Today With Natasa Jones: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I’m joined by my good friend, Natasa Jones. She is the CEO and Principal Designer of Natasa Jones Interiors. European architecture and fashion are rooted in her design style. Today she’s back on the show to tell us how she has been scaling her business the last few years. LuAnn Nigara and Natasa Jones' Ah-Ha Moments “I’m never afraid to ask, what’s the worst thing that can happen?” - Natasa Jones “There is no such thing as competition in this industry” - Natasa Jones “If I wanted that luxury client, I wanted to be able to provide them with a luxury experience” - Natasa Jones More About Natasa Jones Natasa Jones, CEO and Principal Designer of NJI was born and raised in Europe. Natasa’s intuitive sense of style started at a young age. European architecture and fashion are rooted in her design style. She studied studio arts in her home country of Montenegro where she learned principles of art and design. Natasa continued her design journey in Chicago, where she obtained a degree in Interior Design.  Home has a special meaning to Natasa. As she moved from Bosnia to Montenegro to the United States, home became more than the place where you live. Natasa believes that home is a space where you feel safe, where all the visual appeal tells a story and where you love to be! Connect with Natasa Jones Website Instagram  Natasa’s video What’s new with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn Live 2023 luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors: Nancy Ganzekaufer Traci Connell Duke Renders 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 Pre-Order 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:  #570: Natasa Jones: How to Maximize the ROI on Any Webinar, Course or Conference  #363: Power Talk Friday: Eileen Hahn: Building An Exceptional Interior Design Team  #634: Power Talk Friday: Jessica Harling: A Specific Process for Onboarding a New Hire  #310: Pulp Design Studios® : How To Attract a Licensing Deal   #89: Marie Flanigan – How Marketing Strategies Helped Her Grow Her Firm  #329: Dala Al-Fuwaires: Commercial Designer, Focused Business Owner  Other Resources Mentioned: Casey Gromer - C Suite Boutique Brodie Kerst

876: Natasa Jones: Making Bold Moves to Achieve Big Results

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 Katie Krimitsos:  Today with Katie Krimitsos, we explore the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness, especially for entrepreneurs. As the founder of the Women's Meditation Network, Katie shares her personal journey of using meditation to navigate the challenges of life, motherhood and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Katie dives deep into the practical tools and strategies she uses to stay grounded and focused, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. From the importance of creating space for self-reflection to the power of listening to your intuition, Katie offers insights for creating a well-designed life and a thriving business that truly align with your purpose.  Pick It Apart  [00:55] LuAnn shares the story of how she first met Katie at a podcasting conference in 2016 and how their friendship has evolved. [05:33] Katie explains how her meditation podcasts provide tools for women to get to know themselves, listen to their intuition, and make decisions to build a well-designed life and business. [12:20] Katie reads the beginning of a raw, relatable meditation she wrote about losing her temper with her child, illustrating how she creates meditations to help women process real-life experiences and emotions. [20:58] LuAnn and Katie discuss the importance of asking for help and support when you need it, and being willing to receive it, as Katie shares an example from her own life. [25:53] Katie and LuAnn explore the idea of using meditation as a tool for self-discovery and making space to hear your inner voice, not just for relaxation or sleep. [34:44] Katie emphasizes that our seasons change and our needs change, especially as entrepreneurs, encouraging finding what works for you in each moment.  LuAnn Nigara and Katie Krimitsos's Ah-Ha Moments  “[Meditation] is is a tool for self awareness that allows us to not be held down by the guilt or the shame of what it was and the humaneness that we're experiencing in moments, and allows us instead to open a space to this deep spiritual person that we are, and it allows that intuition to speak to us. And then we can then move forward based on what that intuition tells us, because she's always right.” - Katie Krimitsos “Taking time for…meditation exploration — that's giving the place in my mind for all of the thoughts that come during all of those activities to show up…the really important things that my goddess voice wants me to know will bubble up in that complete quiet and rest.” - LuAnn Nigara “In that recognition that you are the observer of the thoughts and not the thoughts themselves, there's an enormous amount of space that gets created there — this sort of separation…So it just allows space for that voice to start coming through and start having you pay attention to it or having you having it guide you to whatever needs to be done.” - Katie Krimitsos  More About Katie Krimitsos  The new beginning of the Women’s Meditation Network began when Katie was going through a painful ending. She had just discovered she was pregnant with her second daughter and all of a sudden, she knew the podcast and business she had been running was no longer for her. Confused and uncertain, she slowed down and got quiet. Within that quiet, the Women’s Meditation Network – and her daughter -was born in 2018.  Never perfect and always real, Katie has been using meditation as a tool to come within so she can create an intentional life. She’s a mom of two incredible daughters, wife to a soulful husband, and loves animals so much, she won’t kill a bug. Most of her wisdom has come from the depths of pain, and her writing seeks to connect us all in this human experience.  Connect with Katie Krimitsos  Website Instagram  Facebook   Podcast  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:  #253: Katie Krimitsos – Discussing the Common Struggles of Entrepreneurship  #533: Power Talk Friday: Katie Krimitsos: Listening to Ourselves  #881: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: Self-Care is Key to a Thriving, Well-Designed Business  #974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business Other Resources Mentioned:  Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd Join my Email List! Click here and scroll to the bottom to fill out your request!

984: Power Talk Friday with Katie Krimitsos: A Well-Designed Life = A Well-Designed Business

Today With Kathy Kuo:  Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Have you taken the time to identify your core values? To actively write them down and define what they mean to you? And if so, have you taken it a step further and pulled those values into your interactions, your hiring, your firing, and your feedback? Core values might be easy to push to the side. But if done right, they reduce conflict, make decision-making easier, and provide important clarity for your business.  Today, I’m joined by Kathy Kuo to unpack core values and discuss how to embody them in your business and your processes.  Pick It Apart  [4:52] LuAnn and Kathy discuss the importance of values not just to you but to your clients, your employees, and the culture of your business. [12:52] LuAnn reflects on what happens when you don’t establish company values. [19:06] Kathy and LuAnn talk about how to decide which values are important enough to make the core values list. [38:36] Kathy shares the process she uses to make tough employment decisions. [47:28] Kathy discusses her design trade program and what it offers for designers.  LuAnn Nigara and Kathy Kuo's Ah-Ha Moments  “The real question is, are you hiring and firing based on these values, and how does that actually translate to your customers, because your clients actually buy your core values.” -Kathy “When we sat down to write out the values, I had a list of 10, which I knew was too many. And the integrator said, these are all important to your business. But this was the money line. He then asked me, what are the things you would hire and fire on? And that was the lightning bolt of clarity for me.” -LuAnn  More About Kathy Kuo  Kathy Kuo is the CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, a recognized tv personality, and a celebrated interior designer. Published in the press as an international guru within the home and lifestyle space, Kathy has an unmatched eye for curating, sourcing and designing luxury furniture and homewares. Today, she continues to develop the fastest growing online platform in the home and design industry. Kathy has 20+ years of experience in the home industry and now serves as a speaker and activist for female entrepreneurs. It is her mission to support women to intentionally grow and scale value-focused teams.  Connect with Kathy Kuo  Website Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest  X  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:  #190: Kathy Kuo – How Kathy Kuo Home, the Online Boutique, Can Assist Your Interior Design Firm Other Resources Mentioned:  Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd Join my Email List! Click here and scroll to the bottom to fill out your request!

