Page 34 – LuAnn Nigara

08-22-202302-19-2025

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

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1:9:38

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

Website

Instagram

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

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

#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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1:3:22

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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1:3:21

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

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

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

#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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0:54:56

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

Website

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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0:59:31

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

Website

Instagram

Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

#222 Power Talk Friday: Lee Cockerell- Customer Service the Disney Way

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

08-04-202302-17-2025

901: Power Talk Friday: Anna Nelson: The Power of Being a Strengths-Based Entrepreneur

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0:57:22

901: Power Talk Friday: Anna Nelson: The Power of Being a Strengths-Based Entrepreneur

Today With Anna Nelson:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I welcome my friend Anna Nelson. I met Anna in September 2022 at the HPS. Out of the 60 or so people that were there, Anna was the first person I immediately connected with. In the episode you will hear her say that this is her strength, connecting with people on a deeper level, and I can personally vouch for that.

Anna is here to talk about how she helps entrepreneurs find and use their own strengths to get focused and aligned in their businesses.

Pick It Apart

[8:10] Anna explains the importance of appreciating the value of your ideas in relation to benefitting your business.

[12:15] How your client can have an impact on utilizing and recognizing your strengths.

[13:50] Anna shares for people not ready to invest, how they can recognize their strengths on their own.

[22:20] Anna shares an example of when it clicks for a client recognizing their strength and utilizing that to better their business.

[29:20] Anna can also benefit experienced designers and window treatment professionals who have been in the business for years.

LuAnn Nigara and Anna Nelson’s Ah-Ha Moments

“As a designer you can design a room, but how you approach designing that room will be different than someone else through your strength. It comes down to understanding what sets you apart in your industry.” – Anna Nelson

“If you don’t appreciate the value of your ideas and why they set you apart from someone else then you don’t know how to use them in a way that can benefit your business.” – Anna Nelson

More About Anna Nelson

Anna Nelson, MBA, ACC is a coach and speaker on a mission to help 10,000 entrepreneurs get focused and aligned in their businesses. She spent 18 years working in the corporate worlds of the financial, retail and marketing industries before embarking on her own entrepreneurial dream of helping people reach their goals by first understanding their strengths.

She’s coached hundreds of individuals from solopreneurs starting their businesses to 7-figure entrepreneurs with a team helping them get crystal clear on what each individual brings to their business and their clients. She loves nothing more than talking with a stranger and getting them excited to pursue the unknown and make their dreams a reality.

Connect with Anna Nelson

Website

Instagram

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

# 174- Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours

# 811- Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate

08-01-202302-19-2025

900: Sara Hamza: Building a Design Business Aligned with My Fred Berns “Only”

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1:10:50

900: Sara Hamza: Building a Design Business Aligned with My Fred Berns “Only”

Today With Sara Hamza:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Sara Hamza, a Danish-Egyptian designer and the founder of Nina June, a custom furniture and styling brand. Based in Cairo, Egypt, Sara operates her business from a place of compassion, genuinely seeking to know and understand her clients so she can serve them better.

Sara is sharing how being diagnosed with RA as a teenager impacted her life and career, how she currently defines success, and what listening to the podcast for the past few years has taught her.

Pick It Apart

[6:33] Sara talks about how she operates her design business in Egypt and how the podcast has helped answer many questions she has along the way.

[12:17] LuAnn and Sara discuss why connecting to your clients with compassion is important, and how Sara’s medical history has informed this lesson in her business.

[19:34] Sara explains how being diagnosed with RA forced her to make difficult choices, prioritize her activities, and delegate from a young age, which all serve her in her business now.

[24:49] Sara tells LuAnn that she learned to define her own success by listening to the podcast.

[32:31] Sara describes her furniture lines and what she offers at Nina June.

[36:22] LuAnn and Sara discuss how her Danish and Egyptian roots contribute to her character and influence her designs.

[49:36] LuAnn and Sara talk about the importance of wellness, in life and in order to sustain a successful business.

LuAnn Nigara and Sara Hamza’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Compassion means that you’re actually willing to do something about it, versus empathy—where you just feel with a person.” – Sara Hamza

“People really pick up when someone is genuine, and when someone is reliable and trustworthy. And when your client sits in front of you and feels that—you’re booked on the spot.” – Sara Hamza

“We’re not looking for something so far away—we’re looking for something that’s truly part of us…What is my real “why” here?” – LuAnn Nigara

“I think much of the maturity that I’ve obtained the last three years is because I had to look inward.” – Sara Hamza

“If we want to change ten things, we have to start with actually changing one thing.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Sara Hamza

Sara Hamza landed her first job, painting seashells for a gift shop, when she was just 12 years old—it was the spark that kindled her desire for a creative career. At the time, she had no idea which area her artistic flair would lead her but throughout her rigid education, she craved an outlet that would release her imagination.

