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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: April, 2023
Apr 28, 2023

Today With Peter Lang:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Peter Lang of The Designer CPA, the only CPA firm in the country specializing in the business of Interior Design. Peter is a repeat guest on the show and the co-author of A Well Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts. 

Peter has spent the last several years compiling all of his numbers and all of his knowledge into a beautiful industry-standard report. If you’ve ever wondered what profits look like for an interior design business your size, or how much the average owner pays themselves annually, or what standard monthly overhead costs add up to, then this is for you. This guidebook has every benchmark number along with thorough video explanations to help you make better decisions and have more success in your interior design business.

Pick It Apart

[5:13] Peter explains the differences when choosing between cash basis and an accrual basis on your tax forms.

[13:54] Peter and LuAnn discuss how different software targets different methods and offers different features, mentioning Pete’s online assessment that can help designers decide what project management software might work best in their business.

[18:11] Peter helps LuAnn understand what interior designers need to look for in a good bookkeeper.

[26:00] Pete and LuAnn dig into Peter’s new online course, an interior design guidebook full of industry standards based on Peter’s accounting data.

[31:46] Peter breaks down what is in the payroll section of his new report and how business owners can use this data.

[42:49] Peter explains how designers and business owners can use these numbers to their advantage.

LuAnn Nigara and Peter Lang's Ah-Ha Moments

“When your profitability is monitored, then your own paycheck can go up.” – LuAnn Nigara 

“The numbers and the data don't lie.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I want you to use this information to make better decisions for your business, so that bottom line number—that profitability number, the amount that you want to pay yourself—it's easier to succeed in those goals that you have.” – Peter Lang

More About Peter Lang:

Peter Lang is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  He is the founder of The Designer CPA, a CPA firm that works exclusively with business owners in the design industry.  He has worked in public accounting since graduating from Providence College in 2002.  After working for several larger-size firms in Boston and Rhode Island, Peter realized his true passion was to start a firm that specifically focused on designers.

Connect with Peter Lang

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Industry Standard Data 2019 to 2022

Other Shows Mentioned:

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

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

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

AWDB #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?

AWDB #522: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang, CPA: Taxes and the Coronavirus Relief Package Explained

AWDB #719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s

A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:

Today's show was sponsored by The Designer CPA.

Apr 25, 2023

Today With Amber Lewis:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, today we’re doing something a little bit different: Throwback Tuesday. With over 900+ episodes in our back catalog, it’s hard to keep up with all the great designers that have shared their knowledge with all of us, that’s why we’re bringing back Amber Lewis’ 2017 episode. Amber and I talked about what it was that catapulted her to a level above her own in the beginning, the importance of figuring out your system and the chain of command in your firm, parenting and running a business and so much more! Let’s dive right into it.

More About Amber Lewis:

As principal at Amber Interior Design and founder of the blog, All Sorts Of, she has garnered clients and followers from around the world. As pioneer of the white-wall, laid back California aesthetic, Amber’s eclectic design approach and affinity for found objects has made her a household name.

Amber imbues a bit of California eclectic in all of her projects, but craves a design challenge and opportunities to show off her ever-evolving style. No matter what the style she is asked to create, each space designed by Amber feels cozy, eclectic, and unique.

Today Amber Interior Design, Inc. provides designs for large scale residences. Amber and her team work with architects and contractors to bring the distinct visions seen in her work, on her blog and in her retail Shoppe, to life. Light filled rooms, colorful textiles, natural elements, earthy textures, and brushed metals, are the elements that define and can always distinguish an Amber Interiors designed home.

Amber currently lives in Calabasas with her husband and business partner Mike, their daughter Gwyneth, and fur babies Penny, Billie, Stella, Milo, and Georgie (all rescue animals).

Connect with Amber Lewis

Website

Instagram

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

luannuniversity.com

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

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

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

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

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

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

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

#169: Amber Lewis- Keynote Speaker at Design Blogger’s Conference

#184: Amber Lewis – Important Business Tips to Run Your Interior Design Firm

#507: Barclay Butera: 25 Years of Beautiful Design

#36: Susan Brunstrum- Practical Advice for Project Management

Other Resources Mentioned:

Studio Webware

Apr 21, 2023

Today With Desi Creswell:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. In today’s sponsored show, I’m sitting down with Desi Creswell, a friend of the show, Power Talk Friday expert, and creator of Out of Overwhelm—a six-month, intimate group experience for interior designers that will take you from overwhelmed & stressed to in control and profitable.

