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

Today with Corinne Bentzen:  Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today is a sponsored show with The Company Store, a premier source of luxury down bedding and home products. Corinne Bentzen, CEO of The Company Store, shares the company history, their commitment to quality, focus on responsible manufacturing, and understanding that the customer comes first. Pick it apart: [9:54] Corinne share the mission of The Company Store [13:22] Corinne tells about her suppliers and responsibly created products [17:48] Corinne tells about how the pandemic has affected the company [22:22] Corinne advises designers on helping clients understand the quality of The Company Store products [25:00] Corinne shares how The Company Store works with the trade [30:43] Corinne speaks about how designers can set up a trade account LuAnn and Corinne Bentzen’s Ah-Ha moments: “We have a responsibility to make great choices for our customers.” - Corinne Bentzen   “Your home has never mattered more than now.” - Corinn

Today with Erica Reiner Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Erica Reiner of Eco Method Interiors niched down and rebranded after a few years in business. Learn what prompted her big change, what she does when the scarcity mindset strikes, and how her business has changed since she stopped trying to be everything to everyone. Pick it apart: [4:04] Erica shares what prompted her rebrand [10:15] Erica shares her struggle with her scarcity mindset [24:50] Erica advises about sourcing green products [34:28] Erica tells about variable standards for green products [42:50] Erica shares her thoughts about the link between environmental and social justice [49:42] Erica and LuAnn speak about niching and overcoming the scarcity mindset LuAnn and Erica Reiner’s Ah-Ha moments: “Set up expectations early and often.” - Erica Reiner “You have to figure out what is important to you and what is going to motivate you when it gets tricky and tough”. - Erica Reiner “If you do something from your heart and explain your

Today with Danielle Hayden:  Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. It's Power Talk Friday! Danielle Hayden of Kickstart Accounting takes us through what she’s learned from years of helping female entrepreneurs understand their money, heal from damaging money mindsets and make smart business decisions. Learn what financial considerations to pay special attention to at each stage of your growing business. Pick it apart: [9:38] Danielle explains her mission of helping business owners understand their numbers [14:31] Danielle shares what CFO tasks are [18:37] Danielle explains how deeply her team understands her clients [23:44] Danielle reviews common setbacks for businesses with 100k in revenue [33:11] Danielle reviews common setbacks for businesses with 250k in revenue [35:53] Danielle reviews common setbacks for businesses with 500k in revenue [39:11] Danielle talks about options for a managing the business while staying close to design [42:15] Danielle talk about planning at the 2 million gross reven

Today on A Well-Designed Business: Today is a What Would Lu Do episode! We are continuing the year-end review mini-series! During this series, I will pick apart areas in your business that I want to encourage you to address as we approach year-end. To run a profitable business that supports you financially, professionally, and personally, you have to first know where you are, to then understand where you are going. I always say you have to run the autopsy of every project, and your business is no different than any other project you work on.  In this series, we will run the autopsy of our entire year and today I am going to encourage you to review your technology, subscriptions and memberships, and insurances.  You know what the Vin Man says, sometimes it’s not what you make, it’s what you don’t spend. So, let’s see if we can save you from some unnecessary spending in 2022, shall we? What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Inside Voice, Outside Voice Windowwork

Today with Tanya Dalton:  Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. It's Power Talk Friday! Tanya Dalton, best-selling author, speaker, productivity expert, and growth strategist for female leaders is here to share a helpful goal framework that leaves space for life’s ups and downs, celebrates progress, and prevents you from getting discouraged and quitting. Pick it apart: [4:16] Tanya shares the mindfulness exercise she uses during her commute [9:27] Tanya summarizes her new book [11:58] Tanya walks through her IMPACT goal framework [25:05] Tanya shares her email-checking system [31:05] Tanya details her customer service system that includes auto-FAQs and using templated responses/multiple inboxes [38:30] LuAnn explains Sara Brennan’s calendar hack for new client consultations [43:58] Tanya covers quick tips on implementing habit stacking   LuAnn and Tanya Dalton’ Ah-Ha moments: “It’s a choice to have an extraordinary life.” - Tanya Dalton   “The goal isn’t the goal. Goals are the vehicle to get you

