back when I had Regan Baker on, if you remember, she raved about Ali. Over seven years Ali helped grow the Regan Baker Design team from 5 to 20 employees and she helped increase their revenue by 1200%. Ali was the Director of Operations and she oversaw HR, Performance Management, Finance, Business Development, Marketing, Project Management, and more.
Ali now has her own business, Grabler Brand, where she advises creatives as a business strategigist and operations advisor.
This smart lady is joining me on the show to give tips to designers on how they can land their next clients.
Pick It Apart:
[7:55] Ali starts the conversation by explaining how to get your next client.
[8:35] Tip number one to gaining new clients.
[15:45] Why Ali thinks it’s important to cultivate authentic relationships and how to do that.
[24:20] Pushing yourself a little to make relationships, even if you are an introvert.
[36:19] Ali advises to put yourself out there and ask for help.
LuAnn Nigara and Ali Stein's Ah-Ha Moments
“It is important to give clients that next level experience and not to rush through the process.” - Ali Stein
“When you can establish a working relationship with someone, that can be a strong engine in developing future business.” Ali Stein
“If you are an introvert, there is a way you can be in a room with 25 or 250 people and connect with two or three of them in a meaningful way.” LuAnn Nigara
More About Ali Stein
Ali Grabler Stein brings nearly 20 years of experience to Grabler Brand, a business strategy and operations advisory for the design and build industry.
Early in her career Ali worked at Google and then as one of the first 50 employees at Facebook (now Meta). There she helped grow the community from 6 million to over 1 billion users during her 10 year tenure. She played various roles in User Operations, Product and Partner Management, and had the opportunity to lead both small and large teams. Ali then went in-house at Regan Baker Design, a full-service interior design and styling firm, to serve as the Director of Operations where she oversaw Human Resources, Performance Management, Finance, Business Development, Marketing, Project Management and more. She helped grow the team from five to nearly 20 employees and grew revenue significantly. At Grabler Brand her goal is to be a sounding board, ally and guide as creatives navigate their business growth and subsequent twists and turns.
As someone who has managed both small and large teams, Ali has a strong sense for the inner workings of a successful business. From her industry knowledge to her experience with internal processes and marketing, Ali helps business owners and teams work towards becoming the businesses they want to be.
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 #392: Dala Al-Fuwaires: Commercial Designer, Focused Business Owner
AWDB #683: Jessica Matteson: The Client Experience Is #1 in Design
AWDB #838: Regan Baker: Building A Team That Supports Your Core Values
AWDB ·798: Brook Perdigon: Turning a Creative Passion Into a Thriving Business
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, I have a two-for-one as I am joined by best friends and business partners Aly Morford and Leigh Lincoln, co-owners of Pure Salt Interiors. If you have ever been interested in partnering with another brand, this episode is for you. I couldn’t wait to have Aly and Leigh on today to pick this apart because I know that a lot of designers are interested in forming partnerships, but have no idea how to find them, how to start them, who to start them with, all of the things. Today, Aly and Leigh answer these questions and more.
Pick It Apart:
[:55] Aly and Leigh share their backgrounds and how long they’ve known each other.
[11:33] Leigh explains why they seek partnerships on a grand scale in their business.
[17:35] Explain how they form their partnerships from the initial connection.
[21:33] Share their first opportunity to partner with Mo Money.
[32:27] Things that Aly and Leigh learned that they didn’t realize from collaborating with a partner.
[41:23] How Pure Salt partnered up with Leftbank.
[52:23] Leigh and Aly share their “why” for forming so many partnerships.
[54:20] What is the process in terms of crafting a contract with your new partner?
[58:00] What should you have ready to bring to the table before approaching a brand for a partnership?
LuAnn Nigara, Aly Morford & Leigh Lincoln's Ah-Ha Moments
“It is one thing when it comes to creating a product people love, but there is a slew of different things to consider for them to sell well.” - Aly Morford.
“It is important to lean into your partner's knowledge, opinions, and expertise as well.” - Leigh Lincoln.
More About Aly Morford & Leigh Lincoln
Founded in 2016 by best friends and business partners, Aly Morford and Leigh Lincoln, Pure Salt creates inspired spaces, products, and experiences that encourage people to live deeply in each moment through clean, functional, family-friendly design through its design studio, Newport Beach retail store, and eponymous Pure Salt Shoppe.
