A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn shares a conversation with Deb Mitchell on today’s show. You may know Deb on Instagram as DesignWriterDeb. She’s a writer specializing in serving interior designers. Did you know that your own writing style can differentiate yourself from other designers in the way it reflects your personality and your style? And that the most impactful way of writing speaks to the client? Listen in for tips on how you can make this happen, or how you can work with Deb if you’re needing a little extra help in communicating effectively with your ideal client. Deb Mitchell’s career as a professional writer began when she responded to an ad in a local Charlotte, NC magazine seeking volunteers for a readers’ panel. On a tour of the magazine’s offices with the other selected panelists, the idea for an article came to her and when she mentioned it to the editors, they hired her on the spot as a writer. Nearly ten years and hundreds of articles later, Deb decided to blend her design feature writing experience with her pre-writing career experience in high-end retail sales to help interior designers move their businesses forward with strategic copywriting and content marketing services. Today, Deb’s client list is ever growing with designers at nearly every stage of business. Most recently, she’s joined forces with two experts, a branding designer and a website developer, to offer designers an all-in-one option for fully custom designed and copywritten WordPress websites. Deb has by-lined articles in publications such as Casual Living, Design Texas, Lake Norman Magazine, and Today’s Charlotte Woman, and on The Renegade Writer blog. Her ghostwriting has appeared in dozens of top shelter publications and design blogs. Show Highlights: Start the writing process with getting to know your clients. What do they care about? When writing, differentiate yourself by considering how you are different from your colleague in aesthetic, processes, delivery of services, and personality. Make your writing reflective of you. Don’t write a bio that’s so vanilla we can substitute another designer’s name for yours. Don’t be intimidated about writing. Get your ideas out of your head and get someone to take a look at your copy and help with editing. Create a “messaging” folder - it’s a living document used to hold your core words, thoughts, and phrases. Add to it as you come up with copy that helps define you and will resonate with your clients. Start by finishing these statements: I believe my clients deserve… I believe my clients should experience… When speaking about me, someone said... To create consistent messaging, refer to this file when writing your social media, creating a new web page, or preparing to speak on a panel. Read your reviews to get ideas and reflect the language your clients use. LuAnn and Deb cover the services that Deb offers. Connect with Deb! Deb’s Email Deb’s Website - Schedule a Free Consultation Today! Deb’s Instagram Deb’s Facebook Deb’s Pinterest Websites Mentioned: Blakely Interiordesign Victoria At Home Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB 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 LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action 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. Other shows mentioned to link to #174 Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours #125 Nicole Heymer: How to Brand Your Business #544 Natalie Norcross: Natalie Norcross: 5 Things To Do To Get PR #364 Janelle Photopoulos: Leading, Not Simply Running, Your Interior Design Firm

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s friend and previous guest, Cheryl Luckett, joins the show today for the next episode in the Black Lives Matter Series. Cheryl shares her experience in growing up in the deep south, her recollection of her first experience with racism, and the thoughts that went through her mind in that horrifying moment. You’ll also hear her explain how lack of inclusion and lack of resources in our own industry are racism hurdles. LuAnn and Cheryl cover many ways that you can do your part in creating inclusion and progress in our industry. Every action by each one of us matters! With a 15-year career in Corporate America as a Registered Dietitian and Human Resources professional, Cheryl launched Dwell by Cheryl Interiors in 2012 seeking a creative outlet and an opportunity to explore her passion for design. The venture began with her blog chronicling her own home improvement projects and quickly morphed into a “side-hustle” decorating homes. After five years and a carefully executed strategic plan designed to help make the transition easier, she made the decision to leave corporate life behind. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cheryl, and her team provide clients with a professional and seamless design experience creating homes that are classic, colorful, cultured, and cozy that allow their clients to live their fullest lives. In 2018, she launched her first licensed collection of upholstered furniture with NC-based Sylvester Alexander called Belle by Cheryl Luckett. Her work has been published both locally and nationally appearing in Traditional Home, Country Living, and Southern Home. Show Highlights: Conversations regarding racism not only need to happen, they need to be sustained. Cheryl shares her first recollection of racism. Cheryl defines the concept of “shifting”. A career move away from corporate and human resources led to an epiphany regarding inclusion and diversity years later. The racism hurdles in the design industry as seen through Cheryl’s eyes. Diversity training should be a part of your business strategy. Visibility should not be mistaken for change. Cheryl and LuAnn offer suggestions for making change, starting with: Speak up! LuAnn addresses “white privilege”. Racism is a deep, collective wound. Connect with Cheryl! (@dwellbycheryl on all platforms!) Cheryl’s Email Cheryl’s Facebook Cheryl’s Instagram Cheryl’s Twitter Cheryl’s Pinterest See Cheryl’s “Belle by Cheryl Luckett” Collection at: Sylvester Alexander Read about Mitchell Parson, the owner of Sylvester Alexander: Sylvester Alexander Cheryl Recommends: Black Interior Designers Network Black Lives Matter Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) So you want to talk about race White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America 13th (Netflix) Links : Article: Dear White People, Here Are 10 Actions You Can Take to Promote Racial Justice in the Workplace Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? Luann Nigara COB 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 LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action 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. 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: #291, #397 Cheryl’s previous shows #562 Rasheeda Gray Kae Whitaker: #556 Corey Damen Jenkins #388

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Cynthia Collins joins LuAnn in today’s episode for a discussion on mentorship. Cynthia is going to walk us through how she finds the best young talent available and how she helps them grow and learn, often producing long-lasting employees that fit in at her firm for many years to come. Cynthia is a true servant at heart, with a mission to help and guide others whenever and wherever possible, leaving a positive impact on the world. Listen in for ideas to make your company culture rewarding and uplifting, and how you can recruit young people that will grow with you into the future! In 1992, Cynthia Collins began Collins Interiors, a Dallas-based firm specializing in full-scale residential interior design. Throughout the years, Cynthia has been privileged to work with some of the most talented architects in the field and has been a part of projects across the United States, including Texas, North Carolina, Utah, Colorado, Florida, Georgia & California. Each detail is meticulously planned with the client in mind and chosen for its functionality, meaning, and beauty. She lives in Dallas with her husband, Bruce Collins, and has three grown boys. She is a believer. Her neighbors are her family. She is a teacher and a mentor, an avid reader, a fantastic fisher woman, a brilliant story teller, a music enthusiast (in a BIG way!), a movie fanatic, a speedy biker, a creative chef and generous beyond measure. She has a true servant's heart in EVERYTHING she does and wants the very best experience for her team, clients, family, and friends. Show Highlights: Cynthia explains the structure of her firm and the various positions therein. The newer employees are taught by the senior designers how to budget, how to problem-solve, and all of the other intricacies of being a lead designer. Cynthia discusses what she looks for in interns and employees. Culture is key: People should be able to enjoy walking into the office everyday without worrying about the drama prevalent in many of today’s places of work. Interior Designers are visual people, and first impressions and ongoing image are an important part of a designer’s reputation. Interns and job seekers should “do their homework” on a company before applying for a position. Cynthia relates some lessons that she learned from another interior design firm before she went into business for herself. LuAnn and Cynthia discuss how Cynthia runs her projects’ systems and processes. Diversification and planning for the future are critical in every business. Connect with Cynthia! Collins Interiors @collins__interiors (two underscores) Blue Print Store @blue_print_store Links : Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business LuAnn’s Favorite Resources Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Get the Goodies! - For checklists, resources, and extra goodies! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action 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. When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen: Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Chad James #68 Eileen Hahn #363

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Amanda Berlin joins LuAnn on today’s episode to chat about a holistic visibility strategy. If you’ve been considering defining or refining your vision and fresh ways to reach your goals, you’ll want to listen in for Amanda’s tips! Amanda is one of the co-authors in the next volume of The Power Talk Friday Experts. Amanda Berlin is a Communications Consultant for Entrepreneurs. After more than a decade in the New York City public relations world, Amanda Berlin now uses her pitch powers for good. She helps entrepreneurs step into their presence, create a story that inspires others, and spread their message in the media. Amanda has created a library of template guides and trainings and works one on one with clients to guide them to strategic story-telling and media relations based on her 12 years of experience guiding strategy for major brands in the corporate world. Amanda and her clients have been featured in all types of media — from Business Insider to Entrepreneur on Fire and from WNYW Fox 5 to Bustle.com. She's the host of The Empowered Publicity Podcast and loves arming soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skill-set they need to go from hidden industry gem to recognizable trusted expert. Amanda has spoken on the topics of visibility, publicity, and entrepreneurship at BizChix Live, Style Collective Raleigh and New York City, Body Local, Hoboken Entrepreneur Group, and more. Show Highlights: Amanda details her philosophy on the 3 Pillars of Visibility: Collaborations and alliances Speaking and events Media Differing amounts of each one of these tactics are necessary to achieve different goals. It’s important to remember that the relationships that you build through collaborations are going to serve the business over time. Who is teaching the thing that you wished people knew before they got to you? Zoom is a great way to make a presentation that may feel less risky than an in-person event right now. Having your projects featured in major publications is great for exposure, validation, and street cred when someone visits your website, but your clients are going to hear about you through someone else the majority of the time. PR is not science; it’s mostly art! Use your expert knowledge when talking across different social media platforms, tailoring the events so that they are relevant to each audience. Re-use them as needed. These pillars of visibility are things that you have to focus on in your business. You have to constantly be widening your sphere, widening the network that you’re associated with, introducing yourself to new audiences, and being a person of service in providing something of value. Connect with Amanda! Amanda’s Email Listen and Subscribe to the Empowered Publicity Podcast Join Amanda for On-Air Coaching. Click here to apply. Amanda Berlin Find Amanda on Facebook Follow Amanda on Twitter Amanda is launching PITCH School, the course: Learn how to be seen, heard, fully expressed, recognized, appreciated, and contracted (i.e. PAID!!) for your unique genius. PITCH School will teach you how to secure coverage for yourself and your business and convert those listeners and readers into fans, followers, and clients. PLUS: Right now, buy the course, fill out her assessment and get a personalized video from Amanda on your EXACT ENTRY POINT for this work so you use the course in a way that WILL WORK for your business. You have been working hard to grow your voice and work in the world, now let Amanda help you explode into your industry and become the sought-after expert you know you can be. More Info: PITCH School Links : Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision to register. 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! Sales for Creatives will be back in 2020! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action 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 Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Nicole Heymer #125, 317, 466 Darla Powell 203, 330 Carolyn Flannery 453 Amanda Berlin 420

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes her friend, Natasa Jones to the show to share her super-smart, super-efficient strategy for note taking. Natasa’s method will work whether you are attending a webinar, a panel discussion, a course, or a conference. If you need to brush up on your note-taking skills, you don’t want to miss out on this valuable information! You’ll also hear about some of the epiphanies that Natasa experienced at LuAnn Live last year, and there are some that are sure to be meaningful to you, as well. Natasa Jones is the owner and principal interior designer of Natasa Jones Interiors, located in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Natasa studied interior design in Chicago and her goal was always to run her own firm. Being born and raised in Montenegro, Natasa loves incorporating European contemporary elements into her interior design projects to create her signature livable modern look. Show Highlights: LuAnn shares Natasa’s take-away moments from LuAnn Live last year. When you’re at any type of learning event, ensure that you take notes in such a way that following through with any action is easy. Natasa details the 5 tabs you need for efficient note-taking: To do now To do later To buy or download Mindset Follow up Natasa relates her idea for a gift that realtors can give to their high-end clients: a free design consultation with Natasa. There are some benefits to charging a flat-fee rate per room. Natasa sings the praises of Mydoma Studio and discusses how it has helped her to streamline her processes. How to present your true self to your client. Own what you are capable of delivering. Connect with Natasa! Natasa’s Email Natasa’s Website Instagram Instagram Natasa’s Facebook Links : Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision to register. 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! Sales for Creatives will be back in 2020! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Interior Design Standard is Back! Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry! Enrollment: September 16th - September 28th Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action 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! 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. Other shows mentioned for shownotes. Sara Brennan 463, 514, 524 Kelsey Grose 167 Taylor Spellman 106, 467 Candy Scott 409, 279 Rachel Cannon 306, 409 Melissa Lindsey 517 Sandra Funk 02, 145, 520 Stacy Tuschl 87 Corey Damen Jenkins 127, 388, 549 Peter Lang 349, 464 Wendy Wolshchuk 316, 527 Kae Whitaker 26, 66, 114, 259, 274, 556 Claire Jefford 237, 325, 485 Sarah Daniele 91, 177, 555 Kesha Franklin 370

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn is joined today by Mike Peterson, an experienced marketing and brand consultant who wants to emphasize an opportunity that our community of interior designers seems to be completely missing out on, and that’s the power they hold to improve the health of their clients through health and wellness design. Yes, you heard that right! Mike is here to explain why this is no longer anecdotal. Mike Peterson is founder of the innovative marketing and brand firm, Visionary Design Marketing. Visionary Design Marketing's goal is to help companies create tailored, strategic, and effective communications that are founded in a clear understanding of their brand. Brand development is rooted in a customers understanding of a designer's brand and includes new website, social media communications tools, and the new targeted digital tools such as geofencing, microproximity targeting, and display contextual search. Visionary Design Marketing is currently leading a developing education in our industry... that interior designers provide much more than aesthetics..they improve the health of their clients! Mike Peterson’s experience is rooted in years as a leading advertising executive and Publisher at Hearst Magazines, including House Beautiful and Country Living, working with leading national advertisers. Mike’s experience in the home furnishings industry includes President/CEO of LaBarge Furnishings and as Vice President of Corporate Marketing for such companies as Henredon, Lexington, Drexel Heritage, and more. Prior to Visionary Design Marketing, Mike spent 8 years as Publisher of Luxe Magazine. In this role, Mike guided LUXE Magazine into a market leader and served the design industry by helping interior designers, design centers, and luxury design firms better grow marketing strategies for their businesses. Show Highlights: Designers do not get credit for improving both the physical and mental health of their clients. Mike wants to teach designers how to take credit for this “Design Harmony” that is not just a concept, but is now proven by studies the world over. Designers should start including the health benefits of design into their marketing. This will also allow them to increase their hourly rate and overall revenue. Mike explains the physiological changes that take place when we’re pleased with our surroundings. Mike provides designers with the information they need to build a better business using brand differentiation. Terminology that you need to know: environmental psychology, sensory design, chromotherapy, neuroaesthetics, shinrun-yoku, and biophilic design. Mike offers a CEU class on Design Harmony. There is also a section on how to begin marketing yourself as a health and wellness-based design firm. Once designers have a conviction of their real value proposition, they can then start marketing themselves with confidence using all of the correct terminology. Connect with Mike! Mike’s Email Mike’s Website Mike’s Instagram Free PDF: Finding Your Brand Personality Design Harmony – A Look at Design’s Influence on Health and Wellness Interior Designers Embracing Wellness – Focused Design Opportunties Sign up for CEU Class via Zoom August 13, 2020, only $40.00 per person! Design Harmony: Design’s Influence on Health & Wellness Book Mentioned: Beauty, Neuroscience, and Architecture: Timeless Patterns and Their Impact on Our Well-Being by Donald H. Ruggles Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design by Stephen Kellert Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision to register. Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen: Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Other shows mentioned for shownotes: Che

