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178: Monique Duarte – 8 Key Steps to Running a Profitable Interior Design Business

Monique Duarte

The guest on today’s show is Monique Duarte. She’s a brilliant business person and the founder and principal of Duarte Decor in New Jersey and the founder of Duarte Consulting, where she coaches Interior Decorators to help them to run their businesses better. Monique has traveled the world gathering inspiration and ideas for her design work. Listen in and find out more about Monique and the fabulous work that she does.

Monique is an active member of The National Association of Professional Women of the International Interior Decorator’s Association and she’s also a member of the Certified Interior Decorator’s Association. She holds a number of degrees, including a Career Degree in Interior Decorating and in Autocad Design, a Bachelor’s in International Business, with a specialization in Economics and Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Interactive and Direct marketing. Monique was awarded Woman Of The Year for Interior Decorating in New Jersey in 2013 by the NAPW and her work has been featured in Your Decorating Resource and in Moxy Magazine.

As a Design Coach, Monique combines more than ten years of marketing experience with her design knowledge. She has had five years of experience in running her own seven-figure Interior Decorating business, which reached six figures in its very first year- while Monique was still working in her full-time job! Listen in now, to find out how Monique managed to achieve all of that!

 

Today, Monique talks to LuAnn about:

  • How her ten years in advertising and marketing have informed the things she does to run her own business profitably.
  • The really creative family that Monique comes from.
  • How she realized that she had a gift for decorating, after buying her first home.
  • Her first project, when she started her business as a side-hustle, eight years ago.
  • Where and how she managed to find herself a mentor and how she cultivated a good working relationship with him.
  • Why she really recommends finding a mentor or coach.
  • That her mentor taught her that there is enough to go around.
  • What the Local Experience and an International Experience, that she offers on her website, are all about.
  • Her Eight Key Steps To Building A Profitable Design Business.
  • The importance of figuring out who you are and who you want to work with.
  • That she’s always looking out for what’s coming next and sharing that with designers.
  • That the way you package and present what you have to offer is really important.
  • That she always talks to clients upfront about how she works to set their expectations.
  • Having a strong enough mindset to only work with the clients that really fit with you.
  • The power of connection, networking with the right people and going to the right events.
  • Submitting your design work for contests, as a marketing move.
  • A book that Monique really recommends- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.

 

Links:

Monique’s website: https://www.duarteconsulting.net

 

To request to join Monique’s Facebook group, type ‘Interiors Guide To Profitability’ into the search box on Facebook, or you can do it via her website, above.

 

Resource:

Book: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

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177: Power Talk Friday- Sarah Daniele, CEO of Mydoma Studio is back to tell us what’ s new for you at Mydoma Studio!

Sarah Daniele Headshot 409x361

The guest on today’s Power Talk Friday is Sarah Daniele!

She’s the CEO, and Co-founder of My Doma Studio, a sexy software that was built specifically for the Interior Design Industry. Sarah appeared on the show (#91) last November and then she became a sponsor for the podcast. LuAnn and her partners were all so truly impressed with the platform that Sarah has created that they actually invested in My Doma Studio, which is used by a lot of the Designers that LuAnn works with. Listen in to find out how My Doma Studio can really help you to keep a lot of balls in the air at the same time.

Sarah has a degree in Interior Design. She spent four or five years working for other Designers and then opened her own Design firm, with her focus on renovations, kitchens, and bathrooms. In episode #91 Sarah explains that while she was working for other Design Companies, she found no Project Management Systems in place at all, so Sarah, a highly intelligent, technical and organized person, developed her own system.  Today, Sarah talks to LuAnn about some of the really cool things that have been happening with My Doma Studio. They have been featured recently in a number of publications- Editor At Large, Kitchen And Bath, Kitchen And Bath Design News, and Home Accents. Listen in now to find out more about Sarah’s great system, which has really attracted a lot of well-earned buzzes lately!

