Today With Elsie St. Leger:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today on the show, I’m joined by Elsie St. Leger, president of IIDA New York, and founding member of the New York chapter’s Equity Council.
The Equity Council was formed to address racial inequality within the design industry and educate those who are interested in doing the work and having the real conversations about equality. Elsie shares what you can do as an individual and business owner to take accountability and make a change.
Pick It Apart
[19:50] Elsie shares how the Equity Council was formed and what their mission is.
[22:40] Elsie and LuAnn discuss the four pillars of the Equity Council.
[31:30] Elsie discusses the importance of workshops and education about diversity issues.
[51:38] Elsie and LuAnn talk about why diversity is so important in the design industry specifically.
[58:30] Elsie shares what designer can do to promote equity in the industry.
LuAnn Nigara and Elsie St. Leger's Ah-Ha Moments
“Diversity has become, unfortunately, a sort of broad-stroke term that almost doesn’t mean anything. We wanted to set these pillars—so people could have a foundation from which to start those conversations.” -Elsie
“The Equality Council is not about casting judgment. It’s not about pointing fingers. It’s not about revenge or telling you what to do. It’s about assessing where we are, setting the bar, and moving forward.” -Elsie
More About Elsie St. Leger:
Elsie St. Léger entered the industry while earning her BFA at the New York School of Interior Design, beginning in the residential sector before moving to healthcare. Now an assistant project manager at NYU Langone Health, St. Léger believes in giving back to the industry and began volunteering with IIDA NY. Now, president of IIDA NY, she has played a vital role in the chapter’s push toward accountability and equity as a founding member of the chapter’s Equity Council.
As a trusted leader in New York’s interior design industry, St. Léger understands the value of building community during turbulent times. Her motto is momentum and progress, and her role as president has involved building on IIDA NY’s foundation while continuing on a positive trajectory. Despite the inability to conduct in-person programming, working remotely and reprioritizing has allowed St. Léger to foster the sense of remote community within the organization that has become important in the pandemic era.
Her previous leadership roles for IIDA NY include that of Residential Forum Co-Chair and Healthcare Forum Co-Chair, and she was part of the leadership of LMNOP (Leadership Mentoring & Networking Opportunities for A&D Professionals), which is now integrated into IIDA NY.
Connect with Elsie St. Leger
Equity Council: JEDI Resources
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
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:
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Head over to mydomastudio.com/summer to get Mydoma’s most popular plan for 50% off until the end of the year—just $39.50 per month to get access to a full suite of project management tools, plus the simple and user-friendly rendering tool. Make an investment in yourself and your business and take advantage of this limited-time offer! Visit mydomastudio.com/summer to get started.
Today With Vita Vygovska:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today is Window Treatment Friday, and we are debuting part 5 of our Pricing Window Treatment Series. Vita is back with some great tools that she has learned to use when pricing a window treatment to a consumer.
More About Vita Vygovska:
Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations.
Connect with Vita Vygovska
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
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:
#748: Window Treatment Friday: Pricing Window Treatments: Understanding Margin vs. Markup
#761: Window Treatment Friday: Pricing Window Treatments: How to Ballpark the Numbers on the Fly
#793: Window Treatment Friday: How To Breakdown Pricing for Your Customers
Today With Michelle Lynne:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today I am joined by Michelle Lynn, president of ML Interiors Group, a successful design firm based in Dallas, and founder of Designed for the Creative Mind where she teaches interior designers and decorators the proven practices, effective processes, and profitable systems to run their businesses with purpose and efficiency.
I get a lot of requests to talk about what constitutes billable hours. I think you’ll enjoy the answer to all of the tasks you should be charging your clients, but also we shift into the importance of standing by what we charge, knowing we’re worth what we charge, and yet again, educating our clients.
Pick It Apart
[6:40] The conversation starts about what constitutes billable hours.
[20:20] If Michelle HAD to pick three tasks that may not be considered billable.
[21:30] The controversial subject of charging less hourly when using your junior designer.
[38:00] LuAnn emphasizes the internal work that needs to be done to be confident in what you charge.
[44:00] How having a solid process result in respect from your clients.
LuAnn Nigara and Michelle Lynne's Ah-Ha Moments
“You need to be raising your standards and continue to push until you start hearing some “nos'' because that is when you’ve hit your sweet spot in weeding out the clients who will drag you down.” - Michelle Lynne
“Professionals hire professionals.” - Michelle Lynne
“We make a home feel like a hug. How do you put a price on that?” - Michelle Lynne
“You can listen to hours upon hours of podcasts about knowing your value, but if you don’t do the internal work and come from your CEO role and stand your ground on the service you provide and what it’s worth, you will always struggle with what you are charging.” - LuAnn Nigara
“When you start to conduct your business in an organized fashion, your clients become people who appreciate that, don’t question you, and have trust in you.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Michelle Lynne:
Michelle Lynne is the president of ML Interiors Group, a successful design firm based in Dallas, and the founder of Designed for the Creative Mind, where she teaches interior designers and decorators the proven practices, effective processes, and profitable systems to run their businesses with purpose and efficiency. A few years into running her interior design firm, Michelle found herself disillusioned from overworking and underbilling. She took control of her firm, putting systems and parameters in place that soon led to a thriving, seven-figure interior design business.
Connect with Michelle Lynne
Designed for the Creative Mind
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
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:
#429: Alinda Morris: A Successful Design Business Depends on a Firm Foundation
#463: Sara Lynn Brennan: Package Your Design Services for Profit and Clarity
#797: Power Talk Friday: Andrea Liebross: What You Are Worth, in Dollars and Sense
Other Resources Mentioned:
Today with Terri Taylor:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s Power Talk Friday is sponsored by Interior Design Business Academy.
Terri knows how to create successful design businesses—and this time she is here to teach us all about design fees VS hourly billing!
More About Terri Taylor:
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.
Connect with Terri Taylor
Other Shows Mentioned:
#763: Power Talk Friday: Terri Taylor: The Real Deal and Charging Your Worth
#602: Terri Taylor: Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's show is sponsored by Terri Taylor and The Interior Design Business Academy. Check out all the details on https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com/
Today With Susan & Paul Kadilak:
Hi, welcome to A Well-Designed Business. We’ve all heard about how valuable video can be for our business. But the idea of starting with video holds a lot of us back. How do we overcome our own insecurities? How do we get started? What do we even put in our videos?
Today, Susan & Paul Kadilak of Kadilak homes help answer that question. They’re taking us through their journey of video for their business and how you can start with video—even if video makes you nervous!
