Today With Antonio Deloatch

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. What’s the difference between a designer who thrives in business and one who doesn’t? It isn’t talent. It isn’t passion. It isn’t motivation. It’s simply the ability to commit and get things done. My guest today, Antonio Deloatch Jr, is one of those real action-takers—someone who I just have no doubt is going to be big and successful, not just as a designer, but at whatever he puts his mind to. It’s a combination of his outlook, his attitude, and his ability to put one foot in front of the other and make it happen. Today, he’s sharing his story and insights with us.

Pick It Apart

[3:39] Antonio shares his experience at the Black Interior Designer’s networking event.

[7:30] Antonio discusses how grassroots marketing worked for him. 

[21:00] LuAnn and Antonio talk about marketing opportunities that can make a difference. 

[25:11] Antonio shares his “why” and the pillars of his business.

[28:47] LuAnn and Antonio talk about how to make things happen for your business.

LuAnn Nigara and Antonio Deloatch’s Ah-Ha Moments

“All you need is one. One good project could pay for my marketing plan for the year. It’s a low barrier to entry. If that’s $600 on pretty postcards, it’s not that expensive but could have a really big return.” – Antonio Deloatch

“There’s always good or bad in the era that you’re doing business. Just get over it, get on with it, and do business in your era.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Antonio Deloatch:

I’m a New Yorker with a love for the California sun…

Living in New York & Los Angeles with a global state of mind equals the best of both worlds. 

I get up every single day to change the way people live through art, light and design. For me, taking a non functional space and transforming it into the most popular room in the home, is a dream come true. I have tackled projects ranging from studio apartments in Hong Kong to million dollar estates in the Hamptons to sprawling ranch homes in Ojai CA. Each project is an exploration of you and how you will live in the space. 

My love for décor and design started early. I realized that I wanted to use my talents outside of the sales floor or cubicle. I started my design business in 2014 and my main goal still to this day is to bring quality, as well as affordable designs to any consumer.

Connect with Antonio Deloatch

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#524: Power Talk Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: Showing Up is Not Enough

#06: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

Today With Shannon Lopez:

You’ve heard of the PPP, but did you know that there’s another government program waiting to give you as much, if not more money back? It’s called the ERC. Today, Shannon Lopez breaks down the program, who it’s for, how you can take advantage of it, and the deadlines you need to know.

Pick It Apart

[8:55] Shannon breaks down what the ERC is and why it matters.

[13:53] LuAnn and Shannon discuss the challenges of running a business at the beginning of the pandemic.

[31:16] Shannon explains who qualifies for the ERC.

[44:00] Shannon walks us through how her company can help.

[53:53] Shannon and LuAnn talk about why this program isn’t more well-known.

LuAnn Nigara and Shannon Lopez’s Ah-Ha Moments

“It’s so incredibly important. We’re really lucky that we have someone like you that really understands it and has spent the last two and a half years pivoting her business in order to become an expert at this.” – LuAnn Nigara

“This program is as financially impactful, if not more, than the PPP for most business owners. Whatever amount of money you got from the PPP, there’s a good chance that you will get that much, if not more, for this program.” – Shannon Lopez

More About Shannon Lopez:

Shannon Lopez is co-founder of ‘Be Better ERC Consulting’ and ‘Be Better Salon Accelerator’, a salon entrepreneur consulting firm. She’s a small business owner and an accomplished CFO with more than 25 years of experience.

As a business owner, consultant and educator, Shannon along with her business partner, Naomi Prusinski, are always looking for ways to create better results for their businesses and clients.

When they first learned about the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), they conducted extensive research and have now helped hundreds of companies receive tens of millions of dollars in refunds so far!

Connect with Shannon Lopez

Website

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Today With Enrique Crespo:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode features Enrique Crespo of Crespo Design Group. Enrique is here to share how developing a Type A personality approach can ensure success, especially in an industry as creative as interior design. Type A personalities are organized, ambitious, and like to have an agenda. But don’t worry—you don’t have to be one to become one. Over the years, Enrique has refined this mindset and honed the skills to guide and grow his firm, and he shares those stories with us today.

