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1104: Corey Damen Jenkins: How He Manages Imposter Syndrome and Builds Client Loyalty in Design

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Today With Corey Damen Jenkins:

In this episode of A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn welcomes back Corey Damen Jenkins—AD100 designer, author, and creative powerhouse—for a conversation that goes far beyond beautiful rooms. Corey shares the intentional strategies behind his new book, Design Reimagined, and his groundbreaking new streaming series, Design Reimagined.

From creating instant rapport with clients, to managing imposter syndrome like a seasoned pro, Corey offers tactical insights every designer and creative professional needs. You’ll learn how to build deeper client relationships, set confident boundaries, and protect your emotional “enamel” in a demanding industry.

Whether you’re scaling your business or simply finding your voice, Corey’s wisdom will inspire you to show up smarter, stronger, and more authentically in your work.

Pre-order your copy of Design Reimagined today, and don’t miss the premiere of Design Reimagined on YouTube starting May 15th!

More About Corey Damen Jenkins

Corey Damen Jenkins is the principal and chief executive officer of Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, an internationally acclaimed interior design and architecture firm based in New York City. Celebrated for its deft approach to layering sophisticated colors, textures, and patterns to create timeless and iconic spaces, CDJA has been inducted into Architectural Digest’s AD100 and ELLE Décor’s A-List.

Corey began his career in interior design in 1996 and founded his own firm in 2008. He has become an influential voice in the world of design due to his compositions of spaces that are authentic, bespoke, and distinctive. With the haute couture fashion runway, historic architecture, and world travels as his chief sources of inspiration, Corey creates tailored spaces that meet the ever-changing needs of his clients. Whether it’s a modern ranch in the mountains of Carmel, a sprawling estate on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront, or an upscale maximalist apartment overlooking Central Park, Corey’s ethos is governed by design democracy and ensuring his clients’ personalities and lifestyles are showcased first and foremost.

CDJA is multi-disciplinary in its mission. While designing residential and hospitality projects throughout the United States and beyond is its primary focus, the team has also produced expansive licensed product collections for Kravet, Hancock & Moore, LeftBank Art, and Maitland-Smith.

Connect with Corey Damen Jenkins

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

X

YouTube

Design Reimagined – Book

Design Remix – Book

Design Reimagined – The Series

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Other Shows:

AWDB #127: Corey Damen Jenkins- Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman

AWDB #388: Corey Damen Jenkins: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman

AWDB #549: Corey Damen Jenkins #BLM: Time to Take the Baton

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1103: Best Of Show: Kim Dawson: Are You Charging Enough?

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Today With Kim Dawson:

Are you charging enough to actually turn a profit? In this episode, I sit down with Kim Dawson—business strategist and pricing expert—to tackle the one thing too many entrepreneurs skip: how to create a pricing formula that sets you up for success.

If you’ve ever said “I don’t know what I should be making,” or “I have no idea if I can afford to hire,” this episode is your wake-up call. Kim brings her no-nonsense strategy for building a plan that supports both your life and your business. Learn how to define your financial goals, map your income targets, and finally stop guessing your way through pricing.

More About Kim Dawson

Kim is a lifelong entrepreneur. She has started many businesses of her own, including a local health and fitness studio, and she has also co-founded a software setup. Kim’s experience lies both in locally-focused, service-oriented businesses, and in online product-based businesses.

Connect with Kim Dawson⁠
Website

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Design Trade Service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

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 Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Kravet⁠⁠⁠ – Don’t forget to use our AWDB10 code for 10% off any Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim order

Other Shows:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AWDB #1082: What Would Lu Do?: The Big Shift: What’s Changing on A Well-Designed Business and Why

Krista Coupar #60

Kim Merlitti #361 and #442

Alinda Morris #429

Cheryl Clendenon #482

Michele Williams #395

Kae Whitaker #114

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1102: LuAnn Featured: Only Girl on the Jobsite: LuAnn Nigara on Leadership, Profitability, and Owning Your Role

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Today With Renee Bier (Only Girl on the Jobsite):

Today, I’m bringing you something a little different—and extra special. This episode originally aired on Only Girl on the Jobsite with my friend Renee Biery, and now I’m thrilled to share it right here on A Well-Designed Business.

