Today with Chanae Richards 

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. The journey to building a well-designed business isn’t always linear. Sometimes designers come from the most unlikely of careers. That’s something we have heard many times on the show. But today Chanae Richards shares the story of how she founded her firm Oloro Interiors. Not only did she come into the space as a second career, but she even built her interior design business in an unusual and unexpected way. She has made some very unique decisions along the way that have led to her success.

Pick it apart:

• [22:24] Chanae shares her unconventional story, which started in finance and then included Peer Space rentals before design. 
• [29:37] Chanae and LuAnn dive into how she secured 500 rental bookings in two years, laying the foundation for her design referral base. 
• [36:50] Chanae discusses how seeing another successful Black designer fueled her decision to leave her career and start her business.
• [44:55] Chanae reflects on her decision to shift her business to 100% referral-based. 
• [1:04:30] Chanae highlights her Entrepreneurial Retail Center—a way that she gives back to the community and helps those who live in public housing start their own entrepreneurial journeys.

LuAnn and Chanae Richard’s Ah-Ha moments:

“There’s the confidence, and there’s the know-how behind that confidence. It’s not just the showy ‘I know it all,’ but it’s why you know it and how you know it and having them believe that you understand the guts to it.” -Chanae Richards

“What’s interesting about this is that when you think about if somebody hypothetically said, ‘I want to be an interior designer…I have my education and my internships and I have my chops and I’m ready to go, but I don’t have clients yet. Should I start focusing on a rental space while I try to build my design business?’ You could line up ten business coaches and more than 50% of them would say, ‘No, don’t divert your attention.’ But you did it because you didn’t ask anyone’s permission, and that’s sometimes the best thing in the world. And it worked for you.” -LuAnn Nigara

“I’m able to do all that I do, simply because I have hired and cultivated great teams, both at the firm and the Center. I have a number of people who are simply brilliant and I mean that. I hire great people and empower them to do great teams both inside and outside the firm.” -Chanae Richards

More about Chane Richards:

Chanae Richards is the CEO & Principal Designer of ọlọrọ interiors, an interior design firm with offices in Philadelphia and New York. Her curated spaces and design expertise have been featured in ELLE Décor, Business of Home, Philadelphia Magazine, and Apartment Therapy as well as on national syndicates including MSNBC, National Geographic, Vice, CNN, and The Travel Channel. An inaugural Philadelphia Mural Arts Fellow, Chanae also serves as the Managing Director of Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center, a groundbreaking initiative providing residents with free business resources and support for community innovation.

Chanae received her BA from Temple University and MA and MPA from Rutgers University. She is also an alumna of Bank of America Women’s Institute at Cornell University and a member of the Black Interior Designer’s Network.

Connect with Chanae Richards:

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

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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

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A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

Mydoma Studio: Mydoma is your complete designer toolkit. Mydoma makes it easy to streamline your processes, track projects, communicate with clients, and get organized. It’s created by designers for designers, specifically to address what you need as a business owner. I’ve said countless times that systems and processes are how you reach the next level of profitability. Mydoma Studio makes it easy to do that. You can get 20% off your first three months by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.

Other Shows Mentioned:

#06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

#711 Christine Platt: The Afrominimalist

Today with Leia Ward Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. New York-based luxury stager, Leia Ward, took her dad’s suggestion to start a staging business and ran with it. She learned the business, wore every hat, and pushed out of her comfort zone to build an amazing business. Learn how she handles her finances, where she got her business knowledge, and what she tells herself every day.

Pick it apart:

[13:46] Leia tells about her first real staging gig a luxury property

[19:16] Leia shares how she got images for her website

[23:16] LuAnn recaps Leia’s smart business choices

[26:17] Leia tells how she creates a strategic plan 

[30:06] Leia tells how she visualizes future memoring

[41:00] Leia tells how she learned the money side of the business

[49:39] Leia shares about the Profit First method she used

LuAnn and Leia Ward’s Ah-Ha moments:

There’s value in being strategic. Take time to think “how do I want to be received?” – and then you work backward from there.” – Leia Ward

“The number one thing is, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing.” – Leia Ward

“It’s the true desire connected to the gratitude and the action that makes it happen.” – LuAnn Nigara

“If you’re going to dream, dream big.” – Leia Ward

More about Leia Ward:

LTW Design is an award-winning staging design firm specializing in

exclusive luxury properties. Named one of the ‘Top 10 Luxury Stagers’

in the country, the firm’s expertise is limitless. With an expansive

inventory of furniture, accessories and artwork, their strategic interior

marketing approach helps to sell homes swiftly and at top market

Value. Founder & Principal Leia T. Ward is a one-of-a kind uniquely qualified

leader in the real estate staging industry. Professionally trained and

using the most innovative marketing techniques, Leia & her team have

staged the most exclusive homes in the Northeast ranging from $1M-

$20M, including the residence of Bruce Willis + Emma Hemming.

Known for her attention to detail and forever inspired by her world

travels, Leia has remarkable talent for blending textures, natural light

and clean lines in every project. The LTW brand has a signature style

of casual sophistication, creating calm and beautifully balanced

spaces.

Clients today benefit from her exceptional communication, project

management and problem solving skills mastered during her 10 years

working in the television and magazine industries in New York City.

She has developed a unique ability to understand her client’s needs

— which has been a key part of LTW Design’s success.