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest is LuAnn’s friend, Arianne Bellizaire. In this #blacklivesmatter episode, Arianne shares her experiences with us as a black woman and designer. Don’t be surprised when you have some self-discovery moments as Arianne takes LuAnn on a dive into the policies and systems that have been built in this country that allow us to see things differently. In addition, Arianne catches us up on what she’s been working on since she was last a guest on the show, and you don’t want to miss the details of her new video course! Please join this conversation, for you are sure to learn something new. Award-winning, Baton Rouge-based interior designer and content creator Arianne Bellizaire is a certified True Colour Expert who inspires her design clients and readers with her warmth, positivity, and creative problem-solving talents. Among Arianne's many awards and achievements in her design career, she has been named a High Point Market Authority Style Spotter (2015), Perlick Ambassador of Cool (2017), Villeroy & Boch Color Challenge Winner (2017), Modenus Blog Tour invitee (2016 & 2019), and Modenus DesignHound (Spain and London 2016, Surfaces 2018). Her blog Inspired To Style is a two-time nominee for the Amara Interior Blog Awards (2016, 2017) and is currently listed as one of the Modenus Top 100 Influential Blogs. Her work and expertise have been featured in Rue Daily, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Business of Home, and USA Today. Show Highlights: Arianne shares how she decided to have more conversations about race with her white friends through reading How To Be An Antiracist and talking about it in the Facebook group that she created for it, Courageous Conversations: Unpacking Racism. This Facebook group grew rapidly and within two weeks of its inception, a curriculum and format was created. “Part of the challenge is everybody’s perspective causes them to see the world differently.” - Arianne The book allows the group to see history and policies as they are layered over race. Do you remember the debate about the dress that people were adamant was either black and blue or white and gold? Does Arianne have an analogy for you! Arianne provides examples of how we all subliminally have a hierarchy in our minds regarding race, and what is “good” versus what is “bad”. We must look at every policy and ask ourselves if that policy is “anti-racist”. “Anti-racist” is anything that provides equity for all races. It does not make one race superior to another. When you hear someone point out inequities or discrepancies, please do not feel offended. Rather, listen to the fact that that person loves this country enough to try to make it better. Arianne discusses her video course, Video Like A Pro. It’s about how to do video: how to make video a story, how to write a script, how to plan for your shoots, what equipment you need, and much more! Connect with Arianne! Arianne’s Email Arianne’s Instagram Arianne’s Facebook Arianne’s Pinterest Arianne’s Twitter Arianne’s video course: Video Like A Pro Facebook Group: Courageous Conversations: Unpacking Racism The 1619 Project Podcast Books Mentioned: How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi Stamped by Ibram X Kendi Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision.com to register. Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! 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 #20 Arianne’s original appearance Other #BLM Shows: #549 Corey Damen Jenkins #556 Kae Whitaker #562 Rasheeda Gray

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is her friend, Karen Wolf, and they’re going to be covering how Karen jumped into immediate action at the outset of the Covid-19 crisis. Karen’s background in marketing taught her to “double down or drown”, and she wasn’t about to drown. Listen in to hear how Karen’s decisive leadership combined with a willingness to think outside the box put her in the category of an exceptional business owner. See if you don’t have some great “A’ha” moments during this conversation! Karen is the Principal and Owner of nationally-recognized Karen B. Wolf Interiors. She is known for her signature style—"modern elegance,” which speaks to livable luxury, balanced color usage, clean lines, and layered spaces. Prioritizing her clients’ input and preferred aesthetics, Karen leads her team of talented women to create upscale residential spaces that speak authentically to her clients’ one-of-a-kind lifestyles and interests. Karen’s enthusiasm and passion for all facets of interior design have been a driving factor in her firm’s 10+ years of success and ability to work transparently, collaboratively, and effectively with her community of loyal clients. A triple-threat, Karen’s education in Fine Arts, Marketing and Trends Analysis offered her the knowledge and vision to build a successful design business from the ground up. With experience in product development, Karen always has her eye on what’s new and next, organically incorporating the newest and upcoming trends in ways that are warm and timeless. Karen’s work has been featured in a number of notable regional and national publications, both print and digital, as well as on national television on NBC’s George to the Rescue. A reliable source in the design industry, Karen has participated on business and design-focused podcasts and has an engaged, consistent presence at industry trade shows and conferences around the country. Karen believes that every project deserves a little sparkle, a little color, something natural, and lots of love. Show Highlights: Karen explains her “double-down or drown” philosophy. Designers should be marketing themselves 25% of the time, especially during a recession or pandemic. Learn to identify and overcome the roadblocks and perception issues that get in the way of marketing. Karen describes how she decided on content creation and marketing outreach for lead generation. The biggest move Karen made was creating Design Pop Live, an IG series on Design Trends. The content generated by these talks can be broken up into mini content for Pinterest, Facebook and blog. The content can also inspire additional topics for conversations. “You have to step past the fear, and step out. It works! After I did it once, it was just like riding a bike, all over again.” - Karen Consider hiring a marketing coordinator. Karen details her key strategies. Work it! Sometime you just have to hustle to succeed, especially right now. Connect with Karen! Karen’s Instagram Karen’s Facebook Karen’s Pinterest Karen’s Website Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision to register. Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! 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! Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service. Their popular visualization tool is now available on Lee Jofa Workroom furniture! 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 Elissa Grayer #451

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Ashley Uhl joins LuAnn on today’s show to talk about how to talk to your clients like a leader, not like a boss. Ashley Uhl is the only client experience consultant exclusively focused on working with interior designers and decorators. Ashley’s knowledge and expertise in client experience comes from her degree in Psychology, years of working with high net worth individuals at wealth management firm Morgan Stanley, formal training and work in human relations, sales, and presentations at top professional development company, Dale Carnegie, and from years of gleaning knowledge from five star establishments she visited during her international travel. Her knowledge of interior design, and the processes around it, came from her short stint as a designer, which then became a pivot to teaching designers about the client experience. Ashley now shows designers how to confidently lead clients through the design process by teaching them a repeatable, systematic approach to delivering an exceptional client experience. One that results in higher fees, increased efficiency, and clients absolutely adoring you. Ashley’s blog on the exceptional client experience is read by design professionals all over the world and has been a featured guest on podcasts such as Wingnut Social, Kimberly Seldon’s Business of Design, Kate the Socialite’s The Kate Show, and Michelle Williams’ Profit is a Choice. You can learn more about Ashley and how she works with designers at Ashley Uhl Consulting. Show Highlights: You don’t want your clients to run over you, so you want to communicate with them in a very specific, client-friendly way. Especially in initial conversations with people, keep the focus on what you’re willing to do, not on what you’re NOT willing to do. Talk in the positive. Ashley shares how to redirect clients in constructive ways. There’s a gentle way to flip deadlines around holidays and parties. “You aren’t a butler; you choose to be a servant-leader. You’re setting the tone every step of the way. You’re a leader who’s actively thinking through problems that your client is going to come up against. “ - Ashley It’s Ok to tell your client you need some time to think on a request, but let them know when you will get back with them. Take this time to experience your fear, then come up with a solution to take to your client. This puts you back in the leadership position. Explaining situations with respect to your clients is the doctor’s equivalent of having a great “bedside manner”. Ashley has pre-recorded video courses that can be taken at any time that teaches you how you can consistently provide an exceptional client experience from beginning to end. She also provides ideas on client pampering! Connect with Ashley! Ashley’s Facebook Ashley’s Instagram Ashley’s Pinterest Ashley’s Email Links : Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Attend the Virtual IWCE - July 29-30, 2020 Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Instagram Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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. Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service. Their popular visualization tool is now available on Lee Jofa Workroom furniture! Kravet Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Wendy Woloshchuk #316, #527 Claire Jefford #237, #325, #486 Sandra Funk #2, 145, 520

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 Griffin Dorner, who is pregnant and due in October. Furthermore, she is the only one in her business so she’s looking for tips on how to prepare for maternity leave. 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 Griffin’s situation. LuAnn speaks from her heart regarding making our babies our first priority. Griffin should consider what she will and will not do during maternity leave. Based on that conversation with herself and a trusted family member, friend, or peer, here are what Griffin’s next steps should be: Review her projects and tie out as many as she can right now to completion. Review and lock down her finances, including invoices and operating expenses. Consider what happens with deficiency phone calls. Consider what happens with new work inquiries. Consider what to do about email and phone and who will be checking it. If you have a social media presence, think about hiring it out! If you have a newsletter, maybe take the time to write your blog posts now. LuAnn details how Griffin may be able to put her work hat on once a week while a loved one cares for her baby as she monitors work situations. Links : Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision.com to register. LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale For Profit Starts July 22nd! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! 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 Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB 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.

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is Vicky Serany from Southern Studio, and you’re going to hear how Vicky’s mission, vision, and goals for her company changed over the years. Sometimes you just have to make your business fit the life you have. You’ll be inspired to learn that you can revise, recalibrate, and reinvent your business at any time ever, over your entire life - and you’re going to receive lots of insights on leadership, too, so listen in! Vicky Serany uses fresh combinations of texture, pattern, and color to create luxury interiors that meet the needs of each client. By paying attention to every detail of a project, she is able to meticulously transform the design vision into reality. Her inspiration comes from the beauty in everyday life and travel to fascinating places. Vicky’s extensive work in residential design and new home construction has earned her awards both locally and nationally. Vicky is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and lives in Cary with her husband, Dan. This empty nest mom jumps at the opportunity to spend time with her two grown children. When she’s not creating inspired interiors, Vicky enjoys spending time at the beach, sharing a bottle of wine with close friends, and exploring new adventures on her bucket list! Southern Studio Interior Design was founded in 2001 and has earned a reputation as an award-winning interior design firm specializing in luxury interior spaces with casual sophistication. We believe that a well-designed home is timeless and reflects the unique personalities of its owners. The mission of Southern Studio is to provide a high level of creativity, integrity, and personalized attention to every project. Show Highlights: Vicky shares the dilemma she faced during the 2008 recession and the solution she found that actually went against everybody’s advice. Vicky and her team took advantage during coronavirus to work on “Covid-19” projects from home, learning new skills. “The one thing I’ve learned is that if we really focus on best business practices, we can survive and we plan for the down times.” Vicky LuAnn addresses the need to have a support group within the industry - mentors, business coaches, and experts in the area. Vicky provides an overview of the tools, processes, and systems that help her and her team to manage projects. Every team member is empowered to use their “Make It Right” policy. Learn from mistakes. Think about where you want to be and where you want to go so that you’re better equipped to lead your teams into the future. No matter where you are as a designer, you get there with a plan, taking action, and your support group. When things are tough, it doesn’t always mean that something is wrong. Don’t be paralyzed by fear! Connect with Vicky! Vicky’s Email Vicky’s Website Vicky’s Instagram Vicky’s Blog Links : 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 EARLY BIRD PRICING OF $99 THROUGH JULY 14TH!! Closing the Sale Begins at Hello July 29 & 30, 2020 Go to IWCE Vision to register. Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! 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 Other shows mentioned Eileen Hahn #363 LuAnn Solo show: Let's Be Profitable #491 Laura Umansky #492

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Photographer Mike Van Tassell joins LuAnn in conversation today, and if you know anything about last year’s LuAnn Live, then you already know Mike. If you don’t, you will by the end of this show! As you listen, there will be no mistaking Mike’s commitment and passion to his profession and how he works with designers and architects. You’re in for a treat! Born and raised in New York City, Mike always found himself surrounded by cutting edge art and stunning architecture. His passion for art was one that developed early in life and always stuck with him. While studying Graphic Arts & Architecture at the City University of New York, he discovered photography through his coursework and began diving into the medium as a hobby. That hobby soon flourished into a professional career as he discovered a way to combine his excitement for photography and architecture. Mike spent the first 15 years of his professional career as a Photographer, Art Director and Creative Director for marketing organizations across New Jersey and New York City. Today, as an independent photographer, he is able to combine 15 years of client-facing services, along with his vision as an artist to bring a best in class customer experience to his clients. Mike is equally devoted to delivering high-end photography, as well as an unmatched customer experience to each of his clients. Specializing in partnerships with architects, interior designers, and what sets him apart is his ability to truly partner and collaborate with his clients as fellow artists with a vision for their work. Mike takes time in his process to hear each of their unique needs and apply a trained eye to his photography, ultimately delivering stand-out images that capture his client’s artistic vision and help their business to thrive. His partnerships span across multiple verticals including residential, commercial, academic, civic & cultural, healthcare, hospitality, and retail. His photography is used across advertising and marketing campaigns, professional portfolios, and design competitions globally. Show Highlights: In LuAnn’s observation and experience, there is a vast difference between average photography and excellent photography. Mike’s goal is to help designers take their photos to the next level, as well as elevate their online presence. Mike shares how interior designers can successfully work in partnership with photographers. Avoid trend photography, and photograph your spaces the way you want them to appear in your portfolio. Once you’ve established your style and your brand, photography can complement that by getting your photos where they need to be. Mike explains how a good photographer will be able to adapt to a designer’s style by using supplemental lighting, natural sunlight, subtracting light, or by replicating sunlight with strobe lights, for example. Capture photos that take prospective clients back into that space that you designed. Quality photographs of your design work is a key component in marketing your business and cultivating new clients. Here’s what Mike wished designers knew that could make their projects better! LuAnn and Mike reminisce over his photography session at last year’s LuAnn Live. “Photographers are like pizza. Everyone thinks they have the best pizza until they have the best pizza.” - Mike If you’re looking at your photography and you’re not getting a visceral reaction, then it might be time to consider a different photographer. Photography should be factored in when rebranding your website, as the photographs will be the first thing that a prospective client will notice. Remember: Photography is a partnership, a collaboration between creatives. Connect with Mike! Mike’s Email Mike’s Website Mike’s Instagram Mike’s LinkedIn Mike’s Blog Post: How to Bring Your Interior Design Style to Life Through Photography Links : LuAnn Live - Coming February 2021 Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates! Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Jaipur L

