Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s WTF, Window Treatment Friday! In today’s episode, LuAnn and her friend and co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, explore how custom awnings can be the answer that your clients are looking for and the solution you need for your business and its profitability
Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, mom, wife, and a ballroom dance enthusiast.
Her company, Vitalia, Inc, provides all-encompassing concierge-level, tech-driven fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management services exclusively for interior designers.
Show Highlights:
- Vita discusses how she arrived at her revelation that awnings could add revenue to her bottom line.
- Awnings are a creative up-sell that also serves a need for your client.
- Awnings are particularly desirable to high value design projects right now due to COVID-19 concerns because:
- more families are taking “staycations” this summer.
- being outside is a safe way to socialize.
- this can be a place to “work from home”.
- children can sit and do their homework, read a book, or enjoy the air being safely protected from UV rays.
- there is a reduction in energy costs by 25%.
- LuAnn covers entry-level price points.
- Interior designers should be interested in selling awnings if they’re decorating outside spaces, anyway.
- Reasons why awnings are superior to pergolas.
- Be aware that your window treatment specialists can help you with this.
- What you can do now:
- Start speaking with your current clients about awnings and let them know that you are a resource for this.
- Research which window treatment and awning specialists are in your area and set up appointments.
- Download the Window Works guide to Awnings by going to windowworksnj.com (if you like it, let Leslie Carothers at Savour Partnership know, she would surely appreciate it!).
- The number one way to increase your revenue is to sell more things to your current clients.
- Remember that for both the short-term and long-term it is important to always create diverse revenue streams that align with your design firm.
Links :
Learn More About Working with Window Works
Learn More About Leslie Carothers & Creating a Lead Magnet for Your Business
Receive a Free Subscription to Window Fashion Vision Magazine
Learn About the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America)
Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit
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LuAnn’s Website
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The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
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If you loved this show, listen to these for information referenced by previous guests:
Leslie Carothers / Savour Partnership: #458
Nicole Heymer: #125, #317, #466
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s question comes from another one of LuAnn’s coaching clients, who was experiencing a late invoicing issue due to some extremely hectic circumstances in her life.
Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.
If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to luannnigara.com/wwld!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares the details surrounding her coaching client’s dilemma.
- The client was hesitant to send out invoicing at such a late date and LuAnn prepared her to by saying that some clients would fight her, some would pay her and some would ignore her.
- The client did send out the invoicing, knowing that she did the work and earned the money, but was ready to eat some crow if she couldn’t collect payment.
- Apologizing appropriately and owning her mistake netted her payment from most of her clients, but there was one in particular that was adversarial.
- After a few not so fun email exchanges the client ultimately sends this email: “You will receive payment for the invoices in the same timeframe you billed me."
- LuAnn shares the cordial response that the client wanted to send, but LuAnn had a more appropriate response in mind, since this was clearly a compassionless, bad-mannered client.
- The key here is to focus on the agreement to pay, which the client had agreed to do. Leave the emotion out of the equation. You don’t want to introduce any other elements that can take the conversation away from the primary goal, which is collecting the money.
- LuAnn shares her thoughts on the various responses that the client might have sent, and suggests that the client allow herself grace when she makes mistakes. The hope and goal is to learn from the mistake so that it is avoided in the future.
Links / Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Blog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell:
Starts July 22nd!
A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Nationally acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins mixes vibrant colors with layered patterns to create architecturally inspired spaces that are, at once, elegant, inventive and timeless. Taking cues from runway fashion, his residences feature luxurious and refined materials including intricate wallcoverings, sculptural lighting and stately furnishings. Jenkins’ goal “is to ensure that my clients’ homes are always classic, chic and without an expiration date,” states the designer. Most recently Jenkins was honored with Traditional Home’s “New Trad” Rising Star of Design Award, as well as an extensive cover feature highlighting a recent commission. His work has also garnered attention from numerous publications including Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, House Beautiful, Veranda, Domino, and HGTV.
Connect with Corey!
Corey’s Website
Corey’s Instagram
Corey’s Original Appearance on the show: #127
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Terri Taylor joins LuAnn on today’s show and she’s going to be walking you through how she calculates budgets on the fly. You’re going to learn what a powerful tool it can be for your design business!
One of Terri’s passions is helping interior designers get their firms organized and profitable. Make sure you take notes because Terri’s going to detail how she does this in an understandable, doable way! Hopefully, it will inspire you and give you the courage and language to have that tricky conversation about budget with your next client.
Terri Taylor is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at design conferences and showrooms throughout the country. She speaks on a number of topics related to the business of interior design, including: business practices, sales, marketing, motivation, leadership, success, and personal growth.
Ms. Taylor is nationally known as an interior design business expert and coach who teaches and mentors interior designers to help them create successful design businesses.
Terri has over 32 years in the interior design and construction business. She holds both residential and commercial general remodeling Arizona Contractors Licenses, and qualified for her NCIDQ certification in 1991. Terri is a professional member of ASID, IDS, and NCIDQ.
Terri connects with heart-centered designers to help grow their business strategy, accountability, and profitability all while undergoing a beautiful personal transformation.
Show Highlights:
- Using an Excel spreadsheet with the items found in a room and broken out by a room during a consult is simple and efficient.
- If you can get a client to agree with you on the price of furniture pieces three or four times, the client is going to say yes to you when you ask to be hired.
- You have to do your homework and know how to figure these prices out beforehand.
- When you get all the prices on your yellow pad, add it up using easy, rounded-up numbers, and write the total. Hand this to your client, and don’t say anything.
- They might say they didn’t know it was going to be that much, and Okay. Then you’ve just sold the whole job.
- If they counter with a lower price, agree with them, then ask them which parts they would like to take out?
- This is not the time to educate your client on quality and value, you’re just determining their thoughts on prices.
- Once you agree on the total of the furniture, you can pull out a design fee based on 15% - 20% of the furniture budget. This is a small number and easy to sell, but keep your percentage private. Terri offers more details on how to do this.
- There is a way to create revenue of millions of dollars a year, but it’s about team and organization.
- When you actually design the room, you don’t pay attention to the individual pieces but are just keeping the overall budget in mind.
- You have gotten the agreement based on concept and budget.
- What you can learn by floating good, better, and best prices for individual pieces.
- Your answers have to make sense and you need to speak with confidence.
- Tips on collecting your design fee.
- Although you charge a flat fee, you still have to plan your hours and know how much time each part of the project you have to complete its so that the flat fee you charged is profitable.
· As you gain experience (meaning as you have perfected your back end, your process, your efficiencies as well as your budget and sales presentation), in order to make more money you should be striving to earn more money on the furniture items (instead of raising your design fees above 20-25%).
· Terri shares information on her various online courses and the services she offers at Interior Design Business Academy.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell:
Connect with Terri!
