How to Say “Yes” (or “No”) to Projects with Confidence
Sales 301: Developing Your Project Qualification Criteria
Taking on the wrong project wrecks your calendar, drains profit, and piles on stress. This 5-week course gives you a clear, repeatable system to vet new inquiries, define scope, build timelines, and talk budget, so you can make smart decisions before you’re in too deep. Your future self will thank you.
5-Week Course
Buy Any 5-Week Course, Get LuAnn’s Workshops for Free!
Buy any 5-week course by August 18th and get an invite to...
Purpose by Design: Create Your Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
You’ve heard her say it’s essential—now let’s do it together, step by step. (No more going it alone!)
Profitable by Design: Sales Strategies for Designers & Window Treatment Pros
Win more clients, boost your profits, and sell with confidence—no hard selling required.
When you register for this or any 5-week course, we'll send you an email with details.
Stop Saying “Yes” to the Wrong Projects
Sales 301 instructor Dixie Willard explains why every designer needs clear project qualification criteria before taking on new work. She shares the hidden costs of saying “yes” to the wrong clients, how a strong intake process protects your time and sanity, and the transformation students experience when they learn to choose projects strategically.
Imagine This…
By the end of this course, you will:
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Vet Projects with Confidence
Use a proven system to assess project fit with clarity, so you’re only committing to the work that’s worth your time and energy. -
Build Solid Budgets
No more backpedaling or uncomfortable money talks. Create realistic time and product budgets you can stick to. -
Define Project Scope
Learn how to clearly outline what’s included (and what’s not) to avoid confusion, protect your profit, and prevent scope creep. -
Spot Red Flags Early
Identify the client, budget, and timeline red flags before they spiral, so you can stay in control.
For designers who want a smarter, stress-free way to vet projects before accepting.
If you’re tired of projects that drain your time and wreck your margins, this course is for you. Whether you're a solo designer or leading a small team, you’ll walk away with a clear, repeatable system to evaluate fit, define scope, build budgets, and protect your energy.
from 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Every designer needs what she knows.”
Dixie is incredibly gifted and genuinely cares about helping others succeed.”
Dixie is a master at mapping the reality of a project.”
Meet Dixie Willard
Dixie Willard is a project strategist and NCIDQ-certified designer with 20 years of experience in design, project coordination, and business systems. She helps designers create smarter project plans, build realistic budgets, and protect their time and energy with repeatable planning systems.
20+
Years in the
Design Industry
125+
Presentations
Given
4+
Years as a
Mydoma
Expert
Dixie's Superpowers
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Helped Over 900 Designers Streamline Their Systems at Mydoma Studio
Dixie has worked behind the scenes with hundreds of firms to fine-tune their operations, identify red flags, and prepare for growth. -
Known for Turning Chaos Into Clarity—With Systems That Actually Work
Whether through strategy calls, podcasts, or 125+ webinars, Dixie helps designers replace overwhelm with actionable steps. -
Specialist in Decision-Making Tools That Protect Time and Profit
She teaches designers how to confidently qualify leads, set expectations, and say no to the wrong projects—before they drain your resources. -
20+ Years as a Designer and Systems Strategist
Dixie’s approach is grounded in real-world experience, combining creative intuition with business acumen. -
Recognized Thought Leader and Industry Educator
From High Point to 19-Hours to LuAnn’s podcast, Dixie is a trusted voice in helping designers build businesses that are poised, protected, and profitable.
Is this course for you?
We’re a great fit if…
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You’ve agreed to projects that didn’t feel right, only to regret it later
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You’ve struggled to create accurate budgets or timelines
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You want a consistent, stress-free way to vet new projects that protects your time and energy
We’re not a fit if…
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You already have a full intake system that covers scope, budget, fit, and communication
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You don’t handle client intake, planning, or early-phase project decisions in your role
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You’re looking for support with design development, presentations, or visual tools
Trade burnout for better-fit projects, one smart decision at a time.
If you’re ready to stop learning the hard way, and want to work with more clarity, less stress, and better margins, you’re in the right place. You'll walk away with tools you can use right away, whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your process.
The 5-Step System to Confidently Vet and Scope New Design Projects
Gather the Facts
Learn what to ask during discovery calls, how to collect key info, and how to organize it all so you can make better, faster, more strategic intake decisions.
Thurs. September 11th at 3:30pm EST
Define the Scope
Break down scope by room, category, or phase. Learn how to document what’s included, plan for scope creep, and set realistic client expectations from the start.
Thurs. September 18th at 3:30pm EST
Budget the Time & Money
Build accurate time and product budgets, develop timelines that hold, and learn how to talk about money with clients.
Thurs. September 25th at 3:30pm EST
Spot the Red Flags
Identify common red flags, like budget mismatch, unrealistic timelines, or difficult personalities, and create your personal “never again” list.
Thurs. October 2nd at 3:30pm EST
Decide & Communicate
Use a structured matrix to decide with confidence. Learn what to say (and how to say it) when it’s a “yes,” a “no,” or a “yes” with conditions or wait times.
Thurs. October 9th at 3:30pm EST
What were your biggest, business-changing a-ha moments? How are you taking action? Join LuAnn in picking up insights from every course and every department!
Wed. October 29th at 12:00pm EST
What’s Included?
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FREE RECORDED CLASSES FOR 90 DAYS: Can’t make one of the classes? No problem! Recordings will be available the next day—just log in to your account to access them. If you’d like unlimited access, you can purchase Lifetime Recording Access for $75 when you register—or at any time during your 90-day window.
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LIVE VIDEO COACHING CALLS WITH 5 SPECIFIC TOPICS: 5 weeks of 1 hour and 15 minute live zoom video coaching with 1 hour of your instructor teaching and 15 minutes of live Q&A.
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PRIVATE CONVERSATION BOARDS FOR EVERYONE IN THE COURSE: Sometimes we need to try something or think about it further...and then we look for clarification. This group is for collaboration, victories and trouble-shooting. Your instructor, LuAnn, and your peers will deepen your understanding of the content.
5-Week Course
Register NOW
Sales 301
Sales 301
Register now for Early Bird Pricing! The price goes up to $2195 on August 30th.
Buy Any 5-Week Course, Get LuAnn’s Workshops for Free!
Buy any 5-week course by August 18th and get an invite to...
Purpose by Design: Create Your Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
You’ve heard her say it’s essential—now let’s do it together, step by step. (No more going it alone!)
Profitable by Design: Sales Strategies for Designers & Window Treatment Pros
Win more clients, boost your profits, and sell with confidence—no hard selling required.
When you register for this or any 5-week course, we'll send you an email with details.
FAQs
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We meet each week via livestream. Expect an email with instructions a few days before your class begins.
Each meeting is one hour and fifteen minutes of live coaching with a combination of dynamic teaching (expect tons of real-world examples!) and live Q&A.No problem! Recordings of each class will be available the next day, so you won’t miss a thing. However, keep in mind that your access to these recordings is free for 90 days after your last class. After that, access will be removed unless you purchase Lifetime Recording Access for $75, which ensures your recordings never expire. You can add this option when you register or later if you need more time.
And don’t forget about the Conversation Boards! Your instructor will be there each week for extra Q&A and to help you deepen your understanding. So even if you’re in a different time zone, you can still sign up and get the full value out of this course.Your instructor will be checking in on your Conversation Board at least a few times a week to answer any questions that you post. You will also be able to interact with your classmates, continue discussions from your sessions, and share wins as you put your new-found skills into practice.We meet on Thursdays for five weeks at 3:30pm ET. -
We want you to feel confident when you enroll in a LuAnn University course. Our policy is designed to be fair to both students and instructors:
If you cancel before the course begins: You’ll receive a refund of your tuition, minus transaction fees.
If you request a refund after the course begins: Refund requests may be made within the first two weeks of the course. We’ll review your request and work with you to find the best solution. To be eligible, you must have completed the pre-course Q&A form, which helps ensure your goals and expectations align with the course content.Once the 90-day access period ends, your recordings will no longer be available—unless you’ve purchased Lifetime Recording Access. You can add Lifetime Recording Access to your cart when you register—this means your recordings never expire. If you decide later, don’t worry! We’ll remind you when your 90-day window is about to close, giving you another chance to keep them for life.No! We’ve created a full business education with multiple tracks—but you get to decide where to start. Register for any course or intensive in any track.
“I've seen Dixie break down complex projects into clear, actionable plans. Her ability to define scope, anticipate roadblocks, build budgets, and guide early-phase decisions is unmatched. Every designer needs what she knows.”
“Dixie is incredibly gifted and genuinely cares about helping others succeed. She makes big, overwhelming topics feel totally doable and always gets you thinking ahead with clarity and purpose.”
“Dixie is a master at mapping the reality of a project. She knows how to translate big ideas into well-structured plans that actually work in the real world.”