Page 27 – LuAnn Nigara

Virtual Assistant Certification

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A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Mydoma Studio

Other Shows Mentioned:

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

#177: Power Talk Friday- Sarah Daniele, CEO of Mydoma Studio is back to tell us what’s new for you at Mydoma Studio!

#375: Power Talk Friday: Bonnie Fahy: How to Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your Interior Design Business

#555: Sarah Daniele: 19H The Blueprint, Create Resiliency in Your Business

#618: Jenna Gaidusek: How to Build an Online Business in Interior Design

#879: Power Talk Friday: Sarah Daniele: Mydoma Studio and the Business of Change as the Interior Design Industry Enters a Digital Transformation

09-05-202302-19-2025

910: Christina Richardson: Expanding Your Design Business Internationally: What You Need to Know

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1:0:21

910: Christina Richardson: Expanding Your Design Business Internationally: What You Need to Know

Today With Christina Richardson:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today we’re traveling outside the country. My guest Christina Richardson from Christina Richardson Interiors. Christina is a Scandinavian native who grew up on the charming coast of Northern Sweden. After moving to the U.S. with her husband and two daughters, Christina earned her interior design degree from the New York Institute of Art and Design. With 20 years of interior design under her belt from Sweden, Christina has learned a lot in the business of starting over in another country. She is here to share the “musts” of what she learned you should do if considering taking projects in another country.

Pick It Apart

[5:00] Christina shares her experience coming to the U.S. and becoming an interior designer.

[9:10] How Christina got clients being from a different country and not knowing anyone.

[15:27] What to think about if you are in the U.S. and want to start a project in a different country.

[20:20] Christina explains the Vienna Agreement.

[34:42] Tips on vetting a contractor when you are doing an out of country project.

[44:05] Christina explains how things work when there are cultural differences.

LuAnn Nigara and Christina Richardson’s Ah-Ha Moments

“People like you give newer designers hope where you go through the stages of fear, but you plow through,” – LuAnn Nigara

“It’s important for everyone to know about the Vienna Agreement

More About Christina Richardson Christina Richardson is a Scandinavian native, she grew up on the charming coast of Northern Sweden, in the small town, Skellefteå. After moving to the U.S. with her husband and 2 daughters, Christina earned her interior design degree from the New York Institute of Art and Design. Having previously earned her masters degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelors degree in construction engineering, and with over 20 years of interior design experience in Sweden under her belt, she’s able to capture the best of both worlds and deliver an alluring blend of function and style that is uniquely her own. A completely female-owned, led, and run business, Christina Richardson Interiors boasts a rich portfolio that includes design elements like Scandinavian, contemporary, coastal, bohemian, and transitional. But Christina doesn’t believe in imposing a style onto her clients. Instead, she figures out what their authentic style is, and then works to make it look absolutely amazing. “I want people to feel like they are seen and heard.” she says. The team is spread out all over the world, Yasmine in New York handles Christina’s PR and communications and Ida in Sweden keeps track of Swedish trends, projects and she also does all the copywriting work and is responsible for all the newsletters. Installation crews are hired close to the sites. Christina works tightly with selected contractors that all have a trained eye for details and design, with several zoom and facetime calls per week to make sure the result is perfect. “Zoom really has changed the design industry”, Christina says, “ I only visit my projects once or twice before install and it works amazingly well when you have good and reliable contractors” The common theme that ties every project together is that each design is created through Christina’s beautiful Swedish lens. Her well-balanced style is fresh, warm, functional, and full of light. It’s sophisticated with a playful edge to wake you up, and unexpected pockets of humor to keep you on your toes. For example, in a recent Hilton Head home design project, upon a classy Serena and Lily end table, sits a rebellious set of coasters that state in all-caps, “Don’t f up the table”. It’s little surprises like these that are indicative of a fabulous mind having designed the space. Speaking of surprises, all of her clients get to experience the treat of her signature design move, “the red thread”. In each design project, Christina creates one area that makes a big statement; bolder than the rest of the space. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll discover she has left little clues, or a “red thread” throughout the rest of the interior, showing you what lies ahead in the big statement area. To the untrained eye, her signature Scandinavian style may appear modern, but as Christina explains, there’s a big difference between the two. “Modern style is colder, minimalistic, and not as functional. Scandi style is all about warmth and light, and very, very functional!”. It makes perfect sense that Christina’s Scandinavian style combines an abundance of both warmth and light. She grew up in an environment that lacks daylight for a substantial part of the year, so playing up light is a big design focus for her. And cold environments like Sweden inspire all things cozy and comfortable, hence the need for generous warmth and function. Connect with Christina Richardson