Terri’s Website:
Go to Interior Design Business Academy and sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get FREE business tips and strategies and invitations to my monthly FREE Design Business CEUs.
Terri’s Email: Terri@InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!
Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:
For More Shows About Fees & Budgets:
Other shows mentioned:
Nancy Ganzekaufer:#389, #256, #159, #15
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday, and LuAnn’s friend, Jamie Lieberman, joins the show today. Jamie also happens to be her lawyer and co-author of their upcoming book, A Well-Designed Business, The Power Talk Friday Experts, Vol 2, coming Fall 2020.
Jamie will be covering five steps to engaging effectively in any negotiation. This is a great topic because you can dramatically improve your profitability when you sharpen these skills. Negotiating is a learned skill, just like learning how to do floor plans, and just like learning to do floor plans, negotiating is a critical skill to ensure your success, so listen in and take some notes!
Jamie Lieberman is an attorney, podcaster and entrepreneur dedicated to making legal accessible and to sharing the message that legal does not have to be scary. As the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal, Jamie draws on her experience working with influencer marketing professionals, creatives and business owners to help her clients grow and protect their businesses.
She leads an all female, virtual team focused on providing clients with advice on a wide range of subjects such as intellectual property, contracts, privacy, FTC and general business law as well negotiation strategies. Jamie is a highly experienced speaker and is the co-host for the FearLess Business Podcast.
Show Highlights:
- If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re a sales person.
- Determine your tolerance for risk.
- Negotiation is about collaboration, and needs a holistic approach.
- Bargaining is what most people think negotiation is.
- There is so much strategy and research that goes into a true negotiation that by the time you get to bargaining, it’s an afterthought.
- Jamie details the five steps to effectively engage in negotiation, which are:
- Strategy
- Setting the Climate
- Getting Information
- Clarifying Positions & Interests
- Bargaining
- After those five steps, that’s when you can memorialize your agreement in a contract.
- Don’t be surprised if you have multiple waves of negotiation before you actually sign a contract.
- Know your boundaries and know when and if it’s appropriate to walk away.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Jamie!
Jamie’sWebsite
Jamie’s Facebook
Jamie’s Instagram
Jamie’s LinkedIn
Jamie’s FearLess Podcast
Jamie’s YouTube Channel
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Previous Shows Mentioned:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s question comes from LuAnn’s coaching client, Jill, who gave LuAnn her blessing to share this sticky situation on the podcast. Jill has a new client who is the daughter of a very good client (and friend) of hers. The new client had a general contractor present at an in-home consultation for window treatments and the GC was very opinionated, contradicting Jill's advice at every turn. To make matters worse, the new client gave deference to every word he said.
Listen in to hear multiple dilemmas that Jill faces, as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.
If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to luannnigara.com/wwld!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares the details of her coaching client, Jill’s, dilemma.
- LuAnn posed this question for Jill to consider:
- Do you actually disagree with the GC’s suggestions and comments, or are you just annoyed that his say-so is being included in the discussion?
- The bottom line is to get clear on what your actual reaction is and separate the emotion from it.
- As it turns out, Jill thought that the GC was leading her client into mistakes, some much worse than others. Additionally, Jill would be the one responsible at the end of the day.
- When Jill presented her reasoning, her reasoning was poo-poo’d and the client sided with the GC.
- The next question that LuAnn asked Jill:
- Does the client’s mother know the GC and does she have an opinion of him, and is this something that she needs to know about?
- Jill confirmed that the mother does know the GC and does not care for him.
- Here’s the third question that LuAnn asked Jill:
- Yes or no, honestly: with everything set up as it is now with the same dynamics in place, do you see this project as being successful if you take the job?
- Jill did NOT see this project going well.
- LuAnn’s final question for Jill:
- Pretend everything is exactly the same and the project is $2,600 instead of $26,000: would you give a second thought to just walking away?
- Jill’s response was no, with the exception of the relationship with the client’s mother.
- The most important thing to consider, given all the details, is the relationship with the original client.
- The second most important thing is Jill will only proceed with the job if this particular GC is not involved.
- Know what you will do, and what you will not do.
- What would Lu do, based on this information?
- Listen in to find out the surprising outcome!
Links / Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Blog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Previous Episodes:
#222
#526
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Last year at LuAnn Live, LuAnn gifted each of the VIP Attendees with the headset which she requires when you do an interview with her, then challenged her attendees to take action in their business and come onto the show and share about it. Today’s guest is Laurel Smith, the principal of Farrington Avenue and she is doing just that!
Laurel will be sharing the ups and downs and the stops and starts of her entrepreneurial journey that will seem so familiar to many of us. She discusses some of the assumptions she made about owning a business, some of the mistakes she made in starting up, and how she finally came to exactly what she knows she was meant to do with her professional life.
Listen in as Laurel describes the key to how her growth really began, the things that catapulted once she got real, and see if some of her story sparks something that just might be inside of you, too!
Show Highlights:
- Laurel shares her work and educational background and how listening to the podcast helped in to her decision to go in another direction to pursue her dream.
- Laurel has built her brand around everything she learned in occupational therapy and about how humans interact with their environment. When you can’t perform tasks, that impacts your sense of self, quality of life, and well-being.
- Her mission and vision for her company is built around the idea of creating wellness through design and making the home a happy and healthy place.
- LuAnn shares her “business mid-life crisis”, how she worked through it, and the wisdom that came out of it.
- Don’t map out your story of success using someone else’s narrative.
- Laurel details all of the work that she has been doing to transform her business.
- There’s power in the words we speak!
- LuAnn addresses confidence and how it comes out of understanding and growth.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Laurel!
Laurel’s Instagram
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!
Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:
Other shows mentioned:
Shauna Lynn Simon #76, 84,102, 499
Sara Lynn Brennan 463, 524, 514
Michele Williams 137, 180, 395, 424
Welcome to, A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Natalie Norcross, who has a specific road map for how she teaches you how to do your own PR. Public relations is so valuable, and more now than ever, due to the current coronavirus event.
If you’re looking to not only survive but thrive during this economic crisis, you’ll want to keep marketing your firm and learn how to do your own PR. Natalie offers so many good tips, you’re not going to want to miss this!
Natalie is the CEO and Founder of A Design Partnership. Natalie Norcross has over 19 years experience working for Interior Designers, Architects, Builders, Developers, Hotel, and Home Brands and her firm has a demonstrated track record of driving exposure and placements through the PR they produce.
Natalie has appeared on the show in episodes #162 and #506. In episode #506, LuAnn and Natalie talked about the four areas to pay attention to when you are going after press for your design firm. Please go back and listen to both episodes where you will not only pick up some outstanding business advice, but you will also learn a bit more about Natalie and her career.
Show Highlights:
- Natalie details each of the five things you need to do to get published:
- Be specific! Know your niche.
- Be the face of your brand and be the expert.
- Partner with big names.
- Build a good relationship with the journalists.