Renee invited me on her show to dig into one of my favorite topics: leadership in interior design, especially when it comes to managing construction projects. We tackled the tough stuff—what leadership really looks like on the jobsite, why so many designers shy away from it, and how to step into your power to protect your profit, your timeline, and your reputation.

You’ll hear some classic LuAnn straight talk, but also the heart of what I’ve seen over 40+ years in business: that leadership is a choice—and a critical one if you want to run a profitable firm.

This conversation is packed with strategy, a few rabbit holes (the fun kind), and actionable insights that will shift the way you show up as the CEO of your business. Whether you’re new to construction management or you’ve been around the block, there’s something here for you.

And if you missed my original conversation with Renee, this is your chance to catch it now—right here in your AWDB feed.

Check the Only Girl on the Jobsite Podcast!

I am honored to host LuAnn Nigara today to talk all about leadership in our industry, the struggles and the underlying reasons why stepping into leadership is so critical for the health and profitability of our business.

LuAnn Nigara is a celebrated media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur. Recognized as the “go-to” keynote speaker for leaders and entrepreneurs to launch their life and get out of their own way, she always delivers a dynamic presentation. In her third business launch, LuAnn Nigara Inc., she provides business resources for entrepreneurs through live events and LuAnn University. LuAnn has published three books, is a sought-after columnist and has captured international attention for her weekly podcasts “Window Treatments for Profit” and “A Well-Designed Business” which has more than 1000 episodes and 9 million downloads.

LuAnn shares her story of how she started her podcast, The Well-Designed Business for designers when her business was a window treatment specialist and why she decided to lean into us crazy designers and this crazy industry of ours.

“The more authority, the more expertise that you can gain in a particular area, the more impact you can have.” says LuAnn.

LuAnn knew she didn’t want to start a podcast as a hobby, it was going to be her business. She was going all in. She did a deep dive and spent several weeks researching and time spent figuring out what she could talk about and not get bored of.

“Because you can’t just pick a topic and then do all of this work to set up all of the technical, the background and all of the infrastructure and then be like, well, seven of those conversations and I’m done. And so I was exploring all the things that were interesting to me as a human, as a person, as a window treatment professional, everything. And what I knew was interesting to me was business.” shared LuAnn.

“That’s what I can talk about all day, every day. Whether it’s your business as a designer, your business as a window treatment person, your business as a bricklayer, your business as a digital marketer, it’s there’s marketing in there, there’s sales in there, there’s operations in there, there’s finance in there, there’s so many critical things that have to be understood well enough and two or three areas that you have to be a master at in order for all of it to coalesce and become a profitable business.” says LuAnn

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1101: NEW SHOW: Rachael Johanson: Build a Design Brand That Commands Prestige and Profit

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Today With Rachael Johanson:

Today with Rachael Johanson, luxury brand strategist, we explore transitioning from mid-market to luxury positioning in design. Rachael shares how she’s evolved her business to focus on five high-touch Brand Launch Weekend clients annually, helping designers move from 30 projects a year to 10 at double the budget. We discuss the language shifts that separate luxury messaging from mid-market positioning, why “we and you” marketing works against you in the luxury space, and how your headshots might be sabotaging your expert positioning.

Rachael reveals that 80% of designers are “sitting on gold” in their portfolios but haven’t claimed their expertise, and shares her approach to identifying your niche through past project patterns. This episode is essential listening for designers ready to position themselves for fewer, bigger, better projects.

