A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Devon and Michael Wegman: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. As you know, husband and wife duos are near and dear to my heart, and we have had several great examples over the years who have shared their stories of how they divide responsibilities, support each other, and work as a team in their businesses. Today I am joined by another great spouse partnership, Devon and Michael Wegman. Devon and Michael talk about the importance of goal-setting, how to keep yourself grounded when you grow faster than you expect, and how they work together in their business. LuAnn Nigara, Devon and Michael Wegman's Ah-Ha Moments “It’s almost like the scarier the leap is, the more motivated you are.” -Devon “It’s important to set goals, and if you’re new to the idea, don't obsess too much about what it exactly it is. You just need to have something to measure against.” -Michael More About Devon and Michael Wegman Devon was born and raised in Ridgewood, NJ, where her love of architecture and design first started. As a child, Devon was drawn to everything creative and artistic. When she was seven years old, her parents built a home in Cape Cod, MA, and Devon was exposed to the process of architecture, design and building. From this young age, she knew this was something she wanted to be a part of when she got older. Michael Wegman is a dynamic and accomplished Owner and Principal at DGI Design-Build, an innovative, multidisciplinary design-build business nationally recognized for incredible residential designs, use of cutting edge design and visualization software, and commitment to construction execution. Michael brings a unique blend of tech-savviness, operational acumen, and visionary leadership to the design-build industry, drawing on his multifaceted career in software sales, consulting, and business growth. Today, Devon and Michael live in Lincoln Park, and recently moved the growing team into a fully renovated studio space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Connect with Devon and Michael Wegman Website What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Power Talk Friday Tour - October 25th! Hiring Toolkit Bundle Other Shows: AWDB #270 Shea & Syd McGee: Building a Design Empire Involves a Lot of Hustle AWDB #885: Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall: Generate Business Referrals Without Asking

Today With Sonia Barney: Hello! Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today I sit down with Sonia Barney, a talented interior designer who turned her passion into a thriving business. Sonia shares her unique journey, from navigating the challenges of motherhood to discovering her entrepreneurial spirit. We dive into her experiences at Power Talk Friday in Las Vegas and discuss how embracing her strengths has allowed her to carve out a successful niche in the design industry. More About Sonia Barney I’m Sonia Barney, Owner and Principal Designer at Sonia Barney Design in Idaho Falls, Idaho. With a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design and 18+ years of experience in design, construction and education, and while raising two autistic boys with my engineer husband, I know firsthand that organization, planning, and strategic creativity are paramount. I opened my own business in 2015 and have spent the last 9 years thoughtfully building my business and team to provide expert design services in the East Idaho region. I am the first to admit that I am a total design nerd who prefers space planning and spreadsheets to pillows and décor. Organization and planning are my love languages thus our clients receive full design books and detailed specifications on all construction projects. No matter the project size, our goal is to provide clients with thoughtful, elevated solutions that contribute to exceptional living. Connect with Sonia Barney Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Email What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Join Eileen Hahn, Jennifer Tokatyan, Stacey Brown Randall, Rick Camposand me at High Point this October 25th for Power Talk Friday Tour! Other Shows: AWDB #803: Power Talk Friday: Amber De La Garza: Productivity is Personal – How to Create Systems that Will Work for You! AWDB #574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy AWDB #499: Power Talk Friday: Shauna Lynn Simon: Passion, Purpose, and Pink Hair – The Secret to My Success AWDB #901: Power Talk Friday: Anna Nelson: The Power of Being a Strengths-Based Entrepreneur AWDB #589: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million

Today With Ann Cariola: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I firmly believe that age is just a number, and that you can start a successful business at 20, 80, or anything in between. But I also know that the idea that it is too late is common. Maybe you wanted to start your own business or you were always interested in design, but you kept putting it off, focusing on other things, building your career or your family—and maybe now it does feel like it’s slipped past you. My guest today, Ann Cariola, took the leap at age 60 to start her own design business. And she firmly believes that it’s never too late to have the life or the career you want. Today, she’s here to share how she did it—and how you can make the leap no matter what your age is. LuAnn Nigara and Ann Cariola's Ah-Ha Moments “Just because you enjoy it doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable.” -Ann “You’ve got to know what you bring to the table before you can tell someone else what you bring to the table.” -Ann “Vin was the system person, not me. I committed to them basically just to be able to say that I did it—so that even if there was a mistake I could point out, ‘Well, I followed the system.’ But the crazy thing is, the more I followed the system, the less mistakes there were. And then I thought, ‘Oh, okay, this really works.’” -LuAnn More About Ann Cariola In a nutshell, I strive to be the most enthusiastic, approachable, and resourceful interior decorator you will ever meet! I love helping vibrant women reimagine and create beautiful, functional homes that support a full and happy life as their children start to leave the nest. My journey to AGC Home Styled has been a long one. Although I have always loved design, I hold a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communication Disorders and enjoyed a long career as a Speech Pathologist and Executive Functions Coach. This experience, coupled with my love of design and all things “home,” has given me a unique perspective on interior design, emotional well-being, and the processes that bring it all together. Connect with Ann Cariola Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Other Shows: AWDB #463 Sara Lynn Brennan: Package Your Design Services for Profit and Clarity AWDB #514 Power Talk Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: Investing in Your Success AWDB #524 Power Talk Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: Showing Up is Not Enough WTFP #919 Window Treatment Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: How to Sell Window Treatments in Your Full Service Interior Design Projects AWDB #89 Marie Flanigan – How Marketing Strategies Helped Her Grow Her Firm AWDB #145 Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm AWDB #871 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Out of Overwhelm: Why Time Management Begins With Your Mindset AWDB #777 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Leading from Your Future Self AWDB #557 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO Mindset

Today With Lisa Haukom: In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Haukom, an award-winning photographer and personal brand strategist known as the "Imposter Syndrome Slayer." Lisa shares her expertise on helping entrepreneurs, particularly women in creative fields, overcome their fears of visibility and confidently showcase themselves online. Whether you're struggling to show up on camera or looking to elevate your brand's visual storytelling, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. Tune in to learn how to transform your relationship with the camera and confidently step into the spotlight of your business. LuAnn Nigara and Lisa Haukom's Ah-Ha Moments “I shoot with my iPhone because it's fabulous and it's all you need. So to remove that excuse, which is the number one excuse, which is I can't take my own photos because I don't have a nice camera. Yeah, you do. It's in your pocket. Pull it out and use it." - Lisa "Take a minute, acknowledge the wins. Like I did something good, don't go blowing by it, right?" - LuAnn More About Lisa Haukom Lisa Haukom is an award-winning photographer, author, and creative consultant renowned for her innovative No More Bad Photos™ method. She empowers CEOs, creatives, entrepreneurs, and brands to overcome self-doubt, transform their self-image, and elevate their visual presence. Connect with Lisa Haukom Website Instagram LinkedIn X Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design The Pose with Purpose Free Guide Amber De La Garza's VIP Business Planning Event - Las Vegas, November 2nd and 3rd Other Shows: #125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!! #317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What? #516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand #626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design #651: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Gaining Credibility in Interior Design #718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos #724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals #759: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing #953: Power Talk Friday: Raj Banyopadhyay: Connecting With Your Audience Through Personal Branding Photography #982: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Leveraging Your Superpower to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients #1000: 1000th Episode! LuAnn Nigara is Interviewed by Jude Charles!

Today With Susan Hayward & Jillian Hayward Schaible: Today I am joined by Susan Hayward and Jillian Hayward Schaible from Susan Hayward Interiors. With nearly two decades of experience in both residential and commercial projects, this mother-daughter team prioritizes uncovering each client's unique style. Their approach ensures every design, whether for home or business, truly represents the client's personality and needs. They will be sharing how it can be a viable revenue stream, what it’s like working commercial, how to get into it, and everything they learned the hard way. LuAnn Nigara, Susan Hayward & Jillian Hayward Schaible's Ah-Ha Moments “With every job we do, we work very well with the people we work with, so they will become our next referral or point of contact,” - Susan Hayward More About Susan Hayward & Jillian Hayward Schaible In 2006, Susan Hayward began her firm, Susan Hayward Interiors, with the simple philosophy that interior design should reflect the personality and lifestyle of the client, not the designer. Joined by her daughter, Jillian Hayward Schaible, the New England-based mother-daughter team strives to uncover every client’s unique tastes and personal style. After nearly two decades of designing residential and commercial projects, Susan and Jillian approach every design with the needs of the client at the forefront. A central ethos of the firm, Susan and Jillian are dedicated to providing both form and function. As such, the firm believes that it’s not enough for a room to look good, it has to work well and function, too. In addition to their personalized approach, Susan and Jillian believe everyone deserves a beautifully designed space. A testament to their passion for creating accessible beauty, they work with different budgets and have created design service options to ensure cost isn’t a limiting factor in working with professional interior designers. Susan Hayward Interiors brings a homeowner’s dream to life with beautifully curated interior design for all. Connect with Susan Hayward & Jillian Hayward Schaible Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Mydoma Studio - get 20% off your first three months Other Shows: AWDB #41: Cheryl Janis: Create Clarity for Your Interior Design Firm and Watch Your Profits Grow AWDB #569: PTF: Mike Peterson: Leveraging Design’s Influence on Health & Wellness to Increase Your Value Proposition AWDB #991: Chloe Bullock: Conscious Design WTFP #275: Bound by Business: Bloomin’ Blinds, Working with Your Brothers WTFP #277: Bound by Business: Fathers and Daughters AWDB#671: Kate Bendewald: High End Commercial Design to Motherhood and Entrepreneurship. AWDB #392: Dala Al-Fuwaires: Commercial Designer, Focused Business Owner AWDB #162: Power Talk Friday – Natalie Norcross – The Dynamic Leader of A Design Partnership AWDB #804: Sherry Schmidt: Closing the Sale in Commercial Interior Design AWDB#276: Judi Kieffer: Steps to Build a Hospitality / Commercial Interior Design Firm

Today With Connie Whitman: Today, we're diving deep into the world of sales with the amazing Connie Whitman, and let me tell you, this woman knows her stuff! Known for her high-energy, passionate, heart-centered, and enthusiastic approach to sales, teaching, and coaching, Connie has been the CEO of Changing the Sales Game for over 20 years. She's been helping business owners, leaders, and sales teams build powerhouse organizations, and today she's here to share that wisdom with us. LuAnn Nigara and Connie Whitman's Ah-Ha Moments “That first meeting should never be to sell your thing and give your proposal on the spot, that's not fair to you, but that's not fair to the client. Go in with no agenda, you go in with a prepared agenda of your questions, but you don't go in with, here's the solution. You don't know the solution until you speak with the client.” - Connie Whitman More About Connie Whitman Known for her high-energy, passionate, heart-centered, and enthusiastic approach to sales, teaching, and coaching, Connie Whitman has been the CEO of Changing the Sales Game for 20+ years, helping business owners, leaders, and sales teams build powerhouse organizations. Connie is a four-time #1 International Best-Selling author, including her book ESP (Easy Sales Process): 7-Steps to Sales Success, speaker, and podcast host. Her inspired teaching, transformational tools, and content ensure that business owners and salespeople grow their revenue streams through enhanced communication skills. She is thrilled to share inspiring content on her international podcasts “Changing the Sales Game” and “Enlightenment of Change.” Connect with Connie Whitman Personal Facebook Business Facebook Page X YouTube Changing the Sales Game Podcast Enlightenment of Change Podcast Book Links Communication Style Assessment (CSA)™ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design The Power Talk Friday Tour - High Point, October 25th Other Shows: #760: Jessica Harling: The 7-Step Sales Process for Interior Designers and Window Treatment Professionals #769: Power Talk Friday: Leah Neaderthal: Sales Techniques for Introverts #931: Power Talk Friday: Matthew Finlin: The Key to Selling with Authenticity and Compassion

Today With Dean Keyworth: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. My guest today is Dean Keyworth, founder of Armstrong Keyworth, who recently published a book through the Royal Institute of British Architects called New Country: City Style for Rural Living, that teaches you how to create practical designs that work for country homes and also provide functionality for the modern world. There are so many details in the book that explain how this specific expertise in design impacts rural clients, and why it matters. Beyond this, Dean shares the big picture concept about the value you bring to your clients and the impact you have on their daily lives. LuAnn Nigara and Dean Keyworth's Ah-Ha Moments “The design has to work practically, but it doesn't have to be that radically different. If you're already contemporary, stay contemporary.” -Dean More About Dean Keyworth After a first career in travel marketing for British Airways and Hilton Hotels, Dean Keyworth re-trained with a diploma in Interior Design and set up his own practice, Armstrong Keyworth Ltd in 1997. As well as his client projects, Dean has written for magazines and newspapers in the United Kingdom and Europe on design matters. Following 3 years on the board, Dean was elected as President of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) in 2006. In 2017, he was given the prestigious BIID Merit award for services to the industry. His conversion of an 1821 church into a family home received a highly commended award for the ‘best re-use of a Georgian building’ from the Georgian Group in 2021 In December 2022, he published a book, ‘The New Country’ about bringing city sophistication to rural projects. He is currently working on his second interiors book about the changing trends in luxury design. Connect with Dean Keyworth Website Instagram The New Country Book What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Go to Kravet and use code J24 when placing your order! Other Shows: #991 Chloe Bullock: Conscious Design #987 Kate Wood: Discovering and Leaning into Your Niche #971 Vicente Wolf: How to Bring True Artistry into Interior Design

