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846: Kellie Burke: If You’re Not Failing, You’re Not Risking

Today With Kellie Burke:

Hi, welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Join me this week as I sit down with Kellie Burke, owner of Kellie Burke Interiors. One of Kellie’s philosophies when designing a home is that “it should feel like a well-traveled home and not have a matching, store-bought look.” Tune in to hear about her journey, the importance of failure, and the ups and downs of having a business.

LuAnn Nigara and Kellie Burke’s Ah-Ha Moments

“The failure comes the lessons.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I think we mistakenly see all the beautiful things and believe that that is the business of it, and it’s not.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Kellie Burke:

Kellie studied design at Skidmore College in New York and overseas in Florence, Italy. While abroad, she soaked in the design principles associated with many different countries, including Portugal, Russia, Italy, France, Brussels, England, Estonia, and Scandinavia.

After working as a studio artist and a faux painter, Kellie established her West Hartford, Connecticut-based interior design firm, Kellie Burke Interiors, in 1995. The firm expanded to include a design studio filled with trendy, high-style home products and accessories. One of Kellie’s philosophies when designing a home is that “it should feel like a well-traveled home and not have a matching, store-bought look.” Instead, she gravitates toward an ‘Old World’ style with modern, functional accents. Kellie is also very aware of the needs of clients with families and coordinates her efforts to make sure her designs meet all of their practical needs.

Kellie was featured in OK Magazine in 2005 for designing Brooke Burke’s Mediterranean Mansion. Hartford Magazine has named Kellie Burke’ Best Interior Designer’ in 2006 – 2015 Readers Poll. Kellie has been featured in Luxe Interiors + Design, Hartford Magazine, New England Home, and was a national finalist in the 2015 Zillow Digs Design Awards.

Connect with Kellie Burke

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:

#844: John McClain: Turn Failure into Success

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

Today’s Show is Sponsored by the “Interior Design Standard.”

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s sponsored show, Sandra Funk is here to share all the details of her upcoming course, the “Interior Design Standard”.

I’m so excited to share Sandra Funk’s business program, the “Interior Design Standard”, with you because I know it will be the best investment for your business.

Enroll here: https://interiordesignstandard.com/luann

Today With Sandra Funk:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Have you ever found yourself apologizing for delays due to elements that are completely out of your control (backorders, supply chain issues, labor shortage, etc.)? My guest today, Sandra Funk, believes it’s time to stop apologizing.

Sandra shares her insights into why designers do this, why they need to stop, and how to take back control of your communication with your clients.

Pick It Apart

[1:30] Sandra picks apart why designers need to stop apologizing for things that are out of their control.

[7:28] LuAnn and Sandra discuss why setting expectations upfront is important.

[17:30] Sandra shares why and how she implements a restart fee when projects are delayed past a certain point.

[26:30] Sandra highlights the value of templates in the Interior Design Standard.

[35:11] Sandra breaks down the upcoming opportunity to join the Interior Design Standard.

LuAnn Nigara and Sandra Funk’s Ah-Ha Moments

“You need to communicate the facts, accept our new reality, and get strategic on how you are going to stretch what you thought was going to be a six-month project into a year-long project.” – Sandra Funk

“Just because it’s not the client’s fault, doesn’t mean it’s your fault or your responsibility to bear the burden of all the chips that fall because of whatever you’re dealing with.” – LuAnn Nigara

“You can’t change labor shortages, you can’t change supply chain issues, but you can change the way you describe it, the way you share the information, and the way you handle it internally, and that so much affects the way your client will handle it.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Sandra Funk:

Sandra Funk is the CEO and Principal Designer of House of Funk, a greater New York area design firm working wherever great clients need us.

This is interior design with a soul and a sense of place; reflecting your desires, personality, and style.

House of Funk creates thoughtful homes with an emphasis on clean lines and soulful touches, all rooted in tradition.

Sandra is an Accredited Professional for the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

Sandra’s award-winning design work has been featured in publications such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The Huffington Post, Apartment Therapy, Aspire Design & Home, and Luxe Interiors + Design.

With almost two decades in the interior design industry, Sandra is launching the Interior Design Standard in the spring of 2020 – a template for designers to utilize her streamlined processes and business structure to bring joy and profit to their own design business.

Connect with Sandra Funk

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

Pinterest

How to Start an Interior Design Business

Interior Design Pricing

Watch Sandra Funk’s feature in LuAnn’s new 3-part docuseries:

Watch the full 3-part Docuseries here. See behind the scenes of what it took to build A Well-Designed Business® podcast.

Other Shows Mentioned:

#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

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844: John McClain: Turn Failure into Success

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Today With John McClain:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am joined for the second time by John McClain. John is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, and author of The Designer Within. In this episode, he shares a bit about his back story with us—from crisis to conquest.

John is here to help you understand that you can learn and grow from your mistakes, and success can be born out of failure. John shares his dark night of the soul story with us, but it didn’t end there. He turned that rough patch into a catalyst to organize his business for the better. Since then he has implemented a “How We Work” document, detailed client contracts, flat fees, and non-negotiables because his business is worth it. He is worth it. And you are worth it.

Pick It Apart

[6:38] John shares his dark night of the soul story involving client credit cards, attorneys, a factory fire, and armed guards.

[20:35] John discusses the importance of knowing your company policies and non-negotiables, for example, he does not take credit card payments.

[31:40] John and LuAnn discuss the importance of formal agreements and transparency with clients.

[35:41] LuAnn and John pick apart his pricing structure and flat fees, including his creative fee and project fulfillment fees.[57:29] John talks about the online courses for designers he offers, as well as his new book The Designer Within and the online course for homeowners that goes along with it.

LuAnn Nigara and John McClain’s Ah-Ha Moments

“Until you’ve been through a serious business crisis, it’s hard to know how it really cuts you in your gut.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I don’t care if you’re a solopreneur or if you have 25 people working for you. Your company policy is your company policy. And that is what you have to stand by.” – John McClain

“A lot of people don’t take the time to sit down and come up with the rules [of their business]. ” – John McClain

“You do have to take time—really getting clear with who you are, what you do, how you do it, why you do it, and your non-negotiables.” – LuAnn Nigara

“I want to be an advocate for other designers and out in the world, to really stand up for themselves. And to have a company philosophy, have a company vision have a company backbone that they can stand behind.” – John McClain

More About John McClain:

John McClain is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, speaker, on-air contributor, and writer who has turned his lifetime passion for interior design into an opportunity to do the same for others through his book, The Designer Within (available now at thedesignerwithin.co). John McClain Design has offices in Central Florida and Los Angeles, CA. His projects have received numerous awards and have appeared in many publications including Traditional Home and Elle Décor. John’s design advice can also be seen regularly in print, television appearances, and online in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Us Weekly, and many more.

Connect with John McClain

Website

Instagram

Book and Designer Courses

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

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:

#472: John McClain: Running His Firm from Two Coasts Makes Systems and Tools Critical

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

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

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

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843: Power Talk Friday: Carla Titus: Think Like a CEO By Outsourcing Your Numbers

Today With Carla Titus:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business Podcast. Today we are joined by financial expert Carla Titus, founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, a financial planning company offering fractional CFO services to transform business profitability. 

Carla helps us understand what a fractional CFO is and how this service can provide the financial support and insight many businesses need to achieve financial clarity and plan for a profitable future. She specializes in helping 6- and 7-figure businesses gain control of their numbers with a 5-step framework she calls 2C3P that tackles financial health from all sides. Listen in to find out more.

Pick It Apart

[3:08] Carla walks through the roles of bookkeeper, CPA and CFO and the conversations you as a business owner should be having with each.

[8:58] Carla and LuAnn discusses the goal of hiring a CFO and improving the financial picture of the company .

[15:19] Carla talks about changing your mindset and thinking like the CEO of your business by looking at five key components in a framework she calls 2C3P: Cashflow, Capacity, Planning, Pay Compensation, and Profit.

[24:42] LuAnn and Carla discuss the seasonality of business, and the importance of being in tune with this as a business owner.

[31:32] Carla lists her non-negotiables she helps business owners set as goals for a successful business: cash in the bank, profitability, and paying yourself.

LuAnn Nigara and Carla Titus’ Ah-Ha Moments

“The beauty of bringing an expert into your business is that you do not need to know everything. That is the whole point of outsourcing your finances. You’re bringing that knowledge, and also that person that’s going to guide the process from beginning to end, [to] make you feel empowered and comfortable around your finances and your numbers.” – Carla Titus

 “Don’t overthink what you don’t know.” – LuAnn Nigara 

“There’s times where you need to step into that CEO role and work on your business, not in your business.” – Carla Titus

“Managing the influx and outflows of cash really can help a business be more financially stable, but also feel completely in control of what’s happening.” – Carla Titus 

“If you want to sell your business one day, if you want to run a successful long term company, there has to be a salary for someone that is in charge.” – Carla Titus

More About Carla Titus:

Finance expert with over 15 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and established online businesses fractional CFO consulting experience. Our company provides a vast array of on-demand CFO services that leverage our industry expertise. A well-rounded CFO team with Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, Online Business, Operations, Execution, Planning, and Tech background.

She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to business owners. Wealth & Worth Within’s mission is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.

She is dedicated to imparting financial knowledge in order to properly manage finances and achieve profitable results. She has applied that expertise to businesses, helping them grow by creating simple yet effective systems to improve cash flow management and bottom-line results.

Connect with Carla Titus

Website

Instagram 

Facebook

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

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:

#489: Power Talk Friday: Brad Clinard: Intentional Planning for Abundant Living

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

#395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business

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

#361: Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO?

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

Today With Joshua Smith:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Joshua Smith, of Joshua Smith Inc. Joshua draws on decades of experience transforming functional spaces into inspiring environments that engage the senses and nourish the soul. By cultivating the connections between mind, body, spirit, and space, he helps his clients elevate their experience each day.

Join us for a great conversation about the power of meditation, the importance of being connected to your passion, and his amazing working philosophy!

LuAnn Nigara and Joshua Smith’s Ah-Ha Moments

“It’s the responsibility of the industry to educate the consumer” – LuAnn Nigara

“We’re wanting to do what we can to make sure that we’re leaving the world as best we can for our kids” – Joshua Smith

“You know what? I realize now that as an interior designer, you’re responsible for everything but you have control over nothing” – Joshua Smith

“It’s not just how you want to space to look, it’s how you want your space to feel” – Joshua Smith

More About Joshua Smith:

Joshua graduated from the New York School of Interior Design and started his career in 2012. After Joshua graduated, he joined Steven Gambrel, an influential interior design firm that specialized in high-end residential and commercial commissions worldwide. In 2013, Joshua Smith, Inc. was created and earned national recognition as featured in New York Times, Huffington Post, and Rizzoli’s 2019 book, “On Style”. 

With projects on both coasts, Joshua Smith Inc, offers full-service residential interior design – and life-changing spaces. Joshua draws on decades of experience transforming functional spaces into inspiring environments that engage the senses and nourish the soul. By cultivating the connections between mind, body, spirit, and space, he helps his clients elevate their experience each day.

Connect with Joshua Smith

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Blog

The “3 fives” routine

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

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