LuAnn Nigara and Rachael Johanson’s Ah-Ha Moments:

“I’ve heard so many women say that they lose themselves in motherhood. And I’m like, I want to gain myself. I really do. And I want to have this new dimension of myself. I really, and I’m like always thinking about this idea of like, I want Lida to live in the arena.” – Rachael

“We didn’t save the $300,000 difference between the first one and the second one by going with the lesser expensive one. We blew the $750,000 on the one who didn’t deliver.” – LuAnn

“You cannot be a designer for everyone and be the designer that’s at the top of your market.” – Rachael

“I don’t build brands that fit in—I build brands that get remembered and are super profitable.” – Rachael

More About Rachael Johanson

When you think of building a multi-million dollar personal brand you think of Rachael Johanson.

From the stages of Harvard Business School, to pages of Architectural Digest, Rachael is regarded as the in-demand Luxury Strategist for interior designers seeking fewer, better and bigger clients. Think – being positioned as the “go-to” call in your area for luxury new builds, press in House Beautiful, speaking on a panel at High Point Market, and a partnership with a custom builder filling the pipeline for you.

Her clients range from design leaders such as Kathy Kuo, Sandra Funk, Arianne Bellizaire, Sara Lynn Brennan to LuAnn Nigara, not to mention tons of incredibly talented up and comers with a deep desire and passion to build a luxury firm and skip the learning curve.

Rachael is incredibly selective in the client personalities she serves, as the majority double their sales and opportunities two years after her esteemed advising.

As a lifelong student of design & fashion, Rachael studied at High Point University, is a licensed realtor and noted tastemaker. Most recently, her wedding was covered by The New York Times and Vogue.

Connect with Rachael Johanson

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Rachael Johanson

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Other Shows:

#982: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Leveraging Your Superpower to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients

#759: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing

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

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1100: Best Of Show: Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

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Today With Erika Ward:

In this insightful replay, Erika Ward, a powerhouse designer and former accountant, joins LuAnn to share how her career in finance laid the perfect foundation for a thriving design business.

You’ll hear how Erika approached her pivot with strategic clarity, how she grew her audience by serving them consistently, and why understanding your transferrable skills is crucial to long-term success.

More About Erika Ward

Erika Hollinshead Ward is an acclaimed and published interior and furniture designer, distinguished as the visionary behind Erika Ward Interiors—a design firm and showroom celebrated for seamlessly blending contemporary and classic aesthetics. With a passion for crafting timeless interiors and fostering lifestyle and wellness, Erika has become a sought-after figure among both discerning consumers and reputable brands.

Equipped with a robust background in business and finance, coupled with over a decade of experience in the interior design realm, Erika has emerged as a trailblazer in East Coast design, extending her influence to clients nationwide. Since the establishment of Erika Ward Interiors in 2006, the firm has experienced remarkable growth, leaving a trail of satisfied clients who attest to the team’s meticulous attention to detail and client-centric approach. Impressively, more than eighty percent of Erika’s business stems from repeat clients and referrals, a testament to the enduring quality of her work.

Beyond her successful design ventures, Erika collaborates closely with renowned brands such as Home Depot, High Point Market, ADAC Atlanta, S.C. Johnson and Company, and Rowe Furniture, lending her voice as a spokesperson and brand ambassador in targeted marketing campaigns.

Yet, amidst her professional accomplishments, Erika finds her most fulfilling roles in her personal life—as a devoted wife to her husband, Chris, and a nurturing mother to their five children.

Connect with Erika Ward

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Design Trade Service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

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 Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠Kravet⁠⁠ – Don’t forget to use our AWDB10 code for 10% off any Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim order

Other Shows:⁠⁠⁠⁠

AWDB #958: Overheard: What I Wish I Knew Then: With Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso

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

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1099: NEW SHOW: Shea McGee: From Dream to Empire: How Shea Built Studio McGee 3.0

1099 New Show Shea Mcgee From Dream To Empire How Shea Built Studio Mcgee 3 0 Thumbnail.png

Today With Shea McGee:

Today on A Well-Designed Business, I’m welcoming back Shea McGee—celebrity designer, co-founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co., and star of Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover.

