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576: What Would Lu Do: My Client Ghosted Me, Again!

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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 question comes from Carol Ann Hirvat. Carol worked with a client a few years ago on a $45,000 job that ultimately never went anywhere. Then out of the blue, the client reaches out with an apology and requested for a second chance. Guess what happens after Carol invests another 15 hours into the deal? Yep! So Carol would like to know her next best steps.

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 provides the details around Carol’s situation.
  • Giving the benefit of the doubt to the client, consider that there might be other possible reasons for the client’s action other than an ulterior motive.
  • Just because Carol gives the client the benefit of the doubt does not mean that the client is off the hook.
  • The client owes an explanation, so LuAnn advises Carol to unapologetically check in with the client on a weekly, bi weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis until she gets some answers. 
  • Carol can still be super kind and respectful while pursuing her answer.
  • LuAnn offers some thoughtful strategies regarding reaching out and following up.
  • Carol should keep in mind that she can’t force a communication.
  • Focus on the positive things about the client and the relationship.
  • Remember: Gentle persistence!

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 – Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 – Sept 24

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

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

LuAnn’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

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

Get 10% Off Any One Purchase of Kravet Fabric, Wallpaper, or Trim!

Use Code at Checkout: awdb10

Kravet

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

For quality furniture that can be delivered, fast, easy, and direct to your client:

Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!

 

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575: Lisa Gilmore: Finance Fridays! From 850k to 2.25 Million in One Year!

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is someone who made quite an impression on the audience during a LuAnn Live event by sharing her “eat, pray, love” story. Lisa Gilmore told the audience how she was in such a hard space, mismanaging money, and doing all the things incredibly wrong. Who didn’t feel a connection with this lady for her honesty and bravery? Listen in to find out how Lisa turned her business (and life!) around by owning her errors and being consistent, and just see if there’s not something in here that you can use for your own.

Lisa Gilmore, one of the Southeast’s leading luxury residential designers, is known for the customized one-of-a-kind interiors she creates for large scale homes and condos in Tampa Bay and throughout North America.

She has over a decade of experience providing luxury environments for CEO’s, attorneys, business owners, entrepreneurs, tech company executives, and other prominent clients. Her work and her unique “liveable glamour” style have been featured in online and print publications worldwide.

Lisa’s full range of design services includes everything from project management and consulting on architectural and floor plans, to specifying finishes and creating detailed hand renderings of her work.

Lisa establishes close personal relationships with her clients. Those clients use phrases like “remarkably talented”, “fantastic to work with”, and “organized, good natured and easy to communicate with” to characterize Lisa and her team, and “functional and beautiful” and “out of the box thinking” to describe her work. She is often praised for pulling people out of their comfort zone with interior design and giving her clients what they never knew could exist.

Lisa Gilmore Design is backed by a team of some of the region’s leading contractors, craftsmen, and artisans as well as an international network of vendors and suppliers. 

Her clients benefit from the luxury design expertise, problem solving insights, product knowledge, and other skills she gained during her highly successful earlier career working for leading interior design firms in central Florida and Chicago. Her design work is influenced by her travels throughout North America, Europe, and Africa.

Lisa holds a degree in interior design and is a member of the International Interior Design Association. She keeps current on design trends by attending conferences, trade shows, and other industry events. 

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares the email that she received from Lisa.
  • Lisa relates something that LuAnn mentioned previously that gave her an epiphany as to the root of her problem.
  • Fear held Lisa back, but she found processes and systems that turned things around. This helped her gain confidence!
  • “Finance Friday”
  • How LuAnn’s book helped Lisa get her business back on track.
  • Lisa shares how being turned in to the state by another designer turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
  • Lisa explains the business decisions and billing changes that she put into place.
  • You have to be more versatile to survive through the hard times.
  • How getting your finances figured out can actually bring joy!
  • Here’s what Lisa is looking forward to.

Connect with Lisa!

Lisa’s Email

Lisa’s Website

Lisa’s Instagram

Lisa’s Facebook

Lisa’s Pinterest

Lisa’s Twitter 

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

LuAnn University

The Profit Is In The Numbers

The Profit Is In The Numbers 101 with Kathleen Anderson

The Profit Is In The Numbers 102 with Peter Lang

Coming September 2020!

Early Bird Registration Sept 4 – Sept 20

Classes: Sept 22 – Sept 24

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

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

LuAnn’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

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.

Other shows mentioned to link to  and to tag in SM

Peter Lang #349, 464

Michele Williams #115, #390

 

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574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy

Find Deb on Boardroom for Creatives

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn shares a conversation with Deb Mitchell on today’s show. You may know Deb on Instagram as DesignWriterDeb. She’s a writer specializing in serving interior designers. Did you know that your own writing style can differentiate yourself from other designers in the way it reflects your personality and your style? And that the most impactful way of writing speaks to the client? Listen in for tips on how you can make this happen, or how you can work with Deb if you’re needing a little extra help in communicating effectively with your ideal client.

Deb Mitchell’s career as a professional writer began when she responded to an ad in a local Charlotte, NC magazine seeking volunteers for a readers’ panel. On a tour of the magazine’s offices with the other selected panelists, the idea for an article came to her and when she mentioned it to the editors, they hired her on the spot as a writer. Nearly ten years and hundreds of articles later, Deb decided to blend her design feature writing experience with her pre-writing career experience in high-end retail sales to help interior designers move their businesses forward with strategic copywriting and content marketing services.

Today, Deb’s client list is ever growing with designers at nearly every stage of business. Most recently, she’s joined forces with two experts, a branding designer and a website developer, to offer designers an all-in-one option for fully custom designed and copywritten WordPress websites.

Deb has by-lined articles in publications such as Casual Living, Design Texas, Lake Norman Magazine, and Today’s Charlotte Woman, and on The Renegade Writer blog. Her ghostwriting has appeared in dozens of top shelter publications and design blogs.

Show Highlights:

  • Start the writing process with getting to know your clients. What do

they care about?

  • When writing, differentiate yourself by considering how you are

different from your colleague in aesthetic, processes, delivery of

services, and personality.

  • Make your writing reflective of you. Don’t write a bio that’s so vanilla

we can substitute another designer’s name for yours.

  • Don’t be intimidated about writing. Get your ideas out of your head

and get someone to take a look at your copy and help with editing.

  • Create a “messaging” folder – it’s a living document used to hold your

core words, thoughts, and phrases. Add to it as you come up with copy that helps

define you and will resonate with your clients. Start by finishing these

statements:

  • I believe my clients deserve…
  • I believe my clients should experience…
  • When speaking about me, someone said…
  • To create consistent messaging, refer to this file when writing your

social media, creating a new web page, or preparing to speak on a

panel.

  • Read your reviews to get ideas and reflect the language your clients

use.

  • LuAnn and Deb cover the services that Deb offers.

Connect with Deb!

Deb’s Email

Deb’s Website – Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

Deb’s Instagram

Deb’s Facebook

Deb’s Pinterest

Websites Mentioned:

Blakely Interiordesign

Victoria At Home

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

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’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

Other shows mentioned to link to

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

#125 Nicole Heymer: How to Brand Your Business

#544 Natalie Norcross: Natalie Norcross: 5 Things To Do To Get PR

#364 Janelle Photopoulos: Leading, Not Simply Running, Your Interior Design Firm

Find Deb on Boardroom for Creatives

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573: Cheryl Luckett, #BLM: See Something, Say Something




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Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s friend and previous guest, Cheryl Luckett, joins the show today for the next episode in the Black Lives Matter Series. Cheryl shares her experience in growing up in the deep south, her recollection of her first experience with racism, and the thoughts that went through her mind in that horrifying moment. You’ll also hear her explain how lack of inclusion and lack of resources in our own industry are racism hurdles. LuAnn and Cheryl cover many ways that you can do your part in creating inclusion and progress in our industry. Every action by each one of us matters!

With a 15-year career in Corporate America as a Registered Dietitian and Human Resources professional, Cheryl launched Dwell by Cheryl Interiors in 2012 seeking a creative outlet and an opportunity to explore her passion for design. The venture began with her blog chronicling her own home improvement projects and quickly morphed into a “side-hustle” decorating homes. After five years and a carefully executed strategic plan designed to help make the transition easier, she made the decision to leave corporate life behind. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cheryl, and her team provide clients with a professional and seamless design experience creating homes that are classic, colorful, cultured, and cozy that allow their clients to live their fullest lives. 

In 2018, she launched her first licensed collection of upholstered furniture with NC-based Sylvester Alexander called Belle by Cheryl Luckett. Her work has been published both locally and nationally appearing in Traditional Home, Country Living, and Southern Home.  

Show Highlights:

  • Conversations regarding racism not only need to happen, they need to be sustained.
  • Cheryl shares her first recollection of racism.
  • Cheryl defines the concept of “shifting”.
  • A career move away from corporate and human resources led to an epiphany regarding inclusion and diversity years later.
  • The racism hurdles in the design industry as seen through Cheryl’s eyes.
  • Diversity training should be a part of your business strategy.
  • Visibility should not be mistaken for change.
  • Cheryl and LuAnn offer suggestions for making change, starting with: Speak up!
  • LuAnn addresses “white privilege”.
  • Racism is a deep, collective wound.

Connect with Cheryl!

(@dwellbycheryl on all platforms!)

Cheryl’s Email

Cheryl’s Facebook

Cheryl’s Instagram

Cheryl’s Twitter

Cheryl’s Pinterest

See Cheryl’s “Belle by Cheryl Luckett” Collection at: Sylvester Alexander

Read about Mitchell Parson, the owner of Sylvester Alexander:

Sylvester Alexander

Cheryl Recommends:

Links :

Article: Dear White People, Here Are 10 Actions You Can Take to Promote Racial Justice in the Workplace

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

Luann Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

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’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

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

Other shows mentioned: 

#291, #397 Cheryl’s previous shows

#562 Rasheeda Gray

Kae Whitaker: #556 

Corey Damen Jenkins #388

 

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572: Cynthia Collins: From Interns to Employees: How Mentorship Adds Value to Your Firm

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Cynthia Collins joins LuAnn in today’s episode for a discussion on mentorship. Cynthia is going to walk us through how she finds the best young talent available and how she helps them grow and learn, often producing long-lasting employees that fit in at her firm for many years to come. Cynthia is a true servant at heart, with a mission to help and guide others whenever and wherever possible, leaving a positive impact on the world. Listen in for ideas to make your company culture rewarding and uplifting, and how you can recruit young people that will grow with you into the future!

In 1992, Cynthia Collins began Collins Interiors, a Dallas-based firm specializing in full-scale residential interior design. Throughout the years, Cynthia has been privileged to work with some of the most talented architects in the field and has been a part of projects across the United States, including Texas, North Carolina, Utah, Colorado, Florida, Georgia & California. Each detail is meticulously planned with the client in mind and chosen for its functionality, meaning, and beauty.  

She lives in Dallas with her husband, Bruce Collins, and has three grown boys. She is a believer. Her neighbors are her family. She is a teacher and a mentor, an avid reader, a fantastic fisher woman, a brilliant story teller, a music enthusiast (in a BIG way!), a movie fanatic, a speedy biker, a creative chef and generous beyond measure. She has a true servant’s heart in EVERYTHING she does and wants the very best experience for her team, clients, family, and friends.

Show Highlights:

  • Cynthia explains the structure of her firm and the various positions therein.
  • The newer employees are taught by the senior designers how to budget, how to problem-solve, and all of the other intricacies of being a lead designer.
  • Cynthia discusses what she looks for in interns and employees.
  • Culture is key: People should be able to enjoy walking into the office everyday without worrying about the drama prevalent in many of today’s places of work.
  • Interior Designers are visual people, and first impressions and ongoing image are an important part of a designer’s reputation.
  • Interns and job seekers should “do their homework” on a company before applying for a position.
  • Cynthia relates some lessons that she learned from another interior design firm before she went into business for herself.
  • LuAnn and Cynthia discuss how Cynthia runs her projects’ systems and processes.
  • Diversification and planning for the future are critical in every business.

Connect with Cynthia!

Collins Interiors

@collins__interiors (two underscores)

Blue Print Store

@blue_print_store

Links :

Courses and Products to Dive Deep into Specific Elements of Your Business

LuAnn’s Favorite Resources

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

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’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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.

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen:

Choose Monogram! Are You Set Up with Monogram‘s Design Partner Trade Program? 

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

Chad James #68 

Eileen Hahn #363 

 

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571: Power Talk Friday: Amanda Berlin: 3 Pillars of Visibility

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Amanda Berlin joins LuAnn on today’s episode to chat about a holistic visibility strategy. If you’ve been considering defining or refining your vision and fresh ways to reach your goals, you’ll want to listen in for Amanda’s tips! Amanda is one of the co-authors in the next volume of The Power Talk Friday Experts.

Amanda Berlin is a Communications Consultant for Entrepreneurs. After more than a decade in the New York City public relations world, Amanda Berlin now uses her pitch powers for good. She helps entrepreneurs step into their presence, create a story that inspires others, and spread their message in the media. Amanda has created a library of template guides and trainings and works one on one with clients to guide them to strategic story-telling and media relations based on her 12 years of experience guiding strategy for major brands in the corporate world. Amanda and her clients have been featured in all types of media — from Business Insider to Entrepreneur on Fire and from WNYW Fox 5 to Bustle.com. She’s the host of The Empowered Publicity Podcast and loves arming soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skill-set they need to go from hidden industry gem to recognizable trusted expert. Amanda has spoken on the topics of visibility, publicity, and entrepreneurship at BizChix Live, Style Collective Raleigh and New York City, Body Local, Hoboken Entrepreneur Group, and more.

Show Highlights:

  • Amanda details her philosophy on the 3 Pillars of Visibility:
  1. Collaborations and alliances
  2. Speaking and events
  3. Media
  • Differing amounts of each one of these tactics are necessary to achieve different goals.
  • It’s important to remember that the relationships that you build through collaborations are going to serve the business over time.
  • Who is teaching the thing that you wished people knew before they got to you?
  • Zoom is a great way to make a presentation that may feel less risky than an in-person event right now.
  • Having your projects featured in major publications is great for exposure, validation, and street cred when someone visits your website, but your clients are going to hear about you through someone else the majority of the time.
  • PR is not science; it’s mostly art!
  • Use your expert knowledge when talking across different social media platforms, tailoring the events so that they are relevant to each audience.  Re-use them as needed.
  • These pillars of visibility are things that you have to focus on in your business.
  • You have to constantly be widening your sphere, widening the network that you’re associated with, introducing yourself to new audiences, and being a person of service in providing something of value.

Connect with Amanda!

Amanda’s Email 

Listen and Subscribe to the Empowered Publicity Podcast

Join Amanda for On-Air Coaching. Click here to apply.

Amanda Berlin

Find Amanda on Facebook

Follow Amanda on Twitter

Amanda is launching PITCH School, the course: Learn how to be seen, heard, fully expressed, recognized, appreciated, and contracted (i.e. PAID!!) for your unique genius. 

PITCH School will teach you how to secure coverage for yourself and your business and convert those listeners and readers into fans, followers, and clients.  

PLUS: Right now, buy the course, fill out her assessment and get a personalized video from Amanda on your EXACT ENTRY POINT for this work so you use the course in a way that WILL WORK for your business. 

You have been working hard to grow your voice and work in the world, now let Amanda help you explode into your industry and become the sought-after expert you know you can be.

More Info: PITCH School

Links :

Closing the Sale Begins at Hello

July 29 & 30, 2020

Go to IWCE Vision to register.

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Sales for Creatives will be back in 2020!

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th – September 28th

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

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’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Other shows mentioned to link to and to tag in SM

Nicole Heymer #125, 317, 466

Darla Powell 203, 330

Carolyn Flannery 453

Amanda Berlin 420

 

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570: Natasa Jones: How to Maximize the ROI on Any Webinar, Course or Conference

Natasa Jones

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn welcomes her friend, Natasa Jones to the show to share her super-smart, super-efficient strategy for note taking. Natasa’s method will work whether you are attending a webinar, a panel discussion, a course, or a conference. If you need to brush up on your note-taking skills, you don’t want to miss out on this valuable information! You’ll also hear about some of the epiphanies that Natasa experienced at LuAnn Live last year, and there are some that are sure to be meaningful to you, as well.

Natasa Jones is the owner and principal interior designer of Natasa Jones Interiors, located in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Natasa studied interior design in Chicago and her goal was always to run her own firm. Being born and raised in Montenegro, Natasa loves incorporating European contemporary elements into her interior design projects to create her signature livable modern look.

Show Highlights:

  • LuAnn shares Natasa’s take-away moments from LuAnn Live last year.
  • When you’re at any type of learning event, ensure that you take notes in such a way that following through with any action is easy.
  • Natasa details the 5 tabs you need for efficient note-taking:
  1. To do now
  2. To do later
  3. To buy or download
  4. Mindset
  5. Follow up
  • Natasa relates her idea for a gift that realtors can give to their high-end clients: a free design consultation with Natasa.
  • There are some benefits to charging a flat-fee rate per room.
  • Natasa sings the praises of Mydoma Studio and discusses how it has helped her to streamline her processes.
  • How to present your true self to your client.
  • Own what you are capable of delivering.

Connect with Natasa!

Natasa’s Email

Natasa’s Website

Instagram Instagram

Natasa’s Facebook

Links :

Closing the Sale Begins at Hello

July 29 & 30, 2020

Go to IWCE Vision to register.

Get the Goodies! – For checklists, resources, and extra goodies!

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

Sales for Creatives will be back in 2020!

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

Interior Design Standard is Back!

Sandra Funk is a game changer for our industry!

Enrollment: September 16th – September 28th

Interior Design Standard is a digital program that covers everything you need for running an efficient and joyful business! Interior Design Standard

Increase Your Confidence, Increase Your Profits

Registration Opening in August, Course Starts in September

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’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

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

My Doma Studio: A Well Designed Business

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 for shownotes.

Sara Brennan 463, 514, 524

Kelsey Grose 167

Taylor Spellman 106, 467

Candy Scott 409, 279

Rachel Cannon 306, 409

Melissa Lindsey 517

Sandra Funk 02, 145, 520

Stacy Tuschl 87

Corey Damen Jenkins 127, 388, 549

Peter Lang 349, 464

Wendy Wolshchuk 316, 527

Kae Whitaker 26, 66, 114, 259, 274, 556

Claire Jefford 237, 325, 485

Sarah Daniele 91, 177, 555

Kesha Franklin 370

 

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569: Power Talk Friday: Mike Peterson: Leveraging Design’s Influence on Health & Wellness to Increase Your Value Proposition

Mike Peterson Headshot

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! LuAnn is joined today by Mike Peterson, an experienced marketing and brand consultant who wants to emphasize an opportunity that our community of interior designers seems to be completely missing out on, and that’s the power they hold to improve the health of their clients through health and wellness design. Yes, you heard that right! Mike is here to explain why this is no longer anecdotal.

Mike Peterson is founder of the innovative marketing and brand firm, Visionary Design Marketing.  Visionary Design Marketing’s goal is to help companies create tailored, strategic, and effective communications that are founded in a clear understanding of their brand. Brand development is rooted in a customers understanding of a designer’s brand and includes new website, social media communications tools, and the new targeted digital tools such as geofencing, microproximity targeting, and display contextual search.

Visionary Design Marketing is currently leading a developing education in our industry… that interior designers provide much more than aesthetics..they improve the health of their clients!

Mike Peterson’s experience is rooted in years as a leading advertising executive and Publisher at Hearst Magazines, including House Beautiful and Country Living, working with leading national advertisers. Mike’s experience in the home furnishings industry includes President/CEO of LaBarge Furnishings and as Vice President of Corporate Marketing for such companies as Henredon, Lexington, Drexel Heritage, and more. Prior to Visionary Design Marketing, Mike  spent 8 years as Publisher of Luxe Magazine. In this role, Mike guided LUXE Magazine into a market leader and served the design industry by helping interior designers, design centers, and luxury design firms better grow marketing strategies for their businesses.

Show Highlights:

  • Designers do not get credit for improving both the physical and mental health of their clients.
  • Mike wants to teach designers how to take credit for this “Design Harmony” that is not just a concept, but is now proven by studies the world over.
  • Designers should start including the health benefits of design into their marketing. This will also allow them to increase their hourly rate and overall revenue.
  • Mike explains the physiological changes that take place when we’re pleased with our surroundings.
  • Mike provides designers with the information they need to build a better business using brand differentiation.
  • Terminology that you need to know: environmental psychology, sensory design, chromotherapy, neuroaesthetics, shinrun-yoku, and biophilic design.
  • Mike offers a CEU class on Design Harmony. There is also a section on how to begin marketing yourself as a health and wellness-based design firm.
  • Once designers have a conviction of their real value proposition, they can then start marketing themselves with confidence using all of the correct terminology.

Connect with Mike!

Mike’s Email 

Mike’s Website

Mike’s Instagram

Free PDF: Finding Your Brand Personality

Design Harmony – A Look at Design’s Influence on Health and Wellness

Interior Designers Embracing Wellness – Focused Design Opportunties

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Design Harmony: Design’s Influence on Health & Wellness

Book Mentioned:

Beauty, Neuroscience, and Architecture: Timeless Patterns and Their Impact on Our Well-Being by Donald H. Ruggles

Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design by Stephen Kellert

Links :

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!

Closing the Sale Begins at Hello

July 29 & 30, 2020

Go to IWCE Vision to register.

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

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

Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn?

Email her at info@luannnigara.com and put “mastermind” in the subject line.

She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you!

The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open!

LuAnn’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

When your client wants the finest in luxury appliances for their kitchen:

Choose Monogram!

Are You Set Up with Monogram‘s Design Partner Trade Program?

Other shows mentioned for shownotes:

Cheryl Janis #41

#82,  #212, #218, #224

Laurance Carr #484 

 

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568: Arianne Bellizaire: “A Reluctant and Accidental Leader in #BLM”

Find Arianne on Boardroom for Creatives

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today’s guest is LuAnn’s friend, Arianne Bellizaire. In this #blacklivesmatter episode, Arianne shares her experiences with us as a black woman and designer. Don’t be surprised when you have some self-discovery moments as Arianne takes LuAnn on a dive into the policies and systems that have been built in this country that allow us to see things differently. In addition, Arianne catches us up on what she’s been working on since she was last a guest on the show, and you don’t want to miss the details of her new video course! Please join this conversation, for you are sure to learn something new.

Award-winning, Baton Rouge-based interior designer and content creator Arianne Bellizaire is a certified True Colour Expert who inspires her design clients and readers with her warmth, positivity, and creative problem-solving talents. Among Arianne’s many awards and achievements in her design career, she has been named a High Point Market Authority Style Spotter (2015), Perlick Ambassador of Cool (2017), Villeroy & Boch Color Challenge Winner (2017), Modenus Blog Tour invitee (2016 & 2019), and Modenus DesignHound (Spain and London 2016, Surfaces 2018). Her blog Inspired To Style is a two-time nominee for the Amara Interior Blog Awards (2016, 2017) and is currently listed as one of the Modenus Top 100 Influential Blogs. Her work and expertise have been featured in Rue Daily, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Business of Home, and USA Today.

Show Highlights:

  • Arianne shares how she decided to have more conversations about race with her white friends through reading How To Be An Antiracist and talking about it in the Facebook group that she created for it, Courageous Conversations: Unpacking Racism.
  • This Facebook group grew rapidly and within two weeks of its inception, a curriculum and format was created.
  • “Part of the challenge is everybody’s perspective causes them to see the world differently.” – Arianne
  • The book allows the group to see history and policies as they are layered over race.
  • Do you remember the debate about the dress that people were adamant was either black and blue or white and gold? Does Arianne have an analogy for you!
  • Arianne provides examples of how we all subliminally have a hierarchy in our minds regarding race, and what is “good” versus what is “bad”.
  • We must look at every policy and ask ourselves if that policy is “anti-racist”.
  • “Anti-racist” is anything that provides equity for all races. It does not make one race superior to another.
  • When you hear someone point out inequities or discrepancies, please do not feel offended. Rather, listen to the fact that that person loves this country enough to try to make it better.
  • Arianne discusses her video course, Video Like A Pro. It’s about how to do video: how to make video a story, how to write a script, how to plan for your shoots, what equipment you need, and much more!

Connect with Arianne!

Arianne’s Email 

Arianne’s Instagram

Arianne’s Facebook

Arianne’s Pinterest

Arianne’s Twitter

Arianne’s video course:

Video Like A Pro

Facebook Group: Courageous Conversations: Unpacking Racism

The 1619 Project Podcast

Books Mentioned:

How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi

Stamped by Ibram X Kendi

Links :

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!

Closing the Sale Begins at Hello

July 29 & 30, 2020

Go to IWCE Vision.com to register.

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

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

Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn?

Email her at info@luannnigara.com and put “mastermind” in the subject line.

She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you!

The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open!

LuAnn’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to This Podcast Sponsor:

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.

Other shows mentioned 

#20 Arianne’s original appearance

Other #BLM Shows:

#549 Corey Damen Jenkins

#556 Kae Whitaker 

#562 Rasheeda Gray

Find Arianne on Boardroom for Creatives

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567: Karen B. Wolf: Marketing During a Pandemic, Double Down or Drown

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is her friend, Karen Wolf, and they’re going to be covering how Karen jumped into immediate action at the outset of the Covid-19 crisis. Karen’s background in marketing taught her to “double down or drown”, and she wasn’t about to drown. Listen in to hear how Karen’s decisive leadership combined with a willingness to think outside the box put her in the category of an exceptional business owner. See if you don’t have some great “A’ha” moments during this conversation!

Karen is the Principal and Owner of nationally-recognized Karen B. Wolf Interiors. She is known for her signature style—”modern elegance,” which speaks to livable luxury, balanced color usage, clean lines, and layered spaces. Prioritizing her clients’ input and preferred aesthetics, Karen leads her team of talented women to create upscale residential spaces that speak authentically to her clients’ one-of-a-kind lifestyles and interests. Karen’s enthusiasm and passion for all facets of interior design have been a driving factor in her firm’s 10+ years of success and ability to work transparently, collaboratively, and effectively with her community of loyal clients.

A triple-threat, Karen’s education in Fine Arts, Marketing and Trends Analysis offered her the knowledge and vision to build a successful design business from the ground up. With experience in product development, Karen always has her eye on what’s new and next, organically incorporating the newest and upcoming trends in ways that are warm and timeless.

Karen’s work has been featured in a number of notable regional and national publications, both print and digital, as well as on national television on NBC’s George to the Rescue. A reliable source in the design industry, Karen has participated on business and design-focused podcasts and has an engaged, consistent presence at industry trade shows and conferences around the country.

Karen believes that every project deserves a little sparkle, a little color, something natural, and lots of love.

Show Highlights:

  • Karen explains her “double-down or drown” philosophy.
  • Designers should be marketing themselves 25% of the time, especially during a recession or pandemic.
  • Learn to identify and overcome the roadblocks and perception issues that get in the way of marketing.
  • Karen describes how she decided on content creation and marketing outreach for lead generation.
  • The biggest move Karen made was creating Design Pop Live, an IG series on Design Trends.
  • The content generated by these talks can be broken up into mini content for Pinterest, Facebook and blog. The content can also inspire additional topics for conversations.
  • “You have to step past the fear, and step out. It works! After I did it once, it was just like riding a bike, all over again.” – Karen
  • Consider hiring a marketing coordinator.
  • Karen details her key strategies.
  • Work it! Sometime you just have to hustle to succeed, especially right now.

Connect with Karen!

Karen’s Instagram

Karen’s Facebook

Karen’s Pinterest

Karen’s Website

Links :

Is Chairman of the Board Right for YOUR Business?

LuAnn Nigara COB

Buy Wholesale For Profit with Traci Connell

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KICKING OFF July 22, 2020

Price: $2195

Register HERE!

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!

Closing the Sale Begins at Hello

July 29 & 30, 2020

Go to IWCE Vision to register.

Design-Build For Profit – Coming Late Summer / Early Fall!

With Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors

Get on the Email List HERE!

LuAnn Live – Coming February 2021

Join the E-Mail List to Get Updates!

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

Are You Interested in a 2 Million Plus Mastermind with LuAnn?

Email her at info@luannnigara.com and put “mastermind” in the subject line.

She’ll set up a call and see if it’s a good fit for you!

The first of 6 monthly meetings start in August, and there are 3 spots open!

LuAnn’s Website

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

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

A Big THANK YOU to These Podcast Sponsors:

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Other shows mentioned to link to  and to tag in SM

Elissa Grayer #451