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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

#638: What Would Lu Do?: Processes and Contracts: They Aren’t Made to Be Broken

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#789: Flashback Friday: Michelle Wiebe: Breaking into New Construction as an Interior Designer

#866: McCall Dulkys: Building a Successful Design Business From Around the World

09-01-202308-09-2024

909: Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Normalizing Wealth With The Gloss

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909: Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Normalizing Wealth With The Gloss

Today With Traci Connell:

Today’s show is sponsored by Traci Connell’s free masterclass The Reveal which begins on September 11, 2023. Traci joins us once again to share all of the ways you can work with her in The Gloss, including her free masterclass The Reveal where she “reveals” all of the secrets and shortcuts she has learned in the interior design industry. This is a five-day, one-hour-per-day event.

In The Reveal, you will learn the strategies Traci teaches designers to hit one million in revenue. This FREE course is for any interior designer who wants to reach the next level. Who wouldn’t that be, right?

Traci and I also discuss all of the valuable ways you can work with her in The Gloss. She uses her own four-pillar framework; More Purpose, More Precision, More Profit, and More Prestige to help designers achieve more wealth financially, mentally, and personally.

This #smartlady continues to offer up her shortcuts and expertise in everything she has learned on her way to building her multimillion-dollar design firm. Listen in to learn how to join The Gloss and get on The Reveal waitlist.

Pick It Apart

[12:48] Traci explains her two main keys to leveling up and creating wealth in your business.

[16:00] How do you prevent clients from sourcing online after you have sourced things for them?

[25:46] Traci talks about the new contingency fee that she has implemented.

[34:54] How joining The Confidential can build your business.

[39:38] Traci shares her programs and how you can work with her.

LuAnn Nigara and Traci Connell’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Wealth doesn’t necessarily mean money. It’s not about being rich, but having a rich life.” – Traci Connell

“We always say on the show, if you tell me ahead of time what the agreements are before we sign, I am a grown up and can decide whether I want to proceed. There are no hard feelings because everyone knows the deal from the beginning.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Traci Connell

Since founding her eponymous firm, award-winning designer Traci Connell is an expert in delivering tailored interiors that are as luxurious as they are livable. With her keen eye for design, space planning and art, Connell brings understated glamour and elegance to a vast range of high-end residential interiors, commercial projects, vacation homes and custom site-specific requests. Her inspiration is attained from her explorations of the world of design, travel, art, nature and culture.

With a renewed appreciation for transforming homes into an ease of escape, Connell breaks through predictability with art curation, cutting edge technologies and custom artisan talents, weaving in special, unexpected elements into every design project. As one of the most trusted design firms in Dallas, she delivers an expertly perfected, streamlined system of service that simplifies and organizes the design process. Her impeccable eye for space planning and design, combined with the team’s in-depth knowledge of project management, proves invaluable for clients ranging from busy young families to empty nesters and those seeking vacation homes.

Connell’s philanthropic work within the Dallas design community includes the Dwell with Dignity “Thrift Studio” fundraiser, a design project aimed to raise money to combat homelessness in the city of Dallas and surrounding areas. She is currently serving on the ASID Texas Community Board.

Traci Connell Interiors has proudly been named a Kips Bay Decorator Show House Designer of 2021, D Home Best Designer in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and has been included on the Luxe Interiors + Design Gold List in 2018, 2020 and 2021. The firm’s work has been recognized in national and regional media publications including Luxe Interiors + Design, Wall Street Journal, Traditional Home, Modern Luxury Interiors, D Home and AD Pro among many more.

Connect with Traci Connell

The Gloss

The Confidential

Attend the free masterclass – The Reveal!

#525: Traci Connell: Take Your Business from Setback to Success

Other Shows Mentioned:

#554: Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale for Profit

A Big Thank You to Today’s Sponsor:

Today’s show is sponsored by Traci Connell and her free course, The Reveal.