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
Cheryl Luckett about Wildwood Collection - “A Well-Designed Business” A Documentary Series
Check out Kravet Inc. and use our code AWDB10 for 10% on any order of Kravet fabric, wallpaper, or trim
AWDB #130: Kate O’Hara -Director of Marketing & Business Development for Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #160: Kelli Ellis – Live and Learn by the Rock Star Principles
AWDB #215: FaceBook Coaching Sessions- Show #1 with Kate O’Hara of Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #540: Robin Baron: Strategic Thinking on Product Development
AWDB #573 Cheryl Luckett, #BLM: See Something, Say Something
AWDB #882: Bria Hammel: Doing Fewer Interior Design Projects and Increasing Your Profitability
Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s Overheard episode, I’m joined by Charles Pavarini III, Leyden Lewis, and Maria Viola. We rarely talk about design itself on the podcast—we’re much more focused on the business sode of things. But the conversation about creativity has popped up several times over the years in discussions I have had with many of you.
I have often wondered, is creativity something you just have or you don’t? And if you do have it, how do you know, and how do you channel it into your work?
What is it that makes some spaces just truly, unquestionably impressive? And is there a formula, a process, or a system for developing that? Or is it just innate? Today, I turn to the experts to answer these questions.
Pick It Apart:
[5:57] Charles, Leyden, and Maria share their viewpoints on where creativity comes from and how to harness it.
[18:55] We discuss the teaching side of creativity and how to draw it out of students.
[30:18] We unpack how to find the balance between your own creativity and the client’s needs and budget.
[42:32] Charles, Leyden, and Maria share their advice for upcoming designers who want to develop their creative skills.
LuAnn Nigara, Charles Pavarini, Leyden Lewis, and Maria Viola's Ah-Ha Moments
“I think that the designer has something that the layperson does not have…and when you can unclutter your head with specifics—that’s when inspiration comes.” -Charles
“We teach students to open and receive the creativity that’s already stirring inside them, but they just don’t know how to release it. We also take that and help them understand how to put it into the actual design of a room.” -Maria
“I think for artists, shame is a major component—you have to get beyond it and allow yourself to express yourself. I think the most creative people are the bravest people I know.” -Leyden
More About Charles Pavarini, Leyden Lewis, and Maria Viola
Leyden Lewis:
Leyden Lewis’ received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from Parsons School of Design, The New School. He has continued to teach at the Parsons School of Design at The New School, as well as the New York School of Interior Design throughout his career.
Leyden’s design aesthetic is at once rooted in a rich classical Modernism coupled with ancient traditions and methodologies. He operates from a deep interest in art and the history of design to tell a new and modern stories.
Leyden Lewis Design Studio has created and curated poetic and culturally sensitive spaces for over thirty years. Our practice engages with the cultures of the past and present, and allows for a fluid integration between art, architecture, and design.
As a fine artist, Leyden has exhibited at the Studio Museum in Harlem and at NYU’s 80WSE.
Leyden is a Founding Member of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG).
Charles Pavarini:
Pavarini’s years of experience, former career in theater, and extraordinary creativity have made him a trend-setting Interior Designer. Recognized for Residential and Commercial Architectural Interior Design, his work is consistently highlighted with intricate lighting design elements and brilliant technological innovation. His design sensibility incorporates an International Style based in Classicism and a theatrical component in less-than typical ways. Lighting is a focus within his work and he currently serves on the board of directors of the Designers Lighting Forum of New York. His book Lighting Beyond Edison: Brilliant Residential Lighting Techniques in the Age of LED’s was recently published by Schiffer Publications. A Recipient of 34 Design awards including an Interior Design B.O.Y Award, a LUMEN Award, and IFDA’s Circle of Excellence Award, confirms his influence and leadership within the Interior Design Profession.
Maria Viola:
Maria adds a unique perspective that stems from her expertise with color, custom designs and knowledge of design history. Developing long-lasting relationships has enabled her to take clients through multiple projects.
Maria received her Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University. She has taught extensively at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University, remaining grounded in academia but alive to new trends.
Her work has ranged from custom furniture designs to office spaces to the renovation of entire residences. As part of Philadelphia's new guard of interior designers, she has the ability to combine modern and traditional - balancing scale and proportion - always with a twist that raises it above the ordinary. With humor, knowledge, and the ability to uncover a client's own sense of style, she partners with clients to affect change in their lives.
