A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today on A Well-Designed Business®: Have you been wondering if LuAnn Live 2021 is worth it? Well, on today’s episode I am going to address your concerns and tell you exactly why it’s worth it! What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Today with Charlotte Safavi & Robert Radifera: Photography experts Charlotte Safavi and Robert Radifera join us to talk about how they create publication-ready photography that tells the story of your space. Listen in as the dynamic duo guide us through the process of preparing the space and doing whatever has to be done to get the perfect shot. More About Charlotte Safavi & Robert Radifera: Stylish Productions (photo-stylist Charlotte Safavi and photographer Robert Radifera) is a holistic, boutique business dedicated to creating editorial-quality interior and architectural photography. We also offer design clients related services, such as logo, website, branding, social media, and marketing support. Between us (me and Robert), our work has been published in many magazines, including House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Southern Home, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cottages & Bungalows, HGTV Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, and more. Connect with Charlotte Safavi & Robert Radifera: Website Instagram What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Mydoma gives you one spot for orders, invoicing, online payments, design package creation, product sourcing, time tracking, and even a client portal. You can stay on top of your design businesses and go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.

Today with Dwayne Bergmann: Dwayne Bergmann switched from a corporate career to launch a design firm because he loves to design. With a growing team and 40 active projects, how does he ensure he’s still doing the design work he loves? Dwayne guides us through the detailed structure, activities and deliverables he uses to allow him to manage a 13-person team while still staying close to the creative. Pick it apart: [21:57] Dwayne compares developing and executing business processes to the process of creating and editing a design project [33:01] Dwayne explains how he directs his designers and oversees the design process [49:07] Dwayne talks about how he controls the firm’s priorities [1:02:30] Dwayne walks through the activities and deliverables of his structured design project management system LuAnn and Dwayne Bergmann’s Ah-Ha moments: “I’m managing reports, not transactions.” - Dwayne Bergman “Having a detailed organizational process is what allows us to be creative.” - Dwayne Bergman “The structure allows the creativing to flow uninterrupted.” - Dwayne Bergman “Don’t spoon feed your team. They have to be capable of making decisions and becoming effective leaders.” - Dwayne Bergman More About Dwayne Bergmann: Dwayne Bergmann Interiors is a renowned design firm driven by an inherent mission to create ideal backdrops for the lives his clients want to live. Founder and principal Dwayne Bergmann and his team value discovery, creativity and human interaction, and use these three as the jumping-off point for their evolved and highly tailored designs. They connect. They listen. They then use this information to design with abandon, taking risks and tearing down the walls of what’s possible to create spaces that are as authentic and dynamic as the individuals for whom they are designing. Founded in 2013 and based in South Florida, with offices in Fort Myers and Naples, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors specializes in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects, from architecture and interiors to full-service design-build, throughout the United States, Canada, South America and the Bahamas. His projects have enlivened the pages of countless publications, including Luxe Interiors + Design, East Coast Home + Design, Gulfshore Life, and Naples Illustrated, among others. Inspired by art, nature and the visual curiosities of both the everyday and the extraordinary, Bergmann is known for his inventive kitchen and bath concepts, as well as his custom furniture designs. His ultimate goals is to have his clients walk into their Dwayne Bergmann Interiors—designed home and feel as if they can’t believe they get to live there. Connect with Dwayne Bergmann Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com 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 Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Mydoma gives you one spot for orders, invoicing, online payments, design package creation, product sourcing, time tracking, and even a client portal. You can stay on top of your design businesses and go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.

Today with Sal Campitello of East End Interiors : Today on the show I sit down with Sal Campitello of East End Interiors, a trade furniture showroom for designers. With 30 years in business, everyone at East End is dedicated not only to providing quality furnishings that designers can offer their clients, but an immersive partnership full of education, assistance, trust, and value. Tune in to hear an insider look at the design trade furniture industry and how you can get more out of it. More About Sal Campitello: For over a decade, Salvatore Campitiello of East End Interiors has been a local industry leader in the interior design field. After serving as President of the Long Island Chapter of the Interior Design Society, Sal realized the importance of investing his time in talking about effective business strategies with both existing and future interior designers. Sal’s excellent reputation as an entrepreneur, problem solver, and business advisor has led the talented East End Interiors team to create an incomparable Designer Showroom experience, exclusively to the trade. Family is what makes East End Interiors special. Founded by Rosalba Campitiello over 30 years ago, she was later joined by her husband Nick and two of their children, Enza and Sal. Together, with a dedicated staff, designers have the support of an experienced team behind them. This unique model is centered on the success of the interior designer. Visit eastendinteriors.com to learn more Connect with East End Interiors Website Instagram Facebook What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Other Shows Mentioned: #557 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO Mindset #554 Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale for Profit #504 Eric Ross: Operating His Design Firm Like a Retail Store #482 Cheryl Clendenon: Small Business, Think Big

Today with Melissa Leclair: In five years, self-taught interior designer Melissa Leclair and husband Sacha have created Leclair Decor, an Ottawa-based full-service design firm with a 10,000sf showroom and an expansive e-commerce store. Melissa shares how they built their business and their team of 45 in a heavily digital environment and how important going with your gut and having a commitment to communication and constant improvement really is in the design industry. Pick it apart: [11:40] Melissa reviews her design team makeup [19:27] Melissa shares how her business started as a side hustle [32:09] Melissa and LuAnn review the business roles of Melissa and husband, Sacha [38:00] Melissa reveals her design project onboarding process [49:49] Melissa talks about how her team does virtual presentations LuAnn and Melissa Leclair’s Ah-Ha moments: "Every time you think you have lots of space, it quickly gets eaten up—always plan for more." - Melissa Leclair "You can never be too heavy on communication." - Melissa Leclair "If you want to have market share, you’ve got to get out there and get it." - Melissa Leclair “The Pretty” More About Melissa Leclair: Leclair Decor is an Ottawa-based full service residential design firm founded and co-owned by husband and wife team Sacha and Melissa Leclair. The business (just a side hustle at first) began in 2011, after we bought and revamped our first home and started receiving inquiries from friends and family about decorating services for their spaces. Since then, the company has evolved into a full-fledged residential design firm, with a principal focus on high end remodels and new builds. Though we are based in Ottawa, Canada our talented design team now serves clients across North America, using industry-leading software and embracing all modern means of digital communication to work seamlessly with homeowners throughout Canada and the US. LD Shoppe is the retail store of Leclair Decor, a husband and wife owned residential design firm based out of Ottawa, Canada. Our decorating & design business has been rapidly growing over the past few years and to better serve our clients we decided to open a store to showcase our favourite products from our favourite manufacturers. In September 2017 we opened our first brick and mortar showroom to compliment our online offerings. In December 2018 we opened a new 4200 sq ft location at the Ottawa Trainyards. 2019 saw us expand our showroom to just under 10000 sq ft. Why shop with us? Think of us as your local mom and pop shop, of the internet. We're a small family owned business and we strive to provide personalized customer service. We're passionate about well designed, stylish and practical long lasting furniture, rugs, art, lighting, and decor. We use the products we showcase on this site ourselves and recommend them to clients. We're confident you'll love them too! Connect with Melissa LeClair Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Revel Woods runs their wood flooring business with a commitment to continual improvement and problem solving. They’ve created a system that serves to provide designers with a 24/7 digital flooring expert. If you need advice on what woods are right for your client’s climate, lifestyle, and budget, just go do revelwoods.com/revel-wood-selector, enter your specs and they’ll provide you with filtered options that will work perfectly for your project. You’ll also want to set up your design account at revelwoods.com/pro-account to receive benefits reserved for the trade.

Today with Dr. Colleen Mullen: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®! On today’s episode, Dr. Colleen Mullen is here to discuss ways to relate to our employees in times of chaos. Dr. Colleen is a therapist, podcaster, author, and media, guest expert. She is the founder of the Coaching Through Chaos private practice and podcast and the author of the empowering book for women, “The 60-Day Plan for Embracing Your Inner Leader.” She’s known for her unique application of chaos theory to understanding the process of change. Tune in to hear what she has to say about inspiring and leading when your employees might be struggling. More About Dr. Colleen Mullen: Dr. Colleen Mullen, Psy.D, LMFT is a therapist, podcaster, author, media guest expert, as well as a popular guest blogger. She is known for her unique application of chaos theory to understanding the process of change. Dr. Colleen is the founder of the Coaching Through Chaos private practice and podcast in San Diego. She’s the author of the empowering book for women, “The 60-Day Plan for Embracing Your Inner Leader”. She has been quoted or interviewed for over 200 articles or stories for magazines, podcast, radio and print outlets including Fortune, PsychCentral, Martha Stewart Weddings, NBC, Glamour, The New York Post, The Washington Post and many more. Connect with Dr. Colleen Mullen Website Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Podcast Patreon Book Listeners can download my book: The 60-Day Plan for Embracing Your Inner leader for free at https://1drv.ms/b/s!AuqjTBFPkHqMhZgbQgztXrKwExEE3A What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Mydoma is your designer toolkit that keeps you organized, even through the chaos. Their workflow software helps you organize design projects from beginning to end. And with a thriving design community, you’ll never feel like you’re facing business organization on your own. You can start your free trial today to see the difference for yourself. Go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness. Other Shows Mentioned: #588 What Would Lu Do: Leading your Business Through an Unprecedented Growth Spurt

Today with Jenna Gaidusek: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®. Today, I’m diving into the world of e-design with Jenna Gaidusek. She built her online firm to generate passive income and take control of her time back. But as we all know, passive income takes planning and work. Jenna’s giving us an inside look at her system and tips for how all designers can make it work for them! Pick it apart: [7:13] Jenna talks about the approach it takes to attract clients online [12:52] Jenna shares a detailed breakdown of the process she recommends for designers that want to create online income [15:20] LuAnn and Jenna talk about writer’s block and a simple hack to help overcome it when writing your blog posts [23:38] Jenna discusses how to get traction to your blog using online style quizzes [33:17] Jenna dives into the benefits of “The E-Design Tribe,” her online community for those interested in the e-design world LuAnn and Jenna Gaidusek’s Ah-Ha moments: “You wanted to manage and control the time you spend, so you actively worked to put processes and systems in place to execute online design.” -LuAnn “What we do needs to be conveyed visually for people who might not have the vision like we do in our head to be able to actually see it.” -Jenna “I know this is a lot of work, but it’s work that gets done to a certain extent once, then re-tweaked and revised.” -LuAnn More About Jenna Gaidusek: Jenna Gaidusek eDesign Tribe Inc founder, eDesign U, Jenna Gaidusek Designs Jenna founded the eDesign Tribe Facebook group in July 2018 with the goal to provide her unique virtual design experience and skills to a community of like-minded industry professionals. Her goal was to create an encouraging space for virtual design to thrive and prosper. Though she has a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, she believes eDesign isn’t limited to those with a list of credentials after your name but instead, how different industry members adapt their unique business to the online world. Now with 5+ years of eDesign exclusive offerings ranging from 1:1 clients to online courses and passive income, Jenna thinks outside the box for the industry’s future and shares ALL her knowledge with the eDesign Tribe community and her students through eDesign U. She is striving to change the stigma of remote design to show designers that eDesign (AKA electronic Design) can mean a variety of things and can be adapted to any interior design industry business model as a way to streamline processes, make extra income or produce exceptional visual presentations for clients near and far. Connect with Jenna Gaidusek Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn What's new with LuAnn Nigara We are having a party! Join us for the live launch of our newest book on December 10th, at 6:30PM EST!! Did I mention It’s a FREE event? RSVP here! Luannlive.com 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 Book 3: coming soon! Join us for a free book launch party on December 10th, at 6:30PM EST! RSVP here! Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Mydoma Studio is your complete interior designer toolkit; workflow software to organize design projects from beginning to end and a thriving design community. No matter where your client or team is located, work remotely or in-person seamlessly! You can get started at signup.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness. Other Shows Mentioned: #209 Savour Partnership - Why You Need to Build an Email List #458 Power Talk Friday – Savour Partnership: Designing Wealth Into Your Business #611 Seasonal Living: An Interior Design Virtual Showhouse Like No Other #466 Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What? #418 Power Talk Friday: Sarah Durnez- Hiring an Interior Design VA Professional

Today with Alex and Michelle Gage: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®! Today, I’m joined by Alex and Michelle Gage of Michelle Gage Interiors. When Alex saw Michelle struggling to get a clear picture of her financials, this engineer built a nice piece of software for her! Today, you’ll find out what this talented and numbers-driven interior designer was missing from her extensive Excel sheets and how it came in handy when Covid hit. More About Alex and Michelle Gage: Business Measurements grew alongside Michelle Gage Interiors as I watched Michelle evolve in the business to more complicated and detailed finances. I saw her spend hours in Excel keeping tabs on the figures and knew there was a better way. Computers are smarter than this. I paid attention to her common inefficiencies and built Excel and internet tools to automatically do the work for her. No more exporting data from your customer tracking software (Ivy/MyDoma) or Quickbooks. Once we had this baseline built there were SO many new insightful data views we had access to - projections, trends, open PO $, spend per vendor etc. This was a little slice of big business intelligence catered to the growing interior designer. Now Business Measurements is a subscription service with expert account setup that automatically gives the designer a day to day financial dashboard to fill the gaps between Ivy/MyDoma reporting and Quickbooks. Connect with Alex and Michelle Gage: Business Measurements for Designers Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: Mydoma helps you get paid, generate design packages, create proposals, and both purchase and workroom orders. That’s not all, it also helps with product sourcing, time tracking, and even has a client portal. Find out more about Sara and Tom’s amazingly helpful software by visiting https://www.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness

Today with Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business!® Today, I’m joined by two amazing ladies, Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole. When I hear Joann and Kelly talk, and I listen to the way they describe their business, the phrase “a well-oiled machine” comes to mind. But it hardly seems big enough to describe how fine-tuned every step of their process is. Today, they’re sharing some of the secrets behind their success, focusing on the onboarding process and how they carry new clients from initial interest to writing that check! Pick it apart: [10:20] Joann and Kelly reveal their “secret weapon” for intake conversations, and share why having trusted staff members makes all the difference [19:05] Kelly explains how their qualifying process allows them to approach their consultation with confidence [23:40] Joann and Kelly share why their system for measuring at the consultation [35:48] Joann, Kelly, and LuAnn discuss the “Client Binder” and how it allows for a smooth transition into the next steps of the process [43:48] LuAnn, Joann, and Kelly discuss why it’s important to get the proposal done within three days Ah-Ha moments from LuAnn, Joann, and Kelly: “We’ve done enough qualifying on the front end that we do not walk in treating [the consultation] as a meet and greet. We walk in with the approach that we are now working together. You are going to hire us to move forward.” -Kelly “The proposal is a lot about repeating everything the client said back to them.” -Kelly “Anytime I see a designer lamenting that a client has pushed them back on their value, I just say, “You didn’t express it.” Because what you do is so difficult and so highly-detailed that if you can make it clear to a consumer what that is, how could they debate the value of it?” -LuAnn “This is the theme that keeps emerging. You’re listening to your clients and making sure they are understood by you, and then you’re consistently creating conversations, opportunities, and presentations all through your process that keeps reinforcing, “This is what we heard you say.” -LuAnn More About Kandrac and Kole: Voted one of Atlanta’s Top 20 Residential Interior Designs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Kandrac & Kole has been featured on HGTV as well as in The New York Times, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Home Magazine and many others as well as participants of the One Room Challenge Spring 2020. Kandrac & Kole has established a well known reputation for their approachable, dynamic personalities, their signature use of color and pattern and their one of a kind, custom designs. As industry experts for residential and commercial design, Joann Kandrac & Kelly Kole share upbeat and entertaining narratives regarding their design projects, travels and personal stories on their popular blog, their podcast Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole and via national speaking engagements. Joann and Kelly’s love and commitment to the power of interior design also extends towards their charity work throughout the U.S. and Guatemala. Connect with Kandrac and Kole Website Podcast Instagram Facebook Pinterest Twitter LinkedIn Youtube What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to today’s podcast sponsor: Mydoma Studio is the complete designer toolkit—a place for you to manage all of your projects. Mydoma Studio is bringing in a Black Friday deal that you cannot miss out on! From November 26th, all the way up to the 30th, you can get 25% off your annual subscription of Mydoma Studio - which works out to a whole 4 months free! There’s no sale bigger than this, so head on over to mydomastudio.com/blackfriday to get this steal of a deal! Other Shows Mentioned: #482 Cheryl Clendenon: Small Business, Think Big#492 Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success

Today with Brad Leavitt: Welcome to Power Talk Friday! Luann welcomes Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction back on the show today. This time, Brad is here to talk about the resistance designers might face from clients and builders in the design-build process. He’s going to teach you how to convey the value you bring to the table to overcome those objections, as well as how to price a build project. Pick it apart: 23:35 Brad talks about the importance of showing the ROI to clients in hiring a designer 29:57 Luann and Brad discuss why designers need to be able to “ball park” the cost of a building project from the beginning 37:19 Brad gives tips on how to use social media to network and educate yourself about current market values in the build process 48:20 Brad dives into how to persuade reluctant builders that you can bring market value to the table as a designer More About Brad Leavitt: Brad Leavitt is President of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC, a luxury residential and commercial builder located in Scottsdale, AZ. His Podcast, “The AFT Construction Podcast”, is focused on bringing value to its listeners, no matter their industry. The topics are focused on marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, organization, building science and construction. Brad is an ambassador for many national brands and an energetic public speaker. Brad was born and raised in San Diego, CA as the oldest of 6 children. He grew up in the Construction industry and worked as an electrician throughout High School for Grove Electric with his 2 uncles. They did remodels and new home builds all over San Diego, but mostly on Coronado Island and in Rancho Santa Fe. Upon HS Graduation, he was accepted to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management. Brad accepted an offer in 2005 with Trend Homes, a local production home builder in Phoenix, AZ. He worked 1 year as a superintendent before accepting a dream job building custom homes. Rowland Luxury Homes hired Brad in 2006 and immediately he was assigned to be a Project Manager at the 350MM Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. Brad oversaw the construction and completion of 34 Custom homes that ranged between 2-4MM each. After completion of the 34 custom homes, he then assisted with the completion of the hotel guest rooms, arrival zone, lodge and spa. After Montelucia was complete, Brad worked on numerous other residential and commercial projects in the greater Phoenix Area. In March 2013, Brad was ready to begin his own company and officially started A Finer Touch Construction, also known throughout social media as AFT Construction. AFT has continued their rapid growth this past 7 years and has been fortunate to win numerous build awards for its work. AFT Construction offers a wide variety of services including: Multi family, commercial, residential, tenant improvement, retail and medical. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability and quality. Brad is married to Ashley Leavitt. Together, they have 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy. Brad is active with all 6 of his children, serves in his local community, and loves all sports Connect with Brad Leavitt Podcast is “The AFT Construction Podcast" Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to today’s podcast sponsors: Kravet is a reliable trade partner whether you are sourcing fabric, wallpaper, trim, rugs, furniture and of course, with Curated Kravet.com you also have lighting and accessories. If you haven't opened your trade account yet, go to Kravet.com It’s so easy to get started, go to kravet.com Mydoma Studio is the complete designer toolkit—a place for you to manage all of your projects. Mydoma Studio is bringing in a Black Friday deal that you cannot miss out on! From November 26th, all the way up to the 30th, you can get 25% off your annual subscription of Mydoma Studio - which works out to a whole 4 months free! There’s no sale bigger than this, so head on over to mydomastudio.com/blackfriday to get this steal of a deal! Other Shows Mentioned: #580 Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Two “B” Words: Budget & Builders #560 Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Design Book #542 Brad Leavitt: AFT Construction: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process # 483 Power Talk Friday: Wendy Cohen: PowerHo

Today with Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business!® Today, I sat down with Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas. Dennese has worked in both the residential and commercial sides of the industry, but has recently drawn a line in the sand—she’s only working with general contractors who value and respect her as a designer. But how do you get to that point? How do you build those relationships with general contractors? How do you bring your expertise to the table? How do you prove your value? That’s what we’re talking about today! Pick it apart: [7:24] Dennese shares her story of transitioning her business during a recession, determined not to close her doors [22:10] LuAnn and Dennese break down the unique challenges of the window treatment business and why you need great partners as a designer [30:30] Dennese explains how she positions herself as a unique expert when dealing with general contractors [40:40] Dennese highlights some of the moving parts in the commercial world that designers might not know about [48:50] LuAnn and Dennese discuss the difficulties and challenges Black designers face Ah-Ha moments from LuAnn and Dennese: “I want to deal with general contractors who understand what I bring to the table as a designer.” -Dennese “The other people are just trying to deliver you a product. I’m trying to use my artistic eye to make sense of what’s trying to be translated into that window.” -Dennese “We sell people, not product. We don’t reduce ourselves to a commodity. We sell our value and what we personally bring to the table.” -LuAnn “[When working with contractors,] most of the time, you have to be willing to carry the bank on the job...if you don’t have the operating capital to be able to tide over a $50,000 project and carry it over 60-90 days, it could bankrupt your business.” -LuAnn “The Pretty” More About Dennese: Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas began her career in the design field in 1991 and holds an A.A. in Interior Design from Bauder College in Miami, Florida. Although Dennese resides in the Washington Metropolitan area, her projects have taken her from coast to coast to include the Caribbean. Her motto is consistent and simple: “Maintain authenticity in style and texture, atmosphere is everything...” She brings over twenty years of experience and versatility that comes from dealing with a diversity of projects in both commercial and residential settings. Dennese brings her sense of elegance and impeccable eye for detail to each project. She possesses both the technical and interpersonal skills needed to manage and oversee the entire scope of the design/construction process. These crucial skills make Dennese a true asset to both project and client. Due to her hands-on approach, she is always refining each design until all the details are met with the proper balance in the creative aspect of each project. She describes her relationships with each client as paramount, and her goal is to assist in creating a home that fits the client’s persona, lifestyle and values. The philosophy behind Interiors by Design is the creation of a woman- and black-owned design company that blends the individual's needs and desires with experience and talent to create a stunning home environment. Dennese offers a robust reference list with an impressive portfolio of homes in the Metropolitan area throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. Dennese strongly feels that two crucial factors in the client-designer relationship are mutual respect and trust. The client needs to trust the designer, which makes him/her open to professional suggestions. In turn, the designer needs to show the respect due to a client by listening and giving full credence to their desire and goals, both of which are primary. The trust factor is always key. Her clients trust that they will be guided in the right direction, one that adheres to sound design principles while adding that touch of magic. Connect with Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to today’s podcast sponsors: Kirsch is at the forefront of innovation when it comes to window treatments. They’ve been an industry leader in drapery hardware for more than one hundred years, and they also have a custom window coverings program. They also provide great resources to educate the design community to help educate you about their product so that you can properly e

Today with Angela Kristen Taylor: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®! On today’s episode, I talk to productivity expert Angela Kristen Taylor. Angela is an integrative productivity expert who helps ambitious entrepreneurs and sales professionals overcome their own internal chaos so they can create the life and business they want. She’s also the creator of The Limitless Collaborative, a one-of-a-kind virtual reality community for entrepreneurs, business professionals, and creators, to work together, learn together, and grow together. Tune in to hear what Angela has to say about unlocking productivity by starting with your emotions and experiences. More About Angela Kristen Taylor: Angela Kristen Taylor is an integrative productivity expert who helps ambitious entrepreneurs and sales professionals overcome their own internal chaos so they can create the life and business they want. She’s a licensed realtor, certified spiritual healer, integrative nutrition health coach, mom to five kids (and two giant dogs), Disney cartoon & super-hero aficionado, and the creator of The Limitless Collaborative, a one-of-a-kind virtual reality community for entrepreneurs, business professionals, and creators to work together, learn together, and grow together. Connect with Angela Kristen Taylor The Limitless Collaborative Website Productive Souls Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kravet: Have you checked out their innovative program, Kravet ICreate? It makes it easier than ever to customize your furniture. You can design chests, tables, ottomans, benches, beds, and upholstery in just a few clicks on Kravet.com. is the best software platform out there for organizing your design business. Time tracking, quick books integration, client and vendor communications. Create efficiencies and take back your time. Designed by an interior designer for interior designers. Get 20% off your 1st 3 months when you go to mydomastdudio.com/awelldesigendbusiness. 20% off your 1st 3 months! Monogram is committed to redefining the world of luxury appliances, which they believe comes down to every little detail. Monogram isn’t just focused on providing the best luxury appliances. They are also determined to provide the best resources to support their trade partners, with a national support team dedicated to offering assistance to designers. Learn more at monogram.com/luann Other Shows Mentioned: #577 Power Talk Friday: Amber De La Garza, LuAnn is in the “Productivity” Hot Seat #385 Power Talk Friday: Amber De La Garza: The Productivity Specialist

Today with Jennifer Stoner: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®! Today, I sat down with interior designer Jennifer Stoner. Litigator turned interior designer? How’s that for a career change? Jennifer shows us how she uses skills she honed as a lawyer to guide her clients through their design project. She uses simple if/then logic as a powerful tool to get her clients to see how all the components of the project fit into the big picture! More About Jennifer Stoner: Jennifer Stoner is an award-winning interior designer specializing in creating beautiful "Conception to Completion" design projects for discerning clients. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Jennifer’s services have now expanded to projects across the country. Whether in the process of building a new home, tackling a renovation or transforming your interiors, Jennifer and her team provide high-level services to both manage project details and effectively execute a plan of action. Jennifer's talents have also been proven in the commercial realm, creating sophisticated and welcoming public spaces. Jennifer’s passion is evident in the new construction or renovation process. She enjoys being an integral member of the client’s design-build team from the very beginning, believing that the collaborative efforts of the architect, builder and interior designer will ultimately lead to the smoothest process for her clients and the best possible finished product. Jennifer has also established a reputation for showmanship by adding jewelry in the way of sophisticated furnishings, beautiful window treatments, luxurious rugs and all of the details that elevate a home’s presence. Jennifer’s clients have included a vast array of entrepreneurs, physicians, attorneys, developers, celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs. Her work has been featured on HGTV and TLC, as well as been published in several shelter magazines such as Traditional Home Magazine, Home & Design Magazine, Richmond Magazine and R-Home Magazine, among others. She has been named as one of America's Top 100 Influencers in the Design Industry. Connect with Jennifer Stoner Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Mydoma is the best software platform out there for organizing your design business. Time tracking, quick books integration, client and vendor communications. Create efficiencies and take back your time. Designed by an interior designer for interior designers. Get 20% off your 1st 3 months when you go to mydomastdudio.com/awelldesigendbusiness. 20% off your 1st 3 months! Monogram now has virtual training on their products - these are one hour product demonstrations so you can get a feel for the product, become the expert on it, and determine if it’s a good fit for your projects. Learn more by going to Monogram.com/luann. Other Shows Mentioned: #594 Reena Philpot #454, #547 Jamie Lieberman #6 Erika Ward #203, 330, 601 Darla Powell #8 Barbara Ostrom