Pick It Apart
[2:46] Paul and Susan share how they got started with video and how they overcame the discomfort and nerves in the process.
[19:18] Paul and Susan discuss why they chose to bring someone in-house to handle their video needs
[22:57] Paul and Susan talk about how to get started with video—without needing to create scripts or ideas.
[28:45] Paul, Susan, and LuAnn discuss how video help build relationships with clients.
[36:55] Paul and Susan talk about building video into your contracts.
[50:00] Paul and Susan discuss their upcoming TV show and app.
LuAnn Nigara and Susan & Paul Kadilak's Ah-Ha Moments
“It gets your authenticity out there. When you’re just yourself, there’s people that are going to like you and there are people that are not going to like you and that’s okay. It attracts our ideal avatar in a way, because people come to us that want to work with us.” -Paul
“We all know we’re going to get better. If you’re trying to find the courage or motivation, just know that today is the worst you’re ever going to be at it.” -LuAnn
“You have to recognize that you care more and you’re paying more attention than anybody else. You’re your own biggest critic.” -Susan
More About Susan & Paul Kadilak:
@KadilakHomes is a design build firm run by Susan & Paul Kadilak in the Greater Boston area. Together they have made it their mission to help their clients turn an ordinary house into a haven that they love coming home to! The Kadilak’s have grown by connecting directly with their audience through their social media channels and are excited to announce that they just launched a brand-new app, “Renovation Rekindle”, featuring their new show with 10 half hour episodes. In each episode you can follow along with the Kadilak’s and their clients on a complete home renovation journey from beginning to end.
Connect with Susan & Paul Kadilak
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Kravet. Have you heard? The majority of Kravet Inc. products are in stock and ready to ship within days. Order your favorite patterns from Kravet’s exclusive in-stock collections like Barbara Barry’s Midsummer to CuratedKravet’s exclusive decorative accessories. Keep your design projects on track with Kravet Inc. and order memos today at http://www.kravet.com.
Today With Heather Hansen:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today with Heather Hansen, of Heather Hansen Presents we’re talking about how to advocate for yourself in your business. For some, this can be challenging because it begins with believing in yourself. And after 20 years as a trial attorney, Heather has combined her experience, her psychology degree, and her time as a TV anchor to create specific tools to teach anyone to advocate.
Pick It Apart
[4:13] Heather explains to us how she helps people advocate for themselves, their ideas, and business.
[8:00] Heather’s 3 C’s of advocacy.
[19:36] What Heather does with her clients to instill better belief in themselves through the evidence journal.
[40:00] How compassion plays a role in your advocacy.
LuAnn Nigara and Heather Hansen's Ah-Ha Moments
“No one can better advocate for yourself than you can because no one has your experience, passion, and talent.” - Heather Hansen
“If you’re lacking in belief, then it’s really hard to help other people believe.” - Heather Hansen
“See things from your client’s perspective, then use words to resonate with them.” - Heather Hansen
More About Heather Hansen:
Heather Hansen helps leaders, sales teams and high-powered individuals master persuasion and build credibility with diverse stakeholders. She gives leaders the tools to make the case for their ideas, their products, and their leadership. With these tools, they change others' perspectives and help them to believe.
Heather has worked with companies like Google, LVMH, SavATree, the American Medical Association, and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, and has lectured at Harvard Business School, Stanford Law School, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania. She’s also appeared on The Today Show, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, Fox Business, and CBS.
Heather is the author of the bestselling book The Elegant Warrior-How to Win Life's Trials Without Losing Yourself, which Publishers Weekly calls "a template to achieving personal and career goals", and the host of The Elegant Warrior podcast, an Apple Top 100 Career podcast. Her most recent book is Advocate To Win-10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It.
Connect with Heather Hansen
Advocate to Win: 10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#797: Power Talk Friday: Andrea Liebross: What You Are Worth, in Dollars and Sense.
Window Treatments for Profit: #70: Elizabeth Gerdes: Sometimes a Pivot is the Best Thing for Your Window Treatment Business Happiness
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
We only have so many hours in the day. So, how do you maximize your time and invest in your business without maxing out your expenses? Well, our friends at Mydoma have you covered. They’re having the biggest sale of the season, so if you want to spend less time managing and more time designing, plus get access to a powerful rendering tool, mood boards, easy product curation, and more, then I think you know what to do.
Head over to mydomastudio.com/summer to get Mydoma’s most popular plan for 50% off until the end of the year. That’s only $39.50 per month to get access to a full suite of project management tools, plus the simple and user-friendly rendering tool. Make an investment in yourself and your business and take advantage of this limited-time offer! That’s mydomastudio.com/summer.
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, LuAnn lists all the different services and products she offers through the LuAnn Nigara Inc platform for you to enjoy!
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Today With Michelle Rohrer-Lauer:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Have you been noticing brands in all industries going more “green?” Are you wondering how you can contribute as a designer?
Today I am chatting with Michelle Rohrer-Lauer a.k.a “The Green Queen”, owner of Michelle Interiors. Michelle will answer all of your questions on how you can learn about sustainability (clue: her 50 Shades of Green events) and how to sprinkle in eco-friendly design to your clients. Make sure to tune in because sustainability is a growing concept and you don’t want to miss out.
Pick It Apart
[1:45] Michelle explains how sustainability is a growing consumer mandate.
[6:27] Michelle gives advice on how to sprinkle in information to clients.
[23:20] Michelle talks to us about her 50 Shades of Green approach and events.
[31:51] Michelle explains how a designer can learn more about sustainability.
LuAnn Nigara and Michelle Rohrer-Lauer's Ah-Ha Moments
“You don’t have to be 100% green. You can be 10% green and you’ll still make a difference in your home.” - Michelle Rohrer-Lauer
“I already know that you’re going to make the room pretty, but when you’ve added extra value to it and taught me something that’s something I am going to include in my conversations.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Michelle Rohrer-Lauer:
Award-winning interior designer Michelle Rohrer-Lauer, a.k.a. “The Green Queen,” launched Michelle’s Interiors more than 25 years ago as a part-time, home-based business. Since then, the studio has grown into a bustling, well-respected, firm operating full-time in suburban Chicago.
Michelle’s mission has always been to help her clients live the luxurious lifestyle they imagined, in the broadest sense. Yes, that means top-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship. But above all, Michelle wants her clients to enjoy the same mindset at home that they experience on vacation: relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.