Maria is active in the American Society of Interior Designers, PA East Chapter and is Past President of its Board of Directors. She is the past recipient of two Chapter Awards; the Educator Award and the Presidential Citation and an IDA Philadelphia award for custom design of gates for a client’s home. Maria also sits on the board of Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia and co-chairs its annual Twilight In The Garden Fundraising event.
Charles’ Book: Lighting beyond Edison: Brilliant Residential Lighting Techniques in the Age of LEDs
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
WCAA Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships for 2024
AWDB #587: Darrell Long: The Best Design Comes From Within, Not Pinterest
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. My guest today is an accomplished interior designer, entrepreneur, brand influencer, children’s book author, real estate investor, philanthropist, and TV personality, and you may probably recognize her from HGTV Dream Home. Breegan Jane, who has transitioned many times, is back on the show for a second time. She refers to it as “the gift of transitioning” because it’s making space for something new, something that will uplevel your business or get you closer to your goals. Listen in as Breegan offers more tips and come-to-Jesus moments with her ever-growing business.
Pick It Apart:
[2:29] Breegan shares her experience in general of all of the shifting she has done.
[6:00] Breegan shares her experience with the blog she started twelve years ago.
[10:15] Advice on taking risks and how Breegan has evolved.
[16:20] Breegan shares two of her come to Jesus moments she learned through her shifts.
[24:50] Working with partners and having contract employees.
[29:25] Staying true to what you want to do, not what others think you should do.
[35:07] Breegan’s CEO strategy to getting everything done efficiently.
[40:22] How Breegan incorporated her sons into her content.
[42:05] Breegan talks about her philanthropy work and the Makuno Project.
LuAnn Nigara and Breegan Jane's Ah-Ha Moments
“Breegan Jane, as a company, has gone through so many growing pains in the evolution of who I wanted to become,” Breegan Jane
“Sometimes when your business model changes, you could change with it but if it doesn’t work for you, then you can create your own lane,” - LuAnn Nigara
“The more we change to fit other people’s opinions, the more we lose ourselves and our value,” - Breegan Jane
More About Breegan Jane
Breegan Jane is an accomplished interior designer whose resume boasts enterprises that span the gamut, from custom music studios to international real estate projects and everything in between. Her design savvy is well sought after by clients in almost every industry.
As both a residential and commercial designer, Breegan focuses on the design-build aspect of every project she endeavors. Her unique experience continues to set her apart for exceptional design opportunities, including her most recent work on UNICA, a multimillion-dollar luxury estate in Bel Air, California.
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 #251: Adam Scougall : Managing a Successful Design Firm & a Full-Time Job
AWDB #362: Breegan Jane: Interior Designer, Podcaster, Entrepreneur
Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by certified business and life coach Andrea Liebross, who is on a mission to help women entrepreneurs discover their inner potential and redefine success. Andrea is also the author of the bestselling book, “She Thinks Big” and host of the podcast, “Time to Level Up.” Today she is teaching us how to get out of the messy middle and move into the extraordinary with BIG THINKING. Tune in to learn Andrea’s 5 keys to becoming a big thinker. It’s all about TRUST!
Pick It Apart
[1:21] Andrea and discuss what it means to thinking big.
[6:09] Andrea introduce her acronym TRUST.
[17:50] LuAnn tells a story from Window Works about embracing uncertainty
[38:59] LuAnn and Andrea talk about how to move forward at a steady pace as a big thinker.
[48:00] Andrea shares that the messy middle occurs at different stages of your business, how to grow through these transitions, and why having a community is important to not getting stuck here.
LuAnn Nigara and Andrea Liebross's Ah-Ha Moments
“That future you all she's filled with is enthusiasm, and wisdom and knowledge. So big thinking comes from a different place than today. It comes from that future you.” - Andrea Liebross
“A big thinker isn't immune to limiting thoughts, a big thinker just understands, ‘oh, I can choose to put that one aside and have a different thought about this,’” - LuAnn Nigara
“There are times when you're set up in every way for a great opportunity, except the money. And if it's a really good calculated opportunity, you can't not do it because of the money.” - LuAnn Nigara
“You've got to have monetary support. You've got to have life support. You’ve got to have business support, and you also have to have time support—you have to have protected time.” Andrea Liebross
“[Big thinking] is like the big umbrella. And then you need the tools, the strategy, the system's below to support that big thinking.” - Andrea Liebross
“Your business is only going to grow at the rate that you're growing personally.” - Andrea Liebross
“The messy middle is always there, but it's navigating it with more efficiency and more clarity, and more more speed.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Andrea Liebross
After graduating from Dartmouth College and marrying the guy that lived down the hall, Andrea Liebross and her husband packed up the 1980s red Cadillac, left the northeast, and eventually made their way to the midwest city known for the Indianapolis 500. Over the last few decades, Andrea has started 3 successful businesses, all while raising two kids, now ages 20 and 17, and several giant puppies.
