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Today, we're going to talk with my client, Deborah, about her story of desperation, skepticism, and triumph in the world of energy aligned design. She shares with us her journey to energy alignment and what it's meant to her family and home.

Regardless of what you're doing with your life, the environment you come home to will affect you -- so you definitely don't want it to be negative. Today I'm going to share with you how to sketch up your floor plan and what the most important items to include are. This is a fun one!

In this episode of Home Energy Design with Amanda Gates, I explain what exactly a floor plan reading is all about, who it's for, and why it matters. You don't want to miss this one!

Today I am kicking off the new and improved version of my podcast! Tune in to learn how to kick your floor plan up a notch and have the best home energy design possible. In this episode, I walk you through the 5 disrupters that could be messing with the energy in your home.

My team and I are huge advocates for self-care. In fact, my new book, Detoxing Clutter With Feng Shui hones in on the self realization that many women live in the conscious mind of “to-do’s” which ultimately has us making decisions from our logical mind rather than our hearts. Self-care is a dirty word to most women. The idea of finding simple pleasures through out the day brings an onset of shame, guilt and the ugly idea that you don’t deserve to self indulge because you have too much to do. Nonsense! [Click here to continue reading]

It's funny, for years I have talked about money here on the blog. To me, it's an important topic, especially for women. When I was starting to go through my divorce I didn't realize how little I really knew about money nor did I respect it. No longer would I choose to live in the dark. So I got educated, hunkered down and moved myself out of debt, while simultaneously going through a very expensive divorce. Click here to read more or go to our blog here

I remember back in early 2001 designing homes in Vegas with a heavy tuscan look. It was all the rage. Faux paint, red chenille, tassels, travertine floors, and stone fireplaces. Gold, sage green and red mixed with heavy browns were everywhere. And this included are the hard surfaces too. The gold speckled granites, glazed cabinets, and oil rubbed bronze knobs. Fast forward to now where everything is white and bright and those beige colors just look dirty and muddy! But if you're like most folks you've tried mixing in some fresh brights and they just fell flat! Or worse, maybe you hate your interior and just don't know where to start! click here to keep reading.

Today’s guest is none other than Moana Dixon and James North of Hunted Fox. This design duo not only curates beautiful collections of unique one-of-a-kind things, but together they create and imagine new ways to look at home. Originally their vision was simple, to construct a line of home goods without constraints. No corporate rules, no by-the-book thinking just collecting for the sake of collecting and sharing with others what they had found. And with that Hunted Fox, a play on words based on their love of “the hunt,” was founded. Click here to read more

Originally a dancer from Connecticut, Taylor made her way to New York City to make it big in a field she thought she was good at. What she quickly learned was that she had been a big fish in a small pond and in New York that no longer applied. She quickly adapted and decided to pivot into interior design. What makes Taylor different than most is that instead of getting a degree in design she pursued a degree in business; probably one of the best moves she could have made. Click here to read more

Looking to get organized? Here are several tips from interior designer Amanda Gates and Carla Aston on 10 best ways to get organized in 2017.

Holistic health practitioner, apothecary, herb nerd and astrologer, this months podcast will certainly not disappoint! Angel Quitana, Editor in Chief of Holistic Fashionista, a premier magazine that educates on all things natural and good, is the brain child of Angel who among many other things isa really cool chick. Whether you’re wanting to dip your toe or dive in head first, this gal will teach you how to play with essential oils, eat organically, give back and help you build a kick ass empire of your own without breaking a sweat. Combine her knowledge of business acumen and you have her incredible educational program the Higher Paling School of Business, which is a twelve month program that teaches other entrepreneurs how to master their holistic brands, build clientele, develop products, overcome fear and aligning a business with greater purpose. Click here to keep reading...

Living a sustainable life can seem complicated, right? The word sustainable in and of itself conjures up thoughts of complexity and only for those tree hugging hippies. But here’s the rub, being sustainable or green isn’t an all or nothing game. You can still have your daily conveniences without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality of life. However in the overall big picture it’s time to start doing something. When I first started easing into sustainable practices I remember being completely overwhelmed. How the hell do you do it? And if you bring canvas shopping bags to the grocery store, but buy paper towels, are you a hypocrite? I sure thought so! I was overwhelmed and totally confused by what it really meant to be an environmentalist. And I certainly wasn’t hugging enough trees or eating enough granola to play in the big leagues of a so called sustainable life. Continue reading here...