Pick It Apart

[1:57] Enrique explains how Type A personality traits can help maintain a well-run business through organization, which allows you to offer a higher level of luxury service.

[8:50] LuAnn and Enrique discuss how he invested in his business by hiring someone who specializes in interior design processes, and how he tailored that structure to the specific needs of his firm, along with other ways he invests in his business.

[10:30] Enrique talks about how he has hired several senior designers that all have different personality types and he tries to match them with clients and projects accordingly.

[19:01] Enrique and LuAnn discuss working with luxury clients and Enrique explains why listening and understanding, yet maintaining authority as the designer is important, and how he learned those lessons the hard way.

[28:25] Enrique reveals how he exposes his team to luxury and gives them opportunities to experience luxury so they can better understand the level of service they are expected to maintain.

LuAnn Nigara and Enrique Crespo’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Creativity happens in the gray areas. However, finances happen in black and white. And you need to know how to manage your finances to run a successful business.” – Enrique Crespo

“When you’re dealing with people’s money in their homes, it gets really personal.” – Enrique Crespo

“When you swim in that luxury lane, to your point, that’s what the client expects. And if you don’t deliver, there’s another firm that can do it for them.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Enrique Crespo:

At a young age, Enrique was inspired by his favorite uncle, Enrique Gutierrez, a prolific architect who was the first to bring Cuban-inspired architecture to Miami. His home was filled with antiques, African artifacts, modern pieces and an incredible collection of contemporary Latin American art. It was a collected home, now a hallmark of Enrique’s personal taste.

Originally from South Tampa, Enrique graduated from the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design with an emphasis in art history and architectural history. Studying architectural history deepened Enrique’s knowledge of design and broadened his approach to his craft. Art and architecture through the ages, and its influence on design and space, is ingrained in his work. In 1999, Enrique launched Crespo Design Group in his hometown of Tampa, which soon became the sought-after design firm for discerning clients in Florida’s most desirable neighborhoods. The Group made its mark on everything from high-profile beach properties, to island escapes to mountain retreats. In 2021, he expanded his practice to Los Angeles to better serve his clients on the West Coast.

Enrique built his firm to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience for his clients. He is a collaborator who prides himself on listening to clients, understanding their needs, and delivering the lifestyle they have always imagined. Every detail is intentional and chosen to reflect the style, spirit and nature of the client. Whether the goal is eclectic modern estate or sophisticated mountain retreat, Enrique is passionate about exceptional design.

An avid equestrian, Enrique can often be found at the barn at the Tampa Yacht Club and Country Club riding horses or at Stovall House when he’s not designing or traveling. Enrique currently sits on the board of the Tampa Museum and is Chair of the Collections Committee; the board of the Henry B. Plant Museum; the Board of Tampa Bay Businesses for Community and the Arts; and is Chair of the Tampa Museum of Art’s CITY Fashion Event. Enrique spends his time between Tampa and Los Angeles. He shares his home in Tampa with his husband Russell and their two French Bulldogs, Coco and Josephine.

Connect with Enrique Crespo

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#853: Power Talk Friday: Brittany Murphy: Hiring An SEO Specialist For Your Interior Design Firm

#844: John McClain: Turn Failure Into Success

#849 Power Talk Friday: Staci Davidson: Why You Need Someone to Handle Everything But Design

#753: Sandra Funk: How to Grow a Thriving Luxury Interior Design Business

#578: Lori Morris: When Working With the Luxury Client, the Answer is Yes!

#678: Power Talk Friday: Katie McFarlan: The Client Experience Starts with Processes

Today With Hunter Lowder:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. We’ve all heard that we should free ourselves up for CEO-level tasks. But knowing we should and actually following through with it are very different things. It can be hard for entrepreneurs who feel like they have to carry everything in their business. Sometimes, the operations get jumbled along the way. My guest today, Hunter Lowder, runs a business that steps in and serves as fractional COO to get designers back on track. She’s sharing how we can let go, how to find the right person for the job, and how the process of bringing someone in actually works.

Pick It Apart

[1:48] LuAnn and Hunter discuss what bringing in an outside COO looks like and how it can work. 

[5:15] Hunter shares why business owners often experience overwhelm. 

[10:33] Hunter and LuAnn discuss the importance of mission, vision, and values when bringing someone into the COO role. 

[18:23] Hunter shares two tips for people who might need assistance in their operations. 

[33:15] Hunter discusses the different ways she supports business owners.

LuAnn Nigara and Hunter Lowder’s Ah-Ha Moments

“I think everybody talks about creativity and visionaries…but then there’s the side like me who are operations and systems. We are kind of like the fun police, telling people, it’s great that you love what you do—here’s how we make it sustainable.” – Hunter Lowder

“The original entrepreneur gets it going…but now the business is growing and decisions need to be made on the daily. The whole organization is accustomed to the CEO being the decision-maker. But there’s this level where the CEO is seeing the next level for the business but is stuck in the weeds of the day-to-day decision making.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Hunter Lowder:

Hunter Lowder is co-owner of Tortoise & The Bear, a business strategy, operations, and mindset coaching company that supports visionaries in bringing their wild and crazy dreams to life. Coupling her past business experience as CEO of a multi-million dollar company with mindful coaching approaches, Hunter helps service-based business owners create and prioritize a strategic plan to grow their impact and move their business forward in a sustainable way. 

After suffering severe burnout as a CEO, Hunter is passionate about building a business in alignment with her values. When she’s not helping clients fine tune their operations, she’s likely dancing and singing karaoke with her husband, feeding her son’s football team, or hanging out at the beach with her fur babies.

Connect with Hunter Lowder

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

TikTok

FREE Customer Journey Audit

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#607: Sara Lynn Brennan: Project Management with Specific Deliverables and Deadlines

#385: Power Talk Friday: Amber De La Garza: The Productivity Specialist

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

#634: Power Talk Friday: Jessica Harling: A Specific Process for Onboarding a New Hire

Today With Lindye Galloway:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode features Lindye Galloway, of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. Lindye is here to share the inspiring story of how she followed her heart, creating a business model for her e-commerce shop and Designed by Lindye collection that does good for others by giving a portion of the profits to provide microloans to entrepreneurs in underserved parts of the world. Lindye encourages us to find meaning through our own business ventures by exploring our whys and living our truths.

Pick It Apart

[1:39] Lindye tells the story of how she and her husband Winn started the e-commerce shop alongside her design studio in 2020 as a way to make a meaningful impact and help others.

[17:47] Lindye and LuAnn examine the logistics of running an e-commerce site.

[22:08] Lindye talks about the importance of offering unique, custom products in her shop to set it apart from other e-commerce sites. 

[28:00] LuAnn explains the importance of having your mission, vision and values established and how that can impact the success of your business.

[32:35] LuAnn and Lindye discuss knowing your truth and recognizing that your truth can shift during different seasons of life.

[36:21] Lindye reveals why she doesn’t believe the common phrase “if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.”

LuAnn Nigara and Lindye Galloway’s Ah-Ha Moments

“I wanted to somehow find a way to help people, I want it to be able to create a business that, yes, could serve me and my family and create a lifestyle, but also that could have more meaning.” -Lindye Galloway

“[Prepare] yourself to know that there’s going to be so many logistics involved and allowing that to be okay on the journey.” – Lindye Galloway

“In everything that we do here in our studio, and in our shop that it’s a part of our  core values is generosity. And that comes with each other. And that comes also with giving away.” – Lindye Galloway

“As you go up the ladder and the people that actually build the business that they want to build, whether it’s big or small, it’s because they’ve decided what it is first that is important to them.” – LuAnn Nigara

“There will always be days that feel like work. And if you know what your truth is, you’re gonna get through those days.” – Lindye Galloway

More About Lindye Galloway:

Lindye Galloway is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. As an interior design tastemaker, she delivers an effortless take on a California style that perfectly juxtaposes a tailored sophistication in a laid-back setting. 

Entrepreneurial in spirit, what started as a solo passion project, has quickly grown into a successful interior design studio and team serving an exclusive list of clientele across the US each year. 

Lindye joined forces with her husband, Winn, to launch The Lindye Galloway Shop. This online destination for home furnishing and decor was launched to help design-lovers easily achieve their own take on The Lindye Galloway Studio’s signature California style and sophistication in their own homes.

Connect with Lindye Galloway

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#677: Megan Molten: To Succeed, Focus on Your Why

#545: Laurel Smith: Permission to Succeed

#717: Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

#840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life

Today With Brittany Murphy:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I have Brittany Murphy of One Thing Marketing joining me. Just when you think you are starting to understand SEO, Google switches up the algorithm. 

SEO is a very important element to our businesses. A lot of us wonder; how do we incorporate SEO? Who do we hire that we can trust to help us? These are very important and common questions and Brittany is here to answer them, and then some. Enjoy!

Pick It Apart

[2:19] Brittany starts us off by explaining SEO and what it means.

[8:34] What to look for in finding a reputable SEO company. 

[12:16] What should you be seeing from a marketing company to know they are getting you results. 

[31:11] Brittany gets into some DIY tips for those who want to try improving SEO themselves.

LuAnn Nigara and Brittany Murphy’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Google has gotten a lot smarter to prioritize resourceful articles from websites they trust. SEO is how you build that trust.” – Brittany Murphy

“Whether you’re dealing with an SEO specialist, or a CPA, or a bookkeeper, whoever it is, if you aren’t feeling like they are meeting you where you are and aren’t sincere, listen to your inside voice and move on.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Brittany Murphy:

For almost a decade, Brittany has created over 300 digital marketing strategies for clients all across the US. As a partner for online marketing agency, One Thing Marketing, Brittany focuses on helping home service business owners get their phones to ring with new leads. 

Since 2018, her team has niched into specializing for trade and home service business which has allowed them to perfect their proven process and strategies for optimizing clients’ websites and Google presence. 

Through her strategies, background in blue collar, and experienced team, Brittany has helped local businesses increase their revenue by at least of 30% every year, year over year.

Connect with Brittany Murphy

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Twitter

9 Marketing Strategies Proven To Increase Leads

30-minute Strategy Session!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

#371: Power Talk Friday: Jason Berkowitz: Optimize the SEO of Your Interior Design Website

#626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design 

#746: Power Talk Friday: Daniela Furtado: How to Get SEO Traffic to Your Portfolio

Today With Nicole Salceda:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today I’m joined by Nicole Salceda! Her career in interiors began as a passion for making the polished, functional design more accessible. She is going to share with us how she built the amazing team that is behind her brand, the “not so pretty” things she had to overcome during the first years in business, and how she manages her Instagram account of over 295,000 followers.

LuAnn Nigara and Nicole Salceda’s Ah-Ha Moments

“The error isn’t in investing in your business, the error was in understanding how, where, and when the tracking of it.” – LuAnn Nigara

“It was time for me to find the right people, get them in the right seats so I could really scale this business” – Nicole Salceda

“Once an entrepreneur fully owns their finances, the whole business changes” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Nicole Salceda:

Nicole Salceda’s career in interiors began as a passion for making the polished, functional design more accessible. She left her job as an elementary school teacher to see those spaces come to life firsthand. What started as a handful of clients quickly became a rapidly growing portfolio full of homes in her signature warm minimalist style. Now, having been through a dream home remodel of her own, she has even more perspective when it comes to the client experience. 

Nicole and team—each member hand-picked for their talent—work closely to create inspiring spaces. They assemble elements that are old, new, handmade, and thrifted for homes that are understated, but far from boring. Each refined detail is a testament to Nicole’s distinct penchant for bringing a room together—to her eye for pretty.

Connect with Nicole Salceda

Website

Eye For Pretty At Home

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

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

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

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

Power Talk Friday

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

Other Shows Mentioned:

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

#433: Nate Berkus: Introducing His Collection with Kravet

#507: Barclay Butera: 25 Years of Beautiful Design

#203: Darla Powell – How to Launch an Interior Design Firm