What really impresses me about Desi isn’t just her ability to teach people time management skills. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, the skills, tools, techniques, and practices are only half of the puzzle. Desi’s real ability lies in the other half—the mindset hurdles that are blocking us from transforming our relationship with time.

Pick It Apart

[2:13] Desi shares why time management is much more than the perfect color-coded calendar or time-blocking system. 

[7:45] LuAnn and Desi discuss the concept of a relationship with time and how to change it. 

[13:30] LuAnn and Desi talk about why the lack of time isn’t the real issue—the problem is often so much deeper. 

[30:27] Desi shares her 5-step process for time management. 

[56:44] Desi highlights how Out of Overwhelm works to help designers with time management struggles.

LuAnn Nigara and Desi Creswell's Ah-Ha Moments

“We want to take an outward easy step to time management. And it’s a good step—time-blocking is something we want to do in a lot of ways. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg, and if it doesn’t go with all of the other things that you teach and coach on—like the relationship with time—it doesn’t change things.” - LuAnn

“I ask people to describe their relationship with time. For a lot of my clients, the relationship is adversarial, it’s forced, disciplined in a nonsupportive way. That used to be my experience before I came across the mindset tools I teach now. When we are in that unhealthy dynamic with time, of course we don’t want to engage with the strategies that are going to support us in effectively managing our time.” - Desi

More About Desi Creswell:

Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. 

An award-winning interior designer, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own design practice. After experiencing burnout from an endless to-do list and the competing interests of work and home, she was disheartened by the feeling that she wasn’t showing up as her best in any area of life. Desi sought to find solutions within the industry for time-management, work-life balance, and creating success that is truly self-defined.

In her quest to find a better way, Desi became committed to personal development and growth. This led Desi to blend mindset with strategy to transform her own experience and thus realize that there was a need for this type of support within the design community. Her training as a life coach, paired with her industry-specific expertise, helps her to empower clients to thrive both personally and professionally. 

Connect with Desi Creswell

Website

Instagram

Interior Designers Get it Done Daily Planner 

Life & Business Vision Journal

Podcast: The Interior Design Business CEO

Freedom in the Framework Workshop

Other Shows Mentioned:

#777: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Leading from Your Future Self

#698: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Tactics to Beat Burnout and Overwhelm

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

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

Apr 18, 2023

Today With Jillian Lare:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. On today’s episode, I am joined by Jillian Lare, of Morris Lare. Jillian achieved a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and spent her early career with Intel Corporation. During her time as an engineer, she honed the invaluable skills of critical thinking, project management, leadership, and effective communication, which she applies every day as an interior designer and entrepreneur. Today, she’ll tell us the different systems she uses to keep track of her numbers.

More About Jillian Lare:

Jillian Lare is a native of northeastern Pennsylvania. She achieved a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and spent her early career with Intel Corporation. During her time as an engineer, she honed the invaluable skills of critical thinking, project management, leadership, and effective communication, which she applies every day as an interior designer and entrepreneur.

Jillian made the switch from engineering to design in 2007 when she apprenticed with a local designer. Upon relocating to Des Moines, she enrolled in the MA of Interior Design program at Iowa State and graduated in 2013. She joined the faculty shortly after and served as an instructor for five years, specializing in residential design and visual and graphic communication. While teaching, she continued to design for clients. After the birth of her son in 2017, she launched Jillian Lare Interior Design, her eponymous firm focused on residential new construction and remodeling.

Jillian enjoys working on a variety of residential projects including new construction, kitchen remodels, decorating, and furnishings throughout the Des Moines area and with clients coast to coast. She resides in West Des Moines with her husband Keegan, a registered landscape architect, their son Ashton, and two dogs Booker and Arlo.

Connect with Jillian Lare

Website

Instagram 

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

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

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

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

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

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

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

#649: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Understanding Design-Build from the Builder’s Perspective

864: Hilaire Pickett Martin: Lesson From an Interior Design Operations Manager

575: Lisa Gilmore: Finance Fridays! From 850k to 2.25 Million in One Year!

Other Resources Mentioned:

The Predictive Index: Talent Optimization Leader

InDesign

Canva

Asana

BaseCamp

Studio Designer

Mydoma

Interior Design Standard by Sandra Funk

Tobi Fairley

Cheryl Clendenon

Apr 14, 2023

Today With Nancy Ganzekaufer:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. For today’s sponsored episode, I’m welcoming my friend Nancy Ganzekaufer back to the show. If you’re a long-time listener, you’ve probably heard of Nancy’s coaching program, Profit Insiders for Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind. In today’s episode, you’re going to hear why Profit Insiders is not your average coaching program, beginning with a testimonial of how it helped someone quintuple—yes, quintuple their revenue.

Pick It Apart

[2:37] LuAnn shares one of Nancy’s raving testimonials that show how one client quintupled their revenue after Profit Insiders.  

[7:57] Nancy and LuAnn discuss the value of group coaching. 

[19:44] Nancy breaks down how Profit Insiders provides consistent ROI for designers. 

[32:03] Nancy discusses how Profit Insiders helps you price your services right and finesse everything else that goes into profitability as well.

LuAnn Nigara and Nancy Ganzekaufer's Ah-Ha Moments

“Nothing irritates me more than seeing interior designers work so hard and not make enough money for whatever they want to use it for.” - Nancy

“Whatever you want in your business, however, you want your business to look, my only goal is…do it the way you want, I’m going to help you make it profitable.” - Nancy

“Not every business coach offers life coaching, but when you have that skill set and you do, it is valuable, because if your life is in disarray it’s hard to get the business locked down. If your life contains limiting beliefs and blocks and mindset blocks, to just think that you're going to stick that brain on a shelf and approach your business open-minded and ready for abundance and creativity is illogical.” - LuAnn

More About Nancy Ganzekaufer:

Nancy Ganzekaufer is a sought-after Business Coach, Speaker, Body Language Trainer, and Author, named one of the Top 16 Coaches in New York in 2022! Nancy specializes in coaching interior design professionals in marketing strategies, sales, and systems, teaching them to maximize their profitability while identifying and best serving their ideal clients with confidence. 

In addition to her own book Respond with Confidence: A Business Owner’s Blueprint for Handling Difficult Situations, Nancy is an author in LuAnn Nigara’s book, The Making of A Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action. Nancy has also been a 4-time guest on LuAnn’s podcast, A Well-Designed Business® and one of LuAnn’s past Power Talk Friday experts. 

Nancy is the founding President of the Interior Design Society (IDS) Virtual Chapter, Executive IDS Board Member-at-Large, and was the first recipient of the IDS Outstanding Leadership Award for her 12 years of active participation in national leadership and her local chapter in Long Island, New York. 

Nancy specializes in coaching Interior Design industry professionals how to maximize their profitability while identifying and best serving their ideal clients with confidence. Through her proven techniques, Nancy has empowered thousands to know (and charge!) their worth, succeed in sales without feeling sales-y, and position themselves in their market with authenticity and authority.   

When Nancy is not coaching her clients, hosting a webinar, speaking at a conference, or engaging with her audience in one of her many social media platforms, she is spending quality time with her family, listening to music, hiking, playing pickleball with her friends, and traveling as much as she can.

Connect with Nancy Ganzekaufer

Website

Profit Insiders for Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind program

Confident Interior Designer Membership Site

The KEY™: The Designer's Ultimate Pricing Tool

Interior Design Contract Templates

Instagram 

Facebook 

LinkedIn

YouTube

Other Shows Mentioned:

#15: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Niche is Rich

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

#60: Power Talk Friday: Krista Coupar: Managing Work-Life Balance (The Key Questions to Ask Yourself)

#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 Designer Profit Formula

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

#766: Lesley Myrick: Offering Interior Design Without Procurement

#783: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders For Interior Designers

#841: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders For Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind

A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:

Today’s show was sponsored by Nancy Ganzekaufer and her newest program Profit Insiders for Interior Designers.

Apr 11, 2023

Today With Jill Cole:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I'm joined by Jill Cole, an icon of the hospitality interior design industry. At Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates, Jill has made a name for herself, designing fabulous hotel and resort interiors worldwide for over 40 years. She joins us to discuss how she has sustained this impactful and extensive career in an ever-changing world. This is a great conversation with one of the best in the business that touches on a little bit of everything, from finding inspiration to embracing tech and staying true to your core values.

Pick It Apart

[11:13] Jill talks her first hotel design, the Adolphis Hotel in Dallas, and how that motivated transitioning her firm from office and retail design into hospitality design

[18:17] Jill and LuAnn discuss designing high-end senior living, how it mimics luxury resorts and was another opportunity for Jill’s firm to consider when other interior design projects were slowing due to the financial collapse of 2009.

[23:58] LuAnn and Jill discuss embracing tech as an interior designer.

[30:30] LuAnn asks Jill how she understands design trends to inform and expand aesthetics.

[37:20] Jill talks about defining your personal and company values and staying true to them in the industry.

