 As creatives, many of us are afraid of niching down. We worry it will limit our options or turn potential clients away. My guest this week believes the opposite is true. Liz Toombs has found an amazing design niche that has allowed her business to thrive even during tough economic times: sorority house design.    If you’re afraid that niching down will negatively impact your bottom line, Liz is here to explain how a niched-down business can be the most resilient in a shifting industry. We’re discussing why anything can be a niche in the interior design industry, and how sorority house design has given Liz a constant source of business since the 2008 recession.    Prepare to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business with our dynamic live 3-part training: Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

Ep #294: How Niching Down Builds Business Resilience with Liz Toombs

The Design You Podcast is for interior designers and creatives looking to slow down, get rid of “busy,” and live in health, wealth and wholehearted joy. Develop the confidence and the knowledge to make authentic choices that will improve your life, redesign your health, and grow your business like never before. You’ve been designing everyone else’s lives, homes and special moments, but now it’s time you design you! It’s time for you to redefine what success looks like in your life. If you would like even more support for designing a business and life you love, check out my exclusive monthly coaching program, Design You, at TobiFairley.com!

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Hey friends, it's Tobi Fairley, your host here at the DesignYou podcast. Can you believe it's been 25 years since I started my interior design business and five years since we embarked on this podcasting journey together? It's been a whirlwind of coaching, interior design projects, and diving into the world of a retail store and e-commerce business. That’s a lot of balls to keep in the air.  So, I've decided to take a well-deserved summer vacation from the podcast to recharge and prepare for the exciting fall season. We're also giving our website a refresh to reflect all the amazing changes coming your way. But hey, don't stray too far! I've got some delightful surprises lined up for you throughout the summer. I appreciate your loyalty and am thankful for each of you. Stay in touch, and I’ll be back!   IN THIS EPISODE:   [:07] Tobi Fairley Interior Design is celebrating its 25th year, and I share all the ventures we’ve developed   [1:14] Fairley Fancy is experiencing rapid growth. Designers are encouraged to enroll in the trade discount program, and I will reveal new services this fall   [2:05] We are refreshing the website to reflect all the upcoming changes, and I will be blogging again   [2:53] I’m taking a summer vacation from podcasting to rejuvenate and encourage you to listen to the podcasts previously recorded   [4:16] Thank you to the loyal listeners for the last five years, and you can still find me on Instagram     KEY TAKEAWAYS    Tobi is taking a summer vacation from podcasting to relax, refresh, and work on new content we will learn about in the fall.   Designers can sign up for the trade discount that can be applied to clothes and furnishings.   Be on the lookout for little surprises and treats during the summer.     FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:   Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!   Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.   If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.   Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook   Tobi’s Instagram   Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible    

Ep. #318: Taking a Summer Break - See you in the Fall!

  In the dynamic world of interior design, Tobi Fairley offers a refreshing perspective on brand development. Today, she advocates for brand strength and audacity – a quality that sets businesses apart in a crowded market. Tobi emphasizes the importance of standing out amidst competitors, cultivating trust and loyalty among clientele, and staying true to one's authentic vision. With the industry constantly evolving, she underscores the necessity of adaptability for sustained success. Transitioning from a position of brand strength to audacity is the key to thriving in this ever-changing landscape, and Tobi Fairley's course, "DesignYou 2.0," offers the roadmap to achieve just that. Enroll now to witness the transformative results her students are experiencing, and prepare to delve into the crucial realm of visibility for both strong and audacious brands in the upcoming quarter.    IN THIS EPISODE:      [:23] Building an audacious brand to succeed    [1:47] The difference between an audacious brand and a strong brand    [2:57] Does your brand adapt to the changing landscape    [3:25] Is your brand memorable and relevant     [4:52] What is a strong brand and then you can move into the audacious category    [8:59] Strong brands provide a solid foundation for growth, evolution and adaptability and open you up to collaborations    [11:17] Ask yourself if you have checked the boxes. Are you a strong brand, and am I ready for audacious     [11:45] Sign up for DesignYou 2.0 Tobi Fairley - DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible           KEY TAKEAWAYS         To succeed in 2024, your brand needs to be authentic and audacious. Having a strong brand isn’t enough. It should stand out among all the choices customers have.    We must be willing to pivot and innovate in response to changing trends and customer needs. Change can be scary, but it is necessary as the market changes.    Building a business requires a strong brand, where you have built trust and credibility with clients. After you have mastered that, you must move on to an audacious brand.        FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:      Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!    Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.    If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.    Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook    Tobi’s Instagram    Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible    