To that philosophy, Michelle adds a passion for sensible, eco-friendly design choices. She calls her approach “50 Shades of Green” because she believes that her clients don’t have to be 100 percent sustainable at home. They can choose any shade of green that fits their lifestyle, because even small changes can produce healthier indoor living and a healthier planet.
As a certified GREENleader and member of the national Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), Michelle wants to help improve indoor air quality, protect natural resources, reduce the world’s carbon footprint and rebel against our throw-away society. She calls it a life insurance policy for the future. To further this goal, Michelle has developed a series of events called “50 Shades of Green,” partnering with local builders, landscapers, architects and specialty trades to educate the public about her approach to eco-friendly design.
Among her accolades:
Connect with Michelle Rohrer-Lauer
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
#569: Power Talk Friday: Mike Peterson: Leveraging Design’s Influence on Health and Wellness to Increase Your Value Proposition
#626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design.
#670: Power Talk Friday: Susan Inglis: Sustainable Furnishings Council, What You Need to Know
#718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos
#724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals
#773: Power Talk Friday: The Company Store: Quality, Sustainability, and Innovation
#800: Richelle Plett: How to Sell Upholstery Without a Sit Test
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Kravet. Have you heard? The majority of Kravet Inc. products are in stock and ready to ship within days. Order your favorite patterns from Kravet’s exclusive in-stock collections like Barbara Barry’s Midsummer to CuratedKravet’s exclusive decorative accessories. Keep your design projects on track with Kravet Inc. and order memos today at http://www.kravet.com.
Today With Hailey Kolbe:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today I am joined by Hailey Kolbe, the founder and principal designer of her referral-based design firm, Hailey Kolbe Design, which specializes in full-service design for new builds and remodels. Do you know the value of a thorough client work-up? Today, Hailey and I discuss the importance of a thorough evaluation of your client inquiry forms, how to spot red flags, and set expectations with your clients so you set yourself, and your client, up for success. Tune in today to hear how these critical steps can ultimately help you attract your ideal client and be more profitable.
More About Hailey Kolbe:
Hailey Kolbe Design is a referral-based design firm ran by founder and lead designer Hailey Kolbe. HK Design specializes in full-service design for new builds and remodels. At the heart of the business is Hailey’s devotion to serving others and creating a unique design experience tailored to each client project. Through developing long lasting relationships with her clients, Hailey and her team create spaces reflective of each homeowner’s personality and lifestyle.
HK Design cultivates a client experience through a comprehensive materials presentation, the provision of on-site support throughout the construction process and concludes with the furnishing installation. It is Hailey’s priority to curate beautiful, yet functional spaces and a bespoke experience for each of her clients to enjoy while bringing the custom design to fruition.
A native Texan and Texas A&M graduate, Hailey began working as a Registered Nurse before her creative abilities, driven spirit, and deep faith transformed her profession in 2015 into a flourishing interior design career. She spent many years designing homes at a full-service design firm and furniture showroom where she gained experience in design, project management, retail and merchandising. Hailey’s design experience highlights full service residential remodels, new construction, and furnishings. Her work can be seen in Texas living Publications and Luxe Interior Design Magazine. Over the years, Hailey has honed her skills by growing resources and relationships to provide the best products and qualified contractors for each individual project.
Hailey also offers mentorship to fellow designers called "Mentorship by Hailey." She has experienced many wonderful mentors throughout her career as a designer and recognizes mentorship is indispensable for the success of Hailey Kolbe Design. She knows firsthand the importance of having one person to trust with the details of your business, to help guide you through decisions and provide encouragement to take the next step in order for your business to grow. This mentorship is designed to support you and your business in a unique way as she is currently in the midst of running her own business, navigating hard decisions, seeking to grow and serve her clients in a way that provides the very best experience.
Connect with Hailey Kolbe
To apply for Business Mentorship with Hailey Kolbe
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Your source for premium hardwood and resilient flooring. Using the Revel Woods selector tool, you’ll be able to find curated suggestions for your project catered to your client’s home. When you sign up for a free professional membership, you’ll get access to exclusive discounts and referral benefits. Visit revelwoods.com to get started.
Today with Claire Jefford:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. In today’s sponsored show, I’m sitting down with Claire Jefford—a seasoned designer, a business coach, and one of my trusted Power Talk Friday experts.
Claire knows that the foundation of a successful business is trust and experience—and she’s formed the Interior Design Boss Academy to teach you how to build those two vital pieces for your business.
Pick It Apart
[13:38] Claire discusses why trust matters so much in business and how to build it from the very first touchpoint with a client.
[23:25] Claire and LuAnn talk about the importance of the client experience.
[30:51] Claire breaks down the modules of her course and how they help designers build a strong foundation for their business.
[45:25] Claire shares what you get when you join the Interior Design Boss Academy.
LuAnn Nigara and Claire Jefford's Ah-Ha Moments:
“The quicker you can build trust, the faster clients will hand over the reins to you and not micromanage. You’ll just see a big shift.” -Claire Jefford
“I have coached designers who have said that in their welcome emails they start talking about discounts. Who are you attracting there right now? You are attracting people who are counting their dollars. We don’t hire people in our business because they’re the cheapest. We hire because they’re the best.” -Claire Jefford
“This industry is a luxury. We as designers or business owners can’t forget that whether you’re selling somebody something a $250 service or a $50,000 design fee, they’re coming to you for the experience.” -LuAnn Nigara
More About Claire Jefford:
Claire Jefford began her award-winning Interior Decorating firm in 2011 & quickly grew her business, boasting the highest reviewed design professional in the Toronto area with over 100 reviews. In 2017, Claire started a second business as a Business Coach.
With a background in Human Resources, Claire is passionate about having organized processes, marketing & she also loves creating videos. Audiences love Claire for her authentic personality, her helpful, straight-up advice & cheeky sense of humour.
Voted Top Influencer 3 years running by Modenus, Claire does speaking engagements, panel discussions & live video broadcasts from various events across North America. She also runs a highly active Facebook group, Interior Design Business Strategies, with over 5500 design professionals from around the world.
Other Shows Mentioned:
#237 Claire Jefford: How To Get More Clients With Video Content
#325 Claire Jefford: Create Valuable Content to Sell Through Your Website
#485 Power Talk Friday: Claire Jefford: Rock the Consult
A big thank you to today's sponsor:
Today's show is sponsored by Claire Jefford and The Interior Design Boss Academy. Check out all the details of her upcoming course, the “Interior Designer Boss Academy”.
