964: Power Talk Friday: Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau: Unlock the Potential of Your Business Through Brand Photography

Brittany And Ava(1)

Today With Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau

Today on A Well-Designed Business, it is Power Talk Friday and I am joined by Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau. Brittany and Ava are the co-founders of Girls at Flourish, a full-service creative photography agency specializing in the luxury home industry. They help interior designers accurately represent their brand through their brand images, which sets them apart from the competition.  We are discussing everything that goes into your brand images, how often you should have photos done, what they should represent, an acceptable balance of real life and professionalism, and more.

Pick It Apart:

[2:50] Brittany and Ava share what it was like working with Rachel Bozsik.

[8:41] How Brittany and Ava do an interior designer’s brand photography when it is somewhere like High Point Market.

[13:08] LuAnn shares how she felt and prepared for her recent branding shoot.

[17:35] Ava explains how they portray a good mixture of “put together” and real.

[23:53] Being intentional with your brand image to help you stand out in an oversaturated market.

[30:50] Examples of image identifiers some designers use to stand out.

[38:10] How to get involved with Girls at Flourish for a High Point session.

LuAnn Nigara, Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau’s Ah-Ha Moments

“You should have a good mixture of “perfection” and realness in your photos to help build trust with clients,” – Brittany Bowen

“There are ways to show you’re human and also have a beautifully curated portfolio and headshot,” – Ava Vienneau

“Designers who stand out, consistently show up where you can’t forget their face, color schemes, or style and that’s the key to growth,” Brittany Bowen

More About Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau

Brittany Bowen: Brittany has worked with a range of clients from established firms like Studio McGee to those who are up and coming industry leaders. With a degree in photography and over ten years of experience, she is dedicated to serving the up and comers in the interior design, real estate, and home professional world with elevated brand imagery. Today, alongside her co-founder Ava (and very best friend) the duo exclusively supports luxury home professionals who are ready to level up their business and take worrying the stress about photography off their plate. Brittany brings an extra, special “VIP Magic” to her shoots – which is why when you hire Girls at Flourish you’ll have everything taken care of from behind the scenes session prep to the easiest photo shoot you’ll ever have.  In her life outside of photography, she consumes just about any piece of good home design or business advice she can— watching the best shows on HGTV, listening to design or business podcasts, reading books from the experts, and flipping through the pages of design magazines. She has a wonderful husband and two sweet boys, and enjoys travel, yoga, and trying out the latest restaurants.

Ava Vienneau: Ava prides herself as a photographer representing clients featured in AD and Domino and the home industry’s most talented interior designers and top performing realtors, helping them land larger clients, press and ultimately create more opportunities for their business with show stopping brand imagery. With nearly 10 years of experience in her field and extensive training with renowned architectural and interior photographer, Lindsay Salazar, Ava brings a seasoned expertise to each client and project. Ava’s clients lovingly refer to her as their CPO (chief photography officer) as she uplevels their brand vision from ideation to real life. When working with the team at Girls at Flourish, Ava brings a kind, generous and thoughtful understanding about how small businesses work and operate. She is passionate about ensuring the entire creative process is streamlined and seamless. When she isn’t behind the camera, you can find her strolling through antique shops and art galleries, listening to business podcasts, and sipping the finest coffee around.

Connect with Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau

Website

Website 2

Read more about us and our offerings/schedule a consult call!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour 2024

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #159: Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer

AWDB #160: Kelli Ellis – Live and Learn by the Rock Star Principles

AWDB #256: Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients

AWDB #549: Corey Damen Jenkins #BLM: Time to Take the Baton

AWDB #669: Kelly Collier: Managing Expectations Through Clear Messaging

AWDB #756: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing

AWDB #766: Lesley Myrick: Offering Interior Design Without Procurement

AWDB #935: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders Academy: Marketing Lessons From Taylor Swift’s Playbook

AWDB #953: Power Talk Friday: Raj Banyopadhyay: Connecting With Your Audience Through Personal Branding Photography

AWDB #955: Power Talk Friday: Sharon Lipovsky: The Power of a Clear Vision in Your Business

963: Adam Scougall: Choosing Your Interior Design Business as a Side Hustle

Adam Scougall(2)

Today With Adam Scougall

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am happy to welcome back Adam Scougall, of Adam Scougall Design. If you have ever considered pivoting from your full-time job to interior design, this episode is for you. It’s always valuable to hear two sides to every story. A lot of my guests have pivoted successfully into starting a design firm.  Adam does have a successful design firm, but he pivoted right back into his full-time job while keeping design as a side hustle — and that couldn’t have been a better choice for him.

Pick It Apart:

[5:00] No matter your level of expertise, always be open to new AHA moments.

[9:33] Adam explains why he preferred to stay in his corporate job while managing his firm as a side hustle.

[17:55] How Adam sourced out, so he could also work his corporate job.

[33:30] Adams advises how to make connections with other designers.

[37:37] Adam shares the types of AHA moments he provides during his podcast and with his one-on-one clients.

LuAnn Nigara and Adam Scougall’s Ah-Ha Moments

“I learned that design was a way to express myself as a creative outlet, but I didn’t need it to be full financial support,” – Adam Scougall

“We don’t have to have someone else’s aspirational expectations on how to run a successful business, it’s what personal boundaries work for us,” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Adam Scougall

Adam’s story is one that is a little out of the box. We hear a lot about interior designers aspiring for luxury clients and an office full of staff. But Adam couldn’t imagine anything worse. After 18 years of leadership in his corporate life, he ventured out in 2018 to running his solo design biz full time. This lasted for 3.5 years before he returned to where he started. Corporate [with a buzzing design side hustle]

After working with a broad range of clients, some great and some a nightmare, Adam became tired of having to accept jobs that could make ends meet, as opposed to fulfilling his creative juices. Covid didn’t help financially, nor an always ‘pending’ recession, and after those years, Adam realized he did not wish to pursue a ‘be all and end all’ approach to his design career. He wanted stability, steadier finances and the ability to only take on design work that fulfilled both his own and client vision.

Adam now enjoys what we call a lifestyle business, balancing projects he only wants to take on whilst [now happily] holding down a full-time gig at his corporate firm of choice. He has also developed his own signature design implementation system that employs other designers to assist day to day, with Adam coming in only at key points in the project.

Adam recently launched his Podcast and YouTube show ‘So You Want to be an Interior Designer’ where he shares his experiences.

His aim for the show is to teach the thrills, reveal the spills and share how you can also create an Interior Design career that suits your lifestyle.

Connect with Adam Scougall

Website

Quiz

YouTube

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour 2024

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #130: Kate O’Hara -Director of Marketing & Business Development for Martha O’Hara Interiors

AWDB #215: FaceBook Coaching Sessions- Show #1 with Kate O’Hara of Martha O’Hara Interiors

AWDB #251: Adam Scougall : Managing a Successful Design Firm & a Full Time Job

962: It’s the 8th Birthday of the Podcast; Thank You Kravet Inc.! PART 2

Kravet-Inc

Today With Kravet Inc.

Today on A Well Designed Business we are doing things a little different in celebration of our Eighth Birthday. We are paying tribute to Kravet, Inc., our sponsor here on the podcast since the beginning with a trip down memory lane. We are kicking things off with a clip from my interview with Scott Kravet, when we were celebrating our 100th show, and continue through clips featuring 14 more designers and industry experts all sharing their sentiments on this iconic brand.

RSVP to SWDD Market Day HERE!

Kravet Collections:

Malene Barrett

Mary Fisher

Joni Vanderslice

Barclay Butera

Barry Lantz

Candice Olsen

Mabley Handler

Joe Cariati

David Phoenix

Corey Damen Jenkins

Sue Firestone

Nate Berkus

Jan Showers

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #14: Malene Barnett Success Secret – Build Relationships

AWDB #34: Mary Fisher – Author, Artist, Advocate, Social Entrepreneur

AWDB #59: A Special Visit with the Sr. Director of Merchandising for CuratedKravet.com

AWDB #100: Scott Kravet – Celebrating our 100th Episode!

AWDB #101: Joni Vanderslice – Principal of J. Banks Design – Resort is Home & Home is Resort- another firm that reinforces niching as a path to success

AWDB #122: Barclay Butera- Mix Talent + Opportunity + Business Savvy = Epic Interior Design Business

AWDB #173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc

AWDB #197: Joe Cariati Collection for Curated Kravet & Business Insights for Creatives

AWDB #360: David Phoenix and His New Kravet Fabric Collection, Well-Suited

AWDB #388: Corey Damen Jenkins: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman

AWDB #404: Sue Firestone: The Malibu Collection with Kravet Inc

AWDB #433: Nate Berkus: Introducing His Collection with Kravet

AWDB #446: Power Talk Friday: Jesse Lazarus: Technology & Innovations in the Design Industry

AWDB #465: Jan Showers: A Glamorous Career

AWDB #697: Barry Lantz: Advice from a Seasoned Interior Designer

AWDB  #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years

961: It’s the 8th Birthday of the Podcast; Thank You Kravet Inc.! PART 1

Kravet Logo

Today With Kravet Inc.

Today on A Well Designed Business we are doing things a little different in celebration of our Eighth Birthday. We are paying tribute to Kravet, Inc., our sponsor here on the podcast since the beginning with a trip down memory lane. We are kicking things off with a clip from my interview with Scott Kravet, when we were celebrating our 100th show, and continue through clips featuring 14 more designers and industry experts all sharing their sentiments on this iconic brand.

RSVP to SWDD Market Day HERE!

Kravet Collections:

Malene Barrett

Mary Fisher

Joni Vanderslice

Barclay Butera

Barry Lantz

Candice Olsen

Mabley Handler

Joe Cariati

David Phoenix

Corey Damen Jenkins

Sue Firestone

Nate Berkus

Jan Showers

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #14: Malene Barnett Success Secret – Build Relationships

AWDB #34: Mary Fisher – Author, Artist, Advocate, Social Entrepreneur

AWDB #59: A Special Visit with the Sr. Director of Merchandising for CuratedKravet.com

AWDB #100: Scott Kravet – Celebrating our 100th Episode!

AWDB #101: Joni Vanderslice – Principal of J. Banks Design – Resort is Home & Home is Resort- another firm that reinforces niching as a path to success

AWDB #122: Barclay Butera- Mix Talent + Opportunity + Business Savvy = Epic Interior Design Business

AWDB #173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc

AWDB #197: Joe Cariati Collection for Curated Kravet & Business Insights for Creatives

AWDB #360: David Phoenix and His New Kravet Fabric Collection, Well-Suited

AWDB #388: Corey Damen Jenkins: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman

AWDB #404: Sue Firestone: The Malibu Collection with Kravet Inc

AWDB #433: Nate Berkus: Introducing His Collection with Kravet

AWDB #446: Power Talk Friday: Jesse Lazarus: Technology & Innovations in the Design Industry

AWDB #465: Jan Showers: A Glamorous Career

AWDB #697: Barry Lantz: Advice from a Seasoned Interior Designer

AWDB  #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years

960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse

2756603 R.caponetto Idea House Desighner : Laura Hodges.

Today With Laura Hodges

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that Show Houses are big undertakings…but what if it wasn’t just one room—what if it was an entire house? Would it be worth it if it landed you in a major publication like Southern Living?  My guest today, Laura Hodges, recently designed the Idea House for Southern Living. And while she put in countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears, she absolutely believes that a show house can be worth the investment. Today, she’s here to share what it takes and what you can get from a show house experience.

Pick It Apart:

[5:25] Laura shares how she got started with the Southern Living show house, and what her responsibilities were.

[14:34] LuAnn and Laura dive deeper into the ROI for designers and vendor partners participating in such a large project.

[24:34] Laura shares more about the connections and partners she worked with.

[30:30] Laura reflects on the importance of diversity in the design process.

[37:00] Laura discusses the practical side of how she maintained her business while doing the show house.

LuAnn Nigara and Laura Hodges’s Ah-Ha Moments

“We started with having the confidence to say yes to a major opportunity. But this is not for the meek of hard work. This is not even just doing a regular show house where you design one room, which is a monumental project to do.” -LuAnn

“It was really important to me that the design house was welcoming and accessible for a wide range of people, variety of cultures.” -Laura

More About Laura Hodges

Laura Hodges is an interior designer with a boutique design firm and retail shop in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area. With a focus on creating beautiful spaces that reflect her clients’ taste, Laura’s signature aesthetic is narrative, layered, classically tailored and modern, featuring unique vintage finds and curated art. Laura is also a brand ambassador for the Sustainable Furnishings Council, working to increase awareness for sustainable design.

Connect with Laura Hodges

Website

Website

Cabinetry Collection

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn University – Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester!

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

AudiobookThe Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

#908 Jessica Bantom: How to Be a Culturally Competent Design Activist & Why You Want to Be One (Part 1)

#912 Jessica Bantom Continued: Take Action With the Six Habits of Culturally Competent Designers