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Rasheeda Gray joins LuAnn in today’s #blacklivesmatter episode. Rasheeda shares her personal experiences in that we all may learn, benefit, and grow. Rasheeda Gray is the owner and principal designer of Gray Space Interiors, a full-service design firm in the Philadelphia area. Launched in 2016, Gray Space is devoted to curating a client-focused, transformative, and seamless design experience. With over 75 residential and commercial projects completed, the Gray Space approach to design can be found at the intersection of creativity, functionality, and process. Rasheeda's path into design begins at the tail end of a fifteen year career in Marketing and Communications with the nation's top insurance companies. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and International Business as well as a Masters of Business Administration degree (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing. Additionally, she holds a professional certificate in Interior Design from Temple University. Features include HGTV, Good Day Philadelphia, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest Pro, Designers Today, and more. Rasheeda is also the co-founder of Gray Real Estate Group, a real estate development company, along-side her husband, Jake and together they have two children, Jacob Jr., and Kennedy. Show Highlights: Rasheeda shares from the heart - her experiences as a black woman, mom, wife, corporate leader, and designer. Here are Rasheeda’s ideas for action: Follow, support, and share the #sharethemic initiative, both the original movement founded by Bozoma St John and her colleagues and ingeniously brought to our industry by Albie Buabeng. Albie is on Instagram at Albie Knows so follow her for information and updates. To learn more about Albie, please go back to episode #348 when she was on this podcast. Vote, show up, make sure the people in government enact laws that result in real changes. Representation within our industry. Shelter magazines, live events, show houses, product licensing, product development, everything. Look around and speak up to the ones in charge when you do not see our black colleagues at the table. Donate to organizations who make it possible to make change. In the industry, Rasheeda mentioned Black Artists Design Guild and The Black Interior Design organization. Outside the industry consider the NAACP. And finally, do not let this be only a moment, a hashtag. Keep talking, keep learning, stay accountable, teach your friends and children so real change becomes a reality. Please consider where and how you will show up to support her and all of our black colleagues and friends. Connect with Rasheeda! Rasheeda’s Email Rasheeda’s Website Rasheeda’s Instagram Rasheeda’s Facebook Rasheeda’s Pinterest Links : Share the Mic Now albieknows Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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. Their popular visualization tool is now available on Lee Jofa Workroom furniture! Kravet Other shows mentioned for shownotes, to link to and to tag in SM Rasheeda Gray #267 Kim Kuhteubl #73 Albie Buabeng #348 Cat French #376 Britany Simon #490 Kae Whitaker #26, #114, #259, #274, #556 Amy Flurry #323, #108 Nicole McGuire #537 Fred Berns #174

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today, LuAnn’s guest, Sara Hillery, shares her top tips for client retention and sound advice that you’ll be able to apply to your own business. Take notes or listen to it a second time, too, because you’re sure to hear some tidbits you missed the first time! Sara’s approach involves incorporating the fine and rare with the utilitarian and available, creating beautiful and functional spaces. With a focus on honoring each client’s personal history, the firm excels at updating and transforming client’s interior spaces both architecturally and decoratively making previously acquired and antique pieces more relevant and practical. While Sara draws inspiration from her travels to Europe, India, and Japan, her style invariably reflects her Southern heritage and familial roots in Virginia, Texas, and New Orleans. Upon graduating from the University of Virginia in 2004, Sara turned her focus to architecture and interiors and received her MFA in Interior Environments and ASID certification at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007. After beginning her career in interior design working for a design group in Richmond, Virginia, Sara relocated to Houston where she became a Project Designer at Lucas Eilers Design Associates. While at Lucas Eilers, Sara’s projects received numerous local awards and accolades including Best in Show, Best Vacation Home, and Best Residential Green Design, and were featured in numerous publications. In 2011 Sara opened Sara Hillery Interior Design. As a proud working mother of 3, Sara excels at making design family friendly while still remaining creative, elegant, and timeless. RHome, New Orleans Home and Lifestyles, and Boomer Magazine have featured her work. Sara Hillery Interior Design has completed projects in Louisiana, New York, Texas, and Virginia. Show Highlights: “Clients aren’t just clients, they’re a part of my life.” - Sara Sara has genuine interest in each client. The more she knows and understands about them, the better she can serve them. Sara’s detailed client questionnaire serves as a reference throughout the relationship and is updated as she gets to know the client. Setting up the client’s expectations at the very beginning of a project is very important, and Sara offers her strategies. LuAnn shares how we sometimes function out of fear, but we can learn how to operate from a place of faith that doesn’t rock us when we encounter a surprise. More tips from Sara regarding client retention throughout the project. Remember that there is a big emotional tie between the client and the work you are doing for their home. Don’t forget a unique, personal gift to present to your client when the project ends. Sara has a fantastic idea for you to consider! Bottom line in client retention: Pay attention to people, learn the things about them that matter, and act on ways you can show that you appreciate them. Connect with Sara! Sara’s Houzz Sara’s Website Sara’s Instagram Sara’s Facebook Sara’s Email Links : LuAnn’s Blogpost on Faith or Fear Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Price: $2195 Register HERE! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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. Other shows mentioned to link. Candy Scott #279 Wendy Woloshchuk #316, #527 Ellie Mroz #374

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn welcomes Brad Leavitt back to the show, and they are going to be discussing what your builder wants you to know. Don’t miss this motivating conversation, it will be like being a fly on the wall to an exclusive builder’s club! AFT Construction is an award-winning construction firm and has been nationally published in magazines such as: Fine Home Building, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Professional Builder. Brad Leavitt is an energetic public speaker and ambassador for many national brands including Kohler, Pella, Cambria, Elkay, and Post-it Notes. Brad completed a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from BYU in 2005 and worked on notable projects around Phoenix, including the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley. 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. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability, and quality. Brad and his wife Ashley 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: Brad and LuAnn discuss the importance of a design book. The more a designer puts on paper, the more accountable the builder will be. As your expertise grows, so will the level of detail you deliver in your design book. When you provide a builder with an example of your design book, that enables him to sell your value to the client. Brad shares how CAD brings extra value to the design book. It’s important to reach out to non-competing designers through social media and other networking opportunities to find out how they’re doing things. Brad encourages designers to chase the next-level project. You perfect your process and refine it after each job by doing a project autopsy. LuAnn covers the benefits to attracting builders who want to work with you. Brad divulges the tips to attract the right builders to work with you. The bottom line is this is a relationship-driven industry! Connect with Brad! Brad’s Email Brad’s Website The AFT Construction Podcast Brad’s Instagram (AFT_Construction) Brad’s Pinterest (AFT_Construction) Brad’s Facebook Brad’s LinkedIn Links : Design-Build For Profit - Coming Late Summer / Early Fall! With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors Get on the Email List HERE! 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends TODAY, July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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. Other shows mentioned to include in show notes: Brad’s other show: #542

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 Angela in Pennsylvania. Angela has 20 years of experience in design but considers herself somewhat of a baby designer since she only opened her own business two years ago. The Covid-19 event has had a huge impact on her virtual close rate, and she’s needing some guidance. Listen in to hear more about the dilemma that Angela faces, 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 details of Angela’s dilemma: Angela has resisted switching her business model and has picked up a few clients virtually, for which she receives a small deposit. She presents them with a slide presentation with fabrics delivered via mail, and the clients love what they see. When the client sees the invoice, however, they offer various excuses to back out. Angela’s close rate prior to Covid-19 was about 90%; now it’s around 10%. Here are some of LuAnn’s suggestions for Angela: Think outside the box! It’s very helpful to have an automatic salary withdrawal for yourself every week, even if it’s small. When you know you have to make money, somehow you do it. Since Angela is having a hard time closing full-service projects, perhaps she should consider adjusting her business model, after all. Angela could lean into a temporary consultancy model, as there have been other designers who have had great success with this. Don’t mail out the presentation unless the fee is paid up front. A 90% close rate means prices are too low. Get real and examine the entire process from beginning to end with the client to discover the reason why they are backing out of their deals. What signs were missed or ignored along the way? In wrapping up, LuAnn encourages Angela to go back and think about her “why”. If Angela truly loves being self-employed, she should stay the course and keep perfecting her process, because this will increase her confidence which will, in turn, increase her profits. Links : 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Price: $129 Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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. Other shows mentioned: Duncan Blair #301 WWLD #541

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! On today’s show, LuAnn chats with Rebecca Robinson from Monarch Lane Interiors. Rebecca is one of the leading home renovation experts in Tennessee, and she’ll be sharing how she explains her value to contractors and builders and how this results in a full pipeline for her and her firm. You’ll also hear how Mydoma Studio makes this process even easier for her to pitch to contractors and easier for her to effectively manage the projects once she lands them. Don’t miss this conversation! Monarch Lane Interiors is a Full Service Interior Design firm by Rebecca Robinson. With 20 years of experience remodeling the homes, offices, and commercial Studios of successful professionals around Nashville and surrounding counties. Rebecca is involved in every aspect of remodeling from drawing floor plans to color and selections to managing contractors and overseeing the design and construction details. A customer relationship specialist, Rebecca has formed lasting friendships with her clients, helping some with multiple homes and projects. Her clients describe her as passionate, positive, and a problem solver. Specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design, Rebecca holds the certification of Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer-AKBD. She knows the industry guidelines and codes to keep your home’s best interests in mind. A member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association -NKBA, the longest and largest established design organization. Also an Allied Member of ASID- American Society of Interior Designers. Rebecca graduated from O’More College of Design with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design. Rebecca launched her design firm in 2006 after working several years managing a team of designers at a local furniture retailer. It is there that she gained the knowledge of flooring, furniture construction, and textiles, as well as managing store operations, client budgets, and organizing the delivery and warehouse team. Her experience designing Model homes also gave her the eye for staging and furniture and accessories. A long-term resident of Nashville, Rebecca knows the area, along with real estate and design trends to enhance the home’s value. Show Highlights: Rebecca shares how she saw the need to work on the contractor / designer relationship. Here are some reasons why contractors don’t like to work with designers. Rebecca details a private package she ended up creating that contractors can buy as a gift to their clients. Mydoma Studio allows clients and contractors to log in to a project that you’re working on, and Rebecca sits down and shows them how to use the website. The client has the option to purchase additional design work when their initial gifted time has been used. LuAnn and Rebecca covers some of the ways that Mydoma Studio makes communicating and managing a project so much easier. How Rebecca reaches out to contractors that she does not personally know. “When I present to a contractor, I don’t just tell them all these things. I actually bring my laptop and show them Mydoma. Every single time.” Rebecca Rebecca addresses the rebranding of her business in 2019 and all the changes that accompanied it. Sometimes you just have to jump into your fear and go for it! LuAnn imparts some wise words about making mistakes. Business retreats are powerful and can bring great results! Do you want harmony in your business? Check out Rebecca’s Designer Notes Retreat. Connect with Rebecca! Rebecca’s Website FREE Download! The Interior Designer's Guide to Working with Contractors Designer Notes Retreat Links : 19hours The Blueprint - Mydoma Studio July 15th, 2020 Pre-Sale Price: $99 through June 30th Full Price: $129 effective July 1st Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts 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: Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program? Other shows mentioned to link: Brad Leavitt #542 John Dupra Revel Woods #329 Allie Finkel #452 Sarah Daniele #91, #177, #555 Fred Berns #337, #393, #460 Dixie Willard #272 Christie Leu #182 Darci Hether #220 Lisa Escobar #258 Krystle Pickens #543

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Desi Creswell joins LuAnn in a conversation today about breaking old habits and how to think about the same things in new ways. You’ll hear about how important it is to get real about your life by setting goals and expectations that serve you in totality so that you can run both your life and your business in sustainable ways. Get ready for some fantastic a-ha moments! Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally achieve next-level success with more freedom and fulfillment. An awarding-winning interior designer who has worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own design practice, Desi is uniquely equipped to empower her clients with an essential blend of industry specific expertise and mindset coaching. Her passion is to help designers build thriving businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. Desi will be one of the co-authors in LuAnn’s next book, A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts, Volume II. Show Highlights: Desi explains that many designers are solopreneurs and wear both the CEO and the technician hats. The CEO is responsible for the vision of the business. Many designers spend too much time as technicians and not enough time developing their capacity to run the business as CEO. If this happens, a designer basically becomes a glorified assistant for their own business. You can’t afford to NOT take the time to get intentional about where you’re headed. How is your business serving your life? Desi covers CEO tasks and questions for consideration. Develop a strategy and be intentional about the way you’re spending your time. Think about what is possible, and make sure your life goals and business goals support each other. “The intention of growing your business and setting big goals for yourself is not just about the results, it is about the person you get to become once that goal is realized.” - Desi Be aware of places you might stumble! Desi and LuAnn share a plethora of tips, tricks, and strategies to get you on your way to honoring commitments to yourself as you grow your life and your business by developing your CEO mindset. Connect with Desi! Desi’s Website Desi’s Instagram Desi’s Email Schedule Mini Session HERE The Interior Designer’s Get It Done Daily Planner - FREE Download HERE Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen: Choose Monogram! 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 shows mentioned Desi Creswell #475 Madeleine MacRae #315, 283 Amber Dawn #478 Krystle Pickens #543 Nicole Cole #509 Amber De La Garza #385 Sara Lynn Brennan #463, 514, 524 Duncan Blair #301