Today's guest is like no other. She is an expert in living a more minimalist life, including a capsule wardrobe. Courtney is an expert in creating simplicity in her life. She has been featured on the Today website, Oprah and more. Today's podcast discusses what a capsule wardrobe is, how to build your own, how it works with various professions and more!

Today Carla Aston and I sit down with you and talk all things bookshelves. We'll share with you our top five tips to get them just right, so yours can look like the pros!

Earlier this year I decided to go to the bloggers conference in Atlanta. For the past couple of years I haven’t gone to many seminars mainly because nothing was really piquing my interest, and they can be expensive. However, I quickly realized after I attended how important it was to show up. They offer incredible value not only in the conference itself, but the networking with others in your industry – it’s invaluable! Click here to read more

Designer Extraordinaire Rachel Shingleton, just might be one of my favorite people on the planet. She’s laid back, creative, funny and has a kick ass outlook on life – but don’t ask her about fried shrimp – which is helping her gain grace as she navigates motherhood. Rachel and I met during the bloggers tour in Highpoint this past April, put on by Esteem Media. I was surprised that I had never heard of her, especially since she was a part of the original blogging mania that started taking off in 2008; which is whenI started this blog. Rachel and I immediately hit it off. Her light breezy personality jived seamlessly with my ridiculous nature. Our view on life is defiantly through rose colored glasses – that just might be shaped like yellow palm trees. Rachel’s company Pencil Shavings Studio is well versed in all things creative. Whether you’re looking for inspiration in design, graphics, or fashion, this visionary mom has you covered. What most people probably don’t know is that this inspirational creative had an identity crisis when motherhood came calling. Who was she? Would her career be over? Would she be able to grasp that mythical creature better known as ‘having it all?’ Nope, not even close, and that is perfectly OK. Click here to read more

It's funny, through the powers of social media I have made so many incredible friends over the years. One such friend is Interior Designer, Carla Aston. Her designs are high-style neo-traditional, mixed with an incredible eye for texture. And one thing I'm most envious of is her ability to mix neutrals. She nails it every time! Maybe it's my love of color, or my fear of white, but no one does it better than Carla. Designed with Interior Designer Carla Aston Having been in the design world for many years, one thing that sets her apart is her ability to really understand what the client needs. She can surpass the mistakes that homeowners often make on their own, and take them to a place of true design serendipity that they could never achieve on their own. In addition to being an amazing designer stateside, Carla also lived in Australia and Norway, which in my opinion, influenced her clean aesthetic. I think it's also safe to say she has a great eye for accessories which I know many of you struggle with! I get emails all the time regarding those finishing touches because most people know how to do the big stuff well, but when it comes to what we call the "smalls" many of my clients panic because they get scared to do it wrong. Click here to continue reading

When it comes to Feng Shui a lot of people make interpretations on what they think it is. Most will agree that Feng Shui is a way to work with energy to create a certain type of harmonious living space. One of peace and tranquility. And while on one hand it’s very simple, it can also be quite mysterious and complex. Floor plans alone can tell a story all their own. Lurking deep within your walls a story can unfold, and it truly becomes a mirror to your subconscious, that some may deem unbelievable. {click here to continue reading}

Todays guest is Sheena White. In short, Sheena is a social media strategist and copywriter. But honestly she is more than just that. She is a heart-centered entrepreneur who specifically helps women in their small businesses’ so that they can maximize the power of social media and increase their success rate in the online marketing world. Holy cow as an entrepreneur myself, there just never seems to be enough time in the day. No joke, I spend at least 2-3 hours a day just contributing to the FREE content on my blog and website. Whether it’s blog articles, my newsletters, free ebooks, free classes or my podcast, I’m churning out a lot of content – and I’ve been doing it for over seven years! It can be overwhelming especially if you don’t know where to focus your efforst. Online marketing can be a tricky game. 1) you have to understand the marketing animal 2) you have to navigate an industry that is ever-changing 3) the rules of the game are changing daily. So what did I do? I quit my newsletter. If people wanted ground breaking FREE info they could just visit my blog. Why on earth did I want to create yet another earth shattering form of media, that would honestly get a low conversion rate and probably never even get read? At least on my blog the content lives for ever and I’m in control of when it hits the trash, right? {click here to read more}

