Today With John McClain:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am joined for the second time by John McClain. John is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, and author of The Designer Within. In this episode, he shares a bit about his back story with us—from crisis to conquest.
John is here to help you understand that you can learn and grow from your mistakes, and success can be born out of failure. John shares his dark night of the soul story with us, but it didn’t end there. He turned that rough patch into a catalyst to organize his business for the better. Since then he has implemented a “How We Work” document, detailed client contracts, flat fees, and non-negotiables because his business is worth it. He is worth it. And you are worth it.
Pick It Apart
[6:38] John shares his dark night of the soul story involving client credit cards, attorneys, a factory fire, and armed guards.
[20:35] John discusses the importance of knowing your company policies and non-negotiables, for example, he does not take credit card payments.
[31:40] John and LuAnn discuss the importance of formal agreements and transparency with clients.
[35:41] LuAnn and John pick apart his pricing structure and flat fees, including his creative fee and project fulfillment fees.[57:29] John talks about the online courses for designers he offers, as well as his new book The Designer Within and the online course for homeowners that goes along with it.
LuAnn Nigara and John McClain's Ah-Ha Moments
“Until you've been through a serious business crisis, it's hard to know how it really cuts you in your gut.” – LuAnn Nigara
“I don't care if you're a solopreneur or if you have 25 people working for you. Your company policy is your company policy. And that is what you have to stand by.” – John McClain
“A lot of people don't take the time to sit down and come up with the rules [of their business]. ” – John McClain
“You do have to take time—really getting clear with who you are, what you do, how you do it, why you do it, and your non-negotiables.” – LuAnn Nigara
“I want to be an advocate for other designers and out in the world, to really stand up for themselves. And to have a company philosophy, have a company vision have a company backbone that they can stand behind.” - John McClain
More About John McClain:
John McClain is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, speaker, on-air contributor, and writer who has turned his lifetime passion for interior design into an opportunity to do the same for others through his book, The Designer Within (available now at thedesignerwithin.co). John McClain Design has offices in Central Florida and Los Angeles, CA. His projects have received numerous awards and have appeared in many publications including Traditional Home and Elle Décor. John's design advice can also be seen regularly in print, television appearances, and online in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Us Weekly, and many more.
Connect with John McClain
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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
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
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#472: John McClain: Running His Firm from Two Coasts Makes Systems and Tools Critical
#145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm
#801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation
#842: Joshua Smith: Sell the Experiences, Not the Commodity
Today With Carla Titus:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business Podcast. Today we are joined by financial expert Carla Titus, founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, a financial planning company offering fractional CFO services to transform business profitability.
Carla helps us understand what a fractional CFO is and how this service can provide the financial support and insight many businesses need to achieve financial clarity and plan for a profitable future. She specializes in helping 6- and 7-figure businesses gain control of their numbers with a 5-step framework she calls 2C3P that tackles financial health from all sides. Listen in to find out more.
Pick It Apart
[3:08] Carla walks through the roles of bookkeeper, CPA and CFO and the conversations you as a business owner should be having with each.
[8:58] Carla and LuAnn discusses the goal of hiring a CFO and improving the financial picture of the company .
[15:19] Carla talks about changing your mindset and thinking like the CEO of your business by looking at five key components in a framework she calls 2C3P: Cashflow, Capacity, Planning, Pay Compensation, and Profit.
[24:42] LuAnn and Carla discuss the seasonality of business, and the importance of being in tune with this as a business owner.
[31:32] Carla lists her non-negotiables she helps business owners set as goals for a successful business: cash in the bank, profitability, and paying yourself.
LuAnn Nigara and Carla Titus' Ah-Ha Moments
“The beauty of bringing an expert into your business is that you do not need to know everything. That is the whole point of outsourcing your finances. You're bringing that knowledge, and also that person that's going to guide the process from beginning to end, [to] make you feel empowered and comfortable around your finances and your numbers.” – Carla Titus
“Don’t overthink what you don’t know.” – LuAnn Nigara
“There's times where you need to step into that CEO role and work on your business, not in your business.” – Carla Titus
“Managing the influx and outflows of cash really can help a business be more financially stable, but also feel completely in control of what's happening.” – Carla Titus
“If you want to sell your business one day, if you want to run a successful long term company, there has to be a salary for someone that is in charge.” – Carla Titus
More About Carla Titus:
Finance expert with over 15 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and established online businesses fractional CFO consulting experience. Our company provides a vast array of on-demand CFO services that leverage our industry expertise. A well-rounded CFO team with Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, Online Business, Operations, Execution, Planning, and Tech background.
She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to business owners. Wealth & Worth Within’s mission is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.
She is dedicated to imparting financial knowledge in order to properly manage finances and achieve profitable results. She has applied that expertise to businesses, helping them grow by creating simple yet effective systems to improve cash flow management and bottom-line results.
Connect with Carla Titus
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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
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
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#489: Power Talk Friday: Brad Clinard: Intentional Planning for Abundant Living
#719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s
#395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business
#464: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner
#361: Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO?
