A Well-designed Business® | Interior Design | Designers | Business |interior Design Success

Today With Manuela Keller & Philip McKay: Today’s episode is sponsored by Messe Stuttgart, a German company that specializes in organizing trade shows, particularly for the home decor industry. They have been in the trade show business for more than 80 years, annually organizing around 60 shows and 100 conferences worldwide.  Manuela Keller and Philip McKay are joining us to tell us all about two upcoming events: Sun Shading Expo 2023 and R+T 2024, which will both bring together the sun shading and textiles industries. Here, you will be able to maximize your time and meet the right people to discuss business opportunities for the entire sun shading product range. More About Manuela Keller & Philip McKay About Manuela:   Manuela Keller is an experienced manager of international trade shows and events around the globe, with a proven track record in the event services industry since 2006. She has knowledge in strategic planning, business development, marketing strategy, event management and manage

Today With Katie Wick: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. What would you think if I said that you could be a successful interior designer working as an employee? For some, you may think, nah. For others, you may be thinking tell me more!  My guest today, Katie Wick, interior designer at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent is here to debunk the unspoken stigma that if you are an interior designer and you don't own your own business, then you won’t be successful. Listen in to learn all of the perks and benefits to working for an interior design company. Pick It Apart [2:30] We kick the conversation off with the benefits of working as an interior design employee.   [8:45] Katie’s specific role and day to day duties at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent.   [17:04]  Katie explains how she configures her social media while doing design for Jkath.   [25:47] Additional ways that Katie and Jesse support Katie as an employee.   [44:05] Katie explains her opinion of the stigma attached to designers wh

Today With Fernando Duque: Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by friend and colleague Fernando Duque, the CEO of Duke Renders. I am also joined by designers Nicole Salceda, from Eye for Pretty, and Elle Odori, founder of Decorelle, who are living proof that using 3D rendering from Duke Renders can uplevel your projects. Having had Fernando on two times before, we are well aware of his clear process and tremendous success. But we have never heard first hand from one of his clients. It is always nice to hear recommendations from a colleague, and boy do these two recommend Duke Renders. Nicole and Elle share their positive experiences with Duke Renders despite their initial intimidation to give rendering a shot. Pick It Apart   [3:15] Nicole starts us off with how Duke Renders has personally helped her in her projects.   [7:12] Fernando explains what a designer needs to provide in order for Duke Renders to have detailed renderings.   [17:30] Fernando explains how they can easily us

Today With Megan Pisano: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that social media can be a great marketing tool—if you can build up a big following. But if you’re struggling to gain a big number of followers, is it even worth the time?  My guest today, Megan Pisano, would say the answer is absolutely yes. With under 4,000 Instagram followers, Megan has still managed to put social media to strong use for her business through engagement and relationship building. Learn why engagement matters more than metrics! Pick It Apart [2:27] Megan breaks down how she started using social media for her business.   [15:42] LuAnn and Megan discuss the importance of investing in professional photography.   [16:20] Megan shares the nitty-gritty of her Instagram approach, from content to hashtags.   [33:24] Megan discusses how relationship-building and engagement matter so much on Instagram.   [45:04] Megan and LuAnn talk about the value of referrals, networking, and live events. LuAnn Nigara and M

Today With Adam Stevison: Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Adam Stevison, Luxury Showroom Manager of the newest Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, New Jersey. While the Home Depot has been around for almost 50 years, this new concept is a store-within-a-store, offering an interactive, luxury experience aimed to serve a customer it was unable to before. The Vauxhall location is the third Design Center that the Home Depot has opened, with other locations in San Diego, California, and Rockville, Maryland. In this episode, sponsored by the Home Depot Design Center, Adam tells all about this extraordinary opportunity for designers and their clients. Featuring luxury brands appliances by Monogram, Thermador, Signature Kitchen Suite, and Dacor, the Home Depot Design Center features working vignettes, a team of experts, and end-to-end white glove service handled entirely in-house. Pick It Apart [1:50] Adam explains what the Home Depot Design Centers (HDDC) offer as a full experience center with

Today With Rama Dandamudi: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know the value of relationships in business—but what about the HOW? How are people going about building solid business relationships that make a difference? My guest today, Rama Dandamudi, is someone who believes in relationships. Rama is here today to talk about predictability—specifically why predictability matters more than pricing. But as you’ll hear in this conversation, the way you create predictability is by focusing on relationships. Pick It Apart [5:39] Rama and LuAnn talk about the importance of execution. [10:56] Rama shares why being predictable matters. [17:06] Rama discusses how relationship-building ensures successful projects. [27:24] Rama and LuAnn talk about how to handle tough situations and conversations in business. [39:58] Rama and LuAnn discuss why a personal touch matters. LuAnn Nigara and Rama Dandamudi's Ah-Ha Moments “Establish a reputation of being reliable and being consistent and being predictable

Today With Anna Nelson: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I welcome my friend Anna Nelson. I met Anna in September 2022 at the HPS. Out of the 60 or so people that were there, Anna was the first person I immediately connected with. In the episode you will hear her say that this is her strength, connecting with people on a deeper level, and I can personally vouch for that.  Anna is here to talk about how she helps entrepreneurs find and use their own strengths to get focused and aligned in their businesses. Pick It Apart [8:10] Anna explains the importance of appreciating the value of your ideas in relation to benefitting your business.  [12:15] How your client can have an impact on utilizing and recognizing your strengths. [13:50] Anna shares for people not ready to invest, how they can recognize their strengths on their own. [22:20] Anna shares an example of when it clicks for a client recognizing their strength and utilizing that to better their business.   [29:20] Anna can also benefit experienced d

Today With Sara Hamza: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Sara Hamza, a Danish-Egyptian designer and the founder of Nina June, a custom furniture and styling brand. Based in Cairo, Egypt, Sara operates her business from a place of compassion, genuinely seeking to know and understand her clients so she can serve them better.  Sara is sharing how being diagnosed with RA as a teenager impacted her life and career, how she currently defines success, and what listening to the podcast for the past few years has taught her. Pick It Apart [6:33] Sara talks about how she operates her design business in Egypt and how the podcast has helped answer many questions she has along the way. [12:17] LuAnn and Sara discuss why connecting to your clients with compassion is important, and how Sara’s medical history has informed this lesson in her business. [19:34] Sara explains how being diagnosed with RA forced her to make difficult choices, prioritize her activities, and delegate from a young age, which all s

Today With Janine Aurichio: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On this Power Talk Friday, I am joined by Janine Aurichio, Certified Life Coach, Mental Fitness Coach, Speaker, and Founder of YES2YUM Life Styling. Janine coaches design professionals on The Inside JobTM which creates the mindset and mental fitness needed to run their business with clarity, purpose, and ease.  We are discussing something we all have in common, no matter where we come from; inner voices, or what she calls your inner Sage and Saboteur. It’s a battle. And Janine is here to guide us on how to do the inner work to intercept our negative Saboteur voice. Pick It Apart [6:40]  Does our environment add to the intensity of our negative thoughts, or Saboteur?” [9:09] Why do we focus on the negative thoughts and stories we tell ourselves?  [14:00] How the impact of the inner Saboteur impacts everything. [20:48] Janine talks about the Positive Intelligence Framework and the exercises we can do to shift out of the negative mindset,

Today With Janine Aurichio: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On this Power Talk Friday, I am joined by Janine Aurichio, Certified Life Coach, Mental Fitness Coach, Speaker, and Founder of YES2YUM Life Styling. Janine coaches design professionals on The Inside JobTM which creates the mindset and mental fitness needed to run their business with clarity, purpose, and ease.  We are discussing something we all have in common, no matter where we come from; inner voices, or what she calls your inner Sage and Saboteur. It’s a battle. And Janine is here to guide us on how to do the inner work to intercept our negative Saboteur voice. Pick It Apart [6:40]  Does our environment add to the intensity of our negative thoughts, or Saboteur?” [9:09] Why do we focus on the negative thoughts and stories we tell ourselves?  [14:00] How the impact of the inner Saboteur impacts everything. [20:48] Janine talks about the Positive Intelligence Framework and the exercises we can do to shift out of the negative mindset,

Today With Jillian Lare: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined once again by Jillian Lare, a trained engineer, experienced college lecturer, and award-winning interior designer. A few years ago, Jillian partnered with her friend and fellow designer to start Morris Lare Interiors in Des Moines, Iowa, and it has been a growing success. Jillian credits a lot of her success and smooth business operations to the technology she implements. She is sharing what is working well in her business, along with suggestions on where to get started integrating technology into your businesses as well. She’s also got a great prompt if you want ChatGPT to create a great Spotify playlist just for you. Pick It Apart [4:12] Jillian explains how she uses various project management software platforms in her firm. [19:04] Jillian shares how her team does a daily check in each morning on Slack to stay up to date on their priorities without having to meet in person.  [27:20] LuAnn and Jillian discuss tracking time and expens

Today With Adrien Cotton: Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Adrien Cotton, menopause expert, transformational concierge wellness coach, and founder of Alexandria Wellness. Adrien’s luxury services and holistic approach bring beauty and confidence to her clients. Like many interior designers, Adrien operates a very personal pursuit that can impact every facet of an individual or family’s life and well-being.  Driven by systems, efficiency, and meaningful connections, Adrien is here to share effective business insights that will move the needle in any industry. We talk about qualifying clients, building a solid team, the importance of systems and consistency, and the value of human connection. Pick It Apart [5:45] Adrien explains her intake process and how she has refined it to make sure her clients are committed. [12:03] LuAnn and Adrien discuss the back end of her business and how her team supports all of her business efforts. [17:29] Adrien explains how she pivoted into concierge wellness

Today With Cléophée Poli: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business today. I am very excited to welcome to the show a long-time listener, Cleo Poli.  Cleo is from Paris, but traveled abroad, living several different places around the globe. She worked in interior design in London, but moved back home to Paris when she found out she was expecting a baby. It was there that she discovered her niche—her Fred Berns only—serving English-speaking clients in France.  Today, she’s here to share what she has learned embarking on an interior design career in Paris, establishing and developing her niche, and serving an unfulfilled need for English-speaking clients.  Pick It Apart [4:00] Cleo shares her journey and how she ended up back home in Paris serving English-speaking clients.  [9:04] LuAnn and Cleo discuss how Cleo’s niche took shape and the importance of niching. [14:54] Cleo explains how interior design is fundamentally different in Paris.  [31:16] Cleo shares how and why she uses a pricing structure that’s unus

Today With Sandra Funk: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that thriving in business takes a specific mindset. But what is the millionaire mindset, really? How can we break out of fear mode and start doing what it takes today to take our business where we want to be? In today’s sponsored show, Sandra Funk is here to chat about the Interior Design Standard and the millionaire mindset for designers.  Pick It Apart [7:54] Sandra and LuAnn discuss why waiting for the “right time” hurts designers.  [21:26] Sandra and LuAnn talk about the importance of investing in your business. [40:07] Sandra and LuAnn share the value of setting expectations with your clients.  [45:44] Sandra shares how important it is to have a process for estimates—and to stick to it.  [49:36] Sandra shares details about the upcoming session of the Interior Design Standard.  LuAnn Nigara and Sandra Funk's Ah-Ha Moments “When we're not process driven, and we don't have it documented, then we are making up the conversation.”

Today With Jessica Duce: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Jessica Duce, principal designer at both JDuce Design and Vacation Rental Designers is back on to talk about her Vacation Rental Design Summit she held in spring 2023 at High Point. We talk about the importance of noticing gaps in the industry and how she used them to her, and everyone’s benefit, in more ways than one. We also learn about the membership program she and her partners started, and everything else Jessica has been up to since she was last on! Pick It Apart [1:45] Jessica fills us in on why she was so passionate to create the Vacation rental Design Summit. [5:00] Jessica explains that there are, in fact, differences between vacation rental design and regular design. [13:09] Jessica shares what the new summit consisted of for both new and old vacation rental designers. [24:20] Jessica talks about the membership program her and her partners launched at the summit. [36: Jessica tells us about the evolution of Vacation Rental Designers

Today With Michelle Clayton: Today on A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday. I am sitting down with Michelle Clayton, the Brand Strategist, and Designer behind Let Her Fly, a studio for successful women who are ready to level up and look like the pro they are. Michelle wanted to come on and first of all, give us some great actionable branding tips, but also to debunk the misconception that using Fiverr or Pinterest for your logo is a good idea. Spoiler alert, it’s not. Michelle will explain why and what you should be doing for your brand.  Pick It Apart [3:25] Michelle tells us the first place we should turn to when considering a rebrand. [14:58] Michelle explains the difference between your brand logo made from someone on Fiverr compared to a professionally made logo. [30:45] Michelle and LuAnn discuss brand consistency among all of your platforms. [39:49] Additional actions you should skip when formulating your brand.  [46:20] Michelle explains that re-branding or tweaking your current brand

Today With Sharon L. Sherman: Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Sharon L. Sherman, founder of Thyme and Place Design. Sharon has been practicing award-winning kitchen and bath design for the past 40 years, is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers, New Jersey chapter, and was named 2022 Innovator of the Year by Kitchen Bath Design News magazine. She has worked with every personality out there and is here to discuss personality traits.  We delve into the four personality types she categorizes: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. We talk about their traits, how to recognize them, and how to work with each one best for successful outcomes every time. Pick It Apart [2:09] Sharon explains that everyone has a different idea of what a difficult client is, but by understanding our own personality traits we can better understand and work with all types of clients. [9:30] Sharon introduces the four personality types she has defined: fire, air, earth and water.  [11:28] LuAnn and Shar

Today With Judy Brower Fancher: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today I am joined by Judy Brower Fancher, of Brower, Miller & Cole Art Consulting. Judy is certified in interior design, and while she isn’t currently working as one, she knows that most interior designers are not trained, nor confident, in selecting art for their clients. Judy is here to help my audience understand that buying those color Xeroxes is never the answer, and some tangible tips for those unfamiliar with the art world.  Pick It Apart [2:32] Judy explains what she means about the difference between xerox art and real art. [9:17]  Just explains how the budget for art should be separate from the design budget. [20:58] Tangible benefits for an interior designer when they add art into their projects.  [25:46] Judy lets us know where we can go to source art. [42:12] How the relationship works between the designer and an art consultant. LuAnn Nigara and Judy Brower Fancher's Ah-Ha Moments “Art should be emo

Today With Lucy Penfield: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Long-time listeners of the show will know that I rarely get into the pretty, the actual designs, or even the creative process itself. For the most part, I’m focused on the business—not what happens in the creative mind, but the systems and processes and moving parts on the outside of that.  But every once in a while, I make an exception—and today’s episode is one of those. When you hear my guest, Lucy Penfield, speak, you’ll understand why. She’s going to share her creative insight into the design process—and why she relates it to an anthropological discovery.  Pick It Apart [3:50] Lucy explains why designing is like an anthropological dig.  [13:43] Lucy shares how going back to school helped her redefine her design process [part 2 12:55] Lucy details her six-step process and how creativity plays a role at every level [19:23] LuAnn reflects on the authenticity in Lucy’s process LuAnn Nigara and Lucy Penfield's Ah-Ha Moments “We discover

Today With Cathy Heflin: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that Pinterest is a valuable tool for designers. But how you use it matters. It’s about so much more than just tossing up pretty pictures like on Instagram—in fact, in many ways, it seems like it’s more of a search engine than another social media platform.  We have so many marketing tools that we can add to our toolbox. Today, my guest, Cathy Heflin, is here to teach more about how Pinterest can help businesses grow, and how to put it to work for your business.  Pick It Apart [2:46] Cathy and LuAnn discuss how Pinterest offers more opportunities for businesses than other social media platforms.  [10:16] Cathy shares how Pinterest helps drive traffic to your website.  [25:50] Cathy describes how to get started with Pinterest. [31:29] Cathy explains why using a scheduler can help you invest less time and still make the most of Pinterest.  [40:09] Cathy shares how to find the best SEO keywords on Pinterest.  LuAnn Nigara and Ca