[44:16] Jill talks about hospitality interior design appealing to a broad market and the importance of knowing who you are serving as what your competitors are doing.

LuAnn Nigara and Jill Cole's Ah-Ha Moments

“We spend, realistically, a large percentage of our lives working. I want people to feel good about it. I want you to be enthusiastic. I want you to enjoy your co-workers. I want you to enjoy the experience of dealing with each other, and feel good about what you're doing.” – Jill Cole

“You have to absorb all things visual, and filter through that and interpret it in your own way, and spit out the latest trends…If all you're doing for inspiration is looking at pictures of your competitors work, you're not doing your job.” – Jill Cole

“When you do work and live in your values, then it builds that trust and reliability factor with the people that are orbiting you.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Jill Cole:

Jill is Managing Principal and President of Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates. Since the l98l re-opening of the Adolphus Hotel, Jill has devoted herself exclusively to hotel, resort, and recreational design. Her particular focus is on the creation of projects that are responsive to their target markets and respective of their environment and location. For her work, she has received Gold Key, Designers Circle and ARDY awards for the interior design of such projects as the Adolphus, the Wigwam Resort and Country Club, Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas, Marriott’s Summit Watch at Park City, the Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Kea Lani and the Lodge at Sea Island. In l992, she was the only designer in the U.S. to receive the honor of professional membership by invitation from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). She was also the l993 recipient of the prestigious Platinum Circle® Award. Jill is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC). 

Jill’s work has appeared in Designers West, Architectural Digest, Hotels, Interior Design, Lodging Hospitality, Restaurant/Hotel Design International, Restaurant Hospitality, Interiors, and Travel & Leisure. Books in which she is featured include, California Design, International Hotel and Resort Design, and International Hotel Redesign. For PBC International, Jill wrote California Interiors, a popular reference on contemporary California design. She has also appeared on “The Designer’s Challenge” for HG-TV and “The World’s Ten Best Hotel Suites” for the Travel Channel. 

Her university education is in art history, languages, and design at U.C.L.A., the Academy of Fine Arts, Rome; and Chouinard Institute. She is a California Certified Interior Designer and founding member of the CCIDC. Jill is an active contributor to the field of interior design education and has taught in the Environmental Design Department at UCLA. She was the only interior designer to sit on the board of U.C.L.A.’s prestigious Department of Architecture and Urban Planning. More recently, when she and her family moved to the Napa Valley, she served two terms on the board of the di Rosa Museum. She is frequently asked to speak to various groups and organizations on the value of interior design, its integration with art and architecture, and its affect on marketing. 

Some of the notable hotel and resort projects she has completed include the Lodge at Sea Island, named by ZAGAT as the Best Small Hotel in the US and Best Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest; the Hayman Island Resort in the Great Barrier Reef; the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale; the Hotel ERWIN in Venice, CA; the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa; the Fisher Island Club Spa and Porto Cervo Restaurant in Miami; Halls Chop House in Charleston and Greenville; the Bardessono Resort and Spa in Yountville, CA; the Chateau de la Cree in Santenay, France; Domaine Serene Winery in Dayton, OR and, the Canyon Ranch Retreat in Woodside, CA.

Connect with Jill Cole

Website

Instagram 

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

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

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

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

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

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

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

#16: Charles Pavarini – Behind the Scenes of The Architectural Digest Design Show 2016

#276: Judi Kieffer: Steps to Build a Hospitality / Commercial Interior Design Firm

#502: Lisa Haude: Paradigm Design Group: Success Strategies to Run a Luxury Hospitality Design Firm

#587: Darrell Long: The Best Design Comes From Within, Not Pinterest

#703: Leyden Lewis: The Road to AD100 and Elle Decor Top 125 Requires Innovation and Authentic Creativity

#840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life

#864: Hilaire Pickett Martin: Lesson From an Interior Design Operations Manager

Other Resources Mentioned:

Book: Paradise Now: The Extraordinary Life of Karl Lagerfeld by William Middleton

Apr 7, 2023

Today With Casey Gromer:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. On today’s episode, I am joined by Casey Gromer, of C-Suite Boutique. Casey and her team currently serve women entrepreneurs as Fractional Integrators. Under their leadership, clients have scaled their businesses while working less and spending more time doing things they love. Casey tells us all about what a Fractional Integrator is, in addition to a COO, DOO, and OBM, and how these roles may benefit your design business.

Pick It Apart

[2:00] Casey explains when it is time to hire an executive assistant.

[10:46] What is a director of operations?

[18:38] Casey shares what we should be on the lookout for when incorporating these roles into our business.