In this episode, Shea opens up about:

  • The original vision she held—and how it evolved
  • What it takes to manage multiple branches of a growing brand
  • How she balances creative leadership with strategic growth
  • Why she’s still dreaming bigger, even after a decade in business

LuAnn Nigara and Shea McGee’s Ah-Ha Moments:

“If the goal is to make e-commerce be an arm of the design business, you can. It’s just, if you’re trying to reach a scale, it requires a lot of money to build something that is sustainable and helpful to consumers.” -Shea

More About Shea McGee

Shea McGee is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Studio McGee, leading the creative direction for all facets within the Studio McGee Inc. portfolio of brands— Studio McGee, the interior design arm, and McGee & Co., the product side. Shea’s path to launching Studio McGee in 2014 began years before when she left her position at an ad agency in order to manage the remodel of her and her husband Syd’s first California home. Documenting the process on social media, Shea became an early online influencer, quickly attracting a loyal following with her approachable style and ethos. The online success led to the launch of her own interior design firm, Studio McGee.

The design business experienced rapid growth, paving the way for the launch of their e-commerce brand, McGee & Co., along with a lineup of licensing partnerships and marketing opportunities that amplified their design voice—an autobiography, Make Life Beau+ful, a coffee table book, The Art of Home, a long-running show on Netflix, Dream Home Makeover, and product collaborations with brands like Target, Kohler, Ann Sacks, and Pura.

Connect with Shea McGee

Studio McGee

McGee And Co

Studio McGee Instagram

McGee And Co Instagram

YouTube

The Art Of Home Book

⁠

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Duke Renders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Duke Renders

Other Shows:

AWDB #236: Shea McGee of Studio McGee Joins Me Today!!!!

AWDB #270: Shea & Syd McGee: Building a Design Empire Involves a Lot of Hustle

AWDB #935: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders Academy: Marketing Lessons From Taylor Swift’s Playbook

AWDB #869: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders – How Interior Designers Can Price Themselves Right

AWDB #841: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders For Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind

AWDB #783: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders for Interior Designers

AWDB #389: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: The Interior Design Profit Formula

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

AWDB #159: Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer

AWDB #15: Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich

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1098: LuAnn Featured: Speaking Your Brand: Creating and Preparing for a Keynote Presentation with LuAnn Nigara [Coaching]

1098 Luann Featured Speaking Your Brand Creating And Preparing For A Keynote Presentation With Luann Nigara Coaching Thumbnail.png

Today With Carol Cox (Speaking Your Brand):

So… you’ve been asked to give a keynote. Cue the excitement—then the panic. I get it. Keynotes aren’t your average “share some tips” kind of talk. They’re about stepping up, owning your message, and taking your audience on a journey. And trust me, it takes work.

In this episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast, I joined Carol Cox for a deep-dive debrief of the keynote I recently delivered at a major industry conference.

We talk through:

  • Why I was invited—and why I said yes
  • The three-month process I used to prepare
  • The one thing I underestimated (and wouldn’t next time!)
  • How I approached memorization and transitions
  • The real message I wanted to leave the audience with

If you’re thinking about stepping into the keynote spotlight, or just curious about what it actually takes to deliver one that hits home, this episode is for you.

It’s honest. It’s actionable. And yes—it’s all the behind-the-scenes I wish someone had told me before I got started.

Check the Speaking Your Brand Podcast with Carol Cox

LuAnn University – Join Now!

If you’ve been asked to do a keynote talk at a conference – or one of your goals is to do a keynote – this episode is going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to prepare and deliver a keynote.

Keynotes are meant to be inspirational and aspirational, which is different from a standard business presentation or breakout session where you’re sharing tactical, step-by-step things that people can do.

Instead, in a keynote, you want to take the audience on a journey, weaving in your own stories and experiences, and sharing with them your big idea.

