Create a Full Procurement System that Grows with You
Operations 302: Strategic Procurement Systems
Join Bethany to gain the knowledge and confidence to create a customized, scalable system that will grow with your business. If your procurement process has been cobbled together or become a source of stress, this dynamic 5-week course will be a game-changer.
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...
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Mastering Procurement: Clarity, Control, and ROI for Designers
Operations 302 instructor Bethany Mabee explains how her course transforms the procurement process from a confusing black hole into a streamlined system that boosts both profit and peace of mind. She covers why separating selection from purchasing matters, tools that deliver immediate results, and how effective delegation elevates the entire design team.
Imagine This…
By the end of this course, you will:
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Build a Scalable Procurement Blueprint
Create a repeatable process you can apply from selection through installation—regardless of project size or complexity. -
Set Up Tools That Work for You
Learn how to implement purchasing software, manage proposals, streamline communications with a designated inbox, and more. -
Track Costs with Total Clarity
Put systems in place to accurately monitor freight charges and change orders—so you can prevent profit leaks and earn lasting client trust. -
Use Smart, Actionable Resources
Get practical tools you’ll actually use, like a visual procurement flow chart, status sheet template, and checklists for each phase of the process. -
Balance Design and Operations
Learn how to juggle hands-on creative work with efficient business systems—so your firm runs like a profitable, sustainable machine. -
Confidently Manage Complex Orders
Gain the tools and insight to handle multi-layered procurement from start to finish—without the overwhelm.
Turn procurement chaos into your competitive advantage.
Investing in a procurement system puts you in a position to hire and hand off as needed—freeing up your time for creativity or client relations. You’ll be able to take on more or larger projects knowing you can handle them. This system can be applied now to a one-room project or down the road to multiple full-home projects.
from 12:30pm - 1:45pm EST
Meet Bethany Mabee
Bethany began her career at Eastern Accents, a Chicago-based textile manufacturer. There, she managed the customs department, overseeing all non-catalog custom trade orders. This role served as the perfect stepping stone for her transition to Gary Lee Partners, an architecture firm, where she managed in-house procurement. In 2009, Bethany branched out on her own and has since been providing residential FFE Procurement solutions for a variety of interior design clients across the country.
25+
Firms Served as
Procurement Managing Consultant
$100+
Million in Furnishings
Purchased & Managed
20+
Years of Experience
in Residential Procurement Mgmt
Bethany's Superpowers
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Procurement Powerhouse With Over $100M in Orders Managed
Bethany brings two decades of real-world experience streamlining and scaling procurement for top design firms across the country. -
Specializes in Building Procurement Systems That Scale
Her proven five-stage process helps designers move from chaos to clarity—whether you’re a solo business or running a growing team. -
Blends Creative Empathy With Operational Rigor
With a background in both textiles and fine art, Bethany speaks the language of designers while optimizing the systems that support them. -
Trusted Consultant to Over 25 Design Firms Nationwide
Bethany has seen every kind of system—and knows how to fix the ones that aren’t working. -
Recognized as an Industry Leader in Procurement Management
Named a “Leading Full-Service Procurement Management Company” by BUILD Magazine and featured in Business of Home and A Well-Designed Business®.
Is this course for you?
We’re a great fit if…
- You are in the weeds—experiencing the day-to-day overwhelm of managing procurement on your own
- You are ready to hire help in this area but you’re unsure who to hire and/or how to divide the lines of responsibility within your team
- OR…you are getting ready to embark on your first furnishings project and have no idea where to begin
- You have a decent system in place but you feel like there’s a better way or additional purchasing costs are not being accounted for
- You’re unsure of some specific details—like the best way to bill freight
We’re not a fit if…
- You already have a strong, efficient system in place for the procurement process
- You already have an established team with dedicated purchasing manager
A systematic approach to sourcing and order management is one of the primary keys to scaling your design business.
Design businesses thrive on creativity, but success demands mastery of the operational side too. After twenty years working for various design firms of all sizes, Bethany has seen what works and what doesn’t work—and which challenges have the biggest impact on your sanity and bank account. Stop drowning in details, separate the creative element from the procurement, and start focusing on what you do best—design.
The 5-Step Path to an Efficient Procurement System
Building the Groundwork
Establish the difference between selection and purchasing, create non-negotiable proposal tools, and implement essential programs and action steps for a strong foundation.
Tues. September 9th at 12:30pm EST
Pricing and Proposal Entry
Manage selection vs. approval records, factor the right costs into your proposal, and apply smart strategies for markups, freight, and client payments.
Tues. September 16th at 12:30pm EST
Mastering Order Processing
Use purchase orders to protect yourself and your vendors, streamline order processing with the right tools, and rely on critical documents to reduce liability and increase efficiency.
Tus. September 23rd at 12:30pm EST
The Bookkeeper's Perspective
Bridge the gap between design and finance, manage vendor payments with clarity, and account for unexpected purchasing expenses like a pro.
Tues. September 30th at 12:30pm EST
Order Maintenance and Warehousing
Revolutionize your workflow with status sheets, treat warehousing as non-negotiable, and maintain clean records while navigating damage claims with confidence.
Tues. October 7th at 12:30pm 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!
Wed. October 29th at 12:00pm EST
What’s Included?
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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.
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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.
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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
Register NOW
Operations 302
Operations 302
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
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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 Tuesdays for five weeks at 12:30pm 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.Yes! To receive CEUs, you will need to attend all live sessions. Each week, please enter your name and IDCEC unique identification learner number in the Zoom chat to confirm your participation. At the conclusion of the final session, we will provide a QR code issued by the IDCEC—this code is necessary to claim your six CEU credits. Note that CEUs are awarded only after completing the full course, not for individual sessions.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.
“Bethany brings a level of professionalism, thoroughness and understanding to the procurement process that has been my good fortune to experience over the past 15 years working with her. Bethany understands that procurement is integral to the design implementation process and her role in collaborating with designers in delivering a successful end product is essential.”
“While at Gary Lee Partners, Bethany proved to be a great asset to the firm in leading the furniture procurement effort. Her attention to detail and her strong commitment to excellence greatly contributed to the growth and success of our procurement services. In addition, her positive and cheerful attitude made her a delight to work with.”