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1166: BEST OF: Marie Flanigan: Leveraging Relationships and Making Decisions in Interior Design

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Today with Marie Flanigan:

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

LuAnn and Marie Flanigan’s Ah-Ha moments:

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

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

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

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

More About Marie Flanigan:

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

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

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

Connect with Marie Flanigan:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

luannuniversity.com

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!


Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast


Other Shows Mentioned:

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

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

#06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

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1165: Megan Dahle: A Four-Part Framework for Making Sense of Your Business Numbers

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Today With Megan Dahle:

If your books are clean but your decisions still feel heavy, this episode is for you.

My guest today, Megan Dahle, is a fractional CFO for creative business owners, and she has a unique way of helping entrepreneurs understand what their numbers are actually telling them without shame, overwhelm, or judgment.

In this conversation, Megan shares her four-part framework for looking at your business numbers in a way that supports better decisions, calmer leadership, and long-term sustainability. We talk about the difference between historical information and future insight, why operational expenses are often misunderstood, and how clarity in how money comes in and moves through your business directly impacts your confidence as a decision-maker.

This is not an accounting lesson. It’s a conversation about understanding patterns, recognizing direction, and leading your business with intention instead of fear.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should feel better about my business than I do,” this episode will help you understand why and what to pay attention to next.

More About Megan Dahle:

As someone who has seen the intimate ups and downs inside hundreds of small businesses, including her own, Megan Dahle (pronounced “Dolly”) has an uncanny ability to spot the invisible habits, processes, and fears that make running a business harder than it needs to be.

From a young age, Megan could “see” numbers inf the form of shapes and colors. Today, she uses that gift to translate confusing spreadsheets and financial statements into visual, intuitive tools that help creative business owners understand what their resources are actually buying, where growth is possible, and what kind of work truly lights them up.

Megan doesn’t tell people what to do. Instead, she helps them uncover their own path by illuminating what’s been unseen and getting brutally but lovingly honest about their relationship with their business.

With a Master’s degree in accounting and 23 years of experience, Megan has spent the last nine years helping creative founders realize just how smart and capable they already are.

When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her wandering through gardens, playing at the bridge club, or curled up on the couch with a good book.

Connect with Megan Dahle:

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

https://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Register FREE for Prereqs for Success:

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources Mentioned:

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

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

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

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1164: What Would Lu Do?: When Responsibility Became Stewardship

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Today With LuAnn Nigara:

In Part Three of the A Well-Designed Business 10-Year Birthday Series, LuAnn moves the story forward into the phase almost no one prepares you for.

The moment when hustle stops being the solution.

Not because the work disappears.
But because the work changes.

By this point, the podcast no longer depended on LuAnn doing everything herself.
It depended on something else entirely.

Stewardship.

In this episode, LuAnn shares what happens when stepping out of the weeds doesn’t mean stepping away, but stepping into a different level of responsibility. A level she had lived through before while growing Window Works, and one she recognized just in time this time around.

You’ll hear how the work shifted from execution to bigger thinking, and why growth at this stage demands more discernment, not more effort.

LuAnn walks through:

  • What replaces doing when you stop doing everything
  • Why long-term alignment matters more than enthusiasm
  • How LuAnn University evolved from great courses into a true business school for creatives
  • Why speaking engagements, partnerships, and opportunities must earn their yes
  • How responsibility expands when you’re accountable to communities, not just yourself
  • The difference between visibility and values
  • Why some of the hardest no’s look great on paper
  • And how leadership without ego creates stronger outcomes for everyone involved

This is also the season where decisions began running through a future lens.
Five years. Ten years. Twenty years.

Will this still matter?
Will I still be proud of it?
And what happens when I’m no longer here to run it?

This episode is about the quiet shift from building something exciting to protecting something meaningful.

From growth to guardianship.
From proving to preserving.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of success get heavier instead of lighter, this episode will help you understand why.

And why that weight is not a problem to solve, but a responsibility to lead.

In the next episode, LuAnn will share what came next.
The structures.
The systems.
And the decisions that allowed the business to grow without losing its soul.