08-29-202310-14-2024

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

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

Today With Jessica Bantom:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined Jessica Bantom, interior designer, DEIB practitioner, and author of Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World. This is the first part of a conversation about how to become a culturally competent designer.

In this episode, part one of a two-part series, Jessica explains cultural competence is the ability to understand, interact with, and appreciate people of different backgrounds or belief systems that are different from your own. But she explains that it essentially comes down to making space for conversations.

Pick It Apart

[5:54] LuAnn and Jessica talk about the goals of Jessica’s new book, Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World

[11:59] Jessica explains why she uses the term “identity” instead of culture, in order to speak more broadly about differences across multiple dimensions—including race and ethnicity but also age, religion, sexual orientation, and body size.

[18:32] Jessica and LuAnn discuss unconscious bias.

[21:46] Jessica and LuAnn examine the way different people are able (or unable) to share their experiences and why that is.

[35:45] LuAnn clarifies with Jessica that the message in her book is that, as designers, we need to make space for these conversations.

[39:35] Jessica explains that designers should not be making assumptions or interpreting someone else’s identity.

LuAnn Nigara and Jessica Bantom’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Cultural competence is the ability to understand, interact with, and appreciate people of different backgrounds or belief systems that are different from your own. And what that essentially boils down to is just really making space to understand and appreciate that there are different experiences that people have based on different aspects of their identity. And it’s all about being open-minded to what those are, and accepting that there are other realities.” – Jessica Bantom

“We may be in the same room looking at the same thing, but we are going to experience and we are going to process it differently.” – Jessica Bantom

“Instead of telling somebody that’s baseless, we have to be willing to ask and understand how it happens that way, and why those feelings are there.” – LuAnn Nigara

“ ‘It is the duty of the interior designer to have awareness and sensitivity in going about their design for all of the communities that they designed for.’” – LuAnn Nigara quoting from the book Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World by Jessica Bantom

“As designers it’s not on us to interpret somebody’s culture or identity. It is on us to open the door for the conversation—to receive the information, to process it, to do what we do as designers with that new information. But it’s not on us to come up with our interpretation of somebody’s identity.” – Jessica Bantom

More About Jessica Bantom

Jessica Bantom is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) practitioner and workplace strategist whose goals are to help organizations develop customized strategies for transformational change and to enable individuals to take immediate action to become more inclusive. Author of Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World (coming in April 2023), she is a skilled management consultant with over 20 years of experience, a compelling speaker, and a certified facilitator and coach with a passion for helping people and organizations activate the values of DEIB to become more culturally competent and thrive in our increasingly global economy.

Jessica is a proud alum of the University of Virginia where she earned her undergraduate degree and Marymount University where she earned her Masters. She is certified as an Associate Diversity Coach through the CoachDiversity Institute’s Executive Certification in Diversity Coaching program in collaboration with the Howard University School of Business and holds a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. In addition, she is a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP), Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, and Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) with a specialization in Design Thinking and Innovation from Darden Executive Education at the University of Virginia.

Jessica is also active in the interior design industry as an interior design and color consultant and as an engaged advocate committed to promoting DEIB in the industry and in practice. She describes herself as a multidisciplinary designer of human-centered solutions and uses her specialization in design thinking to develop and apply innovative approaches that transcend industries. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, she’s a long-time resident of the Washington DC area, although she will always call Philadelphia home.

Connect with Jessica Bantom

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 #816: Elsie St. Leger: Addressing Racial Inequality in the Design Industry

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #732: Power Talk Friday: Erica Courdae: Incorporating DEI Practices in Your Business

AWDB #862: AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home

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

08-25-202308-09-2024

907: Power Talk Friday: Manuela Keller and Philip McKay: Introducing 2 New Home Industry Trade Shows; Sun Shading Expo North America and R+T, Stuttgart Germany

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907: Power Talk Friday: Manuela Keller and Philip McKay: Introducing 2 New Home Industry Trade Shows; Sun Shading Expo North America and R+T, Stuttgart Germany

Today With Manuela Keller & Philip McKay:

Today’s episode is sponsored by Messe Stuttgart, a German company that specializes in organizing trade shows, particularly for the home decor industry. They have been in the trade show business for more than 80 years, annually organizing around 60 shows and 100 conferences worldwide.