Kae is a Digital Marketing Strategist that specializes in helping service providers create automated marketing systems that close the gap in leads lost, enhance their sales processes, and keep customers returning bringing their friends. Kae’s philosophy is it takes the right strategy coupled with the proper tools to execute a well thought out plan. She takes a tailored approach to helping her clients satisfy their online revenue goals, by paying attention to the unique needs, audience and capacity of each business, and creating strategies that are beneficial for not only the customers but the companies as well. She would love the opportunity to speak with you about your digital marketing goals and how she can help. Kae offers complimentary calls to talk through your needs and see how she can best help you meet your goals. Connect with Kae! Kae’s Website Kae’s Instagram Kae’s Facebook Kae’s Twitter Kae’s Pinterest Kae’s Email Oprah Show on YouTube: Where Do We Go From Here? (Part 1) Where Do We Go From Here? (Part 2) Book: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts by LuAnn Nigara & Friends Other shows mentioned Corey Damen Jenkins #549 Kae Whitaker #26, #66, #114, #259, #274

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest on today’s show is her good friend, Sara Daniele, the founder and CEO of Mydoma Studio. Mydoma Studio also happens to be the second-longest standing sponsor of this podcast! Don’t miss their conversation because you’ll want to hear all of the exciting details about Mydoma Studio’s 19H The Blueprint workshop that is coming up in July. This course will help design professionals, like you, build resilience into your business, no matter what crisis comes your way. Sarah Daniele is the CEO and co-founder of Mydoma Studio. Mydoma Studio is the complete interior designer toolkit; workflow software to organize design projects from beginning to end and a thriving design community. The first version of Mydoma Studio was built to fulfill a personal need. It was the encouragement of her peers that Sarah Daniele turned tech CEO and built Mydoma Studio for the interior design industry. Sarah is passionate about building tools and technology to allow interior designers to grow their businesses. Sarah has previously spoken at leading industry events and technology panels. Sarah and Mydoma Studio have also been featured in Designers Today, Home Accents Today, Editor at Large, and Kitchen, Bath Design News, and A Well Designed Business podcast. Show Highlights: The 19Hours digital conference replaced High Point in April. The upcoming 19H The Blueprint will take place July 15th, 2020! You didn’t have to attend April’s conference to get benefits from the new workshop. Sarah shares how this newest course has come about. Sarah is an interior designer who happens to also run and operate a software company. LuAnn kicks off the workshop at 10:30am EST! A comprehensive recording will be sent to all attendees within 24 hours after the event. Sarah gives an overview of what to expect with each presentation of this 5-step methodology: Step 1: Learn how to target your ideal customers Step 2: Set your project up for success Step 3: Organization & Presentation Step 4: Checks & Balances Step 5: Presenting the project closeout There will be time dedicated after each session for Q&A. “This is the how. This is getting stuff done!” - Sarah This methodology teaches you how to build an adaptable process. For more information, visit 19hours The Blueprint. Connect with Sara! Sara’s Website: Mydoma Studio For more Information: 19hours The Blueprint July 15th, 2020 Pre-Sale Price: $99 through June 30th Full Price: $129 effective July 1st Join our designer community on Facebook! Mydoma Studio Designers Email: [email protected] Links : Buy Wholesale For Profit Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM Sarah Daniele #91, #177 Janelle Photopoulos #364 Wendy Woloshchuk #527 Stacey Brown Randall #93 Ashley Uhl #412 Susan Brunstrum #36

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday and LuAnn is pleased to have her good friend, Traci Connell, joining her to talk about their newest venture, the Buy Wholesale for Profit program. Listen in as they give you a sneak-peek of The 6 Steps to Making Maximum Profit through Buying Wholesale! Traci Connell is an inviting, engaging, and approachable mentor who has overcome personal setbacks to build the business of her dreams - a multi-million dollar interior design business that she grew and scaled while navigating single-motherhood in the wake of immense tragedy. Traci is an expert in delivering unique design with ease of mind. She says: “What good is a luxurious home if you can’t actually live in it?” That philosophy drives her to provide high-end interior design that really lasts for every one of her clients. From initial to final details, each project is outlined through a state-of-the-art project management system, streamlining the process and enhancing the client experience. Over the years, Traci has been recognized with numerous local and national awards and publications in the interior design industry as well as many accolades within the business community. She recently launched her coaching and consulting business to teach other designers and female entrepreneurs how to get unstuck and scale their businesses just like she did using her proven system that she tested and developed over the past 8 years. She is really excited to share this system with others. Show Highlights: Traci shares the story of how she decided to grow and scale, and how she developed this information into a proven program. Traci relates the benefits to designers who follow her course. The Buy Wholesale for Profit modules that Traci details are: Pivoting Your Business Mindset - The differences between consultancy and furnishings business models, the procurement timeline, and the advantages of wholesale margins vs. retail. Plus: Traci’s Furniture Revenue Forecasting Tool to project past a NET income of $100k. Developing a Buying Co-op - The characteristics of successful partners, the desired strengths, and red flags. Plus: Traci’s Business Formation Checklist and template to develop and organizational chart for partnership success. Outreach to Vendors/Manufacturers - How to develop a list of target vendors, and how to communicate your value to vendors. Plus: Traci’s cheat sheet of preferred manufacturers and tip sheet for communicating with vendors. Pricing Your Furnishings and Design Fees - Your pricing sweet spot, how to convince clients to buy, and how to develop a budget. Plus: Traci’s preferred method for developing a design fee and furnishings budget. Processes and Systems for Expansion - The tools of a successful reseller, which project management software should you use, and the timeline from presentation to installation. Plus: Traci’s Top Tip Sheet for considering a receiving warehouse and a no-fail project timeline template. Wrap-Up - During this module, Traci answers lingering questions, helps you put all of this information together, and helps you decide on a clear path forward. You still have to look at the local artisans and support the showrooms in your area! Please visit the website for more details and information about the deliverables built into this course, which include a private FB specifically for the attendees of the course. You can ask Traci questions between sessions and connect with each other for support and help! All of the sessions are recorded and you will have lifetime access to them to watch, in case you miss a session or if you want to re-visit them at any point in the future. “When we don’t have the confidence, it’s because we don’t have the tools behind us to lean on.” Traci Connell Connect with Traci! Traci’s Email Traci’s Coaching Website Traci’s Interiors Website Traci’s Instagram Traci’s Facebook Traci’s Pinterest Buy Wholesale For Profit Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Open Your Trade Account & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim! Use Code at Checkout: AWDB10 Kravet Jaipur Living’s Website - Easy to Br

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 Leslie, a designer that LuAnn happened to meet last winter in Chicago at the Power House Luxury Conference. Leslie is struggling to educate customers who walk into her hybrid full-service design firm / large retail showroom and expect free design services. 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! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares the details surrounding Leslie’s dilemma and identifies with the consumer education stru It is likely that your messaging is not clear if you are constantly explaining yourself, your business, and your process to people. Once you are clear, the struggle will be over. LuAnn suggests that Leslie carefully analyze all of her revenue streams, using this enlightening and motivating exercise: What was your gross revenue last year? Identify all sources of revenue: design fees, product sales from the showroom, markup on outside contracted goods and services…what others do you have if any? What is the breakdown in gross revenue by category? What is the net profit margin of each category? What one or two revenue streams do you like doing the most? Are either of your favorite ways to make money also one of your top producing streams? If the answer is no, is there a way to increase their gross revenue capacity or their gross profit margins? The 2 big things to consider from this exercise: Step 1: Get clear on where you earn the most and then move in that direction. Step 2: If the competition is zigging, you need to zag. Have a beautiful hand-out made for the furniture salespeople, designers, and customer service reps to refer to and to give out to all potential customers that come in the store. LuAnn details all the information that the hand-out might hold, such as furniture services on one side of the hand-out and full service design on the other side. Educating the team members on the two different services is very important, so that they can present the hand-out to customers and answer questions with confidence. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! 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 Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale For Profit Starts July 22nd! Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn? Email her at [email protected] and put “mastermind” in the subject line. She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you! A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen: Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is Shirry Dolgin. Hold on to your seat as Shirry humorously recounts her long-ago experience with a sales tax audit that was the furthest thing from funny at the time. You just might identify with the gamut of emotions that she experienced during this period and hopefully learn from her ordeal! Shirry Dolgin is a rising star in the southern California interior design community. Having established her firm, ASD Interiors INC. in 2004, Shirry has an impressive portfolio of projects, and has been featured in a variety of media outlets including multiple TV appearances. Specializing in large scale residential and commercial projects and an industry expert in construction, she has built a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable renovations interior designers in the industry. A native of Los Angeles and the daughter of the owner of a construction company, Shirry was exposed to the world of design at an early age. She went on to study performing arts in Boston as a dancer, then attended the prestigious Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising in L.A., first in the visual communication department, then transferring to interior design. Shirry’s on-screen career began in 2006, when she was asked to participate in a renovation project for television. Given her background in performing arts, she was a natural. Her TV credits include a design and remodel segment on the KTLA morning show, an appearance on HGTV’s Selling L.A. and a feature of her live/work office on You Live in What? for HGTV. She has participated in several episodes of House Hunters Renovation and was a two-time winner on HGTV’s design competition show, Design Wars. ASD Interiors projects have been featured in Traditional Home and Apartment Therapy, and published in the Kitchen Bible. ASD has received the “Best of HOUZZ” in service and design for the past nine years. Show Highlights: Shirry shares the backstory that led up to the letter from the State Board of Equalization requesting a sales tax audit. Shirry was working with a CPA that didn’t reconcile her account on a monthly basis. The audit covers a 3-year period. The CPA requested that Shirry gather all of her documents, which was bewildering to an unprepared Shirry. The CPA submitted all of the information that they were able to gather. The State Board of Equalization determined that Shirry was not properly collecting sales tax and demanded a very large sum of money, which Shirry did not have. Shirry requested an appointment with the State Board of Equalization’s superior manager in order to understand how they arrived at their figures. The State Board of Equalization’s response to Shirry stunned her! You don’t know what you don’t know. Shirry shares what she learned from this meeting. “I learned more going through that audit than I did in three years of college to get a design degree.” - Shirry How do you pay back $43,000 that you do not have? LuAnn explains the “Red Pen System” that she uses at Window Works. Find out if the CPA found redemption in Shirry’s eyes post-audit! Learn to speak up when something doesn’t seem right. Your action item: Download the handbook of equalization for your particular state (.gov address). Shirry: Collects 35% across the board for Residential work. Has this “procurement fee” conversation with her clients. Shirry and LuAnn offer additional tips on collecting sales tax. Links : Shirry’s Email Shirry’s Website Shirry’s Instagram Shirry’s Facebook Shirry’s Pinterest Buy Wholesale For Profit Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: Other shows mentioned: Cheryl Clendenon #482 Eric Ross #504, #505 Sally Williams #496 Laura Michaels #372 Dina Holland #354 Sandra Funk #520

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s WTF, Window Treatment Friday! In today’s episode, LuAnn and her friend and co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, explore how custom awnings can be the answer that your clients are looking for and the solution you need for your business and its profitability Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, mom, wife, and a ballroom dance enthusiast. Her company, Vitalia, Inc, provides all-encompassing concierge-level, tech-driven fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management services exclusively for interior designers. Show Highlights: Vita discusses how she arrived at her revelation that awnings could add revenue to her bottom line. Awnings are a creative up-sell that also serves a need for your client. Awnings are particularly desirable to high value design projects right now due to COVID-19 concerns because: more families are taking “staycations” this summer. being outside is a safe way to socialize. this can be a place to “work from home”. children can sit and do their homework, read a book, or enjoy the air being safely protected from UV rays. there is a reduction in energy costs by 25%. LuAnn covers entry-level price points. Interior designers should be interested in selling awnings if they’re decorating outside spaces, anyway. Reasons why awnings are superior to pergolas. Be aware that your window treatment specialists can help you with this. What you can do now: Start speaking with your current clients about awnings and let them know that you are a resource for this. Research which window treatment and awning specialists are in your area and set up appointments. Download the Window Works guide to Awnings by going to windowworksnj.com (if you like it, let Leslie Carothers at Savour Partnership know, she would surely appreciate it!). The number one way to increase your revenue is to sell more things to your current clients. Remember that for both the short-term and long-term it is important to always create diverse revenue streams that align with your design firm. Links : Watch WTF Live Shows on FB Learn More About Working with Window Works Learn About Working with Vita Learn About Exciting Windows Learn More About Leslie Carothers & Creating a Lead Magnet for Your Business Receive a Free Subscription to Window Fashion Vision Magazine Attend the Virtual IWCE Learn About the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America) Buy Wholesale For Profit Stop Buying Retail and Start Making Maximum Profit KICKING OFF July 22, 2020 Early Bird Pricing! Register Now: $1895 Early Bird ends July 3rd! Pricing goes up to $2195. Register HERE! LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business If you loved this show, listen to these for information referenced by previous guests: Leslie Carothers / Savour Partnership: #458 Leslie Price: #413 Nancy Ganzekaufer: #256, #389 Nicole Heymer: #125, #317, #466

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 another one of LuAnn’s coaching clients, who was experiencing a late invoicing issue due to some extremely hectic circumstances in her life. 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 luannnigara.com/wwld! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares the details surrounding her coaching client’s dilemma. The client was hesitant to send out invoicing at such a late date and LuAnn prepared her to by saying that some clients would fight her, some would pay her and some would ignore her. The client did send out the invoicing, knowing that she did the work and earned the money, but was ready to eat some crow if she couldn’t collect payment. Apologizing appropriately and owning her mistake netted her payment from most of her clients, but there was one in particular that was adversarial. After a few not so fun email exchanges the client ultimately sends this email: “You will receive payment for the invoices in the same timeframe you billed me." LuAnn shares the cordial response that the client wanted to send, but LuAnn had a more appropriate response in mind, since this was clearly a compassionless, bad-mannered client. The key here is to focus on the agreement to pay, which the client had agreed to do. Leave the emotion out of the equation. You don’t want to introduce any other elements that can take the conversation away from the primary goal, which is collecting the money. LuAnn shares her thoughts on the various responses that the client might have sent, and suggests that the client allow herself grace when she makes mistakes. The hope and goal is to learn from the mistake so that it is avoided in the future. Links / Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? www.luannnigara.com/cob Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell: Buywholesaleforprofit.com Starts July 22nd! 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.