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

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2⁠

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1163: BEST OF: Sarah Magness: Practical Strategies for Talking Budgets

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Today with Sarah Magness

Welcome to today’s episode! We’re really glad to have Sarah Magness, of Magness Design, with us today. Eight years ago, Sarah hatched as a ‘baby designer’ and launched right into the luxury market.

Today she talks to us about the real-life experience she gained during this time, before opening her own firm. She also talks about the “New Heights” program at Marymount that she came to spearhead through her involvement with the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. And today we also have an excellent conversation with Sarah about the best way to talk budget with clients. This is often a really tricky area of business, so listen in to get Sarah’s very straightforward and clear advice.

Magness Design began in 2010 with a focus on residential design. It is located in New York City and its current focus is on the preservation of historic properties, by saving them and making them livable. Their major projects are in New York City, the Hudson Valley area, and on Long Island.

Sarah received her undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and her graduate degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute. She is a House Beautiful “Next Wave” designer and she’s also been featured in Architectural Digest for a very large townhouse project that she saved and renovated. Listen in to find out more.

  • Show highlights: Working for three or four different design firms is a great way to learn the business aspect of running your own design business.
  • The different people that Sarah first worked for, to gain real-life experience.
  • The type of apprenticeship that architecture undergraduates are required to do.
  • Sarah’s recommendations for getting to work for the best firms, after graduating from school.
  • New York has a really supportive and talented design community.
  • Budget is always an issue with clients.
  • How Sarah approaches budget conversations with her clients.
  • How to estimate a budget for your client on the spot.
  • The importance of having really clear communication with your clients.
  • It is often the clients’ choices that cause a project to go over budget.
  • Giving the client an itemized list with the cost of each item on it.
  • How to talk to your client about going over the budget for certain items.
  • When and how to discuss fees with a high-end client.
  • The language to use in order to get the best response from clients when dealing with multi-faceted projects.
  • Sarah discusses the passion-projects that she’s involved with.
  • Sarah has created a twelve-minute documentary called The
  • Town Home, about a seven-story
  • 1911 New York townhouse renovation project that she did.

Other episodes mentioned on the show:

Andrew Suvalsky #28 Christie Leu # 182 Dr. Ellen Fisher #71

Links: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter

Reference: Click the ICAA organization link find your local chapter.

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1162: What Would Lu Do?: When Consistency Became a Responsibility

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Today With LuAnn Nigara:

In Part Two of the A Well-Designed Business 10-Year Birthday Series, LuAnn picks up where the story left off last week.

The decision to start the podcast had been made.The show had launched.And then something else happened.

It started working.

In this episode, LuAnn shares what it actually looks like when consistency turns into responsibility, and when momentum begins to apply real pressure. Not the kind of pressure that comes from chaos or hustle, but the kind that forces you to grow up as a business owner.

You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes truth about:

  • Carrying fixed commitments alongside unpredictable work

  • Why “hard” doesn’t automatically mean “wrong”

  • The difference between being busy and being purposeful

  • When standards stop being optional and start protecting trust

  • Why boundaries must come before systems

  • And what changes when your work begins to carry weight beyond you

This is the unglamorous middle. The part most people don’t talk about. And the part where many businesses quietly break.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure of growth and wondered if you’re doing it right, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and a steadier way forward.

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

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

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1161: BEST OF: Kae Whitaker : Get New Clients with the Right Email Sequence

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Today with Kae Whitaker

Welcome to another episode of A Well-Designed Business. Everyone can start doing their happy dance today because we have Kae Whitaker on the show! After doing her really great series all about Facebook, LuAnn was considering doing another series, about landing pages, click funnels, email responders etc. She was out there, in Podcast Land, listening and looking out for the right person to have on the show- someone who could really relate to you, as Designers, as well as having all the necessary know-how, when out of the blue, she got a notification that Kae Whitaker was going live on Instagram. She went on over to have a look and there was Kae, talking about click funnels and email sequences… It was like hitting the jackpot for LuAnn because she knows that Kae really talks our language, so listen in to find out what Kae has to share with you today, about Email Marketing.