Enroll here: https://www.interiordesignbossacademy.com/
Today With Rebecca Hay:
Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Rebecca Hay, CEO of Rebecca Hay Designs. Through her podcast Resilient by Design and her course Power of Process, Rebecca is tapping into her experience with running her own business. She is sharing how she has learned to have a clear, organized, and thorough process of services resulting in success in every design project.
Of course, it wasn’t always ‘success’ with Rebecca’s business. She had some eye-opening experiences, including what she calls a “lemon job” which, along with A Well-Designed Business and her peers, really opened her eyes to put proper focus on building a process of services.
Listen in as Rebecca and I discuss processes and how through trial and error and the knowledge that process is constantly evolving she has managed to confidently run her business.
Pick It Apart
[6:30] Rebecca goes into how she learned that processes are important.
[10:03] Rebecca explains how she felt that systems and processes seemed too advanced for her to try at first.
[31:47] Rebecca shares how she councils designers through her podcast and through her Power of Process Course how to address processes.
[41:00] LuAnn and Rebecca discuss charging for your consultations.
LuAnn Nigara and Rebecca Hay's Ah-Ha Moments
“No matter what the situation is, you have to rewind it back to where you think the mistake took place because that’s where the lesson is.” - LuAnn Nigara
“If you never ask your clients those questions, you could go on for years having the same process that hasn't worked the best for your clients.” - LuAnn Nigara
“If the new processes aren’t updated in writing, then when the next project rolls around it's not there to follow. Process is constantly evolving.” - Rebecca Hay
More About Rebecca Hay:
Rebecca Hay is CEO of Rebecca Hay Designs, podcast host, international speaker, and business coach. She helps driven interior designers who are frustrated, time-strapped and spinning their wheels to eliminate the chaos of running a design business so that they can achieve focus and clarity. She helps them implement systems and strategies to inspire their confidence and streamline their business, taking them from chaos to coordinated. Her methods and experience prove that anyone can uplevel their business without working around the clock & missing out on precious family time.
She’s built her own seven-figure interior design business through trial and error and has eliminated the chaos giving her the freedom now to focus only on the parts that she enjoys most.
Her goal is to disrupt the traditional elitism and secrecy that has been a cornerstone of the Interior Design industry for far too long. Rebecca believes in collaboration over competition and given the right tools & truly authentic marketing, any designer can be successful.
Connect with Rebecca Hay
Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
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
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
#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
#02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy
#585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems
#36: Susan Brunstrum: Practical Advice for Project Management
#607: Sara Lynn Brennan: Project Management with Specific Deliverables and Deadlines
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Brad Clinard, the Director of Financial Design at High Point Financial Design. Brad and his team are not your average financial planners. Their mission is abundance for everyone, especially their clients and they believe it is their responsibility as Financial Designers to help people improve their lives, make better choices concerning their money, and positively impact their financial wellness. This is their one, extraordinary, and obsessive focus.
Today With Jeannie Andresen:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I often hear from designers who struggle to turn down undesirable businesses. That makes sense—it can be hard to say no to the wrong fit. It takes work on your own mindset to learn how to do that. Today, business coach Jeannie Andresen joins me to guide you through a straightforward process to determine your own worth, charge accordingly, and turn away the business that doesn’t align with it.
Pick It Apart
[7:52] Jeannie breaks down the art of the 10-minute phone call for crisis communication.
[19:47] Jeannie explains why removing emotion makes business decisions easier.
[38:22] LuAnn and Jeannie discuss why undercharging hurts both you and the client.
[45:18] Jeannie shares how to overcome feeling bad about saying no.
LuAnn Nigara and Jeannie Andresen's Ah-Ha Moments
“If you’re going to convince yourself of a story, why don’t we just try a different story? Let’s say that if you say $6,000 then they thought it was going to be $10,000 and they are thrilled. Because that is just as likely as the story that they were expecting $3,000 and $6,000 is too much. We made them both up.” -LuAnn
“You have to remember that in the tough conversations, the other person just wants to hear sometimes that you know a mistake was made. You don’t have to take it as a personal hit.” -LuAnn
“The worse feeling is when you give a quote and they say yes to it quickly and you just crumble because you think you should have charged more. How does that allow you to show up moving forward with that client?” -Jeannie
More About Jeannie Andresen:
Jeannie is a former corporate director turned life and business coach who specializes in helping interior designers become confident in both business and leadership.
Jeannie’s background includes a decade of experience in corporate America, running a recruiting business inside a Fortune 100 finance firm. Her role included directly managing a team of six, indirectly managing a team of thirty, and onboarding, training, and coaching sales professionals to develop habits of success to reach their business goals.
Jeannie now focuses her business on teaching interior designers the processes of running an organized, successful, and efficient business, so they can finally become confident in their business abilities and make the money they deserve.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team
#710 Power Talk Friday: Terri Taylor: Get Paid What You are Worth. Sponsored by Interior Design Business Academy Summit 2021
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Kravet. Have you heard? The majority of Kravet Inc. products are in stock and ready to ship within days. Order your favorite patterns from Kravet’s exclusive in-stock collections like Barbara Barry’s Midsummer to CuratedKravet’s exclusive decorative accessories. Keep your design projects on track with Kravet Inc. and order memos today at http://www.kravet.com.
Today With Sherry Schmidt:
Today I am joined by Sherry Schmidt, owner of Form and Function. With 20 years of experience in the industry, Sherry offers individualized one-stop residential and commercial design services.
Today we are covering all things commercial design. Sherry puts all of her sales staff through a step by step training to teach them the art of conversation with clients. Whether you do commercial design, residential design and thinking about adding commercial, residential only, or you just think sales in general are scary, this episode will provide you with a ton of takeaways. You will also learn about Sherry’s course, the Consumer Centered Sales Method for Design Professionals, that will take sales training even farther giving you the confidence to close each and every sale.
Pick It Apart
[6:15] Sherry breaks down what she will be covering in our conversation about commercial design.
[15:00] Sherry explains what territorial restrictions refer to in commercial design.
[17:30] Being prepared with a list of questions about the project scope, budget and quality
[29:20] Tips on using what you know about your competition during the initial interview.
[49:59] What Sherry suggests designers watch out for in terms of budgeting.
