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A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

In today's world being a talented interior designer isn't enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful interior design business. Design school doesn't always teach you the critical business skills to be sure your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well Designed Business is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 35 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices.
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Now displaying: 2020
Oct 16, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s Power Talk Friday is sponsored by Interior Design Business Academy and specifically the Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit, which is happening Wednesday, November 4 thru Friday, November 6, 2020.

This event will run from 10:00 am EST to 6:00 pm and it is entirely virtual.

In today’s conversation, Terri Taylor not only shares all the details of the outstanding Summit she has planned for you, but she shares valuable tips for running your firm. After 30 years in the industry, Terri has tons of experience in running her own firm and teaching you how to do it through her Interior Design Business Academy.

And to be clear, the summit is open to all interior design business owners, not just IDBA coaching members, so be sure to check it out at Interior Design Business Academy Summit 2020

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.

Her Tucson-based design studio, Taylor Design Group, was a diversified design practice working in the areas of high-end residential design and remodeling, model home merchandising, hospitality, and medical and professional offices. Her studio has been the recipient of ASID Arizona South Chapter Design Excellence Awards every year since 1986 and she received the ASID National Design Excellence Award in 2000.  Terri’s design work has been published in regional and national design journals, including ASID ICON and Wall St. Journal. Terri retired from her studio practice in 2015.

In 2009, Ms. Taylor created Design Biz Blueprint (now Interior Design Business Academy); an education and coaching resource that provides a unique mix of design business strategies and systems, and powerful positive mindset to help interior designers create meaningful success. She’s inspired thousands of interior design entrepreneurs through her speaking engagements, seminars, on-line education, and coaching.

Terri connects with heart-centered designers to help grow their business strategy, accountability, and profitability all while undergoing a beautiful personal transformation.

Show Highlights:

  • The “nuts and bolts” side of how interior designers can get paid what they are worth is a part of the system that Terri teaches at Interior Design Business Academy:
    • Advantages of fees vs. hourly, and design fees in relation to project budgets
    • Pricing product/furniture properly so you don’t get push back and clients are happy
    • How to have profitable remodeling jobs
    • How to present and price a big design fee on a huge new build
    • What your profit margin on a design job  should be
  • Your mindset around wealth consciousness is actually the secret to getting paid what you are worth.
  • Terri provides reasons why and examples of how designers are often in their own way.
  • Once you identify and release those beliefs, rules, and practices that are keeping you “in your own way”, the “how-tos” easily fall into place.
  • Interior Design Business Academy is a blend of educational programs and coaching: It’s lots of step-by-step, how-to-do-it recipes backed up by coaching, which creates predictably successful results.
  • Terri explains the Growth, Structure, and Masters programs that she offers at Interior Design Business Academy.
  • “Fly the plane while you build it.”
  • Terri Taylor is the founder and host of the upcoming Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit - “Mastering Design Fees and Pricing”. Although it’s required by her Growth, Structure, and Masters students, this retreat is also open to the public!
  • The 2020 Summit is a very interactive, 3-day virtual retreat, with lots of connection and sharing with designers across the country, breakout groups, all worksheets/handouts, coaching, Q and A time with Terri, and dancing… yes, it’s true, believe it or not!
  • The 2020 Summit – “Mastering Design Fees and Pricing” is where:
    • your passion for design combines with the ability to earn what you’re worth to become a reality.
    • you will gain the confidence to make the shift and get the “recipe” for making consistently profitable fee-based offers for design services.
    • you will learn to embrace your beautiful design gifts and attract high-paying clients to become a confident, well-paid designer.
    • you do the “inside” work that allows you to shift into the abundant, confident, well-paid designer you are destined to be.
    • you will uncover the freedom and fulfillment you’ve always wanted.
  • This Summit is for pros, third acts, stars, leaders, game-changers, beginners, creatives, and IDBA members!
  • There’s a Special Bonus “Wealth Consciousness Intensive Live” with Terri for Early Bird ticket holders only!
  • Don’t miss the virtual mix and mingle event before the Summit!
  • Remember: the only way you breakthrough is to COMMIT to doing whatever it takes to achieve the life, clients, and jobs you want.

 

Connect with Terri!

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Website

Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit

“Mastering Design Fees & Pricing”

Wednesday, November 4th thru Friday, November 6th, 2020

10:00 AM EST – 6:00 PM EST

Virtual experience

Admission: $347 or 2 payments of $207

*Early Bird pricing only valid until midnight, October 20th

*Early Bird BONUS -  A pre-event Wealth Consciousness Workshop with Terri so that you can get a head start into shifting your mindset and getting paid what you are really worth!

Register for 2020 Summit

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

Interior Design Business Academy Summit 2020

Other shows mentioned:

#548 Terri Taylor

Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Social media guru, Darla Powell from Darla Powell Interiors, joins us in this conversation today on how to get more juice from your social media efforts. We change, our business changes, and sometimes, we need to refresh our minds about what we’re really doing and who we’re doing it for. The goal here today is to talk about honing the message you’re sending out to the world, and if you already did this five years ago, well maybe it’s time to do it again!

Darla is a co-author of the 2nd volume of A Well-Designed Business, The Power Talk Friday Experts that is coming out in November 2020. Darla really is the social media guru. She blew up social from the get-go and she hasn’t stopped since. Thankfully she is just fine with sharing her tools and ideas with us, so we can try to duplicate her success. Please welcome her back to the show!

Darla has a fun, genuine, and down-to-earth approach to the designing of beautiful spaces. Since she launched her career in 2016, she has grown her business almost exclusively by word-of-mouth and her clients have really fallen in love with her work!

In her past life, Darla spent almost twenty years as a Detective Sergeant in Miami Florida, so one might say that she is an expert on the importance of having complete tranquility at home after a stressful day at work! Also, her background has carried over many hidden perks- including a strong sense of integrity, accountability, and a ready-for-anything-ness that is key for home renovation projects.

Darla’s career transformation was fueled by her need to express her boundless creativity. She spent her childhood summers rummaging through her grandmother’s antique store where she developed an extensive knowledge of antiques, collectibles, and of pieces that look perfect together, so Darla’s refined eye definitely sees those diamonds hiding in the rough! Above all, Darla really loves creating rooms that are gorgeous, elegant and soothing.

Show Highlights:

  • This podcast helped educate Darla and gave her the courage to take a leap into a totally different career path.
  • Darla explains how she came to create Wingnut Social.
  • When clients are looking up your design firm online, they are also scoping out your PR sources and checking out your social media to see how you engage with others.
  • Social media is a multi-billion dollar business and is not a trend. It’s here to stay!
  • It’s difficult for a business to survive the long run without having a well-rounded social media presence.
  • Darla offers her social media strategies!
  • Marketing budgets can be 5-20% of your overall annual gross, depending on a few factors. When you’re a newer designer, that percentage should be higher because you’re building brand awareness and a following.
  • Who are you? LuAnn shares what she looks for on designer’s websites.
  • You have to always be able to adapt, especially in marketing.

Connect with Darla!

Darla’s Website

Darla’s Instagram

Darla’s Facebook

Darla’s Twitter

Wingnut Social

The Wingnut Social Podcast

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?LuAnn Nigara COB 

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Darla was on episodes #203 and #330

 

Oct 9, 2020

Welcome to the 600th episode of A Well-Designed Business! In this milestone conversation, LuAnn is the guest today! Deb Mitchell and Betty Marton are two writers and #smartladies who are talking to LuAnn today about the 599 episodes she has under her belt.

LuAnn shares how much her life has changed since she aired her first episode back in February of 2016, how appreciative she is for her guests and listeners who have played such a big part in making this podcast a success, and how grateful she is that you invite her into your lives and your businesses each week. Don’t miss this fascinating glimpse into the heart of the host of A Well-Designed Business!

Deb, or DesignWriterDeb as she’s referred to on Instagram, specializes in copywriting for interior designers and creatives. Betty, of In Your Own Words, helps individuals and businesses tell their stories through narrative.