Today Kae is here to talk about Sales Funnels. What they are, why we need to know about them and how we can apply them to our individual interior design firms. Kae answers the questions: What kind of content should be in an email sequence and how often should I send a potential client an email?

 Kay is the Owner and the CEO  of Kae Whitaker Solutions and she has more than ten years of experience in Retail Sales and Marketing Development. Now, her focus is on helping Small Businesses to stay competitive in their market and helping them to reach and surpass their revenue goals. She has worked with some of the largest national retailers and she now leverages her expertise in Retail Sales and Marketing Development to create her Premium Coaching Programs, that really help Small Business owners to tune in to what matters most in their Marketing efforts, by streamlining their processes and maximizing on their clientele. Kae’s highest achievements come from helping others to reach their goals and she really loves having the opportunity to help people to take their brand to the next level. So, listen in now, to find out how to tune in to what really matters most for your business.

Show highlights:

  • Kae explains what a Sales Funnel
  • Why Sales Funnels are really important for Designers.
  • The major difference in the number of conversions, and also the ability to predict revenue, that Kae has experienced in her firm, since starting with Email Marketing.
  • Where to start, with developing your Email Marketing.
  • Thinking about what you could offer for free, in return for an email address.
  • You’re really not interrupting anyone, with Email Marketing, because they only opt-in if they’re interested.
  • Why video works so well, as an opt-in.
  • What to do, right after getting your first opt-in.
  • How to build a great, trusting relationship, through your emails.
  • The whole point behind Email Marketing.
  • What the content of the sequence of emails, following the opt-in, should include.
  • The right time to schedule a chat with someone.
  • Working with an Automated Email Responder. (Like Acuity Scheduling)
  • Not stopping after the first ‘no’ can really set you apart from other Designers.
  • If you can muster up the courage to get in front of a camera, do it! The video really converts well!
  • Some alternative ideas, if you don’t want to appear on camera.
  • All about what’s to be expected from Kae’s soon to be launched Email Marketing Bootcamp. It will be live on Tuesdays at 8 pm (Central Standard Time) and it will be recorded, so you can still catch it if you miss the live broadcast.
  • The importance of spending the time to learn something new.
  • Kae will be back on the show soon, to talk about the more technical side of Email Marketing.

Kae’s website:

https://kaewhitaker.com

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1160: What Would Lu Do?: Before the Podcast, The Decision No One Saw

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Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Ten years ago, A Well-Designed Business didn’t exist.
There were no downloads. No sponsors. No audience.

There was just a decision.

In this first episode of a four-part anniversary series, LuAnn takes you behind the scenes to the moment before the podcast, before the brand, before this became a business. She walks you through what her life and work actually looked like in 2015, running a successful, $2M business that depended almost entirely on two people. Herself and Vin.

This episode is not about the launch.
It’s about the choice that came before it.

LuAnn shares the reality of being profitable but restless, successful but paying attention, and why the most important decisions in business are usually the ones no one applauds, likes, or even sees.

If you’ve ever looked at someone else’s finished success and assumed the path was obvious or inevitable, this episode will reset that thinking.

Because here’s the thing.
Every business has a moment where everything changes.
And it always starts with a decision.

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

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2⁠

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1159: Overheard: Katy Cassaw, Kat Benson, Heather Peterson and Jillian Richey: The CEO Mindset Every Interior Designer Has to Learn (Or Burn Out Trying)

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Today With Katy Cassaw, Kat Benson, Heather Peterson and Jillian Richey:

In this Overheard episode of A Well-Designed Business, I sit down with four powerhouse designers — Heather Peterson, Jillian Richey Echevarria, and Katy Cassaw and Kat Benson of Nest Interiors — to talk about what it really means to step into the CEO seat.

Each of these women has worked with business coach Desi Creswell to move from creative chaos to confident leadership. Together, we dig into the mindset shifts that make it possible to run a business with clarity — letting go of control, delegating effectively, setting boundaries, and learning to trust your team.

Whether you’re a solo designer trying to get out of overwhelm or leading a growing team, this episode is a masterclass in how to think like a CEO, and why that shift changes everything.

More About Katy Cassaw, Kat Benson, Heather Peterson and Jillian Richey:

Katy Cassaw and Kat Benson:

Nest Interiors, co-founded by Katy Cassaw and Kat Benson, is a full-service interior design firm devoted to transforming vision into reality. With a focus on residential design, our expertise spans new construction, remodeling, consulting, and product installation. Guided by more than 20 years of combined experience, we craft timeless interiors that balance style and functionality. Each project is an expression of our clients’ unique story, brought to life through a refined mix of design influences—bold, sophisticated, and enduringly livable.

Heather Peterson:

Heather is the mix master and principal designer behind the layered interiors at Heather Peterson Design. Through a collaborative approach, HPD translates clients’ individual tastes and lifestyles into homes that are effortlessly stylish, functional, and truly personal to them. A Columbia University-trained curator and former design magazine photo editor, Heather uses her trained eye and sense of story to create balanced, thoughtful, and distinctive spaces. At Heather Peterson Design, the work encompasses a variety of styles which reflect a wide-ranging passion in interior design.  The team loves the challenge of blending all the things homeowners love, want, and value into a cohesive design.

Jillian Richey:

Jillian Richey Echevarria is the Principal Designer and CEO of Jillian Richey Design, a luxury interior design firm based in Hinsdale, Illinois, and Crown Point, Indiana. Known for her ability to create timeless, highly detailed homes, Jillian partners with clients, builders, and vendors to bring architectural visions to life—from custom cabinetry and millwork to full-scale furnishings and curated accessories.

With nearly two decades of experience in the design industry, Jillian has grown her boutique studio into a thriving business, balancing high-end residential projects with a newly launched lifestyle venture: Jilly’s Boutique Café, a Parisian garden-inspired café and retail space that seamlessly merges her love of design, hospitality, and community.

Jillian is passionate about the evolution of the designer’s role—from overextended creative to confident CEO. She shares candidly about the systems, leadership, and mindset shifts that allowed her to scale her business, raise her design fees, and empower her team. Guided by principles from Who Not How, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, and The Gap and the Gain, Jillian has embraced delegation, profitability, and sustainable growth while keeping her creative spirit at the center of her work.

When she’s not leading design projects or building her café brand, Jillian is a wife, mom of two, and believer that design should be both beautiful and deeply livable.

Ah Ha Moments with Katy Cassaw, Kat Benson, Heather Peterson and Jillian Richey:

“The real mindset here is to not be emotional about any of the findings and to just look at where the gaps were and to create better systems and learn from it.” – Heather

“Your superpower is your Achilles heel. And the superpower of that passion and compassion and that sympathy and that empathy for that homeowner, wanting them to have the best that you can possibly navigate for them, the Achilles heel is everything feels like a stomach punch.” – LuAnn

“Things don’t get easier when you avoid the tough conversation. They get harder.” – LuAnn

“I think you have to just bet on yourself. If you have a lot of passion and a lot of hard work ethic and you know you can do it, I think you just got to bet on yourself and just do it and know that it’s going to be a hard road, but it’s going to be okay.” – Kat

“Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you should. And trust in your team and trust in who you’re bringing on to carry those roles and make your business more successful.” – Katy

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠

⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠

⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠here⁠.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2⁠

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s ⁠Website⁠

LuAnn’s ⁠Blog⁠

⁠Power Talk Friday⁠

Like Us: ⁠Facebook⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠Twitter⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠Podcast⁠

Other Resources Mentioned:

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

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

⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠

Other Shows Mentioned:

⁠Overheard Collection⁠

⁠Desi Creswell Episodes⁠

⁠AWDB #222: Power Talk Friday: Lee Cockerell- Customer Service the Disney Way⁠

⁠AWDB #445: Tori Alexander: Her Production List Increases Efficiency and Profits⁠

A BIG Thank You to Our Sponsor:

Thank our newest sponsor to the show Joon Loloi. If you’re already familiar with Loloi Rugs, you know they’ve been in the trade business for over twenty years, with a genuine focus on personalized service and great design. Joon Loloi comes from the same family and builds on that expertise, but expands into total-home furnishings, everything from furniture and rugs to lighting and wall art, all curated with quality and value in mind. Go to ⁠joonloloi.com⁠ to sign up for your trade account today.

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1158: BEST OF: Vanessa DeLeon: Triple D: Drive- Dedication- Discipline

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Today with Vanessa DeLeon

Today on the show we have a brilliant and when I say brilliant I really mean it, brilliant business woman: Vanessa DeLeon. Vanessa has starred on several television shows on some big television networks such as NBC, Bravo, HGTV and DIY Network. She has also been in several magazines such as TIME, Cosmopolitan etc. and on top of that she is a spokesperson! Wow! Talk about impressive resume! Please stay tuned to hear all of her great advice and her shared experiences.

Vanessa shares with us:

  • The triple “D’s”
  • What she would have done differently before starting her own business at 20
  • When does the momentum pick up?
  • Dreams do come true
  • Are vision boards a yes or a no?
  • Entitlement…I don’t think so!
  • Vacation? What’s that?

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

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠

⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: ⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠

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

Book 2: ⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠

Book 3: ⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2⁠

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1157: Ceo Conversations with Kate O’Hara: Marketing to the Three Tiers of Luxury Clients and How to Attract Each One

1157 In Good Company Ceo Conversations With Kate O Hara Marketing To The Three Tiers Of Luxury Clients And How To Attract Each One Thumbnail.png

Find Kate on Boardroom for Creatives

Today With Kate O’Hara:

Today on A Well Designed Business, Kate O’Hara from O’Hara Interiors reveals her framework for positioning your design business to attract the clients you actually want: entry-level clients need you to be discoverable, mid-tier clients need you to be distinct, and elite clients need you to be discreet.

Kate explains the reality that many designers appear to work with one type of client but actually serve different clients 80-90% of the time. She breaks down how each tier has completely different expectations, from entry-level clients who need education and reassurance to elite clients who want designer-driven solutions and white-glove service.

The conversation covers where each client tier actually finds designers, the messaging that resonates with each group, and how to align your brand positioning with your business goals. If you’re struggling to attract your ideal clients or wondering whether your current approach matches your target market, this episode provides the framework to audit and adjust your strategy.

LuAnn Nigara and Kate O’Hara’s Ah-Ha Moments

“At an entry level, you need to be discoverable. At a mid-tier, you need to be distinct, and at an elite tier, you need to be discreet.” – Kate O’Hara

“It’s really getting clear on who you want to attract so that your messaging does align.” – LuAnn Nigara

More About Kate O’Hara

Kate O’Hara grew up in the world of design. After a decade with the company, she stepped into the role of CEO + Creative Director, expanding the family design firm into new regions of the U.S. When she isn’t traveling between our Minnesota and Texas offices, you can find Kate speaking at conferences, working with our design team, and connecting with new clients and furniture lines.

Connect with Kate O’Hara

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠

⁠⁠Houzz⁠⁠

⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠

⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠

⁠⁠http://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!

Other Shows Mentioned:

Episode 1148 In Good company CEO Conversations with Kate O”Hara A Framework for Understanding Luxury Clients

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

Episode 1030: In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara: Insights and Strategies on Successful Scaling

Episode 1042: In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara: End-of-Year Business Strategies for Designers: Pipeline, Productivity, and Press

Episode 649: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Understanding Design-Build from the Builder’s Perspective

Episode 615: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Overcoming Resistance in the Design-Build Process

Episode 878: Throwback Tuesday: Brad Leavitt: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process

A BIG Thank You to Today’s Sponsor:

Kravet Inc. continues to expand with beautiful new showrooms designed to support the way you actually work.

Recent openings include Birmingham, Charleston, Water Mill, New York, and Basking Ridge, New Jersey. 

Each Kravet showroom features their innovative Workspace model, an interactive environment showcasing furniture, fabric, wallcovering, trim, and carpet samples, thoughtfully merchandised to mirror how designers source. By fabric type. By category. By color. By the way you think.

And quick reminder, I’ll be giving a presentation at the Basking Ridge, New Jersey showroom on January 21st, 2026. If you’re local or can get there, I would love to see you in person. Mark your calendar and come say hello. Go to luannnigara.com/event to learn more and RSVP by January 16th

Find Kate on Boardroom for Creatives