LuAnn Nigara and Sherry Schmidt's Ah-Ha Moments
“Every situation is different. There are no problems, just solutions.” - Sherry Schmidt
“How do I value engineering and still get the look for less?” - Sherry Schmidt
“A huge takeaway is do not underestimate the interview, if we can’t wow them during this step then we’re just wasting our time.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Sherry Schmidt:
Sherry Schmidt’s studies in art and psychology spawned her interest in interior design. With 20 years of experience in the industry, she offers individualized one-stop residential and commercial design services. Her client-inspired designs incorporate distinctive elements sourced from global artisans and suppliers to create exclusively tailored spaces. Sherry is dedicated to building trusted relationships and to providing superior service to clients throughout the Midwest and beyond.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#683: Jessica Matteson: The Client Experience is #1 in Design
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5 week courses are up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3 hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Amber De La Garza is The Productivity Specialist! Amber is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, host of the Productivity Straight Talk podcast, and creator of Leverage Lab®. She helps business owners improve their time management and elevate their productivity to maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most!
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5 week courses are up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3 hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Today With Gillian Segal:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am sitting down with Gillian Segal, owner of Gillian Segal Design and HUGE supporter of relationships. But that’s not Gillian’s only passion. Gillian's skill of sourcing has also contributed to her company’s success. Tune in to learn how strong relationships in all aspects of her business and how growing her ‘black book’ of vendors has made Gillian’s firm successful in six years.
Pick It Apart
[3:00] Gillian starts us right off on what developing community means to her.
[7:38] How Gillian develops her supportive and collaborative team.
[26:36] Gillian brings the same principles in strengthening relationships with her clients.
[33:23] What comes to mind for Gillian in terms of the community with vendors and peers.
LuAnn Nigara and Gillian Segal's Ah-Ha Moments
“Design is a team sport because it definitely takes a village.” - Gillian Segal
“Some things are out of our control, but what is in our control is how we conduct ourselves with our partners.” - Gillian Segal
“The things that got you to your first $500,000 won’t be the things that will get you to your first million to your second million, and so on.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Gillian Segal:
Gillian believes that design can have a profoundly positive impact on quality of life and has always had a passion for interior design and its influence on the way we feel day-to-day. At a young age, Gillian watched her parents build their first family home, and from that experience, she always knew that she wanted to change people’s lives through design.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Gillian pursued her love for design by attending B.C.I.T’s Interior Design program and graduated magna cum laude. From there, she earned her CID and began working with some of Vancouver’s top design studios, which catapulted the start of her eponymous design firm. Now servicing major cities, including Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and beyond, Gillian works with clients around the globe to create highly personalized spaces that speak authentically to their lifestyles.
With an emphasis on playful, modern, and eclectic glamour, Gillian’s work is ever-evolving and frequently inspired by her travels and love for shifting styles throughout the decades. Gillian prioritizes the blending of old and new design aesthetics in order to continuously produce one-of-a-kind timeless spaces for her clients.
Passionate about collaborative initiatives, Gillian continues to expand her endeavors in the product development market. She is the co-founder of Saint Lunette, which focuses on servicing developers, and most recently has curated a product design and wallpaper collection with Drop It Modern.
Gillian has also shared her expertise as an interior design contributor and writer for marthastewart.com and Gray Malin.
In between site checks and design appointments, she loves spending time with her family and raising her young children. When she’s not working, Gillian is passionate about giving back and often participates in volunteer work around her community. Gillian is excited to expand her reach and bring her tailored design approach to more of her favorite cities around the world.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#64- Laura Umansky- Plan Your Career with Intention and Purpose
#363- Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn- Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team
#492- Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5 week courses are up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3 hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Today’s Show Sponsored by the “Interior Design Standard.”
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s sponsored show, Sandra Funk is here to share all the details of her upcoming course, the “Interior Design Standard”.
I’m so excited to share Sandra Funk’s business program, the “Interior Design Standard”, with you because I know it will be the best investment for your business.
Enroll here: https://interiordesignstandard.com/luann
Today with Sandra Funk:
Sandra's back on the show today, and we are talking all about growth and change. Mistakes and obstacles can lead to growth and transformation. Find out why Sandra never asks a client for their budget, and what she does instead.
This is one you don't want to miss! This will also be your exclusive invitation to sign up for the Interior Design Standard, so you can achieve the same transformation as Sandra's design firm, without having to make all the mistakes yourself.
More About Sandra Funk:
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.
Other Shows Mentioned:
#753: Sandra Funk: How to Grow a Thriving Luxury Interior Design Business
#660: Sandra Funk: Level Up Your Business Through Mentorship, Coaching, and Classes. Sponsored Show: “Interior Design Standard”
#585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems
#520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here!
#145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10-Year-old Firm
#02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy
Today With Richelle Plett:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, with Richelle Plett, seasoned interior designer, and expert in upholstered furniture. We talk about her proprietary course, Upholstery Uncovered, which is accompanied by her, literally beautiful, book by the same name. We also talk about her exciting new 3-hour intensive course available through LuAnn University starting fall 2022, called "Close more upholstered furniture sales: No sit test required!". This episode and her courses are for you if you have ever struggled to sell upholstered pieces to your clients without a “sit test”. When you know the ergonomics of upholstered pieces and the construction of them, you can confidently specify comfortable, beautiful upholstered furniture without the stress and anxiety of “will they like it”? Be the expert and learn how to confidently sell upholstered furniture even when your client cannot try it themselves.
Pick It Apart
[4:00] LuAnn and Richelle explain the importance of how you can build trust by having the knowledge of what you are selling.
[7:02] As a full service interior designer, Richelle shares how she came to know so much about upholstery.
[20:45] Richelle runs through some of the topics covered in her book, Upholstery Uncovered.
[31:30] Information on Richelle’s upcoming course for LuAnn University.
LuAnn Nigara and Richelle Plett's Ah-Ha Moments
“From a sales standpoint, anytime I can understand exactly what I am talking about it’s so much easier to sell.” - LuAnn Nigara
“As a designer, you need to be able to read the frame, look at it and notice that this particular fabric, whether I’m reupholstering it or selecting a custom fabric and recognize how that is going to look.” - Richelle Plett
“Once you have a good understanding about what your client’s needs are for the upholstered piece in that space, it basically designs itself.” Richelle Plett
More About Richelle Plett:
Craving a way to confidently source custom upholstery and meet your client’s needs without resorting to crowdsourcing social media for the answer? Then you should know Richelle Plett.
In addition to being a “seasoned” interior designer, Richelle has developed a course called UPHOLSTERY UNCVOVERED that teaches design professionals how to identify and analyze upholstery construction materials and methods so they can make informed decisions on their client’s behalf.