Today With Joshua Smith:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Joshua Smith, of Joshua Smith Inc. Joshua draws on decades of experience transforming functional spaces into inspiring environments that engage the senses and nourish the soul. By cultivating the connections between mind, body, spirit, and space, he helps his clients elevate their experience each day.
Join us for a great conversation about the power of meditation, the importance of being connected to your passion, and his amazing working philosophy!
LuAnn Nigara and Joshua Smith's Ah-Ha Moments
“It's the responsibility of the industry to educate the consumer” - LuAnn Nigara
“We’re wanting to do what we can to make sure that we’re leaving the world as best we can for our kids” - Joshua Smith
“You know what? I realize now that as an interior designer, you’re responsible for everything but you have control over nothing” - Joshua Smith
“It's not just how you want to space to look, it’s how you want your space to feel” - Joshua Smith
More About Joshua Smith:
Joshua graduated from the New York School of Interior Design and started his career in 2012. After Joshua graduated, he joined Steven Gambrel, an influential interior design firm that specialized in high-end residential and commercial commissions worldwide. In 2013, Joshua Smith, Inc. was created and earned national recognition as featured in New York Times, Huffington Post, and Rizzoli’s 2019 book, “On Style”.
With projects on both coasts, Joshua Smith Inc, offers full-service residential interior design – and life-changing spaces. Joshua draws on decades of experience transforming functional spaces into inspiring environments that engage the senses and nourish the soul. By cultivating the connections between mind, body, spirit, and space, he helps his clients elevate their experience each day.
Connect with Joshua Smith
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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
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
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Today With Nancy Ganzekaufer:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today, I’m joined by my friend Nancy Ganzekaufer. Nancy is here to talk about her new program Profit Insiders for Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind which is packed full of value. But also, Nancy is here to share how certain events in her life forced her to slow down and how she shares her lessons with others on the importance of a work-life balance.
Pick It Apart
[3:58] Nancy tells us what interior designers can expect from her Profit Insiders for Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind program.
[13:00] LuAnn breaks down the process of joining Profit Insiders.
[21:02] Nancy shares her past continued health scare and how she turned it into a positive.
[43:24] The lesson of building a supportive and competent team.
LuAnn Nigara and Nancy Ganzekaufer's Ah-Ha Moments
“Slow and steady is going to win the race. The small tweaks you make in your business can have huge outcomes.” - Nancy Ganzekaufer
“You don’t want your business to be your entire life, you want your business to support your life” - Nancy Ganzekaufer
“Your inner being knows when it’s time to slow down and the universe will comply.” - LuAnn Nigara
“We do all put pressure on ourselves and we need to ask the question, “who can help?” - LuAnn Nigara
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
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
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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
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
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
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
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.
Today With Jean Stoffer:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we are joined by the one and only Jean Stoffer. Jean is an award-winning independent designer, star of The Established Home on the Magnolia Network, and author of the newly released book Establishing Home. In our conversation, Jean offers a glimpse into her journey, showing us the joys of intertwining work and family, the benefits of an unhurried attitude, and the blessings each season of life has to offer.
Pick It Apart
[6:01] Jean discusses “being in the trenches” as she built her business from the ground up, learning cabinetry design, kitchen design, and troubleshooting at her own pace.
[10:10] LuAnn and Jean agree that cultural messages often pressure young designers to rush toward success, but both believe that isn’t always the right path. Jean discusses embracing the season you are in.
[16:50] Jean walks through the current family dynamic and everyone’s role in the Stoffer Home business.
[27:30] LuAnn and Jean talk about the importance of processes as you grow your business.
[48:00] Jean discusses working with the Magnolia Network and putting her work on television.
LuAnn Nigara and Jean Stoffer's Ah-Ha Moments
“Our value system and reputation are just so bedrock for me and our family.” - Jean Stoffer.
“I really believe there are seasons for things, and it’s great to embrace those and accept them.” - Jean Stoffer.
“I think as a society, we are putting pressure on moms to think that you can have it all. And you actually can, but not all in the same season is my belief.” - LuAnn Nigara.
“It's very important that the quality and all of the things connected with [your brand] remain as close as to your original vision and way of doing it.” - LuAnn Nigara.
More About Jean Stoffer:
Jean Stoffer is an award-winning Grand Rapids-based independent interior designer specializing in kitchen and bath designs. Each of her designs is custom suited for her clients' lives and how they hope to use their home. Jean is also the founder of Stoffer Home, a retail store featuring beautiful and functional items for the home, and Stoffer Home Cabinetry, the source for Jean's own line of quality, British-inspired flush inset cabinets. In December 2021, the Magnolia Network began airing The Established Home, a TV series featuring Jean and her design work.
Connect with Jean Stoffer
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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
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
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#625: Coco & Jack: Flexibility and Balance Between Interior Design and Family
#563: Power Talk Friday: Mike Van Tassell: Expressing Your Brand Through Photography