Damn Good Interior Designer

If you have known me for a while you may have heard my "Top 12 Truths for Being a Shopkeep" and one of my faves that I stand by is "Retail is not for sissies!" And I know that our special guest, Christina Van Blake of Home Design Dover feels the exact same way.

Christina, or as some call her Christi, is the own and prominent designer serving the Maine and NH Seacoast area for over 22 years. Her specialties in color, pattern and texture come from 3 generations of designing women which you will learn from listening. Christina truly enjoys her work, her clients and design of all kinds and her enthusiasm for the art of this business ensures each client fully understands the options and choices, why they work, and how they reflect their personal taste with the end result being a carefully curated space that feels uniquely personal and beautifully functional.

Join us as we discuss the ups and downs, with a good sense of humor, of owning a retail showroom and how to mix and integrate with a full service design firm. There are so many moving parts that are dealt with on a daily basis of owning a retail showroom and you must hone your knowledge on selling and understanding the vendors that you choose to get into bed with (so to speak, see what I did there)!

This will not be the only time Christina joins us on the podcast--retail is one large beast and we want you to join us in the journey!

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Listen up folks--we all have a love-hate relationship with social media right?

Yes we do! It is a changing animal, and if you don't keep up with it you may be missing out on amazing leads because you are not staying relevant in our industry. Liz is off handling projects and Cheryl seized the opportunity to speak with a pro podcaster and social media guru, Darla Powell of Wingnut Social. Darla was a police officer, turned interior designer, to now founder and director of her social media agency. Being well-versed in the design industry, Darla saw a need for a social media agency focused on marketing strategies and practices specifically for interior designers and architects.

If social media is not your strong suit--do not be afraid to hire outside help so you can focus on your strengths within your firm. And like you encourage your clients to TRUST THE PROCESS, you must be doing the same in your marketing efforts. Listen to Cheryl and Darla discuss the importance of strategy, challenges you will face, and how to utilize AI without losing your authenticity!

You don't want to miss this episode!

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

What should you do when a client starts sending you items to evaluate? In this episode we discuss handling changes that the client initiates in design projects and the importance of respectfully evaluating items that the client provides to ensure they fit the design plan and overall project goals.

We recently had a similar client experience (yes, we are in the trenches with you!) and share how we approached this client who wanted to save money by selecting a less expensive item for their project. Communication is key and we must, as professionals, assess these items, even if they are outside the initial scope, to avoid potential issues and ensure client satisfaction. The foundation to having a successful client relationship is established by a clear scope of work and being transparent with clients about the process and associated costs.

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

What is the #1 marketing asset of your business?

Your website! It is a living breathing entity of our firm. Join us with our special guest Victoria Marcouillier, owner of Brandwell and host of the Branding Business School podcast, as we discuss the importance of branding, the value of marketing throughout the client relationship lifecycle why your the website's role is a crucial marketing asset. Learn how there are strategic aspects of design that are not merely about aesthetics but also about influencing client perceptions and behaviors. Your branding should combine creativity with strategy, aiming to boost your confidence and help you stand out in your industry.

Not only is your website your biggest marketing asset but it also is important to manage the leads you generate from your website. Cheryl and Liz share their experience in managing leads effectively, highlighting that immediate follow-up is crucial for converting leads into clients and why it is important to deliver quick wins to keep clients motivated and prevent buyer's remorse. Stay tuned for our Damn Good Truth!

Read more about Victoria below!

Victoria Marcouillier is the owner of BrandWell Designs, a premier Squarespace website design and branding agency. She and her team specialize in helping service-based female entrepreneurs establish a confident online presence through strategic branding and website design. As an entrepreneur and mother of two young children, Victoria understands the challenges of balancing work and family life.

Victoria is passionate about helping women build successful brands that command higher prices, liberate them from the constant trade of time for money, and enable them to promote their businesses confidently. With expertise in brand strategy and design, Victoria and her all-female team are dedicated to inspiring and supporting women to become leaders in their industry.