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares memories from her childhood and how she first learned a good work ethic that carried her into marriage and entrepreneurship with Vin.
  • Focus energy on learning the lessons when you’ve experienced failure. Without failures, there can be no success.
  • If you decide to do something, you can do it. If you don’t do it, you’re the only person standing in your way!
  • LuAnn describes how her podcast came into being and the creative ways she sourced her guests.
  • LuAnn shares her best ‘a-ha’ moments and how every single person on their entrepreneurial journey has something to teach us.
  • Managing a full calendar takes a lot of work, a few shortcuts, and constant conversations with her executive assistant, Lisa!
  • Build a team you trust and have your processes down.
  • Here’s what’s next for LuAnn!
  • Deb, Betty, and LuAnn discuss LuAnn’s BLM special series.
  • “Decide to be excellent!”

High Point Market is the Oscars of the design industry, and this year, for a lot of us, that red carpet feels a long way away. But don’t feel like you have to miss out, because Mydoma Studio is here to bring Market to you, wherever you might be. More than just a virtual High Point, Mydoma’s Backstage at High Point Market will bring you showroom tours, private conversations with industry insiders, and insight you just can’t find anywhere else. Head over to Mydoma Studio HPMKT now to get your own backstage pass!

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

 Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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: Kravet

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!

Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business

OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED AND TAG IN SM:

Carol Cox #140

Deb Mitchell #574

 

Oct 8, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another riveting episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the difficult questions and LuAnn gives the expert answers you’ve been wanting.

Today’s dilemma comes from an anonymous listener who has been a faithful listener of the podcast since she started her business in 2014. At that time, she took the least expensive options in setting up her business and hasn’t invested since. She received an inheritance right before COVID hit, so this designer is looking for words of wisdom on whether it’s better to hold on to the money for a household expenses safety net since her husband has been furloughed and is not likely to return to work soon, or if it’s better to invest it back into her business, along with a revised business plan.

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 the listener’s email to provide the full context of the issue.
  • If the listener’s husband has not yet been returned to work or gained other employment, then the mortgage, food on the table, gas, and electricity all come first.
  • If the household situation is not so dire, remember that there are many steps you can take to set your business up for success that are an investment of your time and not your money.
  • Review, revise, and reflect on the business plan that she set up in 2014.
  • LuAnn details the steps needed for the listener to get very clear on her mission and how to define her core values.
  • Knowing your numbers are critical! Investing in your business must be done with a plan, so LuAnn walks the listener through some financial considerations.
  • Here are the bottom-line investments that the listener must make:
  • Work with a lawyer to register your business.
  • Open a business bank acct.
  • Hire a p/t bookkeeper or commit to knowledgeably doing it yourself religiously, no messing around.
  • Find and hire a CPA, even if it not the kind like Peter Lang who works with you each month and it is just one who will see to it the quarterly and yearly taxes are filed and paid.
  • LuAnn breaks down exactly how she would spend the $9,000.
  • Final thoughts: Invest in your business but also invest time in planning how you will make money. Be steadfast in doing it!
  • Check out SCORE, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small business owners get off the ground, set and achieve their goals through free educational resources, and offers free mentoring from retired business people.

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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! Kirsch

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED AND TAG IN SM:

Laurel Smith’s episode #545

Nate Berkus’s episode, #433

Jamie Lieberman’s episode #’s 454 and #547.

Kim Worswick’s episode #234

 

Oct 6, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Judith Taylor of Judith Taylor Designs returns as a guest today to share her ideas on networking for introverts. As Judith says, it can be a struggle to be an introvert in an extrovert’s industry! She has many things to say that can help not just introverts, but anybody looking to strengthen their networking skills. Listen in to this fascinating conversation about how you can set yourself up for success, even if you’re an introvert, and how to overcome the challenges when it comes to networking.

Judith is an international award-winning designer with a flair for making personal, meaningful spaces. She is the granddaughter of a once-prominent furniture manufacturer, and as such, is passionate about style and the tradition of quality fine furniture making.

Liveably luxury is achieved through her timeless aesthetic. Classic details, and refined clean lines anchor a love of the mix of contemporary traditional, and global influences. Mixing patterns, unexpected combinations, dressmaker’s details, and often vibrant colours distinguish her style. 

A few things you may not know about her:

She started her career in Information Technology as a mainframe programmer/analyst but after 20 years as an IT consultant, her love of colour and pattern got the better of her. While working in IT, she also completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and later studied fine art at Toronto School of Art, and then most recently she studied Interior Design at the International Academy of Design and Technology where she received High Honours for her work.

She is the first (and so far only) Canadian to have won a “Designer of the Year” award from the Interior Design Society out of High Point North Carolina, and was also the first to win Crate and Barrel’s “designer challenge” and you can see the “Judith chair” on the “about” page on her website, or sit on the winning entry in her living room (by invitation only)!

She enjoys travel and always looks forward to spending more time at their summer place at Cape Cod.

Follow along with her blog to read posts about her travels, her design insight, and lifestyle thoughts that cross her mind. She hopes you enjoy the read. 

Show Highlights:

  • Judith shares her personal experience with introversion.
  • There’s a difference between being shy and being an introvert.
  • Judith reveals the ingenious way she prepares herself for a group event.
  • Avoid delivering phony-sounding elevator pitches.
  • Tips and tactics for networking at group events.
  • How Judith handles consultations.
  • Since introverts tend to look inward and be self-critical, Judith had to learn to turn her vision towards her client and assess them.
  • Marketing and writing is a place for introverts and shy people to shine.
  • Building connections is what Judith attributes to getting her jobs.
  • If you care, and you want to help people, potential cients are going to see that.
  • Judith imparts her final thoughts and suggestions on getting new clients.

Connect with Judith!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Blog

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

#340 Judith Taylor: Strategies for Working with Family and Friends

#584 Lesley Myrick: Building a Business From the Ground Up, Again

#557 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO Mindset

#475 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: How to Create More Time

 

Oct 2, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s guest is Mary Pat Wallace, the founder of Chicago Luxury Beds, and today’s focus is the luxury client! Mary Pat shares important perspectives about the surprising  opportunities you have today in the midst of the pandemic, and not just how we can deal with it and accommodate it, but how we can truly serve our clients in a bigger and better way.

She also shares her insights on how she’s managed to maintain an excellent client experience and continue to be a strong leader for her team, even in a retail setting, throughout the challenges of Covid-19. Listen in for an inspiring conversation!

Mary is a 30-year veteran of the design industry. Committed to sourcing the highest-quality, bespoke mattresses and sleep products from across the globe, Mary Pat and her team of experts have spent the last 15 years helping clients transform their lives through sleep. Once she spent her first night in a Hästens bed, Mary Pat knew that mattresses should be viewed as a necessity in one’s life. Extensive experience in the design industry allowed Mary Pat to develop a perspective on value per use — we sleep a third of our lives, the mattress is the most important piece of furniture in the home. Restorative sleep is the foundation for optimum health. Having witnessed firsthand that the right mattress is critical to a deeply restful night of sleep she brought that experience and her unique expertise to the luxury market in Chicago, opening the first Hästens retail store in North America in 2005. Mary Pat eventually rebranded the business to Chicago Luxury Beds in order to expand her curated offerings. With the success and longevity of Chicago Luxury Beds, she opened a showroom in Dallas (Dallas Luxury Beds) furthering her team’s reach in helping clients get their best night of sleep. It is Mary Pat’s life passion to help clients create environments that are deeply restful and support transformational sleep.

Show Highlights:

  • As Mary Pat declares, “The time is NOW.”
  • Due to the coronavirus, people are spending more time at home, and that is not likely to change.
  • The luxury clients are working more from home, and they’re all considering how they can reconfigure their spaces to work more productively.
  • Money from luxury clients is being reallocated and being refocused back at home.
  • Mary Pat’s tips on how to revive your client list, even if it’s 15-20 years old.
  • Mary Pat offers strategies for conducting your business virtually, while maintaining or increasing productivity.
  • Being successful with the luxury client involves real expertise. Mary Pat expounds on this philosophy and what the luxury client wants from us.
  • Listening to and understanding your client’s priorities within a budget is critical.
  • Once a client and designer understand each other, the relationship is priceless.
  • The collaborative buddy-system builds confidence with the client and reduces anxiety.
  • Mary Pat explains how to do business with Chicago Luxury Beds.

Connect with Mary Pat!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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 with ARTICLE.com Here!

Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.

 

Oct 1, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we are joined by Jamel Williams for another conversation in our Black Lives Matter series. As a young black designer and teacher, Jamel has a unique perspective on what can be done at the university-level to empower students of color. Please join us in this discussion on how mentorship in the university years could be a game-changer for all of our young designers, and especially our black designers, and Jamel’s suggestions on how schools can be that agent of change.

Jamel Williams is a young and passionate Interior Designer, Educator, and Entrepreneur who specializes in Residential Interior Design in all of New York and surrounding areas. Shortly after graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Class of 2017 with a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Jamel founded To Be Designed, a full-service Interior Design Studio. Already having an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, his interests in people, cultures, and ways of life fuel his passion to approach design with a multidisciplinary perspective. His delicate persona, fortified drive, and a keen eye for detail provide the perfect foundation for every project he takes on, creating beautiful, and functional spaces in collaboration with his clients.

Also passionate about design education, Jamel took on his first two higher education teaching positions during the Spring 2020 semester at both Pratt Institute and Parsons Open Campus at the New School. He has had the pleasure of teaching both technical and theoretical courses; namely, AutoCAD 1, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Interior Design Portfolio, Residential Interior Design, and Now Construction and Assemblies. Jamel's active Interior Design practice and educational experience allow him to provide his students with the information needed in order to understand the principles of design so they too can create aesthetically beautiful, functional, and responsive spaces for their future clients.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and racial injustice spread across America, there has been an increased need for awareness, representation, and social change. Jamel has begun to think about ways he can use his platform to evoke change within the industry he serves. Being in direct contact with aspiring Interior Design Students and being a Black Designer in the Industry, Jamel thinks that one actionable solution may be to create relationships between students of color and designers of color, through mentorship, to create a sense of community and support for the young designers who may feel underrepresented once they cross over into the world of Interior Design.

Show Highlights:

  • Jamel addresses the disparities he observed during design school.
  • As Jamel points out, spaces are designed socially and politically to not reflect racism on the surface. It’s the systemic aspect of racism that prevents schools from addressing the issues.
  • Systemic racism is strongly psychological and ingrained. We are all in a system of racism that none of us built but we are left to deal with the pyschological aspects of it.
  • As a teacher at the prestigious Pratt Institute, Jamel’s philosophy is that all students should have a voice and that education should be conversational and collaborative.
  • Ideally, Jamel would one day like to teach a course with a culture-centered curriculum.
  • There seems to be a general disconnect in design education, beyond culture and race, because students do not have the opportunity to choose the track that is most meaninguful to them once they graduate.
  • Offering more classes of diverse subject matters and giving the students opportunities to choose more of the classes they take is one solution to enabling design graduates a more personalized, meaningful career track.
  • Jamel shares his thoughts on black culture in America.
  • Jamel sees a wide-open opportunity for schools to promote community and empower young black designers by facilitating mentorship.
  • True mentorship is a two-way street: The mentor also gains perspective, fresh ideas, and the joy that comes with paying it forward.

Connect with Jamel!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Great Resources From Jamel to Check Out!

Architectural Digest: 25 Black Interior Designers Speak Frankly About Their Careers, Successes, and Challenges

Interior Design: 7 African American Designers on How They're Pushing The Design Industry Forward

The Designer's Workshop

BAIDA

Black Artists + Designers Guild

Links :

Design-Build For Profit

Coming Back Soon!

Increase Confidence, Increase Profits

Coming Back in February 2021!

The Profit Is In the Numbers

Coming Back Soon!

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Kravet

Use promo code AWDB10 for a 10% discount on Kravet fabric, trim, and wallcovering!

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

 

Sep 29, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! We’re super excited to have Karin Bohn join us on the show today.

Karin Bohn is the founder and creative director of the award-winning House of Bohn design studio. She established the interior design firm in 2009 and has made her mark in many industries including luxury residential, multi-family, restaurants, and retail.

Karin stars on Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge in which she travels with a team of experts to provide design, marketing, and culinary consultation to establishments in some of the most beautiful locations in the world.

With her continuously growing YouTube channel, Karin offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process, collaborative partnerships, and life as an entrepreneur.

Listen in to hear how in 11 years, Karin went from struggling to start a design business all the way to having a Netflix show and managing a luxury interior design firm with a team of 10!

Show Highlights:

  • The first few years of Karin’s YouTube videos showcased her challenging entrepreneurial journey.
  • As Karin explains, her Netflix series did not come about because of her YouTube channel.
  • You don’t have to be perfect to start something new, just start! Learn as you go.
  • Karin shares her pivotal moment regarding her realization that she needed to develop her business skills before she could take advantage of her creative side.
  • Karin discusses the current structure of her design, operations, and content teams.
  • Why ‘alignment’ is Karin’s favorite word right now.
  • Building a brand must include consistency. People need to be able to recognize a brand’s repeated aesthetic cues.
  • Karin divulges her client budgeting tactics.
  • LuAnn and Karin discuss the frustration of hiring new employees. The struggle over writing job descriptions and adding new team members can be solved by using Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit.
  • Remember your vision! You do have a vision, right?

Connect with Karin!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Links :

Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020!

Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan:

Processes, Partnerships, Packages, and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year!

Sign Up For Updates HERE!

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch

Other shows mentioned to link to  and to tag in SM

#237,#325, #485 Claire Jefford

#363, #589 Eileen Hahn

 

Sep 25, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today, Reena Philpot joins us to share her love of sales - and you’ll never guess what she’s selling!

Reena (pronounced “Re-Nay”) and her husband own Precision Duplicating Solutions, and for 18 years, Reena’s helped build a successful business selling...copiers. That’s right folks - she sells pricey copy machines - and she loves it! It doesn’t matter what you’re selling, because sales is sales, and Reena’s techniques can absolutely be applied to the design business.

Listen in to learn what sales tactics Reena has used to build her business, and how you can apply them to your own business to bring in those dollar bills!

Daily Reena manages the sales side of the business and part of the admin duties. She started her career as a telemarketer/appointment setter 26 years ago. She quickly transitioned to outside sales and vowed it was so awesome she would learn how to become successful.

When her boys had grown into young men and needed her less, Reena started joining some masterminds and groups of ladies with amazing businesses.  Through that process, she learned she had something to offer them to help them grow their businesses.  While Reena has had the advantages of learning sales and a process and then starting a business, not everyone has had the same opportunity.

Reena began using her background in high-ticket competitive sales and experience as a business owner to help other entrepreneurs and teams increase their customer base and sales revenue.  Reena Philpot Sales Coaching began last year, and now she offers strategy sessions, workshops, and VIP days to those who want results.

Show Highlights:

  • You must first know your value, then you must be able to convey that value to your client.
  • Reena discusses her techniques on proposals and contracts.
  • When assessing their needs, t’s important to repeat back to the client what you are hearing them say. Repeating their words back to them both clears up any misunderstanding and makes the client feel heard.
  • Ask the client if your assessment is corrent. When they say yes, then you can give them a simple solution to their problem.
  • Save the little details for the contract. By this time, you have already worked out the details. You will bring the details as backup just in case your client is interested in that leveal of knowledge.
  • Using these tactics, it’s simply a conversation between two people about a problem they have and the solution you can give them. There is nothing needy or manipulative about it.
  • While the client is absorbing the proposal, give them a moment then ask, “What do you think? Is that what you were thinking?
  • If the client doesn’t seem happy with the proposal, ask, “How do you feel about that?” then stay silent and wait for them to speak.
  • Find out what’s important to your client. If you give them the opportunity, they’ll tell you exactly how to sell to them.
  • Reena shares how she has hand-picked 90% of her customers.
  • Reena describes her brilliantly unique sales pipeline.

Connect with Reena!

Reena’s Website

FREE! How to Develop Questions to Improve Closing

Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - Facebook

Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - Instagram

Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - LinkedIn

Links :

Carol’s Virtual Summit

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnns Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnns Blog

Power Talk Friday

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: Kravet

 

Sep 22, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is Debbie Mathews of Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC, and Debbie will be walking us through easily implementable, effective systems to take care of all those tiny details so that we have the time to focus on the big things in our business. Debbie revamped her growing business to ensure she and her team are less stressed while consistently providing their clients with an A+ experience. Be sure to listen and see if some of her ideas will help you be more productive and less stressed, too!

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC is a full-service interior design firm that specializes in high-end residential projects. From new construction to simple refreshes, their goal is to realize each room’s greatest potential. With a keen focus to detail, their team works collaboratively with clients to navigate through the many decisions involved with high-quality, custom design work. Clients repeatedly tell them that their diverse experience, infectious energy, and unparalleled service make the process efficient and enjoyable. Debbie’s passion for beautiful things, paired with her love of antiques and timeless architecture, gives each of their interiors a sense of history and purpose. She is uniquely recognized for her hallmark design aesthetic of anchoring a room with timeless antiques and layering in more contemporary furniture and accessories. Her 30+ years of experience buying and selling fine antiques has proven to be a design distinction often unmatched. Because of this dedication to timeless and classic elements of design, her projects always reflect charm, warmth, and curated beauty. Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC welcomes the opportunity to showcase their mantra to you: Timeless. Collected. Beautiful.

Show Highlights:

  • “As my business grows, it does not mean that my plate gets larger.”
  • Growing pains forced Debbie to take a look at what was on her plate, and what could be delegated.
  • The biggest gift Debbie ever gave herself was when she outsourced her bookkeeping and accounting services.
  • Debbie discusses the project management software that she has implemented to streamline her work.
  • After 30 years of being in business, Debbie starts tracking her metrics.
  • Being proactive rather than reactive has been Debbie’s focus over the last year.
  • Debbie learned from reading LuAnn’s books, The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action and A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts, plus the classic The E-Myth.
  • “The Daily Checklist” is something Debbie and her team members use each day and it gives them all confidence that the office administration can get done if Debbie needs to be away from work.
  • What is covered in their weekly and monthly meetings.
  • Debbie is a new member of EO - The Entrepreneur Organization, and she shares how impactful it has been for her.
  • How to set a really good rhythm to the week, set expectations with the team, and let everyone consistently plan by time-blocking.
  • Client meetings involve a designer that takes minutes for a comprehensive summary of the entire visit, which are later turned over to the client for confirmation that everyone is on the same page.
  • You only have one chance to make a good first impression on a client, and these steps that Debbie has implemented has given her confidence that she will.

Connect with Debbie!

Debbie’s Website

Debbie’s Instagram

Debbie’s Facebook

Debbie’s Pinterest

Debbie’s Email

Links :

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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

 

Sep 18, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn welcomes Kimberly Merlitti, the Virtual CFO, back to the show. Kimberly also happens to be one of the co-authors for our third book, A Well-Designed Business, Power Talk Experts Volume 2, which is coming out in November.

On today’s show, Kimberly is sharing with us the importance of preparing an estimate for your job before you sign a contract. If there’s one thing Kimberly knows, it’s numbers! And she is going to walk you through not only WHY preparing an estimate at the very beginning is important, but also how to do this the right way, how to stay on track, and how to rely on data, so that you’re not playing a guessing game and risking losing money in your business. Because at the end of the day, you are not just a designer, you’re an entrepreneur, right?

Kimberly Merlitti owns KMM Consulting based out of Washington, D.C. She has 20 years of experience working in accounting for companies such as Swinerton Builders, WRNS Studio, and Martin Group. She has her Masters in Accounting from Golden Gate University. Located in Washington D.C. Kimberly’s clientele includes a diverse group of service-based companies, with the main focus on small interior design, construction, and architectural firms. The goal of her firm is to make the businesses she works for as profitable as they can be by educating them on accounting, cash flow management, tax deductions, project reporting, and business management.

Show Highlights:

  • Kimberly sums up WHY you need to learn how to estimate.
  • Kimberly has a streamlined process when it comes to teaching others how to estimate.
  • Tracking your time and taking really good notes is imperative, not only for interior designers but for architects and contractors, as well.
  • What to do if the job is outside of the original scope.
  • Respect a client’s time and money, and they will be thankful for it.
  • Although Kimberly can be hired to teach how to estimate, she explains the way that you can also teach yourself using these four categories:
    • Design fee
    • Purchasing fee
    • Installation fee
    • Indoor & Outdoor furniture fee
  • Tracking your time is one of the biggest factors in your profitability.
  • Have cross-checks in place.
  • Confidence is in the knowledge and execution of the process and makes fielding clients’ questions more systematic.
  • If you’re new in the business, here’s Kimberly’s advice!
  • The data drives your whole company. You’re not just a designer, you’re an entrepreneur.
  • FREE From Kimberly: 7 Tips for Estimating BEFORE the Contract

(Without Just Guessing!) - get yours HERE!

Connect with Kimberly!

Kimberly’s Website

Kimberly’s Facebook

Kimberly’s LinkedIn

Kimberly’s Email

Links :

FREE From Kimberly: 7 Tips for Estimating BEFORE the Contract

(Without Just Guessing!)

Available in Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!

Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business

Other shows mentioned to link:

#361 Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO?

#442 Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Do You Know Your Cash on Hand Number?

#384 Sarah Magness: Practical Strategies for Talking Budgets

 

Sep 17, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes Nicole White, CEO and Principal Designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors, back to the show. When they last visited, Nicole shared details about her client questionnaire, how she gets press, and the confidence she now has as a designer.

On today’s Black Lives Matter episode, you’ll hear about Nicole’s business and personal life, viewed specifically through the filter of being black.

As a trained journalist and Jamaican immigrant, Nicole has a unique perspective on what we can do to effect lasting change. We hope you join us!

Nicole White is the CEO and Principal Designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors, a full-service boutique interior design firm, based in Sunrise, Florida.

Nicole, known for her renovation prowess, has been featured in various local, national, and international publications including - HGTV, House Beautiful, Better Homes, and Gardens magazines; Ocean Drive, Huffington Post, and Domino online magazines and The Miami Herald and Jamaica Observer. Voted among the top 25 Interior Design Firms by the South Florida Luxury Guide, Nicole has also twice been noted as an emerging designer to watch by the Black Interior Designers Network and was a recipient of the Z-Gallerie Design Award Fall/Winter 2013. Nicole is also a brand ambassador/influencer for The Home Depot, Zephyr, Purple Drywall, and City Furniture.

Before launching her successful design firm, Nicole was an award-winning journalist whose stories appeared in The Miami Herald, Village Voice, and Vibe magazine. Her combined love of design and writing spawned the creation of her blog,  Live Laugh Decorate, where she showcases the behind the scenes details of design projects, shares tips on affordable design ideas, and dishes about design trends.

Her blog was nominated for Best Renovation Blog by Domino Magazine in 2018.

A Jamaican native, Nicole is deeply inspired by the colors and textures of the Caribbean and constantly fuses those elements in her designs. Nicole prides herself on designing a home guided by her client’s passions, be it contemporary, traditional, vintage or modern. Nicole is an avid foodie and wine lover who is always busy plotting a travel escape. Her greatest design however is her 8-year-old son, Xavier – artist and dinosaur aficionado.  

Show Highlights:

  • Nicole is thankful that black interior designers are getting more attention since the BLM movement has gained momentum. Not because they’re black, but because they are talented.
  • Addressing the topic of police officers (and how to behave around them) with your children is an added layer of life for black moms.
  • Educating others about BLM should not be a burden to people of color. Be proactive in researching and reading about their issues so that you can have a more appropriate dialogue.
  • Be a lifelong ally and speak up when you see injustice.
  • Nicole shares intimate thoughts about the concerns that black interior designers face.
  • How Nicole and her son, Xavier, builds relationships with community police officers.
  • Nicole relates an upsetting experience at a high-end business event.
  • Nicole offers encouragement and advice on what we can all do to make a difference.

Connect with Nicole!

Nicole’s Instagram

Nicole’sFacebook

Nicole’sTwitter

Nicole’sPinterest

Nicole’sWebsite

Nicole’s Email

Nicole’s Recommended Resources:

Black Artists + Designers Guild

Black Interior Designers Network 

NAACP 

Resources:

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!

Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:

Kravet

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:

Nicole's 1st appearance on the show: #366

#BLM Shows:

#579 Albie Buabeng

#573 Cheryl Luckett

#568 Arianne Bellizaire

#562 Rasheeda Gray

#556 Kae Whitaker

#549 Corey Damen Jenkins

 

 

Sep 15, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! What do you do when you realize that the business you have nurtured over the years is no longer bringing you joy? Tawna Allred joins LuAnn in this conversation that is not so much about how Tawna built her design business, but how, after 10 years in business, she took a pause, looked inside, and shifted gears to bring back the spark and create the life that she really wanted. Listen in to this inspiring conversation for lessons on learning to trust your gut instinct and following through with simple changes.

Tawna Allred opened her interior design business (a single person LLC) in 2009, and she is still a one-woman business today. Tawna labels herself as a multi-passionate creative. Her interior design focus is design-build (new construction and remodeling), and she offers full-service design from plan conceptualization to installing furniture and styling. Tawna's husband is a contractor and although they have separate businesses, he's a huge mentor and supporter of her work. She started her business right after finishing school because there weren't any designers in her town and she had three young children. Tawna has been learning in the school of hard knocks ever since!

Show Highlights:

  • Tawna relates the overwhelming feelings she experienced before making a decision to go in a different direction.
  • Tawna was burned out on the “people part” of the business but discovered that she had great interest in design challenges.
  • “What do I want to do now?”
  • Art was pivotal in reigniting Tawna's spark and her next move.
  • LuAnn addresses our inner voice and why it's so important to pay attention to it.
  • How Tawna reverse-engineered a second business by streamlining the processes that worked and getting rid of things that didn't.
  • Learning to say 'no' to potential clients was not an easy task.
  • Tawna's lightbulb moment: What if she took design-build jobs if the client also hired her contractor husband?
  • Zeroing in on eliminating the parts of her design business that she did not absolutely love allowed Tawna to create a whole new life for herself that she loves.
  • “Chase the meaning, not the money”: The lesson Tawna learned from Chase Jarvis's book, Creative Calling.

Links:

Tawna's Websites: -Tawna Allred & Tawna Allred Art

Tawna's Instagram

Tawna's Pinterest

Links :

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th

Investment: $3,989

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

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

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

#348 Albie Buabeng

#160 Kelli Ellis

#344 Lori Paranjape

#440 Tobi Fairley

#413 Leslie Carothers

#315, #283 Madeleine MacRae

 

Sep 11, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it's Power Talk Friday! Today, Luann and her guest, Eileen Hahn, dig into how to scale your design business from 2 million to 5 million. Going from 2 to 5 million is not easy, and it does not happen by accident. Intentional is the name of the game when scaling at this level. Who better to take us through that than Eileen? She’s the HR whisperer from LuAnn's first Power Talk Friday Experts book. Eileen was with us all at LuAnn Live and she also has a chapter in LuAnn's upcoming second Power Talk Friday Experts book, as well. Oh, and did you know that LuAnn and Eileen are COUSINS? Tune in to their conversation for expert advice on hiring, retaining, and scaling, and be amazed as Eileen takes

this overwhelming task of scaling and breaks it down into a simple (not easy, simple) to-do list!

Eileen Hahn is a leadership consultant who works with firms like Anheuser-Busch, Ericson Worldwide, General Motors, Legoland, San Diego Padres, and interior design firms, as well as smaller entrepreneurial firms. She teaches leaders in these organizations how to hire and lead exceptional employees who bring fire and energy to their work, achieve high levels of performance, and generate financial results. Eileen’s work has improved productivity, profitability, and employee work passion. It has also brought the employees joy, peace, purpose, and prosperity.

Show Highlights:

  • Create a compelling vision statement that defines your firm. Make it something your team can get excited about and feel proud to be a part of.
  • Then take that vision and get real with it - set a monetary goal.
  • Now, back up that financial goal with a sales strategy. It’s human nature to just hope you’ll hit your goal. But just hoping isn’t going to get you where you want to go. To hit your dollar amount goal, you must dedicate considerable time to developing your sales strategy.
  • Dissect your business. Think about:
  • What has worked before?
  • Can this take us to the next level, or is this activity maxed out?
  • What am I going to do differently to scale?
  • Eileen breaks down the overwhelming task of scaling and breaks it down into these simple steps:
  • What do I like doing?
  • What am I good at doing?
  • What market segment do I enjoy working in?
  • Each year you should spend a minimum of 2-3 days of strategic analysis and planning for your business. Quarterly planning is even better!
  • The world is changing and so is business, so we must keep on eye on what is working and plan for new strategies.
  • Understand where you are as the business owner, what you need, and where you see yourself so that you can set yourself up for success with the right people.
  • Eileen shares hiring considerations and tips.
  • If you're thinking about growth, recognize this time as the last opportunity you'll have to assess whether each person on your team fits and is utilizing their strengths and skills.
  • Eileen has put in the work for you on preparing Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkits for hiring Exceptional Designers, Design Assistants, Expediter/Purchasers, Bookkeepers, and Office Administrators. The investment is $297 for each role, or purchase the bundle for a discounted price!

Connect with Eileen!

Eileen'sWebsite

Eileen's Instagram

Eileen's LinkedIn

Eileen's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkits

Eileen's Email

Links :

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th

Investment: $3,989

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma Studio - All your clients, numbers, and info in one place! Stay organized, source products, and get paid. View a demo of the interior design software today!

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

#363 Eileen Hahn

#364 Janelle Photopoulos

#127, #388, #549 Corey Damen Jenkins

#130, #215 Kate O’Hara

#64, #492 Laura Umansky

Sep 10, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another riveting episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the difficult questions and LuAnn gives the expert answers you’ve been wanting. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mydoma Studio.

Today’s dilemma comes from Virginia, a self-described #babydesigner. Virginia had a good working relationship with a contractor on commercial projects, and he brought her into one of his residential deals. Everything went great. She returned the favor by inviting him into one of her residential projects. The contractor ended up sending the client a proposal behind Virginia’s back, before she even had the design work presentation ready. This confused the client and made her look bad. Virginia is looking for the best way to handle this situation.

Today’s episode will capture your attention because Lu explains how having too much business isn’t always good. Really? Tune in to hear LuAnn explain.

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn provides the details regarding a scary scenario Window Works faced during the World Pandemic
  • Lu shares the “miracle” that happened when business turned around in May
  • Marketing the business was where LuAnn’s team doubled down its focused energy
  • Successful marketing efforts paid off for the month of June!
  • Business was booming and the factories couldn’t meet demand.
  • The Window Works team was stressed and stretched to the max often pulling double duty
  • Deadlines were stretched and it was an emotional roller coaster!
  • But, oh, the lessons Lu sees in hindsight:
  • * The marketing blitz worked!
  • * Hiring a replacement admin was the right decision for the business
  • * Team communication was imperative
  • * Employees had to be flexible with job roles and pitch in where/when needed
  • Lu says not to be afraid to raise your prices during this environment
  • Turn down jobs if they don’t seem like a good fit for you
  • Be honest at all times within the business and to clients, vendors, etc.
  • Document everything said and follow-through to meet client expectations
  • Be willing to walk away and return money if necessary
  • Be assured that the situation will eventually turn around!

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!

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to MyDoma Studio for sponsoring this episode!

 

Sep 8, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Are you really, truly, creating your own designs and ideas? Today’s guest wants you to learn to start with the story you want to tell and to express that in your design. LuAnn gets the pleasure of talking with so many great designers on the show, but she rarely gets the opportunity to chat with a commercial designer. That dynamic flips once again today, because she is joined by Darrell Long of Wilson Associates. Darrell believes it is important to develop your critical thinking in order to be an exceptional designer. He is here to share with us that the magic of creativity is in the story and it is the art behind the design. This is something that he is very passionate about and he considers it his mission to share with other designers, especially younger ones. Please join us in this very special episode!

Darrell Long possesses more than 25 years of brand-strengthening design experience that evokes a distinct sense of location, while engaging the world's most discriminating travelers. As Regional Managing Director Long oversees the design direction of the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas studios.

Throughout his professional career, Darrell has set new standards for luxury, comfort, and innovation in hospitality interior design across the world. He has been recognized throughout the hospitality design industry for his emphasis on modernist principles rooted in contemporary and technological design practices. Of the contemporary, Darrell is a fan of Gehry and Piano.

Darrell’s ultimate source of inspiration has always been music. In his early years, Darrell embarked on a career path to become a musician, which further ignited his love for the fine arts, particularly museum exhibition design, ultimately leading him to discover an innate passion for architecture and interior design. When Darrell isn’t leading his team designing world-class projects, he can be found enjoying music, playing the guitar and piano, indulging in great food, wine, film, and spending time at home.

Show Highlights:

  • You’re either a follower or a leader, so pick one side!
  • The problem with spending all day “following” people on social media.
  • Critical thinking should be the linchpin of what we do as creative people.
  • Young designers tend to not look beyond what is immediately in their face.
  • Coming up with something purely honest is how your own story comes about.
  • There is a roadmap on connecting a conceptual idea to the final idea of a design.
  • Darrell touches on the distinction between a story and a concept.
  • Stretch your noggin and get the most you can out of an idea.
  • Great art is always about a story.
  • Darrell’s goal is to help the younger designers find their voice.
  • When you’re looking at other peoples’ work and using their ideas to make them your own, that is just collecting someone else’s thoughts, and not creating your own.
  • Darrell provides a powerful Hemingway analogy as a perfect example of thinking critically.
  • Darrell shares some strategies and tips on how to be a better critical thinker and how to develop your designer conceptual edge.

Connect with Darrell!

Darrell’s Info: Wilson Associates

Darrell’s Email

Wilson Associates LinkedIn

Wilson Associates Instagram

Wilson Associates Facebook

Links :

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th

Investment: $3,989

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Investment: $2195

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Other shows mentioned:

#435 Global Hospitality Interior Design, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Artigas of Wilson Associates

 

Sep 4, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Window Treatment Friday! In today’s episode, LuAnn and her friend and co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, discuss how to get yourself in the right mindset for selling window treatments. Window treatments add some dollar bills to that bottom line of a project and are a nice money profit center for an interior designer. Listen in today to hear what LuAnn and Vita have to share with you.

Vita is the award-winning window treatment specialist. Her company, Vitalia, Inc, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management service exclusively for interior designers. In business for over a decade, Vita and her team are experts in their narrow field, providing designers with superb quality product and excellent communication. Most importantly, they take off the stress, save time, and give peace of mind in the job is well-done.

 

Show Highlights:

  • Vita shares her thoughts on selling window treatments.
  • Confidence, product knowledge, standing in your space, and understanding that you’re providing value at your price will increase your sales.
  • The value mindset is a three-pronged approach:
    1. value of the product and its benefits for the consumer
    2. value that you provide as an individual
    3. value that the consumer ultimately sees
  • Vita discusses differential advantage.
  • Create a list of all the special things about yourself. This is your “only” and what ultimately drives your value.
  • Attach an illustrative story for each of your “onlys” that becomes your go-to story for a particular point.
  • The idea of the word, “expensive”: it’s all relative!
  • Make window treatments a line item in the scope of the project you’re working on.
  • Vita has an intake form specific to new window treatment clients, and you can get the intake form and other free goodies right HERE! 
  • Vita shares her selling strategies and tips.
  • Do’s or don’t’s: pricing phone calls and consultation fees.
  • If you’re selling every single job, you’re giving yourself away.
  • Check out WTF Live with Vita and Kimberly! Vita and Kimberly go live on Facebook and Instagram every Friday at 12:00 pm eastern to give you even more insight into window treatments, including pictures of projects and different ideas so you aren’t just hearing about it, but you’re seeing it, too. You can join them on the Window Works New Jersey Facebook page or Instagram at Vitalia Inc. 

 

Connect with Vita!

Vita’s Website

Vita’s Instagram

Vita’s Facebook

Vita’s Email

 

Links / Resources:

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game-changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th

Investment: $3,989

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! interiordesignstandard.com/luann

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? 

www.luannnigara.com/cob

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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! 

www.Kirsch.com

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.

 

Other shows mentioned:

#174 Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours

#463 Sara Lynn Brennan: Package Your Design Services for Profit and Clarity

#6 Identifying Your Transferable Skills with Erika Ward

# 83 Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs – An Interior Design Firm Built on Family and Teamwork

# 180 Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams Talks About Profit First and Why it Matters to You

#448 Window Treatment Friday: A New Series featuring Vita Vygovska and LuAnn Nigara

#456 Window Treatment Friday: Custom-Made vs Ready-Made Window Treatments

#462 Window Treatment Friday: Window Treatment Business Models, Part 1

#471 Window Treatment Friday: Window Treatment Business Models, Part 2

#481 Window Treatment Friday: Overview of Hard and Soft Window Treatments

#493 Window Treatment Friday: Vitalia Vygovska: A Mindset for Success

#512 Window Treatment Friday: Drapery Hardware

#518 Communication Between the Designer and the Window Treatment Professional

#539 Window Treatment Friday: Look to Your Window Treatment Partner to Sell Remotely

#551 Window Treatment Friday: Exploring Awnings as an Additional Revenue Stream

Sep 3, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today takes efficiency to a whole new level, and she is also one of the co-authors in LuAnn’s upcoming book A Well Designed Business: The Power Talk Friday Experts, coming out in November 2020. Please welcome Sandra Funk back to the show.

After 20 years in the business, Sandra has gained a ton of information, a ton of expertise, and a ton of knowledge, and now, she is offering that expertise, that well-oiled machine to designers everywhere. The Interior Design Standard is a program that Sandra has put together, actual templates for designers to utilize her systems and processes. LuAnn is thrilled to announce that today’s show is sponsored by Interior Design Standard. You’re going to love what you hear!

Sandra Funk is the CEO and Principal Designer of House of Funk, a greater New York area design firm working wherever great clients need us. This is interior design with a soul and a sense of place; reflecting your desires, personality, and style. House of Funk creates thoughtful homes with an emphasis on clean lines and soulful touches, all rooted in tradition. Sandra is an Accredited Professional for the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Sandra’s award-winning design work has been featured in publications such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The Huffington Post, Apartment Therapy, Aspire Design & Home, and Luxe Interiors + Design. With almost two decades in the interior design industry, Sandra is launching the Interior Design Standard in the spring of 2020 – a template for designers to utilize her streamlined processes and business structure to bring joy and profit to their own design business. 

Show Highlights:

  • Sandra provides an overview of the success of the first Interior Design Standard program that launched this past spring.
  • The most important feature of the Standard is the insanely accurate flat-fee calculator. The contract supports it and the processes take you through each step.
  • The email templates in the program have been picked at, refined, and perfected by clients over the last 15 years.
  • The Standard’s platform is built on the free version of Asana so that it removes a barrier to entry.
  • Sandra discusses her House of Funk norm and what the request-for-quote templates contain.
  • There is joy in efficiency: You get to sleep through the night because you’re not going to forget any of the important details because it’s all in the Standard.
  • LuAnn takes a look back on the very first time she met Sandra.
  • The Standard program took eighteen months to build prior to launch.
  • Zoom calls as a community and Q&A are a regular thing. The calls are social, collaborative, and encouraging.
  • The program processes get refined so users will get those updates.
  • You have to do the work to reap the benefits of the Standard.
  • The holy grail, according to those who have gone through the Standard, is signing your next client. Start with the potential client module, work them all the way through that, sign them, and then work them all the way through the full service process module from start to finish. Once you’ve gone through both the potential client and the full service process with one fresh new client, everything has been customized to you!

Connect with Sandra!

Sandra’s Website

Sandra’s Instagram

Sandra’s Facebook

Sandra’s Pinterest

Sandra’s Email

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th

Investment: $3,989

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

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:

Kravet

Other shows mentioned to link:

#520, 145, 02

Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here

 

 

Sep 1, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! No matter where your business is, it’s going to take trial and error, iterating, learning, changing, and growing to take it to the next level. And if anybody knows how to build a business from the ground up in new locations multiple times, relying on solid networking and content marketing strategies to help her forge new connections and succeed in new places, it’s today’s guest. LuAnn welcomes Lesley Myrick back to the show. Listen in to learn what Lesley has to say about building a successful business, even when you’re starting in a brand new place. 

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.