- Timing is everything.
- Natalie explains her personality questionnaire that helps you to determine your niche.
- You don’t need an expensive publicist to get published, you just need the tools, the know-how, and who to contact.
- Natalie recommends to her PR members blocking out on their calendars 2-3 hours twice a month on Fridays. This is all the time they will need to spend putting together their pitches, sending them off to editors, and following up.
- LuAnn cautions knowing who you’re pitching to and making sure that your pitch matches their themes. Media NEEDS your content.
- Natalie shares some of the tools that members of her DIY PR Membership Program receive to assist them in getting more exposure.
- Tips and strategies on project organization, partnering, building relationships, and more!
- Media NEEDS your content.
- Natalie is a great resource of information and offers both DIY and a full-service PR firm.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Natalie!
Promo Code for Interior Design PR: Luann
For 20% off your 1st month of membership use Promo Code: luann
For Your Personality Questionnaire That Natalie Mentioned, Please Email:
Natalie’s Full-Service PR Company: A Design Partnership
Download Your FREE e-Books HERE
Blog Post: 5 Things You Can Do To Get Yourself Published Today
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen:
Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Krystle Pickens joins LuAnn in today’s conversation about not just growing a business, but growing a business fast, smart, and intentionally.
Listen in for real strategies that can help you set up your own business for success and profit!
Krystle Pickens is passionate about working with clients to create spaces that are beautiful and evoke that special feeling of home, while also meeting the individual client’s needs. We apply our four core values: Sustainability, Feeling, Functionality, and Community to every project, big or small.
Krystle has a degree in Interior Design and has worked in the design industry since 2012, getting her start in Kitchen and Bath Design.
She is based in Jersey City and really feels rooted there, however being raised in Seattle, Krystle feels a responsibility and bond to the environment and incorporates sustainability in all of her projects-she even studied Environmental Science briefly.
Show Highlights:
- Krystle describes how she is in her fourth year of business, and has come a long way since her first year, when she pulled in $13,001.
- She set a goal for her second year of $26,002, and ended the year with $27,100.
- It was at this time that Krystle started listening to “A Well-Designed Business” podcasts. She realized that she was serious about what she loved to do and decided to think of it as a business instead of a hobby.
- For her third year, which was 2019, Krystle set 19 goals and wrote them down.
- About halfway through her third year, Krystle decided to hire a business coach who pushed her to shoot for more than her $81,300 goal. She ended up exceeding her goal.
- Krystle learned at LuAnn Live how important it was to run a business autopsy. This is critical, because you must know where you are before you can plan where you are going.
- For 2020, Krystle assigned a specific goal to each month and is finding this very powerful.
- One of her goals this year is to get each and every policy and procedure locked down in a handbook before she takes maternity leave.
- The Process Leads to Profits class is packed with every tool, idea, and process you could imagine, specifically so that you have a road map to get your back-end organized. There will probably be another class late summer or fall, so if you want help with this, get on the email list to be notified. It’s worth every dime!
- Being coached on the concept of scaling and the concept of hiring were two of Krystle’s biggest lessons.
- Hiring a business coach is essential for accountability, advice, and helping you to see the bigger picture.
- Krystle shares some strategies on how she continues to grow her business and some client communication tips.
Links:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Blog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Krystle!
Krystle’s Website
Krystle’s Instagram
Krystle’s Facebook
Krystle’s Pinterest
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Previous Shows Mentioned:
Do Not Let Us Design For You #346
Nancy Ganzekaufer #15, #159, #256, #389
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Are you in for a treat today! Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors contacted LuAnn to let her know about her experiences working with Brad Leavitt, President and Founder of AFT Construction in Arizona. Brad has the AFT Construction Podcast, and he and LuAnn have been guests on each other’s podcasts before, so it’s easy to see why Jenny gives him such high praise for being a great builder to work with.
You’re sure to be impressed by Brad’s message and outlook on business, as well his obvious love and respect for interior designers. Listen in as he explains from the builder perspective all the reasons he knows that you make his projects more beautiful, more efficient, and more profitable.
AFT Construction is an award-winning construction firm and has been nationally published in magazines such as: Fine Home Building, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Professional Builder. Brad Leavitt is an energetic public speaker and ambassador for many national brands including Kohler, Pella, Cambria, Elkay and Post-it Notes. Brad completed a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from BYU in 2005 and worked on notable projects around Phoenix, including the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley.
His Podcast, “The AFT Construction Podcast”, is focused on bringing value to its listeners, no matter their industry. The topics are focused on marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, organization, building science and construction. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability, and quality. Brad and his wife Ashley have 6 children, 5 girls, and 1 boy. Brad is active with all 6 of his children, serves in his local community, and loves all sports.
Show Highlights:
- Brad’s company will not build a home for a client that does not have an interior designer on the project.
- Many companies have disregard for architects and interior designers, but the architects and designers actually bring expertise and a lot of benefits to the table.
- Brad shares the reasons why he does not have any in-house architects or designers.
- It’s important to get the client onboard with understanding the importance and value of a designer.
- Selling points to take note of when pitching to a potential builder:
- Having a designer involved helps a builder be more efficient, often saving as much as 2-3 months on a project. This can represent thousands of dollars in the builder’s pocket.
- Having a designer involved improves a builder’s relationship with his clients. A builder can get information from the designer without having to interrupt the client’s day and this avoids the frustration of arranging meetings while a job is stopped.
- A huge benefit for the builder is getting published. Having a room or outdoor area styled makes a huge difference!
- The referral relationship is a valuable component.
- Businesses are built on reciprocity.
- Brad offers some great suggestions on how to meet builders: builder organizations, supply showrooms, networking events, and on social media.
- Building relationships and trust are necessary before beginning to work together.
- Brad has already been invited back for additional guest appearances on A Well-Designed Business! Future episodes will include a list of the Things Your Builder Wants You to Know and a list of his pet peeves. You don’t want to miss these!
- Stay tuned for something else you don’t want to miss: more information will be forthcoming in the next couple of months regarding a new course being taught by Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors called “Design Build for Profit”. To be notified of open registration, put your name on the list at Design Build For Profit.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Brad!
Brad’s Email
Brad’s Website
The AFT Construction Podcast
Brad’s Instagram (AFT_Construction)
Brad’s Pinterest(AFT_Construction)
Brad’s Facebook
Brad’s LinkedIn
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
When Your Client Wants the Finest in Luxury Appliances for Their Kitchen:
Choose Monogram!
Set Up Your Design Trade Account Today!
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Other shows mentioned to include in show notes:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s question comes from listener Amanda, who has lost a couple of jobs due to the costs of freight and taxes outside of a client’s budget.
Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.
If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to luannnigara.com/wwld!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares listener Amanda’s detailed email.
- Nearly the exact same thing happened to Sara Brennan last year.
- You must remember that you are the professional in the room.