Today with Seasonal Living: Welcome to A Well Designed Business! Today, I meet with two design industry powerhouses, Gary Pettitt of Seasonal Living and Leslie Carothers of Savour Partnership. Seasonal Living is an award-winning Texas-based manufacturer of modern indoor/outdoor furniture, lighting, planters, and decorative accessories. Gary is also the publisher of Seasonal Living, a consumer-facing digital lifestyle magazine. Gary recently teamed up with Leslie, a marketing professional, to help him create the world’s first luxury virtual showhouse featuring both augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities. You may know Leslie! She has been on the show twice before, and when she told me about this virtual showhouse, I was hooked. Listen to today’s episode to hear Gary and Leslie explain what this showhouse experience is all about and how we can get in on the fun launch party that’s coming up very soon! More about Seasonal Living Virtual Showhouse Here’s the information you to join in the fun: Register for FREE to attend the virtual showhouse by visiting Bit.ly/DesignerShowhouse or SeasonalLiving.com/designer-showhouse-registration. To put an ad in the showhouse edition of Seasonal Living digital magazine, email [email protected]. And you’ll want to get your free subscription to Seasonal Living magazine at SeasonalLiving.com/BonusMag. I will be hosting this amazing event, and I’d love to see you there too! We start at 6 pm Eastern on December 3rd, 2020. It will only be about 30-45 minutes and after this launch party, we’ll have the opportunity to tour the full virtual showhouse and see what our talented friends have been up to. See you there! Connect with Seasonal Living Register for Designer Virtual Showhouse Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube Other Shows Mentioned: #32 #540 #242 #20 #568 #406 #55 #214 #441 #50 #6 #278 #148 #526 #329 #452

Today with Vita Vygovska and LuAnn Nigara Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Window Treatment Friday! In today’s episode, LuAnn and her friend and co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, are doing something a little different. Today, LuAnn and Vita are answering listener questions. That's right, they are teaming up to bring you DOUBLE the expertise and answer window treatment questions they have been receiving from listeners! More about Vita Vygovska Vita is the award-winning window treatment specialist. Her company, Vitalia, Inc, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management service exclusively for interior designers. In business for over a decade, Vita and her team are experts in their narrow field, providing designers with superb quality product and excellent communication. Most importantly, they take off the stress, save time, and give peace of mind in the job is well-done. Connect with Vita Vygovska Website Instagram Facebook What's new with LuAnn Nigara Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kirsch has been in business for more than 100 years! There are so many tried and true products of theirs that I still trust and choose over and over again after all these years. Go to Kirsch.com, find your local distributor, and get your catalogs and samples so you can specify Kirsch for your next project. Article makes it easy for you to help your clients get their office, bedroom, dining room, or outdoor space looking beautiful. Sign up for your trade acct today at welldesigned.article.com

Today with Lisa Haude: Lisa Haude founded Paradigm Design Group in 2001. In 2020, Lisa rebranded her Houston six-person hospitality design firm to become PDG Studios and created a new luxury residential design division named Bella’s Studio. Put yourself in Lisa’s shoes. You are revving up for a big rebrand, and then the unthinkable happens. You find yourself in the midst of a global pandemic! Lisa’s story is like so many designers and business owners in the year 2020. It is a story of the dedication and resilience of a business owner in the face of unexpected, and unprecedented events. You’ll want to hear what prompted her rebrand, what she did about launching her new divisions once the pandemic hit, and what guided her through it all. More About Lisa Haude: Lisa A. Haude founded PDG Studios (formerly Paradigm Design Group) in 2001 and continues to prove that she is one of the top industry leaders in her field. A storyteller in her own right, Lisa creates truly one-of-a-kind spaces that speak authentically to the lifestyles and cultures of the clients PDG Studios designs for, celebrating unique histories all around the US. Known for her creative and unique approach to design, as well as her admirable ability to lead her team with grace, she and her team create memorable spaces that evoke beauty, luxury and comfort, and a sense of familiarity, seamlessly bridging the gap between hospitality and home life. Connect with Lisa Haude: Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What's New with LuAnn Nigara: Luannlive.com luannnigara.com/launch eileenbhahn.com/designers 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Mydoma Studio brings you orders, invoices and online payments, design packages, product sourcing, time tracking, and even a client portal. Go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness to start your free trial. Jaipur Living offers the finest handmade rugs in a variety of price points. Jaipur Living is committed to the craftsmanship and artfulness of handmade rugs, and to keeping the age-old art alive. Register here to become a design partner.

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s guest is Chris Wallace, co-founder, and President of InnerView, a marketing consulting firm that helps companies align their brand and product stories with their customer-facing teams. Chris truly believes in providing value to your clients by meeting their needs and making their lives better, and getting all of your industry partners on board with that idea, or finding partners that already are. Listen in to hear what Chris has to say about leveraging those industry partnerships to do that, so that the customer experience is a focus at every single level. Chris is the Co-Founder and President of InnerView, a marketing consulting firm that helps companies align their brand and product stories with their customer-facing teams. At InnerView, Chris draws from his nearly 20 years of sales, marketing, and corporate leadership to help companies engage their frontline teams in new ways, producing improved customer experiences and better financial results. Beyond his work with clients, Chris is able to apply his passions as a teacher and thought leader. He has taught as an adjunct MBA professor at Temple’s Fox School of Business and has been published in outlets such as Harvard Business Review and Ad Age. He was also recently named to the Forbes Agency Council. Chris received a B.A. in Public Relations from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and an MBA from Temple University. He lives outside Philadelphia with his family. Show Highlights: Chris’s passion is to get the entire value-chain, or industry, focused on the end user, which is the customer. Chris illustrates his perspective with a story around his brother and sister-in-law. There are two approaches to sales and marketing: the “old” product-focused way, and the “21st Century Sales and Marketing” way, which goes beyond the product you offer and focuses on providing value to your clients by meeting their needs and making their lives better. Chris addresses how designers benefit from asking for this better way of marketing from their brands. Chris shares his philosophy on belief, confidence, and pride. “21st Century Sales and Marketing” is about making your client’s life be easier, it’s about helping them be more successful, and it’s about understanding their needs. Designers should communicate what their needs are by documenting what they’re wanting to deliver to the customer, and helping to educate their industry partners on how they can help with this process. Ask for the things that are going to help make you successful! Chris’s strategies on assessing the industry partners you’re doing business with. Chris shares his thoughts and tips on virtual consultations, how augmented reality can be leveraged to drive better design, and other fascinating tools of the trade. Old-school isn’t cutting it anymore because you can’t meet the modern customer’s needs. Exciting Windows is one of LuAnn’s forward-thinking vendors. Connect with Chris! Website Instagram LinkedIn Links / Resources: Hey, window treatment friends! Learn more about Exciting Windows and tell the Steves that LuAnn sent you! Process Leads to Profits - Kicking Off November 4, 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages, and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Investment: $2195 Register HERE! Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kravet’s popular visualization tool is now available on Lee Jofa Workroom furniture! Get started on building your custom pieces at kravet Leejofa. Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch Episodes mentioned: John Dupra #329

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Sara Brennan rejoins the show today and she’s going to be sharing how she is managing the recent influx of new clients as she scales her business, how very critical organization is to the process, and a breakdown of the services she offers. We’ll also be touching on her upcoming Process Leads to Profit course, so please join us for some great takeaway ideas to streamline your own business and to learn more about how you can really drill down into what Sara calls “the Four P’s of design: Processes, Partnerships, Packages, and Profits”, to take YOUR profits to the next level. Sara is a co-author in the upcoming second volume of A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts. She is an entrepreneur, CEO, and Principal Interior Designer at Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors. Sara has become the first and only full-service interior design firm in Waxhaw, North Carolina, who specializes in Transitional Designs, where she and her design-build team take spaces from Bare Bones to Beautiful by utilizing her exclusive, approachable, and stress-free design process, transforming and renovating homes from start to finish. Sara’s design work has been nationally published six times in the last year including publications such as Romantic Homes, Traditional Home, Window Fashion Vision, and Cottages and Bungalows, who recently offered her a role as a monthly columnist. She’s also been noticed as a rising star among colleagues in the design industry being invited as a guest on podcasts, as a panelist at High Point Market, and as a host and speaker at local design events and shows. Show Highlights: Sara has developed a mapped-out process that not only gets compliments from her clients, but she’s even had clients asking her to consult with THEIR clients! Sara details how her clients are set up with the different levels of design services she offers, as not everyone wants or can afford full-service design. A storyboard with different designs and a discussion with what the client hates or loves about them is one unique system that Sara uses. Having the numbers conversation upfront is super important. Sara addresses how to respond to client trust issues. How to stop clients from ‘shopping’ you. Sara’s business model has two sources of revenue: the design fee and the furnishings as a retailer. Sara’s tips when speaking to vendors. Reverse-engineering to make sure that you can be profitable with your model will instill confidence in how you speak to people and what you’re able to offer them. Connect with Sara! Website Instagram Facebook Links : Process Leads to Profits - Kicking Off November 4, 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Investment: $2195 Register HERE! Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other shows mentioned: #524 #514 #463

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest is Phoebe Oldrey. Phoebe is the founder of Smartstyle Interiors based in the UK. Oftentimes, designers feel like they can’t niche down, thinking that will close the door on all the other possibilities out there. When Phoebe reached the point in her career where she felt the desperate drive to do something different with design, she came to realize that design wasn’t just about aesthetics or creating beautiful spaces, but that it opens opportunities to create holistic, life-altering spaces for clients. So, Phoebe did the next practical thing: she niched down, rebranded, and started focusing on the projects that truly made her happy. Let’s hear what Phoebe has to say about holistic design, niching, and following your passion in your business. Phoebe is the founder of Smartstyle Interiors, an innovative interior design studio which takes a holistic approach. In 2017, after 15 years in the industry and tired of being asked what the next tread was, Phoebe decided to take an approach to her designs that not only balances how a space works and what it looks like, but also asks “How does it make us feel”. Believing that only when we get the balance right between Function, Aesthetics and Emotions will we create amazing places people are happy in. This led to her TEDx talk “Interior design is about more than wallpaper and bean bags” and numerous speaking opportunities where she shares her passion for putting people at the front of design. Show Highlights: Talent is a gift, but it is not something that automatically opens doors for you. Phoebe discusses the skills that are needed to be successful in the industry. Phoebe shares the circumstances surrounding her desire to do more profound work. Biophilic design is a study of human beings’ relationship to nature. Niching can be very scary, but since Phoebe wasn’t doing work that she was in love with, she decided to go in a different direction. More people than ever have been interested in holistic design for their work and living spaces for the health benefits since the coronavirus event lockdowns. Holistic interior design focuses on more than just the aesthetics. It also: compliments a client’s lifestyle habits is designed to support the circadian rhythm makes the client FEEL GOOD to be in this space Designers should stop being scared of what’s unique, because what’s unique is amazing! Your niche should be made up of your own authentic passion and drive. Everything is connected: we shape our houses, and our houses shape us. Connect with Phoebe! Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Phoebe's TEDx Talk Online Course – “Finding your Confidence with Colour” Book Referenced by Phoebe: Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Kim Chan and Renée Mauborgne Links / Resources: Designer Discussion: LuAnn Nigara Hosts a Conversation with Kravet Furniture Oct 29, 2020 12:00 PM EST (United States & Canada) Register Here Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages, and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article. Other episodes mentioned: Cheryl Janis #41 Mike Peterson #569

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! There are so many of us who struggle with communicating who we are and what we do, especially on our websites. Betty Marton, founder of In Your Own Words, is back with us on the show to discuss how important it is in sharing your story to show your humanity, your journey, and your vulnerability. Betty is a lover of stories, conversation, and talking to people and hearing about their lives. She has her own separate business as a writer, copywriter, and storyteller whose passion is helping people understand their stories and bring them to life. Think about the way that you are portraying your business with your words, and be sure to listen in as Betty imparts her expertise about storytelling and the impact it can have, both on your business and your personal life. Writer and editor Betty Marton works with individuals, as well as large and small businesses, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to capture and share the stories they need to tell. She has reported on and written about a wide range of business practices and social change programs. In her work with individuals who want to tell their life stories, her innate curiosity and empathy often helps lead them to gain new insights and reimagine self-limiting beliefs. Betty is, as well, the liaison between her artist husband, Jerry Teters, and interior design clients for whom he creates commissioned paintings. Best known as an abstract artist, Jerry also creates intimate portraits of home, scene from his clients’ lives at home or on vacation. Show Highlights: As Betty explains, your profession doesn’t matter. Whatever your passion is, she can write about that. Betty loves figuring out the layers beyond the who, what, when, why, and where: the story behind the story. Everybody has a story that matters. Knowing someone’s vulnerabilities helps you connect. Meaningful articles are valuable marketing tools. Word-shaping written copy is one of Betty’s gifts. Betty gives an overview of the different ways she works with clients. In the telling of your story, Betty likes to explore the different angles that helps you see something you didn’t see before. A photo story is something that anybody can do. Betty offers 16 Questions you can ask yourself to help you dig deeper into your photograph. This enables you to learn more about yourself and the person in the picture than you would have known before. There’s also a link to discover your coronavirus photo story on Betty’s website! Check out Jerry's art! It is a valuable resource for designers. Connect with Betty! Betty’s Website Betty’s Instagram Betty’s Facebook Betty's FREE 16 Questions Guide for Telling Your Own Photo Stories Jerry’s Website Jerry’s Instagram Links : Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned to link #600 Celebrating the 600th Episode, LuAnn is Interviewed! #574 Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy #33 Arlene Angard – Mix 1 Part Passion + 1 Part Strategy = Success! #80 Asler Valero- Be Intentional- Design Your Business and Your Life #32 Robin Baron – The President of ASID NY Metro Chapter Talks with us about PR and Brand Development

