                   Today With Laura Hodges Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that Show Houses are big undertakings…but what if it wasn’t just one room—what if it was an entire house? Would it be worth it if it landed you in a major publication like Southern Living?  My guest today, Laura Hodges, recently designed the Idea House for Southern Living. And while she put in countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears, she absolutely believes that a show house can be worth the investment. Today, she’s here to share what it takes and what you can get from a show house experience. Pick It Apart: [5:25] Laura shares how she got started with the Southern Living show house, and what her responsibilities were. [14:34] LuAnn and Laura dive deeper into the ROI for designers and vendor partners participating in such a large project. [24:34] Laura shares more about the connections and partners she worked with. [30:30] Laura reflects on the importance of diversity in the design process. [37:00] Laura discusses the practical side of how she maintained her business while doing the show house. LuAnn Nigara and Laura Hodges's Ah-Ha Moments “We started with having the confidence to say yes to a major opportunity. But this is not for the meek of hard work. This is not even just doing a regular show house where you design one room, which is a monumental project to do.” -LuAnn  “It was really important to me that the design house was welcoming and accessible for a wide range of people, variety of cultures.” -Laura More About Laura Hodges Laura Hodges is an interior designer with a boutique design firm and retail shop in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area. With a focus on creating beautiful spaces that reflect her clients' taste, Laura's signature aesthetic is narrative, layered, classically tailored and modern, featuring unique vintage finds and curated art. Laura is also a brand ambassador for the Sustainable Furnishings Council, working to increase awareness for sustainable design.   Connect with Laura Hodges   Website   Website   Cabinetry Collection What’s new with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn University - Registration is now OPEN for the Winter 2024 semester! Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned:   #908 Jessica Bantom: How to Be a Culturally Competent Design Activist & Why You Want to Be One (Part 1)      #912 Jessica Bantom Continued: Take Action With the Six Habits of Culturally Competent Designers                   

960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse

In today's world being a talented interior designer isn't enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful business. Design school curricula doesn't always equip you with the business skills to have your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well-Designed Business® is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 40 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices. This podcast is sponsored by Kravet Inc and Mydoma Studio.

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 Today With LoriAnn Kuntz Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today I am excited to welcome LoriAnn Kuntz, founder of Profit Priority, a bookkeeping and financial management company for creatives.  Understanding your numbers matters. But it’s equally as important to understand when and why to outsource your bookkeeping.  Hear LoriAnn’s insights on why strategic bookkeping matters—and how you can take control of your numbers. Pick It Apart: [3:18] LoriAnn and LuAnn discuss why knowing your numbers matters—and what it means to “love” those numbers. [7:31] LoriAnn explains why business owners should consider outsourcing bookkeeping from the beginning. [15:51] LoriAnn breaks down the numbers we really need to know in our businesses. [24:59] LoriAnn shares why a holistic approach to your finances is important. [33:09] LuAnn and LoriAnn reflect on what most people miss when it comes to their numbers.  LuAnn Nigara and LoriAnn Kuntz's Ah-Ha Moments “The secret to loving your numbers is to find someone who understands them.” -LoriAnn “When I work with someone, it's not just about the business, it's about them as a person. And it's about their life and their lifestyle.” -LoriAnn “It’s clear that you are willing to go down the different roads and that is the thing that we really need in a bookkeeper.” -LuAnn More About LoriAnn Kuntz Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, I saw firsthand what it was like to run a successful business. And having a good financial system and knowing the numbers was a big part of that. The opportunity to learn about money management and bookkeeping from a young age sparked what I thought was a love for accounting. I started down the traditional accounting path, but a few years into my CPA journey, I felt God calling me out of it to serve entrepreneurs differently.   Connect with LoriAnn Kuntz Website Website Instagram  Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Check out  Kravet Inc.  and use our code AWDB10 for 10% on any order of Kravet fabric, wallpaper, or trim  Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork Eileen Hahn’s Website    