- Ask clarifying questions and provide your client with the information on how your business is run so that they can make a truly informed decision.
- LuAnn provides an example of how to manage future budget discussions.
- It’s all about the clarity and agreements upfront, when no emotion is attached.
- LuAnn goes into more details about Sara Brennan’s similar experience.
- This doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to be adversarial, but it does have to be discussed and agreed upon before you get to invoicing. Remember, no surprises and you’ll be fine!
Links / Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Blog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest is Robin Baron, who first joined LuAnn in episode #32. Robin is a #smartlady with an incredible body of work which includes being a celebrity interior designer, lifestyle expert, and a luxury home-furnishings designer. Based in NYC, Robin always brings a striking sense of fashion and style to everything she does as a successful interior designer. Robin knows that flexibility is important, so customization is available in almost every piece in her collections.
Celebrating 30 years in business Robin could have spoken on several topics but chose her strategy for designing and bringing a product to market. If you have ever dreamt about designing your own product, please, get a pen and paper for this show. Robin truly shares every aspect that you must consider before you set out on this path. Her advice is well earned and it is easy to hear the depth and breadth of her experience as a thoughtful business woman!
Robin thrives on creating homes that are unique and fabulous while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. Reflecting her motto that “Confidence Begins at Home™”, she prides herself on her ability to capture her clients’ individual personalities and bring positivity into their homes.
Robin has significant experience on TV, video, and radio including appearing on HGTV, Bravo, and NBC and has been featured in many print and online publications. Robin is the Brand Ambassador for the NY NOW show, and also tours the country as a spokesperson, speaking to audiences at events both within the industry as well as to the public. She enjoys providing lifestyle and design tips through her award-winning blog “Simplifying Fabulous!™” and her multi-platform social media presence.
Show Highlights:
- There are five categories of products that Robin has brought to market:
- Hardware
- Case Goods
- Upholstery
- Rugs
- Lighting
- You have to set your macro goal, and then from there, set your micro goals, which are the goals that will get you to the bigger goal.
- Robin addresses licensing and how it needs to be a part of your overall marketing plan because it doesn’t really make you money, initially.
- Robin shares some tangible advice regarding bringing a product to a market:
- First, analyze the need in the market for your product idea. Have you looked around to see if anyone else is providing it?
- Next, are you the one to fill this need? Do you have the solution?
- Do you have the pockets deep enough to fund your idea and take it across the finish line?
- Does it fit into your overall goals for yourself and your business?
- A ‘Robin-ism’: If you don’t take a chance, you don’t get one!
- You don’t have to be an extrovert to be successful, you just have to know who you are.
- You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. You have to have support.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook - Please Follow!
LuAnn’s Window Works - Instagram - Please Follow!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Blog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Robin!
Robin’s Website
Robin’s Instagram
Robin’s Facebook
Robin’s Twitter
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!
Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Previous Episodes:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, joins her today to chat about some of the things that interior designers can be thinking about in relation to window treatments during this time of quarantine.
Whether you’re settling nicely into virtual consultations or you can’t wait for the brick-and-mortars to open back up, you’ll want to listen in to this conversation to learn how important window treatments are to your business!
Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, mom, wife, and a ballroom dance enthusiast.
Her company, Vitalia, Inc, provides all-encompassing concierge-level, tech-driven fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management services exclusively for interior designers.
Show Highlights:
- Vita gives shout-outs to the #maskAmerica initiative and to local designer, Michele Plachter, who gave a wonderful gift to her industry partners.
- Remember that your window treatment specialist is your partner in this. LuAnn covers the different reasons why window treatments are important ANY time.
- Window treatments are:
- money-makers!
- an essential part of an interior design project!
- beautiful!
- Vita suggests that it’s time to lean into your workrooms and window treatment specialists and she shares the ways that a specialist can support an interior designer:
- They can provide product knowledge.
- They can do renderings on your pictures.
- They can give you a ballpark budget.
- Window treatment specialists: Consider offering up your services and asking your designers how you can be of value to them.
- Here are some great ways thats you can still incorporate window treatments into your 2020 projects:
- virtual consultations
- when presenting mood boards, remember the windows
- clients can take their own rough measurements
- #WTF Live!! Vita and Kim will be discussing drapery pleats!! Friday, May 8th at 12 PM, EST on LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook.
- If you are not happy with your resources, now is the time to expand your reach and look for additional or alternative resources, in window treatments, or otherwise.
- This podcast and past episodes are excellent sources of information and resources.
- Vita has some encouraging words from the heart regarding our low points.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook - Please Follow!
LuAnn’s Window Works - Instagram - Please Follow!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
#WTF Live!! Vita and Kim will be discussing drapery pleats!! Friday, May 8th at 12 PM, EST on Window Works - Facebook.
To learn more about working with Window Works
To receive a free subscription to Window Fashion Vision Magazine
To attend the virtual IWCE where LuAnn
To learn about the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America)
To learn about Exciting Windows
To learn about working with Vita: Vitalia Inc
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now!
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s questions come from listener Christina, who struggles with expanding her prospects beyond client referrals. Christina is asking for tips on finding a space where she won’t be competing with architecture firms with in-house designers, and would like LuAnn’s opinion on the best social media platform.
Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.
If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara WWLD!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares listener Christina’s detailed email.
- Lean into the referral business because these are the best clients you can have.
- Look for ways to keep you referral clients engaged with you.
- Even when you do a fantastic job it may not be enough to make them remember you.
- Proudly build your referral pipeline!
- For more tips on how to build referrals, check out Episodes #93 and #426 with Stacey Brown Randall. Stacey is also one of the co-authors of LuAnn’s second book, A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts. Stacy’s chapter is about leveraging those A-list clients and maximizing the great work you have already delivered to them, so check it out!
- You may need to work smarter to grow a design firm in a rural location.
- Unfortunately, many architecture firms, builders, and kitchen showrooms may be laying off their in-staff designers during this economic downturn due to the coronavirus event. However, this may open the door for some freelance work and give you the chance to make an impression.
- Look for the local people there that can refer you to boutique commercial work. Check into organizations that have architects, property developers, builders, and commercial realtors, call each one and introduce yourself.
- You may need to join an organization in a larger nearby city.
- LuAnn suggests some additional episodes that will help Christina learn how to work with architects and builders and how to build a hospitality commercial firm. These shows are linked below.
- LuAnn provides a detailed overview of a potential social media strategy. For additional tips and social media strategies involving LinkedIn, please see the episodes referenced below.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:
The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Monogram - Work with Us!
Other Shows Mentioned:
Stacey Brown Randall #426 & #93
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Just wait until you meet today’s guest, Nicole McGuire. Every word of her bio is expressed in every word of her conversation, and in LuAnn’s eyes, that makes Nicole one #smartlady. If you don’t epitomize your written bio, this conversation will make you rethink yours!