Manuela Keller and Philip McKay are joining us to tell us all about two upcoming events: Sun Shading Expo 2023 and R+T 2024, which will both bring together the sun shading and textiles industries. Here, you will be able to maximize your time and meet the right people to discuss business opportunities for the entire sun shading product range.

WATCH THIS EPISODE NOW ON YOUTUBE!

More About Manuela Keller & Philip McKay

About Manuela:

Manuela Keller is an experienced manager of international trade shows and events around the globe, with a proven track record in the event services industry since 2006. She has knowledge in strategic planning, business development, marketing strategy, event management and management.

Starting as an intern in the international department of Messe Stuttgart in 2006, she soon took on more responsibility and became project manager for official German Pavilions – joint company participations – at trade shows in all parts of the world – including SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, SolarPower in Anaheim, IMTS in Chicago, ArabHealth in Dubai – to name just a few.

In 2009, Manuela became the project manager of R+T Asia, the leading international trade show for the sun control and door industry in the ASEAN region. Other trade fairs such as R+T Middle East, R+T Russia, R+T Turkey and R+T South America were added over the years.

Today, she is Manager of Exhibitions and Events and responsible for the international trade shows of the R+T Alliance – R+T Asia (Shanghai, China), R+T Turkey (Istanbul, Turkey), Sun Shading Expo North America (changing locations/USA) and APAExpo by R+T (Barcelona, Spain).

Manuela Keller is also part of the project team for R+T – the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Roller Shutters, Doors and Sun Shading Systems. Among other things, she is responsible for the overarching exchange with the international association partners and supporters, the strategic and thematic support of the international conference program and the processing of international exhibitor and visitor inquiries, as well as the management of the international sales force. With more than 17 years of experience in organizing international trade shows, she brings remarkable added value and her global network to the organization of this outstanding, internationally renowned trade show.

The international trade fair heart beats in the middle of the dynamic Stuttgart region. Over 60 trade fairs and more than 100 congresses and events are held every year at our venue. We also operate all over the world and maintain a network of foreign representatives in 51 countries.

She has been married for more than 20 years and is a proud mother of a 10 year old son. As a balance to her working life, she likes to go for long walks in the nearby forest or attend live concerts – preferably punk or alternative rock.

About Philip:

Philip McKay has a proven track record as a successful senior executive with leading event companies. Before becoming President of Messe Stuttgart IncPhilip founded nGage Events LLC. in 2012. nGage became the premier hosted buyer events company in North America where it produced over 15 events a year across many industries.

Phil McKay also served in many executive positions for some of the largest trade show producers in the globe such as:

Executive VP for Questex Media and was responsible for their hosted model events and technology group. He has also served as Senior Vice President of the World Market Center in Las Vegas in charge of growing their event portfolio in the furniture, gift and home accessories industries. Mr. McKay held the position of Group Vice President and General Manager at Gartner’s Vision Events, where he managed the teams of 10 different brands which were leaders in the hosted events in each of their verticals. He also served as Senior Vice President of International Business Development & Operations for Key3Media Group, overseeing the company’s portfolio of COMDEX and N+I with 20 plus markets in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Prior to Key3Media, McKay was Group Managing Director for Penton Media.

In 2004, Philip McKay was recognized and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tradeshow Week magazine for his outstanding and distinguished contributions to the global events industry.

Philip McKay is a past member of the board of directors of SISO. He was an active member in the Massachusetts Convention Center Advisory Board, also was past chairman of IAEE Senior Executive Advisory Board and The Future Strategy of Trade Fairs. He also was a past member of the Research Committee of CEIR and editorial advisory board member of Trade Show Executive Magazine.

He is a proud father of two men, and three grandchildren. When Phil is not working in his gardens and spoiling his grandchildren, you will find him on the golf course.

Connect with Manuela Keller & Philip McKay

Sun Shading Expo

R+T 2024

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Messe Stuttgart

08-22-202302-19-2025

906: Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee.

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906: Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee.

Today With Katie Wick:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. What would you think if I said that you could be a successful interior designer working as an employee? For some, you may think, nah. For others, you may be thinking tell me more!

My guest today, Katie Wick, interior designer at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent is here to debunk the unspoken stigma that if you are an interior designer and you don’t own your own business, then you won’t be successful. Listen in to learn all of the perks and benefits to working for an interior design company. Pick It Apart

[2:30] We kick the conversation off with the benefits of working as an interior design employee.

[8:45] Katie’s specific role and day to day duties at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent.

[17:04] Katie explains how she configures her social media while doing design for Jkath.

[25:47] Additional ways that Katie and Jesse support Katie as an employee.

[44:05] Katie explains her opinion of the stigma attached to designers who don’t want to necessarily start their own firm.

LuAnn Nigara and Katie Wick’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Working within a firm with established systems and vendors contributes to a designer’s delivery and experience with high level design.” – LuAnn Nigara

“There has to be a willingness from both the employee and employer to have the hard conversations and proper communication.” – LuAnn Nigara

“They’ve been so generous to me and have created a great culture at Jkath. I would never do anything to cause any suffering in the business. And although it is their business, it is my reputation as well.” – Katie Wick

More About Katie Wick Katie Wick is an interior designer at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent in the Twin Cities. Katie’s design ethos is thoughtful, inviting, and sustainable designs. Each design reinvents homes to optimize how a family functions in their space, an environment that emulates comfort and pride to welcome families and friends to gather, and craftsmanship that will sustain past current design trends. Katie specializes in residential renovations including kitchens, bathrooms, and whole house renovations with custom cabinetry design. A homebody at heart, Katie soaks in time with her son and husband at home, playing, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors. Connect with Katie Wick

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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

#407: Century Furniture and Carrier & Company Launch New Line at High Point Market April 2019

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#627: Julia Miller: The Evolution of an Interior Design Business

08-18-202308-09-2024

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

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

Today With Fernando Duque:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by friend and colleague Fernando Duque, the CEO of Duke Renders. I am also joined by designers Nicole Salceda, from Eye for Pretty, and Elle Odori, founder of Decorelle, who are living proof that using 3D rendering from Duke Renders can uplevel your projects.

Having had Fernando on two times before, we are well aware of his clear process and tremendous success. But we have never heard first hand from one of his clients. It is always nice to hear recommendations from a colleague, and boy do these two recommend Duke Renders. Nicole and Elle share their positive experiences with Duke Renders despite their initial intimidation to give rendering a shot.

Pick It Apart

[3:15] Nicole starts us off with how Duke Renders has personally helped her in her projects.

[7:12] Fernando explains what a designer needs to provide in order for Duke Renders to have detailed renderings.

[17:30] Fernando explains how they can easily use your project management systems, like Mydoma to help formulate your rendering.

[24:54] What to expect with the price of rendering.

[32:55] Nicole shares how she uses rendering for her spec homes.

[43:12] How rendering can not only help your clients visualize a space, but also new ideas from the designer.

[48:15] Fernando’s final thoughts about using Duke Render’s 3D rendering for your projects.

LuAnn Nigara and Fernando Duque’s Ah-Ha Moments

“For our first experience going into rendering I was nervous, but Duke Renders made it easy and really laid it out for us by sending us a template to follow.” – Elle Odori

“When you have the rendering, it gets the client so excited for what’s to come and holds them over.” -Nicole Salceda

“When do you know if it is OK to invest in your business? It is always OK, but it is never going to feel easy.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Fernando Duque

Born in Venezuela, MBA Babson College. Serial Entrepreneur, founded more than 5 companies.

I co founded Duke Renders with my brother Enrique in March 2020 in the middle of COVID 19, since then it has been a skyrocket growth with more than 100 team members today and no outside investment.

We are a 3D Render studio based in beautiful Tulum, Mexico.

We specialize in Interior Design and Architectural photorealistic imaging.

We serve busy Interior Designers with 100% Accurate Photo-Realistic 3D Renderings of their Creative Designs.

We make You and Your Clients feel Proud, Confident and Empowered at Every Single Step of the Design Process.

I live in Tulum with my wife Mina, our newborn daughter Penelope and our doggy Lulu.

Fun Facts:

I love going to the beach at 5am and do it every day!
Traveled the world backpacking for 2.5 years
Loves cooking Moroccan Food for his Moroccan Wife

Connect with Fernando Duque

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Duke Renders.

Other Shows Mentioned:

#722: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: How to Incorporate 3D Renderings into Your Interior Design Business

#823: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan

#852: Nicole Salceda: You Don’t Need to Have All the Superpowers

08-15-202309-24-2024

904: Megan Pisano: Instagram for Interior Designers: Engagement Matters More than Followers

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904: Megan Pisano: Instagram for Interior Designers: Engagement Matters More than Followers

Today With Megan Pisano:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that social media can be a great marketing tool—if you can build up a big following. But if you’re struggling to gain a big number of followers, is it even worth the time?

My guest today, Megan Pisano, would say the answer is absolutely yes. With under 4,000 Instagram followers, Megan has still managed to put social media to strong use for her business through engagement and relationship building. Learn why engagement matters more than metrics!

WATCH THIS EPISODE NOW ON YOUTUBE!

Pick It Apart

[2:27] Megan breaks down how she started using social media for her business.

[15:42] LuAnn and Megan discuss the importance of investing in professional photography.

[16:20] Megan shares the nitty-gritty of her Instagram approach, from content to hashtags.

[33:24] Megan discusses how relationship-building and engagement matter so much on Instagram.

[45:04] Megan and LuAnn talk about the value of referrals, networking, and live events.

LuAnn Nigara and Megan Pisano’s Ah-Ha Moments

“So even though the first time they reach out to you, it’s technically a cold lead, it actually is functioning like a warm lead, because the relationship has already begun.” -LuAnn

“You have to post pictures of yourself. People want to know what you look like.” -Megan

More About Megan Pisano

Megan Pisano Design is an interior design company based in Chatham, NJ. Whether you’re in need of a full-house design or a single-room color recommendation (or anything in between), Megan can help you transform your home.

Megan works closely with her clients to understand what they’re looking for and creates spaces that are both beautiful as well as functional! She has a love for clean, minimalist designs that are brought to life with art and decor that reflect each client’s personality.

Megan’s interest in interior design began at a young age when she found herself rearranging her bedroom furniture every week (a habit that still remains!). She went on to receive an interior design degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and quickly put it to good use after graduation by working as an interior designer for the top Italian Furniture Company, B&B Italia.

After 10 years at B&B Italia, Megan decided to go out on her own in 2017 and fulfill her lifelong dream of starting her own company.

Megan loves helping her clients create spaces they feel happy in and feels lucky to have a job that she never sees as “work”. She’s also a certified yoga instructor – a passion that helps her bring a calm, relaxed approach to all of her designs and clients.

Megan lives in Chatham, NJ with her husband and their 2 young boys.

Connect with Megan Pisano

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

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

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#861: Power Talk Friday: Darla Powell: Instagram for Interior Designers.

08-11-202308-09-2024

903: Power Talk Friday: Adam Stevison: Give Your Clients an Interactive, Luxury Experience at the Home Depot Design Center

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903: Power Talk Friday: Adam Stevison: Give Your Clients an Interactive, Luxury Experience at the Home Depot Design Center

RVSP to attend the Open House at the Home Depot Design Center!

Today With Adam Stevison:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Adam Stevison, Luxury Showroom Manager of the newest Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, New Jersey. While the Home Depot has been around for almost 50 years, this new concept is a store-within-a-store, offering an interactive, luxury experience aimed to serve a customer it was unable to before. The Vauxhall location is the third Design Center that the Home Depot has opened, with other locations in San Diego, California, and Rockville, Maryland.

In this episode, sponsored by the Home Depot Design Center, Adam tells all about this extraordinary opportunity for designers and their clients. Featuring luxury brands appliances by Monogram, Thermador, Signature Kitchen Suite, and Dacor, the Home Depot Design Center features working vignettes, a team of experts, and end-to-end white glove service handled entirely in-house.

Pick It Apart

[1:50] Adam explains what the Home Depot Design Centers (HDDC) offer as a full experience center with built-in vignettes all in demo mode featuring.

[9:31] Adam and LuAnn discuss how designers can learn about the appliances from the team at the HDDC in order to educate their clients and also bring their clients in to experience the center themselves.

[16:28] LuAnn asks Adam to walk through the process of the experience from a designer’s standpoint.

[24:02] Adam talks about the white glove service at the HDDC, explaining all of the concierge services that accompany the experience and emphasizing that no part of the process or product is handled by a third party.

[32:42] Adam and LuAnn discuss client needs and wants and how the appliances at the HDDC can accommodate a range of budgets and desires.

[43:24] Adam encourages designers near the New Jersey location to use the HDDC as a shared workspace with their clients.

LuAnn Nigara and Adam Stevison’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Experience goes a long way.” – Adam Stevison

“We can teach a designer that’s designing as much as the consumer and the end user.” – Adam Stevison

“I know I can’t sell what I don’t know and I don’t understand… So I love that we have this ability to come and really absorb it and grasp it and get the reason for the price tag, what is the value that goes in.” – LuAnn Nigara

“Nothing gets handed over at Home Depot Design Center to anything third party at any stage of the game.” – Adam Stevison

“Ultimately, this is actually the role in the value of the designer—to be the person that’s doing the coordinating among everybody.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Adam Stevison

Since starting with The Home Depot in 2001, Adam Stevison has worked in various roles both customer facing and regional support positions. Titles aside, he is an adept salesperson and operations manager, who now oversees the Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, NJ.

As a part of a new venture in an established company, that’s over 44 years old, his team in HDDC serve a customer that was unable to before.

Introducing the Home Depot Design Center

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, we look forward to being able to match the name recognition of The Home Depot with luxury branded appliances at the Home Depot Design Center to make the kitchen of our client’s dreams come true.

Customers benefit from interacting with the appliances in our luxury showroom to help them decide on products that fit their lifestyle. And through partnerships with designers and the trade, we extend a white glove delivery service, products that are high quality, highly sought after, and suited well for those looking for an elevated experience.

Open House at the Home Depot Design Center

The best way to learn about the latest features on kitchen appliances is to visit our showroom in Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, NJ.

Designers and trade professionals are welcome to our Open House on September 14, 2023. And meet the best-selling author and podcaster: LuAnn Nigara.

Visit the event page for details and RSVP to attend.

Connect with Adam Stevison

RVSP to attend the Open House at the Home Depot Design Center!

Contact Adam: ADAM_STEVISON@homedepot.com

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by the Home Depot Design Center.

Other Shows Mentioned:

#31 Steven Cooper – The Value of a Trusted Vendor

#536 Monogram Appliances: Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel

#608 Power Talk Friday: Christopher Wallace: Leverage Industry Partners to Improve Your Client Experience

#794 Renee Biery: Do Clients Know You Can Handle Project Management?

08-08-202302-19-2025

902: Rama Dandamudi: Why Predictability Matters More than Pricing for Interior Designers

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902: Rama Dandamudi: Why Predictability Matters More than Pricing for Interior Designers

Today With Rama Dandamudi:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know the value of relationships in business—but what about the HOW? How are people going about building solid business relationships that make a difference?

My guest today, Rama Dandamudi, is someone who believes in relationships. Rama is here today to talk about predictability—specifically why predictability matters more than pricing. But as you’ll hear in this conversation, the way you create predictability is by focusing on relationships.

Pick It Apart [5:39] Rama and LuAnn talk about the importance of execution. [10:56] Rama shares why being predictable matters. [17:06] Rama discusses how relationship-building ensures successful projects. [27:24] Rama and LuAnn talk about how to handle tough situations and conversations in business. [39:58] Rama and LuAnn discuss why a personal touch matters. LuAnn Nigara and Rama Dandamudi’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Establish a reputation of being reliable and being consistent and being predictable. Not only will vendors want to come and work with you, but eventually clients will bring more work to you.” -Rama

“You’ve taken basically, the qualities of your typical mom-and-pop shop of why that business is important in a community. And you’ve taken those exact same principles and put it on the global scale that your business lives on.” -LuAnn

More About Rama Dandamudi

I am a Chicago-based entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience creating and managing businesses within the residential design industry. Currently, I am the president and founder of 210 Design House, a lifestyle showroom offering a curated collection of internationally acclaimed, high-end interiors products (including Snaidero, MisuraEmme, Plain & Fancy, Glas Italia, Arflex, Wall&decó, and Milldue noorth and Vitage).

For more than 25 years, my team and I have brought functional luxury and unique design to life in both single-family and multi-unit residential projects across Chicago and the country. In addition, I have spent the past two decades developing partnerships with international luxury brands and bringing them to the U.S. market, while remaining active with charitable organizations focused on child welfare and education. Prior to entering the design world, I was a board certified surgeon at Cook County Hospital for nearly 20 years.

Connect with Rama Dandamudi

Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors: