Page 25 – LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

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

11-14-202308-13-2024

930: April Gandy: The Key to Managing a Successful Renovation Project

0:00

1:8:49

930: April Gandy: The Key to Managing a Successful Renovation Project

Today With April Gandy:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by April Gandy, owner and Principal Designer of Allure Designs. With six successful years in the design industry and an appearance on HGTV, April could teach us a lot! But today she wanted the focus to be on what you, and your client, can expect both mentally and financially when working on a renovation project. This is an episode that will give you simple AHA moments. Any episode where my guest wants to help with the process with our clients, is a win.

LuAnn Nigara and April Gandy’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Understanding what you are doing before you do it is going to help you keep your time lines and budgets in check, but also your client in check,” – April Gandy

“The more information that you give them from the start, the more you ensure them that you know what you are doing and they’ll trust you,” – April Gandy.

More About April Gandy

I’m from Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood on city’s south side. Growing up in the inner city provided me with a strong foundation in which failure was not an option. I vowed to overcome my circumstances and to create a better life for myself and my family. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School, I went on to college at Northern Illinois University and became the first in my family to graduate from a university. During this time, I joined the US Air Force Reserve in 2000 and proudly served our country for 21 years. I pledged the greatest Sorority in the world, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc in 2002. I later graduated with a BA in Criminology and went on to complete an MEd in Instructional Design (much different than interior design lol). I started my design career journey in 2006. At the age of 23, I bought my first piece of property; a 700 square foot fixer–upper condominium in the west suburbs of Chicago. As an impecunious single mother, I had to think outside the box to bring my new home to life. I taught myself many things on the road to transforming my fixer–upper into a beautiful home. During this undertaking, I realized I enjoyed the process of home improvement. Throughout the years, my skills evolved and I began assisting family and friends in making their homes beautiful. After a decade of working on personal projects, I decided to make the business official and pursued an interior design career. I created Alluring Designs Chicago in 2017. I partnered with my mother, Valerie Steward, and close family friend, Jennifer Anderson, to breathe life into this business venture. Together we have overseen multiple renovation projects and countless room makeovers. Our team dynamic is seamless and together we bring so much value to every project. Although becoming owner and Principal Designer of my interior design firm, my expansion mission includes founding a community development organization dedicated to building beautiful homes in the inner city. The vision is to make communities beautiful one home at a time. Let’s get to work!

Connect with April Gandy

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

#06: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#278: Erika Ward – Master Business Skills 1st, Interior Design Skills 2nd.

#874: Zane and Emily Williams: Leading Clients Through the Design

#905: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: Why Successful Design Firms Choose Duke Renders for Their Rendering Projects

11-10-202308-23-2024

929: Power Talk Friday: Christina Frei: Learn How to Market From Your Specific Strengths

Fvp7uqsqsnigsr1ghmrg Christina Frei Portrait 1

0:00

1:4:39

929: Power Talk Friday: Christina Frei: Learn How to Market From Your Specific Strengths

Today With Christina Frei:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Christina Frei, owner of Innate Marketing Genius, a boutique marketing practice where she helps solo business owners own their voice, market to their strengths, and get the right clients consistently. Christina takes a holistic approach to marketing, and helps us discover how to market from our strengths by identifying our marketing archetype. In this conversation, we dig into what it means to be a Nurturer, Adventure Guide, Door Opener, Steady Presence, and Celebrator, and how this can help you show up better in your business.

Pick It Apart

[2:38] Christina defines marketing archetypes as different ways to help other people that bring you fulfillment, then shares the 5 different archetypes.

[11:47] Christina breaks down what it means to be an adventure guide, one of LuAnn’s archetypes.

[16:39] LuAnn and Christina discuss that building self-awareness and finding our true voice takes time.

[24:46] Christina explains the celebrator archetype, also LuAnn.

[30:11] LuAnn and Christina explore the combination of her two archetypes and how she exhibits them.

[37:37] LuAnn asks Christina what we should do after we find out what our marketing archetype is.

LuAnn Nigara & Christina Frei’s Ah-Ha Moments

“What I noticed is that when people operate from that deep ‘why’—that fulfilling, helping other humans kind of thing, then it’s magnetic.” – Christina Frei

“The way that you [show the person that you are reaching out to that you care] is to honor who you are first, and then come from that place.” – Christina Frei

“When a celebrator steps back and really appreciates other people or their work…it just moves mountains. It just changes something and it up-levels the entire game.” – Christina Frei

“So much starts with being self-aware… If you have self-awareness, you can show up in your blog posts, in your marketing, in your consultations, and in your design” – LuAnn Nigara

“It’s so lovely to just validate that every human, I would say, on the entire planet has a natural capacity to want to help other people…the desire to me is miraculous.” – Christina Frei

More About Christina Frei

Christina runs a boutique marketing practice called Innate Marketing Genius, where she helps solo business owners own their voice, market to their strengths, and get the right clients consistently. Her holistic marketing approach grew out of a lonely, chaotic time, when she moved to Boston all on her own—and discovered her own way to really connect with people.

