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875: Window Treatment Friday: Vita Vygovska: The Straight Talk About Unstable Fabrics

Vita Vygovska Luann University Course

Today With Vita Vygovska:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Window Treatment Friday, which means I am joined by Vita Vygovska. Vita is the founder of Vitalia Inc. and a regular here on the podcasts. She is an expert in all things window treatments, and today Vita will share her knowledge of unstable fabrics to help us better understand the qualities of these linens, wools, open weaves, and anything viscose.

Window treatment professionals can’t guarantee the results when working with these fabrics, so neither should you as the designer. But don’t worry, Vita is here to eloquently help us navigate these temperamental textiles and give us the knowledge we need for better success.

Pick It Apart

[7:22] Vita and LuAnn discuss the battle of getting drapes to skim, or “kiss” the floor.

[17:53] Vita offers language to say no, without actually saying “no.”

[24:24] LuAnn talks about the importance of listening to the advice of your window treatment professional and passing the information along honestly to your clients.

[28:59] Vita advises interior designers on alternative fabrics to use in place of unstable ones.

[40:10] Vita suggests not only discussing the fabrics, but documenting the conversation and putting a disclaimer on projects with unstable fabrics because you can’t guarantee the outcome.

LuAnn Nigara and Vita Vygovska’s Ah-Ha Moments

“We want to be good partners. We want to be there as your problem solvers, and as someone who brings value. But we also want to tell the truth, and we don’t want to set anybody up for failure.” – Vita Vygovska

“These unstable fabrics‑being unstable because they’re unpredictable‑whereas we don’t exactly know as a workroomhow they are going to behave when we fabricate them… And so because these fabrics are so unpredictable, it is really difficult to guarantee any kind of specific result.” – Vita Vygovska

“Understand that once your window treatment professional confirms, or just tells you, for the first time that this probably isn’t going to perform the way you and your client have the expectation to, then think of it as clear cut as the sofa blocking the walkway.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I’m going to tell you the truth over getting an order because I don’t want just the order. I want the order and I want the project to be successful.” – LuAnn Nigara

“Tough conversations are always better had on the on the forefront‑up front‑before they become tough situations.” – Vita Vygovska

More About Vita Vygovska:

Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short!), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, and the LuAnn University instructor for Systems Driven Operations.

Connect with Vita Vygovska

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

LinkedIn

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

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:

WTFP #134: Deb Barrett: Why Textiles Matter

AWDB #448: Window Treatment Friday: A New Series featuring Vita Vygovska and LuAnn Nigara

AWDB #456: Window Treatment Friday: Custom-Made vs Ready-Made Window Treatments

AWDB #462: Window Treatment Friday: Window Treatment Business Models, Part 1

AWDB #471: Window Treatment Friday: Window Treatment Business Models, Part 2

AWDB #748: Window Treatment Friday: Pricing Window Treatments: Understanding Margin vs. Markup

AWDB #761: Window Treatment Friday: Pricing Window Treatments: How to Ballpark the Numbers on the Fly

AWDB #775: Window Treatment Friday: Vita Vygovska: How Much Profit Can Designers Make on Window Treatments?

AWDB #815: Window Treatment Friday: Vita Vygovska: Mindset of Pricing Window Treatments

Other Resources Mentioned:

Vita’s Focus on Fabrics CEU

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

Ldcfs2e5qnkm2djml3ks Group Shot Zane And Emily (2)

Today With Zane and Emily Williams:

Hi, welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I’m joined by a power couple, Zane and Emily Williams from Z Properties. They have established a reputation for evocative design and quality construction, materials, and furnishings. Zane and Emily have worked with every type of client and strongly know how to best navigate relationships for creative freedom on their end and a happy customer on the other, and today they share with us how they do it!

LuAnn Nigara and Zane and Emily Williams’ Ah-Ha Moments

“Never back away from what you love and what you feel good about.” – Emily Williams.

“If they’re a good client they are coming to you because they trust you and they want your confidence and input.” – Emily Williams

More About Zane and Emily Williams:

About Zane Williams –

Driven by a belief that the home should be a place that stirs something within you, Zane fuses intuitive project management with a daring design approach, allowing him to conceptualize properties that are executed perfectly and bring a sense of awe to each homeowner and business owner, alike. Zane’s incredibly honest and cutting-edge approach to design-build, paired with his expertise in all aspects of the selection and execution of the perfect property, draws clients from across the Central Florida region.

About Emily Williams –

Emily, with a sharp eye for all things luxury design and a captivating presence, combines a confident use of playful palettes and patterns to create unique spaces that beg to be enjoyed. Emily’s ability to carefully curate an interior that’s surprising and inspired has established Z’s interior design offerings as some of the most sought-after in the Sunshine State and beyond.

Emily also extends her passion for living beautifully through her other Winter Parkbased businesses: The Grove (apparel, home goods, and gifts), Be On Park (fine jewelry), and Clementine (wedding registry, tableware and home accessories).

Connect with Zane and Emily Williams

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

luannuniversity.com

Watch the Docuseries!

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:

#380: Circle Design Studio: Architect & Interior Design Firm: John & Theresa Dorlini

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873: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Design a Better Bottom Line With The Designer CPA

Peter Lang

Today With Peter Lang:

Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Peter Lang of The Designer CPA, the only CPA firm in the country specializing in the business of Interior Design. Peter is a repeat guest on the show and the co-author of A Well Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts.

Peter has spent the last several years compiling all of his numbers and all of his knowledge into a beautiful industry-standard report. If you’ve ever wondered what profits look like for an interior design business your size, or how much the average owner pays themselves annually, or what standard monthly overhead costs add up to, then this is for you. This guidebook has every benchmark number along with thorough video explanations to help you make better decisions and have more success in your interior design business.

Pick It Apart

[5:13] Peter explains the differences when choosing between cash basis and an accrual basis on your tax forms.

[13:54] Peter and LuAnn discuss how different software targets different methods and offers different features, mentioning Pete’s online assessment that can help designers decide what project management software might work best in their business.

[18:11] Peter helps LuAnn understand what interior designers need to look for in a good bookkeeper.

[26:00] Pete and LuAnn dig into Peter’s new online course, an interior design guidebook full of industry standards based on Peter’s accounting data.

[31:46] Peter breaks down what is in the payroll section of his new report and how business owners can use this data.

[42:49] Peter explains how designers and business owners can use these numbers to their advantage.

LuAnn Nigara and Peter Lang’s Ah-Ha Moments

“When your profitability is monitored, then your own paycheck can go up.” – LuAnn Nigara

“The numbers and the data don’t lie.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I want you to use this information to make better decisions for your business, so that bottom line number—that profitability number, the amount that you want to pay yourself—it’s easier to succeed in those goals that you have.” – Peter Lang

More About Peter Lang:

Peter Lang is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  He is the founder of The Designer CPA, a CPA firm that works exclusively with business owners in the design industry.  He has worked in public accounting since graduating from Providence College in 2002.  After working for several larger-size firms in Boston and Rhode Island, Peter realized his true passion was to start a firm that specifically focused on designers.

Connect with Peter Lang

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Industry Standard Data 2019 to 2022

Other Shows Mentioned:

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

AWDB #349: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: The Designer CPA

AWDB #464: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner

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

AWDB #522: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang, CPA: Taxes and the Coronavirus Relief Package Explained

AWDB #719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s

A Big Thank You to Today’s Sponsor:

Today’s show was sponsored by The Designer CPA.

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872: Throwback Tuesday: Amber Lewis: The Business Side of Your Interior Design Firm

Amber Lewis

Today With Amber Lewis:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, today we’re doing something a little bit different: Throwback Tuesday. With over 900+ episodes in our back catalog, it’s hard to keep up with all the great designers that have shared their knowledge with all of us, that’s why we’re bringing back Amber Lewis’ 2017 episode. Amber and I talked about what it was that catapulted her to a level above her own in the beginning, the importance of figuring out your system and the chain of command in your firm, parenting and running a business and so much more! Let’s dive right into it.

More About Amber Lewis:

As principal at Amber Interior Design and founder of the blog, All Sorts Of, she has garnered clients and followers from around the world. As pioneer of the white-wall, laid back California aesthetic, Amber’s eclectic design approach and affinity for found objects has made her a household name.

Amber imbues a bit of California eclectic in all of her projects, but craves a design challenge and opportunities to show off her ever-evolving style. No matter what the style she is asked to create, each space designed by Amber feels cozy, eclectic, and unique.

Today Amber Interior Design, Inc. provides designs for large scale residences. Amber and her team work with architects and contractors to bring the distinct visions seen in her work, on her blog and in her retail Shoppe, to life. Light filled rooms, colorful textiles, natural elements, earthy textures, and brushed metals, are the elements that define and can always distinguish an Amber Interiors designed home.

Amber currently lives in Calabasas with her husband and business partner Mike, their daughter Gwyneth, and fur babies Penny, Billie, Stella, Milo, and Georgie (all rescue animals).

Connect with Amber Lewis

Website

Instagram

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Live 2023

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:

#169: Amber Lewis- Keynote Speaker at Design Blogger’s Conference #184: Amber Lewis – Important Business Tips to Run Your Interior Design Firm #507: Barclay Butera: 25 Years of Beautiful Design

#36: Susan Brunstrum- Practical Advice for Project Management

Other Resources Mentioned:

Studio Webware

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

Desi Creswsell (1)

Today With Desi Creswell:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. In today’s sponsored show, I’m sitting down with Desi Creswell, a friend of the show, Power Talk Friday expert, and creator of Out of Overwhelm—a six-month, intimate group experience for interior designers that will take you from overwhelmed & stressed to in control and profitable.

What really impresses me about Desi isn’t just her ability to teach people time management skills. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, the skills, tools, techniques, and practices are only half of the puzzle. Desi’s real ability lies in the other half—the mindset hurdles that are blocking us from transforming our relationship with time.

Pick It Apart

[2:13] Desi shares why time management is much more than the perfect color-coded calendar or time-blocking system.

[7:45] LuAnn and Desi discuss the concept of a relationship with time and how to change it.

[13:30] LuAnn and Desi talk about why the lack of time isn’t the real issue—the problem is often so much deeper.

[30:27] Desi shares her 5-step process for time management.

[56:44] Desi highlights how Out of Overwhelm works to help designers with time management struggles.

LuAnn Nigara and Desi Creswell’s Ah-Ha Moments

“We want to take an outward easy step to time management. And it’s a good step—time-blocking is something we want to do in a lot of ways. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg, and if it doesn’t go with all of the other things that you teach and coach on—like the relationship with time—it doesn’t change things.” – LuAnn

“I ask people to describe their relationship with time. For a lot of my clients, the relationship is adversarial, it’s forced, disciplined in a nonsupportive way. That used to be my experience before I came across the mindset tools I teach now. When we are in that unhealthy dynamic with time, of course we don’t want to engage with the strategies that are going to support us in effectively managing our time.” – Desi

More About Desi Creswell:

Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole.

An award-winning interior designer, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own design practice. After experiencing burnout from an endless to-do list and the competing interests of work and home, she was disheartened by the feeling that she wasn’t showing up as her best in any area of life. Desi sought to find solutions within the industry for time-management, work-life balance, and creating success that is truly self-defined.

In her quest to find a better way, Desi became committed to personal development and growth. This led Desi to blend mindset with strategy to transform her own experience and thus realize that there was a need for this type of support within the design community. Her training as a life coach, paired with her industry-specific expertise, helps her to empower clients to thrive both personally and professionally.

Connect with Desi Creswell

Website

Instagram

Interior Designers Get it Done Daily Planner 

Life & Business Vision Journal

Podcast: The Interior Design Business CEO

Freedom in the Framework Workshop

Other Shows Mentioned:

#777: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Leading from Your Future Self

#698: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Tactics to Beat Burnout and Overwhelm

#557: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO Mindset

#475: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: How to Create More Time