Having previously owned an upholstery studio that specialized in the restoration of vintage seating, Richelle has had the unique opportunity to observe how various materials and construction methods wear in real life.
In UPHOLSTERY UNCOVERED, she presents the information in an unbiased manner diving deep into frames, foundations, springs, cushions, fabrics, and custom fabric application, and empowers students to confidently specify custom upholstery WITHOUT clients insisting on sitting on it first!
When not geeking out over the pros and cons of 8-way hand-tied coils springs, Richelle can be found on her own sofa with her dog streaming a documentary and devouring black jellybeans.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5 week courses are up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3 hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Today With Jamie Van Cuyk:
It seems like everywhere I turn, businesses in our industry are hiring. And yet, just as many of them are struggling to find the right way to hire and onboard for long-term success. Today, Jamie Van Cuyk of Growing Your Business joins me to discuss the ins and outs of hiring the best fit employee for your team.
Pick It Apart
[2:14] Jamie discusses why hiring has changed so drastically in the last year and what it means for businesses looking to hire.
[20:05] Jamie shares her insights on the interview process, beginning with the job description.
[34:55] Jamie and LuAnn discuss the importance of the onboarding process.
[52:30] Jamie breaks down the importance of flexibility in work schedules for the modern workforce.
LuAnn Nigara and Jamie Van Cuyk's Ah-Ha Moments
“Just like in our design projects, the more clarity we can have upfront and the more we can create that in the job description and the job posting and the interview, the better match we’re going to ultimately end up with.” -LuAnn
“The main thing about onboarding is teaching your expectations so you are happy with their performance. If you don’t teach them your expectations, they’re going to make up their own expectations.” -Jamie
More About Jamie Van Cuyk:
Jamie Van Cuyk, the owner and lead strategist of Growing Your Team, is an expert in hiring and onboarding teams within small businesses.
Drawing from over 15 years of leadership experience, Jamie teaches her clients how to hire their early team members, including employees and long-term contractors. By learning the dynamics of each company and their specific needs, she helps them and their perfect, long-lasting team members and avoids the hiring and ring cycle.
On a personal side, Jamie lives in St Petersburg, FL, with her husband and two daughters, is a hobby winemaker, loves to travel, and enjoys exercise that takes her feet off the ground, including rock climbing and aerial dance.
Connect with Jamie Van Cuyk
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team
#634 Power Talk Friday: Jessica Harling: A Specific Process for Onboarding a New Hire
Other Resources Mentioned:
Link to Hiring & Team Management Collection on website : https://luannnigara.com/category/hiring-team-management/
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Before we dive into today’s episode, let’s take a moment to thank our show sponsor, Revelwoods, your source for premium hardwood and resilient flooring. Using the Revel Woods selector tool, you’ll be able to find curated suggestions for your project catered to your client’s home. When you sign up for a free professional membership, you’ll get access to exclusive discounts and referral benefits. Visit revelwoods.com to get started.
Today With Brook Perdigon:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am joined by Brook Perdigon, artist, designer, and owner of Brook Perdigon Textiles (BPT). Brook emailed me describing her transition from creative artist, to creative business owner. She explains there is an artist identity and a business owner identity. And how do we navigate that? Well Brook and I discuss all of her aha moments along her seven years in a creative business, along with the different approaches she took to those stubborn recurring challenges. Enjoy!
Pick It Apart
[3:20] Brook starts off with how she learned the hard way the difference between the two business identities; artist and business owner.
[22:53] Brook gives multiple ways you can reach a customer when one way doesn’t work.
[40:10] Brook talks about Design Social Popups and how they’ve been beneficial in her business.
LuAnn Nigara and Brook Perdigon's Ah-Ha Moments
“The creative mind always finds a way.” - Brook Perdigon
“Having a goal with a timeline makes it real.” - LuAnn Nigara
“My responsibility is to not only design a product, but also a functioning business that's profitable and can pay my employees.” - Brook Perdigon
“As my business grows each year, my challenges evolve.” - Brook Perdigon
More About Brook Perdigon:
Artist and designer Brook Perdigon founded her company in 2015. Informed by history, culture, creativity and craft, Brook Perdigon Textiles (BPT) has quickly grown from a small business to a global brand with showrooms across the United States as well as in the U.K., Canada, and Australia. In addition to textile collections, BPT offers wallpaper, custom fine art, and thoughtful industry collaborations. BPT has been featured in The World of Interiors, LUXE Magazine, House & Garden, C Magazine, Country Living, The New York Times, Modern Luxury and other leading design publications. Collections thread art, history and culture through the lens of modern making. Antique textiles inform Brook’s drawings and sketches, resulting in a process and practice that embraces imperfection and celebrates the human hand. Many fabrics are hand-screened on Belgian linen, and each product embodies an individual, idiosyncratic voice. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Brook began her career as an independent artist creating custom textile collections for interior designers in Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. She went on to work as a senior designer for Tai Ping Carpets, designing textiles for high-profile clients and prestigious projects worldwide. She founded BPT, in part, to cultivate and support artists, women and fellow small business owners in her community. Many of her fabrics are printed in Los Angeles, and she regularly collaborates with local artists—a partnership with TARP, for example, led to the creation of a painted pool and dance performance inspired by her Ituri design. Brook currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Michael, their children, Mallory and Tanner.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#769: Power Talk Friday: Leah Neaderthal: Sales Techniques For Introverts.
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Join us for the Prerequisites for Success free zoom event on September 15th at 12:30 EDT. Come spend some time with me and some of the most brilliant brains in the design industry, the incredible instructors of LuAnn University! If you know me and have been to any of my events before, you know that this is going to be tons of fun and tons of information that you can take to your business. This event is absolutely free and each instructor is going to share their best advice, the thing you should know in order to be successful in their respective areas of expertise in LU.
Go to luannnigara.com/success to register.
Today With Andrea Liebross:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, Andrea Liebross, certified business and life coach, podcaster and owner of Andrea Liebross Coaching, LLC. is here to talk about self worth. She provides some great tips, strategies, and facts that will help us ditch our doubt in our skills and what we charge, and come out with one hundred percent assurance in how we conduct our business. Even I took a page out of Andrea’s book from the great tips she was offering. This is definitely worth the listen if you ever feel stuck or if your business feels stagnant due to not recognizing your own worth.
Pick It Apart
[4:30] Andrea shares how she approaches the subject of worthiness with her clients.
[15:30] Andrea starts to explain what to do next when you aren’t believing in yourself and your self worth.
[31:49] Andrea shares how to find emotional and financially mature clients.
[51:50] Andrea tells us about her podcast Time to Level Up and how you can reach her.
LuAnn Nigara and Andrea Liebross' Ah-Ha Moments
“The more dissonance you have with your worth, the more drama you have about your worth or pricing.” - Andrea Liebross
“You need to think that you are undercharging them and over delivering.” - Andrea Liebross
“You have a talent and a gift that we need, but if you don’t create a sustainable business that provides you with the lifestyle you deserve then how can you stay in business so people can enjoy your gifts?” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Andrea Liebross:
After graduating from Dartmouth College and marrying the guy that lived down the hall, Andrea Liebross and her husband packed up the 1980s red Cadillac, left the northeast, and eventually made their way to the midwest city known for the Indianapolis 500. Over the last few decades, Andrea has started 3 successful businesses, all while raising two kids, now ages 20 and 17, and several giant puppies. As a certified business and life coach, Andrea's known for helping high-achieving women make the shift from overwhelm to freedom in both their personal and professional life. Her goal is to guide these bold, ambitious women to create their own custom secret sauce for success by combining just two ingredients - the right mindset and solid systems. Andrea believes every problem is solvable and every dream is possible IF you make it all simple, doable and FUN (even the systems).
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#577- Power Talk Friday: Amber De La Garza, LuAnn is in the “Productivity” Hot Seat.
Time to Level Up Episode 30- What Are You Worth? How to Put a Price on it.
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5 week courses are up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3 hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Today With Allison Handler:
Welcome to A Well-Design Business. Today I am joined by Allison Handler, owner of Allison Handler Design. Through listening to AWDB, taking courses at LuAnn University, facing hard challenges and creating important relationships, Allison earned $1 million in gross sales, in her first year of business.
Allison reached out to me and I was impressed with her work ethic and story. She wanted to share with you everything she learned in that first year, including what she learned about systems and processes, forming relationships, and the hard lessons along the way. Enjoy!
Pick It Apart
[13:18] Allison starts to share her story.
[27:19] Allison provides tips on how she navigates the conversation regarding budget.
[37:05] Allison shares struggles and aha moments along the way.
[39:20] What Allison would suggest for someone who doesn't feel like they have a good trade support team.
LuAnn Nigara and Allison Handler's Ah-Ha Moments
“I can’t be successful, if I don’t know the budget and it’s not realistic.” - Allison Handler
“There’s so much power to the relationships that we build, but the motor to that power is having the courage to put yourself out there.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Allison Handler:
It all begins and ends with relationships. Allison Handler Design prides itself on building and maintaining incredible relationships with both clients and vendors, working hard every day to make sure that a client’s wants and needs are satisfied by keeping a close-knit but wide-reaching team of vendor partners on hand to seamlessly execute the vision. As lead designer and visionary, Allison oversees all projects, ensuring the AHD aesthetic is incorporated while keeping the client’s personal preferences foremost. We strongly believe in making the most out of every clients’ budget, and source from the best mid-to-high end suppliers including well-known brands and exclusive smaller artisans, to ensure long lasting and high quality products that will last and feel unique to each space.
On a personal note, Allison was born and raised right here in Bergen County, NJ. After moving to Florida at age 15 with her family, she returned to the northeast after college to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Twenty years later, after getting married and having a family of her own, she knew it was time for a change. Allison Handler Design was born, almost by accident, after several friends and family members asked for help with their own home projects. Building off her fashion roots, Allison discovered she had a major passion and natural talent for interiors and decided to pursue it as a new career path. Allison Handler Design is now a thriving business thanks to the support of current and past clients, and we look forward to continuing to grow and carve out our place in this little corner of the world.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#779- Power Talk Friday: Madeleine MacRae: What Should the CEO of an Interior Design Firm Be Doing?
#786- Meredith Huck: From Corporate to Interior Design Business: 3 Insights to Succeed
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by LuAnn University.
This is not just education. Not just the support of your colleagues. And not just a great experience. Each department and class is crafted to provide targeted, proven instruction in key areas for profit and growth—all specific to the interior design and window treatment industries.
We are opening again this fall 2022 so do yourself a favor and look into this and all others we have coming at luannuniversity.com. The current roster for all of our 5-week courses is up, but please keep checking back because we are launching, brand new 3-hour intensives this semester as well. So check it out but go back in a few weeks to see the updates too.
Today With Katie McFarlan:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. What does it take to be successful? We talk about it week in and week out on the show. There are so many details, so many facets to business success. But there are a handful of business practices that every successful designer puts into place—the things that set them apart from those who struggle. Today, Katie McFarlan of Dakota Design Co joins me to share the six business practices she believes are key to a well-designed business.
Pick It Apart
LuAnn Nigara and Katie McFarlan's Ah-Ha Moments
“The more clarity you can put around things the less opportunity there is for designers to complain about “scope creep.” If you didn’t define what it is that you do, how is the client supposed to know that it’s out of the parameters?” -LuAnn
“When you do the same thing over and over again, it’s good at getting you to be more efficient and working out the kinks. Your clients will enjoy working with you more when they know what to expect.” -Katie
More About Katie McFarlan:
As a former wedding and event planner with 16 years of experience in operations and project management, Katie enjoys using both her creative and analytical sides to find solutions that work for her clients. With her intimate knowledge of how both industries work, she knows what it takes to get behind-the-scenes operations running smoothly so businesses can grow in a sustainable and professional way. Today her business, Dakota Design Company, helps interior designers and wedding planners who are buried in business operations get back to doing the creative work they love. Through consulting and done-for-you implementation, she and her all-female team streamline their clients’ services and pricing, create strategic client experiences, and refine and implement processes their teams and customers will appreciate.
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Mydoma Studio, your complete designer toolkit. Mydoma makes it easy to streamline your processes, track projects, communicate with clients, and get organized. It’s created by designers for designers, specifically to address what you need as a business owner. I’ve said countless times that systems and processes are how you reach the next level of profitability. Mydoma Studio makes it easy to do that. You can get 20% off your first three months by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness
Today With Renee Biery:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am chatting with Renee Biery, owner of deVignier Design, Inc. and Only Girl On the Jobsite podcast. Renee works in restoration as well as new construction and she wanted to share with my listeners how renovation management is a stable income for interior designers throughout the year, as procurement and decorating ebbs and flows per job. A lot of takeaways here. Enjoy!