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Hello! Welcome back to another episode of A Well-Designed Business. Today, we're diving deep into a topic that resonates with so many of us—resilience. After our recent episode featuring Sandra Funk, Robin Burrill, and Antonio DeLoatch, I received an overwhelming number of messages from listeners expressing how much they needed to hear those stories of struggle and triumph. Running a business is no easy feat, and it can often feel isolating. But remember, you are not alone in this journey. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies to build resilience, tackle challenges head-on, and keep moving forward. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s navigate these business challenges together! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Register for Window Works Lunch and Learn! Power Talk Friday Tour - High Point! Other Shows: AWDB 1010: Overheard: Developing Resilience in Interior Design Business Leadership with Antonio Deloatch Jr, Sandra Funk and Robin Burrill AWDB 222: Power Talk Friday: Lee Cockerell- Customer Service the Disney Way AWDB 974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business AWDB 881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business

Today With Charlene Miranda: Today, I am sitting down with Charlene Miranda, Creative Director of Miranda and Co. During her childhood living in Kuwait, Charlene's summers spent in India with her grandparents ignited her passion for creativity as she fell in love with the interior designs at her grandmother's friends' homes - a true creative from the very beginning! Join in as Charlene and I delve into her journey from Project Manager overseeing million-dollar projects to pursuing her deep-seated passion for interior design. More About Charlene Miranda We are an interior design firm based in Brooklyn working on high-end residential projects in New York City, Connecticut, the Hamptons, Westchester, and beyond. We curate beautiful spaces for our wonderful clients that reflect their lives and loves. Our designs strike a balance between warm minimalism with vibrant accents. We achieve this by layering neutral-statement-investment pieces and sprinkling in vivid art and accessories. Our Creative Director, Charlene Miranda, has a unique vision for every space that is influenced by her very multi-cultural background. Having grown up in Kuwait, she spent summers in India with her grandparents where she found herself enamored with the design of her grandmother's friends homes. Upon graduating, she moved to Canada where she lived for 10 years and eventually found herself in NYC. Being somewhat of a nomad, Charlene has always had to cultivate the feeling of home wherever she lived which ultimately fueled her creativity and passion for creating homes for other people that reflect their lives and things that they love. Her experience with New York based, award winning interior design firms, such as Chango & co. and Michael Dawkins Home, drives her to work on high-end residential projects that incorporate custom furniture and vintage finds. We work with you and your investment to bring your vision to life. We want you to love your space and guide you through the exciting design development process, all the while ensuring good communication and effective collaboration. Connect with Charlene Miranda Website Instagram Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Register for Window Works Lunch and Learn! Recipe for Press for Interior Designers Other Shows: AWDB #12: How to Get Your Interior Design Projects Published with Ren Miller AWDB #108 Power Talk Friday- Amy Flurry-How To Pitch and Get Press For Your Interior Design Firm AWDB #321: Power Talk Friday Ashley Hotham Cox: Why Regional Press is Important AWDB #323: Amy Flurry: How to Pitch Press and Build Relationships AWDB #939: Power Talk Friday: Amy Flurry: From Creating Media Opportunities to Creating a Product line; Aloka Home

Today With Michele Williams: Hi, welcome to A Well Designed Business! Today I’ll sit down with Michele Williams for an insightful conversation. We’ll reflect on her journey together, discussing the evolution of Michele's career, her impactful CFO to Go program, and the importance of understanding finances in business. If you're looking to enhance your financial literacy and gain confidence in your numbers, this episode is packed with valuable insights and personal anecdotes. Tune in for an engaging discussion that promises to empower your business decisions! More About Michele Williams Michele Williams is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions, two companies focused on empowering creative professionals to own the financials of their business. With an eye for detail and a passion for innovation, Michele has carved a niche in providing strategic business coaching and financial analytics to help business owners navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. At Scarlet Thread Consulting, Michele utilizes her extensive experience in finance and business management to offer tailored coaching and mentoring services. She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve financial clarity and operational efficiency, enabling them to make informed decisions that drive their businesses forward. Through Metrique Solutions, Michele offers a unique blend of technology and consultancy, providing cutting-edge software solutions designed specifically for the owners of small businesses. Her expertise in financial metrics and data analysis empowers her clients to optimize their pricing strategies and enhance profitability. Michele's commitment to excellence and her unwavering support for her clients have established her as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the design community. Her work not only transforms businesses but also inspires creativity and growth, making her an invaluable asset to the industry. Connect with Michele Williams Scarlet Thread Consulting Metrique Solutions - get a FREE month using code “LNWDB1”! CFO2GO Instagram Facebook Email What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Register for the IFDA NY Event on September 10th! Other Shows: AWDB #719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s AWDB #424: Power Talk Friday: Re-Visiting Michele Williams’ Tips for Time Management AWDB #395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business AWDB #180: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams Talks About Profit First and Why it Matters to You AWDB #137: Michele Williams- Scarlet Thread Consulting- Actionable Tips for Time Management

Today With Elan Design House: Today, with Kilian Camp, Alison Green, and Kadie Chiera of Élan Design House, we explore the dynamics of running a successful interior design firm as a trio. These talented women share their journey from co-workers to co-founders, revealing how they've leveraged their complementary skills to create a thriving business. We discuss the importance of clear role definition, effective communication strategies, and maintaining work-life balance in a partnership. In this conversation we also discuss crucial business aspects, including legal considerations, financial management, and the value of outsourcing. Whether you're considering a partnership or looking to optimize your solo practice, this episode offers valuable insights on building a sustainable and enjoyable design business. More About Elan Design House To do something with élan \ā-’län\ is to do it with spirited confidence and style. It is with this intention that Élan Design House guides the discovery, coordination and actualization of each client’s uniquely personal vision for a space in which to most authentically live, to share experiences, to simply be. Founded by Kilian Camp, Alison Green and Kadie Chiera, the dynamic team behind Élan Design House are experts in their field, known for methodically pushing boundaries and creating intuitively composed spaces that exude a sense of freedom. Connect with Elan Design House Website Instagram Facebook TikTok LuAnn Nigara and Elan Design House’s Ah-Ha Moments “Because a business operates day-to-day well, doesn't mean it’s something to sell, right? It's the process and the documentation and ablity to show the profitability, and a client lis,t and all of that—that's the thing that you buy” - LuAnn Nigara “Even though we can't take every project…we do have a very nice, tight-knit design community. We have friends that are designers as well, maybe they have more opportunity, more time, to take those projects.” - Alison Green “It doesn't mean you're not in business. It doesn't mean you're not making money. But it does mean that you're not optimized, you're not making as much as you could, when you do not take the time to strategize and to also look and evaluate what actually happened.” - LuAnn Nigara What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Hiring Toolkit Bundle Window Works Lunch & Learn with Charles Pavarini III Other Shows: AWDB #977: Katie Ryan Pluer: Strategies for Taking on a Business Partner WTFP 283: Bound by Business: Forever Friends: Mimi Harling and Susette Kubiak WTFP 282: Bound By Business: Like Mother, Like Son. Debbie Hall and Trent Hall WTFP 280: Bound By Business: Sisters in Business. Lindsay and Heather Madonia WTFP 277: Bound by Business: Fathers and Daughters WTFP 275: Bound by Business: Bloomin’ Blinds, Working with Your Brothers WTFP 272: Bound by Business: Working With a Parent or Child WTFP 269: Bound by Business: Working With the In-Laws

Today With Angie Viehman: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I hear from designers all the time who want to start online businesses on the side. And while it’s easy to understand why this is appealing—creating some passive income and diversifying your revenue—the truth is that I usually see this as a distraction. My advice is almost always to stay focused on what you’re doing now instead of chasing a new business or a new idea. And in most cases, I stand by that. But my guest today, Angie Viehman, specializes in helping women entrepreneurs start more strategic online businesses—ones that don’t distract or derail, but instead complement existing businesses by targeting current and past clients. Today, she’s here to share how to do it More About Angie Viehman Angie Viehman is a seasoned Certified Operations Expert and E-Commerce Business Builder with over two decades of experience working with industry giants such as Target, Crate&Barrel, Room&Board and Blu Dot. Angie brings a refreshing approach to the e-commerce landscape, guiding businesses to triple their revenue while abolishing overwhelm and overwork. Her passion lies in empowering women to create sustainable businesses that they love, generating wealth and balance in all aspects of their lives. When Angie is not helping clients take the e-commerce world by storm, she can be found hiking, growing edible landscapes and hanging with her Bernedoodles, Walter and Lilly. Connect with Angie Viehman Website Instagram LinkedIn How To Add An Online Store To ANY Business What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Click here get 20% off your first three months on Mydoma Studio Other Shows: #169 Amber Lewis- Keynote Speaker at Design Blogger’s Conference #474 Bria Hammel: Keys to Scaling Your Interior Design Firm #236 Shea McGee of Studio McGee Joins Me Today!!!!

Today With Nicole Arnold: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. My guest today, Nicole Arnold, came to interior design as her second career after a corporate background at Levi Strauss. She took the lessons she learned interacting with C-suite executives in her corporate career and applied them as a designer, learning lessons along the way but becoming an industry leader. Today, she’s here to share what she believes are the three core foundational pieces that lead to a successful transition into our industry. LuAnn Nigara and Nicole Arnold's Ah-Ha Moments “If a client has to call us to find out what's going on, something is wrong.” -Nicole “We keep hearing that AI is killing the industry, and I’m sorry, but that’s not the industry’s problem. The problem is in each of our own businesses. If we’re not showing up and managing a project from start to finish in a way where it’s clear that we are the leader of the project, with grace, kindness, and professionalism, that’s the problem.” -LuAnn More About Nicole Arnold As president of an award-winning Dallas interior design firm, she’s earned widespread acclaim for her ability to “make space meaningful” for the customized, personalized residential interiors and the commercial facilities she designs in prestigious the Dallas area communities such as Preston Hollow, University Park, Kessler Park, Southlake, Highland Park, Allen, Frisco, Plano, Irving, Flower Mound, and more. In addition to her work in Texas, she has also completed projects in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, and New York. She also consults and guides custom home builders and realtors so they can enable their clients to visualize their new space. Nicole co-founded the North Texas Design Group in 2013, an alliance of designers working directly with manufacturers to provide clients with competitive pricing and a wide assortment of exclusive furnishings. Additionally, she holds a dual major Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Professional Sales from Kennesaw State University. She is an IDS Professional and ASID Associate. She is currently a member of the Interior Design Society’s National Board of Directors. Connect with Nicole Arnold Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: The Hiring Toolkit Power Talk Friday Tour - October 25th at High Point The Interior Design Society (IDS) - Power Talk Friday attendees will receive $75 off when joining IDS Other Shows Mentioned: #451 Elissa Grayer: Starting From the Ground Up, After 19 Years #739 Marianna Zimmerman: It’s Never Too Late to Design Your Life

Today With Antonio Deloatch Jr, Sandra Funk and Robin Burrill In this episode of Overheard, we’re exploring the crucial topic of mental resilience in running a design business. I’m joined by three industry powerhouses: Sandra Funk, founder and CEO of House of Funk and creator of the Interior Design Standard; Antonio DeLoatch, of Antonio DeLoatch Design + Interiors; and Robin Burrill, the creative visionary behind Signature Home Services. Our guests share personal stories of overcoming challenges, from health crises to difficult client interactions, offering valuable insights on maintaining resilience in the face of adversity. We discuss practical strategies for staying centered, the importance of clear communication, and how to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. More About Antonio Deloatch Jr, Sandra Funk and Robin Burrill Antonio Deloatch Jr: Living in New York & Los Angeles with a global state of mind equals the best of both worlds. My love for décor and design started early. I realized that I wanted to use my talents outside of the sales floor or cubicle. I started my design business in 2014 and my main goal still to this day is to bring quality, as well as affordable designs to any consumer. Sandra Funk: Sandra Funk is the founder and CEO of the boutique interior design firm, House of Funk. After 20 years as a luxury designer, Sandra is now a business strategist deeply rooted in empowering and educating design entrepreneurs. With her turnkey approach, she welcomes designers into her inner circle, sharing her proven process for a balanced, joy-filled and wildly profitable design firm. Robin Burrill: Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a reputation for delivering meticulous and innovative design to their many repeat clients. Connect with Antonio Deloatch Jr, Sandra Funk and Robin Burrill Antonio Deloatch Jr Antonio DeLoatch Instagram Sandra Funk Interior Design Standard Interior Design Standard Sneak Peek How to Start an Interior Design Business Interior Design Pricing Robin Burrill Signature Home Services Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: ASID New Jersey Design Expo - October 8th Interior Design Standard - Next Launch: September 12th Other Shows Mentioned: #986 ​​Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Boundaries and Expectations are a Few of My Favorite Things #895 Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers #860 Antonio Deloatch: Believe in Yourself, Believe in Relationships #585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems #520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here! #145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10-Year-old Firm #02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy

Today With Taylor Zack: Today, I am sitting down with Taylor Zack from Rever Design Co. If you dream of your own design firm and team but need to change your mindset, then this is the episode for you. In barely two years, Taylor has grown a profitable, well-designed business. Taylor has almost reached the two-year mark with her own firm and has seen some quick success. She does have seven years of experience working freelance and for some other design firms, so she didn't go in blind, but she did go in intentionally. Tune in to learn how new designers can succeed quickly with a growth mindset. LuAnn Nigara and Taylor Zack's Ah-Ha Moments “Saving for an office right off the bat was mr immersing myself in a tight knit community, establishing myself as a business, and giving me confidence.” - Taylor Zack More About Taylor Zack With an eye for interiors that are artful and elevated, Taylor has garnered clients and followers from coast to coast. She has spent nearly a decade honing in on her craft, staying true to her intimate design approach, and has developed a sought-after style. Originally from Long Island, New York, and after having moved West to California, Taylor has married timeless East Coast aesthetic with California’s laid-back, natural touch. Bold prints, a mix of modern lines and organic elements are the pillars that define and distinguish a Rever home. Today, with Taylor at the lead, Rever Design Co. provides designs for large-scale residencies throughout Southern California, working with architects and contractors to bring the distinct visions seen in her work, to life, and into your home. Connect with Taylor Zack Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Join us for our free Pre CEO Conference Zoom open house! Wine + Design Sunbrella Tour - August 21st! Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #849: Power Talk Friday: Staci Davidson: Why You Need Someone to Handle Everything But Design AWDB #959: Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: How to Take Calculated Risks in Your Interior Design Business AWDB #1000: 1000th Episode! LuAnn Nigara is Interviewed by Jude Charles!

Today With Barb Davids: Hi! Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! If you've ever felt frustrated working with an SEO company, wondering whether your investment is truly paying off, then you'll want to tune in to this insightful episode. I’ll sit down with digital marketing expert Barb Davids to shed light on the common challenges business owners face when navigating the world of search engine optimization. Barb offers a candid perspective, acknowledging the lack of transparency that has plagued the industry, and shares strategies for how SEO providers can build more trust and accountability. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting to invest in your online presence, this conversation will equip you with the knowledge to make smarter decisions when partnering with SEO professionals. More About Barb Davids Founder of Compass Digital Strategies since 2018, and digital marketing strategist for nearly 20 years. From my Las Vegas location, I’ve analyzed, optimized, tested and tinkered with SEO for large corporations and small-medium businesses. Being fascinated by what I do means I’ve helped clients achieve: Increases of organic traffic by 256%, converting 22% more leads, increases of keyword visibility by 39%, 66% more revenue through email marketing, and 51% sales increase from Google organic search. Connect with Barb Davids Website Instagram X LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Power Talk Friday Tour - High Point, October 25th Compass Digital Strategies Resources! Other Shows Mentioned: #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What? #853: Power Talk Friday: Brittany Murphy: Hiring An SEO Specialist For Your Interior Design Firm #746: Power Talk Friday: Daniela Furtado: How to Get SEO Traffic to Your Portfolio

Today With Lauren Li: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Many designers dream of getting a book deal, but aren’t sure where to start. My guest today is interior designer and author Lauren Li, sharing her journey from blog posts to book deals. Lauren, the founding director of Melbourne-based interior design studio Sisällä, has recently published two books with Thames & Hudson: "The New French Look" and "Beachside Modern." Lauren emphasizes the importance of putting your expertise out into the world and reveals how becoming an author can elevate your design business and attract high-quality clients. She shares insights into how consistent content creation can lead to unexpected opportunities and the realities of the book writing and publishing process, along with strategies for developing an authentic writing voice. Of course, we discuss the business side of publishing, too, including contracts and image rights. Whether you're harboring dreams of writing your own design book or simply looking to expand your professional reach, Lauren's experience offers valuable lessons for designers at all stages of their careers. LuAnn Nigara and Lauren Li's Ah-Ha Moments “You don't really make a lot of money from books. It's more of a marketing thing.” - Lauren Li “I like to write like I'm speaking to someone — like talking to a friend. So that sets me apart.” Lauren Li “Be prepared to be lucky.” - LuAnn Nigara “A lot of people are serious people with serious knowledge. But putting that serious information on a pen to paper is a whole different animal.” - LuAnn Nigara More About Lauren Li With an innate ability for translating the client’s personality into an interior space, Lauren skillfully applies texture and color to create atmospheric spaces. No two projects are the same. Lauren Li is the founding director of the interior design studio, Sisällä, based in Melbourne, Australia. She has more than 20 years of experience across the residential, retail, and commercial sectors, and holds a Bachelor of Design, Interior Design (Honors) from Swinburne, and a Diploma of Arts, Interior Design & Decoration from RMIT. Lauren founded sisällä in 2012 with a passion to create beautifully rich spaces reflective of her clients’ context, lifestyles, and individual desires. The studio’s name sisällä, meaning ‘inside’ in Finnish, is both a tribute to Lauren’s ancestors and her fondness for Scandinavian inspired interiors merging beauty with functionality. Connect with Lauren Li Website Instagram Book: The New French Look on Amazon Book: Beachside Modern on Amazon The Design Society: workshops, courses and mentoring for interior designers What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Join us for our free Pre CEO Conference Zoom open house! Go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness and get 20% off your first three months! Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #381: Power Talk Friday: Julie Broad: Write a Book to Market Your Interior Design Business AWDB #840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life AWDB #844: John McClain: Turn Failure into Success AWDB #862: AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home

Today With Tammy Nagem: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I don’t have to tell you that in our industry, High Point is one of the biggest to-dos. And yet, I know that many of you out there haven’t been yet for a variety of reasons—from hesitancy at making the investment to an uncertainty about what exactly is so appealing about it. Today, I’m joined by Tammy Nagem, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority to discuss what makes High Point unique and special, how the team works to create a special experience for attendees, and how attending can kickstart something of value for your business. LuAnn Nigara and Tammy Nagem's Ah-Ha Moments Watching people's faces just sort of light up as they talk about how they got started and get to tell their story is something special. I think we all sort of feel it, whether there’s a long family history or just an affinity to this industry, and High Point is where it all comes together.” -Tammy “I get that a designer is coming to High Point to shop for furniture. It’s not lost on me. But no one will tell me that there isn’t value in a whole different way for your business, even if you do spend three days doing panel discussions and interacting with other attendees.” -LuAnn More About Tammy Nagem Tammy Nagem was named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the High Point Market Authority (HPMA) in 2023, overseeing strategic business development, marketing communications, and operations for High Point Market, the world’s largest home furnishings trade show. Nagem and her 13-person team manage onsite logistics for nearly 75,000 domestic and international visitors to High Point Market each spring and fall, and are additionally responsible for educational programming, wayfinding, large-scale entertainment events, and HPMA-sponsored hospitality. HPMA stakeholders include the State of North Carolina, Guilford County, and the City of High Point, along with approximately 2,000 vendors exhibiting the latest trends in home furnishings products within 11 million square feet of showroom space, spanning 13 blocks of the City’s downtown area. Connect with Tammy Nagem Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube X LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #996: Power Talk Friday: Katie Decker-Erickson: Building True Confidence Through Knowledge and Experience #407 Century Furniture and Carrier & Company Launch New Line at High Point Market April 2019 #437 High Point Market: Plan a Successful Trip #526 Jaipur Living, CEO Asha Chaudhary #757 Power Talk Friday: Nitesh Chaudhary: Jaipur Living: The Manchaha Initiative #768: Jaipur Living: A New Collaboration with Kate Lester #677: Megan Molten: To Succeed, Focus on Your Why #14: Malene Barnett Success Secret – Build Relationships #397: Power Talk Friday: Where Are They Now?: Cheryl Luckett: Dwell By Cheryl #408: Power Talk Friday: Visual Comfort & Rottet Studio Launch New Line at High Point Market 2019

Today With Campbell Minister: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Building a referral-led business isn’t always easy. It takes commitment, dedication, integrity, and accountability. Most of all, it takes the ability to navigate speed bumps and navigate challenges. My guest today, Campbell Minister, knows what it takes to do all of those things. She has created clear processes, learned how to set up proactive client expectations, and built strong relationships that bring referrals and repeat business her way. Today, she’s sharing her insights on what it takes to create those relationships and bring referrals your way. LuAnn Nigara and Campbell Minister's Ah-Ha Moments “It’s a testament to understanding the core belief that interior design is a personalized, high-level luxury service. You’re not in competition with everyone, and you’re not the right fit for everyone.” -LuAnn “Discipline and dedication are it. Really, at the end of the day, what makes me happy is if my clients are happy, so I am always thinking about what it takes to create that client experience. What do you want people to say about you?” -Campbell “It’s not who's right or wrong. It's who's bringing their perspective and that lens, and what's their lens for the situation. There’s your story and my story, but there’s always a third story.” -Campbell More About Campbell Minister Campbell Minister Design (CMD) is a boutique, referral-led decorating firm. Campbell started her firm in 2016 while taking courses in interior design. She dove headfirst into a new build construction project, forcing her to become intensely focused on project execution, and working under tight construction timelines. Fast forward 7 years later and you will find Campbell leading a team of designers, operational support staff, and tradespeople to bring her clients’ vision to life. Campbell acts on behalf of her clients at every step of the design process, caring for their home as if it was her own. She leverages strong working relationships with trusted vendors to execute each client’s vision. As the daughter of a serial decorator, artist, and antique shop owner, Campbell has an innate sense of style and an eye for good design. Merging this background along with degrees in communication, education, and art history, Campbell uses these skills to successfully turn clients’ design ideas into gorgeously real spaces. Connect with Campbell Minister Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Hiring Toolkit Bundle Other Shows Mentioned: #346 Do Not Let Us Design: Taylor Dieterich & Yashlie Negron #547 Power Talk Friday: Jamie Lieberman of Hashtag Legal: 5 Steps to Sharpen Your Negotiation Skills #939 Power Talk Friday: Amy Flurry: From Creating Media Opportunities to Creating a Product line; Aloka Home #282 Blanche Garcia – You Teach Clients How to Treat You #370 Kesha Franklin: A Different Path to a Career in Interior Design #374 Ellie Mroz: The Reveal Install & Working with Trades #704 Power Talk Friday: George Oliphant: George to the Rescue #871 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Out of Overwhelm: Why Time Management Begins With Your Mindset

Today With Sarah Daniele and Keith Granet: Hi! Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! In this can't-miss episode, we welcome Sarah Daniele of MyDoma Studio and Keith Granet of Studio Designer to discuss an exciting new partnership between the two design technology companies. Sarah and Keith share valuable insights on building tools that empower designers, the benefits of strategic acquisitions, and the importance of understanding the evolving needs of the interior design industry. This episode is a must-listen for any creative entrepreneur looking to scale their business while staying connected to their community. Don't miss this inside look at a game-changing move in the design space! More About Sarah Daniele and Keith Granet Sarah Daniele: Sarah Daniele is the CEO and co-founder of Mydoma Studio. Mydoma Studio is the premier platform for interior designers; a 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, Kitchen, Bath Design News, and A Well Designed Business podcast. Keith Granet: Keith Granet is Founder and CEO of Studio Designer, the interior design industry’s leading software company. Granet is also President of Granet & Associates, a management consulting firm formed in 1991 to provide strategic, financial, operational management and licensing services to the design industry. He is the founder of Designer Speakers’ Bureau and co-founder of The Leaders of Design. Granet is the author of the Business of Design, balancing creativity and profitability, Princeton Architectural Press 2011, The Business of Creativity, how to build the right team for success, Princeton Architectural Press 2016, and The Business of Design 10th Anniversary Edition Princeton Architectural Press 2021. Granet guest lectures at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California. Granet executive produces and hosts of Inside the Business of Design, an interview series that explores the business side of successful design practices. Granet’s vision has always been to strengthen the business side of the profession by establishing good business practices with the firms he works with, develop the profession from within, and ultimately communicate the value of design to the consumer at large. Granet is a graduate of Hartwick College (‘79) and lives with his family in Los Angeles. Connect with Sarah Daniele and Keith Granet Mydoma Instagram Facebook Pinterest Studio Designer Instagram Facebook X A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Mydoma Studio and Studio Designer! Other Shows Mentioned: #879: Power Talk Friday: Sarah Daniele: Mydoma Studio and the Business of Change as the Interior Design Industry Enters a Digital Transformation #555: Sarah Daniele: 19H The Blueprint, Create Resiliency in Your Business #177: Power Talk Friday- Sarah Daniele, CEO of Mydoma Studio is back to tell us what's new for you at Mydoma Studio! #119: Christmas Encore: Sarah Daniele – Co-Founder & CEO of Mydoma Studio #91: Sarah Daniele – Co-Founder & CEO of Mydoma Studio