As a certified business and life coach, Andrea's known for helping high-achieving women make the shift from overwhelm to freedom in both their personal and professional life. Her goal is to guide these bold, ambitious women to create their own custom secret sauce for success by combining just two ingredients - the right mindset and solid systems. Andrea believes every problem is solvable and every dream is possible IF you make it all simple, doable and FUN (even the systems).
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
WCAA Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships
AWDB #447: Alex Gourlay: You Can Overcome Your Limiting Mindset and Belief System
AWDB #474: Bria Hammel: Keys to Scaling Your Interior Design Firm
AWDB #589: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million
AWDB #797: Power Talk Friday: Andrea Liebross: What You Are Worth, in Dollars and Sense
AWDB #811: Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate
AWDB #948: The Power Talk Friday Tour: An Unforgettable Day of Insights and Inspiration
WTFP #99: Susan Day: How to Maintain Your Sales While Working a Finite Number of Weeks
Today on A Well-Designed business I am so happy to welcome Mona Nahm to the show. Mona is here sharing her incredible journey and her current work designing affordable housing. Mona truly understands how creating spaces with compassion at their core can empower people and allow them the safety and stability to reclaim their lives. Her glass-half-full spirit will leave you inspired. Listen now.
Pick It Apart:
[2:27] Mona shares her story of homelessness as a teenager.
[12:51] Mona and LuAnn reflect on the value of basic education, obtaining degrees, and street smarts.
[21:59] Mona explains how she realized that she wanted to directly impact lives, so she moved away from a career in film to interior design in her 40s.
[38:11] LuAnn asks Mona about her current work in affordable housing.
[59:58] Mona suggests showing up to community meetings to learn about affordable housing in your community if you are interested in this design avenue.
LuAnn Nigara and Mona Nahm's Ah-Ha Moments
“I just saw people with or without opportunities.” - Mona Nahm
“The circumstances that you were in can create that lack of worth, and that lack of esteem, and so, therefore, you don't value yourself and then, therefore, you don't come to a relationship where you expect to be valued. And guess what? When we don't come to a relationship expecting to be valued—we're not.” - LuAnn Nigara
“The stability of having a roof over your head gives you the opportunity to have the stability to get the job, and then the stability to save money and get yourself out…It all comes from, first, that safety—a place for them to have a home.” - Mona Nahm
“You have got to get the hope going, and the opportunities for enjoyment, so that you can aspire to do the next thing, right?” - LuAnn Nigara
“If you're so focused on the difference, you'll never see the similarities.” - Mona Nahm
“Go where you are rare.” - Mona Nahm
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 #03: Things Every Designer Should Know to Run a Successful Design Business with Shannon Leddy
AWDB #29: Shannon Leddy Returns for Graduation Week- Best Tips for Landing Your 1st Job
#670: Power Talk Friday: Susan Inglis: Sustainable Furnishings Council, What You Need to Know
#773: Power Talk Friday: The Company Store: Quality, Sustainability, and Innovation
Today on A Well-Designed Business, it is Power Talk Friday and I am joined by Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau. Brittany and Ava are the co-founders of Girls at Flourish, a full-service creative photography agency specializing in the luxury home industry. They help interior designers accurately represent their brand through their brand images, which sets them apart from the competition.
We are discussing everything that goes into your brand images, how often you should have photos done, what they should represent, an acceptable balance of real life and professionalism, and more.
Pick It Apart:
[2:50] Brittany and Ava share what it was like working with Rachel Bozsik.
[8:41] How Brittany and Ava do an interior designer's brand photography when it is somewhere like High Point Market.
[13:08] LuAnn shares how she felt and prepared for her recent branding shoot.
[17:35] Ava explains how they portray a good mixture of “put together” and real.
[23:53] Being intentional with your brand image to help you stand out in an oversaturated market.
[30:50] Examples of image identifiers some designers use to stand out.
[38:10] How to get involved with Girls at Flourish for a High Point session.