983: Kathy Kuo: The Power Behind Establishing Core Values in Your Interior Design Business

Today With Rachael Bozsik Johanson:  Hi, welcome to a Well Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday.  We all know by now that we should niche, but the struggle lies in the how. What IS my only? What IS my superpower? How do I figure it out?  And that’s where my guest today, Rachael Bozsik Johanson, really shines. Her superpower is finding the superpower of others and teaching them how to use it to elevate their business, their services, their marketing, and their sales process.  Today, Rachael is here to share how to discover that superpower of yours, and more specifically how to take it and use it to land the right clients, market yourself strategically, and transition to the true luxury market.  Pick It Apart  [1:50]: Rachael and LuAnn talk about the “5% tweak” that changes the game for branding, messaging, and positioning. [13:46]: Rachael unpacks how to transition from the “general practitioner” to valued specialist. [18:45]: Rachael and LuAnn discuss how to tap into your past experiences to discover the special something you’re sitting on. [24:43] Rachael highlights how to use your superpower to craft your messaging, services, and processes. [46:55] Rachael and LuAnn talk about the power of standing out (and how to do it right). [57:06] Rachael shares how to use your superpower to attract clients, including leveraging partnerships.   LuAnn Nigara and Rachael Bozsik Johanson's Ah-Ha Moments  “A lot of the women I work with aren’t clear on their story. And how can you expect your clients to get clear on your story if you aren’t clear on it yourself?” -Rachael “The level of detail and research that you do, and the level of what’s included in the ultimate deliverable when you work with you is incomprehensible actually.” -LuAnn  More About Rachael Bozsik Johanson  Rachael Bozsik Johanson is an international keynote speaker and Thought Leadership Coach for female entrepreneurs within the creative field. It is Rachael’s mission to empower entrepreneurial women to position themselves as world-class thought leaders and public figures in their niche via the press, paid speaking, and partnerships. Think – a feature in Arch Digest, mic at High Point Market, and Partnership with Loloi. Rachael’s clients include award-winning interior designers, HGTV personalities, and internationally recognized creatives. Rachael has been applauded for her work in numerous international publications as a top-tier expert in elite brand positioning in 40 national outlets including Forbes, Glamour, Business Insider etc.. Through her work as a professional speaker, she has empowered close to 100,000+ women on stages including Harvard Business School, Design Influencers Conference, (ASID) American Society of Interior Designers NYC, IIDA, Cornell, Bermuda’s SBA, SPANX HQ just to name a few. She has also had the opportunity to partner with incredible brands including Oprah’s Leadership Academy, Loreal, Sephora, Kendra Scott etc.  Connect with Rachael Bozsik Johanson  Website Instagram  Testimonials  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:  #830 Anne Gillyard: Capitalizing on Your “You” to Grow Your Interior Design Business  #759 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing  #651 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Boszik: Gaining Credibility in Interior Design  #976: On Air Strategy Sessions: Is a Disconnect Causing Your Ideal Clients to Walk Away? Other Resources Mentioned:  Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd

982: Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Leveraging Your Superpower to Attract Dream Interior Design Clients

Today With Jennifer Chukwujekwe:  Today with Jennifer Chukwujekwe, we’re heading to Nigeria (virtually) to learn about the incredible work she is doing to transform the interior design industry in her home country. As the President of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria and the founder, CEO, and creative director of Jenniez Designs, Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills as she navigates the unique challenges faced by designers in Africa. From building a furniture factory to address sourcing issues to starting a school to educate aspiring designers, Jennifer's resourcefulness knows no bounds. She also offers valuable insights into the cultural nuances of Nigeria's 250 ethnic groups and how she adapts her design solutions to cater to these diverse needs. Throughout the episode, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and networking within the design community, both locally and internationally. Her call to action is a powerful reminder that by working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we can all take our businesses to new heights.  Pick It Apart  [13:05] Jennifer discusses the challenges of interior design in Nigeria, and what she is doing to help solve these problems. [23:48] LuAnn asks Jennifer about her business model and what kind of projects she normally takes on. [27:49] Jennifer and LuAnn discuss the interior design school Jennifer started, Jenniez Designs, what it offers, and why it is so exciting to have this in Nigeria. [35:59] Jennifer shocks LuAnn with more entrepreneurial ventures she has developed as solutions for students at her school. [41:22] Jennifer explains how her design business coaching program works, and discusses common challenges with LuAnn. [50:15] LuAnn and Jennifer discuss the diversity in Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups each with their own language and cultures, and how that impacts design. [1:05:55] Jennifer shares a common custom in Nigeria and expands on why it is important to be respectful of your clients and their culture.  LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Chukwujekwe's Ah-Ha Moments  “I’m on a mission. I just like to solve problems. And I tell people, I only solve problems within the industry. Once it's outside the industry, I'm not interested…I'm just passionate about the industry. I'm passionate about interior design, and passionate about transforming lives and businesses to interior design.” - Jennifer Chukwujekwe “I don't think [anyone] expects each of you to be perfect…But it's taking the time to understand your client. That's what the onus is on the design industry — is to not just to make assumptions that this person has the same values and the same beliefs that you do about the items and the colors and the selections.” - LuAnn Nigara  More About Jennifer Chukwujekwe  Jennifer  Chukwujekwe is a Wife, Mother, Experienced Interior designer, Author and Coach. The first interior design business coach in Nigeria. She teaches interior designers how to build, grow and scale their business, so they can make profit, become successful and live a fulfilling life through Design. She is a three-time graduate of Commercial Interior Design, Business and Branding and Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute UK. She has a first degree in Geology and Masters in Applied Computing and IT from the University of Bedfordshire UK. A Graduate of Entrepreneurial Essentials from Harvard Business School Cohort November 2021. Prior to coaching, she launched her interior design company- Jenniez Designs.  Connect with Jennifer Chukwujekwe  School website Design website Instagram 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 Shows Mentioned:  AWDB #908: Jessica Bantom: How to Be a Culturally Competent Design Activist & Why You Want to Be One (Part 1) AWDB #912: Jessica Bantom Continued: Take Action With the Six Habits of Culturally Competent Designers Other Resources Mentioned: Jessica Bantom’s book: Design For Identity — Jessica Bantom - Leadership Coach & Consultant

981: Jennifer Chukwujekwe: Global Collaboration with Nigerian Designer and Entrepreneur

 Today With Shelli Warren Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Shelli Warren, distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor, and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Do you believe the misconception that success is only attached to working for a corporation? If so, you may have little faith in hiring the right team, because as you will hear from Shelli, you have much to offer the right person in the form of a career. Pick It Apart: [6:07] Shelli shares her philosophy that her clients should understand that they have value and can provide valuable careers for employees. [12:28] Before you even post a position, get clear on their job responsibilities. [16:01] When and how to build a leadership team. [20:08] How to guide someone towards making desirable decisions and being accountable. [27:54] Realizing that you may have to fire people because the pace of your business has changed and you need to bring in new hires. [48:25] When a business owner is ready to sell their business, many times it is an employee who buys it. LuAnn Nigara and Shelli Warren's Ah-Ha Moments “You can have a worthwhile career, and also offer people worthwhile careers.” - Shelli Warren “People will stay working for you when they feel connected to you or their immediate supervisor.” - Shelli Warren “The team that got you here may not be the same team to get you there.” - Shelli Warren More About Shelli Warren Shelli Warren is a distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Her expertise lies in helping small business owners develop and nurture a leadership team that can take over the daily operations of the business, enabling the owners to focus on higher-level growth decisions. Drawing from her impressive background, which includes successfully managing multi-million dollar projects for Fortune 50 corporations and iconic billion-dollar brands, Shelli has spent nearly a decade coaching business owners. Now in its fifth year, The Stacking Your Team podcast stands as a top-rated show with over 500,000 downloads. It serves as a source of inspiration and education for women leaders, guiding them on how to build capable leadership teams that can effectively provide the daily direction needed to exceed their company's clients' expectations.   Connect with Shelli Warren Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube 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: Intro Call with Duke Renders Shelli’s Stacking Your Team website Shelli’s Stacking Your Team podcast Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #55  Rachel Moriarty – Message to Solopreneurs- Act As If the World is Watching AWDB #214  Rachel Moriarty: How FaceBook Live Can Be A Game Changer For Your Interior Design Business AWDB #707  Rachel Moriarty: Authenticity and Visibility in Your Interior Design Business AWDB #906 Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee. 

876: Natasa Jones: Making Bold Moves to Achieve Big Results

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