I've said it many times on this blog, small changes can make a big impact in your life. And Terry Lancaster's new book, Better!: Self Help For The Rest of Us, shows us just that. At 48 years old, he was overweight, a heavy drinker and failing at his career. Then he had an epiphany while at a bar, "When the drunk guy at the bar hitting on the meth addict becomes the voice of reason in your life, maybe it's time to reexamine your lifestyle." To add insult to injury, Terry was a bartender during the the Garth Brooks comeback tour. It was then he realized that at nearly 50 years old, he needed to get his shit together. But those self-help books on the shelf, you know the ones, with a beautiful human, a fancy suit and bright shiny teeth - wasn't like Terry. But he learned from professor B.J Fogg that tiny habits can lead to big change. [ read more...]

For the past couple of years I've kicked off the new year with two things on this blog, a list of my resolutions (mainly to hold me accountable) and a podcast with world renowned astrologers to help us navigate the new year. This year I decided to do something different. But don't fret, I have an astrologer scheduled to come on the show in February, for those who like to have a forecast for the year! The reason I wanted to do something different is many people often have similar resolutions. In fact the top three are always related to money, health and happiness. And the content of this podcast changed my life in all three! Making it perfect to nail your resolutions too! Over the past five years I have made it my mission to get healthy. I've said numerous times on this blog that it did not happen overnight. It's been a stepping stone approach to progress: Started hot yoga Filed for divorce (yes this made me healthier!) Became a vegetarian Changed 50% of my diet to organic, and why you should too Sold everything to pave my way to financial freedom Started easing into eco practices Eliminated all processed foods Eliminated all soft drinks Cut out 50% of sugar intake Went 100% organic Attained financial freedom Combined yoga with weight training To continue reading, click here.

Having a family can be messy, leading you and your family to an unorganized life. But it doesn’t have to be that way and Mridu Parikh is a perfect example of that. After living on her own, in what she calls a fairly organized life, chaos quickly ensued with the addition of a husband and two kids. Without much guidance she took the bull by the horns and decided to make a change before she went insane. Click here to read more....

I have studied feng shui for over seventeen years, but when Nashville resident, Mallory Shaw of Confetti and Stripes, reached out to me on getting the basics of feng shui down, I knew I had to say yes. What struck me as funny was her initial perception of what feng shui was: an asian aesthetic. Then I wondered, how many others think this? Do others have a misconception of what feng shui is? It was right then and there that I knew we needed to extend our conversation and get down and dirty with feng shui 101. And it turns out, many people had questions! Click here to keep reading Todays Design 101 Podcast discusses: What exactly is feng shui? If you've never done it where do you start? How do you employ feng shui when others live in the house? Do you have to have wacky trinkets all over the place? What if I break a rule and don't know it? Holding onto things for what purpose? Is there a room you should start with? How do I know if I have good feng shui?

Many of us have been there, you know the feeling - the pit in your stomach, the countless 'what ifs' running through your head and the mindless chatter that tells you again and again, why you can't move forward. Fear. I found myself in this very place in 2010. I was faced with a big decision, stay and lose my identity or leave and face the unknown. At the time I was in a marriage that no longer served me. Married to a man in the midst of an affair I had a simple choice to make, stay or leave, but the fear consumed me nearly making me blind. And the fear almost got me from seeing my choice. In FDR's first inaugural address he stated, "The only thing to fear, is fear itself." Choice words for such a renaissance man. Before doing today's interview I asked many of my own friends what fear meant to them. Two main themes came up for the women, fear of feeling like a fraud, and fear of being judged. On the contrary, most of my male friends feared not being a good provider. In the book, Lean in, Sheryl Sandberg talks about fear, stating that fear is the root of many barriers that women especially face in 'achieving.' Fear of making wrong choices, not being liked, overeating, being judged and fear of failure. We are consumed in self-doubt and fear. Ellen Bravo suggests that "women are not thinking about having it all, they're worried about losing it all." Fear can paralyze us. The ego steps in and tells us all the reasons we can't move forward. Oh how much harm will happen if we do.....but then somehow you gain the courage to move through it, to move forward and it's as if the angels drop from heaven and begin to sing. Yes, the only thing to fear, is in fact, fear itself. to continue reading click here.

