Today on the show we have Grace McNamara. Grace has owned and produced window fashion Vision magazine since 1986. Vision is the business publication for the window covering industry in North America. I can certainly attest to this, we have subscribed to this magazine since the very beginning of our business! It is always full from cover to cover of useful information. In addition, Grace also produces the international window coverings expo, the industries national trade show and educational conference. Also, in 1990 Grace developed the window fashion certified professionals program. The longest ongoing training for window coverings professionals. Grace is a member of the international furnishings and design association and a press member of ASID and IIDA.

Show Notes:

• What two areas has Grace niched her business in?
• Why did Grace choose window treatments?
• Is there anyone else that addresses this market the way that Grace does?
• How did she come across the cake design business?
• What was the practical and emotional situations when deciding to buy a business?
• Why is confidence so important when running a business?
• What is IWCE (International Window Coverings Expo)?
• Where is, the IWCE going to be held?
• What is going to be offered at IWCE that would be helpful to businesses?
• Who are some of the speakers that will be at IWCE?
• How many seminars does Grace have available for the Expo?
• How does she come up with the topics for the Expo?
• How do you register for the Expo seminars?
• Why did Grace decide to have the Expo in Charlotte this year?
• How many attendees are there generally at the expos?

Resources:

https://www.iwce-vision.com

https://www.wf-vision.com

https://windowworks-nj.com/join-luann-nigara-for-opening-ceremonies-iwce-2017/

Welcome back to another power talk Friday! I’m happy to let you know I have Marianne Cherico back with me! If you remember episode 75 Marianne and I talked about her philosophy on asking “what would the CEO do?” in order to get yourself organized daily, weekly and yearly.

Just to give you a reminder of who Marianne is and what she does she has owned and operated a successful home staging business since 2005. She also spent 27 years in the real estate business and 17 of those years she was part of a top producing New England real estate team.

Marianne has coached many home stagers all over the country on how to up-level their business by developing both mindset skills and strategy. She helps home stagers own their magnificent and create their life and a business that sets their souls on fire.

Show Notes:

• What do home stagers, in particular, seem to struggle with?
• What is the inner and outer game?
• How is the outer game affected by the inner game?
• How does she decide how and what a client needs to do to prioritize?
• What does she suggest clients do to get more business?
• What is Marianne’s tele summit: your home staging business on fire going to be about?
• Who are some of the speakers that will be on the tele summit and what are some of the topics will they be discussing?
• How does it work to be a part of tele summit?
• Is it free to be a part of tele summit?
• Who should listen to the tele summit?

Resources:

https://www.windowworks-nj.com 

https://www.coachingbymarianne.com

https://tinyurl.com/stagingsummit-luann

Today on the show I am happy to welcome Charrisse Johnston, chair of ASID National! She is also the principal and the firm-wide practice leader of Steinberg Architects. Steinberg Architects has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Shanghai. Charrisse was previously the senior associate and studio operations leader at Gensler where she managed and designed K-12, higher education, and workplace projects. Before that, she was Vice President of corporate planning for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter where she oversaw the companies consolidated financial and strategic planning efforts. Today we talk about all kinds of things including her career path which also includes both behavioral psychology and a successful wedding planning business. We will also talk about how she was introduced to ASID as a student in California. Charrisse is smart, down to earth and an inspiring leader.

Show Notes:

• Would Charrisse say that entrepreneurs have a better start out with a financial background?
• What is Charrisse’s niche in Steinberg Architects?
• How old is the Steinberg Architects business?
• How does design work for an “after the fact” work?
• Has Steinberg started a trend for architectural firms to start offering architectural design as well interior design?
• What is evidence-based design?
• Where can you find more information on evidence-based designs?
• Why did the position names change?
• How successful was Charrisse’s student chapter when she was president?
• How did she gain her position as chair of ASID national?
• What are some programs and benefits that ASID National has to offer for new designers and for seasoned designers?
• How is ASID National using health and wellness in design?
• How is ASID helping designers with designs for people who have to leave their home and move to an assisted living home?
• What new events are coming out in 2017 at ASID National?
• What are some government issues that ASID is trying to work on?

Resources:

https://www.steinbergarchitects.com 

https://www.gensler.com 

https://www.informedesign.org 

https://www.asid.org

Guess what? This is our six month anniversary! I have two very special shows for you this week. The first show we are going to meet one of the masterminds behind the fabulous curatedkravet.com platform. Curatedkravet.com is celebrating a few milestones of its own. This spring marked the one year anniversary of the hugely successful curatedkravet.com!

Our special guest today is Will Hunt Lewis, Senior Director of Merchandising of curatedkravet.com! In this position, he oversees all business done with merchandising and product development for all product category. Today Will Hunt and I are going to talk all curatedkravet.com from quality, delivering times, to the designers that curate the rooms.

Show Notes:

• How long has Will Hunt been with Kravet?
• What were the vision/goals for curatedkravet.com?
• What are some of the best features of curatedkravet.com?
• What kind of products are on the website?
• How are the products sourced?
• What does he love best about the website?
• How is customer service handled?
• How are designers found for the website?
• What is a “magalog”?

Resources: https://www.curatedkravet.com Code for 10% off: ckpodcast https://www.facebook.com/windowworksnj