Personally, she’s on a mission to live more sustainably; she is obsessed with thrift shopping and is a new convert to plant-based eating. In between, she chases her dog around with a stuffed animal snake, meditates on a pink couch, cold plunges like Wim Hof all year long, and obsesses over the perfect cup of green tea, all in a seaside town just north of Boston.

Connect with Christina Frei

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

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

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

AWDB #363: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?

AWDB #892 Sharon L. Sherman: Decoding Personality Types for Successful Client Outcomes

TIE #180: Jude Charles: Breaking the Silence: Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Wellness

TIE #183: Claire Jefford: Content is Queen: Leverage Video Content That is True To You

11-07-202310-03-2024

928: What Would Lu Do?: 3 Beliefs Holding Back Your Interior Design Business (and How to Avoid Them)

0:00

0:25:24

928: What Would Lu Do?: 3 Beliefs Holding Back Your Interior Design Business (and How to Avoid Them)

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today is a solo show and we’ll be talking about charging. We’ll go over the three common beliefs that hold us back from achieving our full potential: that our clients only want the biggest discount, that we deliver a shoppable product, and that we are competing with everyone else.

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

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

Exciting Windows! Build a Better Business Registration

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

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

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

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

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

11-03-202307-18-2025

927: Power Talk Friday: Bernadette Smith: Her ARC Framework to Create an Inclusive 350 Interior Design Business

Eu63peeftrqhiitznogl Bernadettesmith 2020 Big Smile Cropped

0:00

0:49:50

927: Power Talk Friday: Bernadette Smith: Her ARC Framework to Create an Inclusive 350 Interior Design Business

Today With Bernadette Smith:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Bernadette Smith, Founder and CEO of the Equality Institute, a boutique diversity, equity, and inclusion firm whose mission embed equity and inclusion into organizational systems and culture, enhancing outcomes for employees and customers. When we are afraid of offending someone, we tend to say nothing. We get so comfortable in our lanes, that we dont do much to move diversity forward. Bernadette and I discuss how to have the courage to address diversity. She talks about her ARC Method that helps people become open and actionable, and much more!

Pick It Apart

[5:28] Bernadette explains how her experience with DEI derived from the wedding industry.

[13:22] Bernadette shares actionable strategies that anyone, from any size company, can put to use.

[20:38] Both Bernadette and LuAnn relating to fear of saying the wrong thing in the past.

[24:00] Determining your personal role in all of this.

[29:58] What designers can do in their own businesses.

LuAnn Nigara & Bernadette Smith’s Ah-Ha Moments

“My approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion is that we are all in this together and can learn from each other.” – Bernadette Smith

“I have a lot of privilege. Some of it I’ve earned like my master’s degree, but a lot I didn’t earn, so I feel like I have a responsibility and a sense of purpose to know how much power I have by accident,” Bernadette Smith

“A positive ROI of creating meaningful conversations among your team, is that they will become better equipped to have meaningful conversations with their clients.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Bernadette Smith

Bernadette is Founder and CEO of the Equality Institute, a boutique diversity, equity, and inclusion firm whose mission embed equity and inclusion into organizational systems and culture, enhancing outcomes for employees and customers. She’s an award-winning author of four books, including her latest, the bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization.

Bernadette is frequently requested as a keynote speaker to help promote an inclusive work environment and celebrate diversity. She is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and has presented to a variety of audiences, including CEOs, leadership teams, human resource and diversity leaders, sales and marketing professionals and more.

Because of her insight and impact as a change agent, she has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, the Washington Post, and Fast Company. Her media exposure includes appearing on CNN, the Today Show, the BBC, and National Public Radio. Bernadette has been named one of Chicago’s Notable LGBTQ Executives by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Connect with Bernadette Smith

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

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

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

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

10-31-202302-18-2025

926: Emmy Marek: Building a Business While Building a Life

0:00

1:5:23

926: Emmy Marek: Building a Business While Building a Life

Today With Emmy Marek:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Emmy Marek of Emmy Couture Designs, an award-winning full-service interior design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and serving clients nationwide. In 2016, after working for both an architectural design firm and a luxury design-build firm, where she became fluent in creating custom homes, Emmy decided to go into business for herself, opening Emmy Couture when she was only 26 years old. Since then she has spent her time growing her luxury design firm and growing her family. Now, with two children under the age of five and projects all over the country, Emmy is a study in balance, efficiency, and organization. But she won’t take all the credit. She says it takes having a good team at home and at work is key to making it all happen. Emmy and I are discussing how she manages everything, how she finds time for herself and the relationships that mean the most to her, and why she is driven to do it all.

