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Today’s guest is the queen of show houses: Barbara Ostrom! Barbara attended New York University and New York school of Interior Design and then went on to get her masters in architectural design from Pratt and received a graduate certificate from Sorbonne in Paris. After working as, a designer’s assistant for 8 years and then working with a company that designs stores she decided to start her own business. When Barbara first started out showhouse rooms were not popular. Since then she has really shown that she knows how to work the showhouse rooms. You can check out some of her fantastic showhouse rooms in her book: “Curtain Up!: Thirty Years of Spectacular Showhouse Rooms”. To read the full show notes click here.

Today’s guest is the fantastic Lisa Dreissig! Lisa went to school at The Fashion Institute of Technology. She then worked for several startups and then moved onto an architecture firm. Working with these firms helped her immensely with the starting of her own business. But before she started her own business she created a blog that she started in 2007 when she was laid off from her job. It turns out that this blog has really opened the horizon to be a great way to have people get to know her and find potential clients. Lisa shares with us today how her blog has helped her business and why it’s a good idea for others to start a blog as well. Lisa shares with us in the broadcast: Her inspiration for her blog Platform she uses for her blog How to get through writer’s block Make a personal connection If someone doesn’t like what you post, then don’t work with them Her advice for starting a new blog Her biggest struggle with her blog Recommendations of other blogs to read Links mentioned: www.lisadr

On today’s show we have the lovely Erika Ward! Erika started out as an accountant for a design, build company. While still working in corporate settings she started her own firm called “Erika Ward Interiors”. She used her background in financing and her creative side to grow her business and has since then built her business to the greatness that it is now. Erika not only works with individual clients but also works close with retail brands like Home Depot! 

Welcome! Our guest today is the wonderful and talented interior designer, Christina Perry! Christina started at a young age rearranging furniture and accessories and discovering her passion of what she really likes to do. She attended The University of Missouri State and graduated with a bachelor degree in Science in Interior Designing. She then went on to work in several different jobs that showed her different aspects of the interior design industry. She realized that she was really interested in the creative aspect of the interior design industry and wanted to help people create a space that they will enjoy being in.  Christina will share with us in this broadcast: You should always try to continue to learn and grow Her realization that most everything is done online Why doing everything online is a good thing What tools she uses to help her out Interior design software Her client project website What obstacles or problems has she run into? How she is reaching more clients What marketing efforts

Today’s guest on the show is Paul Somerville! Paul is the owner and creative director for Paul J Somerville Design in Hoboken, NJ.  He has been designing for more than 30 years and I am delighted to share our conversation with you today.  Paul is thoughtful and he has astute observations on the business of interior design.  He is going to share some very insightful ideas on how to run the business part of a designer’s business.  In this episode Paul will share with us: Verbal and written contract? Flat fee and hourly rates? When a goal is reached its usually easier for the client to pay Don’t nickel and dime your clients! Down time is a must Where he gets his inspiration His advice for new comers Design is thinking! Links mentioned: www.pjsomervilledesign.com  email - paul@pjsomervilledesign.com  

Today on the show our guest is Shannon M. Leddy. Shannon has her own interior design firm in New York that she started thirteen years ago. She is also an Allied member of ASID and an adjunct professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology and also graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology. Shannon is going to share some of her experiences and advice on the interior design business.   You can read the full show notes here.

In episode 2, our guest is the founder of Funk Design Studio: Sandra Levy! She is going to be talking to us about how she runs her business, and more specifically how she handles the project management through effective systems within her business. Her best advice: you should be very clear and upfront with everyone on a project and set goals! You can read the full show notes here.

In episode 1, LuAnn Nigara sits down with Heather McManus. Heather recently wrote a book and she created a video course. These 2 additional channels have created passive income to supplement Heather's successful design business. She's here today to share with us exactly what she did to make this all come together. You can read the full show notes here.