Today on A Well-Designed Business: Today is a What Would Lu Do episode! We are continuing the year-end review mini-series! Over the next few weeks, I will pick apart areas in your business that I want to encourage you to address as we approach year-end. To run a profitable business that supports you financially, professionally, and personally, you have to first know where you are, to then understand where you are going. I always say you have to run the autopsy of every project, and your business is no different than any other project you work on.  In this series, we will run the autopsy of our entire year and today we are talking about our marketing plan for 2022. I am going to kick this off with a line from one of my partners at Exciting Windows!, Steve Wishnow. "Always be marketing." No matter what kind of firm you have, no matter how large or how small or how busy or slow you are—always be marketing. Let's get to it! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Ins

Today with Jude Charles:  Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. It's Power Talk Friday and Jude Charles is back on the show! Today, Jude shares the final part of his video storytelling framework - Dramatic Leverage. Jude shares some of his 70 ideas for distributing your brand videos so you can help people understand who you are, how you can help them, and why they want to choose you for their next project. Pick it apart: [5:36] Jude shares the story of lipstick brand found Keyshia Ka’oir   [14:15] Jude recaps why story is so important to building your brand   [26:40] Jude share the re-engagement tactic he uses to get more projects   [29:52] Jude relays the story of a business coach he worked with on her testimonials   [33:18] Jude offers his advice for interior designers who want to create videos  LuAnn and Jude Charles’ Ah-Ha moments: “What you want more than anything is to resonate with your audience.” - Jude Charles   “We have gold in our hands but we’re searching for silver.” - Jude Charles

Today on A Well-Designed Business: Today is a What Would Lu Do episode! We are continuing the year-end review mini series! Over the next few weeks I will pick apart areas in your business that I want to encourage you to address as we approach year-end. To run a profitable business that supports you financially, professionally, and personally, you have to first know where you are, to then understand where you are going. I always say you have to run the autopsy of every project, and your business is no different than any other project you work on.  In this series, we will run the autopsy of our entire year and today we are going to do a revenue generator review.  What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Inside Voice, Outside Voice Windowworksnj.com Shop38east.com Comfortex.com 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! Purch

Today with Duke Renders:  Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today’s sponsored show with Fernando Duque of Duke Renders is valuable on multiple levels.  Not only will you get a unique insight into what the world of high-quality 3D rendering offers you and how Duke Renders can help you take advantage of it, but you’ll also hear from an expert business owner who knows what it takes to grow a business to full fruition within just a year. Pick it apart: [8:12] Fernando shares the story of how helping his wife led to the creation of Duke Renders.  [13:45] LuAnn and Fernando discuss the importance of core values and how sticking to them makes business decisions easier.  [31:39] Fernando highlights the process of designers working with Duke Renders, from start to finish.  [48:27] Fernando points out what makes Duke Renders different and why you should work with them.  [51:48] Fernando shares the company’s referral system and previews the Black Friday offer you need to take advantage of. LuAnn and Fernan

Today on A Well-Designed Business: Today is a What Would Lu Do episode! Today starts a series that over the next few weeks will pick apart areas in your business that I want to encourage you to address as we approach year end. To run a profitable business that supports you financially, professionally, and personally, you have to first know where you are, to then understand where you are going. I always say you have to run the autopsy of every project, and your business is no different than any other project you work on.  In this series, we will run the autopsy of our entire year and today we are going to start with a session on the questions you need to ask yourself and your team when starting the autopsy process. What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Inside Voice, Outside Voice Windowworksnj.com Shop38east.com Comfortex.com Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s