LuAnn Nigara, Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau's Ah-Ha Moments
“You should have a good mixture of “perfection” and realness in your photos to help build trust with clients,” - Brittany Bowen
“There are ways to show you’re human and also have a beautifully curated portfolio and headshot,” - Ava Vienneau
“Designers who stand out, consistently show up where you can't forget their face, color schemes, or style and that's the key to growth,” Brittany Bowen
More About Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau
Brittany Bowen:
Brittany has worked with a range of clients from established firms like Studio McGee to those who are up and coming industry leaders. With a degree in photography and over ten years of experience, she is dedicated to serving the up and comers in the interior design, real estate, and home professional world with elevated brand imagery.
Today, alongside her co-founder Ava (and very best friend) the duo exclusively supports luxury home professionals who are ready to level up their business and take worrying the stress about photography off their plate. Brittany brings an extra, special “VIP Magic” to her shoots - which is why when you hire Girls at Flourish you’ll have everything taken care of from behind the scenes session prep to the easiest photo shoot you’ll ever have.
In her life outside of photography, she consumes just about any piece of good home design or business advice she can— watching the best shows on HGTV, listening to design or business podcasts, reading books from the experts, and flipping through the pages of design magazines. She has a wonderful husband and two sweet boys, and enjoys travel, yoga, and trying out the latest restaurants.
Ava Vienneau:
Ava prides herself as a photographer representing clients featured in AD and Domino and the home industry's most talented interior designers and top performing realtors, helping them land larger clients, press and ultimately create more opportunities for their business with show stopping brand imagery.
With nearly 10 years of experience in her field and extensive training with renowned architectural and interior photographer, Lindsay Salazar, Ava brings a seasoned expertise to each client and project. Ava’s clients lovingly refer to her as their CPO (chief photography officer) as she uplevels their brand vision from ideation to real life.
When working with the team at Girls at Flourish, Ava brings a kind, generous and thoughtful understanding about how small businesses work and operate. She is passionate about ensuring the entire creative process is streamlined and seamless.
When she isn’t behind the camera, you can find her strolling through antique shops and art galleries, listening to business podcasts, and sipping the finest coffee around.
Read more about us and our offerings/schedule a consult call!
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 #159: Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer
AWDB #160: Kelli Ellis – Live and Learn by the Rock Star Principles
AWDB #256: Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients
AWDB #549: Corey Damen Jenkins #BLM: Time to Take the Baton
AWDB #669: Kelly Collier: Managing Expectations Through Clear Messaging
AWDB #756: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing
AWDB #766: Lesley Myrick: Offering Interior Design Without Procurement
AWDB #955: Power Talk Friday: Sharon Lipovsky: The Power of a Clear Vision in Your Business
Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am happy to welcome back Adam Scougall, of Adam Scougall Design. If you have ever considered pivoting from your full-time job to interior design, this episode is for you. It’s always valuable to hear two sides to every story. A lot of my guests have pivoted successfully into starting a design firm.
Adam does have a successful design firm, but he pivoted right back into his full-time job while keeping design as a side hustle — and that couldn't have been a better choice for him.
Pick It Apart:
[5:00] No matter your level of expertise, always be open to new AHA moments.
[9:33] Adam explains why he preferred to stay in his corporate job while managing his firm as a side hustle.
[17:55] How Adam sourced out, so he could also work his corporate job.
[33:30] Adams advises how to make connections with other designers.
[37:37] Adam shares the types of AHA moments he provides during his podcast and with his one-on-one clients.
LuAnn Nigara and Adam Scougall's Ah-Ha Moments
“I learned that design was a way to express myself as a creative outlet, but I didn’t need it to be full financial support,” - Adam Scougall
“We don’t have to have someone else’s aspirational expectations on how to run a successful business, it’s what personal boundaries work for us,” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Adam Scougall
Adam’s story is one that is a little out of the box. We hear a lot about interior designers aspiring for luxury clients and an office full of staff. But Adam couldn’t imagine anything worse. After 18 years of leadership in his corporate life, he ventured out in 2018 to running his solo design biz full time. This lasted for 3.5 years before he returned to where he started. Corporate [with a buzzing design side hustle]
After working with a broad range of clients, some great and some a nightmare, Adam became tired of having to accept jobs that could make ends meet, as opposed to fulfilling his creative juices. Covid didn’t help financially, nor an always ‘pending’ recession, and after those years, Adam realized he did not wish to pursue a ‘be all and end all’ approach to his design career. He wanted stability, steadier finances and the ability to only take on design work that fulfilled both his own and client vision.