978: Power Talk Friday: LoriAnn Kuntz: How to Love (and Understand) Your Interior Design Business Numbers

 Today With Katie Ryan Pluer Today with Katie Ryan Pluer we are discussing what it takes to build a successful business partnership in the interior design industry. Katie brings a wealth of experience in business development, marketing, and advertising — along with a successful track record of buying and selling businesses. She has a keen understanding of what it takes to create a profitable business, and has spent the past few years getting settled in the interior design industry as Vice President of Natasa Jones Interiors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you have a partner or are considering one, or if you are looking to scale your interior design business anytime soon, Katie is here to share valuable insights. We are getting into the nitty gritty of partnership — from evaluating the business and legalities to personalities, percentages, and profitability. Pick It Apart: [1:11] Katie shares how she and Natasa met while working together more than a decade ago, how they realized they were a good fit for partnership, and how they began working together again in their current roles. [5:52] Katie discusses how she officially approached Natasha about becoming partners and the process of having the business evaluated and buying in.  [14:40] LuAnn asks Katie what business owners need to think about before they get their business evaluated for sale or partnership. [29:03] Katie outlines how she and Natasha negotiated the terms of their partnership, including ownership percentages, legalities, and the importance of open and honest conversation. [41:46] Katie emphasizes the value of tracking both revenue streams and profit margins. LuAnn Nigara and Katie Ryan Pluer's Ah-Ha Moments  “We're kind of like a Venn diagram. Like, I have my little part, she has a little part. And then we intersect. And the stuff that we intersect—we're just like on the same page. But we're also not afraid to challenge each other.” – Katie Ryan Pluer   “If you're running your business, you should pay yourself.” – Katie Ryan Pluer   “If you are considering a potential partnership with someone, and before you make the purchase, and the final deal, if you can't have open and honest conversation, then…how the heck do you think you're going to have it when you both have skin in the game?” – LuAnn Nigara                                                                                                            “Sometimes there's some ego in ownership and creating your own business. And if you're willing to put that ego aside and bring someone in that can help grow your business—grow it together—it's really worth it…If you find the right person that understands and has as much love for it as you do, I think it'll be a good fit. - Katie Ryan Pluer More About Katie Ryan Pluer Katie Ryan Pluer holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of WI-Madison. Katie is an entrepreneur, and currently is a Partner & Vice President at Natasa Jones Interiors. Her expertise is in business development, marketing, and advertising. Over her 20-year professional career, Katie has used her skills to promote and grow business across several industries including interior design, finance, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. She has bought and successfully sold several businesses including (4) uBreakiFix stores and Sign Gypsies MKE. Katie has had the honor and privilege of serving on the development committee for Nia Imani, the Board of Woman for MACC and as the Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at Lueder Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual. She has a passion for service and a love for Milwaukee. Katie was raised in a culture of caring for those in need, and volunteering as a way to make an impact on the community.   Connect with Katie Ryan Pluer   Website   Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned:    WCAA 2024 Jill Robson Memorial Scholarships Other Shows Mentioned:   AWDB 570: Natasa Jones: How to Maximize the ROI on Any Webinar, Course or Conference      AWDB 646: Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd: Building a Friendship and An Interior Design Partnership      AWDB 672: Flash Back Friday: Tiffannie White, ​The Nappy Bohemian: Your “Only” and Lessons From a New Interior Design Business      AWDB 857: Power Talk Friday: Shannon Lopez: The ERC Program – Do NOT Skip This Episode!      AWDB 876: Natasa Jones: Making Bold Moves to Achieve Big Results      AWDB 919: Window Treatment Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: How to Sell Window Treatments in Your Full Service Interior Design Projects 