Today’s guest is Barabara Viteri, CEO and owner of Viteri Style Management. She is one of THE leading advisers in the interior design industry for productivity and business management. Barabara will put it to you straight with unfiltered opinions, and no bull shit. Her specialty is helping boutique business’, mainly design firms, get their companies profitable and organized. Hobby makers need not apply. Barbara and I first spoke two years ago about the mistakes every designer makes in their business. I think it’s safe to say that whether you’re an interior designer or not, being an entrprenuer presents many challenges. Having the right tools, skills and people in place are the difference between making it or breaking it. For over 20 years this girl from the hood is proof positive that the cream always rises to the top. She has helped hundreds of everyday interior desginers propel their business’ into million dollar boutiques, from the comfort of their homes. She offers up time saving tools, management tips and secrets, to everyday business skills to help streamline your business and boost profitability. Click here to keep reading...

Interior design and feng shui are intrinsic tools to create balance and harmony in your home. When your space feels as good as it looks, your mood is lifted, you feel lighter and grace is easier to achieve. Everything just seems to work, and a slower pace sets in - like taking in a long, deep breath. I recently spoke with a marketing firm that told me feng shui and interior design were different. That essentially I needed to separate the two and be one or the other. My favorite remark, "start a hobby blog about feng shui. It will attract those who like it." It got me to thinking, are we really that far off? That acquiring sustainable harmony in our lives is only for "those" people? Carol Olmsted recently wrote that one of her feng shui colleagues was featured on their local news station for "odd jobs". As Carol so eloquently stated, "I'm entering my 18th year of Feng Shui and working with a Fortune 100 company on the interior design of 23 floors in their new headquarters, and the media is still calling Feng Shui an odd job?" I myself have been at this for fifteen years, and today's guest, Angie Cho, has been at this almost twenty years. Feng shui is so much more than weird thinking. However, many people still feel it's metaphysical or transcendental. I recently met with a design colleague, Mallory Shaw, who thought feng shui was asian aesthetic - where people have bamboo flutes, buddha fountains, and Zen decor. I think it's time that we start saying that those who refuse to fully understand it, are the weird ones! After one hour with me, Mallory was not only excited to clean out her junk drawer, she was convinced that this was a way of life - and she's right! How to improve your feng shui Today Angie and I discuss: Mindset and how to overcome it Reframing and learning to say yes How to work with your environment rather than against it How to make life richer How to create big shifts in your life How to inform your decisions through feng shui principles How to avoid a lack mentaltiy And 12 tips from the experts on how to feng shui your wallet For more info on Anjie visit her website, www.anjiecho.com, and be sure to check out her kick-ass new book, 108 Ways To Create Holistic Spaces.

It was early in the morning and as I went through emails I noticed a designer reached out to me on twitter looking for an upholstery shop. She had just moved to Nashville and was struggling to find the necessary trades she needed for an upcoming job. I had never met her and had no idea who she was but I gave her what she needed, and proceeded to track down more info on this new Nashville designer by checking her out online. After visiting her website I was in love, and decided at that very moment Kim and I were going to be friends. Who is she you ask? Kim is the owner of Design Thoughts Interiors, an intentional design practice located in East Nashville. Like me, her design approach is all about the why. As we discuss in the podcast, many designers design for their portfolios and magazine pages, not rooms that need to be lived in. Designing with intention takes great care and more importantly time to learn about the who, what, and why. To continue reading click here

Holistic MBA is a community built for the holistic practitioner who is looking for more. They offer world class training for holistic entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable business that feeds their soul. Are you a holistic practitioner who is burnt out, frazzled, overwhelmed and exhausted? Well if you said yes, then this podcast is for you! Holistic MBA was the brain child of Carey Peters. After a huge aha moment in the snowy streets of Chicago, Carey had a pivotal, life changing moment - pay attention to her health or continue down a deadly path of Captain crunch, taco bell and enormous amounts of diet coke. After attending a school to become a health coach, she decided that would be her day job, while moonlighting as an actor in LA. Problem was, she had no idea how to run a business, or a profitable one at that. After realizing that there was little information out there to help her, with nothing more than sweat, grit and determination, Carey launched Holistic MBA.... to continue reading click here

It is often said that a coach can change your entire life in less than a year. They bring to the table a level of expertise and guidance to help navigate murky waters of the unknown. I’ve worked with coaches for the past six years and know first hand the value they bring to my business. Simply put, you don’t know what you don’t know. And a coach can get you there faster. It takes great understanding to see the value of what a coach does. One of my coaches put it in terms that instantly made sense to me: Value is the conversation of the rich. Cost is the conversation of the poor. Varian Brandon. CLICK TO TWEET Focusing on the cost rather than the investment value will prevent you from growth. I’ve been fortunate to work with many great coaches who have helped me see and experience this over and over again. The very first coach I ever worked with gave me one piece of advice, and that piece of advice cost me $6,000, but the value changed the entire landscape of my business. It was worth all six thousand dollars that I paid her because it gained me four times more business in six short months. And I still use that six thousand dollar nugget of advice to this day. That is the power of value. In the fall of 2011 I was in the midst of hell. I was surrounded by all sorts of turmoil, ( I go into further detail at the end of the podcast so if you want all the juicy details, tune in!) but despite being in turmoil, I decided to attend a conference that I already paid for to get my head out of the sand. Enter in: Melissa Kitto. We were having lunch at the same table and as we went around the table giving our elevator speeches of what we do, Melissa explained that she was an Angel Guidance Coach. I had never heard of such a coach and to be honest I had my doubts. Was it possible to use higher guidance as a source for vision and focus? Could she tap into an inner wisdom to help cut out the noise? And if so, could she teach me how to do it even in the midst of turmoil? Turns out the answer was yes! Join Melissa and I today to find out: How to reawaken what you already have How to stay centered and connected What would you accomplish if you knew you could not fail? How to get confirmation and trust your decisions Daily rituals to keep you tuned in How to get out of your own way How to trust the unknown to allow more to unfold Once you have a greater understanding of what your spiritual thrust in life is, you can accomplish things with greater clarity and quickness. Why waste years figuring it all out, if you can simply cut to the chase and do it now? Listen below to find out how to connect with God, or find it on iTunes at Design 101.

Ever had one of those days? Maybe one of those months? How about one of those years that had “murphy’s law” written all over it? Perhaps you had a month or a year that blew you away and you felt incredibly blessed? Chances are it was written in the stars. The planets are symbols that when aligned in certain ways read like an astrological weather report, and as many of you know, just because there is a hurricane outside doesn’t mean you’re bound to the indoors, however, you better be prepared to weather the storm. Astrology, like Numerology, is not fortune-telling, but both are great indicators to your personal seasons. Astrology let’s you know when it’s summer and when it’s winter – and if you’re launching a new product, getting married, or about to travel, etc. – most of us would prefer summer over winter. In other words, it’s a heavenly farmers almanac that helps you understand the trends and patterns that have occurred before so that you know how to prepare. Certain things tend to happen during certain patterns and it’s through this knowledge an astrologer can determine what to expect. Our ancestors used astrology for worship, ceremony, and as a way to honor their heritage. Cultures that were close to nature understood the natural rythms of nature, unlike many of todays city dwellers who’s closest contact with nature is walking to their car. As we approach 2017, we are about to enter into yet another pivitol time – a square of planets that are about to create a great tug of war. Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter and Chiron are about to hold hands in the sky. So what does all this mean? RADICAL transformation. New Year 2015 Astrology Join me as I sit down with Josh to discuss: 1) The events of 2008 and how it equals transformational change in upcoming years 2) What to expect in 2015 and how to embrace evolving change that started in the sixties 3) What we have to look forward to and how this effects us personally 5) The economic climate – is it improving? 6) What to prepare for as we approach the 2017 square 7) Sustainability and how it’s now or never to get our heads out of the sand and start giving-back For more info on Josh or Gates please visit our website: https://gatesinteriordesign.com/new-year-2015-astrology/

We all love a New Year. It allows us to swipe the slate clean and start over. A fresh start, with no regrest and a whole new perspective. I love the New Year. It’s when I feel the most organized, and focused. I take the month of December to reflect on my year, reviewing accomplishments, goals and the sheer misses that ultimately taught me so much. According to statistic brain, 45% of American's make resolutions. Unfortunately, only 8% of us follow through and achieve success. Not so surprisingly, the number one and number five resolutions made every year are related to health. Lose weight, get fit. But I have found that simply trying to lose weight or even getting fit is putting a bandaid on the overall issue. It’s like treating the symptom without looking at the heart of the problem, or true cause. While I don’t believe that western medicine is a curse, I also don’t believe it has all the answers. Our bodies are like well oiled machines – if they are properly taken care of they just simply work. Just like a tune up is recommended for your car every three thousand miles, it is recommended that we honor our systems and give it the necessary nutrients it needs to thrive. Synthetics to me are like taking poison and expecting your enemy to get sick. While your illness may seem like the enemy, more often than not, your just hurting yourself. There are huge benefits to going all natural, and if it seems too overwhelming, and you are not sure where to start, take it all in stride. As we approach the new year, a time of resolutions, it's all about setting goals that will make a lasting impact in your life, so set goals that will make you feel good, feel empowered, and feel accomplishment. Trust me, your body will thank you! Join me as I sit down with Lori Jacobs, an herbalist and naturopath to discuss: 7 Super Easy, All natural Tricks Your Body Needs You To Do Now! Herbs, tinctures and healing in an all natural way. Benefits of going all Natural How herbs normalize and work with the body rather than against it. Why synthetics don't work How to cure many everyday ailments like arthritis, migraines, cholesterol, depression, asthma and more, with herbs!

Groundswell International is a partnership of local civil society organizations, NGOs and people grounded in diverse contexts and experiences, to share a common approach to supporting social change. Groundswell’s founders and partners have worked for decades to enable thousands of rural communities and organizations in many countries to sustainably improve their lives through better farming practices. Our global agricultural and food system is broken and needs to transition to one that is more sustainable and beneficial to the world’s population. This must happen in the face of the linked challenges of climate change, natural resource depletion, and worldwide economic and social upheaval. Join me and Chris Saaco, one of Groundswell's founders, as we discuss: social change, and how groundswell plays a part in creating it's structure improving third world villages Seed saving GMO's and the threat they harbor worldwide New U.S. program launching in 2015 Reconnecting with our food system Top three tips on how you can create change too.

Todays guest is Transformational Soul coach, Chris Alexandria. Chris has been intuitive all her life. But with a hectic life her gifts became suppressed in order to, raise kids, run a household and be a wife. Something each and every one of us, can relate to. With inner wisdom, grown kids and newfound confidence by her side, (which she gained after age 40) her intuition re-entered into her life with great jabbering enthusiasm- something she calls Angel Chatter. Since her awakening, Chris has made it her mission to help women over 40 embrace their destiny, connect to their higher calling and awake to the life they truly deserve; her love letter to the goddess within you, to help you emerge, embrace and empower who you are and restore your brilliance. For more information please visit the design 101 website, GatesInteriorDesign.com

Sue painter of Confident Marketer is driven to help women entreprenuers around the globe become better business owners. She offers coaching and mentorship, sharing her valuable background in business, to help others become successful and profitable. Sue is a serial entrepreneur. She has owned and operated two thriving business' and she has experience running large organizations to small holistic practices. She teaches, encourages and challenges her clients to be better business owners to help them thrive. Today we'll discuss: The safest job you'll ever have; the one with yourself Developing you as a brand How to become more consistent How to keep moving forward Business rules and how they apply to you Developing an international reach, even if you sell pizza

Donna Frasca, is an Interior Designer turned Color Expert who specializes in JUST color. What does that mean? That means she is highly specialized in choosing color palettes for large homes, sub specializing in homes that have open floor plans. She is a color forecaster, color trend setter and an overall expert in the field of color. I know that sounds like a tall order but it’s her 30 years of experience that leads the way. Join me today as we discuss why color is important, feng shui and how color effects our moods, and why it’s worth the investment to hire a color expert to get it right the first time! To find out more about Donna, click here!

A mid westerner at heart, Stephanie landed in San Diego after college when a friend convinced her that it was the place to be. Having never been to California this may seem like a bold move, but for Stephanie it was exactly where she needed to be. After gaining two bachelors degrees, one in marketing, she went on to obtain her MBA in business. What she quickly found out was that there were few resources for women who wanted to start a business, and her friends were looking to her to find the answers. She worked for other companies until in 2009 she was laid off, it was now or never. She took the entire year of 2010 to research starting a company for women and in 2011 she launched Chic-CEO.com, a site devoted to helping women launch their dreams, without all the overwhelm. Todays podcast will teach you to stretch yourself, learn to take risks, trust your gut and stop all that planning. She'll also offer up three of her top tips to opening and starting a business, something every woman should hear! Find out more about Stephanie and her company here.

Amy Wray Mod City Magazine. When it comes to being an entrprenuer we all have challenges. Therefore we all need support, mentorship and empowerment in order to move forward. Todays Design 101 guest is Amy Wray, editor and PR expert of Mod City Mag. Amy’s online magazine not only provides women the encouragement and information they need to feel empowered but it also provides an outlet to find the best beauty products, fashion tips and lifestyle must haves. As the editor of Mod City Mag her goal is to empower, motivate and inspire each and every one of us, her readers. These are just a few of the topics we cover today: How to get past writing for free How to live your vision of a perfect life and not someone else's. What is the difference between PR and marketing? Top places to focus your attention in social media How to maximize instagram for your business How important is social media Best PR tips for small business Whether you own a business or are simply thinking about it, this podcast has a little of everything, for everyone. Tune in and if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us at [email protected] to learn more!

Maria Killam is an internationally sought after colour expert with a no-nonsense approach to color advise. She is a design blogger, author, trainer, decorator and stylist who is passionate about all things colour and design. Her blog, Colour Me Happy not only showcases her vast knowledge of all things color but also educates the masses on the do's and don'ts of neutrals, and undertones in the finishes that surround us. Colour Me Happy is one of the top 10 colour blogs in North America with a quarter of a million readers in over 150 countries worldwide. Today I sit down with the talented and innovative true color expert herself to discuss her passion for color, how she got started, and her fierce entrepreneurial spirit that will inspire all of you to be the best damn version of yourself - even if it means making a few mistakes along the way. Click here to listen in on iTunes.

Style and inspiration - how to determine your style - why a home needs its style defined - what exactly is style? - how to develop a plan and direction - where to find inspiration and still stay focused - the tools necessary to put your inspirations and style into action

Astrology is not fortune telling or a free tarot reading from the state fair. Although many psychics use astrology in their readings, astrology is more like a heavenly weather report that helps us understand and see trends. It also lets us know when it is summer or when it is winter. Now this is not a glorified Star Wars episode full of imaginary laser beams, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader battles, with a backdrop of sparkly stars. No, this is learning about astronomy and having an understanding of what to anticipate through the stars and planets through patterns that have been documented for millennia. Our ancestors used astrology for worship, ceremony, and as a way to honor their heritage. Cultures that were close to nature understood the natural rythms of nature, and used it to better serve their lives and circumstances, unlike todays city dwellers whose main connection is sealed up in office buildings and concrete floors. Tom Brady has been doing astrology in New Mexico for forty seven years. A transplant to New Mexico form Baltimore, he found himself in a state of chaos in the early seventies and searching for answers. Whether it was kismet or divine intervention, Carl Jungs book jumped out at him and forever changed the course of his his life. He engulfed himself in the study of the stars, learning about astronomy, and by the late eighties it became his full time profession as he shared his knowledge with others, one natal chart at a time. Find out what 2014 holds for us in astrological patterns. See how the collapse in 2008 is still effecting us today, and learn about the importance of sustainability that must occur before 2017 if lasting change is going to happen for our future.