Listen in, as Nicole has some great tips and lessons for us all. You’ll notice right away that she is clearly a business woman running a design firm.
Passion and drive define Nicole. These traits have been foundational to her success in the highly intense and competitive building market. She is a visionary leader and disrupter of the status quo. Nicole is a gifted conceptual thinker with strengths in strategic planning, team leadership, mentoring, and community outreach. She has actively worked to create space for women to be empowered and given leadership opportunities within the design and construction industry.
Nicole was raised in a home building family, but she has never been one to rest on legacy. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nicole partnered with her father, the late Jeff McGuire, to begin a new venture, building spec homes, and eventually creating unmatched custom homes and personally curated design pieces, all available within the McGuire Homes Collection. Nicole has continued to dive deeper into best practices for the industry, even studying Sustainable Business Strategy at Harvard University- expanding her business through social and environmental sustainability standards.
Show Highlights:
- A custom home-building company, McGuire Homes, is the foundation of all of their businesses.
- Nicole’s passions are in design and bringing women into construction leadership roles.
- She started Nicole McGuire Design Studio as another revenue stream, giving her the opportunity to sell all of the products, the finished materials, that go into a new construction home or a remodel, back to themselves. This includes cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and furniture.
- McGuire Development Group is a company that holds homes that are hire-in leases to professionals. The homes come furnished, unfurnished, or a full executive rental, as well.
- Nicole shares a mistake they made in 2019 and how they have been correcting it. Stay focused on your core business, she suggests.
- Nicole details her marketing philosophy.
- All about Around the House with Nicole McGuire. Nicole provides advice about how to get your own show!
- Communication between her clients, her design team, her build team and herself is extremely important, and Nicole does it all within project management software.
- Nicole describes the three different mood boards that clients get, and why.
- Getting clients on board with “important” vs. “urgent”.
- One of the biggest challenges is managing client expectations.
- If you have a question that you’d like LuAnn to answer- go to wwld and she’ll answer yours on air in the coming weeks.
- There’s a new episode of WTF this week with Vita! Also on Friday at 12:00 noon, EST Vita and Kim will be going live on LuAnn’s Window Works FB, talking tips, and design for custom window treatments. Please follow Window Works too, both on FB and IG, and be sure to join WTF Live every Friday on FB.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Nicole!
Nicole’s Website
Nicole’s Instagram #mymcguire
Nicole’s Facebook
Nicole’s Pinterest
See Nicole’s tips here! Around the House with Nicole McGuire
Nicole has also given talks at University of Illinois and women’s groups on the subjects of construction, design, and business.
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Open Your Trade Account & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim!
Use Code at Checkout: awdb10
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guests today are Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel with Monogram, a new sponsor of the podcast. Monogram was also a valued sponsor of the recent 19hours virtual event sponsored by Mydoma Studio.
You’re going to love the energy that comes out of Monogram and its team members, so listen in meet Rob and Alex and learn more about what Monogram has to offer you!
Rob is the Senior Brand Manager for Monogram and Alex is the Senior Manager of the Monogram Design Center.
Show Highlights:
- Alex shares the company mission.
- Monogram is the luxury line of appliances for GE and has been in the business for more than 33 years.
- Monogram launched two new collections earlier this year: Their Minimalist collection and their Statement
- The appliances offered include built-ins, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, and 48-inch ranges.
- A “built-in” means that an appliance is built into the cabinetry around it. A built-in often has custom exterior panels, which gives an integrated, seamless look to your kitchen.
- In 1987, Monogram was the first luxury brand to create a full built-in package for their clients.
- Rob shares his background in Food and Beverage, and what excites him about the time he’s spent at Monogram.
- Monogram performed extensive research before putting pen to paper on their latest designs. After careful consideration, they developed three main pillars to support their new look and feel: Materials, Performance, and Ownership. Each of these upholds their commitment to high quality, innovation, and their ongoing relationships with designers and consumers. Through these pillars and their new collections, they've created a luxury brand experience that you can see and feel for yourself.
- “Social Currency” - Something to talk about with your friends!
- Monogram has a couple of programs specifically set up for the designer community to educate them on the Monogram products.
- Resellers (and there are over 1,100!) have updated displays and presentations. You can see, touch, and feel!
- The flagship showroom in Chicago is open to the public Monday through Saturday.
- The showroom does not sell the products, but directs the inquiries to the local Monogram sales manager if it’s outside of Chicago.
- If a designer is registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, they get to extend preferred-builder pricing to the client, which is a great discount.
- If a designer is NOT registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, then the client would be using the rebate. There are 3 tiers where the clients qualify for free items with certain purchases.
- Engineering details make all the difference in the design and ease-of-use of the appliances for the consumer.
- “Monogram Talks” - a webinar series that will be launching the first week of May!
- Different technologies are incorporated into the Monogram appliances.
- Designers, when you introduce luxury items into your projects it benefits your profitability!
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Connect with Monogram!
Monogram’s Website
Monogram’s Instagram
Monogram’s YouTube
A Big THANK YOU to The Podcast Sponsor:
Monogram - Work with Us!
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s questions come from listener Samantha, who would like some suggestions on how to find income when your projects have been put on hold during this COVID-19 event, the top ten recommended processes and systems to be putting in place, and the best practices for social media presence when you have no active projects.
Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.
If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara: WWLD!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares listener Sam’s detailed email.
- Sam’s professional focus is mostly on hospitality design (9) but also residential (1). All ten projects are on hold, and she’s looking for suggestions on how to pull in income.
- LuAnn’s advice is to weather the storm for the time being and offers lots of great ideas that Sam can work on right now to successfully position herself for when things open up.
- Sam would like to know the top ten processes and systems that she needs to put in place.
- LuAnn offers 3 prerequisites and promises the other 7 when the first 3 are firmly in place.
- The first 3 are: bookkeeping, reviewing or creating a solid contract, and designing a thorough work flow.
- What level of social media presence is appropriate during Sam’s work lull?
- Recycle old pics with a new spin or a new caption, but avoid stating that it’s from an old project or that you’re not currently working on a project.
- Definitely post on SM to drum up business while not busy.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?
Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!
Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!
Suggested Podcast:
Darla Powell’s podcast, Wingnut Social
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now!
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Other Shows Mentioned:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Are you in for a treat today! LuAnn welcomes
Stephanie Castillo, the principal of Rumble Interiors, back to the show. Stephanie was a guest on Episode #391, as well, and is joined by Renee Fyall of D. Marie Interiors and Sam Mikel of Nest Design Studio. These ladies are all interior designers, doing business in the city of Ellensburg, Washington. Ellensburg is a rather small city of just 20,000 people and sort of between Portland and Seattle. Wait until you learn what these 3 #smartladies have created!
Listen in to hear how these three interior designers chose to be open-minded, innovative entrepreneurs rather than wary competitors. Together, they form what’s known as Collective Interiors. You’re going to find their story fascinating!