Pick It Apart
[3:50] Renee describes the scope of renovation management in her business.
[14:26] Renee shares how she changed the initial conversations with her clients, so that they would consider her for renovation management as well.
[22:53] Renee shares another way we can position ourselves to clients as their one stop shop.
[32:40] Renee gives us tips as designers on how we can confidently show up at a typically male dominated job site.
LuAnn Nigara and Renee Biery's Ah-Ha Moments
“Many designers are doing renovation management, but don’t necessarily lead with it in their marketing.” - Renee Biery
“There’s a lot of different people with different skill sets that are needed to complete the project, but they don’t have overlapping skills. A designer can add to that and elevate any project.” - Renee Biery
“View yourself as an equal on the team. You are not above and you are not below.” - Renee Biery
“In order to be taken seriously, you have to show up seriously.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Renee Biery:
Renée deVignier Biery, ASID, is an interior designer based in Wilmington, Delaware. She is a graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, one of the country’s oldest conservatory interior design programs, earning a degree with distinction in 1994 as an Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design. Biery is formally trained in practical interior architecture with advanced technical and rendering proficiency. Her credentials include NCIDQ board licensing as a professional member of the ASID, the design industry’s highest certification.
For Biery, design is a lifelong calling. It is a throughline of home life, from the traditional American houses of the Delaware Valley, to her training and professional experience in the design world of New York, and back again to her roots in Wilmington. Across this map of influences, design has given Renée the way to celebrate a sense of place that is both local and original.
Renée deVignier Biery was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, home to the Winterthur Museum among many important and historic residences and gardens. Good design was always in her surroundings, “a common language of big rambling homes filled with proper antiques,” she explains. She drew her inspiration early from a number of grandly formal old houses belonging to members of her own family in Virginia and especially from her two grandmothers—one, a southern, Virginia lady with an eye for cutting-edge New York and European fashion, and the other, a social worker who had a talent for understanding people deeply. Those qualities combine in Biery’s approach to design. She puts people and their practical needs first. She aims to create work that will be lasting and meaningful. She views tradition with an edge but also with a natural, truly southern civility.
During and following her schooling, Biery worked in the design field in New York. She began in 1993 as an associate in the legendary Lexington Avenue boutique of designer Charlotte Moss. She spent several years as a senior designer in the firm of Barbara Hauben Ross, a well-known New York designer who specializes in refined, luxury Art Deco interiors. During this tenure Biery honed her skill not only in historical and architectural renovation, but also, specifically, in the edited simplicity of early modern color, shape, and structure. The experience has given her a quietly pared-down viewpoint to balance more embellished, traditional environments.
Biery returned permanently to Wilmington in 2000 and established her own firm, deVignier Design, Inc. She works in restoration as well as new construction, and remains committed to the personal attention of a studio practice where she is fully involved from inception to installation with every assignment. “These are people who are sharing their lives with me, who will often spend a number of years with me on a project,” she says. “If I do my job right, the relationship is as lasting as the work, and the resulting house will look like the homeowners, not me.”
Connect with Renee Biery
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:
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
Other Shows Mentioned:
#16- Charles Pavarini: Behind the Scenes of the Architectural Digest Design Show 2016
#305- Elizabeth Scruggs: The Things I Learned From A Well-Designed Business.
#380- Circle Design Studio: Architect & Interior Design Firm: John & Theresa Dorlini
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Mydoma studio, the project management tool for you to organize your communication with your team, your clients and your trades. Invoices, proposals, presentations, project milestones all in one place. See it for yourself- go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today is Window Treatment Friday, and we are debuting part 4 of our Pricing Window Treatment Series. Vita is back with some great tools that she has learned to use when pricing a window treatment to a consumer.
Today, we are talking about how to breakdown your pricing for a client. How much detail do you include? How do you explain labor, fabric, hardware, and installation costs? We talk about it all! Tune in to learn how to have this tough conversation like a pro.
Vita is the CEO and founder of Vitalia Inc., a nationally recognized authority on quality window treatments and soft furnishings, located in the Metro Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania. Vitalia Inc. is your workroom and your partner for custom window treatments. Their mission is to provide value to their clients and improve their lives.
Vita would love to talk to you. Share your feedback, questions, problems, and challenges with her, and also your wins. You can email her at vita@vitaliainc.com
The Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point
LuAnn Nigara and Friends Meet and Greet at High Point
Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
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Today With Jessica Davis:
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, Jessica Davis of JL Design in Nashville, Tennessee is joining me to share her tried and true strategies to hold clients accountable at the beginning, middle, and end of your project. We’ve all been on a tense phone call with a client about something not going their way. You think about all the ways this could have been avoided. Today Jessica shares her strategies to hold your clients, and yes sometimes even holding yourself accountable.
More About Jessica Davis:
Jessica Davis founded JL Design in 2005. She is a graduate of Watkins College of Art in Nashville Tennessee, and brings 18 years of Interior Design experience to the JL Design team.
“I knew I wanted to be involved in Design at a very young age, when I realized there were always new challenges to overcome. I have always been surrounded by the arts and I have always felt that my inner creativity would ultimately guide me in my career. I wanted to be a part of something that would allow me to work closely with people and enrich their lives through design. For me, Interior Design is defined by functional, unique, creativity tailored to each individual.”
With a degree in Interior Design, Jessica began consulting on Design projects in Middle Tennessee, and was soon being commissioned for jobs in New York, New Jersey, and Miami. JL Design’s reputation for innovative Interior Design solutions has made it a leader in its class.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to bring my devotion and energy to my clients every day, and forge relationships that I find so crucial when working in someone's home or personal space. There will always be a need for functional, progressive Interior Design, and I am committed to the art form and the evolving industry as it meets the needs of today.”
Carrie Flynn is the owner of Virtual Simplicity, LLC., which specializes in helping our clients get their online programs created, designed, and ready to launch with simplicity and ease, so they can launch + maximize profits fast. We offer custom funnel design + tech setup in Kajabi, and full launch management strategy/support. Carrie loves yoga, her daily coffee, British TV shows and movies, and college football (Go Gators!). She's been married to her husband for 17 years, and together they have two daughters, ages 13 and 5. Carrie lives in the Mount Dora, FL area with her family.
Connect with Jessica Davis
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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:
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
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Mydoma studio, the project management tool for you to organize your communication with your team, your clients and your trades. Invoices, proposals, presentations, project milestones all in one place. See it for yourself- go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness