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538: What Would Lu Do? LuAnn Answers Listener Questions

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0:00
0:16:29

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.

Today’s questions come from listener Christina, who struggles with expanding her prospects beyond client referrals. Christina is asking for tips on finding a space where she won’t be competing with architecture firms with in-house designers, and would like LuAnn’s opinion on the best social media platform.

Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.

If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara WWLD!

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares listener Christina’s detailed email.
  • Lean into the referral business because these are the best clients you can have.
  • Look for ways to keep you referral clients engaged with you.
  • Even when you do a fantastic job it may not be enough to make them remember you.
  • Proudly build your referral pipeline!
  • For more tips on how to build referrals, check out Episodes #93 and #426 with Stacey Brown Randall. Stacey is also one of the co-authors of LuAnn’s second book, A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts. Stacy’s chapter is about leveraging those A-list clients and maximizing the great work you have already delivered to them, so check it out!
  • You may need to work smarter to grow a design firm in a rural location.
  • Unfortunately, many architecture firms, builders, and kitchen showrooms may be laying off their in-staff designers during this economic downturn due to the coronavirus event. However, this may open the door for some freelance work and give you the chance to make an impression.
  • Look for the local people there that can refer you to boutique commercial work. Check into organizations that have architects, property developers, builders, and commercial realtors, call each one and introduce yourself.
  • You may need to join an organization in a larger nearby city.
  • LuAnn suggests some additional episodes that will help Christina learn how to work with architects and builders and how to build a hospitality commercial firm. These shows are linked below.
  • LuAnn provides a detailed overview of a potential social media strategy. For additional tips and social media strategies involving LinkedIn, please see the episodes referenced below.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?

Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!

Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!

Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.

Monogram – Work with Us!

Monogram

Other Shows Mentioned:

Stacey Brown Randall #426 & #93

Susan Yeley #208

Anita Dawson #281  

Judi Kieffer #276 

Angela Harris #245

AJ Wilcox #219

Sara #438

Welcome, Monogram #536

 

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537: Nicole McGuire: Design + Build + Property Development

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Just wait until you meet today’s guest, Nicole McGuire. Every word of her bio is expressed in every word of her conversation, and in LuAnn’s eyes, that makes Nicole one #smartlady. If you don’t epitomize your written bio, this conversation will make you rethink yours!

Listen in, as Nicole has some great tips and lessons for us all. You’ll notice right away that she is clearly a business woman running a design firm.

Passion and drive define Nicole.  These traits have been foundational to her success in the highly intense and competitive building market.  She is a visionary leader and disrupter of the status quo. Nicole is a gifted conceptual thinker with strengths in strategic planning, team leadership, mentoring, and community outreach.  She has actively worked to create space for women to be empowered and given leadership opportunities within the design and construction industry.

Nicole was raised in a home building family, but she has never been one to rest on legacy.  After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nicole partnered with her father, the late Jeff McGuire, to begin a new venture, building spec homes, and eventually creating unmatched custom homes and personally curated design pieces, all available within the McGuire Homes Collection.  Nicole has continued to dive deeper into best practices for the industry, even studying Sustainable Business Strategy at Harvard University- expanding her business through social and environmental sustainability standards.

Show Highlights:

  • A custom home-building company, McGuire Homes, is the foundation of all of their businesses.
  • Nicole’s passions are in design and bringing women into construction leadership roles.
  • She started Nicole McGuire Design Studio as another revenue stream, giving her the opportunity to sell all of the products, the finished materials, that go into a new construction home or a remodel, back to themselves. This includes cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and furniture.
  • McGuire Development Group is a company that holds homes that are hire-in leases to professionals. The homes come furnished, unfurnished, or a full executive rental, as well.
  • Nicole shares a mistake they made in 2019 and how they have been correcting it. Stay focused on your core business, she suggests.
  • Nicole details her marketing philosophy.
  • All about Around the House with Nicole McGuire. Nicole provides advice about how to get your own show!
  • Communication between her clients, her design team, her build team and herself is extremely important, and Nicole does it all within project management software.
  • Nicole describes the three different mood boards that clients get, and why.
  • Getting clients on board with “important” vs. “urgent”.
  • One of the biggest challenges is managing client expectations.
  • If you have a question that you’d like LuAnn to answer- go to wwld and she’ll answer yours on air in the coming weeks.
  • There’s a new episode of WTF this week with Vita! Also on Friday at [12:00] noon, EST Vita and Kim will be going live on LuAnn’s Window Works FB, talking tips, and design for custom window treatments. Please follow Window Works too, both on FB and IG, and be sure to join WTF Live every Friday on FB.

Links :

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Luann Live

LuAnn Nigara WWLD

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?

Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!

Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!

Connect with Nicole!

Nicole’s Website  

Nicole’s Instagram  #mymcguire

Nicole’s Facebook

Nicole’s Pinterest

See Nicole’s tips here! Around the House with Nicole McGuire

Nicole has also given talks at University of Illinois and women’s groups on the subjects of construction, design, and business.

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

Check Out Their Client Portal and Time Tracking Features!

My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

Open Your Trade Account & Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim!

Use Code at Checkout: awdb10

Kravet

 

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536: Monogram Appliances: Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guests today are Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel with Monogram, a new sponsor of the podcast. Monogram was also a valued sponsor of the recent 19hours virtual event sponsored by Mydoma Studio.

You’re going to love the energy that comes out of Monogram and its team members, so listen in meet Rob and Alex and learn more about what Monogram has to offer you!

Rob is the Senior Brand Manager for Monogram and Alex is the Senior Manager of the Monogram Design Center.

Show Highlights:

  • Alex shares the company mission.
  • Monogram is the luxury line of appliances for GE and has been in the business for more than 33 years.
  • Monogram launched two new collections earlier this year: Their Minimalist collection and their Statement
  • The appliances offered include built-ins, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, and 48-inch ranges.
  • A “built-in” means that an appliance is built into the cabinetry around it. A built-in often has custom exterior panels, which gives an integrated, seamless look to your kitchen.
  • In 1987, Monogram was the first luxury brand to create a full built-in package for their clients.
  • Rob shares his background in Food and Beverage, and what excites him about the time he’s spent at Monogram.
  • Monogram performed extensive research before putting pen to paper on their latest designs. After careful consideration, they developed three main pillars to support their new look and feel: Materials, Performance, and Ownership. Each of these upholds their commitment to high quality, innovation, and their ongoing relationships with designers and consumers. Through these pillars and their new collections, they’ve created a luxury brand experience that you can see and feel for yourself.  
  • “Social Currency” – Something to talk about with your friends!
  • Monogram has a couple of programs specifically set up for the designer community to educate them on the Monogram products.
  • Resellers (and there are over 1,100!) have updated displays and presentations. You can see, touch, and feel!
  • The flagship showroom in Chicago is open to the public Monday through Saturday.
  • The showroom does not sell the products, but directs the inquiries to the local Monogram sales manager if it’s outside of Chicago.
  • If a designer is registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, they get to extend preferred-builder pricing to the client, which is a great discount.
  • If a designer is NOT registered for Monogram’s Rewards Program, then the client would be using the rebate. There are 3 tiers where the clients qualify for free items with certain purchases.
  • Engineering details make all the difference in the design and ease-of-use of the appliances for the consumer.
  • “Monogram Talks” – a webinar series that will be launching the first week of May!
  • Different technologies are incorporated into the Monogram appliances.
  • Designers, when you introduce luxury items into your projects it benefits your profitability!

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live

Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?

Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!

Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!

Connect with Monogram!

Monogram’s Website   

Monogram’s Instagram 

Monogram’s YouTube

A Big THANK YOU to The Podcast Sponsor:

Monogram – Work with Us!

 

 

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535: What Would Lu Do? LuAnn Answers Listener Questions

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0:23:30

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for another episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.

Today’s questions come from listener Samantha, who would like some suggestions on how to find income when your projects have been put on hold during this COVID-19 event, the top ten recommended processes and systems to be putting in place, and the best practices for social media presence when you have no active projects.

Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolutions.

If you are not working with a coach or perhaps you don’t have a business mentor or business bestie to provide guidance, this is the perfect opportunity to email LuAnn the burning issues that you need insight on and she’ll answer them on air. Please send your questions to LuAnn Nigara: WWLD!

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares listener Sam’s detailed email.
  • Sam’s professional focus is mostly on hospitality design (9) but also residential (1). All ten projects are on hold, and she’s looking for suggestions on how to pull in income.
  • LuAnn’s advice is to weather the storm for the time being and offers lots of great ideas that Sam can work on right now to successfully position herself for when things open up.
  • Sam would like to know the top ten processes and systems that she needs to put in place.
  • LuAnn offers 3 prerequisites and promises the other 7 when the first 3 are firmly in place.
  • The first 3 are: bookkeeping, reviewing or creating a solid contract, and designing a thorough work flow.
  • What level of social media presence is appropriate during Sam’s work lull?
  • Recycle old pics with a new spin or a new caption, but avoid stating that it’s from an old project or that you’re not currently working on a project.
  • Definitely post on SM to drum up business while not busy.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Are you a #babydesigner, #risingdesigner, or a #seasoneddesigner?

Take the “What Level is Your Design Firm” Quiz and Find Out!

Get a list of things to do that day, by the end of the week and by the end of the month, in addition to the best podcast episodes to listen to appropriate to where you are in your business journey!

Suggested Podcast:

Darla Powell’s podcast, Wingnut Social

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Kirsch’s motorized Briza collection is the perfect answer to high-end drapery treatments. Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now!

Kirsch

Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!

Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.

Other Shows Mentioned:

#292 Summer Tannhauser

#331 Kate Ahl

#487 Vanessa Shepherd

#20 Arianne Bellizaire

#201 Dorien Morin van Dam,

#237 Claire Jefford

#516 Jude Charles

#514 Sara Brennan

#470 Christine Lin

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534: Collective Interiors: An Innovative Collaboration Breaks New Ground

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Are you in for a treat today! LuAnn welcomes

Stephanie Castillo, the principal of Rumble Interiors, back to the show. Stephanie was a guest on Episode #391, as well, and is joined by Renee Fyall of D. Marie Interiors and Sam Mikel of Nest Design Studio. These ladies are all interior designers, doing business in the city of Ellensburg, Washington. Ellensburg is a rather small city of just 20,000 people and sort of between Portland and Seattle. Wait until you learn what these 3 #smartladies have created!

Listen in to hear how these three interior designers chose to be open-minded, innovative entrepreneurs rather than wary competitors. Together, they form what’s known as Collective Interiors. You’re going to find their story fascinating!

Stephanie Castillo: Rumble Interiors

Communicator, observer, entrepreneur and creative…… Stephanie has been in a creative field her whole working career. Stephanie started Rumble Interiors as an extension of her success as a hair designer.

Design, balance and harmony are built into everything Rumble Interiors embodies. Stephanie’s ability to design a space comes naturally and her passion lives in her strength to envision a space for the people who live in it.

Rumble Interiors specializes in taking your home or room from uninspired to a unique, inviting warm space that speaks to the people who live in it. Whether it’s a Re-Style which is taking what you already have and Re-thinking, Re-imagining and Re-vamping your space; or a complete home decoration with results that reflect your world refined. Stephanie’s special talent comes in the form of helping people define their design style, the consultation technique is one of her favorite parts of the process.

Renee Fyall: D. Marie Interiors

When it comes to Interior Design Renee joins function with aesthetics seamlessly on projects both big and small. With over 10 years’ experience, much of her career has been focused on project management. With an eye for quality, superior sense of style, Renee assures the space functionality is forefront, including the project running smoothly and on budget while still creating a beautiful and inviting space.

Kitchen design and kitchen remodeling have become a large part of Renee’s focus and priority throughout her time as a Designer. She possesses an innate desire to create and design Interiors that exceed clients’ expectations. As many of us spend a large amount of our time in the kitchen, it’s important to Renee? that she delivers? a return on the investment as the kitchen is the best place in the house to add value, both in design and function.

Sam Mikel: Nest Design Studio

Design is a bastion of individuality and creativity.  However, as with other creative endeavors, the gap between one’s inner vision and its ultimate expression can be vast.  The function of the professional designer is to help you bridge that chasm.  By asking questions and listening attentively, a good designer can help you explore your needs and wishes and define and create the possibilities in your heart and mind.  As a wise man once noted, “limitations live only in our minds.  But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”  Sam’s goal as a designer is simply to help you make the best use of your imagination. Open communication throughout the design process helps develop trust and a comfortable, working relationship.  Building on your input, Sam’s job is to guide your consideration of such elements as your home’s existing features, the sources of light, and the function required of each space to best define and create your individual style. 

Working collaboratively with her clients, she strives to create warm and inspired rooms—unique spaces that tell your own personal story in a timeless way.  Managing every detail from conception to completion, Sam’s aim is always to create an ambiance that reflects your taste and unique lifestyle.

In every project she undertakes, she strives to be budget-conscious.  Also, whenever possible, she tries to incorporate eco-friendly green products and materials.

Show Highlights:

  • Stephanie shares how she met Renee and Sam, how the three of them worked over the idea of sharing a collective space, and their result.
  • “Glorified space sharing” is their business model: Collective Interiors is a building, and inside of this are their three businesses.
  • Stephanie and Renee share an office, and Sam has her own office. Sam is also the main leaseholder and she has retail space there. Collective Interiors is a interior design / decor / full-scale store.
  • Renee relates the reaction she had to Stephanie’s request for coffee and mentorship, and how she appreciates directness.
  • Sam describes her passion for her retail store and her love for people.
  • Ways they make their collaboration successful.
  • Mutual trust helps to make this business model work.
  • Re-evaluation, as they grow and learn, is necessary.
  • How their lives have been enriched since the inception of Collective Interiors.
  • Guidance for others that might be interested in the same kind of business model.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Connect with Stephanie Castillo!

Rumble Interiors Website

Connect with Renee Fyall!

  1. Marie Interiors Website

Connect with Sam!

Nest Design Studio Website

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Take Advantage of Kravet Inc.’s Extensive Digital Tools & 24/7 Customer Service!

Set Up a Virtual Appointment with Your Local Sales Representative:

Kravet

Jaipur Living – Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.

Other Shows Mentioned:

Stephanie Castillo / Rumble Interiors #391

Lori Paranjape # 344

 

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533: Power Talk Friday: Katie Krimitsos: Listening to Ourselves

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! It’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn’s guest today is Katie Krimitsos, Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. The last time that Katie was featured on A Well-Designed Business on episode 253, she was the fearless leader of the Biz Women Rock community.

Listen in to catch up with all that’s been going on with Katie since her newest endeavor. She truly has a passion to help you become your best you, and if this current Corona Virus event has left you a bit more fearful than usual, you’ll want to hear about guided meditations that can help you feel more centered in this anxiety-ridden environment.

Katie Krimitsos is Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network. She is also a mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, seeker, and change maker.  She’s committed to brightening the light of women around the world through the Women’s Meditation Network, which provides guided meditations and related resources specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. She’s passionate about giving women the tools, strategies, and inspiration to live lives they truly love. She loves the water, the sound of her two girls laughing with each other, and is constantly evolving to make her life and the lives of others as magical as possible. 

Show Highlights:

  • Katie shares her compelling story of how the Women’s Meditation Network came about.
  • Women naturally have a beautiful light but they are often dimmed by self-doubt or comparison.
  • Katie is not a meditation teacher, but she does give women the TOOL of meditation to help them learn more about themselves and learn how to deal with life’s troubling moments.
  • Meditation doesn’t mean having a blank mind. It’s about managing your thoughts, which is crucial to master in both your personal and business lives.
  • Meditation helps you to distinguish between, “What’s the noise?” versus “What’s the voice?”.
  • Stop and set aside the fear of what is and what could be. Then reflect on what you can do or how you can help. How are you uniquely qualified to help your clients right now?
  • What you choose to do and how you choose to show up right now might not pay “right now”, but if you lead with love and do the right thing, it will pay a thousand-fold in the future.
  • Katie describes the ease of using her 5-20 minute, guided meditations and she also has a sleep bundle.
  • LuAnn points out that research backs up the physiological benefits of meditation.
  • It’s so important to tap in and understand what’s really best for us at this moment and how we can best serve others.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Connect with Katie!

Katie’s Website

Subscribe HERE to get FREE weekly meditations!

Start the 7 Day Meditation ChallengeHERE!

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Open Your Trade Account:

Kravet

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

Mentioned Episodes:

Katie’s other appearance on the show #253

 

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532: LuAnn Nigara: Thoughts on Leading Your Business Through the Covid-19 Crisis

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business!

Did you miss the amazing “19 Hours” free virtual business summit that ran the week of April 6th through April 9th, 2020? If so, LuAnn will be filling you in on the industry’s answer to the COVID-19 crisis that contains all of the incredible presentations and panel discussions that was originally planned for High Point Market Spring 2020.

Today’s show is a replay of the solo presentation that LuAnn did on Thursday, April 9th, on “How to Lead Your Business Through the COVID-19 Crisis”. She has some perspective here that is sure to interest you, whether you run a virtual team or a brick-and-mortar one because LuAnn has weathered several significant economic downturns during her career and came out stronger on the other side of it.

19 Hours was hosted by Mydoma Studio and sponsored by Kravet, Article, Jaipur Living, Monogram, Summer Classics,Gabby Home, Interior Design Society, and Revel Woods.

There were an average of 800 designers and business owners watching each and every live session! If you missed it, you can still get the video recordings. For the next couple of weeks, Mydoma Studio will graciously email you the entire video conference if you contact them here: My Doma Studio: 19Hours.

Just wait until you hear the presentations by some of the industry’s top business leaders. There were 14 presentations and each one was stellar!

Show Highlights:

  • In LuAnn’s first book, The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your mission and your core values, and it’s never been more important than now so you can be laser-focused in crisis.
    • LuAnn details the three areas that you should focus on:
    1. Mitigate the losses.
    2. Focus on sales and marketing.
    3. Gratitude
  • There’s wisdom in the saying, “The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.”
  • Don’t overreact but don’t not act.
  • LuAnn describes the #1 mistake she made in the early ‘90s.
  • Think very carefully about the problems you are experiencing with the way you are living through the COVID-19 crisis, and how might you solve this for people in your circle who are experiencing the same things?
  • Be creative, be empathetic.
  • This is a good time to look inward. It is also a good opportunity to make sure you have your systems locked down.
  • If you could wave a magic wand, what would your business look like?
  • Look inward and be listening for what your lesson is in this. It could be personal or business, big or small.
  • Every day there is something to be grateful for.
  • Share and show grace with each other.
  • If you need to unplug, then unplug and own that.
  • It will take some ingenuity and intention to get through this, but you can do if!

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

To Receive the Entire 19Hours Video Conference, Please Visit:

My Doma Studio: 19Hours

Book Mentioned:

The Making of a Well-Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action by LuAnn Nigara

Mentioned Episodes:

LuAnn’s Solo #519

Kim Merlitti #442

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531: Kendall Wilkinson: #Seasoned Designer Sharing Experience and Wisdom

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! On today’s show, LuAnn is joined by industry-icon, Kendall Wilkinson. They’ll be chatting about Kendall’s perspective on her experience in growing an esteemed and successful firm. They discuss budgets to clients to discovery-call practices to Kendall’s experience in the 2008 recession where she had to use guerilla-style marketing strategies to build a pipeline.

Whether you are already a Kendall Wilkinson fan or this is the first time learning about her, you are going to love this conversation. Kendall is a #smartlady who runs a major enterprise which includes her famous San Francisco design firm, her textile collections for Fabricut, as well as being a sought-after speaker for industry events all over the nation.

Kendall’s work has been on the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Wall Street Journal, to name a few. Along with participating in numerous showcases over the years including the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Elle Decor Showhouse, and LUXE Magazine’s Maison de Luxe Showhouse, Kendall has also she served on the prestigious Board of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.

Show Highlights:

  • Kendall has been in business for 27 years and employs a staff of 30.
  • Kendall believes that a combination of creative excellence and business acumen are responsible for her success.
  • It’s important to mentor once you have the experience in.
  • Kendall explains her business structure: She has four teams of principals who have their own firms. Within each team is a senior designer, a design associate, a design assistant, and a project manager. They each run 3-5 projects. Kendall also has a back office, which includes the expediters, controllers, accountants, and administrators.
  • This structure has allowed her to be more creative because of the confidence she in her principals and their abilities.
  • LuAnn and Kendall discuss clients, budgets, variables, and the non-negotiables.
  • Kendall shares how she came through the 2008 recession without having to lay off any employees.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting Wednesday, April 22!

If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.

Connect with Kendall!

Kendall’s Website

Kendall’s LinkedIn

Kendall’s Twitter  – @KWilkinsonSF

Kendall Wilkinson Design’sInstagram – @KendallWilkinsonDesign

Kendall Wilkinson Design’sFacebook

Kendall Wilkinson Design’s LinkedIn

Kendall Wilkinson Design’sPinterest

DesignClass: Interior Design With Kendall Wilkinson

Be sure to check out Kendall’s textile line atFabricut!

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

Jaipur Living’s Website – Easy to Browse, Custom Calculator, Products Ready to Ship! Open Your Trade Account to Begin Your Relationship with This Admirable Company.

Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!

Be the hero for your clients, and be the solution they need right now with Article.

 

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530: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Lane: What I Learned from Process Leads to Profits Course

Nancy

Welcome to a Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Nancy Lane, CEO of Nancy Lane Interiors in Houston, Texas, joins LuAnn today and you’ll be learning all about the Process Leads to Profits course that Nancy took last winter and the tangible benefits she has received from it.

You’ll also hear how Nancy utilized Mydoma Studio to define her services for her prospective clients and how she now invoices and receives payments for her services through Mydoma Studio.

Join LuAnn and Nancy in this engaging and informational conversation, and to learn more about signing up for the next Process Leads to Profits with Sara Lynn Brennan’s LIVE course, which starts NEXT WEEK!

Nancy Lane’s idea of home has been informed by all the places she’s lived, and perhaps most of all by the one she lost. As a child, her home burned to the ground, displacing her family in the process. Nancy and her family found themselves building their new home together and establishing the true meaning of that word at the same time. 

Her love for interior design grew through the years, both through her own personal projects and as she shared her passion by helping friends and neighbors with their design projects for more than a decade. In 2016, she opened her residential interior design consulting business, Nancy Lane Interiors and turned that passion into a livelihood. Nancy helps clients solve their design dilemmas and turn houses into homes in and around Houston, Texas, where she resides with her husband and three sons.

 

Show Highlights:

  • Nancy’s first career was as a chemist! She is a perpetual learner and was already running a successful business when she signed up for classes because she loves to learn new and better processes.
  • Clearly defined processes are everything. You can define your process to make it concrete and repeatable BUT just know it’s still really fluid. It will always be a work in process.
  • Nancy details the steps she’s implemented since completing the Process Leads to Profits course.
  • Automate, automate, automate! Automation is important in delivering consistent service.
  • Mindset is key. Most of the issues we have all start right between our ears!
  • In light of COVID-19, Nancy discusses the ways that she’s been taking advantage of being at home.
  • Is the Process Leads to Profits class right for you? If 6 weeks from now you would like to know you are well on your way and well-armed with the information and strategies to once and for all organize your “you” into a repeatable, duplicatable process (AKA, a “business”!), then YES! Sign up HERE!

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

LuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!

If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.

Connect with Nancy!

Nancy’s Websites: Nancy Lane Interiors &The Decor Detective

Nancy’sInstagram

Nancy’sFacebook

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

FREE Trial! A One-Stop Shop to Keep Everything Organized!

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Previous shows mentioned:

Nicole Cole #509

Sara Lynn Brennan:#463, #514, #524

 

Posted on

529: What Would Lu Do: Listener Questions

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Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s time for an episode of “What Would Lu Do?” where you ask the questions and LuAnn helps out with the answers.

Today’s question comes from listener Jane, who would like to know how to handle a client who is refusing to pay a bill.

Listen in as LuAnn digs into the details, susses out the situation, and lays out her reasoning on the resolution.

If you have a burning issue that you need some insight on, please send your question to LuAnn Nigara!

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares Jane’s detailed email.
  • The red-flag phrase in the listener’s email that got LuAnn’s attention: “Even when I could see the project going south.”
  • Why LuAnn thinks that the client somehow feels wronged.
  • LuAnn’s take-action steps:
  • The listener should think back to when she first felt things going south.
  • She needs to identify the event and ask herself these questions:
  1. What one thing could you have done at the time to have avoided the project going south?
  2. Can you fix the problem even though it is late?
  • Even if it costs you money, you have to fix it.
  • Get ready for the hard conversation. Call her, acknowledge the problem, give a genuine apology for the past offense and offer the solution you are going to take.
  • Once you’ve agreed on a solution, THEN you can ask for the payment, but there’s a particular way you need to frame the request!
  • The client needs that moment of contrition and the solution to get past the problem.

Resources:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!

Purchase LuAnn’s Book!

Sara’s Blog post onLuAnn’sBlog

Power Talk Friday

LuAnn Live

LuAnn Nigara– Email LuAnn Your Questions!

LIVE CLASS with Sara Lynn Brennan, Starting April 22!

If you need help with your processes, in getting your business systemized so you can scale, you can hire, you can finally be confident in your projects, Process Leads to Profits is back! To find out all about this live class, taught over 6 consecutive weeks starting April 22, go to Process Leads To Profits.

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

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Use Code at Checkout: AWDB10

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