Stephanie Castillo: Rumble Interiors
Communicator, observer, entrepreneur and creative...... Stephanie has been in a creative field her whole working career. Stephanie started Rumble Interiors as an extension of her success as a hair designer.
Design, balance and harmony are built into everything Rumble Interiors embodies. Stephanie's ability to design a space comes naturally and her passion lives in her strength to envision a space for the people who live in it.
Rumble Interiors specializes in taking your home or room from uninspired to a unique, inviting warm space that speaks to the people who live in it. Whether it's a Re-Style which is taking what you already have and Re-thinking, Re-imagining and Re-vamping your space; or a complete home decoration with results that reflect your world refined. Stephanie's special talent comes in the form of helping people define their design style, the consultation technique is one of her favorite parts of the process.
Renee Fyall: D. Marie Interiors
When it comes to Interior Design Renee joins function with aesthetics seamlessly on projects both big and small. With over 10 years’ experience, much of her career has been focused on project management. With an eye for quality, superior sense of style, Renee assures the space functionality is forefront, including the project running smoothly and on budget while still creating a beautiful and inviting space.
Kitchen design and kitchen remodeling have become a large part of Renee’s focus and priority throughout her time as a Designer. She possesses an innate desire to create and design Interiors that exceed clients’ expectations. As many of us spend a large amount of our time in the kitchen, it’s important to Renee? that she delivers? a return on the investment as the kitchen is the best place in the house to add value, both in design and function.
Sam Mikel: Nest Design Studio
Design is a bastion of individuality and creativity. However, as with other creative endeavors, the gap between one’s inner vision and its ultimate expression can be vast. The function of the professional designer is to help you bridge that chasm. By asking questions and listening attentively, a good designer can help you explore your needs and wishes and define and create the possibilities in your heart and mind. As a wise man once noted, “limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." Sam’s goal as a designer is simply to help you make the best use of your imagination.
Open communication throughout the design process helps develop trust and a comfortable, working relationship. Building on your input, Sam’s job is to guide your consideration of such elements as your home’s existing features, the sources of light, and the function required of each space to best define and create your individual style.
Working collaboratively with her clients, she strives to create warm and inspired rooms—unique spaces that tell your own personal story in a timeless way. Managing every detail from conception to completion, Sam’s aim is always to create an ambiance that reflects your taste and unique lifestyle.
In every project she undertakes, she strives to be budget-conscious. Also, whenever possible, she tries to incorporate eco-friendly green products and materials.
Show Highlights:
- Stephanie shares how she met Renee and Sam, how the three of them worked over the idea of sharing a collective space, and their result.
- “Glorified space sharing” is their business model: Collective Interiors is a building, and inside of this are their three businesses.
- Stephanie and Renee share an office, and Sam has her own office. Sam is also the main leaseholder and she has retail space there. Collective Interiors is a interior design / decor / full-scale store.
- Renee relates the reaction she had to Stephanie’s request for coffee and mentorship, and how she appreciates directness.
- Sam describes her passion for her retail store and her love for people.
- Ways they make their collaboration successful.
- Mutual trust helps to make this business model work.
- Re-evaluation, as they grow and learn, is necessary.
- How their lives have been enriched since the inception of Collective Interiors.
- Guidance for others that might be interested in the same kind of business model.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Connect with Stephanie Castillo!
Connect with Renee Fyall!
Connect with Sam!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!
Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:
Jaipur Living - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Other Shows Mentioned:
Stephanie Castillo / Rumble Interiors #391
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Katie Krimitsos, Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. The last time that Katie was featured on A Well-Designed Business on episode 253, she was the fearless leader of the Biz Women Rock community.
Listen in to catch up with all that’s been going on with Katie since her newest endeavor. She truly has a passion to help you become your best you, and if this current Corona Virus event has left you a bit more fearful than usual, you’ll want to hear about guided meditations that can help you feel more centered in this anxiety-ridden environment.
Katie Krimitsos is Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. She is also a mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, seeker, and change maker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world through the Women’s Meditation Network, which provides guided meditations and related resources specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. She’s passionate about giving women the tools, strategies, and inspiration to live lives they truly love. She loves the water, the sound of her two girls laughing with each other, and is constantly evolving to make her life and the lives of others as magical as possible.
Show Highlights:
- Katie shares her compelling story of how the Women’s Meditation Network came about.
- Women naturally have a beautiful light but they are often dimmed by self-doubt or comparison.
- Katie is not a meditation teacher, but she does give women the TOOL of meditation to help them learn more about themselves and learn how to deal with life’s troubling moments.
- Meditation doesn’t mean having a blank mind. It’s about managing your thoughts, which is crucial to master in both your personal and business lives.
- Meditation helps you to distinguish between, “What’s the noise?” versus “What’s the voice?”.
- Stop and set aside the fear of what is and what could be. Then reflect on what you can do or how you can help. How are you uniquely qualified to help your clients right now?
- What you choose to do and how you choose to show up right now might not pay “right now”, but if you lead with love and do the right thing, it will pay a thousand-fold in the future.
- Katie describes the ease of using her 5-20 minute, guided meditations and she also has a sleep bundle.
- LuAnn points out that research backs up the physiological benefits of meditation.
- It’s so important to tap in and understand what’s really best for us at this moment and how we can best serve others.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?
Connect with Katie!
Katie’s Website
Subscribe HERE to get FREE weekly meditations!
Start the 7 Day Meditation ChallengeHERE!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account:
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My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Mentioned Episodes:
Katie's other appearance on the show #253
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Did you miss the amazing “19 Hours” free virtual business summit that ran the week of April 6th through April 9th, 2020? If so, LuAnn will be filling you in on the industry’s answer to the COVID-19 crisis that contains all of the incredible presentations and panel discussions that was originally planned for High Point Market Spring 2020.
Today’s show is a replay of the solo presentation that LuAnn did on Thursday, April 9th, on “How to Lead Your Business Through the COVID-19 Crisis”. She has some perspective here that is sure to interest you, whether you run a virtual team or a brick-and-mortar one because LuAnn has weathered several significant economic downturns during her career and came out stronger on the other side of it.
19 Hours was hosted by Mydoma Studio and sponsored by Kravet, Article, Jaipur Living, Monogram, Summer Classics,Gabby Home, Interior Design Society, and Revel Woods.
There were an average of 800 designers and business owners watching each and every live session! If you missed it, you can still get the video recordings. For the next couple of weeks, Mydoma Studio will graciously email you the entire video conference if you contact them here: My Doma Studio: 19Hours.
Just wait until you hear the presentations by some of the industry’s top business leaders. There were 14 presentations and each one was stellar!
Show Highlights:
- In LuAnn’s first book, The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your mission and your core values, and it’s never been more important than now so you can be laser-focused in crisis.
