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

Welcome back to Power talk Friday! I am pleased to have Fred Berns back with us! If you remember he was on the show a couple of months ago and he discussed how to create a killer bio. I am aware that you all love his show so much that Fred and I have been talking about him coming back on the show. So he is here today! If you have not heard his episode you should go back and listen to it! It has a lot of terrific information in it. If you did miss his show Fred is a coach who trains professional designers worldwide on how to promote themselves and how to more effectively and dramatically increase their sales. I have to say what he says he is going to do he is going to do. Today he is going to tell us the keys to a killer website. Show Notes: What are interior designers doing wrong on their websites? What elements should be on the homepage? “Four seconds and two clicks” Why do you need more than images? How can you make it easier to navigate your website? What should you avoid? Why should you “think li

Gail Davis has a very interesting past that would be very helpful to her colleagues. Interior design is her second career. Her first career was in fashion. When you hear her story about her career in fashion, I think everyone will understand why she went into interior design! Show Notes: How long was she in fashion before switching to interior design? Why interior design? How did she “walk” into her internships? What is the biggest difference interning at a younger age vs being older? What sort of questions should you ask yourself when designing a room? Were there certain things that were the same between the two designers? What business practices did she learn? Resources: Instagram:  gmdinteriors  https://www.instagram.com/gmdinteriors/?hl=en FB:   https://www.facebook.com/gmdinteriors/ 

Welcome back everybody! Barbara Viteri has such an interesting trail leading to where she is today with her Designerlebrity™ Barbara had a very successful business called Viteri Style Management where she was a consultant for interior designers. But Barbara is pivoting her career now. She is going to share with us about how she got to where she is now. Show Notes: What did she do in Viteri Style Management? What exercise can help with hiring? What is Designerlebrity? How did she come to her new career move? Be real! Don’t pretend! Resources: www.facebook.com/barbaraviteri www.instagram.com/barbaraviteri www.twitter.com ~ @viteristyle viteri@viteristylemanagement.com www.viteristylemanagement.com  

 Krista Coupar of Coupar Consulting returns to the show to talk about billing and hourly fee’s. How To Effectively Bill Out Using an Hourly Fee Structure: • Step 1: Understand your existing pipeline • Step 2: Do an analysis of your current client base and your average monthly billing • Step 3: Determine utilization rates for yourself and your team • Step 4: Match up current project initiatives with the hours the team has available to work • Step 5: Evaluate if you need to add to your team     You can read the full show notes and access all the resources at www.windowworks-nj.com

Today on the show we have Michael Mitchell and Tyler Hill! They have their own design firm in Charleston, South Carolina. They also deal with fine arts, have a retail store and deal with gallery events. Putting on an event is one thing but putting on 10 to 12 events a year successfully is quite another thing. They put on an event at least once a month usually.  Michael and Tyler are going to share with us they came upon the idea of putting on events. Show Notes: What was the original plan? What is the one thing that they will always have part of their business? How was charity introduced to them? What should you not go cheap on? What are some ways to let people know when there will be an event? Who are the fabulous staff and what do they do? How did their collection come to life? What are the follow up processes? Resources: www.mitchellhillinc.com  You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.windowworks-nj.com/mitchellhill

Today we have Farrha Hyman on the show! You may be thinking where have I heard that name before? Farrha is the designer that Kae Whitaker mentioned in her interview from a previous episode! She is going to share with us her story and what can happen to your design firm when you reach out and get help and expertise from someone who knows more than you do. Show Notes: When did she realize she needed help? How did she hear about Kay? Trust the process! How different is it just being in business and running a business well? Why is it important to share some personal information? What two actions have to happen when bringing someone new into the business? What personal struggles did she have with change? How did she use her knowledge from previous hires? Where does she plan to be further down the road with her firm? You can read the full show notes and access all the resources at www.windowworks-nj.com/podcast

On our show today we have Rachel Laxer! Rachel runs a pretty big firm that is based out of London and New York City. She is a member of the British Institute of Design, and ASID here in the states. She graduated from Washington State with a BA in Political Science and History and from NYU with an MBA in Finance and International Business! She has been featured in Ireland’s Home, Interiors and Living magazine, participated in the Holiday House in New York City, Westchester House in New York and Design on a Dime. Rachel came to interior design in a rather unusual way. She is going to tell that story on the show today! Show Notes: How did Rachel begin working with Kelly Hoppen? How does she predict trends? How does she use her degrees in interior design? What is the key to mixing periods of time? What are the challenges having an interior design business in two “homes”? Use the people you know will do a good job! Resources: www.rlaxerinteriors.com www.windowworks-nj.com/rachellaxer 

Our guest, Cheryl Janis has been an interior designer for more than 19 years! She has a background in full service interior design for residential design, restaurant design, office design, the whole she bang. But in the last 2 to 6 years she has thought about a direction change for her business. Cheryl has decided to specialize in independent healthcare physicians that are visionaries and embrace the whole health philosophy. She is going to share with us why and how she has come to only specialize in this specific nitch. Show Notes: What kind of specific healthcare spaces does she design for? How did an accident when she was 17 years old impact her life in such a big way? How have her designs affected these businesses? What is a generalist? What was scary about making the leap to specialize? What is evidence based design? What are some things that can help with recovery in design? Why does Cheryl have a newsletter?   You can read the full show notes at www.windowworks-nj.com/cheryl

Today on the show we have Meryl Santopietro! She is going to be sharing with us about her career and her decision to move her business to Manhattan. Meryl’s business was based in Rhode Island until she moved her business to Manhattan. She also has the pleasure of working with her two daughters every day. Show Notes: How did she build her business? Why did she move her business to Manhattan? What should you do in an interview? New contacts can equal new referrals When did her daughters join in the business? How did she come to develop products? What are her products used for? What roles do her daughters play in the business? Have a great photographer! Resources: Simply Spotless www.merylsantopietro.com  You can read the full show notes and access the resources at www.windoworks-nj.com/meryl

Today on A Well Designed Business we have a treat! We have Andrew Joseph who is the principal of a design boutique public relations firm in New York city! This is a big time firm and he has clients from all over and his reach is worldwide. He is going to share with us his tips on how to hire, take advantage of and understand what a PR firm can and cannot do for you. Here's a bit about Andrew:  Prior to founding Andrew Joseph PR in 2012, Andrew worked for another shelter specific firm advancing his knowledge of public relations and forming a strong network of contacts in the design industry. Andrew’s PR expertise crossed lifestyle categories while working on beauty and fashion brands at RED PR from 2001 to 2005. Before his career in PR, Andrew acquired his journalism skills while employed at Vanity Fair and Allure magazines. That editorial experience facilitates Andrew Joseph PR to have a unique understanding about the media, creative branding strategies, and a deep, successful clientele. Show Notes: Wher

Today on the show I’m excited to have Patrick Cain! He is a custom furniture designer based out of Los Angeles. He specializes in furniture made from wood, metal and concrete. The designs are gorgeous! He is going to share with us a little about the pieces and how he got his business started. Show Notes: What two objectives does Patrick try to put into his furniture? What is the definition of recycle? How does he use recycling in his furniture? Where does he get the wood for his pieces? When did he start his furniture designing? What about “the numbers”? How to get free market research When you are learning about something just go with professionals! How to decide what to put in inventory “Don’t skimp on photography!” Resources: www.patrickcaindesigns.com @patrickcain -Instagram Patrickcain- Facebook

Leslie Myrick is an interior stylist and has not only built her business from the ground up once but three times! She has been in Canada, California and now Texas! She has very specific ways how she has built her business in such a short amount of time that really stand out. She has a blog and YouTube videos and has really created a good body of work in a short amount of time. We are going to talk about how you can be doing business in the same place you have been for the last twenty years and approach it like you just moved there. Show Notes: How much preparation did it take to move to where she is now? What is on the checklist when starting out? What should you want to be remembered for?  “Stand in your space” Should you pay to have help doing different parts of the business? What is the most important thing to do with a customer? What 13 things has Leslie learned? What kinds of systems does she use? Put your expectations up front! Resources: www.mebydesigns.com – Get your business coach here!

Susan is founder and principal of award-winning Sweet Peas Design, which she launched 13 years ago in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville as a one-woman firm. Today Sweet Peas Design is a full-service studio with a staff of six in downtown Libertyville and a branch office in Chicago. She and her team work with a broad-based clientele of entrepreneurs, corporate executives and professionals.   Susan is an experienced speaker, whether on interior design issues or the business of design. She is a popular speaker on design at libraries on the North Shore of Chicago. Susan has been featured on NBC/LXTV’s  “George to the Rescue” and  “Open House,” and she appeared on CLTV’s “Bring It Home” program. Her work has been published in numerous national and local magazines and newspapers, including Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago, Kitchen + Bath Makeovers, Trends Kitchens, Trends Bathrooms, Color Made Easy, Crain’s Chicago Business  and Chicago Sun-Times’ magazine, Splash.   Today on the show we have Susan Brunstrum! She

Today on A Well Designed Business we have Jerri Eskow! She is a full-service interior designer and has been in business for more than 20 years! After becoming friends on Instagram I went to her website and did a little research. Sometimes when I have guests on the show I already know what their special skills, talents or lessons are. But with Jerri Eskow I was just so impressed with her as a whole. She is going to talk about her techniques she has used to be a successful interior designer for over 20 years. Show Notes: Where does integrity fit into business? How to “create an atmosphere” Have the details! Why you should give your opinion  3 systems to use to stay organized Resources: Chief Architect   https://www.chiefarchitect.com Apple Apps: Numbers and Notes www.irongateinteriors.com  Irongateinteriors- Instagram Irongateinteriors- Facebook

    On today’s show, we have Mary Fisher who is a passionate designer of many trades. She is a textile designer, the author of 6 books, a jewelry designer, artist and photographer! Mary had some terrible news in 1992 that she had been diagnosed with HIV. Since then her passion to help others has skyrocketed. Her collection “100 Good Deeds” is a perfect of example that she does just that: Helps others. Show Notes: How did Mary get involved with Kravet Inc. What is “100 Good Deeds” jewelry and what does it stand for What resources does she use for “100 Good Deeds”? Who makes the art for “100 Good Deeds”? Don’t let other people define your designs  What kind of people are good to have in business? What advice did Mary’s mentor give her? Resources: Kravet Inc. – kravet.com Mary Fisher CARE Fund: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/cfar/mary-fisher     You Tube 1992 Republican Convention Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5K9k__SOo   Macys.com to see and purchase 100 Good Deeds Bracelets design

Arlene Angard is a New York City Interior Designer. She manages a full service interior architecture and design firm that specializes in luxury residential and new age commercial. She has been an Art Curator and table top connoisseur most of her life. She has curated global art exhibits, participated in art culture panels and collected fine art from around the world. She recently launched a colorful collection of area rugs inspired by her extensive travels abroad.   She tries to learn as much as she can about her clients' lifestyle and her design decisions are made within this context. Her work has been featured in prestigious magazines such as  Elle Decor, The New York Times, Traditional Home Magazine, New York Spaces Magazine, Luxe Interior + Design Magazine, Ocean Drive Magazine, EL UNIVERSAL, 1stdibs Introspective Magazine, NYC Cottage & Gardens and numerous other design and art publications.    Arlene came from Venezuela to New York in 1997 to pursue her Orthodontics program. She enjoyed New York and

Robin Baron, interior designer and lifestyle expert creates homes that are uniquely fabulous , yet captures  her clients’ individual personalities . She brings a striking sense of style to everything she does.   Her motto “Confidence begins at home” helps her guide her style and design in creating a sense of  happiness, fulfillment,  and peace in her clients. She prides herself on her ability to capture her clients’ individual personalities in their homes.  She is currently the President of  American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for  New York  Metro Chapter;    Robin is affiliated with many industry organizations, including:  Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), The  International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), Interior Design Society (IDS), Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt), International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Women President's Organization (WPO) , The Beacon Group, Founding Member Board of the Devereux Glenholme School, Benefit Committee of the Promise P

Steven Cooper is the CEO of Cooper Pacific Kitchens, the experts in the field of kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, interior design, engineering, and installation.  Through innovation and premium design, Steven’s team always aims to bring each client’s  unique vision  and sense of expression to life. They provide homeowners with functional kitchen spaces that are stunning expressions of their individual tastes.  Cooper Pacific Kitchens was founded in 1986 by Neil and Shirley Cooper, Steven’s parents. They have just celebrated their 30th year in business. Steven’s parents have retired and the business is now managed by Steven and her 2 daughters. One of them is already working full time and the other daughter is still in school and is working part time. His daughters are training on the managing of logistics, scheduling, and installation. They have a team of highly qualified kitchen designers. They are based in Los Angeles, California They have projects all over the country and outside USA too. Coop

Graduation is coming up! So I thought we would do a week of podcasts giving advice and tips to the new graduates coming into the design business. One of my employees: Kim is our special guest today. She has been out of school for 9 years now and has been working at “Window Works” for 8 years. She is going to share some of her personal experiences from school to job. Kim shares with us: Dealing with one project a semester taught time management and how to deal with deadlines One presentation a year in college Don’t underestimate the projects Look to create teamwork Internships are important ~ start internships as soon as possible to build up resume and get as much experience as you can First intern experience was a “what not to do” experience Organization and having a system in place is important Going from intern to job ~attention to detail very important Expect high expectations~ be prepared to deal with everyday issues Figure out how to deal with what has been given to you Bring good work ethic

This is Shannon Leddy’s second time on the show! We are so happy to have her back! She is going to share some tips on how students can be more effective before and after graduation. Shannon shares with us: Keep up with your portfolios- think about how you need to set it up Have some flare with your outfit going to an interview Research the firm you are going for an interview for Go on as many interviews as you can  Ask for feedback even if you didn’t get the job The follow up- know what you want to get paid Ask about benefits and overtime Stay at a job for at least 6 months- give it a chance Make and keep relationships on good terms Keep up with education Look to see what you have to do to be a certified interior designer Shannon's Website