Today with Lisa Princic:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. We talk a lot about niching on the show. But today we’re talking about a different aspect of getting clear on what you do—your value proposition. Don’t let the marketing jargon fool you: your value proposition is something you already have, whether you’ve defined it or not. Today, business strategist Lisa Princic is sharing her insights on what a value proposition is, why it matters, and how to gain clarity around yours. 

Pick it apart:

• [0:53] Lisa highlights what a value proposition is and how it helps you think about your business like a business. 
• [5:15] Lisa shares her story of entrepreneurship and how she realized that she needed to define her value proposition.
• [11:12] LuAnn and Lisa discuss the emotional transformation designers offer their clients and how they can distinguish that from others. 
• [23:48] LuAnn and Lisa talk about why it’s worth taking the time to get clear on your messaging.
• [31:05] Lisa discusses why targeting your message at the clients most ready to buy makes more sense than trying to attract everyone.

LuAnn and Lisa Princic’s Ah-Ha moments:

“This is what I find interesting about service-based businesses. We start a little bit casually. We say “I want to do this thing” and we don’t really think about it like a business. But could you imagine a business that is planning to have huge growth or is asking for a lot of venture capitalist funding before they get started—they have to prove themselves before they go to market. They’re figuring out their value proposition before they’re setting up shop. They have to know that it’s getting traction, they have to do their market research, and they have to get clear on why it’s going to be successful. We don’t do that.” -Lisa Princic

“Whether or not you call it out on your website “I am the interior design that does sustainable design” for example, if you have enough blog posts and information out there, the people that are searching that will find you, and if they love your portfolio and all the other things fall into place, then they already know you can do that because of the writing, but whether your website has you niched all the way down is irrelevant at that point.” -LuAnn Nigara

“Trust is created through words more than it is through photos. It’s letting them know what you do. You can be ultra nurturing, you can be leading edge…these are all really subtle things that we can write down…You’re going to better suit different clients based on your personality.” -Lisa Princic

More About Lisa Princic:

Lisa Princic is a trained business strategist and the host of the Scaling Deep Podcast. Lisa’s clients turn to her for help with business growth when they are worn out from chasing the next mass marketing trick, but know they need to go beyond word of mouth. She is a results-oriented, deep thinker who has an innate instinct for “seeing” the value of a business and turning that into a pipeline of ideal clients. A staunch believer in business simplicity and intention, Lisa helps her clients accomplish their goals by focusing on what to do AND what to ignore.

Connect with Lisa Princic:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Podcast

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Revel Woods: your source for premium hardwood and resilient flooring. Using the Revel Woods selector tool, you’ll be able to find curated suggestions for your project catered to your client’s home. When you sign up for a free professional membership, you’ll get access to exclusive discounts and referral benefits. Visit revelwoods.com to get started.

Other Shows Mentioned: 

#651 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Gaining Credibility in Interior Design

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

#256 Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients

#214 Rachel Moriarty: How FaceBook Live Can Be A Game Changer For Your Interior Design Business

Today with Kate Rasmussen:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, we’re talking about how to take on new projects—specifically projects that you don’t have experience or expertise in. It can seem almost impossible to break into new avenues in your business. But with the right strategy in place, you can find and land new projects, even without the specific expertise in that area. I’m joined by Kate Rasmussen of Wade Weissmann Architecture, who has quite a bit of experience doing just that!

Pick it apart:

• • [1:16] Kate talks about putting together pricing and proposals when jumping into brand new types of projects.
  • [9:50] LuAnn and Kate discuss how to successfully manage new projects without having the systems and processes in place. 
  • [18:07] LuAnn and Kate talk about the importance of designing with your client’s budget in mind. 
  • [32:25] Kate shares how to find growth opportunities for your firm. 
  • [45:55] Kate gives her insight on how to develop relationships with architects.

LuAnn and Amy Lynn Allard’s Ah-Ha moments:

“When you’re breaking into a new market, you’re probably not going to hit the same profitability margin, but you also don’t want it to hit the bottom line too hard, especially when it’s a much larger project.” -Kate Rasmussen

“We analyze at the end of a project what went well, what didn’t go well, from design to schedule to communication, and then at the heart of it, profitability.” -Kate Rasmussen

“It does attest to the power of relationships, that it’s not a transaction, it’s a conversation, it’s a friendship, it’s a relationship. You’re not necessarily calling them to ask them to show you or teach you or help you propose this. You’re calling on a colleague that you know has done a project of similar style or scale and you’re picking their brain about that project— what were the pitfalls, the challenges, what did you not know before you started.” -LuAnn Nigara

Connect with Kate Rasmussen:

Website 

Instagram  

Facebook  

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour at High Point

LuAnn Nigara and Friends Meet and Greet at High Point 

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma: Mydoma is the designer toolkit. Not only does it offer a workflow software to keep your projects organized from beginning to end, but it also offers a valuable, thriving designer community. Mydoma is created by designers, for designers, so you know that it can truly offer everything you need to stay organized and free up your time. You can get 20% off your first three months by signing up at mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.  

Kirsch: Kirsch is your source for custom drapery hardware and window coverings. With a history of innovation and extensive industry knowledge, Kirsch can set you up with what you need for your next project. Visit kirsch.com to learn more.

On Today’s Flashback Friday

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business! Flashback Friday is back and we dug up another favorite from the podcast archives. 

Christine Lin of San Francisco’s Form and Field walks through how she went from working for a designer part-time to starting her own thriving business. A podcast listener, Christine implemented much of what she heard, but she also experienced some bumps along the way. Listen in to learn what tripped her up and what she’s doing so it doesn’t happen again.

Pick it apart:

• [6:33] Christine talks about how she got her business systems set up

  [15:50] Christine tells how she works with friends who are also clients 

  [23:03] Christine talk about mistakes she made with hiring 

  [29:20] Christine shares her experience with hiring and managing a bookkeeper

  [39:41] Christine tells how she got fired from one of her projects

  [46:34] LuAnn asks Christine what went wrong when charging a flat fee

  [58:10] Christine shares the mantra that has helped makes her business better

LuAnn and Christine’s Ah-Ha moments:

“I had an employee handbook before I even hired anyone.” -Christine Lin

“I knew I could go farther and faster on my own.” -Christine Lin

“It wasn’t about what’s leftover, that’s what I’m going to pay myself. It was, this is my goal, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to hit it.” -Christine Lin

“What can you do differently to produce a better result.” -Christine Lin

  Connect with Christine Lin

Website 

Instagram

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

insidevoiceoutsidevoice.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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Revel Woods. Please go to revelwoods.com to learn how you can add wood flooring to your product offerings. I know you make money on design fees– but to generate real revenue you have to be selling product too, and why not wood flooring? Revel Woods has their design trade program so well thought out that it makes it easy for you to get into this, experience or not.

Today with Amy Lynn Allard:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Looking for advice on systems to turbo-charge your business? Amy Lynn Allard of Boston’s Amy Lynn Interiors learned to thrive using well-crafted, meticulous systems. She is big on time blocking, but that’s not all. Amy walks through two of her most powerful systems, the team agenda and an invaluable spreadsheet she uses to create a multiple-project timeline.

Pick it apart:

• [17:53] Amy explains her approach to adding specs to elevations.

  [25:47] Amy walks through how she creates her agenda.

  [42:14] Amy explains her Monday morning overview meeting.

  [45:22] Amy shares how she creates a schedule for new client work.

  [46:42] LuAnn recaps Amy’s new client schedule creation process.

  [53:52] Amy shares about her business coach.

LuAnn and Amy Lynn Allard’s Ah-Ha moments:

“Hire and fire off your core values.” – Amy Lynn Allard

Connect with Amy Lynn Allard:

Website

Instagram 

Pinterest 

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma: Mydoma is the designer toolkit. Not only does it offer a workflow software to keep your projects organized from beginning to end, but it also offers a valuable, thriving designer community. Mydoma is created by designers, for designers, so you know that it can truly offer everything you need to stay organized and free up your time. You can get 20% off your first three months by signing up at mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness. 

Revel Woods is a designer-focused supplier of premium hardwood and resilient flooring. Through their Pro Account Program, designers become flooring experts and are empowered to advise clients on the flooring that works best for their lifestyle. Learn more by going to RevelWoods.com.

IDS: The Interior Design Society (IDS) is one of the country’s largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry. We’re a group of like-minded professionals interested in broadening their network, professional development, and continued education. IDS offers its members a place to belong within a supportive and welcoming design community through local chapters nationwide, and our Virtual Chapter!

Today with Emily King:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. What money story are you’re playing in your head? Does it open you up to opportunities and building a successful business or does it hold you back from making your dreams a reality? Emily King, of The Rich Woman, walks through how to discover our money personality and detox ourselves from negative money talk so we can start living a life of abundance and opportunity.

Pick it apart:

[16:10] Emily explains what money mindset is.

[25:20] Emily shares how her money mindset was shaped by her childhood.

[34:11] Emily explains the money personality archetypes.

[47:14] Emily shares some things you can do on your own to recognize and overcome your money blocks.

[51:07] LuAnn tells how she prepared her daughters to be able to support themselves no matter what.

LuAnn and Emily King’s Ah-Ha moments:

“We get to rewrite our money story to a more empowering one.” – Emily King

More About Emily King:

Emily King is a wealth & abundance coach for entrepreneurial women and the founder of The Rich Woman signature coaching program. Since 2015 she’s worked with 100’s of women to help them create a loving relationship with money so they can massively increase their income and impact. Armed with an MBA and certifications as an NLP practitioner, timeline therapist and pilates instructor (yes–all those things!), Emily brings the perfect mix of manifesting-woo and business chops to the table to help women across the world live their best ‘Rich Woman’ lives – a life of financial freedom, fulfillment and fun.

Connect with Emily King:

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Pinterest

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Revel Woods is a designer-focused supplier of premium hardwood and resilient flooring. Through their Pro Account Program, designers become flooring experts and are empowered to advise clients on the flooring that works best for their lifestyle. Learn more by going to RevelWoods.com.

Today with Melinda Marquardt:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m joined by Melinda Marquardt of the Vale London, a line of exquisite textiles and wallpapers for the luxury interiors market. Melinda struck out on her own after years in the corporate world, determined to lean on her creativity and passion to fuel her business. She buckled down, learned the business side, and figured out how to thrive. Today, she’s sharing what she believes entrepreneurs need to remember to succeed!

Pick it apart:

• [2:17] Melinda shares her story and discusses why believing in yourself is a staple in running your own business.
• [16:28] Melinda talks about the difficulties in learning the business side of things and figuring out how to make a profit from what you love. 
• [25:09] LuAnn and Melinda discuss the importance of finding your values and sticking to them. 
• [31:44] LuAnn and Melinda talk about imposter syndrome and risk when starting a business. 
• [42:46] Melinda shares what it means to never stop being inspired.

LuAnn and Melinda Marquardt’s Ah-Ha moments:

“If you keep trying new things and keep trying as hard as you can and working as hard as you can, things will come together. That’s how I feel about trying the business side of things and figuring out the art side of things. You just learn a lot, and everything will come together.” -Melinda

“Somebody else might be thinking about designing for it to be marketable, but what you’re saying is when you have the experience of having traveled the world within the business of textiles, you understand inherently that there’s a market somewhere. It might not be the zip code you’re living in, but in order to design true to yourself and to design something that’s truly beautiful, you have to design what you love.” -LuAnn

“I want to stay true and focused to the vision of my company and my artwork.” -Melinda

“The risk isn’t just the money on the line, the risk is that you can show up and do the hard things, and if you don’t have the stomach for that you’re not going to run a successful business.” -LuAnn

Connect with Melinda Marquardt:

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

Pinterest

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma: Mydoma is the designer toolkit. Not only does it offer a workflow software to keep your projects organized from beginning to end, but it also offers a valuable, thriving designer community. Mydoma is created by designers, for designers, so you know that it can truly offer everything you need to stay organized and free up your time. You can get 20% off your first three months by signing up at mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness. 

Kirsch: Kirsch is your source for custom drapery hardware and window coverings. With a history of innovation and extensive industry knowledge, Kirsch can set you up with what you need for your next project. Visit kirsch.com to learn more.

Other Shows Mentioned: 

#628 Power Talk Friday: Ginna Christensen: The Importance of Values in Your Interior Design Business

#47 Gail Davis: Make Your Life Count