Pick It Apart

[2:01] Emmy talks about being a young entrepreneur—starting Emmy Couture when she was only 26 years old and having two children within the next five years.

[6:22] LuAnn asks Emmy what drives her to want to build this luxury design firm during this season of her life with young kids.

[16:29] Emmy speaks about her business growing organically and mainly through referrals, but LuAnn reminds her and everyone listening not to neglect the importance of intentional marketing.

[20:35] Emmy tells LuAnn about her design philosophy and how it crosses many aesthetics according to her individual client’s tastes.

[27:32] LuAnn and Emmy discuss the importance of staying organized and the systems Emmy uses in her business, including how she uses Mydoma.

[33:22] Emmy shares some of the ways she takes care of herself and her relationships.

[42:05] LuAnn and Emmy discuss the importance of knowing your worth and how that ties into the way you run your business.

LuAnn Nigara and Emmy Marek’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Your dreams can always happen if you have a good team. So whether your team is inside your business, or your team is at home, it takes both to be successful.” – Emmy Marek

“You must be intentionally marketing, especially the machine and the empire that you’re building. And don’t overlook it and don’t take it for granted.” – LuAnn Nigara

“It is a struggle of staying organized and staying on top of things. And so you really have to be in your organized niche—keeping everything on track.” – Emmy Marek

“There are ways that we can show appreciation and give value and support the people that work for us. Because, by the way, we need them.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Emmy Marek

Emmy Couture Designs is an award-winning full-service interior design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and serving clients nationwide. We specialize in custom homes and whole-home renovations that blend fashion-forward style with unique creativity and livable luxuries. With a strong background in architectural interior design and construction management, our team ensures that your complete design experience is rooted in confidence and destined for drop-dead gorgeous results. Emily is the lead creative visionary at Emmy Couture Designs. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury residential and boutique commercial design industry, her in-depth knowledge and expertise lead clients on a beautiful design journey. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Interior Design from Northern Arizona University, Emily spent many years at an architectural design firm and a luxury design-build firm, where she became fluent in creating custom homes. In 2016, Emily decided to channel her experience and impressive portfolio into a firm of her own: Emmy Couture Designs. In addition to her fashion – forward style, she stands out in the industry for her extensive experience designing interior architecture and managing large construction projects. This translates to award-winning interiors where every detail is polished, elevated, and contributes to an incredible daily experience.

Connect with Emmy Marek

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #451: Elissa Grayer: Starting From the Ground Up, After 19 Years AWDB #840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life AWDB #879: Power Talk Friday: Sarah Daniele: Mydoma Studio and the Business of Change as the Interior Design Industry Enters a Digital Transformation AWDB #885: Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall: Generate Business Referrals Without Asking AWDB #906: Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee

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

TIE #178 Eileen Hahn: Unlocking Your Joy: Strategies for Personal and Professional Fulfillment

10-27-202308-23-2024

925: Power Talk Friday: Monica Sharma-Patnekar: Your REAL Audience Vs. Your IDEAL Audience; How To Find Them and Keep Them

0:00

0:52:15

925: Power Talk Friday: Monica Sharma-Patnekar: Your REAL Audience Vs. Your IDEAL Audience; How To Find Them and Keep Them

Today With Monica Sharma-Patnekar:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Monica Sharma-Patnekar, Marketing Strategist and Fractional CMO and owner of Business with Monica. We are deep-diving into how to attract your REAL audience, the ones who actually respond to your brand messaging and marketing. Monika explains how to find out what attracted your clients to you. What it was that made them choose you over your competition, what resonated with them in your messaging, and how to keep doing it to get even more clients.

Pick It Apart

[10:26] LuAnn and Monica discuss the importance of even as things change in the market, the key is always knowing who you are reaching out to.

[12:30] The multiple ways that you can determine who your “real” customers are over your “ideal” customers.

[17:00] How designers can ask their clients to have conversations about their business after their service.

[23:03] What to do with our marketing once we know how we obtain our “real” clients.

[25:30] Monica gives us a concrete example of one of her client’s success.

[32:43] Monica runs through her four D’s; Desires over Demographics Framework.

LuAnn Nigara & Monica Sharma-Patnekar’s Ah-Ha Moments

“When talking about customer interviews, remember that people love helping people. They appreciate being seen and heard.” – Monica Sharma-Patnekar

“The key is finding out how you serve your ‘real’ clients at every touchpoint.” – Monica Sharma-Patnekar

“A brand is a feeling and how you make your customers feel at every step of their journey.” – Monica Sharma-Patnekar

More About Monica Sharma-Patnekar

Monica is Brand & Marketing Strategist and Fractional CMO, helping you to elevate your brand. As a customer-centric marketing strategist Monica gives high-touch mentorship for creative business owners who want a clearer, more focused, vision for their brand. To communicate & connect with their REAL audience, without spinning their wheels on messaging, content, ads & tactics that don’t convert. So that they can impact even more people’s lives with their products and services – and feel like they have control over their own.

For Conscious business owners who care about the 5 “P”s (Product, Purpose, People, Planet, & Profit).

Monica has over 18 years of experience building brands. From her masters in business with a major in Marketing, to working with Fortune500 companies, across Brand Management, Strategy Consulting & Global Marketing, being hired by Google to coach their premium partners and now working with both larger conscious scale-ups and her passion, coaching creative entrepreneurs.

Monica is Dutch by birth.⁠ Indian by heritage. Global by choice & education.⁠⁠⁠ An intuitive, creative & analytical thinker. A dancer.⁠ A chai-fanatic. Raised by a single mom in a country that she made her own. A mom of 2 girls.

She brings a diverse & inclusive perspective to the work she does. From having worked with big corporates, scale & start-ups to small businesses, across regions & sectors, to her own very multicultural upbringing.

Connect with Monica Sharma-Patnekar

Business with Monica

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

AWDB #36: Susan Brunstrum- Practical Advice for Project Management

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB: #125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!!

AWDB: #317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen

AWDB: #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?

10-24-202302-18-2025

924: Kylie Tyrrell: From Spaces to Growth: An Interior Designer’s Shift to Mentorship

0:00

0:52:38

924: Kylie Tyrrell: From Spaces to Growth: An Interior Designer’s Shift to Mentorship

Today With Kylie Tyrrell:

As creatives, we’re often expected to wear multiple hats, and today’s conversation with Kylie Tyrrell, an interior designer turned mentor, lifts the veil on the exciting, challenging, and rewarding world of design and coaching. Kylie is a seasoned interior designer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Her love for the industry has led her to mentor and guide the next generation of interior designers. She is passionate about helping women in the industry gain confidence and make money doing what they love!

LuAnn Nigara and Kylie Tyrrell’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Action builds confidence” – Kylie Tyrrell

More About Kylie Tyrrell

Kylie Tyrrell is a seasoned Interior designer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Her love for the industry has led her to mentor and guide the next generation of interior designers. She is passionate about helping women in the industry gain confidence and make money doing what they love. She runs a mentor program called Interiors Insider where she supports and nurtures new and existing designers to thrive. The exact program she wished existed when she was starting out.

Connect with Kylie Tyrrell

Interiors Insider podcast

Mentorship

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

#6 Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

10-20-202302-19-2025

923: Power Talk Friday: Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino: A Virtual Team for Your Interior Design Business

Evelyn Roberts And Shayna Pellino 4dbiz(1)

0:00

1:12:24

923: Power Talk Friday: Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino: A Virtual Team for Your Interior Design Business

Today With Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know the power of outsourcing. But if you’ve outsourced before, or if you’re just considering it, you also know that it comes with its own set of headaches—from figuring out what you need to hiring to onboarding. My guests today Shayna Pellino and Evelyn Roberts, creators of 4D Biz, understand that very well. 4D Biz is essentially a virtual team for interior designers, providing the strategy, the marketing, the admin, and even design support at the level you need for your business. Learn how their set up supports designers and why a virtual team might be right for you!

Pick It Apart

[1:02] Shayna shares her design story and how the mistakes she made led to 4Dbiz.

[17:00] Evelyn and Shayna begin to discuss the 4 pillars of support 4Dbiz offers for designers.

[19:46] Shayna and Evelyn break down how they offer business development help to designers

[24:08] Evelyn and Shayna unpack how a virtual marketing team for designers works.

[37:35] Evelyn and Shayna discuss the ways 4Dbiz offers design assistance.

[42:46] Shayna and Evelyn talk about admin support for interior designers.

LuAnn Nigara, Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino’s Ah-Ha Moments

“The business can suck the soul out of you if you are overworked, if you are not getting the money that you deserve and you are just putting in endless hours and you’re not feeling it in your bank account.” -Shayna

“This new way of doing business is I’m all about it because every single person that works for me has a skill set in an expertise that has been identified as their superpower.” -LuAnn

More About Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino

About Shayna: Shayna Rose is the CEO and Founder of both Shayna Rose Interiors and 4Dbiz. Shayna never expected to create the modern business model that would change the way interior designers run their business! 4Dbiz was born out of her own experience, failures, successes, and needs as an interior designer/business owner. After working in the interior design industry for three years, Shayna knew she had to set out on her own. Working for someone else, Shayna was astounded by the unnecessary obstacles that she was working with – from overly-extended lead times, to a lack of custom solutions, to poor service all along the supply chain. She truly felt she had no choice but to start her own business and revolutionize the industry standard. In 2017, Shayna Rose Interiors was born, followed by 4Dbiz in 2019. Shayna’s guiding principle is “Everyone wins.” She is most inspired by what other people see as problems. She is a solution-oriented visionary, hell bent on changing people’s lives with her ideas and execution – starting with the design industry.

About Evelyn: Evelyn Roberts is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of 4Dbiz. After 4 years working in digital marketing for small businesses and tech startups, Evelyn joined Shayna Rose Interiors in 2019. Since then, she has been focused exclusively on marketing for interior designers. Working with design businesses all over the country, she helps interior designers refine their brand, create concise and powerful messaging, optimize for search engines, and set up automations that save time and achieve results. Evelyn’s philosophy for marketing in the interior design industry is “less is more.” Understanding the hectic interior designer/business owner lifestyle, she helps designers hone in on the marketing initiatives that will make measurable progress toward their most critical business goals, within their budget.

Connect with Evelyn Roberts & Shayna Pellino

Client testimonial, Hannah Lowe Interiors

Facebook

Client testimonial, Leone Interior Designs

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

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

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:

Audiobook: The 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

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

10-17-202302-19-2025

922: Cory Simon: The Secret to a Successful Interior Design Side Hustle

7561b702 E531 405f B15a F7b0ae239147 1 201 A(1)

0:00

1:9:13

922: Cory Simon: The Secret to a Successful Interior Design Side Hustle

Today With Cory Simon:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. There are many designers out there looking to grow and scale their businesses, whether they’re coming in from a different career or launching their own firm. But what if you are working your business as a side hustle—and you actually want to keep it that way? That’s the situation for my guest today, Cory Simon of 290 Eliot Interiors. She’s working a full-time job, keeping a healthy business on the side, and spending time with her family—all within the same 24 hours a day we all have! You might be wondering how that’s possible—and the answer comes down to efficiency. This is a must-listen if you are juggling your interior design job as a side hustle, or if you simply want to work less hours and get more done!

Pick It Apart

[3:02] Cory shares her schedule (and how she manages to run the business working just a couple of hours a day on it!)

[8:27] Cory gives an insight into how planning and communication keep her efficient.

[24:18] LuAnn and Cory discuss how communication and client expectations matter even more when your business is a side hustle.

[33:08] Cory and LuAnn talk about the importance of saying no to the wrong client (and how to do it respectfully).

[47:42] Cory shares how viewing the client through an emotional lens helps her understand them and create a better experience for everyone.

LuAnn Nigara and Cory Simon’s Ah-Ha Moments

“There is an emotional element that it is an emotional roller coaster and you’re excited and you’re frustrated. And every time you turn a corner people want more money. And so I think sometimes we have to really remember the emotional aspect of a renovation because people aren’t just saying things, to say things. They’re on an emotional journey, as well as kind of the physical journey of their home.” -Cory

“If we could just understand that the job that you say yes to that you know doesn’t have the right budget is probably going to take you longer to do and you will actually earn less money at the end when you do the autopsy if you are present enough to do the autopsy of the project. And if you had just said no, you would have either put more energy into a current project and made it that much better or had the time available for a new client to come through the door. But saying yes to the wrong things is rarely a good idea.” -LuAnn

More About Cory Simon

Cory Simon found her love of interior design through merchandising retail stores for over 15 years. She took her years of experience in space planning, using color and texture, and her ability to focus on the details to bring a space to life and started applying it to residential design. Starting with her own homes, varying in style and layout, along with planning and consulting on projects with friends and family, Cory loves finding the potential in every space to create something that you will reflect your personal style. Her experience in design, planning, and project management will help translate your goals into a reality.

Connect with Cory Simon

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors: