BOD™ member, Brooke Aitken has some questions about how the main teachings of Business of Design™ apply to her business, as an architect rather than an interior designer. While Broke says BOD™ stopped her from throwing the towel in and gave her renewed hope for her business, she still has lots of ambition and is looking for the next push.

In this episode we learn:
- keep your contract simple enough for anyone to understand it
- don’t compromise on quality or principles
- avoid giving clients homework; you work for them, not the other way around
- tighten the timeline from BOD™ STEP 1-5 for real success

It’s time to take control of your business.
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 279 | Fix the Foundation with Brooke Aitken - Part 2

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

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Could you take 1% of any revenue you earn and tuck it away, out of sight, safe in a savings plan? Yes, you can. Although 1% doesn’t sound like a lot, it might surprise you to see how fast your 1% asset will accumulate. Saving is a muscle, like any other. Taking 1% off the top may push you to get more creative with purchasing and expenses. Try it. 

In this episode we learn:
- take 1% of all revenue and put it in a separate account
- train your brain to work without that 1%
- get in the habit of saving
- once 1% feels easy, push the boundaries, and save 2%
- if you continue to put your needs last, not saving for a rainy day, you’ll eventually burn out 
- three profit levers you can pull in your business

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 376 | 1% Matters with Danielle Hendon

There are so many joys and benefits of working on projects in different locations, but there are an equal number of challenges. Working on distant projects will force you to be extremely efficient and strategic with your time, benefiting all of your other projects in the long run.

In this episode we learn:
- How to manage projects in different time zones
- Develop good procedures for remote work
- Travel to the places where you want to work and build a presence
- Use a PR and Communications company to target new areas
- How out of town projects can teach you to be more efficient with on site visits
- If you work overseas, make sure to understand local building code, commercial laws, tax regulations, shipping clauses, business regulations, etc.

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 375 | Working Abroad With Christina Richardson.m4a

Two years ago, when designer Holli Appelquist joined Business of Design® and began to implement the systems. She anticipated improvements to her projects, but she was blown away by the positive changes in her life. She finally enjoyed the work-life balance that previously eluded her. She had more time to work on the tasks she loved doing. More time off during the work week and more time off for holidays. She was able to delegate to staff and their satisfaction improved. Profits soared. Today, Holli is the confident business owner she always wanted to be. 

In this episode we learn: 
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- integrity matters, define it and honor it 
- adding systems allows you to take more time off, to have more breathing space in your week

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 374 | Systems and the Solution with Holli Appelquist

Could you start over? Let’s say you’ve been in business a few years, or more. You’ve given it your all, but you still aren’t where you dreamed you’d be by now. Would you just keep plugging away, or would you be willing to try something new? Would you be willing to adopt the BOD™ systems? In this episode, designer Holli Appelquist shares how she joined BOD™ and transformed her company, her profitability, and her life, in one year. 

In this episode we learn: 
- you can actively target the profitability you want 
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- look for new hires adjacent to your interior design firm 
- employees love how easy it is to train with systems in place
- adding systems allows you to take on more projects and work less
- systems give you confidence

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 373 | Rebuild with BOD™ with the Holli Appelquist Team

It’s one thing to design a kitchen. It’s an entirely different matter to cook in one. If you are an interior design professional who renovates or designs these important spaces, you’ll love getting advice from a professional who has cooked in a hundred different homes. 

In this episode we learn:
- questions to ask clients before you begin their kitchen renovation
- tips for designing a kitchen that functions well
- pet peeves to avoid
- why it’s important to say yes and follow the opportunity
- how to stay motivated with your social media efforts

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 279 | Fix the Foundation with Brooke Aitken - Part 2

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