Back before the internet and instant gratification, licensing was devoted to artists with a true vision and ability. Retailers would go to such artists, like Libbie Wilkie and request various product designs and an item would go into production after a year of planning, mock-ups and design ideas. That item would then circulate in an industry for two to three years or longer and make retailers millions. Fast forward to today. Artists no longer hand paint or create anything by hand. Most items are mass produced by machines over seas and if lucky a design will circulate for one season; or a few months. Due to the internet one design is no longer sufficient, making retailers change the wheel every few months, costing them millions in the process. The one thing that has saved this model is celebrity endorsements, like The Nate Berkus collection, Martha Stewart, Cindy Crawford, and various other celebrities. This has helped retailers move past the noise and stand out in an otherwise chaotic retail environment... all in an effort to capture your dollars. Libbie Wilkie was one such artist. She started her career in the early eighties as a licensing artist. Creating shower curtains, bedding, ceramics, towels, linens....you name it, she has probably designed it. At her peak in the nineties she had a beautiful walk up studio that housed four designers. They had many connections to some of the biggest retailers and designed thousands of products. She later moved into textiles. It was a fast paced world, but one she knew and navigated well. Today on the podcast I discuss her best tips for starting out, what keeps an entrepreneur in business in todays crazy market, how to overcome the daily challenges of being your own boss and things to avoid so you can stay successful. Click below to listen!

Join Lori and I as we discuss the transition from the corporate world into the design world. What it means to be a real business owner and how to stay accountable. What are the benefits of being your own boss? Have you ever thought about the cons of being a business owner? Learn how to better your interior design business, expand your value and create multiple streams of income.

I'm thrilled to have my friend, Tisha Morris on the show today. Tisha passed the bar exam and quickly became a top attorney in Nashville, only to find that it wasn't very fulfilling. After much soul searching, an interior design degree and becoming a yogi, she discovered the art of feng shui. As she puts it, "I am a space healer" Join me as I sit down with Tisha today to dicuss what feng shui is, how it benefits your well being and gets more peace in your life and home.

What makes your house stand out? Would you like to know how to use what you have, choose color without regrets and get out of your own way? The decorating and staging academy by JoAnne Lenart Weary will teach you just that. DSA teaches you how to avoid bright shiny object syndrome so that you can move past the fear and get decorating results! With a plethora of online courses and classes taught all over the country, DSA has classes for every subject on decorating. Join me as I talk with JoAnne today about teaching in the 80's, design before HGTV and how DSA can teach you how to be a better designer.

Varian Brandon is a business breakthrough coach. Varian is most often referred to as a business coach, but her true skill as a mindset mentor, and a gifted motivational speaker has helped thousands of entrepreneurs reach their financial and career goals. She holds a masters in business management, corporate communications and a BA in organizational communication. Varions journey began in the 90s when she began cultivating her skills as a stellar saleswoman. After 17 years of impressed clients and bosses alike, she began to feel that entrepreneurial bug, and wanted to do more. The thought of becoming an entrepreneur was both exhilarating and terrifying, but she decided to leave her corporate identity and turn her talents into a passion for helping women live their best lives in a profitable and rewarding way. Now she dedicates her life to being of service to women, helping them grow and maximize their passion and purpose through their entrepreneurial dreams.

On today's podcast I sit down with Barbara Viteri from Viteri Style Management, a boutique consulting firm specifically for the interior design trade. Her firm focusses on bite sized, easy to manage systems, simple to follow organization and design specific software to optimize efficiency and profitability. Her passion for design with a nuts and bolts approach to the business side of things, takes your hobby into full blown design empire. Tune in to learn the top three mistakes that every designer makes, who to hire first and learn more about running your million dollar empire from the comfort of your own home!

My team and I have developed a virtual interior design program that allows you to tap into my design expertise, at a fraction of the cost. This program will help you get answers you need to your biggest design dilemmas and give you the professional opinion you want to help save you time and money on your decorating projects. My Virtual design program will help make your space functional, beautiful and impress your most discerning guests! So how does it work? Contact me today to learn how I can help you accomplish true style and timeless design without the fear of being too trendy. My virtual design program allows me to give you the best ideas and design advice for your home without having to come out to your house, because it is all done virtually! I can help you with color, organization, overall design direction, budgeting, style and much more….so you have the confidence you need to move forward on your project now! And the best part is it's all done from the comfort of your home, and at your own pace. Let me show you the right steps to get your project started, and with all the money you'll be saving you'll be able to buy the high end products you deserve and love! Contact me today via email [email protected] or call us 615-750-2763. I can’t wait to hear from you and start helping you on your next design project. I’m Amanda Gates and I look forward to working with you!