Today, Sarah talks to LuAnn about:

  • The new things that are coming out with My Domo Studio.
  • Sarah’s recipe for growing and scaling your Design Business.
  • What went into their latest, brand new version, based on feedback from Designers.
  • Some of the things that the new version has, that’s different from the original.
  • How her program has been designed to really assist with easy collaboration.
  • How unlikely it would be to accidentally, or inadvertently communicate with a client, using Sarah’s system.
  • The great advantages of her new system.
  • The kind of communication that the system makes possible, for different projects.
  • How this system makes for a better organization with projects.
  • How checklists can be used in context, within the system.
  • That My Doma Studio has automatic updates.
  • That you can try Sarah’s system out for thirty days for free.

Links:

Sarah’s website:

https://www.mydomastudio.com

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176: Pulp Design- Carolina Gentry & Beth Dotolo: Successful Video Marketing & How They Did It For Their Firm

Carolina Gentry And Beth Dotolo

If you’re interested in hearing about innovative designers who are also really good at business, you’re in for a treat!

The guests today are Carolina Gentry and Beth Dotolo of Pulp Design. LuAnn really wanted to have them on her show. She’s been researching designers for the last year and a half and some of them have videos on their websites. Some of the videos are better than others, however, when she looked at those on Beth and Carolina’s website, they were so good that she just wanted to keep on watching! She really enjoyed how their personalities come across in a subtle, yet distinctive way and also that their high regard for one another is very clear. Listen in and find out why LuAnn couldn’t stop herself from falling in love with these two adorable rock stars!

Some of the videos are better than others, however, when she looked at those on Beth and Carolina’s website, they were so good that she just wanted to keep on watching! She really enjoyed how their personalities come across in a subtle, yet distinctive way and also that their high regard for one another is very clear. Listen in and find out why LuAnn couldn’t stop herself from falling in love with these two adorable rock stars!

She’s been researching designers for the last year and a half and some of them have videos on their websites. Some of the videos are better than others, however, when she looked at those on Beth and Carolina’s website, they were so good that she just wanted to keep on watching! She really enjoyed how their personalities come across in a subtle, yet distinctive way and also that their high regard for one another is very clear. Listen in and find out why LuAnn couldn’t stop herself from falling in love with these two adorable rock stars!

Pulp Design has studios in both Seattle and in Dallas and their team has been recognized and published by Architectural Digest, The Traditional Home and New York Times Magazine. Beth has received an ASID Legacy Of Design Award and she was also named Best Designer in Dallas in 2011 and in 2012. Fashion Group International recognized her as a rising star in Interior Design and she’s been named Dallas Design Glitteratti by Modern Luxury Magazine. Carolina has had more than fifteen years of experience in Interior Design and in Project management, with her work including award-winning New Construction and Renovated projects in Hospitality, Residential and Multi-family. Some of her projects have been for high-end hospitality brands, like Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Mariotte, with her projects spanning all the way from New York City to Asia. Carolina was also a recipient of an ASID Legacy Of Design Award and she’s also been recognized as a rising star in Interior Design by Fashion Group International. LuAnn had so much fun talking to these ladies and she knows you’re really going to enjoy today’s episode. Listen in now!

Carolina has had more than fifteen years of experience in Interior Design and in Project management, with her work including award-winning New Construction and Renovated projects in Hospitality, Residential and Multi-family. Some of her projects have been for high-end hospitality brands, like Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Mariotte, with her projects spanning all the way from New York City to Asia. Carolina was also a recipient of an ASID Legacy Of Design Award and she’s also been recognized as a rising star in Interior Design by Fashion Group International. LuAnn had so much fun talking to these ladies and she knows you’re really going to enjoy today’s episode. Listen in now!

Carolina has had more than fifteen years of experience in Interior Design and in Project management, with her work including award-winning New Construction and Renovated projects in Hospitality, Residential and Multi-family. Some of her projects have been for high-end hospitality brands, like Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and Mariotte, with her projects spanning all the way from New York City to Asia. Carolina was also a recipient of an ASID Legacy Of Design Award and she’s also been recognized as a rising star in Interior Design by Fashion Group International. LuAnn had so much fun talking to these ladies and she knows you’re really going to enjoy today’s episode. Listen in now!

