Make Data-Driven Business Moves
Leadership 201: Strategic Planning and Metrics for Early-Stage Design Firms
You started your business with passion and drive but when it comes to business growth, you might be flying blind. This 5-week course gives early-stage design firm owners a crystal-clear roadmap to track meaningful metrics, make data-informed decisions, and plan strategically.
5-Week Course
Buy Any 5-Week Course, Get LuAnn’s Workshops for Free!
Buy any 5-week course by August 18th and get an invite to...
Purpose by Design: Create Your Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
You’ve heard her say it’s essential—now let’s do it together, step by step. (No more going it alone!)
Profitable by Design: Sales Strategies for Designers & Window Treatment Pros
Win more clients, boost your profits, and sell with confidence—no hard selling required.
When you register for this or any 5-week course, we'll send you an email with details.
Strategic Planning & Metrics: The Game-Changer for Early-Stage Designers
Leadership 201 instructor Sonia Barney explains why understanding your data is just as critical as creativity in building a thriving design business. She shares how strategic planning and metrics can transform decision-making, the mindset shifts students gain, and why early-stage designers who embrace these skills set themselves up for long-term success.
Imagine This…
By the end of this course, you will:
-
Understand the Stages of Business
Pinpoint where your business is now, what’s ahead, and what to prioritize to scale wisely. -
Track What Matters
Start a simple system to monitor sales, referrals, time, and more. No fancy software required. -
Read Your Data Like a Pro
Learn to interpret patterns and KPIs, and use that knowledge to refine your strategy. -
Plan for the Future
Set realistic, stage-appropriate goals backed by 1–2 years of useful, actionable data.
For early-stage designers who want to stop winging it and start strategizing.
If you want your business to run smoother, grow faster, and work smarter, start here. This course breaks down business metrics and tracking systems into simple, doable steps, so you can make informed decisions.
from 2pm EST - 3:15 EST
Meet Sonia Barney
Sonia Barney is an award-winning designer and business mentor with 20 years of experience. Known for her love of process and metrics, she brings a clear, approachable teaching style to even the most intimidating business topics, helping new designers track smarter, price better, and grow with confidence.
20
Years in
the Industry
100's
of Hours
Spent Mentoring
100+
Clients
Served
Sonia's Superpowers
-
Over Two Decades of Experience as a Designer, Educator, and Business Owner
Sonia brings firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build a thriving firm—with systems that support both creativity and profitability. -
Specializes in Translating Data Into Actionable Strategy
She teaches designers how to track the right numbers and actually use them to make smart, confident business decisions. -
Known for Her Detailed Processes and Operational Discipline
From design books to business systems, Sonia is the go-to expert for structure, documentation, and decision support. -
Mentored Hundreds Through Teaching and Studio Leadership
Her experience as a university instructor and team leader equips her to break down complex business concepts into clear, accessible steps. -
Built a Regional Design Community from the Ground Up
As founder of the East Idaho Interior Design Community, Sonia actively supports the growth and collaboration of early-stage business owners.
Is this course for you?
We’re a great fit if…
-
You don’t know exactly how your current efforts are paying off
-
You feel stuck in a cycle of trial and error
-
You’re intimidated by spreadsheets but want to grow a real, scalable business
We’re not a fit if…
-
You’re not interested in scaling or improving your systems
-
You aren’t willing to track any data, even in a simplified way
-
You think great design alone is enough to run a successful business
You're About to Fall in Love with Data-Tracking
Whether you’re currently spreadsheet-averse or just overwhelmed, this course shows you how to track, analyze, and act on the numbers that matter most for your stage of business.
The 5-Step Framework for Data-Driven Growth
Know Where You Are
Learn the five stages of business growth, spot where you are now, and get clear on what’s holding you back.
Wednesday, September 10th at 2:00pm EST
Track the Right Data
…And only the right data. Identify key data points to track based on your stage, and discover how small shifts in awareness can unlock big shifts in strategy.
Wednesday, September 17th at 2:00pm EST
Build Your Tracking System
Create your own simple tracking sheets using Google Sheets or Excel, and learn how to build habits that stick.
Wednesday, September 24th at 2:00pm EST
Make Sense of Your Metrics
Learn how to visualize your data, recognize patterns, and use KPIs to guide business decisions that actually drive growth.
Wednesday, October 1st at 2:00pm EST
Plan for the Future
Combine your metrics with your goals supported by real numbers, not just gut feelings.
Wednesday, October 8th at 2:00pm EST
What were your biggest, business-changing a-ha moments? How are you taking action? Join LuAnn in picking up insights from every course and every department!
Wednesday, October 29th at 12:00pm EST
What’s Included?
-
FREE RECORDED CLASSES FOR 90 DAYS: Can’t make one of the classes? No problem! Recordings will be available the next day—just log in to your account to access them. If you’d like unlimited access, you can purchase Lifetime Recording Access for $75 when you register—or at any time during your 90-day window.
-
LIVE VIDEO COACHING CALLS WITH 5 SPECIFIC TOPICS: 5 weeks of 1 hour and 15 minute live zoom video coaching with 1 hour of your instructor teaching and 15 minutes of live Q&A.
-
PRIVATE CONVERSATION BOARDS FOR EVERYONE IN THE COURSE: Sometimes we need to try something or think about it further...and then we look for clarification. This group is for collaboration, victories and trouble-shooting. Your instructor, LuAnn, and your peers will deepen your understanding of the content.
5-Week Course
Enroll NOW
Leadership 201
Leadership 201
Register now for Early Bird Pricing! The price goes up to $2195 on August 30th.
Buy Any 5-Week Course, Get LuAnn’s Workshops for Free!
Buy any 5-week course by August 18th and get an invite to...
Purpose by Design: Create Your Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
You’ve heard her say it’s essential—now let’s do it together, step by step. (No more going it alone!)
Profitable by Design: Sales Strategies for Designers & Window Treatment Pros
Win more clients, boost your profits, and sell with confidence—no hard selling required.
When you register for this or any 5-week course, we'll send you an email with details.
FAQs
-
We meet each week via livestream. Expect an email with instructions a few days before your class begins.
Each meeting is one hour and fifteen minutes of live coaching with a combination of dynamic teaching (expect tons of real-world examples!) and live Q&A.No problem! Recordings of each class will be available the next day, so you won’t miss a thing. However, keep in mind that your access to these recordings is free for 90 days after your last class. After that, access will be removed unless you purchase Lifetime Recording Access for $75, which ensures your recordings never expire. You can add this option when you register or later if you need more time.
And don’t forget about the Conversation Boards! Your instructor will be there each week for extra Q&A and to help you deepen your understanding. So even if you’re in a different time zone, you can still sign up and get the full value out of this course.Your instructor will be checking in on your Conversation Board at least a few times a week to answer any questions that you post. You will also be able to interact with your classmates, continue discussions from your sessions, and share wins as you put your new-found skills into practice.We meet on Wednesdays for five weeks at 2:00pm ET. -
We want you to feel confident when you enroll in a LuAnn University course. Our policy is designed to be fair to both students and instructors:
If you cancel before the course begins: You’ll receive a refund of your tuition, minus transaction fees.
If you request a refund after the course begins: Refund requests may be made within the first two weeks of the course. We’ll review your request and work with you to find the best solution. To be eligible, you must have completed the pre-course Q&A form, which helps ensure your goals and expectations align with the course content.Once the 90-day access period ends, your recordings will no longer be available—unless you’ve purchased Lifetime Recording Access. You can add Lifetime Recording Access to your cart when you register—this means your recordings never expire. If you decide later, don’t worry! We’ll remind you when your 90-day window is about to close, giving you another chance to keep them for life.No! We’ve created a full business education with multiple tracks—but you get to decide where to start. Register for any course or intensive in any track.