[31:50] What should we be looking for when hiring an integrator or fractional integrator?

[36:52] Strategies to develop accountability within your team.

[47:55] Casey tells us what she thinks is important to look for in an ideal candidate while hiring.

LuAnn Nigara and Casey Gromer's Ah-Ha Moments

“There’s a lot of confusion around who we need in our business at any given time.” - Casey Gromer

“Each of us has our skill set and sometimes it’s hard to recognize that someone else’s skillset is completely opposite, but we know that you have to hire people who aren’t duplicates of you.” - LuAnn Nigara 

“More important than revenue levels are the number of people you have. So, the more people you have doing things for your business the more value you will get from an integrator.” - Casey Gromer

More About Casey Gromer:

Casey Gromer is a 20-year business and marketing expert. As an MBA, she is widely regarded as a go-to source for visionary women entrepreneurs who dream of building businesses to run without them. 

Casey is host of Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast where she encourages women to ditch traditional, male-dominated business advice in favor of more realistic, workable ways of running their business while still achieving success. 

As founder of C-Suite Boutique, Casey and her team currently serve women entrepreneurs as Fractional Integrators. Under their leadership, clients have scaled their businesses while working less and spending more time doing things they love. The industries supported include retail, e-commerce, service businesses, health / wellness, and manufacturing.

Connect with Casey Gromer

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Facebook 

Visionary Exercise

A Fresh Wave of Marketing Book

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live tickets are now on sale!

Register for the Prerequisites for Success free Zoom event!

luannuniversity.com

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

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

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

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

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

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

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

#492: Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success

#564: Vicky Serany, Southern Studio: Thriving Despite Covid 19

#823: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan

#838: Regan Baker: Building A Team That Supports Your Core Values

Sass Says with Christie Rocha

Apr 4, 2023

Today With McCall Dulkys:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. On today’s episode, I am joined by McCall Dulkys, Founder and Principal Designer of Interiors By McCall. McCall successfully grew her design firm in Florida while living thousands of miles away. McCall has quite the story to share and I think it may humble some of you hearing challenges she faced while building her business. McCall has consistently doubled her yearly revenue and she is here to share how.

Pick It Apart

[6:20] McCall shares how the time she spent in Europe sparked her love of design.

[14:08] McCall shares what was happening personally during this experience.

[17:10] McCall’s experience with postpartum depression.

[20:15] McCall explains how during all of the hurdles she was thrown, how she was building her design business.

[35:54] McCall and LuAnn talk about the value from Richelle Plett’s How to Sell Upholstery Without a Sit Test course at LuAnn University.

LuAnn Nigara and McCall Dulkys' Ah-Ha Moments

“Living in a wide variety of countries, I was able to take a little bit of each with me and it has given me an appreciation of all different styles of design.” - McCall Dulkys 

“My clients come to me because of my history, experiences, and story.” - McCall Dulkys

“There’s so many different ways to run your business and it’s easy to get caught up in running your business in one way, maybe the same way you see everyone else doing it. It’s so important to is for you to sit down and make a business model that works for you.” - McCall Dulkys

More About McCall Dulkys:

McCall Dulkys, Founder and Principal Designer of Interiors By McCall, is internationally known for her innovative and modern approach to interiors and living spaces. Leading and designing by the mantra “your space is an extension of yourself,” McCall seeks to redefine personal spaces and inspire clients through effortless and distinctive designs that look and feel good. “Home,” however, has always been a relative term for McCall, as she and her family of five lived in various countries across Europe due to her husband’s professional basketball career. 

While abroad, after sharing photos on social media of her investment property renovation, McCall began helping family and friends redesign their homes. During her first three years of business, McCall grew her business virtually, helping clients in her hometown of Jupiter, Florida, while living thousands of miles away wherever her husband’s job brought her. As referrals poured in, her business model quickly adapted, and what began as virtual design grew into a full-service, turn-key interior design company. When her husband retired from playing basketball in 2021 and transitioned into coaching, McCall realized her nomadic lifestyle would likely remain intact and that she would need to build a unique business plan to run her design firm in Florida from whatever NBA city her family would call home.   

McCall has successfully grown her design firm in Florida and has consistently doubled her yearly revenue through implementing high-level strategies. Her clients include several notable NBA and NFL players, countless busy families, and those wanting livable luxury without fear of taking design risks. Her work has been featured on HGTV, Apartment Therapy, Domino, My Domaine, and more.   

When McCall is not designing homes, she works as an underpaid assistant to her three toddlers and enjoys cooking, traveling, and, of course, watching basketball.

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