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Are your clients receiving and perceiving what you say to them properly? What you say, how you say it, and why you say it is vital to communicate the value and professionalism your firm offers through strategic and consistent positioning. This means understanding and committing to your target audience, being aware of how you position your firm, and not trying to appeal to everyone. Why?

Positioning is crucial for attracting and retaining clients who truly appreciate your work--the key to successful client relationships! Learn how Cheryl uses strategic positioning in her every aspect of her business and how you can start doing this also!

Click here to listen to our EXCLUSIVE podcast.

3 ways to join us on this journey. No need to wait. There is a price point for everyone! 

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

It is never too late to start over. This week we have a wonderful special guest from New York! I have known and coached Diane Bianchini of Dream Interiors NY for a number of year and she is here to talk with us this week about her path to becoming a designer with a background in Aeronautical engineering--talk about weathering the seasons of change (see what I did there?!) We discuss the importance of resilience and adaptability throughout her careers and how her varied experiences have enriched her approach to design.

My team and I have loved our continued relationship with Diane and she shares her initial apprehension about adopting a flat-fee structure for her services but discovered it was a win win for both her and her clients by allowing for better planning and profitability, demonstrating that taking calculated risks can lead to positive outcomes.

It is ALWAYS important to never stop learning, embrace change, and stay bold. These are the keys to sustained success in the design industry.

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Cheryl is going solo this week while Liz takes a well-deserved little vacation. This week in our private podcast we discuss managing client expectations and making sure you are not keeping them in the dark--you need them to trust the process! There is a level of professionalism that comes with the importance of managing clients' expectations during their project. Setting clear expectations with clients from the beginning, communicating clearly, defining project timelines, and always guiding the client through the process will manage the client's needs and manage the potential risks in the project. By creating a plan and forecasting future steps in advance this also helps to avoid surprises and disappointments and a crucial aspect of running a successful interior design firm.

Click here to listen to our EXCLUSIVE podcast.

3 ways to join us on this journey. No need to wait. There is a price point for everyone! 

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Are you hiring too late? What I have found is that most designers do not hire soon enough! Hiring a team challenges and helps elevate your business to a level where sustainable growth and scalability are achievable. When we look to hire we are looking to cater to some bonus projects and also the way that our current team is developing in terms upward mobility for other team members. This is where we need the extra support to help push that along. Learn our top tips in determining when to know it is the right time to hire for YOUR business and WHY the right time may be now!

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Are you facing new challenges or going through a season of change? We are--yes we are in the trenches with you, really! Weathering the seasons of change is unpredictable and it is in these moments where we find out how resilient and adaptable we are. If you are not not prepared, then one of these events such as maternity leave, death in the family or a career change can disrupt your business to a point you cannot recover.

How are you going to be prepared and how can you tackle this when these seasons fall into your lap? Listen for our five tips that we are doing and how, if prepared, it can propel many small business owners to greater growth upon emerging.

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.

Prioritizing, managing the alligators closest to the boat, and effective communication are critical to managing your business and your team (if you have one!). When you are redesigning a home for a remodel and NOT starting from scratch--we can't simply start over completely but must work within constraints, similar to how we must manage our time. Understanding the value of our time can lead to better decision-making and business efficiency. We all have the same 24 hours in a day--we must be utilizing them in a way that benefits us AND our clients!

Click here to listen to our EXCLUSIVE podcast.

3 ways to join us on this journey. No need to wait. There is a price point for everyone! 

The Design Paradigm is a 12 month comprehensive and powerful business coaching program for creative entrepreneurs who are serious about running a profitable business and being the expert in the room.  It is the only coaching program to combine individual attention & accountability with live group workshops, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Damn Good Designer - Website

Business coaching for interior designers with honest, real-deal guidance from Cheryl.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, please join the free Facebook group Small Business Think Big --for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.