In this episode, I talk with one of my clients, LuAnn Nigara, and we do a debrief of the keynote she recently gave at a large industry conference.

You’ll hear about the process we went through to create the speech, how LuAnn felt on stage, and LuAnn shares with us some things she would do differently. I knew she would nail her keynote – and she did!

You’ll love LuAnn’s energy – she was a lot of fun to work with and to have on the show.

Let me tell you about LuAnn’s background: She is an award-winning window treatment authority, host of one of the most popular podcasts for the design industry, A Well-Designed Business, and overall business dynamo. She has a multi-million-dollar window treatment business in New Jersey, which has serviced over 24,000 customers over the past 35 years.

Be sure to subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. I have more training and coaching calls coming up, including on TEDx talks and pitching the media, so this way you’ll automatically get the new episodes.

And share this episode with a friend, especially if you know someone who will be doing a keynote or wants to in the future.

Highlights:

  • Why LuAnn was invited to do a keynote
  • How LuAnn prepared for the keynote, starting 3 months ahead of time until a few days before
  • What LuAnn felt like she needed the most help
  • How LuAnn and I worked together to create her message and keynote speech
  • How LuAnn decided to start her keynote
  • Lessons she learned and what she would do differently next time
  • LuAnn’s decision to memorize her talk and how she went about doing that
  • The importance of really knowing your transitions between sections
  • The feedback she received after her keynote
  • The core message from LuAnn’s keynote

Links:

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1097: NEW SHOW: Margalit Lankry: Designers with Intention. A Community with a Collaborative, Abundance Mindset

1097 New Show Margalit Lankry Designers With Intention A Community With A Collaborative Abundance Mindset Thumbnail.png

Today With Margalit Lankry:

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am excited to welcome the wonderful Margalit Lankry to the show. Margalit is a working interior designer with over 26 years of experience, but she’s also the founder of something truly special—a group called Designers with Intention. This community of nearly 300 female designers has created genuine collaboration over competition in an industry where that’s rare.

What started as Margalit’s honest moment of wondering why other designers were getting projects she wasn’t became a movement that proves there really is enough work for all of us when we choose abundance over scarcity. These women, many of whom could be bidding on the same projects, have instead become friends who celebrate each other’s wins and share real business advice.

LuAnn Nigara and Margalit Lankry’s Ah-Ha Moments:

“My design is my passion and when someone finds their passion and they’re able to tap into it, they are so much more of a happy person and it’s such a gift to be able to use that in this world.” – Margalit Lankry

“The more everyone in business levels up and behaves with professionalism, the better they will do.” LuAnn Nigara

More About Margalit Lankry

Margalit Lankry, has been a leader in the world of interior design for over 25 years. She is best known for her portfolio of high-end commercial spaces. Her passion for her craft bursts though in every project she undertakes. She infuses each space with a unique blend of elegance, functionality, and style. Yet, amidst her achievements, Margalit remains grounded and generous, always willing to share her wealth of knowledge and expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs and designers.

Margalit’s dedication to her work, coupled with her unwavering commitment to helping others succeed, sets her apart as a true leader and inspiration in the field of interior design and entrepreneurship. With every project she takes part in, Margalit Lankry continues to leave an indelible mark on the industry, shaping the future of design and business for generations to come.

Connect with Margalit Lankry

Website

Instagram

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Design Trade Service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

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 Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Design Trade Service⁠

Other Shows:

AWDB #1035: Lindsay Hunter: The Equestrian Interior Designer: Getting Ultra-Specific with Your Niche

AWDB #1085: Best of Show: Shea & Syd McGee: Building a Design Empire Involves a Lot of Hustle

AWDB #1082: What Would Lu Do?: The Big Shift: What’s Changing on A Well-Designed Business and Why

AWDB #622: Dwayne Bergmann: Empower Your Team to Own the Project Management While Maintaining Design Vision as the Creative Director