Today With Erin Coren and Lina Galvao: Today, I am joined by Erin Coren and Lina Galvao, co-owners of the Curated Nest. With Erin as Creative Director and Lina as the Director of Business Development, Curated Nest is a complete partnership. Both ladies bring value to the table, collaborating in what has resulted in a growth of 500k to almost 5 million. Erin and Lina joined forces in 2016 and have continued to grow since then. I’m honored that they said they used this podcast's value and resources as part of their journey. Of course, they, themselves, have contributed much to their business in the form of transferable skills, talent, and professionalism. Listen in to learn their secrets to scaling! LuAnn Nigara, Erin Coren and Lina Galvao's Ah-Ha Moments “A critical part of scaling your business is hiring the right people and placing them in the right seats.” - LuAnn Nigara “It starts in the hiring process because you want to hire people who are proactive, curious, and passionate and who want to play with the tools of the trade and continuously learn.” - Lina Galvao More About Erin Coren and Lina Galvao Erin Coren: Erin holds a B.S. in Interior Design and is a NYS Certified Interior Designer, Professional member of the American Society of Interior Design, and a National Council of Interior Design Qualifications certificate holder. Lina Galvão: Lina holds a Bachelor of Science from Yale University in addition to a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University, and studied Interior Design at Fashion Institute of Technology. Prior to becoming a designer, Lina was a business consultant for healthcare organizations for ten years, with an interest in how environments can promote patients’ wellbeing. Connect with Erin Coren and Lina Galvao Website Instagram Facebook TV Show What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Hiring Toolkit Bundle Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #438: Monica Wilcox: Systems Create Strength & Confidence AWDB #634: Power Talk Friday: Jessica Harling: A Specific Process for Onboarding a New Hire AWDB #882: Bria Hammel: Doing Fewer Interior Design Projects and Increasing Your Profitability AWDB #969: Pure Salt Interiors: Aly Morford & Leigh Lincoln: Licensing Partnerships AWDB #979: Hygge Design + Build: Becky and Nate Vandenbroek on Tips for a Successful Design/Build Business AWDB #980: Power Talk Friday: Shelli Warren: Recognizing That Your Small Business Brings Value to the Right Employee AWDB #985: Han Dang and Vy Truong: The First 4 Years: Insights and Lessons AWDB 68: Chad James- “Think Forward” – Employee Management AWDB 622: Dwayne Bergmann: Empower Your Team to Own the Project Management While Maintaining Design Vision as the Creative Director AWDB 363: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team AWDB 589: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million

Today With Sara Kravet: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I'm thrilled to be joined by Sara Kravet, a 5th generation member of the renowned Kravet design family. Sara shares a unique perspective, having started in the Kravet showrooms before going on to work at First Dibs, and now serving as VP of Furniture. We'll hear about the 'mandate' for Kravet family members to work elsewhere before joining the family business, and how Sara's diverse experiences have shaped her approach in her current role. Sarah offers an insider's look at the legacy and evolution of the iconic Kravet brand. This is a can't-miss conversation for any design enthusiast! More About Sara Kravet Sara Kravet is the Vice President of Furniture at Kravet Inc., having joined the family business in 2011. Sara is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied art history. After graduating, she worked for 1stdibs in New York, honing her love for antique furniture. Sara then moved her life to Boston, where she currently lives with her husband and two daughters, and fell in love with the city’s sense of historicism and fall leaves. Sara has spent the last thirteen years learning the ins and outs of the Kravet Inc. family business through a sales lens in the Boston Kravet showroom and becoming an integral part of the New England design community. Sara joined the Kravet Inc. Furniture team eight years ago and manages product development for the Lee Jofa, Brunschwig & Fils, and Donghia brands. She oversees the Visual Merchandising team and the design of all corporate showroom floors. Sara is also a member of the Historic New England, the Royal Oak Foundation, Friends of the Public Garden and sits on the board of the DFA, Decorative Furnishings Association. Connect with Sara Kravet Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kravet Inc. Other Resources Mentioned: Don't forget to use our AWDB10 code for 10% off any Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim order. Go to kravet.com to set up an account! Other Shows Mentioned: #173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc #961: It’s the 8th Birthday of the Podcast; Thank You Kravet Inc.! PART 1 #962: It’s the 8th Birthday of the Podcast; Thank You Kravet Inc.! PART 2 #100: Scott Kravet – Celebrating our 100th Episode! #360: David Phoenix and His New Kravet Fabric Collection, Well-Suited #446: Power Talk Friday: Jesse Lazarus: Technology & Innovations in the Design Industry

Today With Nicole Roe: Today with Nicole Roe, we're discussing her decision to open an in-house receiving warehouse for her design firm, R. Nickson Interiors. Nicole shares her journey from the challenges she faced working with third-party receiving companies to the process of establishing her own warehouse, including vetting the idea, analyzing costs, and finding the perfect space. In this episode, Nicole dives discusses the numerous benefits of having an in-house warehouse, such as increased control over the receiving process, the ability to close more deals, and providing a higher level of service to her clients. Her story is an inspiring example of how thinking outside the box and being willing to innovate can set your design business apart from the competition. LuAnn Nigara and Nicole Roe's Ah-Ha Moments “It's one of those moments where people look at you, and then they look at you again. And they're like, Oh, this is actually an option. And for those that want that full service experience that don't want boxes coming to their door, that don't want to have to move stuff around, that don't want to have to meet the wallpaper installer, like their lives are literally changed.” - Nicole Roe “You were finding these people out there because even though they had never done it before, it was only because it was never offered to them before and they just needed to know that it was available…and with those people come people like them.” - LuAnn Nigara “You're trading the stress of not having control with the stress of having control.” - Nicole Roe More About Nicole Roe Nicole is the founder of R. Nikson Interiors and has over 10 years of experience in the design field. With a degree in Building Construction from Georgia Tech, internship with a luxury developer, worked for a team of construction companies heading up their business development & marketing as well as personal renovation projects. To say that Nicole recognizes the full scope of a design project would be an understatement. With hands-on experience in construction, renovations & interior design - Nicole has done it all. From floor plans to installations - Nicole understands the terminology, methods & everything included in a project rundown from start to finish. Valuing the function of space as highly as how the space looks, Nicole has an eye for design and can envision the completed project before it begins. Nicole spends her free time with her citrus grower husband, their four boys focusing on nature, exercise and renovating their own home. Nicole is never found without multiple beverages, dark chocolate or a podcast in her ear. Connect with Nicole Roe Website Instagram Facebook Tiktok What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Hiring Toolkit Bundle Other Shows Mentioned: #620: Melissa Leclair: Figuring It Out As You Grow Your Modern Interior Design Business #786: Meredith Huck: From Corporate to Interior Design Business: 3 Insights to Succeed #986: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Boundaries and Expectations are a Few of My Favorite Things

Today With LuAnn Nigara: We made it to the 1000th episode of A Well-Design Business, and can I just say...wow?!! What a road it has been! It really is incredible to have 1000 episodes under my belt. I can't express enough how honored I am to have met and interviewed so many wonderful people in this industry, many of whom have become lifelong friends. I also want to express my immense gratitude to JudeCharles for taking the time for this interview and expertly guiding me in sharing my story. Jude has played such a valuable role in my life, both professionally and personally. Eight years ago, I had an idea of what this podcast could become, and I am so grateful that it has succeeded in that — and so much more. The most unexpected and amazing benefit has been the relationships formed here. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to meet you, my listeners, and also collaborate with the experts and designers. I'm so excited for you to tune in to this special episode. It's the story of my journey every step of the way, along with the top takeaways from the show so far. And, of course, we have some laughs! Thank you all for the amazing support and for sticking with me for 1000 episodes! I am looking forward to celebrating 1000 more with you! Always remember: Decide to be excellent! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Jude Charles’ Storytelling for Interior Designers A Well-Designed Business® Docuseries Hamilton Creatives Glory and Brand Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #127: Corey Damen Jenkins- Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman AWDB #519: What Would Lu Do?: In Light of the Coronavirus AWDB #516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand AWDB #626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design AWDB #718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos AWDB #724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals

Today With Faith Fix: Today with Faith Fix, we’re discussing the journey of building and growing a successful, sellable interior design firm. As the founder of Freestyle Interiors, Faith shares her 40+ years of experience as an interior designer and business owner, offering valuable insights on growing a design team, developing a strong succession planning strategy, and preparing your business for a seamless transition when the time comes to sell. Learn how Faith navigated the process of selling her business and discover the key factors that contributed to her success. LuAnn Nigara and Faith Fix's Ah-Ha Moments “You are the essence of the point of my podcast—it’s that your talent alone is not going to be the indicator of your ability to grow and have a successful design firm, it's the business back end, that is going to be, you know, the biggest indicator of that and the talent and the other things can layer in.” - LuAnn Nigara “I realized early on that I was growing kind of a larger firm than typical, I wasn't solo with just a few designers. And so I started thinking about succession planning, probably 10 years ago, just to little seeds of what's going to happen.” - Faith Fix More About Faith Fix Faith Fix, founder of Freestyle Interiors in 1981, has over 40 years of interior design experience. Faith is a Florida licensed Interior Designer a well as Florida licensed Certified Public Accountant and an ASID Interior Designer. She has directed Freestyle’s growth to become a prominent SW Florida award-winning design studio. Faith has assembled a highly synergistic team of talented and experienced Lead Designers dedicated to creating beautiful environments. Many of the area’s top architects, developers and builders have come to trust and rely on Faith and her team for their proactive, responsive communication throughout the design/build process as well as the quality of their design. Faith oversees all of the design work and operations at the Freestyle design studio in Bonita Springs to ensure an unsurpassed quality of design and level of service for all of her clients. The fact that most of Freestyle’s work is repeat business speaks for itself. Connect with Faith Fix Website Instagram Facebook Houzz What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Chairman Of The Board with LuAnn Other Shows Mentioned: #468: Power Talk Friday: Ashley Micciche: Why Every Business Needs a Succession Plan #492: Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success #622: Dwayne Bergmann: Empower Your Team to Own the Project Management While Maintaining Design Vision as the Creative Director #855: Power Talk Friday: Hunter Lowder: Is it Time for a Fractional COO? WTFP #43: Peggy Morgans: How Do I Get My Business Ready to Sell?

Today With Bryan Short: Today we're diving into the world of product development with Bryan Short of The Sewing Loft of Avon! The Sewing Loft specializes in custom soft furnishings like window treatments, cushions, pillows, and more. As a co-owner, Bryan wears many hats - from project prep to marketing to client experience. Recently, Bryan and his wife Rachel launched SLA Express - a semi-custom drapery line designed exclusively for interior designers. We're excited to have Bryan join us today to talk all about bringing a new product to market while maintaining strong client relationships. Whether you're in the window treatment industry or any other design field, this conversation is full of valuable insights! LuAnn Nigara and Bryan Short's Ah-Ha Moments “The thinking really stems from years of listening to our trade clients” - Bryan Short “The first and most important thing is to figure out who am I selling this to and who is going to care enough about it.” - Bryan Short More About Bryan Short Bryan Short is a former litigation attorney who joined his wife as co-owner of The Sewing Loft of Avon in 2013. The Sewing Loft specializes in fabricating custom soft furnishings, such as window treatments, indoor/outdoor cushions, pillows and slipcovers. Their primary clients are members of the interior design industry and homeowners. As a co-owner, Bryan wears many hats but concentrates on prepping projects for fabrication, marketing, client acquisition and retention, customer experience and long-term planning. In addition to his work at The Sewing Loft, Bryan is the current CT chapter president of the Interior Design Society, a national organization dedicated to education and business growing of members of the interior design industry. Connect with Bryan Short Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Episode 1,000th Giveaway! Other Shows Mentioned: WTFP #58: Bryan Short: The Value of Business Coaching for a Window Treatment Professional

