Window Treatments for Profit with LuAnn Nigara

Today with Vita Vygovska: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Thursday, which means Vita is back with a brand new Tip in 10 with Vita! More About Vita Vygovska: Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations. Connect with Vita Vygovska Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn

Today with Madeleine MacRae: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Wednesday, which means there's a brand new episode of C-Suite Talks with Madeleine MacRae for you to dive into. Today, Madeleine shares 3 tips that could help you if you can't afford to hire. More About Madeleine MacRae: Madeleine MacRae is a former corporate executive and now a business growth strategist, who helps businesses grow with more intentionality and far less stress. Connect with Madeleine MacRae Website Facebook Twitter

Today on A Well-Designed Business: Today is a What Would Lu Do episode! We’re talking about what to do when you know the client is wrong. For the health and success of your business, it’s really critical that you know how to handle conflicts successfully. We will talk about what to do when you do everything right but the client doesn’t like it. What’s new with LuAnn Nigara Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Inside Voice, Outside Voice Windowworksnj.com Shop38east.com Comfortex.com Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Today with Vita Vygovska: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Thursday, which means Vita is back with a brand new Tip in 10 with Vita! More About Vita Vygovska: Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations. Connect with Vita Vygovska Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn

Today with Madeleine MacRae: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Wednesday, which means there's a brand new episode of C-Suite Talks with Madeleine MacRae for you to dive into. Today, Madeleine talks about one of the most common problems for business owners. Do you need more leads? Madeleine has heard this countless times, and she's here to share her tips. More About Madeleine MacRae: Madeleine MacRae is a former corporate executive and now a business growth strategist, who helps businesses grow with more intentionality and far less stress. Connect with Madeleine MacRae Website Facebook Twitter

Today with Jennifer Looney Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Starting a window treatment business takes time, dedication, and strategy. But imagine moving to a different state and starting that whole process all over again after decades in business. My guest today, Jennifer Looney of JLS Designs, did just that. She recently got married and moved from Nashville to Atlanta, and has managed to keep JLS Designs thriving during the process. The Breakdown: [5:00] Jennifer talks about her start in the industry and her transition into another state. [11:05] Jennifer shares the steps she took before she moved to prepare. [18:28] LuAnn and Jennifer discuss the importance of community in business. [23:47] Jennifer talks about how to cultivate relationships with designers. [30:32] Jennifer shares why she has chosen deliberately to remain a solo business. The Ah-Ha Moments “We take it for granted when we grow up in the area that we do business in. We know where the areas and towns are, what would be great for custom window treatments and why.” -LuAnn Nigara “We have to live in absolute clarity of how much easier we make designer’s lives. When you get that it becomes easier to ‘pitch’ yourself.” -LuAnn Nigara “I want to be an answer to a problem. I want to solve the headache for designers. I want to be an expert for you. I want you to have beautiful window treatments to go along with the beautiful designs that you’re doing.” -Jennifer Looney More About Jennifer Looney Jennifer’s designs can be found in homes for Fortune 500 executives, music and sports professionals and hundreds of families in the Nashville area and beyond. Her work has transformed homes, schools, and office suites across the southeast region. For the past 20 years, Jennifer has been guiding clients from initial design to the final installation — making projects low stress, timely and on budget. She is a constant recipient of the Best of Houzz Service Award, and her work has been featured in Franklin Lifestyle and Nashville Home and Garden magazines, as well as the Parade of Homes in Franklin, College Grove and Nolensville. Connect with Jennifer Looney Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Other Shows Mentioned: A Well-Designed Business: Renee Gurganus #742 A Well-Designed Business: Lesley Myrick #37 and #584

Today with Vita Vygovska: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Thursday, which means Vita is back with a brand new Tip in 10 with Vita! More About Vita Vygovska: Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations. Connect with Vita Vygovska Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn

Today with Madeleine MacRae: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Wednesday, which means there's a brand new episode of C-Suite Talks with Madeleine MacRae for you to dive into. Today, Madeleine talks about shiny object syndrome and the 3 ways to overcome it. More About Madeleine MacRae: Madeleine MacRae is a former corporate executive and now a business growth strategist, who helps businesses grow with more intentionality and far less stress. Connect with Madeleine MacRae Website Facebook Twitter

Today with Roger Magalhaes Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! There’s a difference between someone who just puts up blinds and a true professional window treatment installer. Today, I am chatting with Roger Magalhaes, owner of Shades in Place, Inc., about what it takes to be a true pro in the business. The Breakdown: [1:30] Roger shares the story of his journey in the window treatment business [12:34] LuAnn tells a story of an install gone bad [17:14] Roger talks about the importance of professionalism in the industry [21:50] Roger breaks down his upcoming training opportunities and resources The Ah-Ha Moments “It isn’t just a hammer, a drill, and a nail or a screw. There’s a nuance to the art of installation.” -LuAnn Nigara “It is one of the reasons I don’t really subcontract work anymore. I’d rather refer and let them do it their way and say you can hire this guy, but you are totally responsible for it. Some people don’t understand that it’s not your job—you are working for someone else.” -Roger Magalhaes “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with subcontracting professionals, as long as they subscribe to a high degree of accountability and professionalism. And that’s what you’re doing, and that’s what’s exciting.” -LuAnn Nigara More About Roger Magalhaes Roger started in the window coverings industry in 2006 as a part-time installer for a national chain. After only two months, he was asked to leave for “standing out.” Clients continuously requested him over the other installers, and this didn’t sit well with his colleagues. Following this experience, Roger traveled all over the country acquiring training from companies like Somfy, Hunter Douglas, Norman Shutters, and Lutron. He also attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy for formal installation training focusing on drapery and other soft treatments. Roger is the owner of Shades In Place, Inc, located in the Boston area with over 600+ 5 star reviews. He is the founder of the Facebook group Free Speech Window Covering Pros with over 1000 members, a regular columnist for Window Fashion Vision magazine, a presenter at the International Window Coverings Expo, the Installation Instructor for the Window Fashion Certified Professional FastTrack program and he sits on the board of directors with WCAA National. Em 2020, Roger found a second business: Trading Up Consulting with focus on Installation Training for Window Treatment Professionals. He offers online and on-site training for anyone that wants to become a top-notch installer. Connect with Roger Magalhaes Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Other Shows Mentioned: Window Treatments for Profit Episode 1 Tracie Bresnahan A Well-Designed Business Episode 742 Renee Gurganus

Today with Vita Vygovska: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Thursday, which means Vita is back with a brand new Tip in 10 with Vita! More About Vita Vygovska: Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations. Connect with Vita Vygovska Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn

Today with Madeleine MacRae: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. It's Wednesday, which means there's a brand new episode of C-Suite Talks with Madeleine MacRae for you to dive into. Tune in to hear Madeleine explain why sales is important, why it's is a noble profession, and most importantly, Madeleine's personal story of how she fell in love with sales. More About Madeleine MacRae: Madeleine MacRae is a former corporate executive and now a business growth strategist, who helps businesses grow with more intentionality and far less stress. Connect with Madeleine MacRae Website Facebook Twitter

Today with Tracie Bresnahan Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Today I am chatting with Tracie Bresnahan, owner of Custom Creations. We talk about establishing core values in your business and Tracie shares her keys to success. You‘ll also gain some insight on what to do when you are clueless about the “business” aspect of starting a business. Side note; she's also the president of the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), so this is a value-packed episode. Being on the WCAA board and seeing how amazing Tracie is in all she does, I had to have her on for you guys. Enjoy! The Breakdown: [7:55] Tracie tells us about her business, Custom Creations. [14:00] With everything she has seen being president of the WCAA and owning Custom Creations, Tracie shares what she has experienced as differentiators of success for a business. [27:00] Tracie shares some things that designers sometimes do that they may not realize, that we chatted about from a panel I moderated last year. [38:00] Tracie and LuAnn point out the importance of knowing and being aware of your financial gauges. The Ah-Ha Moments “When I think about the pillars of success I think about the importance of relationships and loyalty.” - Tracie Bresnahan “Having core values is so key to guiding your company everyday.” - LuAnn Nigara “What helps your company be successful no matter who your consumers are, is that you can do 20 jobs successfully, but what matters is how you handle the one time something goes wrong.” - LuAnn Nigara “Communication is key. The more information I get from my designers, the better.” - Tracie Bresnahan “I’ve considered changing the name of Custom Creations, but the name displays our core values and describes what we do. We try to be very custom to everyone we work with.” - Tracie Bresnahan More About Tracie Bresnahan Tracie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Engineering and a Master’s degree in Quality Assurance Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University. She worked in the apparel and the consumer products industries for 17 years. Tracie opened Custom Creations in 1996, fabricating custom window treatments and accessories . With her engineering background she has built a business specializing in one of a kind and challenging design solutions for clients; as well custom designed upholstered furniture. Collaborating with her on some of her projects is her husband Brian, who has a degree in Architectural Engineering. He is a huge asset in designing and building custom projects with her for clients. 2019 Award Winner for Vision Magazine IWCE 2020 Workroom of the Year Member – Window Coverings Assoc. of America (WCAA) 10+ years WCAA National President, 2018 - present Atlanta Chapter Publicity Chairperson, 2013-2018 Atlanta Chapter Past President, 2012-2014 Atlanta Chapter President 2010-2012 Atlanta Chapter Secretary, Treasurer and Industry Partner Liaison (8 years) Featured presenter at annual International Window Coverings Expo, 2010 and 2011 Connect with Tracie Bresnahan Website Instagram Facebook Other Shows Mentioned: #170- Corey Klassen & Judith Neary- CEU:Beyond Design- Establishing Monetary Value for Creative Skills. #180 Power Talk Fridays: Michele Williams Talks About Profit First and Why it Matters to You.