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648: Marie Flanigan: Leveraging Relationships and Making Decisions in Interior Design

Today with Marie Flanigan:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®. Today, I’m thrilled to have Marie Flanigan back on the show. Marie has more than a decade of experience as a thriving designer, one whose list of accolades goes on for days. In today’s episode, Marie is answering questions from listeners about how to make big decisions in your business— how to attract the clients and projects you truly desire, how to strategically market, how to handle client expectations, and more!

Pick it apart:

  • [2:25] Marie talks about how to leverage relationships and grow to the point of attracting the clients you really want.
  • [11:10] Marie shares the data you need to be collecting that will help you fill your roster with dream clients.
  • [19:07] LuAnn and Marie discuss the importance of making decisions based on your mission and vision for the business.
  • [31:53] Marie dives into the touchpoints she uses to ensure an excellent client experience.
  • [45:45] Marie and LuAnn talk about making decisions with clients’ money and how communication is key.
  • [1:10:30] Marie shares her thoughts on diversity in the industry.

LuAnn and Marie Flanigan’s Ah-Ha moments:

“I think it’s so important to just live out doing the best you can— be the best at whatever you’re doing in the moment. That’s what builds the relationships, that’s what provides the contacts, that’s what gives you the 10,000 hours to become the expert and really grow into the area you want to be in.” -Marie Flanigan

“You do want to turn away the business that sucks the energy out of you or that takes too much of your time away, because when the right projects come along you need to be open for that.” -Marie Flanigan

“Gut instinct is very important, but you should also go on data.” -Marie Flanigan

“It isn’t just about putting an ad in a newspaper— it’s all the little things that you do across your business.” -LuAnn Nigara

More About Marie Flanigan:

Originally trained as an architect, Marie Flanigan seamlessly unites structure with style, unlocking a unique level of depth through her mutual consideration of an interior and its framework. For more than a decade, Marie has crafted well-articulated spaces that expertly reflect the stories of those who dwell and work within. Her trademark signature of innovative simplicity is evident through the sophisticated use of color, texture, and light. Marie’s projects span the country, from luxury residences to high-end commercial showrooms, each one exhibiting her firm’s commitment to exceptional design and extraordinary service.

Marie’s work and expertise have been featured by premier publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Domino, Traditional Home, Elegant Homes, Southern Home, and Luxe Magazine. She regularly shares her design and lifestyle advice with TV audiences, including her role on HGTV’s internationally broadcast series, Property Brothers: Brother vs. Brother.

In addition to Marie’s design work, she has now launched collections with some of the industry’s top manufacturers including Visual Comfort and Aria Stone. Her debut book, The Beauty of Home, is now available for purchase.

Connect with Marie Flanigan:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

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 Sponsors:

Kravet: Kravet is always finding ways to make shopping easier for you. That’s why they refreshed their website to help your experience be even simpler. With the new redesign, you can quickly access all of your tools, like your account settings, price lists, current and past orders and more. Designers can now also search more specifically by color with Kravet’s new advanced color search, which allows you to create the exact custom color you are looking for and get filtered search results that best match your selection. Visit Kravet.com and explore the new site for yourself today!

Revel Woods: With Revel Woods, you’re getting premium hardwood and resilient flooring curated for your design and lifestyle needs. They are dedicated to helping you help your clients find the right flooring for their needs. You can use the industry expertise at Revel Woods to help your clients feel that wow factor. Visit https://www.revelwoods.com today to find out more!

Other Shows Mentioned:

#89 Marie Flanigan – How Marketing Strategies Helped Her Grow Her Firm

#50 Veronica Solomon – Powerful Marketing for your Interior Design Firm- Website to Fan Engagement on Facebook

#06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

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647: Power Talk Friday: Giving Yourself Grace in Life and Business

Luann Nigara Workshop

  Today on A Well-Designed Business:

Today’s show is a different kind of episode. This week, I had several meaningful conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, that made me take a few steps back, put the regularly scheduled programming on hold, and have a good old fashion sit down.   

In life, and business, it is important to utilize our strengths and identify our weaknesses. Everyone has their unique superpower. It is what makes us the powerhouses that we are in our particular area of expertise. But we cannot be experts in everything. We cannot be all things to all people.

Today, I am here to remind you how you can take those feelings of overwhelm, and turn them into an action plan. Give yourself some grace on this journey. One step at a time, one goal at a time, keep showing up for yourself. That is how we decide to be excellent!

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

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646: Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd: Building a Friendship and An Interior Design Partnership

  Today with Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Aymee and Molly of Light and Dwell, an Oregon based full service and virtual design firm were friends before they were business partners. They’re sharing what they’ve learned about themselves, about each other, and about how to mesh opposites together to grow a business from nothing to something amazing in just five short years.