Nationally acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins mixes vibrant colors with layered patterns to create architecturally inspired spaces that are, at once, elegant, inventive and timeless. Taking cues from runway fashion, his residences feature luxurious and refined materials including intricate wallcoverings, sculptural lighting and stately furnishings. Jenkins’ goal “is to ensure that my clients’ homes are always classic, chic and without an expiration date,” states the designer. Most recently Jenkins was honored with Traditional Home’s “New Trad” Rising Star of Design Award, as well as an extensive cover feature highlighting a recent commission. His work has also garnered attention from numerous publications including Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, House Beautiful, Veranda, Domino, and HGTV. Connect with Corey! Corey’s Website Corey’s Instagram Corey’s Original Appearance on the show: #127

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Terri Taylor joins LuAnn on today’s show and she’s going to be walking you through how she calculates budgets on the fly. You’re going to learn what a powerful tool it can be for your design business! One of Terri’s passions is helping interior designers get their firms organized and profitable. Make sure you take notes because Terri’s going to detail how she does this in an understandable, doable way! Hopefully, it will inspire you and give you the courage and language to have that tricky conversation about budget with your next client. 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. Terri connects with heart-centered designers to help grow their business strategy, accountability, and profitability all while undergoing a beautiful personal transformation. Show Highlights: Using an Excel spreadsheet with the items found in a room and broken out by a room during a consult is simple and efficient. If you can get a client to agree with you on the price of furniture pieces three or four times, the client is going to say yes to you when you ask to be hired. You have to do your homework and know how to figure these prices out beforehand. When you get all the prices on your yellow pad, add it up using easy, rounded-up numbers, and write the total. Hand this to your client, and don’t say anything. They might say they didn’t know it was going to be that much, and Okay. Then you’ve just sold the whole job. If they counter with a lower price, agree with them, then ask them which parts they would like to take out? This is not the time to educate your client on quality and value, you’re just determining their thoughts on prices. Once you agree on the total of the furniture, you can pull out a design fee based on 15% - 20% of the furniture budget. This is a small number and easy to sell, but keep your percentage private. Terri offers more details on how to do this. There is a way to create revenue of millions of dollars a year, but it’s about team and organization. When you actually design the room, you don’t pay attention to the individual pieces but are just keeping the overall budget in mind. You have gotten the agreement based on concept and budget. What you can learn by floating good, better, and best prices for individual pieces. Your answers have to make sense and you need to speak with confidence. Tips on collecting your design fee. Although you charge a flat fee, you still have to plan your hours and know how much time each part of the project you have to complete its so that the flat fee you charged is profitable. · As you gain experience (meaning as you have perfected your back end, your process, your efficiencies as well as your budget and sales presentation), in order to make more money you should be striving to earn more money on the furniture items (instead of raising your design fees above 20-25%). · Terri shares information on her various online courses and the services she offers at Interior Design Business Academy. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara: COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! LuAnn's new course taught by Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale For Profit Connect with Terri! Terri’s Website: Go to Interior Design Business Academy and sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get FREE business tips and strategies and invitations to my monthly FREE Design Business CEUs. Terri’s Email: Terri@InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy 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! Set Up a Virtual App

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday, and LuAnn’s friend, Jamie Lieberman, joins the show today. Jamie also happens to be her lawyer and co-author of their upcoming book, A Well-Designed Business, The Power Talk Friday Experts, Vol 2, coming Fall 2020. Jamie will be covering five steps to engaging effectively in any negotiation. This is a great topic because you can dramatically improve your profitability when you sharpen these skills. Negotiating is a learned skill, just like learning how to do floor plans, and just like learning to do floor plans, negotiating is a critical skill to ensure your success, so listen in and take some notes! Jamie Lieberman is an attorney, podcaster and entrepreneur dedicated to making legal accessible and to sharing the message that legal does not have to be scary. As the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal, Jamie draws on her experience working with influencer marketing professionals, creatives and business owners to help her clients grow and protect their businesses. She leads an all female, virtual team focused on providing clients with advice on a wide range of subjects such as intellectual property, contracts, privacy, FTC and general business law as well negotiation strategies. Jamie is a highly experienced speaker and is the co-host for the FearLess Business Podcast. Show Highlights: If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re a sales person. Determine your tolerance for risk. Negotiation is about collaboration, and needs a holistic approach. Bargaining is what most people think negotiation is. There is so much strategy and research that goes into a true negotiation that by the time you get to bargaining, it’s an afterthought. Jamie details the five steps to effectively engage in negotiation, which are: Strategy Setting the Climate Getting Information Clarifying Positions & Interests Bargaining After those five steps, that’s when you can memorialize your agreement in a contract. Don’t be surprised if you have multiple waves of negotiation before you actually sign a contract. Know your boundaries and know when and if it’s appropriate to walk away. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Jamie! Jamie’sWebsite Jamie’s Facebook Jamie’s Instagram Jamie’s LinkedIn Jamie’s FearLess Podcast Jamie’s YouTube Channel 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. Previous Shows Mentioned: Kwame Christian: #129 Jamie Lieberman #454 Article.com Jillian Cross #367

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 LuAnn’s coaching client, Jill, who gave LuAnn her blessing to share this sticky situation on the podcast. Jill has a new client who is the daughter of a very good client (and friend) of hers. The new client had a general contractor present at an in-home consultation for window treatments and the GC was very opinionated, contradicting Jill's advice at every turn. To make matters worse, the new client gave deference to every word he said. Listen in to hear multiple dilemmas that Jill faces, 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 luannnigara.com/wwld! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares the details of her coaching client, Jill’s, dilemma. LuAnn posed this question for Jill to consider: Do you actually disagree with the GC’s suggestions and comments, or are you just annoyed that his say-so is being included in the discussion? The bottom line is to get clear on what your actual reaction is and separate the emotion from it. As it turns out, Jill thought that the GC was leading her client into mistakes, some much worse than others. Additionally, Jill would be the one responsible at the end of the day. When Jill presented her reasoning, her reasoning was poo-poo’d and the client sided with the GC. The next question that LuAnn asked Jill: Does the client’s mother know the GC and does she have an opinion of him, and is this something that she needs to know about? Jill confirmed that the mother does know the GC and does not care for him. Here’s the third question that LuAnn asked Jill: Yes or no, honestly: with everything set up as it is now with the same dynamics in place, do you see this project as being successful if you take the job? Jill did NOT see this project going well. LuAnn’s final question for Jill: Pretend everything is exactly the same and the project is $2,600 instead of $26,000: would you give a second thought to just walking away? Jill’s response was no, with the exception of the relationship with the client’s mother. The most important thing to consider, given all the details, is the relationship with the original client. The second most important thing is Jill will only proceed with the job if this particular GC is not involved. Know what you will do, and what you will not do. What would Lu do, based on this information? Listen in to find out the surprising outcome! Links / Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? www.luannnigara.com/cob Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! 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. Previous Episodes: #222 #526

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Last year at LuAnn Live, LuAnn gifted each of the VIP Attendees with the headset which she requires when you do an interview with her, then challenged her attendees to take action in their business and come onto the show and share about it. Today’s guest is Laurel Smith, the principal of Farrington Avenue and she is doing just that! Laurel will be sharing the ups and downs and the stops and starts of her entrepreneurial journey that will seem so familiar to many of us. She discusses some of the assumptions she made about owning a business, some of the mistakes she made in starting up, and how she finally came to exactly what she knows she was meant to do with her professional life. Listen in as Laurel describes the key to how her growth really began, the things that catapulted once she got real, and see if some of her story sparks something that just might be inside of you, too! Show Highlights: Laurel shares her work and educational background and how listening to the podcast helped in to her decision to go in another direction to pursue her dream. Laurel has built her brand around everything she learned in occupational therapy and about how humans interact with their environment. When you can’t perform tasks, that impacts your sense of self, quality of life, and well-being. Her mission and vision for her company is built around the idea of creating wellness through design and making the home a happy and healthy place. LuAnn shares her “business mid-life crisis”, how she worked through it, and the wisdom that came out of it. Don’t map out your story of success using someone else’s narrative. Laurel details all of the work that she has been doing to transform her business. There’s power in the words we speak! LuAnn addresses confidence and how it comes out of understanding and growth. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara: COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Laurel! Laurel’s Instagram 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! Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative: Kravet Other shows mentioned: Shauna Lynn Simon #76, 84,102, 499 Taylor Spellman 106, 390 Amber Lewis 169, 184 Sara Lynn Brennan 463, 524, 514 Michele Williams 137, 180, 395, 424 Wendy Woloshchuk 316, 527

Welcome to, A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Natalie Norcross, who has a specific road map for how she teaches you how to do your own PR. Public relations is so valuable, and more now than ever, due to the current coronavirus event. If you’re looking to not only survive but thrive during this economic crisis, you’ll want to keep marketing your firm and learn how to do your own PR. Natalie offers so many good tips, you’re not going to want to miss this! Natalie is the CEO and Founder of A Design Partnership. Natalie Norcross has over 19 years experience working for Interior Designers, Architects, Builders, Developers, Hotel, and Home Brands and her firm has a demonstrated track record of driving exposure and placements through the PR they produce. Natalie has appeared on the show in episodes #162 and #506. In episode #506, LuAnn and Natalie talked about the four areas to pay attention to when you are going after press for your design firm. Please go back and listen to both episodes where you will not only pick up some outstanding business advice, but you will also learn a bit more about Natalie and her career. Show Highlights: Natalie details each of the five things you need to do to get published: Be specific! Know your niche. Be the face of your brand and be the expert. Partner with big names. Build a good relationship with the journalists. Timing is everything. Natalie explains her personality questionnaire that helps you to determine your niche. You don’t need an expensive publicist to get published, you just need the tools, the know-how, and who to contact. Natalie recommends to her PR members blocking out on their calendars 2-3 hours twice a month on Fridays. This is all the time they will need to spend putting together their pitches, sending them off to editors, and following up. LuAnn cautions knowing who you’re pitching to and making sure that your pitch matches their themes. Media NEEDS your content. Natalie shares some of the tools that members of her DIY PR Membership Program receive to assist them in getting more exposure. Tips and strategies on project organization, partnering, building relationships, and more! Media NEEDS your content. Natalie is a great resource of information and offers both DIY and a full-service PR firm. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Natalie! Promo Code for Interior Design PR: Luann DIY PR Membership Program For 20% off your 1st month of membership use Promo Code: luann For Your Personality Questionnaire That Natalie Mentioned, Please Email: [email protected] Natalie’s Full-Service PR Company: A Design Partnership Download Your FREE e-Books HERE Blog Post: 5 Things You Can Do To Get Yourself Published Today A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen: Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram's Design Partner Trade Program?

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Krystle Pickens joins LuAnn in today’s conversation about not just growing a business, but growing a business fast, smart, and intentionally. Listen in for real strategies that can help you set up your own business for success and profit! Krystle Pickens is passionate about working with clients to create spaces that are beautiful and evoke that special feeling of home, while also meeting the individual client’s needs. We apply our four core values: Sustainability, Feeling, Functionality, and Community to every project, big or small. Krystle has a degree in Interior Design and has worked in the design industry since 2012, getting her start in Kitchen and Bath Design. She is based in Jersey City and really feels rooted there, however being raised in Seattle, Krystle feels a responsibility and bond to the environment and incorporates sustainability in all of her projects-she even studied Environmental Science briefly. Show Highlights: Krystle describes how she is in her fourth year of business, and has come a long way since her first year, when she pulled in $13,001. She set a goal for her second year of $26,002, and ended the year with $27,100. It was at this time that Krystle started listening to “A Well-Designed Business” podcasts. She realized that she was serious about what she loved to do and decided to think of it as a business instead of a hobby. For her third year, which was 2019, Krystle set 19 goals and wrote them down. About halfway through her third year, Krystle decided to hire a business coach who pushed her to shoot for more than her $81,300 goal. She ended up exceeding her goal. Krystle learned at LuAnn Live how important it was to run a business autopsy. This is critical, because you must know where you are before you can plan where you are going. For 2020, Krystle assigned a specific goal to each month and is finding this very powerful. One of her goals this year is to get each and every policy and procedure locked down in a handbook before she takes maternity leave. The Process Leads to Profits class is packed with every tool, idea, and process you could imagine, specifically so that you have a road map to get your back-end organized. There will probably be another class late summer or fall, so if you want help with this, get on the email list to be notified. It’s worth every dime! Being coached on the concept of scaling and the concept of hiring were two of Krystle’s biggest lessons. Hiring a business coach is essential for accountability, advice, and helping you to see the bigger picture. Krystle shares some strategies on how she continues to grow her business and some client communication tips. Links: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Krystle! Krystle’s Website Krystle’s Instagram Krystle’s Facebook Krystle’s Pinterest 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. Previous Shows Mentioned: Alinda Morris #429 Do Not Let Us Design For You #346 Nancy Ganzekaufer #15, #159, #256, #389 Amber De La Garza #385 Sandra Funk #02, #145, #520 Madeleine MacRae #283, #315 Amanda Berlin #420 Jenny Madden #332 Jamie Lieberman #454 Dane Austin #457