Show Highlights:

  • Lesley describes the moment she knew she needed to step out on her own.
  • Intuition plays a part in making good decisions about your business.
  • Niching down is how to find the best clients.
  • Lesley also coaches designers that are coming into the design field as a second career.
  • Appearing as a guest speaker has turned out to be a better networking ROI for Lesley.
  • Lesley shares many ways to build your business.
  • Elevate your design to differentiate yourself from other designers.
  • Lesley blocks time for blogging, marketing, and other tasks.
  • LuAnn and Lesley discuss the ins and outs of HARO (Help a Reporter Out).
  • Lesley dishes on her Bust Out of Boring
  • How the coronavirus event actually helped to streamline some of Lesley’s decisions.
  • A “Freebies” webpage is value-added! Lesley shares some tips to maximize its impact.
  • Reading The Introvert's Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone by Matthew Pollard with Derek Lewis was a game-changer for Lesley in understanding how to turn potential clients into actual clients.
  • How your stories can help close a sale.

Connect with Lesley!

Lesley’s Website

Lesley’s Freebies

Lesley’s Instagram 

Lesley’s Podcast Bust Out of Boring

Lesley’s Email

#BizTipMonday emails + Resources for Interior Designers

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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!

Check Out Their ICreate Program to Easily Design Your Own Furniture in Just a Few Simple Steps! Kravet

Other shows mentioned to link:

#37 Lesley Myrick - Strategies I Used to Build My Business

#203 Darla Powell – How to Launch an Interior Design Firm

#330 Darla Powell: Darla Powell Interiors 18 Months After Opening

#15 Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich

#159 Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer

#256 Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients

#389 Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: The Interior Design Profit Formula

#82 Deborah Rosenberg – Tailoring Your Interior Design Firm to Your Core Beliefs

#117 Power Talk Friday: Deborah Rosenberg- Cruelty Free Design Certification is Here!

#73 Kim Kuhteubl

 

Aug 28, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Mitch Hahn, the CEO of Nordens, a large, established accounting firm in Central London. Mitch is not new to the struggles and successes that accompany accounting for home designers. Simply put, Mitch doesn’t just look at home design from an accountant’s perspective; he sees accounting from a home designer’s perspective, too, so he truly speaks creatives’ language. Listen in for what Mitch has to say about what to look for in an accountant and how accountants can better serve designer clients. 

The CEO of an established accounting firm - like, over-3000-clients-established - at only 31, Mitch Hahn is versed in starting a company from scratch at a young age. And he’s not too bad at helping a variety of other businesses do the same, either. 

Plus, with a variety of home design businesses included within that scope, Mitch is not new to the struggles and successes that accompany accounting for home designers. It’s that “struggle” bit that he knows all too well! 

Show Highlights:

  • Mitch’s firm, Nordens, differentiates itself from other accounting firms by focusing on relationships.
  • Most creatives tend to not want to work with numbers.
  • Designers should have a good working knowledge of their finances.
  • Knowledge is power, and knowledge enables you to make better decisions.
  • Mitch’s tips on how to find the right accountant.
  • Benefits of working with an accountant on a close basis.
  • Consistency and accountability are key to avoiding mistakes once you have your system down.
  • Mitch is a “closer” and he makes things happen.
  • Nordens is based in the UK but has many business consulting clients in the US.
  • Mitch details his “Interactive Acceleration Program” that can help you achieve your goals. Location does not matter! Email Mitch directly at mitch@nordens.co.uk for more information.

Connect with Mitch!

Nordens Website [The firm Mitch is CEO of]

@MitchelHahn [personal twitter handle]

@NordensAccounts [Accounting firm handle]

Mitch’s LinkedIn

Nordens YouTube

To sign up for the Interactive Acceleration Program, just email Mitch directly at mitch@nordens.co.uk

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

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Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

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Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

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LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

#464 Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner

#349 Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: The Designer CPA

 

Aug 27, 2020

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 dilemma comes from Virginia, a self-described #babydesigner. Virginia had a good working relationship with a contractor on commercial projects, and he brought her into one of his residential deals. Everything went great. She returned the favor by inviting him into one of her residential projects. The contractor ended up sending the client a proposal behind Virginia’s back, before she even had the design work presentation ready. This confused the client and made her look bad. Virginia is looking for the best way to handle this situation.

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 provides the details around Virginia’s situation.
  • Kudos to Virginia for:
  • not throwing the contractor under the bus with the client.
  • recognizing that she is the one that hired him for the project.
  • taking a hard look at where she might have gone wrong.
  • Why and how we should pay attention to our intuition.
  • Part of the process for Virginia’s anger is to get it out and let it go.
  • The contractor probably has no idea how “in the wrong” he is.
  • Virginia should wait to speak with the contractor until the words she says are reflected in her tone of voice.
  • Consider: In the interim between writing LuAnn the note and the airing of this show, does it still feel necessary to talk to the contractor about this? Does it feel like it will be productive to have this conversation with him now?
  • If things feel fine now, let it go for the duration of the project.
  • If things don’t feel fine, LuAnn has some thoughts on that direction, too!
  • Suggestions for proposing and leading a constructive, post-project “autopsy” meeting with the contractor.

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020!

With Desi Creswell

Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895

Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th

Register Now!

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

 

Aug 25, 2020

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest is the Paloma Contreras - the Elle A-list, Forbes recognized, shop-owning, fabulously talented design influencer. You know, the Paloma Contreras that has163,000 Instagram followers? This lady is one amazing powerhouse! Keep listening, though, because it wasn’t always that way. She is a lady who cried on Sundays because she dreaded her work week so much, then went on to find her niche, love her job, and become that Elle Decor A-Lister.

Don’t miss LuAnn’s and Paloma’s inspiring conversation about trusting your gut, taking action even when you’re afraid or unsure, and going for the big dream in your head and making it reality.

Based in Houston, Texas, Paloma has honed her eye for style over more than a decade in the design industry. She has developed a reputation for designing beautiful interiors in a broad range of styles which are executed in a manner that is polished, refined, and effortless. 

Paloma has repeatedly been named on the prestigious ELLE Decor “A-List” of the top interior designers in the world. She’s been recognized as a “Next Wave” interior designer by House Beautiful and has been named to LUXE Magazine’s “Gold List”. 

Paloma was named #4 on the Forbes list of the Top Social Media Influencers in the Home category and according to ELLE Decor, is one of the Top 10 interior design Instagram accounts to follow.

She recently debuted a licensed collection with Williams Sonoma Home and has done special projects with many major brands including One Kings Lane, Bravo Television, American Express, KitchenAid, Kohler, Auberge du Soleil, and Peninsula Hotels. 

Paloma has a book named Dream Design Live and a curated retail shop, Paloma & Co. And last but not least - she’s a lady after my own heart - she just launched The Style Files Podcast.

When she gets a free second, Paloma enjoys traveling with her husband, Fabian, and spending time with their sweet dog, Tate.

Show Highlights:

  • Paloma credits her success to her passion, tenacity, and the ability to recognize opportunities.
  • Consistency is necessary when you’re trying to build an audience, a brand, or a name for yourself.
  • How Paloma went from being a bored high school Spanish teacher to starting a design blog as a creative writing outlet.
  • Paloma shares the opportunities that enabled her to hone a different set of skills and her new design career that followed.
  • Just because you’re seeing “xyz” in your social media feed because everyone is doing “xyz” doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you.
  • Things that you need to have in place before hiring a publicist.
  • What it takes to be recognized by the press.
  • Success can take years of hard work, sacrifice, and even some failures.
  • "Make it a pleasure to work with you!” - Paloma Contreras
  • Paloma addresses being an Elle Decor A-Lister.

Connect with Paloma!

Paloma’s Website

Paloma’s Instagram

Paloma’s Blog

Paloma’s Podcast:The Style Files Podcast

Paloma’s Email 

Order Your Copy of Paloma’s Book, Dream Design Live!

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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:

Kravet

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

Other shows mentioned to link to  and to tag in SM

Visual Comfort #408

Amber Lewis #169, #184

Robin Baron #32 #540 

Shea McGee #236 #270

 

Aug 21, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes Brad Leavitt of A.F.T. Construction back on the show today. Brad is here to talk with us about the “B” word - budgets! And the other “B” word - builders! Taking charge of the money for our projects is vital. In fact, it’s absolutely necessary if you want to build amazing client relationships and get the respect you deserve from your builders - and really anyone you interact with in your business. Brad is going to get into that with us today. Plus, LuAnn has been saving a question from one of her designers for him, so listen in to hear that question and see how Brad responds.