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another riveting episode of “What Would Lu Do?”! LuAnn received a request from a window treatment professional to review the “autopsy” process that LuAnn’s team does at Window Works, so this episode is dedicated to covering the review of a project once it’s completed. Whether you are a photographer, web developer, architect, or blogger, it is essential for each and every business owner to review their projects for profitability, deficiencies, processes, and client satisfaction. LuAnn discusses this process mostly from the perspective of a window treatment specialist, so if you are a designer, you have more work to do! But no worries, she’s got you designers covered on that, too! Get comfy, you’ll want to take notes! Show Highlights: There are 3 main objectives of a post-project “autopsy”. To learn: what it is we do well what it is we need to improve on and what kinds of projects we make money on LuAnn details the items that need to be reviewed: gross dollar amount of the project marketing source net cost of goods on the project review the completed project with installers, sales reps, and the office admin team tag the client in our CRM as ‘market to’, ‘don’t market to’ and ‘request a review’ review what you learned Steps you can add to this process as a design firm include: set up debriefs with your key trades especially at the completion of larger size projects ask your client how you did, in a personal, meaningful way By not examining everything, you sometimes don’t learn everything. You only learn what gets caught, not what could have been avoided. Growth and learning and excellence comes from reviewing what you do, how you do it, and who you do it for. Links : WCAA's 3x3 Virtual Learning Event FREE Virtual Learning Event! October 28-30, 2020 9am, 12pm, and 3pm Daily! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Shows to include in show notes: #36 Susan Brunstrum

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest, Carissa Miller of CC and Mike, shares how a “completely unexpected opportunity” turned into a leap of faith for her and her husband, Mike. Carissa’s journey is so much more than that happy accident, though, as you’re going to hear. Listen in to this inspiring conversation around how an Instagram post that went viral launched her into a rapidly growing business that she never saw coming, as well as how she and her husband navigated the unique challenges that come with running a business with your spouse. CC and Mike are a husband and wife team who make dream homes happen nation-wide, offering full-service design, build, and remodel services to their clients. Launched in May 2016, their social media and blog following have grown rapidly to include followers from all over the world who look to CC and Mike for design and building inspiration for their own homes. CC and Mike’s audience loves following their adventures as they design, flip, and renovate homes! Show Highlights: Carissa’s background and professional experience in photography led to a desire to “re-brand” her career. Carissa shares how she has always designed and her husband, Mike, has always built their own homes, and a photo of her bedroom posted to her new Instagram account became an instant hit, with One Kings Lane and Pottery Barn asking for interviews and design advice. From there, she started getting requests from people to design for them. Contracts, policies, and procedures have been the biggest change in their lives since designing for a client, versus designing and flipping houses for themselves. Mistakes and lessons are part of the learning curve, but everybody has to start somewhere! Carissa describes how scary it was to take a leap of faith. Investing the time and money in a business coach or consultant brings another’s perspective and helps you to grow your business the right way. Carissa addresses how she and Mike stayed in agreement during the early days. “Stay in your lane” and work inside your strengths. Hiring the right employees that complement your business is critical. The transition from being business partners during the day and husband and wife after hours takes some conscious effort! Connect with Carissa! Website Instagram Facebook Blog Links : Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? #363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team #06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward #474 Bria Hammel: Keys to Scaling Your Interior Design Firm #480 Chris Loves Julia: Quality Content Creation is Key to Their Success

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s Power Talk Friday is sponsored by Interior Design Business Academy and specifically the Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit, which is happening Wednesday, November 4 thru Friday, November 6, 2020. This event will run from 10:00 am EST to 6:00 pm and it is entirely virtual. In today’s conversation, Terri Taylor not only shares all the details of the outstanding Summit she has planned for you, but she shares valuable tips for running your firm. After 30 years in the industry, Terri has tons of experience in running her own firm and teaching you how to do it through her Interior Design Business Academy. And to be clear, the summit is open to all interior design business owners, not just IDBA coaching members, so be sure to check it out at Interior Design Business Academy Summit 2020 Terri Taylor is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at design conferences and showrooms throughout the country. She speaks on a number of topics related to the business of interior design, including: business practices, sales, marketing, motivation, leadership, success, and personal growth. Ms. Taylor is nationally known as an interior design business expert and coach who teaches and mentors interior designers to help them create successful design businesses. Terri has over 32 years in the interior design and construction business. She holds both residential and commercial general remodeling Arizona Contractors Licenses, and qualified for her NCIDQ certification in 1991. Terri is a professional member of ASID, IDS, and NCIDQ. Her Tucson-based design studio, Taylor Design Group, was a diversified design practice working in the areas of high-end residential design and remodeling, model home merchandising, hospitality, and medical and professional offices. Her studio has been the recipient of ASID Arizona South Chapter Design Excellence Awards every year since 1986 and she received the ASID National Design Excellence Award in 2000. Terri’s design work has been published in regional and national design journals, including ASID ICON and Wall St. Journal. Terri retired from her studio practice in 2015. In 2009, Ms. Taylor created Design Biz Blueprint (now Interior Design Business Academy); an education and coaching resource that provides a unique mix of design business strategies and systems, and powerful positive mindset to help interior designers create meaningful success. She’s inspired thousands of interior design entrepreneurs through her speaking engagements, seminars, on-line education, and coaching. Terri connects with heart-centered designers to help grow their business strategy, accountability, and profitability all while undergoing a beautiful personal transformation. Show Highlights: The “nuts and bolts” side of how interior designers can get paid what they are worth is a part of the system that Terri teaches at Interior Design Business Academy: Advantages of fees vs. hourly, and design fees in relation to project budgets Pricing product/furniture properly so you don’t get push back and clients are happy How to have profitable remodeling jobs How to present and price a big design fee on a huge new build What your profit margin on a design job should be Your mindset around wealth consciousness is actually the secret to getting paid what you are worth. Terri provides reasons why and examples of how designers are often in their own way. Once you identify and release those beliefs, rules, and practices that are keeping you “in your own way”, the “how-tos” easily fall into place. Interior Design Business Academy is a blend of educational programs and coaching: It’s lots of step-by-step, how-to-do-it recipes backed up by coaching, which creates predictably successful results. Terri explains the Growth, Structure, and Masters programs that she offers at Interior Design Business Academy. “Fly the plane while you build it.” Terri Taylor is the founder and host of the upcoming Interior Design Business Academy 2020 Summit - “Mastering Design Fees and Pricing”. Although it’s required by her Growth, Structure, and Masters students, this retreat is also open to the public! The 2020 Summit is a very interactive, 3-day virtual retreat, with lots of connection and sharing with designers across the country, breakout groups, all worksheets/handouts, coaching, Q and A time with Terri, and dancing… yes, it’s true, believe it or not! The 2020 Summit – “Mastering Design Fees and Pricing” is where: your passion for design combines with the ability to earn what you’re worth to become a reality. you will gain the confidence to make the shift and get the “recipe” for making consistently profitable fee-based offers for design services. you will learn to embrace your beautiful design gifts and attract high-paying clients to become a confident, well-paid designer. you do the “inside” work that allows you to shift into the abundant, confident, well-paid designer you are destine

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Social media guru, Darla Powell from Darla Powell Interiors, joins us in this conversation today on how to get more juice from your social media efforts. We change, our business changes, and sometimes, we need to refresh our minds about what we’re really doing and who we’re doing it for. The goal here today is to talk about honing the message you’re sending out to the world, and if you already did this five years ago, well maybe it’s time to do it again! Darla is a co-author of the 2nd volume of A Well-Designed Business, The Power Talk Friday Experts that is coming out in November 2020. Darla really is the social media guru. She blew up social from the get-go and she hasn’t stopped since. Thankfully she is just fine with sharing her tools and ideas with us, so we can try to duplicate her success. Please welcome her back to the show! Darla has a fun, genuine, and down-to-earth approach to the designing of beautiful spaces. Since she launched her career in 2016, she has grown her business almost exclusively by word-of-mouth and her clients have really fallen in love with her work! In her past life, Darla spent almost twenty years as a Detective Sergeant in Miami Florida, so one might say that she is an expert on the importance of having complete tranquility at home after a stressful day at work! Also, her background has carried over many hidden perks- including a strong sense of integrity, accountability, and a ready-for-anything-ness that is key for home renovation projects. Darla’s career transformation was fueled by her need to express her boundless creativity. She spent her childhood summers rummaging through her grandmother’s antique store where she developed an extensive knowledge of antiques, collectibles, and of pieces that look perfect together, so Darla’s refined eye definitely sees those diamonds hiding in the rough! Above all, Darla really loves creating rooms that are gorgeous, elegant and soothing. Show Highlights: This podcast helped educate Darla and gave her the courage to take a leap into a totally different career path. Darla explains how she came to create Wingnut Social. When clients are looking up your design firm online, they are also scoping out your PR sources and checking out your social media to see how you engage with others. Social media is a multi-billion dollar business and is not a trend. It’s here to stay! It’s difficult for a business to survive the long run without having a well-rounded social media presence. Darla offers her social media strategies! Marketing budgets can be 5-20% of your overall annual gross, depending on a few factors. When you’re a newer designer, that percentage should be higher because you’re building brand awareness and a following. Who are you? LuAnn shares what she looks for on designer’s websites. You have to always be able to adapt, especially in marketing. Connect with Darla! Darla’s Website Darla’s Instagram Darla’s Facebook Darla’s Twitter Wingnut Social The Wingnut Social Podcast Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch Previous Episodes Mentioned: Darla was on episodes #203 and #330

Welcome to the 600th episode of A Well-Designed Business! In this milestone conversation, LuAnn is the guest today! Deb Mitchell and Betty Marton are two writers and #smartladies who are talking to LuAnn today about the 599 episodes she has under her belt. LuAnn shares how much her life has changed since she aired her first episode back in February of 2016, how appreciative she is for her guests and listeners who have played such a big part in making this podcast a success, and how grateful she is that you invite her into your lives and your businesses each week. Don’t miss this fascinating glimpse into the heart of the host of A Well-Designed Business! Deb, or DesignWriterDeb as she’s referred to on Instagram, specializes in copywriting for interior designers and creatives. Betty, of In Your Own Words, helps individuals and businesses tell their stories through narrative. Show Highlights: LuAnn shares memories from her childhood and how she first learned a good work ethic that carried her into marriage and entrepreneurship with Vin. Focus energy on learning the lessons when you’ve experienced failure. Without failures, there can be no success. If you decide to do something, you can do it. If you don’t do it, you’re the only person standing in your way! LuAnn describes how her podcast came into being and the creative ways she sourced her guests. LuAnn shares her best ‘a-ha’ moments and how every single person on their entrepreneurial journey has something to teach us. Managing a full calendar takes a lot of work, a few shortcuts, and constant conversations with her executive assistant, Lisa! Build a team you trust and have your processes down. Here’s what’s next for LuAnn! Deb, Betty, and LuAnn discuss LuAnn’s BLM special series. “Decide to be excellent!” High Point Market is the Oscars of the design industry, and this year, for a lot of us, that red carpet feels a long way away. But don’t feel like you have to miss out, because Mydoma Studio is here to bring Market to you, wherever you might be. More than just a virtual High Point, Mydoma’s Backstage at High Point Market will bring you showroom tours, private conversations with industry insiders, and insight you just can’t find anywhere else. Head over to Mydoma Studio HPMKT now to get your own backstage pass! Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative: Kravet FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED AND TAG IN SM: Carol Cox #140 Deb Mitchell #574

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another riveting episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the difficult questions and LuAnn gives the expert answers you’ve been wanting. Today’s dilemma comes from an anonymous listener who has been a faithful listener of the podcast since she started her business in 2014. At that time, she took the least expensive options in setting up her business and hasn’t invested since. She received an inheritance right before COVID hit, so this designer is looking for words of wisdom on whether it’s better to hold on to the money for a household expenses safety net since her husband has been furloughed and is not likely to return to work soon, or if it’s better to invest it back into her business, along with a revised business plan. Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions. If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara: WWLD! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares the listener’s email to provide the full context of the issue. If the listener’s husband has not yet been returned to work or gained other employment, then the mortgage, food on the table, gas, and electricity all come first. If the household situation is not so dire, remember that there are many steps you can take to set your business up for success that are an investment of your time and not your money. Review, revise, and reflect on the business plan that she set up in 2014. LuAnn details the steps needed for the listener to get very clear on her mission and how to define her core values. Knowing your numbers are critical! Investing in your business must be done with a plan, so LuAnn walks the listener through some financial considerations. Here are the bottom-line investments that the listener must make: Work with a lawyer to register your business. Open a business bank acct. Hire a p/t bookkeeper or commit to knowledgeably doing it yourself religiously, no messing around. Find and hire a CPA, even if it not the kind like Peter Lang who works with you each month and it is just one who will see to it the quarterly and yearly taxes are filed and paid. LuAnn breaks down exactly how she would spend the $9,000. Final thoughts: Invest in your business but also invest time in planning how you will make money. Be steadfast in doing it! Check out SCORE, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small business owners get off the ground, set and achieve their goals through free educational resources, and offers free mentoring from retired business people. Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED AND TAG IN SM: Laurel Smith’s episode #545 Nate Berkus’s episode, #433 Jamie Lieberman’s episode #’s 454 and #547. Kim Worswick’s episode #234