Her trademark aesthetic of clean lines, bold neutrals and layered

textures has been featured in magazines and websites including

House Beautiful, Town & Country, CTC&G, New England Living,

PureWow, Serendipity, Access Hollywood and more.

Connect with Leia Ward:

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events

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, a software that helps you get paid faster, save time on admin work and manage your projects more efficiently. Go to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness to learn more.

Other Shows Mentioned:

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On Today’s Flashback Friday Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s Flashback episode, we’re revisiting with Laurence Carr, a Manhattan-based designer who had two careers before settling on design. Learn why she formed an advisory council to coach her new business and why sticking to her core business strategy has led to her rapid success.

Pick it apart:

[6:52] Laurence speaks about how her advisory board works.

[18:32] Laurence speaks about the sustainability mission for her business

[21:37] Laurence tells about how her eBook magazine supports her email list

[22:57] Laurence explains how her previous job influenced her own business

[29:07] Laurence explains how she works with freelance designers

[35:18] Laurence explains how she hires freelance designers

[42:12] Laurence shares about her online affiliate brand marketing

[55:22] Laurence talks about her quarterly strategy meetings

LuAnn and Laurence Carr’s Ah-Ha moments:

“We talk about designing rooms, environments, space – but we have to know how to design a strategy as well.” – Laurence Carr

“Design the career you want to have.” – LuAnn Nigara

Connect with Laurence Carr

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

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:

Kravet has been a pillar vendor since the beginning of Window Works. They are also an original show sponsor. I just want to say thank you to Kravet for believing in this design community and for helping the show become a reality. Explore the entire library of guaranteed in-stock fabrics at kravet.com. And get 10% off using coupon code AWDB10.

Today with Marianna Zimmerman

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m talking with Marianna Zimmerman, owner of The BEST is yet to come DESIGNS, LLC. 

“Your current situation doesn’t have to be your final destination.” This quote from Marianna gives you a little clue of what we’re discussing today. For years Marianna was working in administration at a hospital. She questioned if she was able to do what she REALLY wanted to do, own her own design business. With the support of her husband and her decision to believe in herself, she has successfully owned her firm for 12 years. If you have any doubt or fear or questions about your abilities, know that this episode will give you the kick in the pants you need.

Pick it apart:

• [7:00] After 20-30 years, Marianna tells us how she got into design.

  [19:15] Marianna tells us about the makeup of The BEST is yet to come DESIGNS LLC.

  [21:25] Marianna explains her fee structure and advice on how to charge clients.  

  [45:00] Advice on taking the leap to starting your business.

LuAnn and Marianna Zimmerman’s Ah-Ha moments:

“I didn’t want to feel like I was playing catchup, but I had to realize that it’s not about playing catch up or competing. It’s more about sharing my gift and what I can offer to the world.” – Marianna Zimmerman 

“Not every project is photo worthy. The reason you do what you do is to make the client happy. In the end, a happy client is the goal, not the professional shot.” – Marianna Zimmerman

“You have to be the one to do it. Whether you have the emotional, physical or financial support of someone or you’re on your own with no support, ultimately you have to be the one to do it. You have to decide to be excellent and make the decision to execute.” – LuAnn Nigara

More about Marianna Zimmerman:

Marianna Zimmerman, Brooklyn NY Native lived many years in Boston Ma until eventually settling down 9 yrs ago in good ole Dallas Texas. After Graduating from QC Design school 2001, She became a Certified Interior Designer and then a ASP Home Stager in 2009. With over 20 years of experience and helping friends and family design their homes part time while always working 2 jobs as a single mom, She moved to Texas and her husband encouraged her to use her gift & venture into her own business.

She launched The BEST is yet to come DESIGNS LLC in 2011.

Marianna believes “great design is about creating a beautiful space that you feel comfortable coming home to.” She is devoted to designing with luxury and style that is affordable. She has always believed in the motto “your current situation doesn’t have to be your final destination”… The Best is yet to come!

While specializing in Modern aesthetics, she has traveled all over helping clients with a variety of different styles and genres. She is a self proclaimed decor fanatic and always finds that “one unique piece” that she incorporates & leaves her stamp in the project.

She believes being an East Coast girl, living in a Texas world is what separates her from other local Interior Designers- Her modern, edgy, “think outside the box” flare combined with her passionate work ethic & outgoing friendly personality makes it natural for her to work with each client’s specific style and needs.

Connect with Marianna Zimmerman:

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

luannuniversity.com

Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events

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:

Hit the reset button and shake up your mindset and processes to reach those big goals on your vision board. Register now for the Mydoma Studio’s 19H, a one-day seminar to set you on the path to the success you’re dreaming of. There has been no shortage of shakeups in the industry the last little while. From the need to do things more virtually, to the issues with supply chains – no matter how well you’ve weathered the storm, no doubt you’ve felt the effects somehow. Fresh, actionable advice. Bold ideas. Helpful tools and templates. In short, everything you need in one action packed day to have the best 2022 possible. To get your ticket head on over to mydomastudio.com/19hluann/ – and just for podcast listeners, the early bird pricing has been extended right up until the day of the event.

Other Shows Mentioned:

# 167 Kelsey Grose- Winner of Best New Design Blog at Design Bloggers Conference 2017

# 203 Darla Powell- How to Launch an Interior Design Firm

# 455 Megan Molten- Planning Creates Success in Your Interior Design Business

# 631 Ariella Horowitz- Success for Design-Build Firms is in the Details

# 677 Megan Molten- To Succeed, Focus on Your Why