Brad Leavitt is President of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC, a luxury residential and commercial builder located in Scottsdale, AZ. 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. Brad is an ambassador for many national brands and an energetic public speaker.

Brad was born and raised in San Diego, CA as the oldest of 6 children.  He grew up in the Construction industry and worked as an electrician throughout High School for Grove Electric with his 2 uncles. They did remodels and new home builds all over San Diego, but mostly on Coronado Island and in Rancho Santa Fe.  Upon HS Graduation, he was accepted to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management.  

Brad accepted an offer in 2005 with Trend Homes, a local production home builder in Phoenix, AZ. He worked 1 year as a superintendent before accepting a dream job building custom homes. Rowland Luxury Homes hired Brad in 2006 and immediately he was assigned to be a Project Manager at the 350MM Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. Brad oversaw the construction and completion of 34 Custom homes that ranged between 2-4MM each.  After completion of the 34 custom homes, he then assisted with the completion of the hotel guest rooms, arrival zone, lodge, and spa. After Montelucia was complete, Brad worked on numerous other residential and commercial projects in the greater Phoenix Area.

In March 2013, Brad was ready to begin his own company and officially started A Finer Touch Construction, also known throughout social media as AFT Construction. AFT has continued their rapid growth this past 7 years and has been fortunate to win numerous build awards for its work. AFT Construction offers a wide variety of services including: Multi family, commercial, residential, tenant improvement, retail and medical. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability, and quality.

Brad is married to Ashley Leavitt. Together, they 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:

  • What designers can do to make sure their design matches the client’s budget.
  • How conversations between the designer and builder should go.
  • Builders should set designers up for success by letting the designer know the budget early on.
  • Brad answers a question that LuAnn shares from her friend, Jillian, concerning Jillian asking a builder to give the client a quote based on the deliverables that the client wanted. This request caused a major problem between the builder and the designer.
  • One of the common mistakes we make is jumping to conclusions about what we think our clients want to hear.
  • Network with builders in your area and network with designers outside your area to find out how they’re working with budgets.
  • The most successful designers have a good idea of pricing, even outside their scope of design.
  • Do your resourcing homework on your own time. Invest a certain amount of time each week or each month where you’re on your own clock.
  • Many builders today are open to a working relationship with designers and architects.

Connect with Brad!

Brad’s Website 

Brad’s Instagram

Brad’s Facebook

Brad’s Pinterest

Brad’sLinkedIn

All of Brad’s social media handles are “AFT_Construction”.

Brad’s podcast is “The AFT Construction Podcast”.

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

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

Other shows mentioned to include in show notes:

Brad’s other show: #542 & #560

 

 

Aug 20, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, and welcome to another conversation in our Black Lives Matter series! Albie Buabeng, a specialist in e-design, joins LuAnn to share the internal struggle she had when she first began her design firm, and her desire to be part of the change in our world so that her daughter’s generation reaps the benefits. This is one #smartlady who walks the talk. Albie also shares some valuable resources, so don’t miss this!

As both interior designer and content creator, Albie's passion for decoding spaces is the culmination of nearly a decade of retail visual merchandising and freelance marketing, sprinkled with a lifetime of experiences. Using her background of space design and storytelling, Albie took her real-life lessons and launched an online interior design service. Her love of design has since evolved into a destination for inspiration centered around her blog, video content, social media, podcast, and self-published book, in addition to her current role as the marketing coordinator for a Seattle-based interior design firm.

Show Highlights:

  • The impact of Albie’s initiative with #sharethemicnowhomeedition
  • Albie’s deeper exploration into the accessibility of beautifully designed homes
  • How our reactions are being internalized by our audiences that are watching us
  • Albie relates her experience with her first black client
  • “Brown girls aren’t ballerinas” - Albie shares a conversation with her daughter
  • A gut-punch moment: Going into a profession that is so personal only to find out that the black community felt completely disconnected and neglected from it
  • The importance of normalizing these hard conversations
  • No matter how small your part may seem, it still matters.

Connect with Albie!

Albie’s Instagram

Albie’s YouTube

Albie’s Website

Albie’s Email 

Albie’s Book, which just celebrated its first anniversary!

The Design Influence podcast resumes this fall!

#sharethemicnowhomeedition

A Special Note from Albie:

  • First and foremost, I urge everyone to look up their local (city) NAACP chapter, BLM, and bond fund. National contributions are amazing, but there's so much we can do within our own zip codes, especially to help people already doing the work. 
  • Secondly, as creatives, find your local creative institutions to support and/or work with. We do not always know how to step into the arena of activism because we believe it has to be some grand gesture like a large donation and/or protesting, but that just isn't the case. For example, here in Washington, we have the Northwest African American Museum. In southern New Jersey, there's the African American Heritage Museum.  Keeping the culture and history alive for current and upcoming generations is as important as dismantling broken systems. 
  • Lastly, on my blog I compiled two separate lists of books on diversity & racism -- one for adults and one for kids

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

Albie’s original appearance # 348

Cheryl Luckett #291, #397, 573

Beth Diana Smith #439 

Veronica Solomon #50 

 

Aug 18, 2020

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Lori Morris, one of the most passionate and driven people LuAnn has ever come across, joins the show today to share what it takes to grow your business to the level of attracting luxury clients and delivering the level of service and design that they expect. 

Even as Lori’s business has grown so large, she maintains creative control and has a hand in every project they tackle. If you want to attract those luxury clients, if you want to work on these magnificent homes, if you want to offer that truly above and beyond level of service, then stay tuned to LuAnn and Lori’s conversation for takeaways that you can apply to your business to help reach your goals. 

Not one to merely dip her toe in the water, Lori Morris is an ‘all or nothing’ designer whose artistry is rooted in tradition, unconventional ideas and fearless execution of perfection. Reinventing the standard of design since 1987, her work can be found in some of the most high-end properties across Canada and North America, including Miami, Dallas, St. Louis and San Francisco, with each project delivering a unique, timeless look with an unprecedented level of luxury, comfort and style.

Leading an extensive team of professionals in-house and abroad, Lori Morris is a full-service firm offering a complete design and build turnkey solution for any project. Lori’s ‘no rules’ design philosophy has evolved into her own signature LMD style, which she coins “Sexy French.” In every space, you’ll find a seamless melding of sensory, form and function, with materials sourced from artisans across the world that provide intricate molding, artful flooring, and walls that use some of the most exotic and rare marbles. Leading by way of example for strength and confidence, Lori continues to be revered as one of the most coveted designers in the interior design world, empowering others by embracing her role as a role model for all women entrepreneurs.

Lori is an “all or nothing” designer who works on high-end properties across Canada and North America. She delivers an unprecedented level of luxury, comfort, and style with every project. Lori is a true artist who prides herself on creating a unique feeling for every one of her clients. Tune in to learn about her ‘no rules’ design philosophy, which has evolved into her own signature style, and her advice on attracting luxury clients and scaling your business toward high-end projects. 

Show Highlights:

  • Lori explains the unique purpose of her “LMC” (Lori Morris Concierge) service.
  • Lori details why the Design Build Books that she delivers to architects can be 1,000 page documents.
  • “Sexy French” is a collaboration and a marriage between the modern design that Lori loves and the French design that she loves.
  • Every house is treated like an original painting.
  • The moment that Lori decided to get the kind of clients to perform the kind of magic that she wanted to perform.
  • Learn from your mistakes: It’s not a mistake if you have the experience once. It’s only a mistake if you do the same thing twice.
  • Lessons working with the luxury client: Lori shares her insights.
  • The importance of a mutually respectful relationship.
  • Don’t confuse “red flags” with something that you just don’t want to do.
  • It is key to manage your client’s expectations.
  • There’s always a solution to a problem!

Connect with Lori!

Lori’s Website

Lori’s Instagram

Lori’s Twitter

Lori’s Facebook

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24

Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action   

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen.

Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

 

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