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Judith Taylor of Judith Taylor Designs returns as a guest today to share her ideas on networking for introverts. As Judith says, it can be a struggle to be an introvert in an extrovert’s industry! She has many things to say that can help not just introverts, but anybody looking to strengthen their networking skills. Listen in to this fascinating conversation about how you can set yourself up for success, even if you’re an introvert, and how to overcome the challenges when it comes to networking. Judith is an international award-winning designer with a flair for making personal, meaningful spaces. She is the granddaughter of a once-prominent furniture manufacturer, and as such, is passionate about style and the tradition of quality fine furniture making. Liveably luxury is achieved through her timeless aesthetic. Classic details, and refined clean lines anchor a love of the mix of contemporary traditional, and global influences. Mixing patterns, unexpected combinations, dressmaker’s details, and often vibrant colours distinguish her style. A few things you may not know about her: She started her career in Information Technology as a mainframe programmer/analyst but after 20 years as an IT consultant, her love of colour and pattern got the better of her. While working in IT, she also completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and later studied fine art at Toronto School of Art, and then most recently she studied Interior Design at the International Academy of Design and Technology where she received High Honours for her work. She is the first (and so far only) Canadian to have won a “Designer of the Year” award from the Interior Design Society out of High Point North Carolina, and was also the first to win Crate and Barrel’s “designer challenge” and you can see the “Judith chair” on the “about” page on her website, or sit on the winning entry in her living room (by invitation only)! She enjoys travel and always looks forward to spending more time at their summer place at Cape Cod. Follow along with her blog to read posts about her travels, her design insight, and lifestyle thoughts that cross her mind. She hopes you enjoy the read. Show Highlights: Judith shares her personal experience with introversion. There’s a difference between being shy and being an introvert. Judith reveals the ingenious way she prepares herself for a group event. Avoid delivering phony-sounding elevator pitches. Tips and tactics for networking at group events. How Judith handles consultations. Since introverts tend to look inward and be self-critical, Judith had to learn to turn her vision towards her client and assess them. Marketing and writing is a place for introverts and shy people to shine. Building connections is what Judith attributes to getting her jobs. If you care, and you want to help people, potential cients are going to see that. Judith imparts her final thoughts and suggestions on getting new clients. Connect with Judith! Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Blog Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article. Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM #340 Judith Taylor: Strategies for Working with Family and Friends #584 Lesley Myrick: Building a Business From the Ground Up, Again #557 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO Mindset #475 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: How to Create More Time

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today’s guest is Mary Pat Wallace, the founder of Chicago Luxury Beds, and today’s focus is the luxury client! Mary Pat shares important perspectives about the surprising opportunities you have today in the midst of the pandemic, and not just how we can deal with it and accommodate it, but how we can truly serve our clients in a bigger and better way. She also shares her insights on how she’s managed to maintain an excellent client experience and continue to be a strong leader for her team, even in a retail setting, throughout the challenges of Covid-19. Listen in for an inspiring conversation! Mary is a 30-year veteran of the design industry. Committed to sourcing the highest-quality, bespoke mattresses and sleep products from across the globe, Mary Pat and her team of experts have spent the last 15 years helping clients transform their lives through sleep. Once she spent her first night in a Hästens bed, Mary Pat knew that mattresses should be viewed as a necessity in one’s life. Extensive experience in the design industry allowed Mary Pat to develop a perspective on value per use — we sleep a third of our lives, the mattress is the most important piece of furniture in the home. Restorative sleep is the foundation for optimum health. Having witnessed firsthand that the right mattress is critical to a deeply restful night of sleep she brought that experience and her unique expertise to the luxury market in Chicago, opening the first Hästens retail store in North America in 2005. Mary Pat eventually rebranded the business to Chicago Luxury Beds in order to expand her curated offerings. With the success and longevity of Chicago Luxury Beds, she opened a showroom in Dallas (Dallas Luxury Beds) furthering her team’s reach in helping clients get their best night of sleep. It is Mary Pat’s life passion to help clients create environments that are deeply restful and support transformational sleep. Show Highlights: As Mary Pat declares, “The time is NOW.” Due to the coronavirus, people are spending more time at home, and that is not likely to change. The luxury clients are working more from home, and they’re all considering how they can reconfigure their spaces to work more productively. Money from luxury clients is being reallocated and being refocused back at home. Mary Pat’s tips on how to revive your client list, even if it’s 15-20 years old. Mary Pat offers strategies for conducting your business virtually, while maintaining or increasing productivity. Being successful with the luxury client involves real expertise. Mary Pat expounds on this philosophy and what the luxury client wants from us. Listening to and understanding your client’s priorities within a budget is critical. Once a client and designer understand each other, the relationship is priceless. The collaborative buddy-system builds confidence with the client and reduces anxiety. Mary Pat explains how to do business with Chicago Luxury Beds. Connect with Mary Pat! Website Instagram Facebook Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio A Well Designed Business Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we are joined by Jamel Williams for another conversation in our Black Lives Matter series. As a young black designer and teacher, Jamel has a unique perspective on what can be done at the university-level to empower students of color. Please join us in this discussion on how mentorship in the university years could be a game-changer for all of our young designers, and especially our black designers, and Jamel’s suggestions on how schools can be that agent of change. Jamel Williams is a young and passionate Interior Designer, Educator, and Entrepreneur who specializes in Residential Interior Design in all of New York and surrounding areas. Shortly after graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Class of 2017 with a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Jamel founded To Be Designed, a full-service Interior Design Studio. Already having an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, his interests in people, cultures, and ways of life fuel his passion to approach design with a multidisciplinary perspective. His delicate persona, fortified drive, and a keen eye for detail provide the perfect foundation for every project he takes on, creating beautiful, and functional spaces in collaboration with his clients. Also passionate about design education, Jamel took on his first two higher education teaching positions during the Spring 2020 semester at both Pratt Institute and Parsons Open Campus at the New School. He has had the pleasure of teaching both technical and theoretical courses; namely, AutoCAD 1, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Interior Design Portfolio, Residential Interior Design, and Now Construction and Assemblies. Jamel's active Interior Design practice and educational experience allow him to provide his students with the information needed in order to understand the principles of design so they too can create aesthetically beautiful, functional, and responsive spaces for their future clients. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and racial injustice spread across America, there has been an increased need for awareness, representation, and social change. Jamel has begun to think about ways he can use his platform to evoke change within the industry he serves. Being in direct contact with aspiring Interior Design Students and being a Black Designer in the Industry, Jamel thinks that one actionable solution may be to create relationships between students of color and designers of color, through mentorship, to create a sense of community and support for the young designers who may feel underrepresented once they cross over into the world of Interior Design. Show Highlights: Jamel addresses the disparities he observed during design school. As Jamel points out, spaces are designed socially and politically to not reflect racism on the surface. It’s the systemic aspect of racism that prevents schools from addressing the issues. Systemic racism is strongly psychological and ingrained. We are all in a system of racism that none of us built but we are left to deal with the pyschological aspects of it. As a teacher at the prestigious Pratt Institute, Jamel’s philosophy is that all students should have a voice and that education should be conversational and collaborative. Ideally, Jamel would one day like to teach a course with a culture-centered curriculum. There seems to be a general disconnect in design education, beyond culture and race, because students do not have the opportunity to choose the track that is most meaninguful to them once they graduate. Offering more classes of diverse subject matters and giving the students opportunities to choose more of the classes they take is one solution to enabling design graduates a more personalized, meaningful career track. Jamel shares his thoughts on black culture in America. Jamel sees a wide-open opportunity for schools to promote community and empower young black designers by facilitating mentorship. True mentorship is a two-way street: The mentor also gains perspective, fresh ideas, and the joy that comes with paying it forward. Connect with Jamel! Website Instagram Facebook Great Resources From Jamel to Check Out! Architectural Digest: 25 Black Interior Designers Speak Frankly About Their Careers, Successes, and Challenges Interior Design: 7 African American Designers on How They're Pushing The Design Industry Forward The Designer's Workshop BAIDA Black Artists + Designers Guild Links : Design-Build For Profit Coming Back Soon! Increase Confidence, Increase Profits Coming Back in February 2021! The Profit Is In the Numbers Coming Back Soon! Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! We’re super excited to have Karin Bohn join us on the show today. Karin Bohn is the founder and creative director of the award-winning House of Bohn design studio. She established the interior design firm in 2009 and has made her mark in many industries including luxury residential, multi-family, restaurants, and retail. Karin stars on Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge in which she travels with a team of experts to provide design, marketing, and culinary consultation to establishments in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. With her continuously growing YouTube channel, Karin offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process, collaborative partnerships, and life as an entrepreneur. Listen in to hear how in 11 years, Karin went from struggling to start a design business all the way to having a Netflix show and managing a luxury interior design firm with a team of 10! Show Highlights: The first few years of Karin’s YouTube videos showcased her challenging entrepreneurial journey. As Karin explains, her Netflix series did not come about because of her YouTube channel. You don’t have to be perfect to start something new, just start! Learn as you go. Karin shares her pivotal moment regarding her realization that she needed to develop her business skills before she could take advantage of her creative side. Karin discusses the current structure of her design, operations, and content teams. Why ‘alignment’ is Karin’s favorite word right now. Building a brand must include consistency. People need to be able to recognize a brand’s repeated aesthetic cues. Karin divulges her client budgeting tactics. LuAnn and Karin discuss the frustration of hiring new employees. The struggle over writing job descriptions and adding new team members can be solved by using Eileen B. Hahn's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkit. Remember your vision! You do have a vision, right? Connect with Karin! Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Links : Process Leads to Profits - Returning November 2020! Learn the Four P’s of design from Sara Lynn Brennan: Processes, Partnerships, Packages, and Profits…as well as the “secret sauce” that has doubled her business in the last year! Sign Up For Updates HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM #237,#325, #485 Claire Jefford #363, #589 Eileen Hahn

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Today, Reena Philpot joins us to share her love of sales - and you’ll never guess what she’s selling! Reena (pronounced “Re-Nay”) and her husband own Precision Duplicating Solutions, and for 18 years, Reena’s helped build a successful business selling...copiers. That’s right folks - she sells pricey copy machines - and she loves it! It doesn’t matter what you’re selling, because sales is sales, and Reena’s techniques can absolutely be applied to the design business. Listen in to learn what sales tactics Reena has used to build her business, and how you can apply them to your own business to bring in those dollar bills! Daily Reena manages the sales side of the business and part of the admin duties. She started her career as a telemarketer/appointment setter 26 years ago. She quickly transitioned to outside sales and vowed it was so awesome she would learn how to become successful. When her boys had grown into young men and needed her less, Reena started joining some masterminds and groups of ladies with amazing businesses. Through that process, she learned she had something to offer them to help them grow their businesses. While Reena has had the advantages of learning sales and a process and then starting a business, not everyone has had the same opportunity. Reena began using her background in high-ticket competitive sales and experience as a business owner to help other entrepreneurs and teams increase their customer base and sales revenue. Reena Philpot Sales Coaching began last year, and now she offers strategy sessions, workshops, and VIP days to those who want results. Show Highlights: You must first know your value, then you must be able to convey that value to your client. Reena discusses her techniques on proposals and contracts. When assessing their needs, t’s important to repeat back to the client what you are hearing them say. Repeating their words back to them both clears up any misunderstanding and makes the client feel heard. Ask the client if your assessment is corrent. When they say yes, then you can give them a simple solution to their problem. Save the little details for the contract. By this time, you have already worked out the details. You will bring the details as backup just in case your client is interested in that leveal of knowledge. Using these tactics, it’s simply a conversation between two people about a problem they have and the solution you can give them. There is nothing needy or manipulative about it. While the client is absorbing the proposal, give them a moment then ask, “What do you think? Is that what you were thinking? If the client doesn’t seem happy with the proposal, ask, “How do you feel about that?” then stay silent and wait for them to speak. Find out what’s important to your client. If you give them the opportunity, they’ll tell you exactly how to sell to them. Reena shares how she has hand-picked 90% of her customers. Reena describes her brilliantly unique sales pipeline. Connect with Reena! Reena’s Website FREE! How to Develop Questions to Improve Closing Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - Facebook Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - Instagram Reena Philpot Sales Coaching - LinkedIn Links : Carol’s Virtual Summit LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative: Kravet