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Are you in for a treat today! Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors contacted LuAnn to let her know about her experiences working with Brad Leavitt, President and Founder of AFT Construction in Arizona. Brad has the AFT Construction Podcast, and he and LuAnn have been guests on each other’s podcasts before, so it’s easy to see why Jenny gives him such high praise for being a great builder to work with. You’re sure to be impressed by Brad’s message and outlook on business, as well his obvious love and respect for interior designers. Listen in as he explains from the builder perspective all the reasons he knows that you make his projects more beautiful, more efficient, and more profitable. AFT Construction is an award-winning construction firm and has been nationally published in magazines such as: Fine Home Building, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Professional Builder. Brad Leavitt is an energetic public speaker and ambassador for many national brands including Kohler, Pella, Cambria, Elkay and Post-it Notes. Brad completed a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from BYU in 2005 and worked on notable projects around Phoenix, including the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley. 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. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability, and quality. Brad and his wife Ashley 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: Brad’s company will not build a home for a client that does not have an interior designer on the project. Many companies have disregard for architects and interior designers, but the architects and designers actually bring expertise and a lot of benefits to the table. Brad shares the reasons why he does not have any in-house architects or designers. It’s important to get the client onboard with understanding the importance and value of a designer. Selling points to take note of when pitching to a potential builder: Having a designer involved helps a builder be more efficient, often saving as much as 2-3 months on a project. This can represent thousands of dollars in the builder’s pocket. Having a designer involved improves a builder’s relationship with his clients. A builder can get information from the designer without having to interrupt the client’s day and this avoids the frustration of arranging meetings while a job is stopped. A huge benefit for the builder is getting published. Having a room or outdoor area styled makes a huge difference! The referral relationship is a valuable component. Businesses are built on reciprocity. Brad offers some great suggestions on how to meet builders: builder organizations, supply showrooms, networking events, and on social media. Building relationships and trust are necessary before beginning to work together. Brad has already been invited back for additional guest appearances on A Well-Designed Business! Future episodes will include a list of the Things Your Builder Wants You to Know and a list of his pet peeves. You don’t want to miss these! Stay tuned for something else you don’t want to miss: more information will be forthcoming in the next couple of months regarding a new course being taught by Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors called “Design Build for Profit”. To be notified of open registration, put your name on the list at Design Build For Profit. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara: COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Brad! Brad’s Email Brad’s Website The AFT Construction Podcast Brad’s Instagram (AFT_Construction) Brad’s Pinterest(AFT_Construction) Brad’s Facebook Brad’s LinkedIn A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: When Your Client Wants the Finest in Luxury Appliances for Their Kitchen: Choose Monogram! Set Up Your Design Trade Account Today! FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business Other shows mentioned to include in show notes: Brittany Simon #490 Circle Design Studio #380 Denise Wenacur #513

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 listener Amanda, who has lost a couple of jobs due to the costs of freight and taxes outside of a client’s budget. 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 luannnigara.com/wwld! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares listener Amanda’s detailed email. Nearly the exact same thing happened to Sara Brennan last year. You must remember that you are the professional in the room. Ask clarifying questions and provide your client with the information on how your business is run so that they can make a truly informed decision. LuAnn provides an example of how to manage future budget discussions. It’s all about the clarity and agreements upfront, when no emotion is attached. LuAnn goes into more details about Sara Brennan’s similar experience. This doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to be adversarial, but it does have to be discussed and agreed upon before you get to invoicing. Remember, no surprises and you’ll be fine! Links / Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? www.luannnigara.com/cob Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! 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.

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest is Robin Baron, who first joined LuAnn in episode #32. Robin is a #smartlady with an incredible body of work which includes being a celebrity interior designer, lifestyle expert, and a luxury home-furnishings designer. Based in NYC, Robin always brings a striking sense of fashion and style to everything she does as a successful interior designer. Robin knows that flexibility is important, so customization is available in almost every piece in her collections. Celebrating 30 years in business Robin could have spoken on several topics but chose her strategy for designing and bringing a product to market. If you have ever dreamt about designing your own product, please, get a pen and paper for this show. Robin truly shares every aspect that you must consider before you set out on this path. Her advice is well earned and it is easy to hear the depth and breadth of her experience as a thoughtful business woman! Robin thrives on creating homes that are unique and fabulous while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. Reflecting her motto that “Confidence Begins at Home™”, she prides herself on her ability to capture her clients’ individual personalities and bring positivity into their homes. Robin has significant experience on TV, video, and radio including appearing on HGTV, Bravo, and NBC and has been featured in many print and online publications. Robin is the Brand Ambassador for the NY NOW show, and also tours the country as a spokesperson, speaking to audiences at events both within the industry as well as to the public. She enjoys providing lifestyle and design tips through her award-winning blog “Simplifying Fabulous!™” and her multi-platform social media presence. Show Highlights: There are five categories of products that Robin has brought to market: Hardware Case Goods Upholstery Rugs Lighting You have to set your macro goal, and then from there, set your micro goals, which are the goals that will get you to the bigger goal. Robin addresses licensing and how it needs to be a part of your overall marketing plan because it doesn’t really make you money, initially. Robin shares some tangible advice regarding bringing a product to a market: First, analyze the need in the market for your product idea. Have you looked around to see if anyone else is providing it? Next, are you the one to fill this need? Do you have the solution? Do you have the pockets deep enough to fund your idea and take it across the finish line? Does it fit into your overall goals for yourself and your business? A ‘Robin-ism’: If you don’t take a chance, you don’t get one! You don’t have to be an extrovert to be successful, you just have to know who you are. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. You have to have support. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook - Please Follow! LuAnn’s Window Works - Instagram - Please Follow! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Robin! Robin’s Website Robin’s Instagram Robin’s Facebook Robin’s Twitter 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 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. Previous Episodes: Robin Baron #32

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s co-host of WTF, Vita (Vitalia) Vygovska, joins her today to chat about some of the things that interior designers can be thinking about in relation to window treatments during this time of quarantine. Whether you’re settling nicely into virtual consultations or you can’t wait for the brick-and-mortars to open back up, you’ll want to listen in to this conversation to learn how important window treatments are to your business! Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, mom, wife, and a ballroom dance enthusiast. Her company, Vitalia, Inc, provides all-encompassing concierge-level, tech-driven fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management services exclusively for interior designers. Show Highlights: Vita gives shout-outs to the #maskAmerica initiative and to local designer, Michele Plachter, who gave a wonderful gift to her industry partners. Remember that your window treatment specialist is your partner in this. LuAnn covers the different reasons why window treatments are important ANY time. Window treatments are: money-makers! an essential part of an interior design project! beautiful! Vita suggests that it’s time to lean into your workrooms and window treatment specialists and she shares the ways that a specialist can support an interior designer: They can provide product knowledge. They can do renderings on your pictures. They can give you a ballpark budget. Window treatment specialists: Consider offering up your services and asking your designers how you can be of value to them. Here are some great ways thats you can still incorporate window treatments into your 2020 projects: virtual consultations when presenting mood boards, remember the windows clients can take their own rough measurements #WTF Live!! Vita and Kim will be discussing drapery pleats!! Friday, May 8th at 12 PM, EST on LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook. If you are not happy with your resources, now is the time to expand your reach and look for additional or alternative resources, in window treatments, or otherwise. This podcast and past episodes are excellent sources of information and resources. Vita has some encouraging words from the heart regarding our low points. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! LuAnn’s Window Works - Facebook - Please Follow! LuAnn’s Window Works - Instagram - Please Follow! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! #WTF Live!! Vita and Kim will be discussing drapery pleats!! Friday, May 8th at 12 PM, EST on Window Works - Facebook. To learn more about working with Window Works To receive a free subscription to Window Fashion Vision Magazine To attend the virtual IWCE where LuAnn To learn about the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America) To learn about Exciting Windows To learn about working with Vita: Vitalia Inc 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 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. Previous Episodes Mentioned: #448

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 questions come from listener Christina, who struggles with expanding her prospects beyond client referrals. Christina is asking for tips on finding a space where she won’t be competing with architecture firms with in-house designers, and would like LuAnn’s opinion on the best social media platform. 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 listener Christina’s detailed email. Lean into the referral business because these are the best clients you can have. Look for ways to keep you referral clients engaged with you. Even when you do a fantastic job it may not be enough to make them remember you. Proudly build your referral pipeline! For more tips on how to build referrals, check out Episodes #93 and #426 with Stacey Brown Randall. Stacey is also one of the co-authors of LuAnn’s second book, A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts. Stacy’s chapter is about leveraging those A-list clients and maximizing the great work you have already delivered to them, so check it out! You may need to work smarter to grow a design firm in a rural location. Unfortunately, many architecture firms, builders, and kitchen showrooms may be laying off their in-staff designers during this economic downturn due to the coronavirus event. However, this may open the door for some freelance work and give you the chance to make an impression. Look for the local people there that can refer you to boutique commercial work. Check into organizations that have architects, property developers, builders, and commercial realtors, call each one and introduce yourself. You may need to join an organization in a larger nearby city. LuAnn suggests some additional episodes that will help Christina learn how to work with architects and builders and how to build a hospitality commercial firm. These shows are linked below. LuAnn provides a detailed overview of a potential social media strategy. For additional tips and social media strategies involving LinkedIn, please see the episodes referenced below. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: The Making of A Well - Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! 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. Monogram - Work with Us! Monogram Other Shows Mentioned: Stacey Brown Randall #426 & #93 Susan Yeley #208 Anita Dawson #281 Judi Kieffer #276 Angela Harris #245 AJ Wilcox #219 Sara #438 Welcome, Monogram #536

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Just wait until you meet today’s guest, Nicole McGuire. Every word of her bio is expressed in every word of her conversation, and in LuAnn’s eyes, that makes Nicole one #smartlady. If you don’t epitomize your written bio, this conversation will make you rethink yours! Listen in, as Nicole has some great tips and lessons for us all. You’ll notice right away that she is clearly a business woman running a design firm. Passion and drive define Nicole. These traits have been foundational to her success in the highly intense and competitive building market. She is a visionary leader and disrupter of the status quo. Nicole is a gifted conceptual thinker with strengths in strategic planning, team leadership, mentoring, and community outreach. She has actively worked to create space for women to be empowered and given leadership opportunities within the design and construction industry. Nicole was raised in a home building family, but she has never been one to rest on legacy. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nicole partnered with her father, the late Jeff McGuire, to begin a new venture, building spec homes, and eventually creating unmatched custom homes and personally curated design pieces, all available within the McGuire Homes Collection. Nicole has continued to dive deeper into best practices for the industry, even studying Sustainable Business Strategy at Harvard University- expanding her business through social and environmental sustainability standards. Show Highlights: A custom home-building company, McGuire Homes, is the foundation of all of their businesses. Nicole’s passions are in design and bringing women into construction leadership roles. She started Nicole McGuire Design Studio as another revenue stream, giving her the opportunity to sell all of the products, the finished materials, that go into a new construction home or a remodel, back to themselves. This includes cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and furniture. McGuire Development Group is a company that holds homes that are hire-in leases to professionals. The homes come furnished, unfurnished, or a full executive rental, as well. Nicole shares a mistake they made in 2019 and how they have been correcting it. Stay focused on your core business, she suggests. Nicole details her marketing philosophy. All about Around the House with Nicole McGuire. Nicole provides advice about how to get your own show! Communication between her clients, her design team, her build team and herself is extremely important, and Nicole does it all within project management software. Nicole describes the three different mood boards that clients get, and why. Getting clients on board with “important” vs. “urgent”. One of the biggest challenges is managing client expectations. If you have a question that you’d like LuAnn to answer- go to wwld and she’ll answer yours on air in the coming weeks. There’s a new episode of WTF this week with Vita! Also on Friday at 12:00 noon, EST Vita and Kim will be going live on LuAnn’s Window Works FB, talking tips, and design for custom window treatments. Please follow Window Works too, both on FB and IG, and be sure to join WTF Live every Friday on FB. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Luann Live LuAnn Nigara WWLD Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Nicole! Nicole’s Website Nicole’s Instagram #mymcguire Nicole’s Facebook Nicole’s Pinterest See Nicole’s tips here! Around the House with Nicole McGuire Nicole has also given talks at University of Illinois and women’s groups on the subjects of construction, design, and business. 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 & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim! Use Code at Checkout: awdb10 Kravet

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guests today are Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel with Monogram, a new sponsor of the podcast. Monogram was also a valued sponsor of the recent 19hours virtual event sponsored by Mydoma Studio. You’re going to love the energy that comes out of Monogram and its team members, so listen in meet Rob and Alex and learn more about what Monogram has to offer you! Rob is the Senior Brand Manager for Monogram and Alex is the Senior Manager of the Monogram Design Center. Show Highlights: Alex shares the company mission. Monogram is the luxury line of appliances for GE and has been in the business for more than 33 years. Monogram launched two new collections earlier this year: Their Minimalist collection and their Statement The appliances offered include built-ins, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, and 48-inch ranges. A “built-in” means that an appliance is built into the cabinetry around it. A built-in often has custom exterior panels, which gives an integrated, seamless look to your kitchen. In 1987, Monogram was the first luxury brand to create a full built-in package for their clients. Rob shares his background in Food and Beverage, and what excites him about the time he’s spent at Monogram. Monogram performed extensive research before putting pen to paper on their latest designs. After careful consideration, they developed three main pillars to support their new look and feel: Materials, Performance, and Ownership. Each of these upholds their commitment to high quality, innovation, and their ongoing relationships with designers and consumers. Through these pillars and their new collections, they've created a luxury brand experience that you can see and feel for yourself. “Social Currency” - Something to talk about with your friends! Monogram has a couple of programs specifically set up for the designer community to educate them on the Monogram products. Resellers (and there are over 1,100!) have updated displays and presentations. You can see, touch, and feel! The flagship showroom in Chicago is open to the public Monday through Saturday. The showroom does not sell the products, but directs the inquiries to the local Monogram sales manager if it’s outside of Chicago. If a designer is registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, they get to extend preferred-builder pricing to the client, which is a great discount. If a designer is NOT registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, then the client would be using the rebate. There are 3 tiers where the clients qualify for free items with certain purchases. Engineering details make all the difference in the design and ease-of-use of the appliances for the consumer. “Monogram Talks” - a webinar series that will be launching the first week of May! Different technologies are incorporated into the Monogram appliances. Designers, when you introduce luxury items into your projects it benefits your profitability! Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB LuAnn Live Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Connect with Monogram! Monogram’s Website Monogram’s Instagram Monogram’s YouTube A Big THANK YOU to The Podcast Sponsor: Monogram - Work with Us!