-
- LuAnn details the three areas that you should focus on:
- Mitigate the losses.
- Focus on sales and marketing.
- Gratitude
- There’s wisdom in the saying, “The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.”
- Don’t overreact but don’t not act.
- LuAnn describes the #1 mistake she made in the early ‘90s.
- Think very carefully about the problems you are experiencing with the way you are living through the COVID-19 crisis, and how might you solve this for people in your circle who are experiencing the same things?
- Be creative, be empathetic.
- This is a good time to look inward. It is also a good opportunity to make sure you have your systems locked down.
- If you could wave a magic wand, what would your business look like?
- Look inward and be listening for what your lesson is in this. It could be personal or business, big or small.
- Everyday there is something to be grateful for.
- Share and show grace with each other.
- If you need to unplug, then unplug and own that.
- It will take some ingenuity and intention to get through this, but you can do if!
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
To Receive the Entire 19Hours Video Conference, Please Visit:
Book Mentioned:
The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action by LuAnn Nigara
Mentioned Episodes:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! On today’s show, LuAnn is joined by industry-icon, Kendall Wilkinson. They’ll be chatting about Kendall’s perspective on her experience in growing an esteemed and successful firm. They discuss budgets to clients to discovery-call practices to Kendall’s experience in the 2008 recession where she had to use guerilla-style marketing strategies to build a pipeline.
Whether you are already a Kendall Wilkinson fan or this is the first time learning about her, you are going to love this conversation. Kendall is a #smartlady who runs a major enterprise which includes her famous San Francisco design firm, her textile collections for Fabricut, as well as being a sought-after speaker for industry events all over the nation.
Kendall’s work has been on the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Wall Street Journal, to name a few. Along with participating in numerous showcases over the years including the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Elle Decor Showhouse, and LUXE Magazine’s Maison de Luxe Showhouse, Kendall has also she served on the prestigious Board of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Show Highlights:
- Kendall has been in business for 27 years and employs a staff of 30.
- Kendall believes that a combination of creative excellence and business acumen are responsible for her success.
- It’s important to mentor once you have the experience in.
- Kendall explains her business structure: She has four teams of principals who have their own firms. Within each team is a senior designer, a design associate, a design assistant, and a project manager. They each run 3-5 projects. Kendall also has a back office, which includes the expediters, controllers, accountants, and administrators.
- This structure has allowed her to be more creative because of the confidence she in her principals and their abilities.
- LuAnn and Kendall discuss clients, budgets, variables, and the non-negotiables.
- Kendall shares how she came through the 2008 recession without having to lay off any employees.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting Wednesday, April 22!
If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.
Connect with Kendall!
Kendall’s Website
Kendall’s LinkedIn
Kendall’s Twitter - @KWilkinsonSF
Kendall Wilkinson Design’sInstagram - @KendallWilkinsonDesign
Kendall Wilkinson Design’sFacebook
Kendall Wilkinson Design’s LinkedIn
Kendall Wilkinson Design’sPinterest
DesignClass: Interior Design With Kendall Wilkinson
Be sure to check out Kendall’s textile line atFabricut!
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Nancy Lane, CEO of Nancy Lane Interiors in Houston, Texas, joins LuAnn today and you’ll be learning all about the Process Leads to Profits course that Nancy took last winter and the tangible benefits she has received from it.
You’ll also hear how Nancy utilized Mydoma Studio to define her services for her prospective clients and how she now invoices and receives payments for her services through Mydoma Studio.
Join LuAnn and Nancy in this engaging and informational conversation, and to learn more about signing up for the next Process Leads to Profits with Sara Lynn Brennan’s LIVE course, which starts NEXT WEEK!
Nancy Lane’s idea of home has been informed by all the places she's lived, and perhaps most of all by the one she lost. As a child, her home burned to the ground, displacing her family in the process. Nancy and her family found themselves building their new home together and establishing the true meaning of that word at the same time.
Her love for interior design grew through the years, both through her own personal projects and as she shared her passion by helping friends and neighbors with their design projects for more than a decade. In 2016, she opened her residential interior design consulting business, Nancy Lane Interiors and turned that passion into a livelihood. Nancy helps clients solve their design dilemmas and turn houses into homes in and around Houston, Texas, where she resides with her husband and three sons.
Show Highlights:
- Nancy’s first career was as a chemist! She is a perpetual learner and was already running a successful business when she signed up for classes because she loves to learn new and better processes.
- Clearly defined processes are everything. You can define your process to make it concrete and repeatable BUT just know it's still really fluid. It will always be a work in process.
- Nancy details the steps she’s implemented since completing the Process Leads to Profits course.
- Automate, automate, automate! Automation is important in delivering consistent service.
- Mindset is key. Most of the issues we have all start right between our ears!
- In light of COVID-19, Nancy discusses the ways that she’s been taking advantage of being at home.
- Is the Process Leads to Profits class right for you? If 6 weeks from now you would like to know you are well on your way and well-armed with the information and strategies to once and for all organize your “you” into a repeatable, duplicatable process (AKA, a “business”!), then YES! Sign up HERE!
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
LuAnn’sBlog
LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!
If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.
Connect with Nancy!
Nancy’s Websites: Nancy Lane Interiors &The Decor Detective
Nancy’sInstagram
Nancy’sFacebook
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business
Previous shows mentioned:
Sara Lynn Brennan:#463, #514, #524
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for an episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.
Today’s question comes from listener Jane, who would like to know how to handle a client who is refusing to pay a bill.
Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolution.
If you have a burning issue that you need some insight on, please send your question to LuAnn Nigara!
Show Highlights:
- LuAnn shares Jane’s detailed email.
- The red-flag phrase in the listener’s email that got LuAnn’s attention: “Even when I could see the project going south.”
- Why LuAnn thinks that the client somehow feels wronged.
- LuAnn’s take-action steps:
- The listener should think back to when she first felt things going south.
- She needs to identify the event and ask herself these questions:
- What one thing could you have done at the time to have avoided the project going south?
- Can you fix the problem even though it is late?
- Even if it costs you money, you have to fix it.
- Get ready for the hard conversation. Call her, acknowledge the problem, give a genuine apology for the past offense and offer the solution you are going to take.
- Once you’ve agreed on a solution, THEN you can ask for the payment, but there’s a particular way you need to frame the request!
- The client needs that moment of contrition and the solution to get past the problem.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog
LuAnn Nigara- Email LuAnn Your Questions!
LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!
If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
Open Your Trade Account & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim!
Use Code at Checkout: AWDB10
Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now!
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn gets to chat with Krista Watterworth Alterman, CEO of Krista Home in Palm Beach, Florida, about company mission and vision, how important it is to lift others up, and very timely advice on how to face fear.
Krista leads her company with purpose and clarity. She is the kind of CEO that has taken the time to figure these things out for herself and as you listen, you will hear how it guides every decision she makes, from client interaction to creating, training and leading her team. You don’t want to miss this engaging conversation!