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is Debbie Mathews of Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC, and Debbie will be walking us through easily implementable, effective systems to take care of all those tiny details so that we have the time to focus on the big things in our business. Debbie revamped her growing business to ensure she and her team are less stressed while consistently providing their clients with an A+ experience. Be sure to listen and see if some of her ideas will help you be more productive and less stressed, too! Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC is a full-service interior design firm that specializes in high-end residential projects. From new construction to simple refreshes, their goal is to realize each room’s greatest potential. With a keen focus to detail, their team works collaboratively with clients to navigate through the many decisions involved with high-quality, custom design work. Clients repeatedly tell them that their diverse experience, infectious energy, and unparalleled service make the process efficient and enjoyable. Debbie’s passion for beautiful things, paired with her love of antiques and timeless architecture, gives each of their interiors a sense of history and purpose. She is uniquely recognized for her hallmark design aesthetic of anchoring a room with timeless antiques and layering in more contemporary furniture and accessories. Her 30+ years of experience buying and selling fine antiques has proven to be a design distinction often unmatched. Because of this dedication to timeless and classic elements of design, her projects always reflect charm, warmth, and curated beauty. Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs, LLC welcomes the opportunity to showcase their mantra to you: Timeless. Collected. Beautiful. Show Highlights: “As my business grows, it does not mean that my plate gets larger.” Growing pains forced Debbie to take a look at what was on her plate, and what could be delegated. The biggest gift Debbie ever gave herself was when she outsourced her bookkeeping and accounting services. Debbie discusses the project management software that she has implemented to streamline her work. After 30 years of being in business, Debbie starts tracking her metrics. Being proactive rather than reactive has been Debbie’s focus over the last year. Debbie learned from reading LuAnn’s books, The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action and A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts, plus the classic The E-Myth. “The Daily Checklist” is something Debbie and her team members use each day and it gives them all confidence that the office administration can get done if Debbie needs to be away from work. What is covered in their weekly and monthly meetings. Debbie is a new member of EO - The Entrepreneur Organization, and she shares how impactful it has been for her. How to set a really good rhythm to the week, set expectations with the team, and let everyone consistently plan by time-blocking. Client meetings involve a designer that takes minutes for a comprehensive summary of the entire visit, which are later turned over to the client for confirmation that everyone is on the same page. You only have one chance to make a good first impression on a client, and these steps that Debbie has implemented has given her confidence that she will. Connect with Debbie! Debbie’s Website Debbie’s Instagram Debbie’s Facebook Debbie’s Pinterest Debbie’s Email Links : LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn welcomes Kimberly Merlitti, the Virtual CFO, back to the show. Kimberly also happens to be one of the co-authors for our third book, A Well-Designed Business, Power Talk Experts Volume 2, which is coming out in November. On today’s show, Kimberly is sharing with us the importance of preparing an estimate for your job before you sign a contract. If there’s one thing Kimberly knows, it’s numbers! And she is going to walk you through not only WHY preparing an estimate at the very beginning is important, but also how to do this the right way, how to stay on track, and how to rely on data, so that you’re not playing a guessing game and risking losing money in your business. Because at the end of the day, you are not just a designer, you’re an entrepreneur, right? Kimberly Merlitti owns KMM Consulting based out of Washington, D.C. She has 20 years of experience working in accounting for companies such as Swinerton Builders, WRNS Studio, and Martin Group. She has her Masters in Accounting from Golden Gate University. Located in Washington D.C. Kimberly’s clientele includes a diverse group of service-based companies, with the main focus on small interior design, construction, and architectural firms. The goal of her firm is to make the businesses she works for as profitable as they can be by educating them on accounting, cash flow management, tax deductions, project reporting, and business management. Show Highlights: Kimberly sums up WHY you need to learn how to estimate. Kimberly has a streamlined process when it comes to teaching others how to estimate. Tracking your time and taking really good notes is imperative, not only for interior designers but for architects and contractors, as well. What to do if the job is outside of the original scope. Respect a client’s time and money, and they will be thankful for it. Although Kimberly can be hired to teach how to estimate, she explains the way that you can also teach yourself using these four categories: Design fee Purchasing fee Installation fee Indoor & Outdoor furniture fee Tracking your time is one of the biggest factors in your profitability. Have cross-checks in place. Confidence is in the knowledge and execution of the process and makes fielding clients’ questions more systematic. If you’re new in the business, here’s Kimberly’s advice! The data drives your whole company. You’re not just a designer, you’re an entrepreneur. FREE From Kimberly: 7 Tips for Estimating BEFORE the Contract (Without Just Guessing!) - get yours HERE! Connect with Kimberly! Kimberly’s Website Kimberly’s Facebook Kimberly’s LinkedIn Kimberly’s Email Links : FREE From Kimberly: 7 Tips for Estimating BEFORE the Contract (Without Just Guessing!) Available in Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business Other shows mentioned to link: #361 Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO? #442 Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Do You Know Your Cash on Hand Number? #384 Sarah Magness: Practical Strategies for Talking Budgets

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes Nicole White, CEO and Principal Designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors, back to the show. When they last visited, Nicole shared details about her client questionnaire, how she gets press, and the confidence she now has as a designer. On today’s Black Lives Matter episode, you’ll hear about Nicole’s business and personal life, viewed specifically through the filter of being black. As a trained journalist and Jamaican immigrant, Nicole has a unique perspective on what we can do to effect lasting change. We hope you join us! Nicole White is the CEO and Principal Designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors, a full-service boutique interior design firm, based in Sunrise, Florida. Nicole, known for her renovation prowess, has been featured in various local, national, and international publications including - HGTV, House Beautiful, Better Homes, and Gardens magazines; Ocean Drive, Huffington Post, and Domino online magazines and The Miami Herald and Jamaica Observer. Voted among the top 25 Interior Design Firms by the South Florida Luxury Guide, Nicole has also twice been noted as an emerging designer to watch by the Black Interior Designers Network and was a recipient of the Z-Gallerie Design Award Fall/Winter 2013. Nicole is also a brand ambassador/influencer for The Home Depot, Zephyr, Purple Drywall, and City Furniture. Before launching her successful design firm, Nicole was an award-winning journalist whose stories appeared in The Miami Herald, Village Voice, and Vibe magazine. Her combined love of design and writing spawned the creation of her blog, Live Laugh Decorate, where she showcases the behind the scenes details of design projects, shares tips on affordable design ideas, and dishes about design trends. Her blog was nominated for Best Renovation Blog by Domino Magazine in 2018. A Jamaican native, Nicole is deeply inspired by the colors and textures of the Caribbean and constantly fuses those elements in her designs. Nicole prides herself on designing a home guided by her client’s passions, be it contemporary, traditional, vintage or modern. Nicole is an avid foodie and wine lover who is always busy plotting a travel escape. Her greatest design however is her 8-year-old son, Xavier – artist and dinosaur aficionado. Show Highlights: Nicole is thankful that black interior designers are getting more attention since the BLM movement has gained momentum. Not because they’re black, but because they are talented. Addressing the topic of police officers (and how to behave around them) with your children is an added layer of life for black moms. Educating others about BLM should not be a burden to people of color. Be proactive in researching and reading about their issues so that you can have a more appropriate dialogue. Be a lifelong ally and speak up when you see injustice. Nicole shares intimate thoughts about the concerns that black interior designers face. How Nicole and her son, Xavier, builds relationships with community police officers. Nicole relates an upsetting experience at a high-end business event. Nicole offers encouragement and advice on what we can all do to make a difference. Connect with Nicole! Nicole’s Instagram Nicole’sFacebook Nicole’sTwitter Nicole’sPinterest Nicole’sWebsite Nicole’s Email Nicole’s Recommended Resources: Black Artists + Designers Guild Black Interior Designers Network NAACP Resources: Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative: Kravet Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article. Other shows mentioned: Nicole's 1st appearance on the show: #366 #BLM Shows: #579 Albie Buabeng #573 Cheryl Luckett #568 Arianne Bellizaire #562 Rasheeda Gray #556 Kae Whitaker #549 Corey Damen Jenkins

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! What do you do when you realize that the business you have nurtured over the years is no longer bringing you joy? Tawna Allred joins LuAnn in this conversation that is not so much about how Tawna built her design business, but how, after 10 years in business, she took a pause, looked inside, and shifted gears to bring back the spark and create the life that she really wanted. Listen in to this inspiring conversation for lessons on learning to trust your gut instinct and following through with simple changes. Tawna Allred opened her interior design business (a single person LLC) in 2009, and she is still a one-woman business today. Tawna labels herself as a multi-passionate creative. Her interior design focus is design-build (new construction and remodeling), and she offers full-service design from plan conceptualization to installing furniture and styling. Tawna's husband is a contractor and although they have separate businesses, he's a huge mentor and supporter of her work. She started her business right after finishing school because there weren't any designers in her town and she had three young children. Tawna has been learning in the school of hard knocks ever since! Show Highlights: Tawna relates the overwhelming feelings she experienced before making a decision to go in a different direction. Tawna was burned out on the “people part” of the business but discovered that she had great interest in design challenges. “What do I want to do now?” Art was pivotal in reigniting Tawna's spark and her next move. LuAnn addresses our inner voice and why it's so important to pay attention to it. How Tawna reverse-engineered a second business by streamlining the processes that worked and getting rid of things that didn't. Learning to say 'no' to potential clients was not an easy task. Tawna's lightbulb moment: What if she took design-build jobs if the client also hired her contractor husband? Zeroing in on eliminating the parts of her design business that she did not absolutely love allowed Tawna to create a whole new life for herself that she loves. “Chase the meaning, not the money”: The lesson Tawna learned from Chase Jarvis's book, Creative Calling. Links: Tawna's Websites: -Tawna Allred & Tawna Allred Art Tawna's Instagram Tawna's Pinterest Links : Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Investment: $3,989 Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My doma Studio: A Well Designed Business Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM #348 Albie Buabeng #160 Kelli Ellis #344 Lori Paranjape #440 Tobi Fairley #413 Leslie Carothers #315, #283 Madeleine MacRae

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it's Power Talk Friday! Today, Luann and her guest, Eileen Hahn, dig into how to scale your design business from 2 million to 5 million. Going from 2 to 5 million is not easy, and it does not happen by accident. Intentional is the name of the game when scaling at this level. Who better to take us through that than Eileen? She’s the HR whisperer from LuAnn's first Power Talk Friday Experts book. Eileen was with us all at LuAnn Live and she also has a chapter in LuAnn's upcoming second Power Talk Friday Experts book, as well. Oh, and did you know that LuAnn and Eileen are COUSINS? Tune in to their conversation for expert advice on hiring, retaining, and scaling, and be amazed as Eileen takes this overwhelming task of scaling and breaks it down into a simple (not easy, simple) to-do list! Eileen Hahn is a leadership consultant who works with firms like Anheuser-Busch, Ericson Worldwide, General Motors, Legoland, San Diego Padres, and interior design firms, as well as smaller entrepreneurial firms. She teaches leaders in these organizations how to hire and lead exceptional employees who bring fire and energy to their work, achieve high levels of performance, and generate financial results. Eileen’s work has improved productivity, profitability, and employee work passion. It has also brought the employees joy, peace, purpose, and prosperity. Connect with Eileen! Eileen'sWebsite Eileen's Instagram Eileen's LinkedIn Eileen's Interior Design Firm Hiring Toolkits Eileen's Email Links : Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Investment: $3,989 Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Mydoma Studio - All your clients, numbers, and info in one place! Stay organized, source products, and get paid. View a demo of the interior design software today! Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM #363 Eileen Hahn #364 Janelle Photopoulos #127, #388, #549 Corey Damen Jenkins #130, #215 Kate O’Hara #64, #492 Laura Umansky

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another riveting episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the difficult questions and LuAnn gives the expert answers you’ve been wanting. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mydoma Studio. Today’s dilemma comes from Virginia, a self-described #babydesigner. Virginia had a good working relationship with a contractor on commercial projects, and he brought her into one of his residential deals. Everything went great. She returned the favor by inviting him into one of her residential projects. The contractor ended up sending the client a proposal behind Virginia’s back, before she even had the design work presentation ready. This confused the client and made her look bad. Virginia is looking for the best way to handle this situation. Today’s episode will capture your attention because Lu explains how having too much business isn’t always good. Really? Tune in to hear LuAnn explain. Show Highlights: LuAnn provides the details regarding a scary scenario Window Works faced during the World Pandemic Lu shares the “miracle” that happened when business turned around in May Marketing the business was where LuAnn’s team doubled down its focused energy Successful marketing efforts paid off for the month of June! Business was booming and the factories couldn’t meet demand. The Window Works team was stressed and stretched to the max often pulling double duty Deadlines were stretched and it was an emotional roller coaster! But, oh, the lessons Lu sees in hindsight: * The marketing blitz worked! * Hiring a replacement admin was the right decision for the business * Team communication was imperative * Employees had to be flexible with job roles and pitch in where/when needed Lu says not to be afraid to raise your prices during this environment Turn down jobs if they don’t seem like a good fit for you Be honest at all times within the business and to clients, vendors, etc. Document everything said and follow-through to meet client expectations Be willing to walk away and return money if necessary Be assured that the situation will eventually turn around! If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara WWLD! Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to MyDoma Studio for sponsoring this episode!

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Are you really, truly, creating your own designs and ideas? Today’s guest wants you to learn to start with the story you want to tell and to express that in your design. LuAnn gets the pleasure of talking with so many great designers on the show, but she rarely gets the opportunity to chat with a commercial designer. That dynamic flips once again today, because she is joined by Darrell Long of Wilson Associates. Darrell believes it is important to develop your critical thinking in order to be an exceptional designer. He is here to share with us that the magic of creativity is in the story and it is the art behind the design. This is something that he is very passionate about and he considers it his mission to share with other designers, especially younger ones. Please join us in this very special episode! Darrell Long possesses more than 25 years of brand-strengthening design experience that evokes a distinct sense of location, while engaging the world's most discriminating travelers. As Regional Managing Director Long oversees the design direction of the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas studios. Throughout his professional career, Darrell has set new standards for luxury, comfort, and innovation in hospitality interior design across the world. He has been recognized throughout the hospitality design industry for his emphasis on modernist principles rooted in contemporary and technological design practices. Of the contemporary, Darrell is a fan of Gehry and Piano. Darrell’s ultimate source of inspiration has always been music. In his early years, Darrell embarked on a career path to become a musician, which further ignited his love for the fine arts, particularly museum exhibition design, ultimately leading him to discover an innate passion for architecture and interior design. When Darrell isn’t leading his team designing world-class projects, he can be found enjoying music, playing the guitar and piano, indulging in great food, wine, film, and spending time at home. Show Highlights: You’re either a follower or a leader, so pick one side! The problem with spending all day “following” people on social media. Critical thinking should be the linchpin of what we do as creative people. Young designers tend to not look beyond what is immediately in their face. Coming up with something purely honest is how your own story comes about. There is a roadmap on connecting a conceptual idea to the final idea of a design. Darrell touches on the distinction between a story and a concept. Stretch your noggin and get the most you can out of an idea. Great art is always about a story. Darrell’s goal is to help the younger designers find their voice. When you’re looking at other peoples’ work and using their ideas to make them your own, that is just collecting someone else’s thoughts, and not creating your own. Darrell provides a powerful Hemingway analogy as a perfect example of thinking critically. Darrell shares some strategies and tips on how to be a better critical thinker and how to develop your designer conceptual edge. Connect with Darrell! Darrell’s Info: Wilson Associates Darrell’s Email Wilson Associates LinkedIn Wilson Associates Instagram Wilson Associates Facebook Links : Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Investment: $3,989 Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Investment: $2195 Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Investment: $2195 Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned: #435 Global Hospitality Interior Design, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Artigas of Wilson Associates

