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98: Carrie Leskowitz – “Our Living Space Mirrors our Inner Space”

Carrie Leskowitz

Today on the show I have Carrie Leskowitz! Carrie brings a unique perspective to her work. She is not only an interior designer but she is also a certified Marth Beck life coach. Carrie combines her background in fashion and psychology with twenty years in the interior design industry. She shows her clients how our living space often mirrors our inner space. Her blog: Carrie’s Design Musings, is in its sixth year and has a very loyal following!

Show Notes:

  • How did Carrie come to interior design?
  • What was her experience at Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Why should you go to the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What are the requirements to qualify for the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • How often is the Design Bloggers Conference held and where is the conference venue?
  • Do you get paid or is there money involved going to the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What were her observations at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What did Carrie do while at High Point at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Why did she start her blog: Carrie’s Design Musings?
  • What are the nuts and bolts of her business?
  • How many employees does she have?
  • How does she connect her life coach experience to her interior design business?
  • When did she understand her value, and decide to start sending an invoice for her coaching?
  • What are some typical triggers that people start to think they are stuck?
  • Are there any tips that she would suggest to her clients to help them feel unstuck?
  • Are there any cautions that she would say to a new designer getting started?
  • Try everything!
  • What is something she does herself when she feels overwhelmed?
  • Can you retrain yourself on how to react to certain things or situations that bug you?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works 

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97: Linda Holt- From Professional Photographer to Interior Designer and Accomplished Blogger

Linda Holt

Our guest today on the show is Linda Holt! Linda was recommended to me by a listener of the podcast! Thank you, Marie! She suggested Linda because she admires her work and she loves the interesting bit that she comes from a twenty-year career in photography and she specializes in modeling and celebrity head shots. Linda has worked with more than 3000 celebrities, actors and models as one of Boston’s top headshot photographer. So today she is going to talk to us about why she made the switch from photography to interior design.

Show Notes:

  • What degree did she earn first in college?
  • Why didn’t Linda get a degree in interior design when she went to college?
  • What niche made her so successful in photography?
  • How did she arrive at her systems that she used in her photography business?
  • Why is it important to pay attention to personal details and remember them with clients?
  • How does she use Pinterest and Pinterest Boards for her business?
  • How does she bill for her work and what are the factors that determine the way she bills?
  • Does she talk to her clients up front about money or as she goes?
  • What are the “two hours”?
  • Why did she start her blog Linda Holt Interiors?
  • How often does she blog and how “big” is her blog?
  • How does she write and how does she figure out what to write about?
  • Does she read other blogs or listen to other podcasts?
  • What happened to her when she was at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • How does she help designers use their iPhones to take better pictures?
  • What did Linda win at the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What sort of things did she learn from the Design Bloggers Conference?

The rest of the show notes are in our resource center: Window Works.

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96: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns – Selling Methods of the Masters

Fred Berns

We are back with another power talk Friday and we have Fred Berns with us again! As you know Fred Berns has been on the show two other times. We have talked about our bio briefing, our website once over because Fred is a leader in the interior design business coaching arena. He has twenty-five years of experience specializing in helping interior designers grow their interior design firms through more effective websites, more effective programs,  and more effective introductions and bios. Today we are going to talk about selling methods of the masters.

Show Notes:

  • What do financially successful firms have in common?
  • What is the “daily dozen” and how is this helpful to your business?
  • What is saving the best for first and how does it work?
  • What is the number one financial obstacle for designer firms?
  • Treat obstacles as opportunities!
  • What are closing questions and how can they help close a sale?
  • Always talk about a phase two before you talk about phase one!
  • How do you make sure there is “no money left on the table”?
  • What does it mean to have money left on the table and why is it bad?
  • How should a new designer start marketing?
  • What is one thing people can’t get anywhere else?
  • Pay attention to what clients had a problem with in previous transactions!
  • What are common mistakes designers make when selling their services?
  • What is feel, felt, found?
  • How can you use a blog as a good selling tool?
  • What is the best personal tool to use when trying to “sell yourself”?
  • How can you adapt your bio with Fred Bern’s knowledge that he has shared with us?

Download the free resources from Fred Berns from our resource center: Window Works 

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95: Adam Japko- Founder & CEO of Esteem Media, Organizer of The Design Bloggers Conference, and How He Creates Value for His Clients

Adam Japko

Today I have someone whom I’m sure many of you are familiar with his businesses or platforms. You have probably heard of at least one of them and maybe you know Adam Japko through one of these. He is the founder and CEO of Esteem Media but prior to Esteem Media he was the president of DigitalSherpa. Esteem Media is the home of leading national and local media brands that specialize in luxury home design and fine wine. Through Adam Japko, Esteem Media leads the industry in community and initiatives that help business professionals just like you navigate the shift between traditional and digital media. Adam also has a wine blog called WineZag. I hope you enjoy this interview with Adam Japko as he talks about his business Esteem Media and all about the Design Bloggers Conference!

Show Notes:

  • Where does the commerce happen?
  • How did Adam come up with the model he uses in his businesses?
  • What extra value does Adam put into his work?
  • What is the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Why did Adam launch the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What are keynote designers?
  • What three groups are used to design the outcome of the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • Is it just designers who come to the Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What things can you learn by coming to these conferences?
  • How often is the Design Bloggers Conference held?
  • Who will be the speaker at the next Design Bloggers Conference?
  • What makes the Design Bloggers Conference different from other conferences?
  • In what ways does the Design Bloggers Conference make connections that people will never forget,  and how does it  branch out to people?
  • How are these connections made different?
  • Bring your values to your work!
  • Don’t bring a work version of yourself to work!
  • How you get the most out of your life.

You will find the rest of the show notes  at our resource center:   Window Works. 

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94: Debi Pinelli- Sound Advice on the Business of Interior Design

Debi Pinelli

Our guest on today’s show is Debi Pinelli and the way we got connected is such a funny story! I have a very dear friend named Rachel who is the cousin of Debi’s husband! A few months ago, we had Tim Templeton on a power talk Friday show and he was talking to us about influencers and connectors that you will have in your circle of influencers. Rachel is that connector!

Today we are going to talk about Debi’s business, A&J Interiors. She came to interior design through her specialty in designing her own window treatments. Debi has been designing and fabricating window treatments for over 20 years! She is the president of the New Jersey chapter of Window Coverings Association of America.

Show Notes:

  • How did she decide to make her window treatments into a business?
  • How important is it to have good rapport with your vendor?
  • What are some things that she did when she started to become successful?
  • What are some ways you can reach out to others for help in running a business?
  • Who does she have on her staff?
  • Write procedures down!
  • Why are bookkeepers so important to running a successful business?
  • Where does she go to get inspiration for designs?
  • Is Highpoint worth going to?
  • Make sure you look at your numbers!
  • What are some ways to look at advertising?
  • Why did she join Window Coverings Association of America?
  • What is “Windows to Success”?
  • What does the New Jersey chapter of Window Coverings Association of America do?
  • Does the New Jersey chapter just talk about window coverings?
  • How often should an evaluation be done?
  • Why did she decide to charge a flat fee for her services?
  • Listen to your gut!
  • How many chapters are in the Window Coverings Association of America?

You will find the rest of the show notes  at our resource center:  Window Works.

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93: Power Talk Friday- Stacey Brown Randall- How To Create an Awesome Client Experience!

Stacey Brown Randall Brand Story

Welcome back to power talk Friday! I am so happy that Stacy Brown Randall is back here with us today! Stacy was with us a couple of weeks ago. She talked about organization and how to make your business more effective and gave us lots of tips and specific details. One of the things she talks about is how she coaches us and organizes our business into quads. We talked a little bit about the details last time but today we are going a little deeper into each of the quads. We are really going to pick apart Stacy’s advice on how we maximize and take control of our client’s experience.

Show Notes:

  • What does it mean to take control of your client’s experience?
  • What are the four quads for the four- quad strategy?
  • “What is it like to work with you?”
  • How should you look at the customer’s experience?
  • What is a “sticky” client experience and why should you strive to have it?
  • What are work touch points and why should you have them?
  • What four things come from having sticky clients?
  • What is a client’s experience?
  • Why should you unpack a client’s experience?
  • Why do you need a work output list?
  • Where do you build the relationship with the client?
  • What are the differences between a work touch-point and a personal touch-point?
  • What is buyer’s remorse?
  • How can you prevent clients from having buyer’s remorse?
  • What is a journey card and why is a journey card so important?
  • How can a journey card change the relationship between you and your client?
  • What is the new client phase and what is an alumni client?
  • How long does a new client phase last?
  • Write things on a calendar and do those things!
  • How can you reconnect with your clients?

See the rest of the show notes at our

resource center: Window Works

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92: Karen McKenna – Designing a Creative Collaboration with a Retail Furniture Store

Karen Mckenna

On the show today I’m happy to have Karen McKenna: the principal of KMCK Designs in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Karen has been in the interior design industry for over 21 years. In addition to running her own firm, she is the principal interior designer for Classic Interiors, a retail showroom in Idaho Falls also. Karen studied interior design and architecture and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Idaho. She has extensive experience in both commercial and residential interior design. Karen also acts as a buyer and a merchandise coordinator for Classic Interiors. The way Karen has positioned her firm and aligned it with the retail store Classic Interiors is rather unique. I’m going to let Karen explain it to you. Let’s see what you think!

Show Notes:

  • How did Karen come to work with KMCK Designs and Classic Interiors?
  • Who are Mark Collard and Mike Jensen and what is their relationship to Karen?
  • How does her relationship with the designer’s work?
  • What is her payoff?
  • What is the process for the quotation of products for a project?
  • How does the bidding process work with the team she works with at KMCK Designs?
  • Has she ever come across the relationship like she has with KMCK Designs anywhere else?
  • How does the market experience happen?
  • Why is loyalty to vendors so important?
  • What sort of markets are they involved in?
  • Are they using markets in Europe?
  • What systems does she use to keep everything organized?
  • Make sure to have documentation on what everyone is doing and has been said on every project!
  • How do you maintain a good relationship with vendors?
  • Is this process something that someone new to the business should start with or should this be done by someone who has been in the business for a while?

The rest of the show notes is in our resource center:  Window Works

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91: Sarah Daniele – Co-Founder & CEO of Mydoma Studio

Sarah Daniele

On the show today you are going to meet Sarah Daniele! Sarah was recommended to me by a previous guest and my friend, Rachel Moriarty. So, who is Sarah Daniele? She is a very smart, take- the- bull- by- the- horns type person, interior designer and also happens to be the co-founder and CEO of Mydoma Studio!  Sarah has a degree in interior design, has worked for others and then eventually started her own business, Mydoma Studio. Her business focuses on residential renovations, add-ons, kitchen, and bath. Today she is going to share with us a little about her career.

Show Notes:

  • When did Sarah start her new software?
  • What were her guidelines for her new software system?
  • Was her software originally for other designers?
  • When did she decide to let other designers use her program?
  • What changes were made to her software program to fit other designers?
  • How did she know that other designers would need a different program than herself?
  • How did she build her beta team to test the new product?
  • Is Mydoma Studio an accounting software?
  • Where did the name Mydoma Studio come from?
  • How did she decide the “look” of her website?
  • What is the usability of Mydoma  Studio?
  • What is Mydoma Studio and what can it help designers do with clients?
  • What is the process to sign up for Sarah’s program on Mydoma Studio?
  • What is a product catalog builder?
  • What does it mean when the product catalog builder is global?
  • How does a designer get the client on board using Mydoma Studio?
  • Would the client still have access to their studio after the project is finished?
  • How are the invoices incorporated in the program?
  • Is there a way for the designer to view the project like they are the client?
  • What is the targeted audience for Mydoma Studio?
  • How are the fees decided?

For the rest of the shownotes, please visit our resource center: Window Works 

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90: Power Talk Friday: Business Building Rockstar Summit with Nicole Holland

Nicole Holland

Welcome to another power talk Friday! Nicole Holland is on the show today and she is part of the Business Building Rockstar Show! This is another podcast that is one of my favorites and let’s face it Nicole is a rockstar! She is out there trying to help other people create bigger and better businesses for themselves. She is a master coach and marketing strategist. Nicole is launching on November 1st a summit for The Business Building Rockstar. What is a summit? Listen to this episode and find out.

Show Notes:

  • What is a summit in podcast terms?
  • What is the summit that Nicole is launching on November 1st going to be about?
  • What is the difference in what you are “supposed” to do and what you “should” do when starting a business?
  • How can social media be valuable to your business?
  • What are some tools she recommends and uses herself?
  • Is this summit going to be free?
  • What are some special deals you can get when you upgrade?
  • What are some of the topics that are going to be discussed on The Business Building Rockstar Summit?
  • What is Nicole’s mission in life?
  • How does Nicole incorporate her mission in life and making a dollar together?
  • How can each session be accessed during The Business Building Rockstar Summit?
  • Why do you want an all access pass for this summit?
  • Why did Nicole decide to launch her podcast: The Business Building Rockstar Show?
  • How many topics will be discussed on this summit?
  • How much of a discount does this summit give on certain programs?
  • How did Nicole get so many bonuses for her new launch that starts on November 1st?
  • How can this summit help interior designers with their businesses to make their businesses bigger and known more?

Resources:

https://www.bbrshow.com/podcast

https://www.bbrsummit.com/design

https://www.acuityscheduling.com

https://www.bbrshow.com/sessions 

You can download the Nicole Holland Business Building Rockstar PDF  and get the Ticket to the free Summit at our resource center:  Window Works

 

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89: Marie Flanigan – How Marketing Strategies Helped Her Grow Her Firm

Marie Flanigan

I have Marie Flanigan from Texas with me on the show today!

Marie is an award winning designer whose background includes a BA in Architecture and Masters in Business Administration. She has over a decade of work experience in architecture and design industry and you can see how she uses these qualities beautifully in her work. While working with a previous firm she realized her love for architecture and interiors together. She quickly realized how she can achieve more in-depth creativity when the two are intertwined. Her trademark style is evident with the sophisticated texture, color, light and creating environments that people love to live in. Her distinguished designs can be found in luxury homes and commercial spaces throughout the country. Today we are going to talk about Marie’s marketing strategies and how they have worked for her and how they can work for you too!

Show Notes:

  • What is her marketing philosophy?
  • What are the roots of her business, Marie Flanigan Interiors?
  • What are some of the services her business, Marie Flanigan Interiors has to offer?
  • What is her advice to someone starting out?
  • How can designers make it easier to relate their designs?
  • What are some ways that her team uses to relate their designs?
  • How do you keep your brand consistent?
  • How does her team finish up a project?
  • What is the most important part of a project?
  • Pictures are your assets!
  • When did she decide to use videos for marketing?
  • How did Marie find someone who knew how to use videos for marketing?
  • How long does it take to make these videos?
  • What is her advice on how to find a good videographer?
  • How do you pick the music for the videos?
  • Look for more ways to create an experience for the client!
  • Are business retreats a good idea?

Please visit our resource center: Window Works for the rest of the show notes.