#Ep 317: Bring Your Best Audacious Brand to the Table

  Today, we have something special lined up for you. We will explore the evolution of our DesignYou 2.0 training program. Three remarkable participants have joined me and experienced the transformation firsthand. Over the years, this program has grown and adapted like the individuals participating. Now, we offer classes quarterly, each with a unique focus, designed to unlock your creativity and empower you to live your best life. One of the core elements of DesignYou 2.0 is our Project Fail exercise. It's all about embracing the possibility of failure and learning from it. We often discover our greatest strengths and breakthroughs in these moments of perceived failure. Our guests will share how the program has been a stepping stone to success and how Project Fail taught that even if something doesn’t go as planned, they learned from the experience. Our guests encourage anyone ready to unlock their full creative potential to sign up for DesignYou 2.0. It's not just a course but a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.  Until next time, keep creating, keep growing, and keep being uniquely you.      IN THIS EPISODE:      [2:05] The guests introduce themselves and describe their business ventures, and Tobi explains how the DesignYou Training Program has evolved    [6:25] Darci spoke about having the camera on during training    [9:14] Cristina loves the accountability required    [11:05] Kaitlyn points out two aspects that have been game-changing for her: Tobi’s future-oriented perspectives and mindset training    [12:51] Tobi explains Project Fail, and each guest shares their tasks and projects and the growth they have experienced through this endeavor    [25:44] Tobi further explains the reasons and thought process behind Project Fail    [28:33] The guests talk about aspects of the training they found so valuable: accountability, achieving the goal of finishing a project, identifying your brand    [37:22] Tobi talks about the structure of the programming over a year and explains how there are different paths a participant can take. Sign up for DesignYou 2.0 Tobi Fairley - DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible             KEY TAKEAWAYS       During training, you are required to have your camera on. Participants are more focused and engaged; the trainer knows she is being listened to.    It is important to remember that we are human as well as creatives, and we must self-care and enjoy the journey.    Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most effective ways to realize your full potential. It pushes you to confront your fears and challenges, allowing you to discover capabilities and strengths you never knew you had. And even in the face of failure, you emerge stronger and wiser because you've learned valuable lessons.        FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:      Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!    Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.    If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.    Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook    Tobi’s Instagram    Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible           RESOURCES:    Cristina Cleveland - Website    Cristina Cleveland - Instagram    Darci Tether - Website    Darci Hether - Instagram    Kaitlyn Loos - TikTok   

Ep# 316: DesignYou 2.0: The Evolving Creative Journey

  Are you a designer passionate about sharing your thoughts, interests, and expertise with the world? Have you ever considered diving into the realm of influence and content creation? In today's episode, we delve into the exciting world of being an influencer or a content creator, exploring why this avenue might be worth exploring for you. We will uncover how influencers shape trends, the importance of finding your niche and the common challenges and strategies for overcoming them on the influencer journey. Is it the right path for you? Join me as we explore what makes it tick!      IN THIS EPISODE:      [1:17] Tobi expands content from the last two episodes on being an influencer and content marketing    [1:47] Influencers over the age of 40 are perceived as being more wise, and a discussion of the pitfalls    [4:50] Preparing to tackle the influencer/content marketing space    [6:49] Quality over quantity and engage with brands you would use    [9:43] Staying consistent while being patient and educating yourself in influencer marketing, as in DesignYou 2.0    [16:57] Discussion of additional best practices, familiarize yourself with social media platforms and ethical guidelines    [22:50] Collaborating with brands, negotiations, pricing your worth and understanding analytics     [26:10] Networking with other influencers and understanding legal and contractual agreements and opportunities to sign up for DesignYou 2.0           KEY TAKEAWAYS         You are never too old to be an influencer. Always be authentic. Believe in what you are promoting. Engage with your followers through conversation.    High-quality content consistently attracts viewers who are drawn back to your platform when the material you present or discuss deeply connects with them and is executed professionally.    Creating content is critical. You should learn which social media platform you like best and how to create professional content for that platform.         FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:      Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!    Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.    If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.    Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook    Tobi’s Instagram    DesignYou 2.0 Sign Up Waitlist.     

Ep# 315: Let’s Unpack the Influencer Journey

  Have you ever noticed how some social media users capture your attention by recommending products or ideas you love? They're building a brand and attracting followers, just like you can!    In this episode, we'll explore three powerful strategies to leverage your expertise and turn it into new income streams for your business. Even if you're unfamiliar with influencer marketing lingo, you'll discover how to expand your reach and boost your bottom line. Don't miss out on these insightful ideas!      IN THIS EPISODE:      [0:31] Tobi explains the topic for the day is part two of a three-part series on burnout and specifically, being an influencer    [3:18] Develop digital products to be sold online    [7:13] Partnering with brands and companies is called affiliate marketing    [9:21] Sponsored content is when you collaborate with brands and companies directly, and you create content, and the next step up is brand partnerships    [11:16 Discussion regarding offering consulting services, paid speaking engagements and licensing products    [16:47] Discussion of creating an e-commerce store    [21:10] Next week, we discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of influencing, and Tobi shares the courses she has available for you to join             KEY TAKEAWAYS       Designing courses to sell as an online business is an excellent way to start. However, creating a fluid income stream will take more than one item.     Affiliate marketing can earn income if you enjoy social media. However, it is not a get-rich-quick idea. It takes lots of work.     The multiple followers you generate are the key to having any online business.         FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:      Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!    Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.    If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.    Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook    Tobi’s Instagram    DesignYou High-Performance Program.     

Ep #294: How Niching Down Builds Business Resilience with Liz Toombs

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