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Window Treatment Friday! In today’s episode, LuAnn and her friend and co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, discuss how to get yourself in the right mindset for selling window treatments. Window treatments add some dollar bills to that bottom line of a project and are a nice money profit center for an interior designer. Listen in today to hear what LuAnn and Vita have to share with you. Vita is the award-winning window treatment specialist. Her company, Vitalia, Inc, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management service exclusively for interior designers. In business for over a decade, Vita and her team are experts in their narrow field, providing designers with superb quality product and excellent communication. Most importantly, they take off the stress, save time, and give peace of mind in the job is well-done. Show Highlights: Vita shares her thoughts on selling window treatments. Confidence, product knowledge, standing in your space, and understanding that you’re providing value at your price will increase your sales. The value mindset is a three-pronged approach: value of the product and its benefits for the consumer value that you provide as an individual value that the consumer ultimately sees Vita discusses differential advantage. Create a list of all the special things about yourself. This is your “only” and what ultimately drives your value. Attach an illustrative story for each of your “onlys” that becomes your go-to story for a particular point. The idea of the word, “expensive”: it’s all relative! Make window treatments a line item in the scope of the project you’re working on. Vita has an intake form specific to new window treatment clients, and you can get the intake form and other free goodies right HERE! Vita shares her selling strategies and tips. Do’s or don’t’s: pricing phone calls and consultation fees. If you’re selling every single job, you’re giving yourself away. Check out WTF Live with Vita and Kimberly! Vita and Kimberly go live on Facebook and Instagram every Friday at 12:00 pm eastern to give you even more insight into window treatments, including pictures of projects and different ideas so you aren’t just hearing about it, but you’re seeing it, too. You can join them on the Window Works New Jersey Facebook page or Instagram at Vitalia Inc. Connect with Vita! Vita’s Website Vita’s Instagram Vita’s Facebook Vita’s Email Links / Resources: Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game-changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Investment: $3,989 Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! interiordesignstandard.com/luann Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? www.luannnigara.com/cob LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! www.Kirsch.com Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned: #174 Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours #463 Sara Lynn Brennan: Package Your Design Services for Profit and Clarity #6 Identifying Your Transferable Skills with Erika Ward # 83 Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs – An Interior Design Firm Built on Family and Teamwork # 180 Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams Talks About Profit First and Why it Matters to You #448 Window Treatment Friday: A New Series featuring Vita Vygovska and LuAnn Nigara #456 Window Treatment Friday: Custom-Made vs Ready-Made Window Treatments #462 Window

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today takes efficiency to a whole new level, and she is also one of the co-authors in LuAnn’s upcoming book A Well Designed Business: The Power Talk Friday Experts, coming out in November 2020. Please welcome Sandra Funk back to the show. After 20 years in the business, Sandra has gained a ton of information, a ton of expertise, and a ton of knowledge, and now, she is offering that expertise, that well-oiled machine to designers everywhere. The Interior Design Standard is a program that Sandra has put together, actual templates for designers to utilize her systems and processes. LuAnn is thrilled to announce that today’s show is sponsored by Interior Design Standard. You’re going to love what you hear! Sandra Funk is the CEO and Principal Designer of House of Funk, a greater New York area design firm working wherever great clients need us. This is interior design with a soul and a sense of place; reflecting your desires, personality, and style. House of Funk creates thoughtful homes with an emphasis on clean lines and soulful touches, all rooted in tradition. Sandra is an Accredited Professional for the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Sandra’s award-winning design work has been featured in publications such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The Huffington Post, Apartment Therapy, Aspire Design & Home, and Luxe Interiors + Design. With almost two decades in the interior design industry, Sandra is launching the Interior Design Standard in the spring of 2020 – a template for designers to utilize her streamlined processes and business structure to bring joy and profit to their own design business. Show Highlights: Sandra provides an overview of the success of the first Interior Design Standard program that launched this past spring. The most important feature of the Standard is the insanely accurate flat-fee calculator. The contract supports it and the processes take you through each step. The email templates in the program have been picked at, refined, and perfected by clients over the last 15 years. The Standard’s platform is built on the free version of Asana so that it removes a barrier to entry. Sandra discusses her House of Funk norm and what the request-for-quote templates contain. There is joy in efficiency: You get to sleep through the night because you’re not going to forget any of the important details because it’s all in the Standard. LuAnn takes a look back on the very first time she met Sandra. The Standard program took eighteen months to build prior to launch. Zoom calls as a community and Q&A are a regular thing. The calls are social, collaborative, and encouraging. The program processes get refined so users will get those updates. You have to do the work to reap the benefits of the Standard. The holy grail, according to those who have gone through the Standard, is signing your next client. Start with the potential client module, work them all the way through that, sign them, and then work them all the way through the full service process module from start to finish. Once you’ve gone through both the potential client and the full service process with one fresh new client, everything has been customized to you! Connect with Sandra! Sandra’s Website Sandra’s Instagram Sandra’s Facebook Sandra’s Pinterest Sandra’s Email Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Investment: $3,989 Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you nee

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! No matter where your business is, it’s going to take trial and error, iterating, learning, changing, and growing to take it to the next level. And if anybody knows how to build a business from the ground up in new locations multiple times, relying on solid networking and content marketing strategies to help her forge new connections and succeed in new places, it’s today’s guest. LuAnn welcomes Lesley Myrick back to the show. Listen in to learn what Lesley has to say about building a successful business, even when you’re starting in a brand new place. Lesley Myrick is an adventurous, organized, and enthusiastic interior designer in the Atlanta, Georgia area (and she works with clients all over the US and Canada, too). Lesley is originally from Canada and has lived and worked in Toronto, Ontario; Los Angeles, California; Waco, Texas; and now Macon, Georgia. She earned an honors diploma in interior design from Sheridan College in 2005 and launched Lesley Myrick Art + Design in 2015. She works with high-achieving women who are ambitious, adaptable, and committed to personal and professional growth. Lesley helps these driven women bust out of boring homes and helps new interior designers launch kickass businesses they love. Show Highlights: Lesley describes the moment she knew she needed to step out on her own. Intuition plays a part in making good decisions about your business. Niching down is how to find the best clients. Lesley also coaches designers that are coming into the design field as a second career. Appearing as a guest speaker has turned out to be a better networking ROI for Lesley. Lesley shares many ways to build your business. Elevate your design to differentiate yourself from other designers. Lesley blocks time for blogging, marketing, and other tasks. LuAnn and Lesley discuss the ins and outs of HARO (Help a Reporter Out). Lesley dishes on her Bust Out of Boring How the coronavirus event actually helped to streamline some of Lesley’s decisions. A “Freebies” webpage is value-added! Lesley shares some tips to maximize its impact. Reading The Introvert's Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone by Matthew Pollard with Derek Lewis was a game-changer for Lesley in understanding how to turn potential clients into actual clients. How your stories can help close a sale. Connect with Lesley! Lesley’s Website Lesley’s Freebies Lesley’s Instagram Lesley’s Podcast Bust Out of Boring Lesley’s Email #BizTipMonday emails + Resources for Interior Designers Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio A Well Designed Business Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Check Out Their ICreate Program to Easily Design Your Own Furniture in Just a Few Simple Steps! Kravet Other shows mentioned to link: #37 Lesley Myrick - Strategies I Used to Build My Business #203 Darla Powell – How to Launch an Interior Design Firm #330 Darla Powell: Darla Powell Interiors 18 Months After Opening #15 Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich #159 Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer #256 Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients #389 Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: The Interior Design Profit Formula #82 Deborah Rosenberg – Tailoring Your Interior Design Firm to Your Core Beliefs #117 Power Talk Friday: Deborah Rosenberg- Cruelty Free Design Certification is Here! #73 Kim Kuhteubl

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Mitch Hahn, the CEO of Nordens, a large, established accounting firm in Central London. Mitch is not new to the struggles and successes that accompany accounting for home designers. Simply put, Mitch doesn’t just look at home design from an accountant’s perspective; he sees accounting from a home designer’s perspective, too, so he truly speaks creatives’ language. Listen in for what Mitch has to say about what to look for in an accountant and how accountants can better serve designer clients. The CEO of an established accounting firm - like, over-3000-clients-established - at only 31, Mitch Hahn is versed in starting a company from scratch at a young age. And he’s not too bad at helping a variety of other businesses do the same, either. Plus, with a variety of home design businesses included within that scope, Mitch is not new to the struggles and successes that accompany accounting for home designers. It’s that “struggle” bit that he knows all too well! Show Highlights: Mitch’s firm, Nordens, differentiates itself from other accounting firms by focusing on relationships. Most creatives tend to not want to work with numbers. Designers should have a good working knowledge of their finances. Knowledge is power, and knowledge enables you to make better decisions. Mitch’s tips on how to find the right accountant. Benefits of working with an accountant on a close basis. Consistency and accountability are key to avoiding mistakes once you have your system down. Mitch is a “closer” and he makes things happen. Nordens is based in the UK but has many business consulting clients in the US. Mitch details his “Interactive Acceleration Program” that can help you achieve your goals. Location does not matter! Email Mitch directly at [email protected] for more information. Connect with Mitch! Nordens Website [The firm Mitch is CEO of] @MitchelHahn [personal twitter handle] @NordensAccounts [Accounting firm handle] Mitch’s LinkedIn Nordens YouTube To sign up for the Interactive Acceleration Program, just email Mitch directly at [email protected] Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article. Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM #464 Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner #349 Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: The Designer CPA

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers. Today’s dilemma comes from Virginia, a self-described #babydesigner. Virginia had a good working relationship with a contractor on commercial projects, and he brought her into one of his residential deals. Everything went great. She returned the favor by inviting him into one of her residential projects. The contractor ended up sending the client a proposal behind Virginia’s back, before she even had the design work presentation ready. This confused the client and made her look bad. Virginia is looking for the best way to handle this situation. Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions. If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara WWLD! Show Highlights: LuAnn provides the details around Virginia’s situation. Kudos to Virginia for: not throwing the contractor under the bus with the client. recognizing that she is the one that hired him for the project. taking a hard look at where she might have gone wrong. Why and how we should pay attention to our intuition. Part of the process for Virginia’s anger is to get it out and let it go. The contractor probably has no idea how “in the wrong” he is. Virginia should wait to speak with the contractor until the words she says are reflected in her tone of voice. Consider: In the interim between writing LuAnn the note and the airing of this show, does it still feel necessary to talk to the contractor about this? Does it feel like it will be productive to have this conversation with him now? If things feel fine now, let it go for the duration of the project. If things don’t feel fine, LuAnn has some thoughts on that direction, too! Suggestions for proposing and leading a constructive, post-project “autopsy” meeting with the contractor. Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits - Kicking Off September 23, 2020! With Desi Creswell Register NOW & Get Early Bird Pricing $1895 Regular Price: $2195 after September 4th Register Now! LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here! Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article. When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest is the Paloma Contreras - the Elle A-list, Forbes recognized, shop-owning, fabulously talented design influencer. You know, the Paloma Contreras that has163,000 Instagram followers? This lady is one amazing powerhouse! Keep listening, though, because it wasn’t always that way. She is a lady who cried on Sundays because she dreaded her work week so much, then went on to find her niche, love her job, and become that Elle Decor A-Lister. Don’t miss LuAnn’s and Paloma’s inspiring conversation about trusting your gut, taking action even when you’re afraid or unsure, and going for the big dream in your head and making it reality. Based in Houston, Texas, Paloma has honed her eye for style over more than a decade in the design industry. She has developed a reputation for designing beautiful interiors in a broad range of styles which are executed in a manner that is polished, refined, and effortless. Paloma has repeatedly been named on the prestigious ELLE Decor “A-List” of the top interior designers in the world. She’s been recognized as a “Next Wave” interior designer by House Beautiful and has been named to LUXE Magazine’s “Gold List”. Paloma was named #4 on the Forbes list of the Top Social Media Influencers in the Home category and according to ELLE Decor, is one of the Top 10 interior design Instagram accounts to follow. She recently debuted a licensed collection with Williams Sonoma Home and has done special projects with many major brands including One Kings Lane, Bravo Television, American Express, KitchenAid, Kohler, Auberge du Soleil, and Peninsula Hotels. Paloma has a book named Dream Design Live and a curated retail shop, Paloma & Co. And last but not least - she’s a lady after my own heart - she just launched The Style Files Podcast. When she gets a free second, Paloma enjoys traveling with her husband, Fabian, and spending time with their sweet dog, Tate. Show Highlights: Paloma credits her success to her passion, tenacity, and the ability to recognize opportunities. Consistency is necessary when you’re trying to build an audience, a brand, or a name for yourself. How Paloma went from being a bored high school Spanish teacher to starting a design blog as a creative writing outlet. Paloma shares the opportunities that enabled her to hone a different set of skills and her new design career that followed. Just because you’re seeing “xyz” in your social media feed because everyone is doing “xyz” doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. Things that you need to have in place before hiring a publicist. What it takes to be recognized by the press. Success can take years of hard work, sacrifice, and even some failures. "Make it a pleasure to work with you!” - Paloma Contreras Paloma addresses being an Elle Decor A-Lister. Connect with Paloma! Paloma’s Website Paloma’s Instagram Paloma’s Blog Paloma’s Podcast:The Style Files Podcast Paloma’s Email Order Your Copy of Paloma’s Book, Dream Design Live! Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative: Kravet FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio A Well Designed Business Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Visual Comfort #408 Amber Lewis #169, #184 Robin Baron #32 #540 Shea McGee #236 #270