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 questions come from listener Samantha, who would like some suggestions on how to find income when your projects have been put on hold during this COVID-19 event, the top ten recommended processes and systems to be putting in place, and the best practices for social media presence when you have no active projects. 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 listener Sam’s detailed email. Sam’s professional focus is mostly on hospitality design (9) but also residential (1). All ten projects are on hold, and she’s looking for suggestions on how to pull in income. LuAnn’s advice is to weather the storm for the time being and offers lots of great ideas that Sam can work on right now to successfully position herself for when things open up. Sam would like to know the top ten processes and systems that she needs to put in place. LuAnn offers 3 prerequisites and promises the other 7 when the first 3 are firmly in place. The first 3 are: bookkeeping, reviewing or creating a solid contract, and designing a thorough work flow. What level of social media presence is appropriate during Sam’s work lull? Recycle old pics with a new spin or a new caption, but avoid stating that it’s from an old project or that you’re not currently working on a project. Definitely post on SM to drum up business while not busy. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner? Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out! Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey! Suggested Podcast: Darla Powell’s podcast, Wingnut Social 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 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: #292 Summer Tannhauser #331 Kate Ahl #487 Vanessa Shepherd #20 Arianne Bellizaire #201 Dorien Morin van Dam, #237 Claire Jefford #516 Jude Charles #514 Sara Brennan #470 Christine Lin

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Are you in for a treat today! LuAnn welcomes Stephanie Castillo, the principal of Rumble Interiors, back to the show. Stephanie was a guest on Episode #391, as well, and is joined by Renee Fyall of D. Marie Interiors and Sam Mikel of Nest Design Studio. These ladies are all interior designers, doing business in the city of Ellensburg, Washington. Ellensburg is a rather small city of just 20,000 people and sort of between Portland and Seattle. Wait until you learn what these 3 #smartladies have created! Listen in to hear how these three interior designers chose to be open-minded, innovative entrepreneurs rather than wary competitors. Together, they form what’s known as Collective Interiors. You’re going to find their story fascinating! Stephanie Castillo: Rumble Interiors Communicator, observer, entrepreneur and creative...... Stephanie has been in a creative field her whole working career. Stephanie started Rumble Interiors as an extension of her success as a hair designer. Design, balance and harmony are built into everything Rumble Interiors embodies. Stephanie's ability to design a space comes naturally and her passion lives in her strength to envision a space for the people who live in it. Rumble Interiors specializes in taking your home or room from uninspired to a unique, inviting warm space that speaks to the people who live in it. Whether it's a Re-Style which is taking what you already have and Re-thinking, Re-imagining and Re-vamping your space; or a complete home decoration with results that reflect your world refined. Stephanie's special talent comes in the form of helping people define their design style, the consultation technique is one of her favorite parts of the process. Renee Fyall: D. Marie Interiors When it comes to Interior Design Renee joins function with aesthetics seamlessly on projects both big and small. With over 10 years’ experience, much of her career has been focused on project management. With an eye for quality, superior sense of style, Renee assures the space functionality is forefront, including the project running smoothly and on budget while still creating a beautiful and inviting space. Kitchen design and kitchen remodeling have become a large part of Renee’s focus and priority throughout her time as a Designer. She possesses an innate desire to create and design Interiors that exceed clients’ expectations. As many of us spend a large amount of our time in the kitchen, it’s important to Renee? that she delivers? a return on the investment as the kitchen is the best place in the house to add value, both in design and function. Sam Mikel: Nest Design Studio Design is a bastion of individuality and creativity. However, as with other creative endeavors, the gap between one’s inner vision and its ultimate expression can be vast. The function of the professional designer is to help you bridge that chasm. By asking questions and listening attentively, a good designer can help you explore your needs and wishes and define and create the possibilities in your heart and mind. As a wise man once noted, “limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." Sam’s goal as a designer is simply to help you make the best use of your imagination. Open communication throughout the design process helps develop trust and a comfortable, working relationship. Building on your input, Sam’s job is to guide your consideration of such elements as your home’s existing features, the sources of light, and the function required of each space to best define and create your individual style. Working collaboratively with her clients, she strives to create warm and inspired rooms—unique spaces that tell your own personal story in a timeless way. Managing every detail from conception to completion, Sam’s aim is always to create an ambiance that reflects your taste and unique lifestyle. In every project she undertakes, she strives to be budget-conscious. Also, whenever possible, she tries to incorporate eco-friendly green products and materials. Show Highlights: Stephanie shares how she met Renee and Sam, how the three of them worked over the idea of sharing a collective space, and their result. “Glorified space sharing” is their business model: Collective Interiors is a building, and inside of this are their three businesses. Stephanie and Renee share an office, and Sam has her own office. Sam is also the main leaseholder and she has retail space there. Collective Interiors is a interior design / decor / full-scale store. Renee relates the reaction she had to Stephanie’s request for coffee and mentorship, and how she appreciates directness. Sam describes her passion for her retail store and her love for people. Ways they make their collaboration successful. Mutual trust helps to make this business model work. Re-evaluation, as they grow and learn, is necessary. How their lives have been enriched since the inception of

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Katie Krimitsos, Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. The last time that Katie was featured on A Well-Designed Business on episode 253, she was the fearless leader of the Biz Women Rock community. Listen in to catch up with all that’s been going on with Katie since her newest endeavor. She truly has a passion to help you become your best you, and if this current Corona Virus event has left you a bit more fearful than usual, you’ll want to hear about guided meditations that can help you feel more centered in this anxiety-ridden environment. Katie Krimitsos is Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. She is also a mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, seeker, and change maker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world through the Women’s Meditation Network, which provides guided meditations and related resources specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. She’s passionate about giving women the tools, strategies, and inspiration to live lives they truly love. She loves the water, the sound of her two girls laughing with each other, and is constantly evolving to make her life and the lives of others as magical as possible. Show Highlights: Katie shares her compelling story of how the Women’s Meditation Network came about. Women naturally have a beautiful light but they are often dimmed by self-doubt or comparison. Katie is not a meditation teacher, but she does give women the TOOL of meditation to help them learn more about themselves and learn how to deal with life’s troubling moments. Meditation doesn’t mean having a blank mind. It’s about managing your thoughts, which is crucial to master in both your personal and business lives. Meditation helps you to distinguish between, “What’s the noise?” versus “What’s the voice?”. Stop and set aside the fear of what is and what could be. Then reflect on what you can do or how you can help. How are you uniquely qualified to help your clients right now? What you choose to do and how you choose to show up right now might not pay “right now”, but if you lead with love and do the right thing, it will pay a thousand-fold in the future. Katie describes the ease of using her 5-20 minute, guided meditations and she also has a sleep bundle. LuAnn points out that research backs up the physiological benefits of meditation. It’s so important to tap in and understand what’s really best for us at this moment and how we can best serve others. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business? LuAnn Nigara COB Connect with Katie! Katie’s Website Subscribe HERE to get FREE weekly meditations! Start the 7 Day Meditation ChallengeHERE! A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Open Your Trade Account: Kravet FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business Mentioned Episodes: Katie's other appearance on the show #253

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Did you miss the amazing “19 Hours” free virtual business summit that ran the week of April 6th through April 9th, 2020? If so, LuAnn will be filling you in on the industry’s answer to the COVID-19 crisis that contains all of the incredible presentations and panel discussions that was originally planned for High Point Market Spring 2020. Today’s show is a replay of the solo presentation that LuAnn did on Thursday, April 9th, on “How to Lead Your Business Through the COVID-19 Crisis”. She has some perspective here that is sure to interest you, whether you run a virtual team or a brick-and-mortar one because LuAnn has weathered several significant economic downturns during her career and came out stronger on the other side of it. 19 Hours was hosted by Mydoma Studio and sponsored by Kravet, Article, Jaipur Living, Monogram, Summer Classics,Gabby Home, Interior Design Society, and Revel Woods. There were an average of 800 designers and business owners watching each and every live session! If you missed it, you can still get the video recordings. For the next couple of weeks, Mydoma Studio will graciously email you the entire video conference if you contact them here: My Doma Studio: 19Hours. Just wait until you hear the presentations by some of the industry’s top business leaders. There were 14 presentations and each one was stellar! Show Highlights: In LuAnn’s first book, The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your mission and your core values, and it’s never been more important than now so you can be laser-focused in crisis. LuAnn details the three areas that you should focus on: Mitigate the losses. Focus on sales and marketing. Gratitude There’s wisdom in the saying, “The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.” Don’t overreact but don’t not act. LuAnn describes the #1 mistake she made in the early ‘90s. Think very carefully about the problems you are experiencing with the way you are living through the COVID-19 crisis, and how might you solve this for people in your circle who are experiencing the same things? Be creative, be empathetic. This is a good time to look inward. It is also a good opportunity to make sure you have your systems locked down. If you could wave a magic wand, what would your business look like? Look inward and be listening for what your lesson is in this. It could be personal or business, big or small. Everyday there is something to be grateful for. Share and show grace with each other. If you need to unplug, then unplug and own that. It will take some ingenuity and intention to get through this, but you can do if! Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday To Receive the Entire 19Hours Video Conference, Please Visit: My Doma Studio: 19Hours Book Mentioned: The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action by LuAnn Nigara Mentioned Episodes: LuAnn’s Solo #519 Kim Merlitti #442

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! On today’s show, LuAnn is joined by industry-icon, Kendall Wilkinson. They’ll be chatting about Kendall’s perspective on her experience in growing an esteemed and successful firm. They discuss budgets to clients to discovery-call practices to Kendall’s experience in the 2008 recession where she had to use guerilla-style marketing strategies to build a pipeline. Whether you are already a Kendall Wilkinson fan or this is the first time learning about her, you are going to love this conversation. Kendall is a #smartlady who runs a major enterprise which includes her famous San Francisco design firm, her textile collections for Fabricut, as well as being a sought-after speaker for industry events all over the nation. Kendall’s work has been on the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Wall Street Journal, to name a few. Along with participating in numerous showcases over the years including the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Elle Decor Showhouse, and LUXE Magazine’s Maison de Luxe Showhouse, Kendall has also she served on the prestigious Board of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Show Highlights: Kendall has been in business for 27 years and employs a staff of 30. Kendall believes that a combination of creative excellence and business acumen are responsible for her success. It’s important to mentor once you have the experience in. Kendall explains her business structure: She has four teams of principals who have their own firms. Within each team is a senior designer, a design associate, a design assistant, and a project manager. They each run 3-5 projects. Kendall also has a back office, which includes the expediters, controllers, accountants, and administrators. This structure has allowed her to be more creative because of the confidence she in her principals and their abilities. LuAnn and Kendall discuss clients, budgets, variables, and the non-negotiables. Kendall shares how she came through the 2008 recession without having to lay off any employees. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting Wednesday, April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits. Connect with Kendall! Kendall’s Website Kendall’s LinkedIn Kendall’s Twitter - @KWilkinsonSF Kendall Wilkinson Design’sInstagram - @KendallWilkinsonDesign Kendall Wilkinson Design’sFacebook Kendall Wilkinson Design’s LinkedIn Kendall Wilkinson Design’sPinterest DesignClass: Interior Design With Kendall Wilkinson Be sure to check out Kendall’s textile line atFabricut! 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.

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Nancy Lane, CEO of Nancy Lane Interiors in Houston, Texas, joins LuAnn today and you’ll be learning all about the Process Leads to Profits course that Nancy took last winter and the tangible benefits she has received from it. You’ll also hear how Nancy utilized Mydoma Studio to define her services for her prospective clients and how she now invoices and receives payments for her services through Mydoma Studio. Join LuAnn and Nancy in this engaging and informational conversation, and to learn more about signing up for the next Process Leads to Profits with Sara Lynn Brennan’s LIVE course, which starts NEXT WEEK! Nancy Lane’s idea of home has been informed by all the places she's lived, and perhaps most of all by the one she lost. As a child, her home burned to the ground, displacing her family in the process. Nancy and her family found themselves building their new home together and establishing the true meaning of that word at the same time. Her love for interior design grew through the years, both through her own personal projects and as she shared her passion by helping friends and neighbors with their design projects for more than a decade. In 2016, she opened her residential interior design consulting business, Nancy Lane Interiors and turned that passion into a livelihood. Nancy helps clients solve their design dilemmas and turn houses into homes in and around Houston, Texas, where she resides with her husband and three sons. Show Highlights: Nancy’s first career was as a chemist! She is a perpetual learner and was already running a successful business when she signed up for classes because she loves to learn new and better processes. Clearly defined processes are everything. You can define your process to make it concrete and repeatable BUT just know it's still really fluid. It will always be a work in process. Nancy details the steps she’s implemented since completing the Process Leads to Profits course. Automate, automate, automate! Automation is important in delivering consistent service. Mindset is key. Most of the issues we have all start right between our ears! In light of COVID-19, Nancy discusses the ways that she’s been taking advantage of being at home. Is the Process Leads to Profits class right for you? If 6 weeks from now you would like to know you are well on your way and well-armed with the information and strategies to once and for all organize your “you” into a repeatable, duplicatable process (AKA, a “business”!), then YES! Sign up HERE! Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! LuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits. Connect with Nancy! Nancy’s Websites: Nancy Lane Interiors &The Decor Detective Nancy’sInstagram Nancy’sFacebook A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized! My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business Previous shows mentioned: Nicole Cole #509 Sara Lynn Brennan:#463, #514, #524

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for an episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers. Today’s question comes from listener Jane, who would like to know how to handle a client who is refusing to pay a bill. Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolution. If you have a burning issue that you need some insight on, please send your question to LuAnn Nigara! Show Highlights: LuAnn shares Jane’s detailed email. The red-flag phrase in the listener’s email that got LuAnn’s attention: “Even when I could see the project going south.” Why LuAnn thinks that the client somehow feels wronged. LuAnn’s take-action steps: The listener should think back to when she first felt things going south. She needs to identify the event and ask herself these questions: What one thing could you have done at the time to have avoided the project going south? Can you fix the problem even though it is late? Even if it costs you money, you have to fix it. Get ready for the hard conversation. Call her, acknowledge the problem, give a genuine apology for the past offense and offer the solution you are going to take. Once you’ve agreed on a solution, THEN you can ask for the payment, but there’s a particular way you need to frame the request! The client needs that moment of contrition and the solution to get past the problem. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday LuAnn Live LuAnn Nigara- Email LuAnn Your Questions! LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits. A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors: Open Your Trade Account & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim! Use Code at Checkout: AWDB10 Kravet Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now! Kirsch

