TAKE THE QUIZ

What Level is Your Design Business?

VitaVygovska

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 46 through 60 (of 95 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • in reply to: Week 3 Discussion #26672
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Hi Ladies,
    I just uploaded the presentation in powerpoint AND PDF.
    powerpoint seems to look fuzzy, at least on my computer, i wonder if it has to do with the conversion.
    PDF looks good.
    lmk what you guys are seeing on your end.
    i can also just send it to you directly via email.

    Lisa, so glad you liked today! YES, wasting time is my biggest pet peeve.
    That’s why i designed this system that works for what i value.

    Elizabeth,
    You are so welcome!!! yes, as you go, nice and steady, is the name of hte game. otherwise, the overwhelm takes over and nothing gets done.

    So excited you guys are rolling up your sleeves already!!!
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: Week 2 Discussion #26628
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Lisa,
    so sorry for the delay. There are no notifications of a new message, unless that check-box is checked.
    i’ve just gone into every week and checked it, so that i don’t miss any new messages.

    to answer your questions:

    1. when to create a standard SOP. it can go either way: before you hire someone or after you hire them. if I were you, i would find the person first. once she (or he) is on board, AS you explain how you fabricate the roman shade, have her write down every step.

    2. how to create an SOP for a custom product. Refer back to my favorite 80/20 rule. i guarantee that most of the time you fabricate a treatment a certain way. That’s the way you write down. This is The Lisa Brock way. For the other 20% (or whatever minority), next time a variation comes in, you write it down and save it as The Lisa Brock Way – variation #1. Preferably spell out what the variation is. For example. Roman Shade fabrication process is your staple. Roman Shade with Blackout Lining – is your variation #1. Roman Shade with interlining – is your variation #2.

    3. Balance of working IN the business vs. ON the business. When i started putting together my SOP doc (this was during my ruminating stage, if you refer to 1st module), every early Friday morning (like 7am), i went to a local Dunkin Donuts and sat there for three hours working on it. I blocked my calendar and didn’t let anything steer me off course – no persistent customer, no networking event, no ‘i don’t feel like it’, no installation crisis, no needy kid :-). I only picked up the phone if it was my kid’s school. i was vigilant with my time and ruthless with interruptions.

    i can tell you whole lot more – too much to type.

    This is when it would be great to hear from everyone else in the class.
    guys, how are you dealing the balance of IN vs. ON?

    in reply to: Week 1 Discussion #26445
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Hi Amy M and Amy B,
    sooo glad you enjoyed the first class!!
    my WTS had a lot of experience – i got lucky.
    but i still had to teach her a lot about the Vitalia Inc ways.
    my GM had zero experience.
    this was a struggle.
    one step at a time, one day at a time.
    i potentially could have sped her learning curve up, if i hired an industry trainer/consultant.
    in the end, everything takes time and patience. especially in our industry.
    i google ‘how to be patient’ on the daily basis 🙂
    we talk a LOT about the people component in the 4th module.
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: Week 1 Discussion #26444
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Lisa,
    i hear you about the leadtimes.
    they can be frustrating.
    we tell our clients upfront what to expect.
    we try to pad.
    with designers, stay strong! stick to what will protect you.
    it’s always better to underpromise.
    designers, more than anyone, should understand the leadtimes.
    they sometimes wait for their stuff 9-12months!!!
    stick to your guns!!!
    xo, v

    in reply to: What’s on your mind, yogis? #23676
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Myrna,
    thank you for your great words of support and encouragement!
    i’m so glad that you got what you needed from the class.
    can’t wait to hear more once you’ve a chance to rewatch the videos.
    until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: click up #23559
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Hi Suzy,
    thank you for your patience as i was trying to verify some info with Amber.

    it’s been a couple of years since i tried to do the PMS in click-up, so i’m going by my best memory.
    i seem to remember that one of the reasons we couldn’t go with it is b/c it couldn’t do the drop-down menu within each component.
    so for example: for component hardware – we have several task options (place order, confirm order, receive order, etc). Then we had a status for each task (open or complete). Click up couldn’t provide that level of intuitive granular breakdown.

    Amber remembers it a bit differently. She remembers that all of the functionality could have been replicated, but only with customization.
    and since i already spent time and money on customizing AT, it didn’t make sense to scrap it and start doing the same work in Click up.

    i guess bottom line is: anything is possible. Click-up is probably just as good as any other software out there. Everything needs customization to fit our industry and your process flows. it’s just picking one, doing the customization work, and sticking with it.

    hope it helps!
    Which platform are you leaning towards?
    v.

    in reply to: Would you do me a favor? #23471
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Alejandra,
    Wow, BEST investment in your business and yourself?!
    that’s incredible feedback.
    i’m very humbled to hear you say that.
    i loved seeing you in class!
    and hearing how it’s going to improve your business going forward is very very rewarding to me.
    you hit the nail on the head: little by little, step by step, one low hanging fruit at a time, every week for two hours – you do that for a year – and you’ll be miles ahead of where you are today!
    i can’t wait to watch you grow!!!
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: Would you do me a favor? #23470
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Jess,
    you are so sweet and your words made me tear up, especially about kindness.
    that IS something i was trying to weave into every point i was making and i’m so glad that it came through.
    there is so much to know, to learn, to figure out – i did some of it (still have a lot more) and i’m happy to share, so that others don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
    How did Freddie put it yesterday? Love and kindness! Love and Kindness – to others, and most importantly to ourselves.
    Thank you for taking the class – i can’t wait to hear about your progress!!!
    please keep in touch.
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: Would you do me a favor? #23469
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Nikki,
    thank you so much for your kind words!!! i’m so glad that my passion for teaching you what i know and seeing your succeed came through. yes, so many challenges and set-backs along the way – it’s important that you guys know it’s not all roses and unicorns. thank YOU for being such an active participant, even in light all of your staffing challenges. i love how committed you were in each and every class!!
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: Alumni list #23468
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    yes, of course, it’s a great idea!!
    i think everyone should post here with their best contact information.
    i’ll start:
    Vita Vygovska
    vita@vitaliainc.com
    http://www.VitaliaInc.com
    IG handle is @Vitalia_Inc

    in reply to: What’s on your mind, yogis? #23426
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Hi Vessie,
    I am SOO excited for your son – and you, as his mama! We are a family of swimmers here (my husband and kids, NOT me :-)), so we are constantly at competitions, some high level, so I know EXACTLY how you feel. So proud, so wanting to be there, yet so bummed that you’re missing some important work things. That’s ok. Work will always be here, while your son may decide to stop playing one day and you’ll really miss it.

    Ok, about QBO. I have heard NO complaints about QBO “giving trouble”. What does it even mean exactly? I know that QBO differs from desktop version, it has different functionality, and that there is a learning curve to master it. Yes, learning QBO, even if you have knowledge of desktop QB, is not for the faint of heart. Is it possible that this CPA doesn’t want to learn the online version b/c he is used to the desktop version?

    Having said that, it sounds like LogMeIn gives you the ability to work from anywhere and him the ability to check on your QB without being there physically. If that’s the case, than you’re good to go. B/c that’s the name of the game: work from anywhere, any time, accessible by anyone.

    If I were you, I would get a second opinion: what is the benefit of getting QBO vs. desktop QB through LogMeIn?

    Please lmk what you find out – i would be very curious to know…

    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: What’s on your mind, yogis? #23425
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Hi Nikki,
    What a great note!
    I command you for getting your finances in order. And recognizing that you need help there and making the hard decision to invest in it!! It takes real courage to be that self-aware and then to spend some real money to make that part of you better. I hope you use both of the financial services to not just get information, but to really learn HOW to read the reports and HOW to make those decisions. You are a very smart cookie :-), pretty soon, you’ll be able to fly on your own. Another thought is to take the QuickBooks class through LuU. Think about setting a goal to become financially-minded and proficient by _____date – you’ll get a lot further and use your time with these consultants more productively if you have an end-game in mind.

    People. OH MY! I can’t believe all the troubles you’ve gone through. Looks like you are operating without most of your staff! That’s a really big deal, huge burden, and incredible cause of stress. I am also very acutely aware that even though I have the right people on the bus, as soon as one of them gets sick or wins a lottery, it is ME who is back in the trenches. Having the right people is KEY to getting your life back. Getting the right people is your first priority right now. Do consider Jessica and Eileen to help you get the exceptional people you deserve!

    The learning curve in our industry is indeed so long and steep – it’s like a marathon mountain climb! I do have to tell you that, one step at a time, it WILL get easier. There are no magic pills. You have to put in the work. Your advantage after taking this class is that you don’t have to think anything up, wonder if you’re doing the right thing, or reinvent the wheel. Just follow the blueprint that I outlined and you’ll see that it will get more manageable.

    My heart goes out to you! Hang in there!
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: What’s on your mind, yogis? #23366
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Olga,
    thank you so much for your heart-felt note!!
    i so appreciate your sharing where you are right now: all the trials and tribulations – but all the wins too, no matter how small!
    this class can be a lot to take in b/c it is deep, strategic, and gets to the core of how we run our businesses AND our lives.
    one of my previous students contrasted it with a sewing class where one might learn a new technique: learn, implement, perfect.
    this class is different. the strategies here may require an overhaul of how we’ve done things for years.
    one of my other students compared it to ‘taking a house to studs and rebuilding it’.
    as you alluded, let’s not jump to any conclusions or make pivotal changes.
    let’s take it all in.
    then perhaps take it in again by rewatching or rereading.
    then make a plan of action.
    for right now, let’s concentrate on what’s possible!
    thank you for being such an active participant and a great student 🙂
    xoxo,
    v.

    in reply to: finances vs people #23145
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    Finances IT IS! 🙂

    in reply to: Odds and Ends #22981
    VitaVygovska
    Participant

    hi Kathy,
    thank you so much for your input!
    we too use Microsoft and everything that comes with it.
    i think that’s the corporate background in both of us – you’re my corporate drop-out sister 🙂

    the one thing that fillable pdf’s don’t give is the picture.
    yes, we can take pictures separately.
    but there is something special about being able to draw (in Vessie’s case she does it in oneNote) or use Measures (in my case) and get your measurements and notes right on the picture.

    have you done it like that? i would love to hear your thoughts about it. if you can figure out an efficient way to get measurements that are ON pictures into OneDrive, that would just blow my mind 🙂

    xo,
    v.

    PS. stay tuned for this week’s class on how we use detailed estimate template, to create a summary estimate, collect deposit, then invest time to create the proper detailed estimate.

Viewing 15 posts - 46 through 60 (of 95 total)
What Level is Your Design Business?