Today With Hema Persad: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Hema Persad of Sagrada Studio. After only two years, Hema has quite the accolades under her belt. She has print placements in Architectural Digest, Rue Magazine, and House Beautiful. Hema was also included in AD's New American Voices list in July 2023. If you have ever shied away from spending a percentage of your revenue on marketing or PR, this will be a valuable episode for you. Hema and I discuss switching careers, if and how to hire a PR person, and how much you should spend on marketing, to name a few. LuAnn Nigara and Hema Persad's Ah-Ha Moments “It took me 15 years from my previous careers to learn the skills to grow a design business. So if I had graduated from design school at 25, I would not have had that experience. I would not have learned about entrepreneurship and marketing. It would have taken me 15 years anyway to learn it all,” - Hema Persad “I had no confidence as an interior designer. It took my PR person seeing something in me in the beginning and then taking my work and knowing where to place and where it belonged, not just being a blanket pitch to ‘AD’ and ‘Domino’ Magazines,” - Hema Persad More About Hema Persad A native of Toronto, Canada, Hema was a practicing attorney for several years before following her heart and pursuing a career in fashion. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles to chase her goal, and spent the following 7 years dressing A-list celebrities, styling ad campaigns and editorials, and working with some of the top fashion talent in the world. Completely self-taught, Hema's interior design career began in 2021 when one of her styling clients asked for help decorating their home. Because of her eye for design and ability to execute her creative vision, that first project snowballed into several more. Hema now designs residential and commercial spaces around the country. As the business continued to grow rapidly, it became clear that it needed its own identity apart from Hema. In 2022 Sagrada Studio was born out of her belief that there is no more sacred (“sagrada”) space on earth than where we live and create. The Sagrada Studio mission is to honor these sacred spaces by helping clients find their own version of timeless, always with an eye towards culture, luxury, and comfort. When she’s not working, Hema loves traveling, and discovering L.A. with her husband Ganesh, and their three daughters. Connect with Hema Persad Website Instagram TikTok Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #06: Identifying Your Transferable Skills with Erika Ward AWDB #108: Power Talk Friday- Amy Flurry-How To Pitch and Get Press For Your Interior Design Firm AWDB #297: Mikel Welch: Interior Design, TV, Self Made Man AWDB #323: Amy Flurry: How to Pitch Press and Build Relationships AWDB #861: Power Talk Friday: Darla Powell: Instagram for Interior Designers AWDB #967: Breegan Jane: The Gift of Transitioning, Turning Risks into Success

Today With Katie Decker-Erickson: Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I have the amazing Katie Decker-Erickson. Her company, Color Works, has helped interior designers build the businesses they desire. Her knowledge has led her to coach others, all while balancing her personal life. With her, today We are exploring the importance of finding your 'happy spot' in business. More About Katie Decker-Erickson Katie began her career in commercial color consulting as a part-time passion project in 2007. Today, her company, Color Works has grown into a multi-million dollar commercial design company, currently operating in over 20 states nationwide, with a fully remote team of more than a dozen individuals. Katie is known for her business acumen (having grown 1500% in a single year), passion for teaching others (with 18 years teaching graduate and undergraduate courses) and this is what led her to coach other interior designers who want to scale their business to their lifestyle. She is also a mom and devoted to her two young daughters with a commitment to women's empowerment both personally and professionally. Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson Color Works Firm: Website Instagram Facebook X LinkedIn Color Works Coaching: Website Coaching Resources Instagram Facebook YouTube Blog What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Colorful Conversations: Networking Tips for Interior Designers with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Other Shows Mentioned: #960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years

Today With Jenny Yi: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I talk a lot on the show about goals, drive, motivation, and having a willingness to just go out and make things happen. But what about when that doesn’t feel possible? What about when your life is in a crisis, or you’re struggling with your mental health, or it feels like work just to get out of bed, let alone tackle the long list of things to do that entrepreneurship requires? That is a different beast altogether—and it’s a beast that my guest today, Jenny Yi, understands all too well. Jenny’s story is a powerful one—one that I think we all need to hear, but one that is especially important for any of you out there who are struggling, whether life has just kicked you down or you’re coping with something heavy. LuAnn Nigara and Jenny Yi's Ah-Ha Moments “You were telling me all the things you do in the Jenny Yi empire. But then you got quiet and you said, ‘but It's important to me to give the path of ownership and entrepreneurship to somebody else who's out there that wants the control of our own destiny.’” -LuAnn “There's one thing I want your listeners to understand and know that it doesn't matter where you are right now—it gets better. Life gets good, even when you can't see it, even when you can't imagine it, even when you can't predict it, even when people talk about how to envision good lives and you just can’t.” -Jenny More About Jenny Yi Jenny Yi is a vibrant traveling designer who has taken the world of hospitality by storm. With a discerning eye for transforming hotels and Airbnb spaces, Jenny’s firm specializes in makeovers that captivate guests and leave them yearning for more. Her three-figure portfolio showcases her unrivaled talent in crafting unforgettable experiences through innovative design. Not only has Jenny made her mark in the industry with her makeovers, but she has also expanded her influence with her very own hospitality bedding line, setting the standard for luxurious comfort and problem-solving automation for hosts. Her exceptional work has been featured on platforms such as Biggerpockets, Millennial Millionaire, STR Insider, and Voyage, cementing her reputation as a go-to expert in the field. With a growing following of 50,000 loyal admirers, Jenny's designs have inspired countless individuals to reimagine their own spaces. Connect with Jenny Yi Website Email Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Get 20% off your first three months with Mydoma Studio by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness Other Shows Mentioned: #145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm #386: Wendy Glaister: Not All Challenges Are Design Related #520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here! #523: Leah Meyer Perez: Overcoming Fears and Insecurities #715: Kathleen Jennison: From Trauma to Triumph in Interior Design

Today With John Dupra: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. For today’s Sponsored Show, I am so happy to welcome back John Dupra of Revel Woods. John also gives great tips on how he has had strategic partnerships in his business from the beginning, which he will even say is why he is still here today. He shares how to leverage those relationships in your business and the tactical strategies to make the most of them and show up as an excellent strategic partner. There is definitely a “right” way to develop and maintain these relationships, and if you are wondering how, John’s brain is the one you will want to pick on this topic. LuAnn Nigara and John Dupra's Ah-Ha Moments: “Part of what I've been able to do and what many successful people do is increase your luck surface area. You're not going to be able to brute force your way into everything all the time. Sometimes, you will randomly be at an event, a party, or a LuAnn Live, and meet somebody who will change your life and career forever,” - John Dupra “When you’re within a respectful partnership, you’re doing something for them, and the next day they are doing something for you, and nobody is keeping score.” - LuAnnn Nigara More About John Dupra John Dupra (pronounced DU-pray)’s father Craig started in the wood flooring business before John was born as an installer and refinisher, which he did for 24 years before eventually opening his own wholesale wood flooring distribution company in Rochester, NY. John grew up helping his father when not in school before taking a job for Saint-Gobain, a large materials manufacturing company that made sundries for the flooring industry. He traveled the country as a sales engineer working with flooring contractors for eight years before deciding to join the family business in wholesale distribution. It was there John saw the need to evolve the industry, by evolving its sales channels. If the correct platform was built, designers would be just as integral a part of the flooring industry as flooring stores. Making flooring a lucrative avenue for the designer, while providing a better experience to their clients. Revel Woods is that platform. Now designers are empowered to add flooring to their projects in a way that’s never been seen before. His favorite podcast to be on is A Well Designed Business and he doesn’t care who knows it. Connect with John Dupra Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Revel Woods Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB: #329: Power Talk Friday: John Dupra – Revel Woods Launches New To The Trade Program AWDB: #555: Sarah Daniele: 19H The Blueprint, Create Resiliency in Your Business AWDB: #632: Power Talk Friday: John Dupra: Taking The Fear Out of Flooring for Interior Designers AWDB: 709: Jenny and Ben Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors: The Stages and Decisions to Grow Your Design Business AWDB: #722: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: How to Incorporate 3D Renderings into Your Interior Design Business AWDB: #823: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan AWDB: #879: Power Talk Friday: Sarah Daniele: Mydoma Studio and the Business of Change as the Interior Design Industry Enters a Digital Transformation AWDB: #883: Power Talk Friday: Aubre Fox: Increase Your Profit and Create Your Own Flooring Collection With Revel Woods AWDB: #905: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: Why Successful Design Firms Choose Duke Renders for Their Rendering Projects AWDB: #951: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: More Interior Designers Share the Value Of Using Duke Renders For Your Rendering Projects AWDB: #919: Window Treatment Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: How to Sell Window Treatments in Your Full Service Interior Design Projects AWDB: #607: Sara Lynn Brennan: Project Management with Specific Deliverables and Deadlines

Today With Libby Langdon: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Many designers are interested in licensing…but how do you set yourself up for deals? Where do you find an agent? And how do you create something companies will be interested in? My guest today, Libby Langdon, has carved out success for herself in licensing, making it not just a one-off collection but an ongoing, viable revenue stream. Today, she’s here to share her tips for how designers can set themselves up for licensing partnerships. LuAnn Nigara and Libby Langdon's Ah-Ha Moments “You have to have a promotional platform of some sort. It’s paramount. There’s absolutely no reason for a manufacturer to partner with a designer unless the designer has a voice, has an audience, knows their lane, and is ready to get out and promote it. They need to know that you can bring them a new audience.” -Libby “You have to have self-awareness and bring new unique ideas to the table. But it also has to be designed at a price point that fits the company you’re working for.” -LuAnn More About Libby Langdon Libby Langdon is an interior designer, author, product designer and makeover television personality, as well as the creative force behind New York City–based design firm Libby Interiors, Inc. She is known for her “Easy, Elegant, Everyday Style,” as well as her licensed home-furnishing collections, including a complete home collection of upholstery and casegoods for Fairfield Chair, lighting for Crystorama, artwork for Paragon, and accessories for A&B Home. Her interior design work and home products have been featured in leading shelter magazines, including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, and Woman’s Day. Langdon has been a regular design expert on NBC’s TODAY Show, HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style, The View, The Rachael Ray Show, The Early Show and NBC’s Open House. Langdon travels the country presenting her design seminars to consumers, designers, and retailers about all things design. Connect with Libby Langdon Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: The Power Talk Friday Tour LuAnn's Hiring Toolkit Bundle

Today With Laura Koshel: Today’s Power Talk Friday is another episode of our Live, On-Air Strategy Sessions! I am welcoming Laura Koshel, the owner and principal designer at LK Design, an interior design firm based in Durham, NC. Laura wants to know what she should know about scaling her business and her team. Learn how having wonderful employees is a great beginning but having clarity is among you is the key. Listen in to see what I mean. LuAnn Nigara and Laura Koshel's Ah-Ha Moments: “If you plan on having a team of five to eight employees, you need to clarify your standards in an SOP, so every step is clear and accessible,” - LuAnn Nigara “When you have a documented process that explains to your employees how you do things, along with weekly check -ins, things rarely wiggy,” - LuAnn Nigara More About Laura Koshel Laura Koshel is the owner and the principal designer at LK Design, an interior design firm based in Durham, NC. Laura was born in Lithuania and grew up in St Petersburg, Russia. When Laura moved to USA in 2005, she decided to nurture her creative and organizational skills by joining a national decorating franchise and becoming an independent interior decorator. It was a great learning journey for someone coming into the interior design industry, with basic sales skills, and new to the American culture. 2008 came and hit the young business hard. In 2010 Laura and her husband welcomed their son. They decided to close the franchise and dedicate Laura’s next 5 years to raising their son. In 2015 Laura longed to go back to the interior design industry, and so established LK Design. Today, together with her two assistants, Laura helps her clients to navigate their residential and light commercial design projects with ease. LK Design has been voted by readers of the Durham Magazine Best of Durham 6 years in a row. For Laura, the most joyful work moments are when a job is done well, clients are happy, expectations are exceeded, trades and vendors are treated with respect, as well as seeing how her team grows professionally. She credits her own growth in part to the openness of the industry today and to the resources available to the designers, including LuAnn’s podcast, that were not available decades ago. When work and life balance is in place, Laura enjoys family and social times, variety of physical activities, including endurance sports, travel, sailing, reading, cooking, and moments when the mind wonders around. Connect with Laura Koshel Website Instagram Facebook Houzz Yelp What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: LuAnn's Hiring Toolkit Bundle Power Talk Friday Tour Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team AWDB #589 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million AWDB #811 Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate AWDB #825 Power Talk Friday: Cheryl Clendenon: The Design Paradigm – Creating a Strong Framework For Your Interior Design Business

Today With Chloe Bullock: Today with Chloe Bullock, we explore the world of sustainable and conscious interior design. As an award-winning, B Corp Certified, BIID Registered Interior Designer based in Brighton, UK, Chloe shares her journey from being my first ever coaching client to becoming a pioneer in vegan and sustainable design. In this episode, Chloe reflects on finding her authentic voice and niche in sustainable design, and we discuss her new book, "Sustainable Interior Design." Chloe's passion for educating clients and fellow designers about the power of making conscious choices shines through as she shares insights on embracing the circular economy, supporting local craftsmanship, and aligning personal values with design practice. She emphasizes the ripple effect that even small sustainable choices can have on the industry as a whole. LuAnn Nigara and Chloe Bullock's Ah-Ha Moments “Don't be afraid to claim your niche. You're so much louder in a small space — when it's the space that means something to you.” - LuAnn Nigara “I think sustainability can be quite complicated, but actually, in places, it's super simple. And half the time we're doing a lot of these things already.” - Chloe Bullock “I don't want to bring that [misery] to my clients when I can bring them next generation materials…bio based materials, things that are problem solving and beautiful and have lovely storytelling — because we all love to tell a story about the things that we have around us in our homes.” - Chloe Bullock More About Chloe Bullock Brighton's award-winning, B Corp Certified, BIID Registered Interior Designer® Offering advice and design of low impact interiors, products and communities. Working to improve the sustainability of fellow designers work and businesses, and manufacturers on their products. Working within the circular economy and avoiding the use of animals, delivering healthy spaces centred around the humans using them. Design where nature and humans thrive. Connect with Chloe Bullock Website Chloe's Book 'Sustainable Interior Design' commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Instagram LinkedIn Resources Interior Design Declares UK designers join Other countries - set up a Declare for your country BIID Sustainable Specifying Guide British Institute of Interior Design Deborah Di Mare's website: Vegan Design What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: The Power Talk Friday Tour Mydoma: Get 20% off your first three months by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness Other Shows Mentioned: #15: Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich #82: Deborah Rosenberg – Tailoring Your Interior Design Firm to Your Core Beliefs #117: Power Talk Friday: Deborah Rosenberg- Cruelty Free Design Certification is Here! #174: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours #282: Blanche Garcia – You Teach Clients How to Treat You #526: Jaipur Living, CEO Asha Chaudhary #757: Power Talk Friday: Nitesh Chaudhary: Jaipur Living: The Manchaha Initiative #965: Mona Nahm: Equitable Design for People and the Planet