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn gets to chat with Krista Watterworth Alterman, CEO of Krista Home in Palm Beach, Florida, about company mission and vision, how important it is to lift others up, and very timely advice on how to face fear. Krista leads her company with purpose and clarity. She is the kind of CEO that has taken the time to figure these things out for herself and as you listen, you will hear how it guides every decision she makes, from client interaction to creating, training and leading her team. You don’t want to miss this engaging conversation! Krista is the CEO of Krista Home located in Palm Beach Florida. Originally from Connecticut and trained in NY at Parsons School of Interior Design with a masters of Fine Arts from the New School, NYC, Krista is known for her highly acclaimed HGTV shows Save My Bath and Splurge & Save. She's also been featured on The Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible and DIY's The Vanilla Ice Project for seven seasons. Selected as one of the designers for the prestigious Kips Bay Show House in 2019 Krista has also won two 2018 American Society of Interior Designers Crystal Awards, a 2018 LUXE Residential Excellence Award and three 2017 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Awards. Krista was one of the selected designers for the prestigious Kips Bay Show House in 2019. She won two 2018 American Society of Interior Designers Crystal Awards, a 2018 LUXE Residential Excellence Award and three 2017 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Awards. Her work is regularly featured in many publications including Architectural Digest, Decor, Luxe Interiors & Design, Florida Design, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Southern Style At Home and Cottages & Bungalows. Show Highlights: When an employee hasn’t risen to exceptional status, it can sometimes be because we haven’t empowered them to properly do their job when they don’t have a clear understanding of their job description. Streamlining her business helped Krista and her team figure out who was responsible for providing different services, and how they could do it in a way that was fun and empowering for everybody so they loved coming to work. In doing this, she wanted to discover people’s natural talents and expertise. Krista wants her company to be able to function without her presence. Employees need clarity on their roles but they also need clarity on your company’s mission and vision. Service is Krista’s mission and she shares the relevance of saying, “Yes, And”. LuAnn emphasizes the importance of words. “A Design Lab” rather than a “Design Presentation”: Krista describes her plan to make everything fun for her clients when they come in to finalize the work product. When you feel fearful or anxious about something, it’s time for action. You need to do something to propel yourself forward. What you’re naturally good at is what you grow your passion around. Krista describes her employees’ job descriptions and how each of their strengths complement their positions. Having a philosophy in life that brings you great happiness and carrying that over to your work life is a win/win situation. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday LuAnn Live LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits. Connect with Krista! Krista’s Website Krista’s Facebook Krista’s Instagram Books Mentioned: A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts by LuAnn Nigara & Friends 3 Words for Getting Unstuck: Live Yes, And!by Travis L. Thomas 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. Previous Show Mentioned: #526 featuring Asha Chaudhary

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! And today LuAnn will be doing a ‘Where Are They Now’ episode with Wendy Woloshchuk, who last made her appearance on A Well-Designed Business about two years ago. What a difference those two years have made! Wendy is here to share the invaluable information she has learned from LuAnn Live and The Power Talk Friday Tour, the implementations to her business that resulted from that, and the profound impact it has had on her life. You don’t want to miss this conversation! Get ready for some takeaways from this! Wendy Woloshchuk believes that great interior design can change your everyday life. It’s about more than just beauty and function. It’s about creating a home that feels like a warm hug when you walk in after a long day. The details of your home create that feeling of comfort. She believes that interior design should be approachable, not intimidating! Her goal is not to make your house a showpiece, but to create a beautiful, comforting space and to see you enjoying it with friends and family. Wendy has been an interior designer and decorating enthusiast for as long as she can remember, and has been getting paid to do it since 2007, when she received her Interior Design Certification from Bay Path University. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at design events. She’s spoken for Facebook, been on multiple panels at High Point Market, was an invited guest at The Designer Experience, and was on the designhounds Influencer tour of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Wendy is a Houzz influencer, has won multiple Houzz Service Awards, and is a Maria Killam Certified True Colour Expert. She was also a Las Vegas Market Red Carpet Tour attendee. She has done multiple projects with the Make a Wish Foundation, and she’s a certified member of The Interior Design Society (IDS). Wendy loves sharing interior design advice and ideas. She coaches interior designers from around the world and teaches both local and online workshops to interior designers, decorators and home stagers on the business of interior design, and offer free tips on design on her Facebook live show, The Daily Details! She’s been quoted and/or seen in: Designers Today Magazine The Sunday Republican The Palmer Journal Mydoma.com Window Fashion Vision magazine …and heard on: A Well-Designed Business podcast with LuAnn Nigara Home Stagers and Designers on Fire podcast with Marianne Cherico When she’s not working on other people’s houses – or on the beach in Aruba – she’s in her own home in the woods, listening to podcasts or country music; cheering for the New England Patriots; or spending time with her husband, Mike (Wally), and their schnug, Ozzy. Show Highlights: As Wendy explains, she had a process, but it was inconsistent. Once she hired an assistant, she knew she had to have a better process in place. Wendy took the time to document her processes in a “Standards of Excellence Manual”, an idea she got from Ashley Uhl. Wendy asked her assistant to write down her own documented processes as she experienced them after a month of being hired, then they compared notes. This allowed them to fine-tune the manual. Another idea she got from Ashley Uhl was sending a simple hand-written thank you note after a consult. LuAnn loved the idea Wendy shared of sending “Happy Birthday to Your Room” cards to her clients after their first anniversary of doing business together. After year 5 and year 10, Wendy sends a card offering to refresh their room design. Wendy hired Nancy Ganzekaufer as a coach and worked with her for most of last year. One of the big areas in which Nancy helped was with Wendy’s numbers, so she increased both her hourly rates and her consults rates, and started charging her clients retail for product, which substantially increased her profits. All clients get a weekly update email very Friday updating them on their project and exactly what was accomplished over the past week. Nicole Heymer’s branding course helped Wendy to websites, social media. what she wanted from her website, so last year, Wendy worked with a copywriter to redesign her website, making it more relaxed and fun. Based on conversations over lunch with Debbe Daley and Marianne Cherico last year, Wendy, Debbe, and Marianne started the Design for Today Collaborative. They do in-person workshops at the Boston Design Center and other venues around New England. It’s a way to keep designers up to date on technology, websites, and social media but has grown to include staging coaching. LuAnn points out that Wendy’s success story is a great example of never being afraid of seeking help and knowledge from others, and taking that information you learn and putting it into practice. Links / Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Sara’s Blog post on LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Luannlive.com LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need h

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! LuAnn is so excited to finally be able to introduce this new sponsor to the show by chatting with none other than the CEO of Jaipur Living, Asha Chaudhary! In this episode, you’ll be learning about Jaipur’s beauty, value, and social responsibility, as well as their customer-centric trade partner program and their easier-than-ever to browse website with stunning images. Listen in to the conversation and please welcome Jaipur Living to the family! As president and CEO of Jaipur Living, Inc., Asha Chaudhary brings a personal perspective to the rug industry: “I grew up around rugs all my life; it’s a part of me.” From a childhood spent observing weavers and designers, Chaudhary has grown into a powerful design force within the industry. As the rare female CEO, Chaudhary has built a thriving business across rug constructions and textile accessories. Chaudhary’s father NK founded Jaipur Rugs, India’s largest manufacturer of hand-knotted rugs. She watched as he took the company from nine weavers in the family home to a global presence that employs more than 40,000 artisans. Chaudhary came to the U.S. in 1997 to attend Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 2001 as a Dean’s List scholar with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and a concentration in Finance. Chaudhary just graduated with a certificate from the Owner/ President Management program at Harvard Business School. She is also an active member of the Entrepreneurs Organization, Young Presidents Organization, Nest and ASID. After taking over leadership of the company’s U.S. operations in 2005, Chaudhary set out to expand on her father’s original vision to create beautiful lives through great design and respect for artisans. Today, she has broadened the company’s range of products and its customer base. Chaudhary has overseen new product launches of pillows, poufs, and throws, and a major restructuring and re-branding of the company to Jaipur Living, Inc. Jaipur Living’s customer base has expanded to include a broad mix of retailers, e-commerce dealers, and a sizable, loyal interior design following. Looking towards the future, Chaudhary wants to help bridge the world of handmade artistry with the end consumer. “I’d like them to understand and appreciate the harmony of the design process and their part in it - with the first spark of an idea, through the hands of an artisan, and ultimately into their home. And always with the intent to create beautiful lives.”. Show Highlights: Asha shares the compelling story of her childhood and her incredibly visionary parents. Jaipur Living is a family enterprise and Asha’s Father is known as “the Ghandi of the rug business”. Jaipur Living has a handmade, custom line of rugs and has award-winning designs and team: they were the winner of the last 2 Dallas ARTS Awards and 3 design awards in 2020 at Domotex in Germany. 95% of interior designers rate Jaipur Living as better than other rug companies when it comes to products and customer service. Asha praises the 40,000 artisans in more than 600 villages in India for the beautiful work that they do. These artisans earn a sustainable wage that far surpasses the industry average, and also receive access to healthcare, education, and social development opportunities, in partnership with the Jaipur Rugs Foundation. Asha’s personal favorite features on their newly-designed WEBSITE includes real-time inventory, Pantone color matching, instant quotes, and the ability to customize the size and shape of more than 600 rugs. Jaipur Living has a comprehensive swatch program: free swatches are available on every single product that they offer. Touch and feel, and share with your customers! They have THOUSANDS of products in stock and ready to ship, and orders ship within 4-6 hours of receipt of order. Jaipur Living works hard to design beautiful things across all price points, and they are proud of their dedicated customer service! Creating beautiful lives is the mission of Jaipur Living, and they strive to keep the art of weaving alive. The art of weaving is passed down from generation to generation. Asha shares how each and every rug has a story behind it. LuAnn addresses the designers listening to the show regarding the value and practical reasons that it makes sense to work with Jaipur Living. In future episodes, LuAnn will be sharing more about the value, features, and benefits of working with Jaipur Living, so stay tuned! Thank you, Asha and Jaipur Living, for sponsoring this podcast! Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday Luann Live LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught ov

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Today is a special episode because it features a #smartlady that LuAnn has come to know over the last several months and has been impressed by how thoughtfully and purposefully she runs her interior design firm. Traci Connell joins LuAnn and weaves in info not only about how she designs, but how she delivers the design process to her clients. You’re going to learn how Traci reflected, analyzed, and documented what she did, how she did it, and what worked and what didn’t, all in the face of tremendous anguish and hardship. Traci is the combination of a sweet, southern lady with the grit and fortitude it takes to not only survive but to thrive and to provide for herself, her family and her staff. Traci Connell is an award-winning creative entrepreneur whose business sense and design skills are combined with a passion for delivering interiors that are at the heart of livable style. Her well-edited spaces feature functionality for a distinctive aesthetic she calls Ease of Glamour. She gives you luxury you can live in along with an innovative customer service experience that saves you time and money. High-end design, business savvy and a simplicity-driven approach — that’s what makes Traci one of leading interior designers in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Traci’s projects have been featured on the cover of Luxe Interiors and Design as well as projects showcased in Traditional Home, among numerous other publications. She has been named D Home Best Designer of 2018, 2019, and 2020 and was included in the 2018 Gold List by Luxe Interiors and Design. Her latest endeavor is her consulting business to teach other designers how to get unstuck and scale their business just like she did using her proven system that she tested and developed over the past 8 years. She is really excited to share this system with others. Check out her website Traci Connell for more details. Show Highlights: Traci shares her story and describes how she was trying to up-level her business during a trying time but couldn’t get any straight answers to the questions she had. This experience gave her the desire to help other designers who are experiencing setbacks to get unstuck. Remember that you have a choice! Get vulnerable and accept help from coaches, mentors, or whoever it takes. There’s no reason to go it alone. Put your business under a magnifying glass and take a hard look at your finances, margins, and revenue streams. Evaluate your pipeline and run your projections for the year. Create processes and systems for your business. As Traci explains, this is KEY in being able to confidently deliver an excellent client experience, to be able to scale, and to be able to take time off from your business when you need it to take care of yourself, especially if you may be in crisis like she was as she built her business. It is critical to build the right team. You must surround yourself with a team that can execute and help grow and run your firm profitably. Traci shares her concept of “Ease of Glamour”, which is livable luxury, and tips on how she streamlined her own personal life. The confidence behind finding your niche is super-important. Always deliver more than what is expected. This communicates value to the client. Traci is coaching and teaching other designers like you to go from setbacks to success using her proven system that she has tested and developed over the past 8 years. For more info go to Traci Connell. Links : LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast - Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog Power Talk Friday LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22! If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits. Is Chairman of the Board Right for Your Business? LuAnn Nigara Connect with Traci! Traci’sEmail Traci’s Coaching Website Traci’s Interiors Website Traci’s Instagram Traci’s Facebook Traci’s Pinterest SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: If you are listening in real-time, we are on the 2nd day of our epic online summit hosted by Mydoma Studio. It is called 19Hours. A huge thanks to Mydoma Studio as well as our other sponsors: Kravet, Article, Kirsch, Jaipur Living, Monogram, IDS, Revelwoods, Summer Classics, and Gaby Home. Traci will be on LuAnn’s panel Thursday, April 9th, along with Sandra Funk, Monica Wilcox, and Tobi Fairley. Don’t miss it!! Event: 19hours Hosted by: Mydoma Studio Monday, April 6th - Thursday, April 9th This is a FREE VIRTUAL EVENT! Presentations Each Day at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm EST. It will be recorded for later viewing. This Is The Industry’s Answer to Covid-19 and Contains Much of the Content That Was Planned for HP Market. DON’T MISS the Solo Presentations by Some of the Industr