Pick it apart:

[24:55] LuAnn recaps the tactics Aymee and Molly used to get their first clients

[30:09] Aymee and Molly share how they figured out how to work together when each have very different personalities

[37:17] LuAnn recaps business partnership tips and explains how the Window Works partnership works

[41:55] Aymee describes how they worked through her maternity leave

[49:19] LuAnn goes deep into how partnerships can work when there’s a disagreement

LuAnn, Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd’s Ah-Ha moments:

“She’s good at anything you can see.” – Aymee about Molly

 

“Whoever’s area of strength it is has the final say.” – LuAnn Nigara

 

“You both bring to the table what the other person needs.” LuAnn Nigara

More About Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd:

Molly is married to Brad, and together they are raising three children [Karis, Krew + Karoline]. She enjoys being outdoors, drinking coffee, gluten-free cooking, and all sorts of design. She loves being creative and always has her hands in someone’s flower arrangements, home decor or closet. Molly started Light and Dwell with Aymee 5 years ago, and now leads all the creative content and design for the business.

 

Molly Kidd  • molly@lightanddwell.com

 

Aymee and her husband Jim have three young adult children. She has a passion for hospitality and creating a welcoming space for others. She enjoys a good cup of black coffee, baking, and traveling with her family.  She runs the behind the scenes operations of Light and Dwell and loves anything under the subject area of systems and people!

 

Aymee Kuhlman  •  aymee.lightanddwell@gmail.com 

  Connect with Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd

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 Studio:

Are you having trouble with keeping track of your orders, your project management, your books, your proposals – all those backend things we love to hate? I want you to do some research and see if Mydoma would help you. It’s workflow software that manages your projects from beginning to end. As a listener, you can try it for 20% off for three months. To see if Mydoma is right for you, go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.

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645: Window Treatment Friday: Scaling to Your First Million Dollar Year

Vita Vygovska Systems Driven Operations

  Today with Vita Vygovska

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s WTF— Window Treatment Friday, Vita and I are talking about scaling to your first million-dollar year. As most of you probably know, scaling is not an easy task. It takes hard work and lots of blood, sweat, and tears. But when you can learn from someone who has already done it, it cuts the time and effort down and makes scaling attainable far before you thought it was possible. Today, Vita shares with us her five core pillars for scaling your business and how her course in LuAnn University, Scale Your Window Treatment Business to Your 1st Million Dollar Year, can help you get there faster.

Pick It Apart

  • [14:25] Vita gives us a rundown on the 4 levels of businesses, and who her course is right for.
  • [27:20] LuAnn and Vita discuss the importance of streamlined systems and processes.
  • [38:05] Vita shares technology’s role in scaling your business.
  • [42:37] LuAnn and Vita talk about why hiring the right people is crucial to scale.
  • [48:10] Vita discusses how finances and mindset can either hold you back or let you soar.

LuAnn and Vita’s Aha-Moments

 “Hiring people carries with it so much responsibility and that responsibility carries with it a great deal of fear.” -Vita Vygovska

 

“There is no better foundation for anything in your business than an actual written out system and process.” -Vita Vygovska

 

“That’s what I know to be true of you—not only do you have the experience, but I know that you documented it. That’s what enables the teaching to be significant and of value.” -LuAnn Nigara

More About Vita Vygovska

Vitalia Vygovska (Vita for short), CWFP, MBA, is an award-winning window treatment specialist, author, speaker, mom, wife, and a ballroom dance enthusiast.  Her company, Vitalia, Inc, provides all-encompassing concierge-level, tech-driven fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management services exclusively for interior designers.  In business for over a decade, Vita and her team are experts in their narrow field, providing designers with superb quality product and excellent communication.  Most importantly, they take off the stress, save time, and give peace of mind in the job is well-done.

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

Kravet: Have you heard? The majority of Kravet Inc. product is in stock and ready to ship within days. Order your favorite patterns from Kravet’s exclusive in-stock collections like Barbara Barry’s Midsummer to CuratedKravet’s exclusive decorative accessories. Keep your design projects on track with Kravet Inc. and order memos today at https://www.kravet.com

 

Other Shows Mentioned:

#589 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million

 

#363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team

 

#634 Power Talk Friday: Jessica Harling: A Specific Process for Onboarding a New Hire

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

#481 Window Treatment Friday: Overview of Hard and Soft Window Treatments

 

#493 Window Treatment Friday: Vitalia Vygovska: A Mindset for Success

 

#512 Window Treatment Friday: Drapery Hardware

 

#518 Communication Between the Designer and the Window Treatment Professional

 

#539 Window Treatment Friday: Look to Your Window Treatment Partner to Sell Remotely

 

#551 Window Treatment Friday: Exploring Awnings as an Additional Revenue Stream

 

#586 Window Treatment Friday: Tips for Selling Window Treatments

 

#610 Window Treatment Friday: Listener Questions

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644: Kat Anderson: Design Build and Bookkeeping Classes for Interior Designers

Kathleen Anderson

Today with Kathleen Anderson:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Kat Anderson of Material Design, an interior design business specializing in design-build projects, shares her experience as a recently-graduated interior design student struggling to find her way in the design world. You’ll hear Kat tell how she succeeded by growing her skillset in more than just design. Kat also walks through the classes she teaches at LuAnn University.

LuAnn and Kathleen Anderson’s Ah-Ha moments:

“Your finances are the heartbeat of your business.” – Kathleen Anderson

“It’s the difference between having a life that you love and feeling like when is Starbucks hiring.” – Kathleen Anderson

“An expert in their field is the one who’s made all the mistakes.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Kathleen Anderson

Kathleen Anderson is a designer and entrepreneur delivering full-service interiors, design-build projects, window treatments, and more. With a BA in Interior Design and a Masters Degree in Architecture, she knows first-hand that business knowledge is what completes the trifecta needed to build and run a successful design firm.

Connect with Kathleen Anderson

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

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: This is one of those vendors you’ll be so happy you took the time to set up an account with. They understand interior designers which makes it so refreshing to work with them to spec amazing wood flooring for your projects. They have a huge selection and are dedicated to helping you become an expert on wood floors. Go to revelwoods.com to learn more about how you can partner with Revel Woods to give your clients beautiful flooring and add profit to your projects.

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643: Nathan Brookshire and Paul Davidge: Design More, Manage Less: Agency Representation for Your Design Firm

  Today with Nathan Brookshire and Paul Davidge:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Nathan Brookshire and Paul Davidge of Design: Agency & Management share how they help creatives develop a financially sound path to achieve their goals and run their business in such a way that they have the freedom to focus on their zone of genius.

Pick it apart:

[12:51] LuAnn and guests discuss the criteria to work with Design: Agency and Management

[32:45] Nathan reveals the challenge all his design clients share

[37:27] Nathan shares how he helped a designer negotiate their fee with her client

[39:51] LuAnn recaps DAM’s monthly management/representation service 

[44:15] Nathan shares how a designer would introduce DAM and explain their role to their client

LuAnn, Nathan and Paul’s Ah-Ha moments:

“The design industry has not been as successful as some other industries in articulating their value to their client.” – Paul Davidge

 

“You really need to hone your negotiation skills.” – LuAnn Nigara

 

“You’ve got to be able to stand up and play the chess game with them.” – LuAnn Nigara

  More About Nathan Brookshire and Paul Davidge

Nathan Brookshire began his career in the finance industry, working as a financier to the Arts & Entertainment industries in Los Angeles upon graduation from Stanford University. As a banker, Nathan structured financing solutions for complex transactions, including fine art acquisitions, TV and film production, and real estate development projects. His banking experience led Nathan’s introduction to the art and design community in Los Angeles, and gave him a strong foundation in understanding the unique business, operating, and financial capital needs of creative companies.

Nathan continued to sharpen his business acumen at such blue chip companies as Barclays Capital, Warner Bros., and Netflix, working in mergers and acquisitions and leading corporate strategic decisions. Having forged deep connections within the art and design space, Nathan left the corporate world to bring institutional-grade financial and strategic advisory services to smaller, creative companies in need of analytical rigor and general business management.

In 2018 Nathan co-founded D:AM to formally represent and manage design talent. Nathan holds a BA from Stanford University and a MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Paul Davidge is the co-founder of D:AM as well as the owner of Not So General, a gallery for contemporary design in Los Angeles. Paul has an extensive business and operational background, first having worked as a finance attorney for Sidley Austin law firm working on $1bn+ transactions and then as a business development and strategy executive in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.

Whilst in entertainment, Paul helped Relativity Media grow in size from less than 15 employees to over 300 in under 5 years. He also worked as Chief Operating Officer for Exclusive Media responsible for the international division of the company. Paul has also advised other production companies as well as high net worth individuals on business development, strategy and growth.

In an environment when creatives are taking responsibility for the own destinies, Paul co-founded D:AM in order to apply his experience to help them manage and grow their own companies and enable them to focus on doing what they love most – creating.

Connect with Nathan Brookshire and Paul Davidge

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

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:

Have you signed up for your trade account with Kravet yet? No minimums on anything. One sofa, one rug, 1 yard of fabric, whatever you need, when you need it. Go to kravet.com and get started. Don’t forget to use your one time code at checkout for 10% off any Kravet fabric, wallpaper or trim order. AWDB10 at checkout 

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642: Thom Sweeney: Sage Advice About Salesmanship And The Upside of Failure in Interior Design

Today with Thom Sweeney:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Thom Sweeney’s unconventional path to interior design started after a 30-year career in advertising. Thom shares what brought him to design and how he lost his design business before rising again to build something even greater. He also has great advice on salesmanship and how to build meaningful relationships with clients.

Pick it apart:

[22:45] Thom and LuAnn discuss the importance of design that matches the client’s expectations

[34:18] Thom and LuAnn both shares their respective experiences navigating a failing business

[43:20] LuAnn suggest how to debrief after a failure

[46:49] Thom shares how critical sales skills are to a design business

[51:34] LuAnn shares her advice on sales

 

LuAnn and Thom Sweeney’s Ah-Ha moments:

“Nothing comes out of the huge failure if we don’t stand up again.” – LuAnn Nigara

“Are there any real, true failures?” – LuAnn Nigara

“Sales is creating a win-win.” – LuAnn NIgara

“Diversity in your client list is critical.” – Thom Sweeney

“You can never take that day you closed your doors and say, ‘I’m done’.” Thom Sweeney

Connect with Thom Sweeney:

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

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma Studio is the place to manage, run and grow your interior design business.  Features include  – Project Management, a Branded Portal, so when your clients log in, it looks and feels like they are logging into your business, invoicing, Purchase Orders, and Credit Card Payments, Product Management and QB integration and so much more. Start your trial today and see for yourself how much easier it could be to run your design firm. Go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness

 

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641: Celebrating 5 Years: Reflecting on the Bigger Picture

Today with LuAnn:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, we are celebrating the show’s 5th Birthday! It is hard to believe that there have been five years of outstanding guests, infinite ah-ha moments, and countless businesses changed. Thank you for coming along for the ride.

As a way to show my gratitude, this episode is all about reflecting on the bigger picture, and ways we can give back, center ourselves, and enrich our minds. Thank you all for choosing to spend your time with me every week. 

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

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

Resources and Links: Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club—it’s not just a showhouse.

 

The Black Artists and Designer’s Guild

 

 

 

His House for Her 

 

Housing Works

 

Savvy Giving by Design

 

The Trevor Project 

 

NAMI- NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH

 

5 Books to consider:

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino

The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

As Man Thinketh by James Allen

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

 

 

 

 

 

 

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640: Power Talk Friday: Ashley Connell, Founder of Prowess: Helping You Find Your Next Hire

Today with Ashley Connell: 

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today we’re going to talk about one of those key things you have to do in your business if you want to grow—outsourcing. We all know we need to do it, but finding the right fit is a major challenge. Ashley Connell of Prowess runs a business that matches you with your perfect fit business manager or employee. She’s sharing with us how she makes those perfect fits and the impact it can have on your business. 

Pick it apart:

  • [3:40] Ashley gives an overview of what Prowess is and how it connects business owners with employees
  • [9:15] Ashley and LuAnn talk about the importance of finding someone that fits your personality type, work method, and communication style
  • [17:27] Ashley breaks down her process and how her algorithm produces results that fit your business
  • [25:54] LuAnn and Ashley discuss how scaling your business leads to different needs and how Prowess accounts for that
  • [34:42] Ashley shares her mission of advocating for women and how that plays into her business model

 

LuAnn and Ashley Connell’s Ah-Ha moments:

“When a designer wants to stay in his/her land of creativity, there’s a need for that other person that’s paying attention to everything that happens under the operations umbrella as opposed to being the executor of the operations umbrella.” -LuAnn Nigara

“We’re not just matching based on the skills you need, but also your behavior styles, your communication style, and your personality.” -Ashley Connell

“I believe that it is very hard to effectively manage a 2-3 million dollar firm without a strong business manager.” -LuAnn Nigara

“By staying in your lane you’re more efficient. It has been proven that if you outsource, you increase your productivity by between 10-100 percent.” -Ashley Connell

More About Ashley Connell:

Ashley Connell, CEO and Founder of Prowess, is one part fearless entrepreneur, one part fearless women’s advocate. For the first 15 years of her career, she was an award-winning tech marketer in both Austin and London.  Ashley’s unstoppable drive to have both a career and time for family motivated her to start Prowess.  Her commitment to changing the lives of overloaded employers, women seeking rewarding work, and those affected by the gender pay gap, has landed her thought leadership pieces in Forbes, Built in Austin and at SXSW. In her pretty much non-existent spare time she enjoys yoga, walks with her bulldog, cheering on her beloved Longhorns, and spaghetti and meatballs.