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes Brad Leavitt of A.F.T. Construction back on the show today. Brad is here to talk with us about the “B” word - budgets! And the other “B” word - builders! Taking charge of the money for our projects is vital. In fact, it’s absolutely necessary if you want to build amazing client relationships and get the respect you deserve from your builders - and really anyone you interact with in your business. Brad is going to get into that with us today. Plus, LuAnn has been saving a question from one of her designers for him, so listen in to hear that question and see how Brad responds. Brad Leavitt is President of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC, a luxury residential and commercial builder located in Scottsdale, AZ. His Podcast, “The AFT Construction Podcast”, is focused on bringing value to its listeners, no matter their industry. The topics are focused on marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, organization, building science, and construction. Brad is an ambassador for many national brands and an energetic public speaker. Brad was born and raised in San Diego, CA as the oldest of 6 children. He grew up in the Construction industry and worked as an electrician throughout High School for Grove Electric with his 2 uncles. They did remodels and new home builds all over San Diego, but mostly on Coronado Island and in Rancho Santa Fe. Upon HS Graduation, he was accepted to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management. Brad accepted an offer in 2005 with Trend Homes, a local production home builder in Phoenix, AZ. He worked 1 year as a superintendent before accepting a dream job building custom homes. Rowland Luxury Homes hired Brad in 2006 and immediately he was assigned to be a Project Manager at the 350MM Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. Brad oversaw the construction and completion of 34 Custom homes that ranged between 2-4MM each. After completion of the 34 custom homes, he then assisted with the completion of the hotel guest rooms, arrival zone, lodge, and spa. After Montelucia was complete, Brad worked on numerous other residential and commercial projects in the greater Phoenix Area. In March 2013, Brad was ready to begin his own company and officially started A Finer Touch Construction, also known throughout social media as AFT Construction. AFT has continued their rapid growth this past 7 years and has been fortunate to win numerous build awards for its work. AFT Construction offers a wide variety of services including: Multi family, commercial, residential, tenant improvement, retail and medical. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability, and quality. Brad is married to Ashley Leavitt. Together, they have 6 children, 5 girls, and 1 boy. Brad is active with all 6 of his children, serves in his local community, and loves all sports Show Highlights: What designers can do to make sure their design matches the client’s budget. How conversations between the designer and builder should go. Builders should set designers up for success by letting the designer know the budget early on. Brad answers a question that LuAnn shares from her friend, Jillian, concerning Jillian asking a builder to give the client a quote based on the deliverables that the client wanted. This request caused a major problem between the builder and the designer. One of the common mistakes we make is jumping to conclusions about what we think our clients want to hear. Network with builders in your area and network with designers outside your area to find out how they’re working with budgets. The most successful designers have a good idea of pricing, even outside their scope of design. Do your resourcing homework on your own time. Invest a certain amount of time each week or each month where you’re on your own clock. Many builders today are open to a working relationship with designers and architects. Connect with Brad! Brad’s Website Brad’s Instagram Brad’s Facebook Brad’s Pinterest Brad’sLinkedIn All of Brad’s social media handles are “AFT_Construction”. Brad’s podcast is “The AFT Construction Podcast”. Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Busin

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, and welcome to another conversation in our Black Lives Matter series! Albie Buabeng, a specialist in e-design, joins LuAnn to share the internal struggle she had when she first began her design firm, and her desire to be part of the change in our world so that her daughter’s generation reaps the benefits. This is one #smartlady who walks the talk. Albie also shares some valuable resources, so don’t miss this! As both interior designer and content creator, Albie's passion for decoding spaces is the culmination of nearly a decade of retail visual merchandising and freelance marketing, sprinkled with a lifetime of experiences. Using her background of space design and storytelling, Albie took her real-life lessons and launched an online interior design service. Her love of design has since evolved into a destination for inspiration centered around her blog, video content, social media, podcast, and self-published book, in addition to her current role as the marketing coordinator for a Seattle-based interior design firm. Show Highlights: The impact of Albie’s initiative with #sharethemicnowhomeedition Albie’s deeper exploration into the accessibility of beautifully designed homes How our reactions are being internalized by our audiences that are watching us Albie relates her experience with her first black client “Brown girls aren’t ballerinas” - Albie shares a conversation with her daughter A gut-punch moment: Going into a profession that is so personal only to find out that the black community felt completely disconnected and neglected from it The importance of normalizing these hard conversations No matter how small your part may seem, it still matters. Connect with Albie! Albie’s Instagram Albie’s YouTube Albie’s Website Albie’s Email Albie’s Book, which just celebrated its first anniversary! The Design Influence podcast resumes this fall! #sharethemicnowhomeedition A Special Note from Albie: First and foremost, I urge everyone to look up their local (city) NAACP chapter, BLM, and bond fund. National contributions are amazing, but there's so much we can do within our own zip codes, especially to help people already doing the work. Secondly, as creatives, find your local creative institutions to support and/or work with. We do not always know how to step into the arena of activism because we believe it has to be some grand gesture like a large donation and/or protesting, but that just isn't the case. For example, here in Washington, we have the Northwest African American Museum. In southern New Jersey, there's the African American Heritage Museum. Keeping the culture and history alive for current and upcoming generations is as important as dismantling broken systems. Lastly, on my blog I compiled two separate lists of books on diversity & racism -- one for adults and one for kids. Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Albie’s original appearance # 348 Cheryl Luckett #291, #397, 573 Beth Diana Smith #439 Veronica Solomon #50

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Lori Morris, one of the most passionate and driven people LuAnn has ever come across, joins the show today to share what it takes to grow your business to the level of attracting luxury clients and delivering the level of service and design that they expect. Even as Lori’s business has grown so large, she maintains creative control and has a hand in every project they tackle. If you want to attract those luxury clients, if you want to work on these magnificent homes, if you want to offer that truly above and beyond level of service, then stay tuned to LuAnn and Lori’s conversation for takeaways that you can apply to your business to help reach your goals. Not one to merely dip her toe in the water, Lori Morris is an ‘all or nothing’ designer whose artistry is rooted in tradition, unconventional ideas and fearless execution of perfection. Reinventing the standard of design since 1987, her work can be found in some of the most high-end properties across Canada and North America, including Miami, Dallas, St. Louis and San Francisco, with each project delivering a unique, timeless look with an unprecedented level of luxury, comfort and style. Leading an extensive team of professionals in-house and abroad, Lori Morris is a full-service firm offering a complete design and build turnkey solution for any project. Lori’s ‘no rules’ design philosophy has evolved into her own signature LMD style, which she coins “Sexy French.” In every space, you’ll find a seamless melding of sensory, form and function, with materials sourced from artisans across the world that provide intricate molding, artful flooring, and walls that use some of the most exotic and rare marbles. Leading by way of example for strength and confidence, Lori continues to be revered as one of the most coveted designers in the interior design world, empowering others by embracing her role as a role model for all women entrepreneurs. Lori is an “all or nothing” designer who works on high-end properties across Canada and North America. She delivers an unprecedented level of luxury, comfort, and style with every project. Lori is a true artist who prides herself on creating a unique feeling for every one of her clients. Tune in to learn about her ‘no rules’ design philosophy, which has evolved into her own signature style, and her advice on attracting luxury clients and scaling your business toward high-end projects. Show Highlights: Lori explains the unique purpose of her “LMC” (Lori Morris Concierge) service. Lori details why the Design Build Books that she delivers to architects can be 1,000 page documents. “Sexy French” is a collaboration and a marriage between the modern design that Lori loves and the French design that she loves. Every house is treated like an original painting. The moment that Lori decided to get the kind of clients to perform the kind of magic that she wanted to perform. Learn from your mistakes: It’s not a mistake if you have the experience once. It’s only a mistake if you do the same thing twice. Lessons working with the luxury client: Lori shares her insights. The importance of a mutually respectful relationship. Don’t confuse “red flags” with something that you just don’t want to do. It is key to manage your client’s expectations. There’s always a solution to a problem! Connect with Lori! Lori’s Website Lori’s Instagram Lori’s Twitter Lori’s Facebook Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen. Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn has a very special episode for you today. Amber De La Garza is back with her on the show. Amber De La Garza is The Productivity Specialist. She is also one of the co-authors of LuAnn’s third book coming out this fall, which is A Well Designed Business: The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2. This episode is a little bit different than most, because today LuAnn and Amber are going to be talking about the work that they have accomplished, the internal stories and beliefs that Amber has helped LuAnn overcome, and the ways that they adapted strategies and worked through obstacles together, allowing LuAnn to reclaim some of her own time. They’re going to pull back the curtain on their process and the lessons that were learned along the way. Amber is a coach, trainer, speaker, and writer, and she hosts her own podcast, Productivity Straight Talk. She helps business owners improve their time management and elevate their productivity, which in turn lets them maximize profits, reduce stress, and free up time for what matters most. Show Highlights: Amber has been helping LuAnn reclaim balance in both her personal and work life. Amber guided LuAnn through the strategies that weren’t working for her. Working one on one enables you to revise and tweak a strategy until it works for you. LuAnn describes her startling realization that she had normalized a seven-day work week. The stories that we tell ourselves: How we can take back some of that time and create a new and sustainable LuAnn shares how she almost stopped doing her intro’s and outro’s for the show but received plenty of confirmation to continue. This show is her baby and LuAnn is emotionally invested in it. Amber explains the concept and importance of “highest value activities”. As your business grows, you have to outsource and delegate. And you have to be ok with accepting help! Amber challenged LuAnn in ways that made LuAnn question beliefs that she was so convinced were unchangeable. When you re-evaluate doing things that are just normalized, then you will be able to look at everything in your business with a fresh perspective. Connect with Amber! Amber’s Website Amber’s Podcast Amber’s Facebook Amber’s Instagram Time Management Made Simple - Amber’s 4 module program that will teach you her proven, step-by-step time management system for small business owners, to move you from stressed out and overwhelmed to fully in control and fulfilled! Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio A Well Designed Business When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Link Previous Shows: Amber De La Garza #385 Madeleine MacRae #283, #315 Design Writer Deb #573

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?”, where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers. Today’s question comes from Carol Ann Hirvat. Carol worked with a client a few years ago on a $45,000 job that ultimately never went anywhere. Then out of the blue, the client reaches out with an apology and requested for a second chance. Guess what happens after Carol invests another 15 hours into the deal? Yep! So Carol would like to know her next best steps. Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions. If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara WWLD! Show Highlights: LuAnn provides the details around Carol’s situation. Giving the benefit of the doubt to the client, consider that there might be other possible reasons for the client’s action other than an ulterior motive. Just because Carol gives the client the benefit of the doubt does not mean that the client is off the hook. The client owes an explanation, so LuAnn advises Carol to unapologetically check in with the client on a weekly, bi weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis until she gets some answers. Carol can still be super kind and respectful while pursuing her answer. LuAnn offers some thoughtful strategies regarding reaching out and following up. Carol should keep in mind that she can’t force a communication. Focus on the positive things about the client and the relationship. Remember: Gentle persistence! Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service! Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim! Use Code at Checkout: awdb10 Kravet Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now. For quality furniture that can be delivered, fast, easy, and direct to your client: Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is someone who made quite an impression on the audience during a LuAnn Live event by sharing her “eat, pray, love” story. Lisa Gilmore told the audience how she was in such a hard space, mismanaging money, and doing all the things incredibly wrong. Who didn’t feel a connection with this lady for her honesty and bravery? Listen in to find out how Lisa turned her business (and life!) around by owning her errors and being consistent, and just see if there’s not something in here that you can use for your own. Lisa Gilmore, one of the Southeast’s leading luxury residential designers, is known for the customized one-of-a-kind interiors she creates for large scale homes and condos in Tampa Bay and throughout North America. She has over a decade of experience providing luxury environments for CEO’s, attorneys, business owners, entrepreneurs, tech company executives, and other prominent clients. Her work and her unique “liveable glamour” style have been featured in online and print publications worldwide. Lisa’s full range of design services includes everything from project management and consulting on architectural and floor plans, to specifying finishes and creating detailed hand renderings of her work. Lisa establishes close personal relationships with her clients. Those clients use phrases like “remarkably talented”, “fantastic to work with”, and “organized, good natured and easy to communicate with” to characterize Lisa and her team, and “functional and beautiful” and “out of the box thinking” to describe her work. She is often praised for pulling people out of their comfort zone with interior design and giving her clients what they never knew could exist. Lisa Gilmore Design is backed by a team of some of the region’s leading contractors, craftsmen, and artisans as well as an international network of vendors and suppliers. Her clients benefit from the luxury design expertise, problem solving insights, product knowledge, and other skills she gained during her highly successful earlier career working for leading interior design firms in central Florida and Chicago. Her design work is influenced by her travels throughout North America, Europe, and Africa. Lisa holds a degree in interior design and is a member of the International Interior Design Association. She keeps current on design trends by attending conferences, trade shows, and other industry events. Show Highlights: LuAnn shares the email that she received from Lisa. Lisa relates something that LuAnn mentioned previously that gave her an epiphany as to the root of her problem. Fear held Lisa back, but she found processes and systems that turned things around. This helped her gain confidence! “Finance Friday” How LuAnn’s book helped Lisa get her business back on track. Lisa shares how being turned in to the state by another designer turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Lisa explains the business decisions and billing changes that she put into place. You have to be more versatile to survive through the hard times. How getting your finances figured out can actually bring joy! Here’s what Lisa is looking forward to. Connect with Lisa! Lisa’s Email Lisa’s Website Lisa’s Instagram Lisa’s Facebook Lisa’s Pinterest Lisa’s Twitter Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September LuAnn University The Profit Is In The Numbers The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang Coming September 2020! Early Bird Registration Sept 4 - Sept 20 Classes: Sept 22 - Sept 24 Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company. Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Peter Lang #349, 464 Michele Williams #115, #390