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1096: LuAnn Featured: Eventual Millionaire: A Well-Designed Business With LuAnn Nigara

1096 Luann Featured Eventual Millionaire A Well Designed Business With Luann Nigara Thumbnail.png

Today With Jaime Masters (Eventual Millionaire):

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode is a little different—in the best way. I’m not behind the mic as the host… I’m in the guest seat.Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being invited onto some truly outstanding podcasts—conversations that dive deep into business, leadership, mindset, and the real-life lessons I’ve learned through decades in this industry.In this special crossover series, I’m excited to bring a few of those guest appearances to you. When the roles are reversed, the conversation shifts—you’ll hear fresh perspectives, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights that don’t always surface when I’m the one asking the questions.If you enjoy what you hear today, I encourage you to explore the host’s show as well. You’ll find links to their podcast and the original show notes below.

Check the Eventual Millionaire Podcast with Jaime Masters:

https://eventualmillionaire.com/a-well-designed-business-with-luann-nigara/

Check Their Show Notes!

Here’s what you’ll learn from LuAnn about A Well-Designed Business:

– How to avoid feeling stagnant without the need to jumping from project to project all the time.

– Your body always tells you when you’re working too hard. Discover how LuAnn recognizes the signs before it’s too late!

– How to master the work-life balance when you’re running a business with your spouse.

– Can you “get it all done”? without actually needing to get it all done?

– Do THIS to save your business from getting haywire.

– How to “trick” yourself into feeling on top of things again.

– The single most important question you must be asking yourself every single day. (It’s not what you think.)

Tune in and listen: A Well-Designed Business With LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website: LuAnnNigara.com

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1095: Best Of Show: Amber Lewis: Keynote Speaker at Design Blogger’s Conference

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Today With Amber Lewis:

She was a Key Note Speaker at the recent Design Blogger’s Conference. LuAnn didn’t get to talk to her at the conference, so she’s really happy to interview Amber on today’s show, as there were parts of her story that LuAnne thought were really fun and interesting. LuAnn finds Amber’s body of work and what she’s managed to accomplish at such a young age, to be incredible. Listen in now and get some great tips for gaining followers on social media.

More About Amber Lewis

Amber Interior Design is a California-based interior design studio created by Amber Lewis. With vast experience in residential and commercial projects, her multi-faceted approach to design has garnered her clients far and wide who seek to create aspirational yet functional spaces that celebrate heritage-inspired concepts built to stand the test of time.

Amber celebrates classic design concepts in her projects. She is recognized for her ability to seamlessly layer eclectic and vintage furniture pieces, found textiles, and natural design elements that result in livable and elevated environments. Amber’s aesthetic transcends the boundaries of traditional design and aims to immerse her clients into a world that feels current, approachable, and timeless.

In addition to the design firm, Amber is the owner of a burgeoning retail outlet, Shoppe Amber Interiors, author of two best-selling interior design books, Made for Living and Call It Home, and creator of the editorial site, All Sorts Of. Amber’s content-first philosophy in the social media sphere has enabled her to grow a community of individuals from around the world who value her unique aesthetics as a tastemaker in design, fashion, and style.

Outside of her robust interior design portfolio, Amber has collaborated with a multitude of brands to design original collections with Anthropologie, Loloi, Four Hands, Visual Comfort, and Etsy. Spanning the categories of furniture, accessories, art, lighting, bedding, rugs, pillows, and more, Amber’s affinity for eye-catching details and distinctive forms is showcased in her partnerships, making her aspirational designs available to everyone and solidifying her status as a household name.

Connect with Amber Lewis

Website

Instagram

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Design Trade Service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

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 Resources:

This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Voice – Sign Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠Kravet⁠ – Don’t forget to use our AWDB10 code for 10% off any Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim order

Other Shows:⁠AWDB #1082: What Would Lu Do?: The Big Shift: What’s Changing on A Well-Designed Business and Why⁠