Today With Evelyn Roberts and Shayna Pellino: Today, on A Well-Designed Business, our Power Talk Friday is sponsored by 4DBiz. We had Evelyn Roberts and Shayna Pellino of 4DBiz on the podcast last year to talk about the virtual assistant team division of their business, that supports your interior design business in marketing, admin, and design. After the impressive outpour from designers, they are back to talk about the services they offer as the executive team to solidify your foundation. Pick It Apart [1:43] Evelyn and Shayna explain what the executive division of their team entails. [10:42] Shayna shares an example of when a consumer could get, what she calls, crooked. [14:43] Evelyn provides comfort and facts for those nervous about “automation.” [30:29] The benefits of having a team, rather than a “you” and the lesson Shayna learned. [34:12] Always thinking about your competition. [36:45] How 4DBiz’s executive team helps you build your own team. LuAnn Nigara, Evelyn Roberts and Shayna Pellino's Ah-Ha Moments: “We’re a great partnership where Shayna will help you look at your business from the lens of you as the business owner I will help you look at it from the lens of your client,” - Evelyn Roberts "As a designer, you have seven million avenues of business going on at once, but you still need to run the ship and there still needs to be an internal operation your team can live by.” - Shayna Pellino “Good design cannot be overcome by bad process.” - LuAnn Nigara More About Evelyn Roberts and Shayna Pellino Shayna Rose Shayna Rose is the CEO and Founder of both Shayna Rose Interiors and 4Dbiz. Shayna never expected to create the modern business model that would change the way interior designers run their business! 4Dbiz was born out of her own experience, failures, successes, and needs as an interior designer/business owner. After working in the interior design industry for three years, Shayna knew she had to set out on her own. Working for someone else, Shayna was astounded by the unnecessary obstacles that she was working with - from overly-extended lead times, to a lack of custom solutions, to poor service all along the supply chain. She truly felt she had no choice but to start her own business and revolutionize the industry standard. In 2017, Shayna Rose Interiors was born, followed by 4Dbiz in 2019. Shayna’s guiding principle is “Everyone wins.” She is most inspired by what other people see as problems. She is a solution-oriented visionary, hell bent on changing people’s lives with her ideas and execution - starting with the design industry. Evelyn Roberts Evelyn Roberts is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of 4Dbiz. After 4 years working in digital marketing for small businesses and tech startups, Evelyn joined Shayna Rose Interiors in 2019. Since then, she has been focused exclusively on marketing for interior designers. Working with design businesses all over the country, she helps interior designers refine their brand, create concise and powerful messaging, optimize for search engines, and set up automations that save time and achieve results. Evelyn’s philosophy for marketing in the interior design industry is “less is more.” Understanding the hectic interior designer/business owner lifestyle, she helps designers hone in on the marketing initiatives that will make measurable progress toward their most critical business goals, within their budget. Connect with Evelyn Roberts and Shayna Pellino Website Facebook Client testimonial, Hannah Lowe Interiors Client testimonial, Leone Interior Designs A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by 4DBiz. Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB: #923 Power Talk Friday: Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino: A Virtual Team for Your Interior Design Business

Today With Brett and Giselle Sugerman: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor Sugerman, founders of B+G Design, Inc., an award-winning Miami-based interior design firm. They are here to spill the tea on their journey to success, as well as, how you can present your authentic brand to attract the right clients. LuAnn Nigara and Brett and Giselle Sugerman's Ah-Ha Moments “When we decided to open up our company, we did it for the love and the passion of our craft. We really wanted to do projects that we were excited about and that reflected our personal taste,” - Giselle Loor Sugerman More About Brett and Giselle Sugerman B+G Design, Inc. is an award-winning Miami-based interior design firm founded by Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor Sugerman. The highly sought-after luxury design firm is recognized for their innovative bespoke interiors that exude their signature aesthetic combining functional minimalism with a warm contemporary appeal. From their home base in Miami to projects in New York, D.C., Aspen, Los Angeles and abroad, their team’s modern and elevated designs are timeless, seamlessly blending clean lines with luxe finishes, natural materials, and pared down color palettes. Taking inspiration from their travels, Brett and Giselle incorporate their one-of-a-kind furniture and lighting designs with chic pieces and sculptural elements that translate into distinctive environments integrating form and function. Featured on NBC, CBS and HGTV, the husband-and-wife team are considered leaders in the industry, frequently sharing their design expertise across multiple media platforms. B+G projects have been featured in AD Pro, AD Mexico, Aspire, Business of Home, Casa Vogue Brazil, Florida Design, Interior Design, Luxe, Mansion Global, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times among many others. They are recipients of the Luxe magazine RED Awards for Best Interior Design; ASID South Florida Design Excellence Award and their lighting design won a Best of Year nomination with Interior Design magazine. Featured by 1st Dibs, they are on the “Designers to Watch List” and are among Ocean Home’s Top Coastal Designers. Connect with Brett and Giselle Sugerman Website B and G Unfiltered Beyond Design Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Go to kravet.com and use our code AWDB10 get 10% off on any one order of Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim The Power Talk Friday Tour Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #953: Power Talk Friday: Raj Banyopadhyay: Connecting With Your Audience Through Personal Branding Photography AWDB #979: Hygge Design + Build: Becky and Nate Vandenbroek on Tips for a Successful Design/Build Business WTFP #269: Bound by Business: Working With the In-Laws WTFP #272: Bound by Business: Working With a Parent or Child

Today With Cassandra Thurston: It’s another On-Air Strategy Session! Today I’m sitting down with Cassandra Thurston, a talented interior designer from Long Beach Island, NJ (my happy place). But here’s the thing…Cass Thurston Interiors is still a side hustle. Cass is ready for this business to be more, so she came to me for some help filling her pipeline. Listen to find out what she needs to do to navigate this transition and make her dreams a reality. More About Cassandra Thurston I'm Cassandra, an experienced creator of beautiful and functional home interiors that embody the coastal lifestyle. With a focus on my beloved Long Beach Island, New Jersey, I specialize in designing homes that exude a perfect blend of relaxed elegance, modern comfort, and seaside charm. My approach to coastal design is rooted in the principles of light, openness, and the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living. By carefully curating natural materials, a soothing color palette, and thoughtfully selected furnishings, I aim to create harmonious spaces that connect with our beautiful coastal environment. I understand the unique needs and desires of second home owners on Long Beach Island, whether you seek a serene retreat to escape the city's hustle and bustle or a vibrant family gathering place for generations to come. Beyond aesthetics, I prioritize functionality and practicality in every design decision. From durable materials that can withstand the salt air environment to smart storage solutions that maximize space, I strive to create homes that are as functional as they are beautiful. Whether you're a longtime resident of LBI or a new owner seeking the perfect coastal sanctuary, I can help you create a home that celebrates the extraordinary beauty of LBI and the ocean that has captured our hearts. I invite you to explore my portfolio and imagine the possibilities. I would be honored to transform your home into a coastal retreat that brings you joy, serenity, and a timeless connection to the ocean. Connect with Cassandra Thurston Website Instagram Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: My Chairman of the Board program Power Talk Friday Tour Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #291: Cheryl Luckett – From Side Hustle to Full Time Interior Design AWDB #392: Dala Al-Fuwaires: Commercial Designer, Focused Business Owner AWDB #644: Kat Anderson: Design Build and Bookkeeping Classes for Interior Designers AWDB #878: Throwback Tuesday: Brad Leavitt: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process AWDB #950: Overheard: Insights on Hiring Exceptional People AWDB 649: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Understanding Design-Build from the Builder’s Perspective AWDB 615: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Overcoming Resistance in the Design-Build Process AWDB 580: Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Two “B” Words: Budget & Builders AWDB 560: Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Design Book AWDB 542: Brad Leavitt: AFT Construction: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process

Today With Kate Wood: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Do you find yourself knowing you want a niche but not sure how to determine what makes you special? You’re far from alone—this is where so many designers get hung up. Today’s guest, Kate Wood of Worth Preserving, went through this journey. She listened to the podcast, she took in the advice, and she tried to put everything into action, but it just wasn’t clicking together for her. Then she came to me for Chairman of the Board—and it wasn’t long before it became so clear that she was trying to do all the things she thought a designer was supposed to do, without realizing that her strengths and her passions were not traditional design. After we tapped into what made Kate truly special, she pivoted her business entirely. She’s here to share how she discovered her niche, embraced her passion, and created something special for herself. LuAnn Nigara and Kate Wood's Ah-Ha Moments “I think it’s about believing in your own magic—what it is that you bring to a project that no one else can. Someone once said, ‘What do you do that can’t be Googled?’ That’s what it’s about.” -Kate “When my Chairman of the Boards offboard, I ask them, ‘Who’s the next person in your ear?’ Because I believe you do have to keep going, keep coaching.” -LuAnn “There’s so much knowledge and skill in the design world, and I think that my own sense of insecurity and inadequacy when it came to not having those skills was holding me back. I just had to get over it and really lean into what it is that I do know.” -Kate More About Kate Wood Preservation is my passion, rooted in a childhood spent exploring historic sites; an education in archaeology, anthropology, urban planning and historic preservation; and over 15 years’ experience as the CEO of a major organization advocating for New York City landmarks. I earned two Master’s degrees from Columbia University, where I have taught preservation planning, advocacy and law. I co-authored the book, Interior Landmarks: Treasures of New York, published in two editions by Monacelli Press. I am also a licensed real estate broker. Connect with Kate Wood Website Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Free Download "Worth Preserving: A Guide to Identifying Historic Character for Interior Designers" Book: Interior Landmarks: Treasures of New York What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #976: On Air Strategy Sessions: Is a Disconnect Causing Your Ideal Clients to Walk Away? #982 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Leveraging Your Superpower to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients #174 Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours #06: Identifying Your Transferable Skills with Erika Ward #424: Power Talk Friday: Re-Visiting Michele Williams’ Tips for Time Management #395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business #180: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams Talks About Profit First and Why it Matters to You #811: Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate

Today With Sandra Funk: Today with Sandra Funk, we explore the crucial role of setting expectations and boundaries when building a successful interior design business. Sandra shares a captivating personal story from her past that perfectly illustrates the importance of ongoing communication and reconfirmation in both personal and professional relationships. We discuss key strategies and insights from her proven process, the Interior Design Standard, which has helped countless designers create thriving, profitable firms. From defining clear project paths to maintaining regular client updates, Sandra offers invaluable advice for navigating the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship in the design industry. Pick It Apart [1:45] Sandra shares the story of her “non-engagment” and a trip to the circus. [13:55] Sandra and LuAnn discuss having expectations, and why it’s so important to remind and reconfirm them with clients throughout the interior design process. [23:59] Sandra explains the different ways she has tried to communicate her contract with clients, and how storytelling can help make it memorable. [33:40] Sandra tells LuAnn that she sends an email to every client every week no matter what. [47:16] LuAnn and Sandra discuss The Interior Design Standard and how to get started in the program. LuAnn Nigara and Sandra Funk's Ah-Ha Moments: “You can make all the plans and you can make all the agreements, but if it has to be reminded and reconfirmed.” - Sandra Funk “If they don't really know what the boundaries are, how can they stay in them?” - LuAnn Nigara “You have to explain your business…If it takes you more than two minutes to explain your pricing model — it's too complicated. And it'll go right over their head. Yeah. So it just has to be simple, clear, concise…And then remind and reiterate.” - Sandra Funk More About Sandra Funk Sandra Funk is a trusted advisor and the celebrated design leader who built the boutique firm, House of Funk and her proven process, the Interior Design Standard. Over 30 national press outlets - Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, to name a few - have recognized Sandra for her award-winning designs and innate entrepreneurial spirit. Despite her business degree, a background in business process consulting and a design education from Parsons, it took Sandra over a decade - and the help of several experts - to develop and fine-tune her business model for a thriving interior design firm. Today, Sandra is deeply rooted in empowering and educating design entrepreneurs. With her turnkey approach, she welcomes designers into her inner circle, sharing her proven process for a balanced, joy-filled and wildly profitable design firm. Connect with Sandra Funk Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Sandra Funk and Interior Design Standard Other Shows Mentioned: #895 Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers #845 Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Stop Apologizing and Start Communicating #801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation #753: Sandra Funk: How to Grow a Thriving Luxury Interior Design Business #660: Sandra Funk: Level Up Your Business Through Mentorship, Coaching, and Classes. Sponsored Show: “Interior Design Standard” #585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems #520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here! #145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10-Year-old Firm #02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy Other Resources Mentioned: Interior Design Standard