Born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1985 to an Egyptian father and Danish mother, she lived a family-oriented daily life that would seem unsophisticated compared to life in other capital cities. After completing German school, she studied architecture at the Fine Arts University in Cairo while applying for a Design and Innovation course in Denmark.

Perhaps she is an overachiever, because not only did Sara complete her design course, but also began her first design-related job whilst studying. Coordinating between a Danish designer and an Egyptian manufacturer, she got her first opportunity to visit a tradeshow in Stockholm, an experience that filled her with awe and strengthened her ambition even further.

Following her graduation, Sara returned to Cairo where she was fortunate enough to get a job with award-winning designer Karim Mekhtigian at Alchemy. She worked there for three years, garnering experience, and pursuing other design enterprises, such as the design and manufacture of her well-known flip-flop brand Shibshibi.

Sara decided it was time to stand alone so she left Alchemy spending some time designing her own home and taking on projects for acquaintances and a growing number of clients. Increasingly, she took the time to sit with clients and understand their backgrounds, struggles and dreams before designing for them. It became a truly satisfying part of her work and she found that knowledge of a client’s story gave her an instinct for what they would find both comfortable and comforting in her designs. Alongside the projects for her new clients, she took on designing a furniture collection for a well-known brand, C-Reality. At Egypt’s largest trade show, her collection was received well by the crowd and fellow designers—an immense thrill for Sara.

Since then, Sara has taken part in several design workshops, including the D+I workshop, which was one of the first design workshops in Egypt, where she exhibited her ‘drop table-lamp’ at one of Egypt’s most historic neighborhoods, Moez street.

In 2013, she started her second brand, House of Vintage. It evolved from an idea inspired by her love of mid-century Scandinavian furniture which she enjoyed rooting out at markets in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. She began to ship her finds to Egypt, refurbishing and selling them. This business kept her busy while her next idea for what she really wished to do germinated and she got the courage to begin her own brand of furniture design and home styling.

Nina June’s first collection was well-received when it launched in November 2019. It combined a perfect blend: Scandinavian look and feel, vintage touches, and the warmth of Egypt. The Nina June style was a celebration of simplicity and cosiness, with just a breath of luxury that pampered its clients, so when Coronavirus hit Egypt straight after the launch in January 2020 it seemed that everyone would be home forever. However, contrary to all expectations, Sara was able to take part in a pro bono program, where designers performed free online home makeovers for people who would not normally think, or indeed be able to afford, to have their homes redesigned. It was this step which promoted her home-styling career.

The Nina June brand is all about collaboration and since February 2020, when Sara launched her wood workshop and office with her new partner, the brand has collaborated with wallpaper designers, metal sculptors, pattern artists and mosaic artists, to name but a few. She can offer furniture production services to designers, directly to customers, or a full home-package consultation. The individual creative vision of so many artists and their ability to discuss and benefit from each other’s knowledge and ideas stimulates the brand keeping it fresh and inspired. Today the workshop houses eight carpenters with a team of six in the office and it is still growing.

Connect with Sara Hamza

Website

Instagram

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

#174: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours

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

#596: Jamel Williams: A Call to Create Opportunity and Change at the University Level

#720: FlashBack Friday: Cheryl Janis : Defining and Owning Your Niche

#811: Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate

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

#896: Cléophée Poli: A Unique Interior Design Niche Serving English-Speaking Clients in Paris

#897: Power Talk Friday: Adrien Cotton: Design Your Midlife Wellness for Confidence

07-28-202302-21-2025

899: Power Talk Friday: Janine Aurichio: The Inside Job: 3 Keys to Calm, Clear, and Joyful Creativity

0:00

1:10:57

899: Power Talk Friday: Janine Aurichio: The Inside Job: 3 Keys to Calm, Clear, and Joyful Creativity

Today With Janine Aurichio:

Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On this Power Talk Friday, I am joined by Janine Aurichio, Certified Life Coach, Mental Fitness Coach, Speaker, and Founder of YES2YUM Life Styling. Janine coaches design professionals on The Inside JobTM which creates the mindset and mental fitness needed to run their business with clarity, purpose, and ease.

We are discussing something we all have in common, no matter where we come from; inner voices, or what she calls your inner Sage and Saboteur. It’s a battle. And Janine is here to guide us on how to do the inner work to intercept our negative Saboteur voice.

Pick It Apart

[6:40] Does our environment add to the intensity of our negative thoughts, or Saboteur?”

[9:09] Why do we focus on the negative thoughts and stories we tell ourselves?

[14:00] How the impact of the inner Saboteur impacts everything.

[20:48] Janine talks about the Positive Intelligence Framework and the exercises we can do to shift out of the negative mindset, or Saboteur.

[36:25] Janine tells us about the free Saboteur assessment she offers.

LuAnn Nigara and Janine Aurichio’s Ah-Ha Moments

“If you want to reach your highest levels of performance with lasting peace of mind, you have to deal with the inside stuff.” – Janine Aurichio

“The stories in our head are made up, so why do we put so much emphasis on it?” – LuAnn Nigara

“The Saboteur is indulging itself in emotion and reacting. The Sage empathizes, thinks, and taps into the positive.” LuAnn Nigara

More About Janine Aurichio

Janine Aurichio, MBA, WPCC, MIM, is a Certified Life Coach, Mental Fitness Coach, Speaker, and Founder of YES2YUM Life Styling. A former designer and recovering perfectionist, Janine coaches design professionals on The Inside JobTM of creating the mindset and mental fitness to run their business with clarity, purpose and ease. Using her signature Life Styling approach, her clients go from stress and overwhelm to calm, clear and creative. Her 35-year journey from type-A executive to type-Me coach informs her work with stressed entrepreneurs, and helps them achieve peak performance with maximum peace-of-mind and heart. With Beauty as her #1 core value, Janine’s purpose is to be part of the healing of the world by supporting the Beauty-makers. She is an avid hiker and scuba diver, and a native New Yorker living in northern California with her rescue dog and cat.

Connect with Janine Aurichio

Schedule a free 30-Minute Saboteur Consultation

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

#871: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Out of Overwhelm: Why Time Management Begins With Your Mindset

#881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business.

07-25-202302-21-2025

898: Jillian Lare: An Engineer-Turned-Designer’s Take on Tech

0:00

1:10:22

898: Jillian Lare: An Engineer-Turned-Designer’s Take on Tech

Today With Jillian Lare:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined once again by Jillian Lare, a trained engineer, experienced college lecturer, and award-winning interior designer. A few years ago, Jillian partnered with her friend and fellow designer to start Morris Lare Interiors in Des Moines, Iowa, and it has been a growing success. Jillian credits a lot of her success and smooth business operations to the technology she implements. She is sharing what is working well in her business, along with suggestions on where to get started integrating technology into your businesses as well. She’s also got a great prompt if you want ChatGPT to create a great Spotify playlist just for you.

Pick It Apart

[4:12] Jillian explains how she uses various project management software platforms in her firm.

[19:04] Jillian shares how her team does a daily check in each morning on Slack to stay up to date on their priorities without having to meet in person.

[27:20] LuAnn and Jillian discuss tracking time and expenses within the project management systems and by using the app Harvest.

[30:07] Jillian talks about how she is using Milanote.

[44:03] LuAnn shares her thoughts on naming conventions and how these need to be thought through at the beginning so they are easily searchable.

[48:33] Jillian explains why she uses DesignSpec to keep a record of all of their specs in one database.

[54:16] LuAnn and Jillian discuss using AI for idea generation, making a great Spotify playlist, and prompting Midjourney.

LuAnn Nigara and Jillian Lare’s Ah-Ha Moments

“I’m about just get something that works. And email is not the answer.” – LuAnn Nigara

“f it’s not easy to do, it doesn’t matter how good it is. It’s not going to get done.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I just want everything to be accessible wherever I am. The minute it’s like not accessible is when I’m kind of like start to lose interest in it, because we’re just out and about so much.” – Jillian Lare

“Every time you enter the same information in multiple places, that’s an opportunity to get it wrong.” – Jillian Lare

More About Jillian Lare

Jillian Lare is a native of northeastern Pennsylvania. She achieved a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and spent her early career with Intel Corporation. During her time as an engineer, she honed the invaluable skills of critical thinking, project management, leadership, and effective communication, which she applies every day as an interior designer and entrepreneur.

Jillian made the switch from engineering to design in 2007 when she apprenticed with a local designer. Upon relocating to Des Moines, she enrolled in the MA of Interior Design program at Iowa State and graduated in 2013. She joined the faculty shortly after and served as an instructor for five years, specializing in residential design and visual and graphic communication. While teaching, she continued to design for clients. After the birth of her son in 2017, she launched Jillian Lare Interior Design, her eponymous firm focused on residential new construction and remodeling.

Jillian enjoys working on a variety of residential projects including new construction, kitchen remodels, decorating, and furnishings throughout the Des Moines area and with clients coast to coast. She resides in West Des Moines with her husband Keegan, a registered landscape architect, their son Ashton, and two dogs Booker and Arlo.

Connect with Jillian Lare

Website

Instagram

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

Watch the Docuseries!

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors:

Nancy Ganzekaufer

Traci Connell

Duke Renders

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

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:

#162: Power Talk Friday – Natalie Norcross – The Dynamic Leader of A Design Partnership

#506: Power Talk Friday: Natalie Norcross: A Design Partnership

#544: Power Talk Friday: Natalie Norcross: 5 Things To Do To Get PR

#864: Hilaire Pickett Martin: Lesson From an Interior Design Operations Manager

#870: Jillian Lare: Processes to Know Your Numbers

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

#895: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers

Other Resources Mentioned:

Asana

InDesign

Basecamp

Dropbox

Slack

Voxer

Harvest

Studio Designer

MyDoma Studio

Milanote

Instagram

Canva

Google Suite

Chief Architect

Calendly

Type Form

Design Spec

ChatGPT

Midjourney

Books:

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

Atomic Habits by James Clear

07-21-202309-24-2024

897: Power Talk Friday: Adrien Cotton: Design Your Midlife Wellness for Confidence

0:00

0:59:38

897: Power Talk Friday: Adrien Cotton: Design Your Midlife Wellness for Confidence

Today With Adrien Cotton:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Adrien Cotton, menopause expert, transformational concierge wellness coach, and founder of Alexandria Wellness. Adrien’s luxury services and holistic approach bring beauty and confidence to her clients. Like many interior designers, Adrien operates a very personal pursuit that can impact every facet of an individual or family’s life and well-being.

Driven by systems, efficiency, and meaningful connections, Adrien is here to share effective business insights that will move the needle in any industry. We talk about qualifying clients, building a solid team, the importance of systems and consistency, and the value of human connection.

Pick It Apart

[5:45] Adrien explains her intake process and how she has refined it to make sure her clients are committed.

[12:03] LuAnn and Adrien discuss the back end of her business and how her team supports all of her business efforts.

[17:29] Adrien explains how she pivoted into concierge wellness and established her brand. LuAnn relates that to how many designers come into the industry as a second career.

[21:02] Adrien talks about the importance of knowing your numbers in accounting and data, as well as the importance of systems.

[26:51] Adrien explains her system for an editorial calendar throughout the year.

[30:34] LuAnn tells Adrien how she uses ChatGPT for rough drafts and idea generation, but explains that the human element is still necessary.

[39:29] Adrien and LuAnn discuss the value of human connection and how concierge wellness and luxury interior design are both rooted in that connection because you can’t just Google them or use AI for them and get a personalized answer.

[45:37] Adrien mentions her master menopause course and walks through how her concierge small groups work.

LuAnn Nigara and Adrien Cotton’s Ah-Ha Moments

“I’m not a trend and I’m not a fad. I’m not a cleanse, I’m not a diet. I’m a lifestyle.” – Adrien Cotton

“If any designer thinks [AI] is replacing the interior design industry, then they’re not really fully in touch with what their actual intellectual property is.” – LuAnn Nigara

“The human brain thrives on connection with another human being. And so a designer or a wellness expert—we’re connecting with someone who’s going to trust us to make their life a little bit more beautiful.” – Adrien Cotton

“I’m serving them in a way that they can’t Google. And I will work just as hard as they do.” – Adrien Cotton

“You want to get up every day and live in your ‘why’ and do what you do. Because…when you can do that and make money at it, you can do that and support your family or yourself…then that is the day that you’re not working.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Adrien Cotton

Adrien Cotton believes that the greatest gift you can give to yourself is the gift of wellness. She is an accomplished speaker, entrepreneur, corporate wellness educator, menopause expert and transformational wellness coach with proven success in designing and implementing innovative workforce wellness programs. Her effectiveness as a facilitative leader, motivational speaker, writer and coach is rooted in a strong set of guiding principles for growth and mirrors her own personal wellness journey.

Since founding her wellness enterprise, Adrien has leveraged her fitness and wellness background to move women from a place of “giving up” to one of proactive self-care. Her work goes beyond nutrition and exercise and focuses on an individual’s lifestyle and key high-impact areas including stress resilience, sleep, calendar management, mindfulness, and menopause. She excels in shifting mindsets and helping her clients leverage small habits that yield lasting results.

Whereas the market is saturated with wellness professionals, Adrien brings a breadth of corporate experience, a proprietary methodology, and a unique client-centric perspective. After serving in high-leverage professional roles, Adrien pivoted her career focus to helping clients capture their strengths in all areas of life.

She is also the creator of the MASTER Menopause NOW! Wellness Program. This course is the culmination of 20 years of research and many years of working with perimenopausal and menopausal women. She has discovered what works, with real women, every day.