On Today’s Flashback Friday Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. On today’s Flashback episode, we revisit episode 41 with Cheryl Janis. After an accident left her searching for help in the world of natural medicine, Cheryl realized that there was a powerful niche waiting for her—designing for boutique visionaries in the holistic health world. Niching opened up a world of possibility for her, and brought more joy to her business than she had experienced in her 19 years of design.  Pick it apart: [5:45] Cheryl shares her story of how a frightening accident and a difficult recovery led to her niche. [13:08] Cheryl highlights the positives her niche brought to her business.  [20:20] LuAnn and Cheryl pick apart the scary parts of niching and how Cheryl overcame them.  [27:23] Cheryl explains evidence-based design and how it helped her improve as a designer.  [56:08] Cheryl shares how “snail mail” gives her a unique opportunity to connect with clients. LuAnn and Cheryl's Ah-Ha moments: “All this creati

Today with Peter Lang, Kim Merlitti, and Michele Williams Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Our financial Power Talk Friday experts, Michele Williams, Peter Lang, and Kim Merlitti are talking about year-end cleanup and planning for the new year. They cover what your balance sheet should look like, what tax strategies you can consider, what to look for in a financial professional, and why mindset matters. LuAnn, Peter, Kim, and Michele's Ah-Ha moments: “The balance sheet should be a perfect representation of your financial state at that moment.” - Michele Williams “It’s the day-to-day that moves us forward in any plan - it’s not just the big moment. It’s every single day being committed to the goal.” - Michele Williams “When you put it down on paper, it happens.” - LuAnn Nigara More about Peter, Kim, and Michele: Peter Lang Peter Lang is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is the founder of The Designer CPA, a CPA firm that works exclusively with business owners in t

Today with Jude Charles:  We’re welcoming Jude Charles back to the show! Jude Charles, the video brand strategist, is back and this time, he’s walking us through how to take that special, differentiating moment and express it through a three-part documentary-style video series he calls “dramatic demonstration”. Pick it apart: [8:09] Jude recaps the why behind his storytelling framework   [14:20] Jude gives an example of how he did a storytelling video for an interior design client   [18:09] Jude reviews the three-part documentary video series for LuAnn’s podcast   [22:10] Jude shares the five demonstrations necessary for a good video documentary series LuAnn and Jude Charles’ Ah-Ha moments: “Hearing something said 1000x is not as powerful as seeing it once.” - Jude Charles   “The whole point is answering the question: why should I do business with you vs. every other option that is available?” - Jude Charles   “You are the sum of everything you’ve done.” - LuAnn Nigara   “It’s not just about

Today with Susan Wintersteen Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Susan Wintersteen, one of my first-year podcast guests, is back on A Well-Designed Business, to share tips on business growth and the importance of a mastermind community to get to the next step. As a business owner rock star, Susan has mastered the art of hiring people who create a positive workplace and support the functions of the business as a whole. Listen in to learn how you can use elements of Susan’s hiring processes to level up your own business - using the predictive index, strong interviews, and detailed skill sets to get good, competent people in the right roles. Susan has applied these same hiring standards to her Savvy Giving by Design nonprofit, which is looking to raise $50,000 this year to support room makeovers for children in medical crises. Pick it apart: [8:46] Susan explains how some employees can divert energy from growing the business, and how important it is to find efficient people who are happy to work in that job

Today with Fay + Belle: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s show is sponsored by Fay + Belle, a full-service luxury rug collection that offers authentic vintage and fully customizable rugs for design firms in the United States and Canada.  The company was founded by sister-in-law duo, Kate O’Hara and Kaley O’Hara. Kate is the principal of Martha O’Hara Interiors, and has appeared on the show before. But when she noticed that acquiring custom rugs was a difficult process, she decided to find a way to streamline it for herself. Today, Kate and Kaley share their story and explain how Fay + Belle can help you. Pick it apart: [4:00] Kate and Kaley share the background on how Fay + Belle came to be.  [11:00] Kate and Kaley discuss what sets Fay + Belle apart and what makes them compelling.  [12:30] LuAnn asks about the pain points designers face when ordering custom or vintage rugs. [27:11] Kaley discusses her sales background and how that plays into the success of the brand.  [31:20] Kate and K

Today with Kathleen Jennison Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Some of us come into this business because we’re naturally-born creatives that never imagined doing anything else. Others spend time in the corporate world but embrace an inner passion. But my guest today is unique—for Kathleen Jennison, a brain injury changed the way her mind functioned and opened the door for a new path as an interior designer. Today, she’s sharing her journey and the lessons she learned along the way.  Pick it apart: [6:34] Kathleen shares her journey through trauma and how she grew her design talents from it.  [15:32] Kathleen discusses her decision to start her own business and how systems and organization helped her.  [22:39] Kathleen describes the way her business grew and the big decisions and leaps of faith she had to take as it did.  [40:38] LuAnn and Kathleen discuss evaluating projects and profitability.  [52:39] Kathleen discusses how marketing is always important, even when your business is thriving. LuAnn

Today with Braden Drake: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Braden Drake of Unf*uck Your Biz podcast is a California tax attorney specializing in helping creatives made sense of business finances and tax law. He’s sharing all about business entities, business insurance, and CPA service structures. He’s sharing his lighthearted and easy-to-follow education style that empowers creatives to understanding the foundational principles of money and business tax law. Pick it apart: [12:15] Braden shares the non-negotiable insurance a business should have [18:02] LuAnn asks Braden about how to handle business registration and nexus for businesses that work and do business in multiples states [23:34] Braden breaks down LLCs, Corporations, and S Corps [27:44] Braden reviews a simple math example of when it makes sense to be an S Corp [36:42] Braden explains the different business models of CPAs [42:31] Braden shares about his upcoming educational program LuAnn and Braden Drake’s Ah-Ha moments: “You get

Today with Geoff Siebold Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, we’re diving into the world of luxury carpets. While most of us don’t understand the intricate inner workings of carpets, my guest today, Geoff Siebold of Stanton Carpet, thinks that we should, and I agree with him. In this episode, Geoff explains to me what we need to understand about the practicality of different carpet types so that we can steer our clients in the right direction and offer them more value through our own knowledge and expertise. Pick it apart: [4:15] Geoff discusses how the environment and lifestyle of your clients affect carpet choice, and what “practical luxury” means.  [10:49] Geoff highlights how synthetic carpets have improved over time, offering more choices for your clients.  [22:00] Geoff gives us a deep-dive into the construction of carpets and what it means for your clients.  [33:10] Geoff and LuAnn discuss how different traffic areas impact carpet choices, and talk about a special tool to help your clien

Today with Molly Schoneveld: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Some of you aspire to be a designer that helps people in your community live better, feel better, and appreciate their spaces more. Others want to design for the high-end client, creating luxury spaces. But others want something a little bit different—to become celebrity designers featured on television and in major publications. Today, publicist Molly Schoneveld is going to share with us how you structure your career to strategically build up your persona and work toward that celebrity status.  Pick it apart: [1:21] Molly shares what your number one job is when you desire to be a celebrity designer.  [15:21] Molly and LuAnn discuss the importance of having a signature style and investing in quality photography for your portfolio. [27:03] Molly explains why niching is even more important if you want to become a celebrity designer.  [30:30] Molly lays out the steps to getting featured in the media as a designer.  [42:54] Molly shares wha

Today with Christine Platt Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Christine Platt, the author of The Afrominimalists Guide to Living with Less offers a fresh take on minimalism, why it’s not just a one-day throw-out marathon, and what it takes to get to the core of how we got overwhelmed with clutter in the first place. Pick it apart: [7:58] Christine shares where to start your journey of discovery   [14:35] Christine describes her one day, one year challenge   [18:16] Christine shares what minimalism means for her   [23:40] Christine shares about buy-nothing groups as a way to release your items   [45:35] Christine summarizes her theory of minimalism LuAnn and Christine Platt’s Ah-Ha moments: “For me, minimalism is really just about being a more mindful, intentional consumer - just having the things you need and love in your life.” - Christine Platt   “It’s good for your own mental health - clutter takes up physical space and mental space.” - Christine Platt   “Our natural way of being is alwa