Today With Han Dang and Vy Truong: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am excited to welcome Han Dang of Very Handsome Studio. Han and her business partner Vy Truong met in design school and became friends, later starting their firm in 2020 and focusing on hospitality and commercial design. Han and Vy are an interesting duo. They describe themselves as a yin and a yang, bringing not just different personality types but also different design styles to the business. And yet, through teamwork, communication, and mutual respect, they have managed to create something special that is growing and continues to do so. Today, Han is here to share how she and Vy have overcome obstacles, learned lessons the hard way, and continue to meet challenges and grow their business. Pick It Apart [1:42] Han shares how she learned the hard way that the details of the business are so much more than just designing. [10:00] Han reflects on how she and Vy had to learn to embrace themselves and show up with authenticity. [18:40] Han discusses how she and Vy discovered their “superpowers” along the way. [24:20] Han talks about her cultural upbringing and the role it played for her. [34:58] Han and LuAnn discuss pricing and the importance of knowing your value. [53:35] Han discusses how she wants to help her staff uncover their superpowers and play to their strengths. LuAnn Nigara, Han Dang and Vy Truong's Ah-Ha Moments “We work in a diverse area, so we have to be open to learning and adapting to every culture and the research behind those stories.” -Han “Have you learned yet that when you raise your rates, as your prices go up and you have that fear of losing the current clients, that’s exactly what’s supposed to happen? We’re leaving those clients behind and moving on to the next level. That’s exactly what raising rates is supposed to do.” -LuAnn More About Han Dang and Vy Truong Vy Truong: Vy has 6 years of experience in the Design Industry,focusing on Hospitality and Commercial Design. She provides initial grand concepts for each project and speaks through colors. Han Dang: Han has 6 years of experience in the Design Industry, focusing on Education and Commercial Design. She provides detailed insights on every project and is the queen of minimalism Connect with Han Dang and Vy Truong Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Publications Publications What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #811 Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate Other Resources Mentioned: The Power Talk Friday Tour

Today With Katie Krimitsos: Today with Katie Krimitsos, we explore the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness, especially for entrepreneurs. As the founder of the Women's Meditation Network, Katie shares her personal journey of using meditation to navigate the challenges of life, motherhood and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Katie dives deep into the practical tools and strategies she uses to stay grounded and focused, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. From the importance of creating space for self-reflection to the power of listening to your intuition, Katie offers insights for creating a well-designed life and a thriving business that truly align with your purpose. Pick It Apart [00:55] LuAnn shares the story of how she first met Katie at a podcasting conference in 2016 and how their friendship has evolved. [05:33] Katie explains how her meditation podcasts provide tools for women to get to know themselves, listen to their intuition, and make decisions to build a well-designed life and business. [12:20] Katie reads the beginning of a raw, relatable meditation she wrote about losing her temper with her child, illustrating how she creates meditations to help women process real-life experiences and emotions. [20:58] LuAnn and Katie discuss the importance of asking for help and support when you need it, and being willing to receive it, as Katie shares an example from her own life. [25:53] Katie and LuAnn explore the idea of using meditation as a tool for self-discovery and making space to hear your inner voice, not just for relaxation or sleep. [34:44] Katie emphasizes that our seasons change and our needs change, especially as entrepreneurs, encouraging finding what works for you in each moment. LuAnn Nigara and Katie Krimitsos's Ah-Ha Moments “[Meditation] is is a tool for self awareness that allows us to not be held down by the guilt or the shame of what it was and the humaneness that we're experiencing in moments, and allows us instead to open a space to this deep spiritual person that we are, and it allows that intuition to speak to us. And then we can then move forward based on what that intuition tells us, because she's always right.” - Katie Krimitsos “Taking time for…meditation exploration — that's giving the place in my mind for all of the thoughts that come during all of those activities to show up…the really important things that my goddess voice wants me to know will bubble up in that complete quiet and rest.” - LuAnn Nigara “In that recognition that you are the observer of the thoughts and not the thoughts themselves, there's an enormous amount of space that gets created there — this sort of separation…So it just allows space for that voice to start coming through and start having you pay attention to it or having you having it guide you to whatever needs to be done.” - Katie Krimitsos More About Katie Krimitsos The new beginning of the Women’s Meditation Network began when Katie was going through a painful ending. She had just discovered she was pregnant with her second daughter and all of a sudden, she knew the podcast and business she had been running was no longer for her. Confused and uncertain, she slowed down and got quiet. Within that quiet, the Women’s Meditation Network – and her daughter -was born in 2018. Never perfect and always real, Katie has been using meditation as a tool to come within so she can create an intentional life. She’s a mom of two incredible daughters, wife to a soulful husband, and loves animals so much, she won’t kill a bug. Most of her wisdom has come from the depths of pain, and her writing seeks to connect us all in this human experience. Connect with Katie Krimitsos Website Instagram Facebook Podcast What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #253: Katie Krimitsos – Discussing the Common Struggles of Entrepreneurship #533: Power Talk Friday: Katie Krimitsos: Listening to Ourselves #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business #974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business Other Resources Mentioned: Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd Join my Email List! Click here and scroll to the bo

Today With Kathy Kuo: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Have you taken the time to identify your core values? To actively write them down and define what they mean to you? And if so, have you taken it a step further and pulled those values into your interactions, your hiring, your firing, and your feedback? Core values might be easy to push to the side. But if done right, they reduce conflict, make decision-making easier, and provide important clarity for your business. Today, I’m joined by Kathy Kuo to unpack core values and discuss how to embody them in your business and your processes. Pick It Apart [4:52] LuAnn and Kathy discuss the importance of values not just to you but to your clients, your employees, and the culture of your business. [12:52] LuAnn reflects on what happens when you don’t establish company values. [19:06] Kathy and LuAnn talk about how to decide which values are important enough to make the core values list. [38:36] Kathy shares the process she uses to make tough employment decisions. [47:28] Kathy discusses her design trade program and what it offers for designers. LuAnn Nigara and Kathy Kuo's Ah-Ha Moments “The real question is, are you hiring and firing based on these values, and how does that actually translate to your customers, because your clients actually buy your core values.” -Kathy “When we sat down to write out the values, I had a list of 10, which I knew was too many. And the integrator said, these are all important to your business. But this was the money line. He then asked me, what are the things you would hire and fire on? And that was the lightning bolt of clarity for me.” -LuAnn More About Kathy Kuo Kathy Kuo is the CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, a recognized tv personality, and a celebrated interior designer. Published in the press as an international guru within the home and lifestyle space, Kathy has an unmatched eye for curating, sourcing and designing luxury furniture and homewares. Today, she continues to develop the fastest growing online platform in the home and design industry. Kathy has 20+ years of experience in the home industry and now serves as a speaker and activist for female entrepreneurs. It is her mission to support women to intentionally grow and scale value-focused teams. Connect with Kathy Kuo Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest X What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday TourWatch the Docuseries!http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s BlogPower Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #190: Kathy Kuo – How Kathy Kuo Home, the Online Boutique, Can Assist Your Interior Design Firm Other Resources Mentioned: Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd Join my Email List! Click here and scroll to the bottom to fill out your request!

Today With Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Hi, welcome to a Well Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. We all know by now that we should niche, but the struggle lies in the how. What IS my only? What IS my superpower? How do I figure it out? And that’s where my guest today, Rachael Bozsik Johanson, really shines. Her superpower is finding the superpower of others and teaching them how to use it to elevate their business, their services, their marketing, and their sales process. Today, Rachael is here to share how to discover that superpower of yours, and more specifically how to take it and use it to land the right clients, market yourself strategically, and transition to the true luxury market. LuAnn Nigara and Rachael Bozsik Johanson's Ah-Ha Moments “A lot of the women I work with aren’t clear on their story. And how can you expect your clients to get clear on your story if you aren’t clear on it yourself?” -Rachael “The level of detail and research that you do, and the level of what’s included in the ultimate deliverable when you work with you is incomprehensible actually.” -LuAnn More About Rachael Bozsik Johanson Rachael Bozsik Johanson is an international keynote speaker and Thought Leadership Coach for female entrepreneurs within the creative field. It is Rachael’s mission to empower entrepreneurial women to position themselves as world-class thought leaders and public figures in their niche via the press, paid speaking, and partnerships. Think – a feature in Arch Digest, mic at High Point Market, and Partnership with Loloi. Rachael’s clients include award-winning interior designers, HGTV personalities, and internationally recognized creatives. Rachael has been applauded for her work in numerous international publications as a top-tier expert in elite brand positioning in 40 national outlets including Forbes, Glamour, Business Insider etc.. Through her work as a professional speaker, she has empowered close to 100,000+ women on stages including Harvard Business School, Design Influencers Conference, (ASID) American Society of Interior Designers NYC, IIDA, Cornell, Bermuda’s SBA, SPANX HQ just to name a few. She has also had the opportunity to partner with incredible brands including Oprah’s Leadership Academy, Loreal, Sephora, Kendra Scott etc. Connect with Rachael Bozsik Johanson Website Instagram Testimonials What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday TourWatch the Docuseries!http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s BlogPower Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #830 Anne Gillyard: Capitalizing on Your “You” to Grow Your Interior Design Business #759 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing #651 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Boszik: Gaining Credibility in Interior Design #976: On Air Strategy Sessions: Is a Disconnect Causing Your Ideal Clients to Walk Away? Other Resources Mentioned: Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd

Today With Jennifer Chukwujekwe: Today with Jennifer Chukwujekwe, we’re heading to Nigeria (virtually) to learn about the incredible work she is doing to transform the interior design industry in her home country. As the President of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria and the founder, CEO, and creative director of Jenniez Designs, Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills as she navigates the unique challenges faced by designers in Africa. From building a furniture factory to address sourcing issues to starting a school to educate aspiring designers, Jennifer's resourcefulness knows no bounds. She also offers valuable insights into the cultural nuances of Nigeria's 250 ethnic groups and how she adapts her design solutions to cater to these diverse needs. Throughout the episode, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and networking within the design community, both locally and internationally. Her call to action is a powerful reminder that by working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we can all take our businesses to new heights. LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Chukwujekwe's Ah-Ha Moments “I’m on a mission. I just like to solve problems. And I tell people, I only solve problems within the industry. Once it's outside the industry, I'm not interested…I'm just passionate about the industry. I'm passionate about interior design, and passionate about transforming lives and businesses to interior design.” - Jennifer Chukwujekwe “I don't think [anyone] expects each of you to be perfect…But it's taking the time to understand your client. That's what the onus is on the design industry — is to not just to make assumptions that this person has the same values and the same beliefs that you do about the items and the colors and the selections.” - LuAnn Nigara More About Jennifer Chukwujekwe Jennifer Chukwujekwe is a Wife, Mother, Experienced Interior designer, Author and Coach. The first interior design business coach in Nigeria. She teaches interior designers how to build, grow and scale their business, so they can make profit, become successful and live a fulfilling life through Design. She is a three-time graduate of Commercial Interior Design, Business and Branding and Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute UK. She has a first degree in Geology and Masters in Applied Computing and IT from the University of Bedfordshire UK. A Graduate of Entrepreneurial Essentials from Harvard Business School Cohort November 2021. Prior to coaching, she launched her interior design company- Jenniez Designs. Connect with Jennifer Chukwujekwe School website Design website Instagram Instagram Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday TourWatch the Docuseries!http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s BlogPower Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #908: Jessica Bantom: How to Be a Culturally Competent Design Activist & Why You Want to Be One (Part 1) AWDB #912: Jessica Bantom Continued: Take Action With the Six Habits of Culturally Competent Designers Other Resources Mentioned: Jessica Bantom’s book: Design For Identity — Jessica Bantom - Leadership Coach & Consultant

Today With Shelli Warren Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Shelli Warren, distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor, and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Do you believe the misconception that success is only attached to working for a corporation? If so, you may have little faith in hiring the right team, because as you will hear from Shelli, you have much to offer the right person in the form of a career. Pick It Apart: [6:07] Shelli shares her philosophy that her clients should understand that they have value and can provide valuable careers for employees. [12:28] Before you even post a position, get clear on their job responsibilities. [16:01] When and how to build a leadership team. [20:08] How to guide someone towards making desirable decisions and being accountable. [27:54] Realizing that you may have to fire people because the pace of your business has changed and you need to bring in new hires. [48:25] When a business owner is ready to sell their business, many times it is an employee who buys it. LuAnn Nigara and Shelli Warren's Ah-Ha Moments “You can have a worthwhile career, and also offer people worthwhile careers.” - Shelli Warren “People will stay working for you when they feel connected to you or their immediate supervisor.” - Shelli Warren “The team that got you here may not be the same team to get you there.” - Shelli Warren More About Shelli Warren Shelli Warren is a distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Her expertise lies in helping small business owners develop and nurture a leadership team that can take over the daily operations of the business, enabling the owners to focus on higher-level growth decisions. Drawing from her impressive background, which includes successfully managing multi-million dollar projects for Fortune 50 corporations and iconic billion-dollar brands, Shelli has spent nearly a decade coaching business owners. Now in its fifth year, The Stacking Your Team podcast stands as a top-rated show with over 500,000 downloads. It serves as a source of inspiration and education for women leaders, guiding them on how to build capable leadership teams that can effectively provide the daily direction needed to exceed their company's clients' expectations. Connect with Shelli Warren Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Intro Call with Duke Renders Shelli’s Stacking Your Team website Shelli’s Stacking Your Team podcast Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #55 Rachel Moriarty – Message to Solopreneurs- Act As If the World is Watching AWDB #214 Rachel Moriarty: How FaceBook Live Can Be A Game Changer For Your Interior Design Business AWDB #707 Rachel Moriarty: Authenticity and Visibility in Your Interior Design Business AWDB #906 Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee.

Today With Becky and Nate Vandenbroek Hi, Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I have on Becky and Nate Vandenbroek from Hygge Design+Build. If you are someone who wants to get into the design-build industry, this episode is for you. Becky and Nate know how to help designers who want to break into the design/build world and share what to consider when choosing to collaborate with builders. Both possessing Erika Ward transferable skills, Becky with her upbringing with a builder dad and Nate as a previous project manager, they ditched their 9-5 and in 2020 formed Hygge Design+Build. As you can tell, they are thriving. They are here today to explain the process of working with design/build clients, give advice to designers looking to start a relationship with a builder, as well as red flags. LuAnn Nigara and Becky and Nate Vandenbroek's Ah-Ha Moments “If you're not able to have a clear line of communication with a builder and you're not on the same page with his process, it's going to be a disaster.” - Becky Vandenbroek “If you can find a builder who doesn’t have a designer on staff and the both of you mesh well with the design aesthetic, it could be a win-win for both of you.” - Becky Vandenbroek More About Becky and Nate Vandenbroek Ok, let’s get this right out of the way…It’s pronounced who-guh even though it looks like hi-gee. Hygge Design+Build was formed in 2020 after Becky and Nate Vandenbroek decided to ditch their 9-5 and start their own design+build company in Grand Rapids, MI. Becky grew up in the construction industry while watching her dad develop land, build spec homes, and commercial properties. Nate had always been interested in building, renovating, and creating. They took their love of home building and design and turned that into what is now known as Hygge Design+Build. Hygge Design+Build homes are designed and built with a focus on creating a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere that promotes well-being and comfort. Their Hilltop Farm home was featured in the national publication of Dwell Magazine in collaboration with Marvin Windows and was awarded a National Best in American Living award by the NAHB. Their most recent project, The Slate House was chosen by Marvin Windows for their national ad campaign and will also be featured in Dwell Magazine. They are all about designing “outside of the box” when it comes to designing and building their homes. Connect with Becky and Nate Vandenbroek Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Duke Renders Strategy Session LuAnn University Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB 542: Brad Leavitt: AFT Construction: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design-Build Process WTFP: #264 Jessica Harling: Compensation Strategies: Part 2- Installers and Administrators

Today With LoriAnn Kuntz Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today I am excited to welcome LoriAnn Kuntz, founder of Profit Priority, a bookkeeping and financial management company for creatives. Understanding your numbers matters. But it’s equally as important to understand when and why to outsource your bookkeeping. Hear LoriAnn’s insights on why strategic bookkeping matters—and how you can take control of your numbers. LuAnn Nigara and LoriAnn Kuntz's Ah-Ha Moments “The secret to loving your numbers is to find someone who understands them.” -LoriAnn “When I work with someone, it's not just about the business, it's about them as a person. And it's about their life and their lifestyle.” -LoriAnn “It’s clear that you are willing to go down the different roads and that is the thing that we really need in a bookkeeper.” -LuAnn More About LoriAnn Kuntz Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, I saw firsthand what it was like to run a successful business. And having a good financial system and knowing the numbers was a big part of that. The opportunity to learn about money management and bookkeeping from a young age sparked what I thought was a love for accounting. I started down the traditional accounting path, but a few years into my CPA journey, I felt God calling me out of it to serve entrepreneurs differently. Connect with LoriAnn Kuntz Website Website Instagram Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Check out Kravet Inc. and use our code AWDB10 for 10% on any order of Kravet fabric, wallpaper, or trim Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork Eileen Hahn’s Website

Today With Katie Ryan Pluer Today with Katie Ryan Pluer we are discussing what it takes to build a successful business partnership in the interior design industry. Katie brings a wealth of experience in business development, marketing, and advertising. She has a keen understanding of what it takes to create a profitable business, and has spent the past few years getting settled in the interior design industry as Vice President of Natasa Jones Interiors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you have a partner or are considering one, or if you are looking to scale your interior design business anytime soon, Katie is here to share valuable insights. We are getting into the nitty gritty of partnership — from evaluating the business and legalities to personalities, percentages, and profitability. LuAnn Nigara and Katie Ryan Pluer's Ah-Ha Moments “If you're running your business, you should pay yourself.” – Katie Ryan Pluer “If you are considering a potential partnership with someone, and before you make the purchase, and the final deal, if you can't have open and honest conversation, then…how the heck do you think you're going to have it when you both have skin in the game?” – LuAnn Nigara “Sometimes there's some ego in ownership and creating your own business. And if you're willing to put that ego aside and bring someone in that can help grow your business—grow it together—it's really worth it…If you find the right person that understands and has as much love for it as you do, I think it'll be a good fit. - Katie Ryan Pluer More About Katie Ryan Pluer Katie Ryan Pluer is an entrepreneur, and currently is a Partner & Vice President at Natasa Jones Interiors. Her expertise is in business development, marketing, and advertising. Over her 20-year professional career, Katie has used her skills to promote and grow business across several industries. She has bought and successfully sold several businesses including (4) uBreakiFix stores and Sign Gypsies MKE. Katie has had the honor and privilege of serving on the development committee for Nia Imani, the Board of Woman for MACC and as the Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at Lueder Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual. She has a passion for service and a love for Milwaukee. act on the community. Connect with Katie Ryan Pluer Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: WCAA 2024 Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB 570: Natasa Jones: How to Maximize the ROI on Any Webinar, Course or Conference AWDB 646: Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd: Building a Friendship and An Interior Design Partnership AWDB 672: Flash Back Friday: Tiffannie White, ​The Nappy Bohemian: Your “Only” and Lessons From a New Interior Design Business AWDB 857: Power Talk Friday: Shannon Lopez: The ERC Program – Do NOT Skip This Episode! AWDB 876: Natasa Jones: Making Bold Moves to Achieve Big Results AWDB 919: Window Treatment Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: How to Sell Window Treatments in Your Full Service Interior Design Projects

Today With Melissa Fields Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we run an entire new segment! It's "On Air Strategy Sessions"! In today's episode, we have Melissa Fields with us. Melissa is the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. So, let's meet her! More About Melissa Fields Shades of Gray Design Studio is a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. It was started in 2018 shortly after Melissa Fields, the Founder and CEO, retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. A retired Air Force officer turned interior designer, took her side hustle and deep passion for all things beautiful and developed it into a business. Melissa wanted to create amazing spaces for people who were going to stay in their homes long term and enjoy the investment they put into their space. She shifted her focus towards designing residential spaces. Although not formally trained, she is a passionate creative who not only has an eye for design but firmly believes and understands that the details matter. Melissa also knows the power of beautiful and intentional design to truly transform people on a mind, body, and soul level. Because Melissa is so obsessed with the details and a high level of quality, she wanted to have a solid foundation and obtained a certification in residential interior design through the New York Institute of Art and Design. Shades of Gray Design Studio believes in creating not just beautiful, functional spaces but telling the story about the humans that reside there. We are all unique and that’s what makes us so special. Our homes should reflect that. Melissa loves using color, texture, and boldness in her designs. She strives to incorporate a modern, contemporary feel while blending luxury and comfort...making it truly one-of-a-kind. It’s all about elevating the living space and empowering her clients with the knowledge that they are worthy of being surrounded by beauty. Connect with Melissa Fields Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: What Would LuAnn Do? Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB 915: Power Talk Friday: Masha Koyen: 7 Mistakes Interior Designers Make on Their Website Messaging AWDB 859: Power Talk Friday: Robyn White: Using Your Website to Market to the Luxury Interior Design Client AWDB 574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy WTFP 167: Nicole Heymer: How to Find and Highlight Why Someone Should Buy From You AWDB 125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!! AWDB 317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen AWDB 466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?

Today With Jennifer Davis Today on A Well-Designed Business I’m with Jennifer Davis, the founder of Davis Interiors, a boutique design firm based in Minneapolis. Jennifer's story is proof that intention, manifestation, and a positive mindset can lead to the life and business of our dreams. In this episode, we discuss Jennifer’s strategies and beliefs that have helped her create a joyful client experience and a successful career. From setting intentions and aligning your actions with your goals to overcoming impostor syndrome and cultivating an abundance mindset, Jennifer offers practical tips and powerful insights. LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Davis's Ah-Ha Moments “I want the journey that you go through to get from start to finish to be as joyful as the joy you feel at the end of the project when you're in your new space.” - Jennifer Davis “I think you just have to really believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you and find good mentors and a good design community to be a part of. And then when you set the intentions, you can truly believe that you're worthy of all these things happening.” - Jennifer Davis “How we carry ourselves through our business relates, and comes back to us, in our personal life.” - LuAnn Nigara More About Jennifer Davis Jennifer started her career journey in the furniture industry, where she got a taste for sales. Transitioning to an interior design studio, she started as a design assistant and swiftly advanced to a managerial position, showcasing her leadership abilities. Balancing her roles as a mother and entrepreneur, she cultivated her client base from a part-time endeavor which quickly grew into a full-fledged interior design studio. Jennifer firmly believes in the law of attraction, maintaining that our attitudes significantly influence the outcomes we experience in life. Jennifer operates a boutique interior design firm headquartered in Minneapolis, catering to clients nationwide. Her approach to each project revolves around fostering a client experience founded on clear communication, refined processes, swift timelines, and meaningful relationships. Davis Interiors lives by the motto “We want the process to create as much joy as the finished product”. Connect with Jennifer Davis Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Roxie Nafousi book - Manifest Rebecca Hay’s episode with LuAnn Inspired Kitchens and Baths Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation AWDB #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business AWDB #895: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers AWDB #935: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders Academy: Marketing Lessons From Taylor Swift’s Playbook AWDB 974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business AWDB 972: Power Talk Friday: Lesley Myrick: Profit Insiders: How Interior Designers Can Leverage Local Marketing

Today With Katie McDonald Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m excited to welcome back Katie McDonald, certified holistic health coach and instructor at b.nourished. As entrepreneurs, we do have a tendency to put ourselves on the backburner, focusing our time and attention on the needs of the business. But if we’re not creating something sustainable—if we’re heading toward burnout, are we really creating well-designed businesses? It can feel as if we need to justify rest, justify taking time for ourselves, Katie’s take is that we need to view taking care of ourselves in a whole new light—and today she and I are diving deep into the philosophical questions of creativity, well-being, and the way we are intertwined with the business. LuAnn Nigara and Katie McDonald's Ah-Ha Moments “The only thing that will create change is our commitment to change—our willingness to look ourselves in the eyes, look at our hear, and say, ‘Something doesn’t feel right.’” -Katie “We’re always thinking about the future or the next big thing for our business. But in our personal lives, we’re willing to accept mediocrity.” -Katie “Our well-being is our fuel—the engine for our business.” -LuAnn More About Katie McDonald Over a decade ago, the demands of Katie McDonald’s corporate career occupied her every waking moment. She was left feeling depleted and depressed—suffering from spiraling mental and physical health crises that threatened her life. Left with no choice but to transform her body-mind relationship, Katie abandoned her corporate job and finally started applying her knowledge of self-care, alternative health, and plant-based nutrition. Since then, Katie has been on a revitalizing journey of lifelong self-care. Fully recovered from years of self-neglect, Katie now helps fellow doers embrace self-care so they can do more and be more while leading healthier, more intentional, and more nourished lives. Katie leads with tough love to inspire, empower, and challenge audiences. She dispels the destructive myth that self-care is an obstacle to productivity and teaches that self-care is, in fact, a tool to create a more powerful and impactful legacy. Connect with Katie McDonald Speaking Site Coaching Site and Link to Schedule a Complimentary 30 Minute Self-Care Strategy Session Link to Bnourished Planner 15% discount code for planners LUANN Here are the offers for the podcasts listeners 1. A 15% discount off the bnourished quarterly planner using code LUANN 2. Access to my curated resource guide here 3. Whole life assessment (will be a goodie) What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: #881 Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business #968 Overheard: Charles Pavarini, Leyden Lewis, and Maria Viola: How to Harness Creativity in Interior Design