977: Katie Ryan Pluer:Strategies for Taking on a Business Partner

                                 Today With Melissa Fields Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we run an entire new segment! It's "On Air Strategy Sessions"! In today's episode, we have Melissa Fields with us. Melissa is the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. So, let's meet her! More About Melissa Fields Shades of Gray Design Studio is a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. It was started in 2018 shortly after Melissa Fields, the Founder and CEO, retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. A retired Air Force officer turned interior designer, took her side hustle and deep passion for all things beautiful and developed it into a business. Melissa wanted to create amazing spaces for people who were going to stay in their homes long term and enjoy the investment they put into their space. She shifted her focus towards designing residential spaces. Although not formally trained, she is a passionate creative who not only has an eye for design but firmly believes and understands that the details matter. Melissa also knows the power of beautiful and intentional design to truly transform people on a mind, body, and soul level. Because Melissa is so obsessed with the details and a high level of quality, she wanted to have a solid foundation and obtained a certification in residential interior design through the New York Institute of Art and Design. Shades of Gray Design Studio believes in creating not just beautiful, functional spaces but telling the story about the humans that reside there. We are all unique and that’s what makes us so special. Our homes should reflect that. Melissa loves using color, texture, and boldness in her designs. She strives to incorporate a modern, contemporary feel while blending luxury and comfort...making it truly one-of-a-kind. It’s all about elevating the living space and empowering her clients with the knowledge that they are worthy of being surrounded by beauty.   Connect with Melissa Fields   Website   Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned:  What Would LuAnn Do? Other Shows Mentioned:       AWDB 915: Power Talk Friday: Masha Koyen: 7 Mistakes Interior Designers Make on Their Website Messaging       AWDB 859: Power Talk Friday: Robyn White: Using Your Website to Market to the Luxury Interior Design Client       AWDB 574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy       WTFP 167: Nicole Heymer: How to Find and Highlight Why Someone Should Buy From You      AWDB 125: Nicole Heymer- How To Brand Your Business. Yes, again! Do not miss this one!!!       AWDB 317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen       AWDB 466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?                                 

976: On Air Strategy Sessions: Is a Disconnect Causing Your Ideal Clients to Walk Away?

                               Today With Jennifer Davis Today on A Well-Designed Business I’m with Jennifer Davis, the founder of Davis Interiors, a boutique design firm based in Minneapolis. Jennifer's story is proof that intention, manifestation, and a positive mindset can lead to the life and business of our dreams. In this episode, we discuss Jennifer’s strategies and beliefs that have helped her create a joyful client experience and a successful career. From setting intentions and aligning your actions with your goals to overcoming impostor syndrome and cultivating an abundance mindset, Jennifer offers practical tips and powerful insights. Pick It Apart: [1:21] Jennifer introduces her business philosophy that the process should be just as joyful as the finished product, detailing aspects of her process that reflect this. [6:42] LuAnn and Jennifer discuss technology platforms and automations they use to help their systems and processes run smoothly. [14:45] Jennifer talks about the power of intention and how it works for her. [17:46] LuAnn shares a story about manifesting her dream home. [29:00] Jennifer brings up imposter syndrome and the role it plays in the interior design industry and how meditation can be a helpful tool to overcome this. [44:48] Jennifer and LuAnn discuss the power of taking five minutes to slow down and clear your mind. LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Davis's Ah-Ha Moments “I want the journey that you go through to get from start to finish to be as joyful as the joy you feel at the end of the project when you're in your new space.” - Jennifer Davis “I think you just have to really believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you and find good mentors and a good design community to be a part of. And then when you set the intentions, you can truly believe that you're worthy of all these things happening.” - Jennifer Davis “How we carry ourselves through our business relates, and comes back to us, in our personal life.” - LuAnn Nigara More About Jennifer Davis Jennifer started her career journey in the furniture industry, where she got a taste for sales. Transitioning to an interior design studio, she started as a design assistant and swiftly advanced to a managerial position, showcasing her leadership abilities. Jennifer successfully navigated distribution management and marketing roles for a well-known national furniture retailer based in Minneapolis before leaving to raise her children.  While at home with her children, it wasn't long before friends began soliciting her assistance with their own homes. Balancing her roles as a mother and entrepreneur, she cultivated her client base from a part-time endeavor which quickly grew into a full fledged interior design studio. Jennifer is a firm believer in the law of attraction, maintaining that our attitudes significantly influence the outcomes we experience in life.  Jennifer operates a boutique interior design firm headquartered in Minneapolis, catering to clients nationwide. Her approach to each project revolves around fostering a client experience founded on clear communication, refined processes, swift timelines, and meaningful relationships. Davis Interiors lives by the motto “We want the process to create as much joy as the finished product”.   Connect with Jennifer Davis   Website   Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned:  Roxie Nafousi book - Manifest     Rebecca Hay’s episode with LuAnn     Inspired Kitchens and Baths Other Shows Mentioned:   AWDB #801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation      AWDB #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business      AWDB #895: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Millionaire Mindset for Interior Designers      AWDB #935: Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders Academy: Marketing Lessons From Taylor Swift’s Playbook      AWDB 974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business      AWDB 972: Power Talk Friday: Lesley Myrick: Profit Insiders: How Interior Designers Can Leverage Local Marketing                               