Connect with Ashley Connell:

Website 

Instagram  

Facebook  

LinkedIn

 

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:

Kirsch has just unveiled their new Briza Motorization feature to give your clients control of their draperies from anywhere. They’re easy to install and compatible with third-party home systems, and they are available on all of Kirsch’s most popular drapery tracks. Visit Kirsch.com today to learn more.

Other Shows Mentioned: 

#525 Traci Connell: Take Your Business from Setback to Success

 

#554 Power Talk Friday: Traci Connell: Buy Wholesale for Profit

 

#450 Power Talk Friday: Bethany Mabee: Outsource the 80% Business and Do the 20% Interior Design

 

#363 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team

 

#589 Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Scaling from 2 Million to 5 Million

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639: Mina Duque: Starting an Interior Design Firm in a Foreign Melting Pot

Today with Mina Duque:

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Can you imagine starting your firm in a foreign city—one where you have no connections, no network, and where you haven’t even visited? That’s exactly what Mina Duque ended up doing. Today, she’s sharing her story of how she started her business in Tulum, the unique challenges presented by working in a major melting pot, and how she grew her business even without a community and network. 

 

Pick it apart:

  • [18:00] Mina shares the challenges and triumphs of working with different cultures and communication styles.
  • [36:24] LuAnn and Mina discuss the value of mentorship and how to set parameters within the relationship.
  • [44:38] Mina discusses how 3D renderings not only changed the landscape of her business but gave way to her husband starting his own rendering design company. 
  • [52:54] LuAnn and Mina talk about the book Rocket Fuel and the importance of intentionally scoping out business goals. 

LuAnn and Mina Duque’s Ah-Ha moments:

“We do that all the time in business…we say to our vendors, ‘Just give it to me straight, I need to know.’ But you’re saying as a culture, that’s not likely to happen. It’s so deeply engrained…and to them, there’s a level of respect in not saying a boldfaced no.” -LuAnn Nigara

 

“I always tell my vendors, I so prefer that if you think that something is going to take two weeks, tell me it’s going to take four weeks, because if you deliver sooner, I’m happy, but if you deliver later, I’m not happy.” -Mina Duque

 

“We get really good at visualizing, but that’s not everyone’s forte. So something that sounds really good or looks good on paper, when you see it in real life, you’re like, ‘I’m not really crazy about that.’” -Mina Duque

 

“It builds so much more trust and confidence in my client when I can show them everything in advance before they start spending money.” -Mina Duque

 

More About Mina Duque:

Mina, the principal designer at Interiors Tulum, founded the firm in early 2019. Her style is influenced by her unique background growing up between Casablanca, Morocco and Los Angeles, California. Mina grew up between Casablanca, Morocco and Los Angeles, California. Her degree from USC, along with her world travels and experience as a property manager for Airbnb’s, influence her design and decision-making process every step of the way. Her Moroccan background adds a unique accent to her designs blended with the relaxed, Caribbean bohemian vibe that she works with so often. She is an ambitious, driven woman, enjoys research, suffers little risk adversity, and celebrates exploring new cultures and ideas. Now with her business expanding she has a few employees and is striving to create a company culture that reflects her values of honesty, reliability, authenticity, and passion. Working with people from different backgrounds and celebrating their cultures energizes Mina as she loves to learn about their history and discover ways that she can help them enhance their lifestyle by designing relaxing and luxurious living spaces. Currently based in Tulum, Mexico, Mina lives with her husband, Fernando, and their high-energy rescue pup, Lulu.

Connect with Mina Duque:

Website 

Instagram  

Facebook 

 

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

 

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A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Revel Woods: Revel Woods is dedicated to providing premium hardwood and resilient flooring curated for your design and needs. They offer a wide range of perks for perks we offer interior designers, contractors, & industry professionals. Visit revelwoods.com today to get started.

 

Kravet: Kravet is the industry leader in to the trade home furnishings. You can easily shop Kravet, Lee Jofa, and Brunschwig & Fils all in one place. Introducing new and easy to use search features so you can find the latest products and collections right at your fingertips. Use promo code AWDB10 for a 10% discount on Kravet fabric, trim, and wallcoverings. 

 

Other Shows Mentioned: 

#291 Cheryl Luckett – From Side Hustle to Full Time Interior Design

#267 Rasheeda Gray: A Pipeline With Over 20 Interior Design Projects in Under 2 Years