Page 35 – LuAnn Nigara

07-14-202311-22-2024

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

0:00

1:2:33

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

Today With Sandra Funk:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that thriving in business takes a specific mindset. But what is the millionaire mindset, really? How can we break out of fear mode and start doing what it takes today to take our business where we want to be?

In today’s sponsored show, Sandra Funk is here to chat about the Interior Design Standard and the millionaire mindset for designers.

Pick It Apart

[7:54] Sandra and LuAnn discuss why waiting for the “right time” hurts designers.

[21:26] Sandra and LuAnn talk about the importance of investing in your business.

[40:07] Sandra and LuAnn share the value of setting expectations with your clients.

[45:44] Sandra shares how important it is to have a process for estimates—and to stick to it.

[49:36] Sandra shares details about the upcoming session of the Interior Design Standard.

LuAnn Nigara and Sandra Funk’s Ah-Ha Moments

“When we’re not process driven, and we don’t have it documented, then we are making up the conversation.” -LuAnn

“There are so many designers who are doing this designer discount and charging 10% or 20%, or even 30% markup. I tracked it people—that is break-even. 35% markup is break-even.” -Sandra

More About Sandra Funk

Sandra Funk is a trusted advisor and the celebrated design leader who built the boutique firm, House of Funk and her proven process, the Interior Design Standard. Over 30 national press outlets – Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, to name a few – have recognized Sandra for her award-winning designs and innate entrepreneurial spirit.

Despite her business degree, a background in business process consulting and a design education from Parsons, it took Sandra over a decade – and the help of several experts – to develop and fine-tune her business model for a thriving interior design firm.

Today, Sandra is deeply rooted in empowering and educating design entrepreneurs. With her turnkey approach, she welcomes designers into her inner circle, sharing her proven process for a balanced, joy-filled and wildly profitable design firm.

Connect with Sandra Funk

Website

Instagram

Facebook

How to Start an Interior Design Business

Interior Design Pricing

Other Shows Mentioned:

#845 Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Stop Apologizing and Start Communicating

#801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation

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

#660: Sandra Funk: Level Up Your Business Through Mentorship, Coaching, and Classes. Sponsored Show: “Interior Design Standard”

#585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems

#520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here!

#145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10-Year-old Firm

#02: The Importance of Systems for a Profitable Interior Design Business With Sandra Funk Levy

07-14-2023

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

0:00

01:02:04

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

07-11-202308-08-2024

894: Jessica Duce: The Vacation Rental Design Summit at High Point Market

0:00

1:2:09

894: Jessica Duce: The Vacation Rental Design Summit at High Point Market

Today With Jessica Duce:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Jessica Duce, principal designer at both JDuce Design and Vacation Rental Designers is back on to talk about her Vacation Rental Design Summit she held in spring 2023 at High Point. We talk about the importance of noticing gaps in the industry and how she used them to her, and everyone’s benefit, in more ways than one. We also learn about the membership program she and her partners started, and everything else Jessica has been up to since she was last on!

Pick It Apart

[1:45] Jessica fills us in on why she was so passionate to create the Vacation rental Design Summit.

[5:00] Jessica explains that there are, in fact, differences between vacation rental design and regular design.

[13:09] Jessica shares what the new summit consisted of for both new and old vacation rental designers.

[24:20] Jessica talks about the membership program her and her partners launched at the summit.

[36: Jessica tells us about the evolution of Vacation Rental Designers since she was last on the podcast.

LuAnn Nigara and Jessica Duce’s Ah-Ha Moments

“People want to stay somewhere that doesn’t look like their home.” – Jessica Duce

“Brands want to be apart of a rental, so guests or designers that they bring in can experience these brands there instead of in a showhouse.” – Jessica Duce

More About Jessica Duce

In business for almost 20 years, interior designer Jessica Duce brings her creativity and expertise to both residential and commercial projects. With Houston as homebase, she works with clients across the country which she says affords a unique perspective on regional design trends and needs. The principal designer at both JDuce Design and Vacation Rental Designers, she saw the latter as a much-needed niche service bringing value to short-term rental property homeowners who require a unique mix of budget and modern style. Together with business partner and real estate consultant Julia Harmon, they are creating new opportunities for designers and owners in that space.

As an accomplished speaker and presenter, Jessica has appeared on numerous panels and podcasts, and she has been featured in community lifestyle publications as well as trade magazines including Business of Home, Furniture Today, Designers Today and KBIS magazine. Most recently, she announced her role as key strategist in the inaugural Vacation Rental Design Summit to be held in conjunction with High Point Market in April 2023. Jessica is the incoming President for IDS Houston as well as National IDS membership. Additionally, Jessica is proud of her ongoing relationship with Modenus and its Design Hounds Influencer program.

Connect with Jessica Duce

Vacation Rental Designers

Website

Instagram

Vacation Rental Design Summit

Jessica Duce

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:

#32: Robin Baron – The President of ASID NY Metro Chapter Talks with us about PR and Brand Development

#305: Elizabeth Scruggs- The Things I Learned From A Well-Designed Business

#368: Jessica Duce: VRBO Interior Design

#540: Robin Baron: Strategic Thinking on Product Development

07-11-2023

894: Jessica Duce: The Vacation Rental Design Summit at High Point Market

0:00

01:00:13

894: Jessica Duce: The Vacation Rental Design Summit at High Point Market

07-07-202309-24-2024

893: Power Talk Friday: Michelle Clayton: Essential Strategies to Uplevel Your Branding

0:00

1:2:42

893: Power Talk Friday: Michelle Clayton: Essential Strategies to Uplevel Your Branding

Today With Michelle Clayton:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday. I am sitting down with Michelle Clayton, the Brand Strategist, and Designer behind Let Her Fly, a studio for successful women who are ready to level up and look like the pro they are. Michelle wanted to come on and first of all, give us some great actionable branding tips, but also to debunk the misconception that using Fiverr or Pinterest for your logo is a good idea. Spoiler alert, it’s not. Michelle will explain why and what you should be doing for your brand.

Pick It Apart

[3:25] Michelle tells us the first place we should turn to when considering a rebrand.

[14:58] Michelle explains the difference between your brand logo made from someone on Fiverr compared to a professionally made logo.

[30:45] Michelle and LuAnn discuss brand consistency among all of your platforms.

[39:49] Additional actions you should skip when formulating your brand.

[46:20] Michelle explains that re-branding or tweaking your current brand doesn’t mean changing yourself.

LuAnn Nigara and Michelle Clayton’s Ah-Ha Moments

“If you present your brand one way on Instagram, and a completely different, or old, way on your website and they just don’t line up, it’s a hard no for me.” – LuAnn Nigara

“People need that consistency in their brand across all platforms, whatever that is for your business.” – Michelle Clayton

“You need to make it easy for people when they are checking you out, and give them the path of least resistance.” – Michelle Clayton

“Everyone has a brand and the beauty is you can love and keep developing the one you have or if it isn’t working for you anymore, you can always change it.” – Michelle Clayton

More About Michelle Clayton

Michelle Clayton is the Brand Strategist and Designer behind Let Her Fly, a studio for successful women who are ready to level up and look like the pro they are. She captures their personality and expertise in a clear, cohesive brand that feels just like them and attracts more ideal clients, so they can confidently go after their next big thing.

With a design degree and 30 years in the industry, Michelle’s experience ranges from in-house art departments to non-profits to two of Calgary’s largest advertising agencies. Through, Let Her Fly, she now brings that same level of expertise and eye for detail to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Michelle loves helping women create a brand that looks as professional as they are—one that fits like their favorite t-shirt and attracts more ideal clients. She knows first-hand the insecurity that comes from outgrowing your brand, and the positive impact the right one has on your confidence and your bottom line.

Through strategic design, insightful articles, guest interviews, and online and in-person workshops, she breaks down the mystery of great design, the difference it makes, and how everyone can build a brand that feels good and delights their audience.

In 1995, Michelle traded Southern sweet tea and lightning bugs for true love in the Great White North. She speaks fluent American and Canadian, accurately using “toboggan” in either context. Home is in Calgary with her husband, two teen daughters, a hairy rescue pup, and a bottomless London Fog.

Connect with Michelle Clayton

Spotify playlist of guest episodes on podcasts

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

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:

#06: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

#125: Nicole Heymer: How to Brand Your Business, Yes Again. Do Not Miss This One!

#145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm

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

#492: Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success

#609: Lisa Haude: Rebranding to Express Who You Really Are

#882: Bria Hammel: Doing Fewer Interior Design Projects and Increasing Your Profitability

07-07-2023

893: Power Talk Friday: Michelle Clayton: Essential Strategies to Uplevel Your Branding

0:00

01:00:45

893: Power Talk Friday: Michelle Clayton: Essential Strategies to Uplevel Your Branding

07-04-202309-26-2024

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

0:00

1:14:48

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

Today With Sharon L. Sherman:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Sharon L. Sherman, founder of Thyme and Place Design. Sharon has been practicing award-winning kitchen and bath design for the past 40 years, is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers, New Jersey chapter, and was named 2022 Innovator of the Year by Kitchen Bath Design News magazine. She has worked with every personality out there and is here to discuss personality traits.

We delve into the four personality types she categorizes: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. We talk about their traits, how to recognize them, and how to work with each one best for successful outcomes every time.

Pick It Apart

[2:09] Sharon explains that everyone has a different idea of what a difficult client is, but by understanding our own personality traits we can better understand and work with all types of clients.

[9:30] Sharon introduces the four personality types she has defined: fire, air, earth and water.

[11:28] LuAnn and Sharon discuss the traits of the fire personality and how to handle them.

[19:26] Sharon describes the air personality as expressive, friendly, and appreciative, but also need to be appreciated.

[25:56] Sharon explains that those with the earth personality are stable and grounded and comfortable like your favorite pair of jeans.

[29:56] Sharon and LuAnn talk about the water personality, which tends to be analytical and organized.

[38:36] Sharon and LuAnn how to determine personality types and work with each one better.

LuAnn Nigara and Sharon L. Sherman’s Ah-Ha Moments

“There’s really no such thing as a difficult client. It just sounds like a match that’s not well matched.” – LuAnn Nigara

“To resolve a problem—that’s when we have to step out and detach and start to observe and see and to, quite frankly, employ those sales skills.” – LuAnn Nigara

“Clients make our world go round. Without them, we’re no longer in business..” – Sharon L. Sherman

“If you understand how to speak to your clients, and how to ask them questions, and listen to what they’re saying…you start to see who that person is going to be.” – Sharon L. Sherman

“If anybody right now has a recent interaction with any client that went negatively—just now think about the different personalities and try and identify what personality they are. Probably, you handled it from your personality. And if that ends up being true, then that is really a very foundational reason why the problem escalates—because you’re handling something from your perspective as opposed to the way they need it handled, not because it was an unsolvable problem.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I didn’t let fear overcome my love for what I’m doing.” – Sharon L. Sherman

More About Sharon L. Sherman

Sharon is the founder of Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She’s been practicing kitchen and bath design for the past 40 years and is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers – New Jersey chapter.

Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, The Best of Bergen, as well as several books.

Her blog “Tips from the Trade” appears in digital form on DesignNJ.com and KBBonline.com. She has also appeared on HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation and episodes of House Smarts with Lou Manfredini. In 2022, she was a featured *Voices From The Industry* speaker at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s international convention and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Kitchen Bath & Business magazine and has received the 2022 Innovator of the Year award from Kitchen Bath Design News magazine.

Connect with Sharon L. Sherman

Website

Instagram

Book

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

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:

#760: Jessica Harling: The 7 Step Sales Process for Interior Designers and Window Treatment Professionals

#762: Laura Martin Bovard: Do You Run Your Interior Design Business From Ego or Soul?

#808: Hailey Kolbe: How to Vet Inquiries, Spot Red Flags, and Attract Your Ideal Client

#842: Joshua Smith: Sell the Experiences, Not the Commodity

#848: Amy Youngblood: Why Your Contact Form is Critical in Identifying Your Ideal Interior Design Client

Other Resources Mentioned:

Chairman of the Board

Make a Friend 7-step sales process

07-04-2023

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

0:00

01:12:52

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

06-30-202302-11-2025

891: Power Talk Friday: Judy Brower Fancher: Selecting the Right Art Can Grow Your Client Base, Your Quality Results, and Your Profit

0:00

0:57:39

891: Power Talk Friday: Judy Brower Fancher: Selecting the Right Art Can Grow Your Client Base, Your Quality Results, and Your Profit

Today With Judy Brower Fancher:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today I am joined by Judy Brower Fancher, of Brower, Miller & Cole Art Consulting. Judy is certified in interior design, and while she isn’t currently working as one, she knows that most interior designers are not trained, nor confident, in selecting art for their clients. Judy is here to help my audience understand that buying those color Xeroxes is never the answer, and some tangible tips for those unfamiliar with the art world.

Pick It Apart

[2:32] Judy explains what she means about the difference between xerox art and real art.

[9:17] Just explains how the budget for art should be separate from the design budget.

[20:58] Tangible benefits for an interior designer when they add art into their projects.

[25:46] Judy lets us know where we can go to source art.

[42:12] How the relationship works between the designer and an art consultant.

LuAnn Nigara and Judy Brower Fancher’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Art should be emotional. It should feel as passionate as your first kiss.” – Judy Brower

“As trusted professionals who are supplying, educating, and sourcing art for our clients, we should have some education on it and know what we are doing.” – LuAnn Nigara

“The art really adds to the luxury feel of the project and is part of showing the good taste of the home.” – Just Brower

More About Judy Brower Fancher

With two decades of experience traveling the globe to understand the art, architecture, fashion and design of various parts of the world, Judy Brower Fancher brings her own love of international cultures, mixed cultures and all things unique and remarkable to her design and storytelling skills.

Her company mission is to create the final layer on spaces that make people whole through reflecting both their current lives and their cultural heritage, while assisting clients and the interior design trade to bring fantastic original art into their lives and their interior designs.

Judy’s background includes: Purchasing art in galleries in more than 25 countries around the globe 25-plus years working with architects, developers and interior design firms Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UCLA Minor in Art History Graduate of the Interior Design Institute

Attending conferences for:

Global original art Global luxury interior design custom materials and installation global furniture and accessories Global real estate and architecture trends

Judy believes that with a highly personalized final layer, a home or workplace can embrace more than one background and tell a compelling story to those who visit. In addition, incorporating cultural elements adds beauty that never goes out of style.