Today, LuAnn talks to Beth and Carolina about:

  • What went into creating their beautifully done videos.
  • That they wanted to create videos that people can really relate to.
  • How the videos really save them so much time.
  • The steps that went into the creation of their video.
  • What they wanted to communicate with their video.
  • How long it took to film all their videos.
  • How Carolina managed to overcome her camera shyness.
  • How much they invested in making their video.
  • How quickly they started making a return on their investment.
  • How they started out with their company ten years ago.
  • How they decided that they could work with a two hour time difference.
  • The support group that they work with.
  • That even though they work far apart, they all work as one unit.
  • How Beth and Carolina work together on all the projects so that the client can get the best of both of them.
  • That they think it really important to take some of their staff to Trade Shows.
  • The fun stuff that they do for team building.
  • The product line that they’re developing as an exciting next step for their company.
  • Beth and Carolina’s really awesome relationship.

Links:

https://pulpdesignstudios.com

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175: Kieffer Design Group – Reflections on How Judi Kieffer Built Her Interior Design Business

Judi Kieffer

My guest today is Judi Kieffer, who has over 24 years’ experience in hospitality, luxury residential, and restaurant design. Her portfolio is full of top tier projects and satisfied clients. In our conversation, she shares advice about how she built and now manages her design firm in Boise, Idaho. Judi is involved as an advocate for the personal and professional development and for sustainable products and developments.

She participates in several local philanthropic and civic groups and is a mentor for women’s and children’s organizations. She was recently appointed as a spokesperson for the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified Green Globe auditor. Her passions are yoga, fine wine, riding horses, hiking, and inspiring other designers to run more profitable and enjoyable businesses. Join me for this conversation with Judi!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How Judi’s career began, working for three different companies before opening her own firm
  • The benefits of experience, classes, and various job positions before going out on your own
  • What it’s like to build your own design firm in the beginning: cold calling, mailings, projects, and referrals
  • What the builder or architect needs to hear from the commercial designer: how our services can fit into your project
  • How to use directories for leads on upcoming commercial projects
  • How to find free top sheets in your local area
  • The benefits of long-term relationships in the design business
  • Judi’s recommendations for software, including Quickbooks, Studio Designer, and MORE!
  • The challenges as your business grows: having systems in place and using personality profiles as you add more people to your team
  • Day-to-day running the firm: journals and calendars
  • Judi’s superpower? Using the interior as a marketing tool
  • Clear practices for charging fees
  • Judi’s advice to a new designer with no portfolio: show your passion and excitement, have confidence, ask questions, and present solutions
  • Judi’s interest in green building products
  • The recent surge in green products
  • Advice Judi’s received that is still with her:
    • Be absolutely true to your passion
    • Honor yourself
    • Allow yourself time to breathe, renew, and relax
    • Be transparent in communication
  • What’s ahead for Judi? Hiring an office manager and hosting eco-glamping retreats

Resources:

Find out more about Judi!  https://www.kiefferdesigngroup.com

For the free WindowWorks newsletter, text 444-999 and enter “designbiz”

https://www.usgbc.org  (Find out more about green building products)

Search the GreenWorks or Green Standard group in your local area

Judi recommends the following books:

ECO-preneuring by John Ivanko

The Northwest Green Home Primer by K.L. Smith and Kathleen O’Brien

The Philosophy of Sustainable Design by Jason F. McLennan

Women in Green by Kira Gould and Lance Hosey

Value Pricing for the Design Firm by Frank Stasiowski

A Guide to Principles and Practices for Interior Designers by Harry Sigel

Marketing and Selling Design Services by Mary V. Knackstedt

Interior Designers Business Handbook by Mary V. Knackstedt

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174: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours

Fred Berns 1

The guest on today’s Power Talk Friday is Fred Berns, the only Interior Design Industry Business Coach, and Speaker.  Fred was a Speaker at the Design Blogger’s Conference, held in L.A. In March, where he spoke about how to create your bio, so this show is tagged onto the Design Blogger’s Series. This is the fourth time that Fred has appeared on this show and LuAnn is really happy to have him back again because he always brings so much value. (He previously appeared on shows #22, #48 and#96.) Today, Fred will help you to figure out your ‘only‘, so listen in now and find out why it’s so important.

 

Fred creates personal bio’s and other promotional materials for design professionals, worldwide. He has had more than twenty-five years of experience, training design professionals and creating their online profiles, website, and social media copy, blogs, and marketing forums. He also offers a wide range of business coaching services, including his High-End Performance Coaching Program, his bio briefing and his website once over. Listen in to today’s show to find out from Fred how you can really stand out in the marketplace.

 

Today, Fred talks to LuAnn about:

 

  • Why it’s so important for you to figure out your ‘only’.
  • How he helps designers to arrive at their ‘only’.
  • Some categories to consider when trying to figure out your ‘only’ phrase.
  • How to be sure that you are really the ‘only’ one when making that claim.
  • How to subtly modify your ‘only phrase’, if necessary.
  • Using the word ‘specializes’ to better describe your ‘only’ and to differentiate yourself.
  • That your ‘only’ doesn’t have to be a big thing.
  • How having an ‘only’ helps you to charge a higher fee.
  • How he helps people to draft letters to inform customers that they are raising their fees.
  • How educating people about your value helps to overcome their resistance to your charging top dollar.
  • Why he encourages you, as a designer, to highlight rather than hide your past.
  • That it’s often the small things that make you unique.
  • Some examples of how you can incorporate your ‘only phrase’ into your bio, to make yourself memorable.
  • Ways for newly graduated designers to set themselves apart.
  • His victory vocabulary.
  • Using the law of attraction to draw the kinds of clients you’d like to work with towards you.
  • That the most financially successful designers are not necessarily the best designers.
  • ‘Only’ is not the only word, but it’s the best one!

 

Links:

 

Fred’s website: https://www.interiordesignbusiness.net This is where you will find Fred’s The   Big Splash Little Cash Marketing Manual.

Go to: https://www.biobriefing.com to sign up for Fred’s promotional Bio Briefing Campaign.

To telephone Fred: 303 589 3013

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173: Mabley Handler Interior Design Launches New Furniture Line with Kravet Inc

Austin Handler

If you’d like to know what it’s like to be a successful Interior Designer in The Hampton’s, you’re going to enjoy today’s show with LuAnn’s guest, Austin Handler. Austin and his wife, Jennifer Mabely, are the principals of Mabely Handler Interior Design in The Hampton’s. Listen in today, to find out about this leading design firm that has been featured many many times, in both magazines and on TV.

 

LuAnn does a lot of work herself, in The Hampton’s. She says that it’s like it’s own little planet. On today’s show, you will hear about Austin and Jennifer’s fabulous projects there and the great success of  their Interior Design Business, which they started in The Hampton’s in 2002 and also about their work which has been featured in numerous publications, including Hampton’s Cottages and Gardens, Hampton’s Magazine, Beach Magazine, Coastal Living,  Lux Interiors and Design, Ocean Home, Traditional Home, The New York times, The Daily News and the New York Post, along with News Day and NBC’s LX TV, Open House, New York City, News 12 and The Discovery Channel.

 

Kravet Inc. recently launched their brand new line of furniture, which has been designed by Mabely Handler Interior Design. Listen in today, as Austin shares the back story on the creation and the execution of this truly gorgeous new line of furniture.

 

Today, Austin talks to LuAnn about:

 

  • What it’s like, working as a designer in The Hampton’s, where the design has its own feel and vibe.
  • Finding the balance in design, between luxurious living and durability.
  • What it was like, breaking into Interior Design in The Hampton’s and breaking the stereotype of ‘taking your designer with you’.
  • When their room, which wasn’t a feature room, in their first show house for Hampton’s Cottages and Gardens Magazine was featured in The New York Times.
  • How they came to develop The Hampton Aesthetic, their line of furniture with Kravet Inc.
  • The kind of furniture in The Hampton Aesthetic line.
  • Austin and Jennifer’s initial meeting with Kravet Inc. about the furniture design and how they managed to convey their concepts and their vision, with clarity.
  • The very well known Hampton’s design style.
  • How they set the scene, to create the right atmosphere, to sell The Hampton’s Aesthetic furniture line to Cravet Inc.
  • How they set a trend for creating coastal design collections.
  • How they used certain fabrics and materials to give The Hampton Aesthetic maximum versatility.
  • Why Kravet was always first on the list to make Jennifer’s furniture.
  • The incredible support that they got from the expert team at Kravet Inc., every step of the way.
  • The pieces that they designed that didn’t make the collection.
  • The great value Austin and Jennifer found in the sharing of expertise with Kravet Inc.

The great pleasure that it’s been for Austin and Jennifer to work with Kravet.

Austin’s websites: https://www.mableyhandler.com https://www.kravet.com/products/collections/ https://www.curatedkravet.com

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172: Natalie Hurst- Business on Her Terms- Full- Time Mom & Wife and Part-Time Designer

Natalie Hurst

If you’d like to hear about a business  perspective that’s very different to that of the bigger firms which are usually featured on the show, you’ll enjoy today’s episode, with Natalie Hurst, who’s first a full-time mom and wife and second, a part-time Interior Designer. Listen in and find out how Natalie does it. You’re going to find it interesting!

 

Natalie, who lives in Salt Lake City Utah, with her husband and four children, graduated from Brigham Young University in 2003 with a B.Sa in Interior Design. After working in the lighting industry for a few years, she spent the next ten years away from the design world, consulting occasionally with friends or family. In 2014 she felt ready to dive back in and so she started Natalie Hurst Interiors. Listen in today, as Natalie shares her ideas on work and business flow, from a very different perspective.

 

Today, Natalie talks to LuAnn about:

  • How she decided to start her business at such a busy time in her life.
  • That she’s comfortable with doing her business part time, for the time being.
  • The specific work-life balance that she’s found, that works for her.
  • That her life could appear disorganized and stressful to someone else.
  • How she structures the phases of her work, both consciously and organically.
  • Attracting the clientele that you want.
  • Charging prices that are appropriate to your desired clientele.
  • How she prepares for her really busy design weeks.
  • Coping with very specific challenges.
  • That her sourcing is mostly done online.
  • How she organizes her workspace, at home.
  • That she keeps track of things by taking lots of notes.
  • Her really honest relationships with her vendors.
  • Having confidence in asking for help.
  • How she structures her fees.
  • How she landed her very first client.
  • Word of mouth is the only marketing tool that she needs at the moment.
  • How she came to being featured in Pregnancy And New Born Magazine from a picture on Instagram.
  • That Instagram is an authentic and effective marketing tool for her.
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171: Power Talk Friday- Danielle Liss- Co-Founder of HashTag Legal- And She’s the Chillest Lawyer You’ll Ever Meet

Danielle Liss

Are you intimidated at the thought of going to see a lawyer about your business? Or do you feel that they may look down on you and not take your business seriously? If so, you really need to listen in to today’s show, with LuAnn’s expert guest, Danielle Liss, who is a lawyer who has absolutely nothing invested in intimidating her clients.

Quite the opposite, actually- Danielle and her partner, Jamie Lieberman have a firm called HashtagLegal and they allow a potential client to purchase only what they really need, even if it’s only a once off conversation. They don’t want people to feel that legal work is inaccessible. They believe that a lawyer should be a partner, to help your business grow and to help you to make strategic decisions. Listen in now and find out what Danielle has to say, that could benefit you and your business.

 

Danielle was previously Chief Marketing Officer and General Council for Fitfluential, an Influencer’s Network that concentrates on health and wellness initiatives. She has loads of experience in creating and negotiating contracts, interpreting FTC guidelines and creating website policies. She’s also worked for a Fortune 500 Bank and spent some time in private practice. As well as this, she is an accomplished speaker, having spoken at dozens of conferences on legal issues, related to bloggers and social media pros. Listen in and find out what you really need to know, legally speaking.

 

Today, Danielle talks to LuAnn about:

 

  • How hard it is, at times, for people to figure out the kind of legal service that they really need.
  • Those lawyers have a tendency to not take people and their businesses as seriously as people would like them to.
  • The kinds of things that they like to help people through.
  • What she would suggest for people who are starting out in an Interior Design business and are looking for some advice.
  • The kinds of entities that you can create for your business- an LLC or a Corporation and what each one will involve.
  • The costs involved to file the paperwork for either an LLC or a Corporation.
  • Why you shouldn’t skip on the legal stuff when building your brand.
  • The importance of figuring out and crafting a letter of agreement with your client.
  • What to outline in a letter of agreement with a client.
  • How to extricate yourself from a design agreement, legally.
  • The importance of being really clear about what you are being engaged for.
  • Creating clear communication boundaries.
  • Indemnity provisions and making sure that you are going to be held harmless in certain types of claims.
  • Making provision for the gray areas in a standard client contract.
  • Creating contracts for sub-contractors.
  • The importance of vetting the contractors that you work with.
  • Making sure that your clients are okay with being included in your portfolio, in a confidentiality provision.
  • Site terms, disclaimers, and legal and privacy policies on your website.
  • The importance of disclosing your retargeting pixels.
  • Liabilities on Facebook Live and Youtube.
  • Protecting yourself against ‘nonsense lawsuits’, which could end up costing you five figures!
  • The importance of disclosing and maintaining transparency about what you’re doing on your website or blog.

Links:

Danielle’s website: https://www.hashtag-legal.com

 

Danielle’s email: danielle@hashtag-legal.com

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170: Corey Klassen & Judith Neary- CEU: Beyond Design- Establishing Monetary Value for Creative Skills

Corey And Judith 409x361

Today’s show features, Corey Klassen and Judith Neary. While there’s a host of topics we could talk to them about, today we are focusing our conversation on the new CEU that they have created. There is so much value in their CEU. Judith is a certified bath and kitchen designer, and she moved to the manufacturing side and now works on implementing business processes. She offers a comprehensive designers perspective as a consultant and she’s known for doing weird really well!

Corey is also a certified bath and kitchen designer, and a Certified Designer with experience in commercial and residential design. He opened his own firm in 2011 and has won many awards and been featured in many design magazines. He teaches and continues to expand his professional credentials. He is known for creating symmetry in awkward spaces.

Together, Judith and Corey co-lecture all across the US and teach designers about the business of design. This led to the creation of their new CEU.

 

In this episode Corey and Judith discuss:

  • How My Doma Studio plays a role in the new CEU course.
  • Learn what a “psychographic” is and why it matters to Corey.
  • Why Judith does weird so very well.
  • Find out how hard it is to make your kitchen match your aura!
  • The rules for designers are different since the recession.
  • Learn how Judith and Corey met and teamed up!
  • Corey and Judith are polar opposites – and it works!
  • The process of working through psychographics.
  • There’s an art in knowing when to refer someone out – learn it today.
  • Homeowners truly don’t understand what designers do.
  • Find out why a site visit isn’t being fully utilized and how Corey changed it!
  • The CEU can help designers regain valuable administrative charges.
  • Find out which course is best for you

 

Resources:

mydomastudio.com/beyonddesign – Register for the course

First course starts May 10

Course for seasoned designers starts May 18

 

Corey’s website:

https://coreyklassen.ca 

Judith Neary’s website:

https://www.roadsideattractionstudio.com

 

Not sure if the CEU course is right for you? Here’s a detailed description:

Beyond Design: Establishing Monetary Value for Creative Skills

Judith and I have co-authored a 2hr CEU that is IDCEC Approved and has been presented at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (in current format) this year with sold-out attendance. We’re already scheduled for 2018. Previous formats have been sold-out at KBIS 2015, 2016 and IDS Vancouver 2014.

So, what is this? The start of the course came out of personal and professional challenges that Judith and I have separately had with the ever-changing market of clients who shop online, watch media shows, read mommy-blogs and thing they can do it all for a shoe-string budget. 

Why this course? Interior design education is really great at teaching the basics of business and excels at creativity, but if the business is 80% and creativity is 20% we really have our shirts on backwards.

Why now? Personally, after I was apart of the DXV Design Panel in 2014, my business went from a home office to taking over my home, adding and employee, and now in a studio location with a Team. I when to show much incredible professional growth that I’ve nearly thrown in the towel a few times, but if I love what I do I had to find a way to do what I love.

I’m sure Judith will have more to contribute, and I’m sure I’ll run down the road and leave her at the stop sign too, but we’re really excited to talk about why running a scalable business is achievable with a solid plan (or without one…) I truly admire Judith and her skills, she has been such a great friend, co-conspirator, and advisor to me and I’m sure she has her shared values about me.

Here’s a link to our upcoming course hosted by Mydoma Studio!

https://www.mydomastudio.com/beyond-design-business-course-for-interior-designers

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169: Amber Lewis- Keynote Speaker at Design Blogger’s Conference

Amber Lewis

The guest on today’s show is Amber Lewis!

She was a Key Note Speaker at the recent Design Blogger’s Conference. LuAnn didn’t get to talk to her at the conference, so she’s really happy to interview Amber on today’s show, as there were parts of her story that LuAnne thought were really fun and interesting.  LuAnn finds Amber’s body of work and what she’s managed to accomplish at such a young age, to be incredible. Listen in now and get some great tips for gaining followers on social media.

Amber spent a couple of years working for Elizabeth Lamont (#17) at her store, Room With A View, in Santa Monica. This is where she first fell in love with pretty things and with design and started to feel a pull in that direction. Listen in and find out how Amber first discovered her niche in the world of design and how her business has evolved and grown, since then.

Today, Amber talks to LuAnn about:

  • How she first started out, working for Elizabeth Lamont and where she went, from there.
  • How she initially didn’t connect being an Interior Designer with making a living.
  • How much she gained from working for and being mentored by Kirsten Marie.
  • Why she only hires people who have completed school.
  • How she learned about design on the job, through making mistakes, rather than going to school.
  • That she runs her business as a team effort.
  • What it was like for her, speaking at the Design Blogger’s Conference.
  • Why you shouldn’t compare your own business with the appearance of someone else’s success.
  • How she first started to develop a name for herself through her initial obsessive engagement with her community.
  • How she has learned and progressed through her business.
  • Creating a formula to her really successful method of engagement with social media.
  • Her e-commerce store- how it started through her blog which documented the decoration of her home.
  • Her Flash Sales on Instagram- a great way to gain followers.
  • Her struggle with sacrificing her family time for the huge amount of time and attention that she poured into developing her business.
  • Her milestones, analyzing why her followers were coming back.
  • The first time her house was properly published, in Glitter Guide and in HD TV Magazine how she used the pics to her advantage.
  • The silly names she uses for her clients’ hashtags!
  • Her fabulous photographer, Tessa W, who she’s used on all her projects.
  • The value of using really great photography.
  • Being featured in Architectural Digest last October, for her kitchen.
  • Working with agencies for blog sponsorship.
  • Brand ambassadorship and how it has developed.
  • That she does all her own writing for all her social media platforms.

Links:

Amber’s website:

https://amberinteriordesign.com

Amber’s instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amberinteriors/