Krista is the CEO of Krista Home located in Palm Beach Florida. Originally from Connecticut and trained in NY at Parsons School of Interior Design with a masters of Fine Arts from the New School, NYC, Krista is known for her highly acclaimed HGTV shows Save My Bath and Splurge & Save. She's also been featured on The Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible and DIY's The Vanilla Ice Project for seven seasons.
Selected as one of the designers for the prestigious Kips Bay Show House in 2019 Krista has also won two 2018 American Society of Interior Designers Crystal Awards, a 2018 LUXE Residential Excellence Award and three 2017 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Awards.
Krista was one of the selected designers for the prestigious Kips Bay Show House in 2019. She won two 2018 American Society of Interior Designers Crystal Awards, a 2018 LUXE Residential Excellence Award and three 2017 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Awards.
Her work is regularly featured in many publications including Architectural Digest, Decor, Luxe Interiors & Design, Florida Design, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Southern Style At Home and Cottages & Bungalows.
Show Highlights:
- When an employee hasn’t risen to exceptional status, it can sometimes be because we haven’t empowered them to properly do their job when they don’t have a clear understanding of their job description.
- Streamlining her business helped Krista and her team figure out who was responsible for providing different services, and how they could do it in a way that was fun and empowering for everybody so they loved coming to work.
- In doing this, she wanted to discover people’s natural talents and expertise.
- Krista wants her company to be able to function without her presence.
- Employees need clarity on their roles but they also need clarity on your company’s mission and vision.
- Service is Krista’s mission and she shares the relevance of saying, “Yes, And”.
- LuAnn emphasizes the importance of words.
- “A Design Lab” rather than a “Design Presentation”: Krista describes her plan to make everything fun for her clients when they come in to finalize the work product.
- When you feel fearful or anxious about something, it’s time for action. You need to do something to propel yourself forward.
- What you’re naturally good at is what you grow your passion around. Krista describes her employees’ job descriptions and how each of their strengths complement their positions.
- Having a philosophy in life that brings you great happiness and carrying that over to your work life is a win/win situation.
Links :
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog
LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!
If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.
Connect with Krista!
Krista’s Website
Krista’s Facebook
Krista’s Instagram
Books Mentioned:
A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts by LuAnn Nigara & Friends
3 Words for Getting Unstuck: Live Yes, And!by Travis L. Thomas
A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:
*Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.
*Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.
Previous Show Mentioned:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! And today LuAnn will be doing a ‘Where Are They Now’ episode with Wendy Woloshchuk, who last made her appearance on A Well-Designed Business about two years ago.
What a difference those two years have made! Wendy is here to share the invaluable information she has learned from LuAnn Live and The Power Talk Friday Tour, the implementations to her business that resulted from that, and the profound impact it has had on her life.
You don’t want to miss this conversation! Get ready for some takeaways from this!
Wendy Woloshchuk believes that great interior design can change your everyday life. It’s about more than just beauty and function. It’s about creating a home that feels like a warm hug when you walk in after a long day. The details of your home create that feeling of comfort. She believes that interior design should be approachable, not intimidating! Her goal is not to make your house a showpiece, but to create a beautiful, comforting space and to see you enjoying it with friends and family. Wendy has been an interior designer and decorating enthusiast for as long as she can remember, and has been getting paid to do it since 2007, when she received her Interior Design Certification from Bay Path University. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at design events. She’s spoken for Facebook, been on multiple panels at High Point Market, was an invited guest at The Designer Experience, and was on the designhounds Influencer tour of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS).
Wendy is a Houzz influencer, has won multiple Houzz Service Awards, and is a Maria Killam Certified True Colour Expert. She was also a Las Vegas Market Red Carpet Tour attendee. She has done multiple projects with the Make a Wish Foundation, and she’s a certified member of The Interior Design Society (IDS).
Wendy loves sharing interior design advice and ideas. She coaches interior designers from around the world and teaches both local and online workshops to interior designers, decorators and home stagers on the business of interior design, and offer free tips on design on her Facebook live show, The Daily Details!
She’s been quoted and/or seen in:
- Designers Today Magazine
- The Sunday Republican
- The Palmer Journal
- Mydoma.com
- Window Fashion Vision magazine
…and heard on:
- A Well-Designed Business podcast with LuAnn Nigara
- Home Stagers and Designers on Fire podcast with Marianne Cherico
When she’s not working on other people’s houses – or on the beach in Aruba – she’s in her own home in the woods, listening to podcasts or country music; cheering for the New England Patriots; or spending time with her husband, Mike (Wally), and their schnug, Ozzy.
Show Highlights:
- As Wendy explains, she had a process, but it was inconsistent. Once she hired an assistant, she knew she had to have a better process in place.
- Wendy took the time to document her processes in a “Standards of Excellence Manual”, an idea she got from Ashley Uhl.
- Wendy asked her assistant to write down her own documented processes as she experienced them after a month of being hired, then they compared notes. This allowed them to fine-tune the manual.
- Another idea she got from Ashley Uhl was sending a simple hand-written thank you note after a consult.
- LuAnn loved the idea Wendy shared of sending “Happy Birthday to Your Room” cards to her clients after their first anniversary of doing business together. After year 5 and year 10, Wendy sends a card offering to refresh their room design.
- Wendy hired Nancy Ganzekaufer as a coach and worked with her for most of last year. One of the big areas in which Nancy helped was with Wendy’s numbers, so she increased both her hourly rates and her consults rates, and started charging her clients retail for product, which substantially increased her profits.
- All clients get a weekly update email very Friday updating them on their project and exactly what was accomplished over the past week.
- Nicole Heymer’s branding course helped Wendy to websites, social media. what she wanted from her website, so last year, Wendy worked with a copywriter to redesign her website, making it more relaxed and fun.
- Based on conversations over lunch with Debbe Daley and Marianne Cherico last year, Wendy, Debbe, and Marianne started the Design for Today Collaborative. They do in-person workshops at the Boston Design Center and other venues around New England. It’s a way to keep designers up to date on technology, websites, and social media but has grown to include staging coaching.
- LuAnn points out that Wendy’s success story is a great example of never being afraid of seeking help and knowledge from others, and taking that information you learn and putting it into practice.
Links / Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
Sara’s Blog post on LuAnn’s Blog
LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!
If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to www.processleadstoprofits.com.
Connect with Wendy!
Wendy’s YouTube
Wendy’s Pinterest
Wendy’s Facebook
Wendy’s Instagram
Wendy’s LinkedIn
Wendy’s Website
Design For Today Collaborative Facebook Page
Thank You to These Podcast Sponsors:
FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!
Mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Previous Show Mentioned:
Nancy Ganzekaufer: #15, #159, #256, #389
Kae Whitaker #26, #66, #114, #259, #274
Nicole Heymer #125, #317, #466