975: Joyful Abundance: Thriving in Business with a Positive Mindset

                             Today With Katie McDonald Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m excited to welcome back Katie McDonald, certified holistic health coach and instructor at b.nourished.  As entrepreneurs, we do have a tendency to put ourselves on the backburner, focusing our time and attention on the needs of the business. But if we’re not creating something sustainable—if we’re heading toward burnout, are we really creating well-designed businesses?  It can feel as if we need to justify rest, justify taking time for ourselves, Katie’s take is that we need to view taking care of ourselves in a whole new light—and today she and I are diving deep into the philosophical questions of creativity, well-being, and the way we are intertwined with the business. Pick It Apart: [0:02] Katie discusses how our well-being is interwoven into the business—and why taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury. [5:47] LuAnn and Katie unpack the guilt entrepreneurs often feel for taking free time to rest and reset. [12:13] Katie talks about how creativity requires rest, stillness, and space. [17:23] LuAnn and Katie talk about what rest might look like for different people (and why that’s okay). [29:10] Katie offers practical places to start when committing to self-care. [38:58] Katie and LuAnn reflect on the business benefits of taking care of ourselves. LuAnn Nigara and Katie McDonald's Ah-Ha Moments “The only thing that will create change is our commitment to change—our willingness to look ourselves in the eyes, look at our hear, and say, ‘Something doesn’t feel right.’” -Katie “We’re always thinking about the future or the next big thing for our business. But in our personal lives, we’re willing to accept mediocrity.” -Katie “Our well-being is our fuel—the engine for our business.” -LuAnn More About Katie McDonald Over a decade ago, the demands of Katie McDonald’s corporate career occupied her every waking moment. She was left feeling depleted and depressed—suffering from spiraling mental and physical health crises that threatened her life.  Left with no choice but to transform her body-mind relationship, Katie abandoned her corporate job and finally started applying her knowledge of self-care, alternative health, and plant-based nutrition.  Since then, Katie has been on a revitalizing journey of lifelong self-care.  Fully recovered from years of self-neglect, Katie now helps fellow doers embrace self-care so they can do more and be more while leading healthier, more intentional, and more nourished lives.  Katie leads with tough love to inspire, empower, and challenge audiences. She dispels the destructive myth that self-care is an obstacle to productivity and teaches that self-care is, in fact, a tool to create a more powerful and impactful legacy.   Connect with Katie McDonald   Speaking Site   Coaching Site and Link to Schedule a Complimentary 30 Minute Self-Care Strategy Session   Link to Bnourished Planner  15% discount code for planners LUANN   Here are the offers for the podcasts listeners   1.  A 15% discount off the bnourished quarterly planner using code LUANN   2. Access to my curated resource guide  here   3. Whole life assessment (will be a goodie) What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned:   #881 Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business      #968 Overheard: Charles Pavarini, Leyden Lewis, and Maria Viola: How to Harness Creativity in Interior Design                             

960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse

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