Adam now enjoys what we call a lifestyle business, balancing projects he only wants to take on whilst [now happily] holding down a full-time gig at his corporate firm of choice. He has also developed his own signature design implementation system that employs other designers to assist day to day, with Adam coming in only at key points in the project.
Adam recently launched his Podcast and YouTube show ‘So You Want to be an Interior Designer’ where he shares his experiences.
His aim for the show is to teach the thrills, reveal the spills and share how you can also create an Interior Design career that suits your lifestyle.
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 #130: Kate O’Hara -Director of Marketing & Business Development for Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #215: FaceBook Coaching Sessions- Show #1 with Kate O’Hara of Martha O’Hara Interiors
AWDB #251: Adam Scougall : Managing a Successful Design Firm & a Full Time Job
Today on A Well Designed Business we are doing things a little different in celebration of our Eighth Birthday. We are paying tribute to Kravet, Inc., our sponsor here on the podcast since the beginning with a trip down memory lane. We are kicking things off with a clip from my interview with Scott Kravet, when we were celebrating our 100th show, and continue through clips featuring 14 more designers and industry experts all sharing their sentiments on this iconic brand.
RSVP to SWDD Market Day HERE!
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 #14: Malene Barnett Success Secret – Build Relationships
AWDB #34: Mary Fisher – Author, Artist, Advocate, Social Entrepreneur
AWDB #59: A Special Visit with the Sr. Director of Merchandising for CuratedKravet.com
AWDB #100: Scott Kravet – Celebrating our 100th Episode!
AWDB #122: Barclay Butera- Mix Talent + Opportunity + Business Savvy = Epic Interior Design Business
AWDB #173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc
AWDB #197: Joe Cariati Collection for Curated Kravet & Business Insights for Creatives
AWDB #360: David Phoenix and His New Kravet Fabric Collection, Well-Suited
AWDB #388: Corey Damen Jenkins: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman
AWDB #404: Sue Firestone: The Malibu Collection with Kravet Inc
AWDB #433: Nate Berkus: Introducing His Collection with Kravet
AWDB #446: Power Talk Friday: Jesse Lazarus: Technology & Innovations in the Design Industry
AWDB #465: Jan Showers: A Glamorous Career
AWDB #697: Barry Lantz: Advice from a Seasoned Interior Designer
AWDB #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years
Today on A Well Designed Business we are doing things a little different in celebration of our Eighth Birthday. We are paying tribute to Kravet, Inc., our sponsor here on the podcast since the beginning with a trip down memory lane. We are kicking things off with a clip from my interview with Scott Kravet, when we were celebrating our 100th show, and continue through clips featuring 14 more designers and industry experts all sharing their sentiments on this iconic brand.
RSVP to SWDD Market Day HERE!
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 #14: Malene Barnett Success Secret – Build Relationships
AWDB #34: Mary Fisher – Author, Artist, Advocate, Social Entrepreneur
AWDB #59: A Special Visit with the Sr. Director of Merchandising for CuratedKravet.com
AWDB #100: Scott Kravet – Celebrating our 100th Episode!
AWDB #122: Barclay Butera- Mix Talent + Opportunity + Business Savvy = Epic Interior Design Business
AWDB #173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc
AWDB #197: Joe Cariati Collection for Curated Kravet & Business Insights for Creatives
AWDB #360: David Phoenix and His New Kravet Fabric Collection, Well-Suited
AWDB #388: Corey Damen Jenkins: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman
AWDB #404: Sue Firestone: The Malibu Collection with Kravet Inc
AWDB #433: Nate Berkus: Introducing His Collection with Kravet
AWDB #446: Power Talk Friday: Jesse Lazarus: Technology & Innovations in the Design Industry
AWDB #465: Jan Showers: A Glamorous Career
AWDB #697: Barry Lantz: Advice from a Seasoned Interior Designer
AWDB #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years
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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AWDB #26: Kae Whitaker- Branding Your Business- Finally I Understand It!
AWDB #125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!!
AWDB #516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand
AWDB #563: Power Talk Friday: Mike Van Tassell: Expressing Your Brand Through Photography
AWDB #752: Power Talk Friday: Kelsey Kurtis: Connection-Based Branding For Success
AWDB #759: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing