Page 133 – LuAnn Nigara

02-17-201603-11-2025

04: Get People in Your Corner with Paul J. Somerville

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0:52:23

04: Get People in Your Corner with Paul J. Somerville

Today’s guest on the show is Paul Somerville!

Paul is the owner and creative director for Paul J Somerville Design in Hoboken, NJ. He has been designing for more than 30 years and I am delighted to share our conversation with you today. Paul is thoughtful and he has astute observations on the business of interior design.

He is going to share some very insightful ideas on how to run the business part of a designer’s business.

In this episode Paul will share with us:

Verbal and written contract?
Flat fee and hourly rates?
When a goal is reached its usually easier for the client to pay
Don’t nickel and dime your clients!
Down time is a must
Where he gets his inspiration
His advice for new comers
Design is thinking!

Links mentioned:

https://www.pjsomervilledesign.com

email – paul@pjsomervilledesign.com

02-15-201608-29-2024

03: Things Every Designer Should Know to Run a Successful Design Business with Shannon Leddy

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0:51:05

03: Things Every Designer Should Know to Run a Successful Design Business with Shannon Leddy

Today on the show our guest is Shannon M. Leddy. Shannon has her own interior design firm in New York that she started thirteen years ago. She is also an Allied member of ASID and an adjunct professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology and also graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology. Shannon is going to share some of her experiences and advice on the interior design business.

Shannon’s full bio:

Shannon M. Leddy Interior Design strives to approach all projects mindful of the aesthetics of design, as well as the health, safety and welfare of all who will live in, work in, and experience the space, and with respect to the earth’s natural and people resources, budgetary concerns, and our future. We care about our clients, our community and the environment and offer our services in a thoughtful, creative, and responsible way that results in beautiful, functional, and safe interior spaces.

Shannon has over 20 years of experience in interior design on a foundation of a solid education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), NYC in 1996, and achieved her MA in Sustainable Interior Environments in May 2013, also from FIT.

Shannon, an Allied Member of ASID, has been an Adjunct Professor of Interior Design at FIT since 2005 and everyday works to stay current on what is new in the art and design community so that she can best serve her clients.

SMLID says “good design should protect the health safety and welfare of all who experience her spaces,” and believes “anything that functions well can be beautiful.”

Listen to this episode to learn:

Design vs business
Her perspective on contracts
Educate your client on the process
Think about a team
Find a balance
Older designers vs newer designers
Stay current
5 percent design and 95 percent follow up

02-14-201611-22-2024

02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy

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0:54:49

02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy

In episode 2, our guest is the founder of Funk Design Studio: Sandra Levy! She is going to be talking to us about how she runs her business, and more specifically how she handles the project management through effective systems within her business. Her best advice: you should be very clear and upfront with everyone on a project and set goals!

In this episode you will learn:

Be clear with everyone that is working on a project
Brainstorm and then shop
Don’t ask the client for a budget
How not to run a business
Set goals and break it down
Goal sheets
Be very careful to track real customer time
Technology is great!
Stop saying yes to every project!
Have good communication
Focus on relationships

Links Mentioned:

Watch Sandra Funk’s feature in LuAnn’s new 3-part docuseries:

Watch the full 3-part Docuseries here. See behind the scenes of what it took to build A Well-Designed Business® podcast.

02-14-201603-11-2025

01: Creating Multiple Marketing Platforms for your Business with Heather McManus

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0:44:52

01: Creating Multiple Marketing Platforms for your Business with Heather McManus

In episode 1, LuAnn Nigara sits down with Heather McManus. Heather recently wrote a book and she created a video course. These 2 additional channels have created passive income to supplement Heather’s successful design business. She’s here today to share with us exactly what she did to make this all come together.

On our show today is dynamo Heather McManus! She is the owner of Artistry Interiors! Heather has been doing interior design for fifteen years and has owned her own business for four years. She has also written a book called “Love Where You Live: Dream Homes Made Real” and is an associate in ASID. She is a very creative designer and has some great advice to share!

Heather’s Bio:

Heather McManus, an associate ASID member, often has people hardly believe her design accomplishments since she looks so young. Heather has been Creative Director of Artistry Interiors for over a decade, transforming drab homes into fabulous and functional spaces. Having graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY Heather has the trained aesthetics and the industry experience needed for any project. Our design philosophy is “Love where you Live!” Your home should be a sanctuary from everyday life stress. We’ve created spaces that feel naturally personal, as if they have evolved over time. Clients continue to praise how stress free we make the whole design process.

Artistry Interiors goal is to make stunning homes that are a reflection of their clients’ needs – whether it is a single room or an entire home. We create a time line to suit your immediate needs as well as long term plans.

I can’t wait for you to hear how Heather is using video in her business!

In this episode we discuss:

Have at least a 30-minute conversation with a client before you meet them in person
The video series
Know if, when and where you need help
Process of her book
Have a positive attitude!
The blog Heather created
Believe in yourself!