Why are selling products a win? Cheryl and Liz delve into the balance between selling design services and products and unveil key strategies for successful navigation of the procurement process. Selling product is not for the faint of heart - you will face challenges in managing inventory, shipping and managing vendor relationships but is worth it in the long run.

And here is the biggest win of all---Creating a dynamic where "the price is the price". We rarely have issues with pricing. In fact we never have issues with pricing-- because we create the win for the client too. This is the biggest secret of a business like yours and ours---making the process a win for all involved. How? Listen to this episode and get a kick start!

The Damn Good Designer Magazine is out!

Click here to read it!

Take a peek at the latest issue of the Damn Good Designer Magazine! Click below to get access. The latest design competitions - what you should be doing in 2024, answers to burning questions and more.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

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

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

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.

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Interior Design Business Coach since 2017

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

Today, Cheryl and Liz focus on the difference between the calls to "charge what your worth" vs charging your value. Are you choosing to engage with a client simply because they are willing to pay your hourly rate, or is it because their project will bring real currency in terms of value to your firm? Have you set an hourly rate arbitrarily with no concrete reason? Cheryl underscores the significance of the “education of experience” in accepting a job that might not be your typical project. Still, it allows you to solve problems and build value for your business.  Don’t miss Cheryl’s damn good truth at the end of this podcast.

RESOURCE LINKS:

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

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

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, Small Business Think Big is a free Facebook group for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing, promotion, and the realities of owning a business that sells products along with services. No cry babies!

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Interior Design Business Coach since 2017

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

An accomplished designer in her own right with an amazing sense of color and pattern, Liz can wear the designer hat in the morning and the project manager hat at noon and return to the office as the ultimate manager of all things.

Summary

Do your clients have a fear of creativity? In this episode, Cheryl and Liz dive into the art of building strong client relationships by addressing and alleviating the client's fears during the design process. The episode demonstrates the importance of understanding clients' psychology and the need to create unique, growth-inducing experiences while considering the importance of empathy and highlighting the challenges of balancing innovation with budget constraints and timelines. Cheryl and Liz provide valuable strategies and examples to enable business owners to navigate client concerns, foster trust, and deliver outstanding design outcomes.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Thompson Traders

Want to view their gorgeous line? We love this line and is a part of our trade program!

Damn Good Designer - Website

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Led by interior Design Business coach, Cheryl Clendenon, Small Business Think Big is a free Facebook group for designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing, promotion, and the realities of owning a business that sells products along with services. No cry babies!

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Interior Design Business Coach since 2017

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

The word “transparency” has been hijacked. Cheryl and Liz discuss the cake story and how it relates to business by stressing the importance of clear communication, pricing, and setting expectations with clients. They emphasize building trust from the start and having a structured business plan to succeed in the design industry. Designers should be asking themselves "How can I improve transparency and communication in my business to build trust and better serve my clients?" Cheryl provides invaluable insights into solving this problem and achieving success in the design industry.

The Damn Good Designer magazine is out! Click here to read it!
RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

The Business of Kitchen & Bath

PRESALE ENDS OCTOBER 31ST!!

Want to recession proof your business? Become the expert in the room. Let Cheryl and Liz help YOU do it.

Cheryl's excitement for kitchens and baths is contagious! Gain extended knowledge in kitchens, baths, remodels, and new construction and how to anticipate the needs of clients and contractors.

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs. The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

Cheryl does not hold back today on how she feels about being “overwhelmed.” In their conversation, Cheryl and Liz discuss the influence of negativity within our language on one's mindset, self-assurance, teamwork, and client relationships.

As you reflect on their discussion, remember two key points:

Resilience is king

&

Confidence is the currency of success.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

The Business of Kitchen & Bath

Want to recession proof your business? Become the expert in the room. Let Cheryl and Liz help YOU do it.

Cheryl's excitement for kitchens and baths is contagious! Gain extended knowledge in kitchens, baths, remodels, and new construction and how to anticipate the needs of clients and contractors.

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs. The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

If your goal is to become a full-service design firm, it's important to embrace innovative design and challenge your clients to do the same.  You must push yourself beyond your comfort zone to persuade clients to explore unfamiliar territory. You're not merely a personal shopper but a designer who brings ideas to life, overseeing a project from inception to completion. Stick around until the end for Cheryl's Damn Good Truth to find out where success lies!

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs. The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Sponsored By : The Design Paradigm Coaching ProgramDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

Designer, Strategist, Retailer and lover of small businesses everywhere!

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

Interior Design Business Coach since 2017

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer, 

Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

An accomplished designer in her own right with an amazing sense of color and pattern, Liz can wear the designer hat in the morning and the project manager hat at noon and return to the office as the ultimate manager of all things.

"Are you ready for this?? I think you are! My contention is designers do not hire soon enough. They are driving the boat trying to navigating the rough currents alone.  Don't let this be you--Look for an integrator to climb into the boat with you. ( And if you are an integrator and need the visionary to get you onto a bigger boat--well that can happen too! )

 If so, consider bringing an Integrator on board! Cheryl and Liz delve into an Integrator's pivotal role in this episode. Cheryl characterizes an Integrator as a collaborative partner, working alongside her “in the boat.”  Cheryl also assists listeners in recognizing whether they might benefit from having an Integrator by posing questions such as: Are you grappling with wearing all the hats?  Do you feel like your business is running you instead of vice versa?

 Are you encountering challenges in achieving the growth you envisioned? If your response to these questions is affirmative, the missing piece may be an integrator. Stay to the end for Cheryl’s Damn Good Truth as is the most important lesson she has learned in 23 years! 

RESOURCE LINKS:

Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters

Damn Good Designer - Website

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

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, 12 written 300+ page workbooks, honest video presentations and customized attention to your needs.

Small Business - Think Big - Facebook

Sponsored by: The Design ParadigmDisruptive Revinention. Are you ready?

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

If you are dissatisfied with your current client base or having issues with clients not trusting the process, consider reframing your marketing efforts. In this episode, Cheryl and Liz discuss the importance of how you market your firm in the ways that you probably do not often think about..  When you undervalue your creative skills by “discounting” your services into generic “packages” or “blocks” you inadvertently convey that you're just another commodity. . If you're eager to attract clients who truly value your talent and aren't fixated on , discounts or lowest cost, join us for today's discussion. Stay to the end for Cheryl’s Damn Good Truth.

Sponsored By : The Design Paradigm

Disruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

Building your business one layer at a time. The Real deal in running a successful business with a proven model. A comprehensive and Powerful Business Model for https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

The Interior Design Paradigm - Website

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

200 or so years ago, a child came roaring into the world feet first, ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“Why?”- from the minute she landed the wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap.

To this day, she does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping, which is where you will find her only between 2 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural-born contrarian who talks faster than 2x speed on a podcast.

She gravitates towards wanting to help clients and designers who are the square pegs in a world of round holes; she loses earrings impossibly frequently, falls off of platform shoes and is unapologetically saucy. Relaxing is not in the skill set. Life begins and ends with family.

Her sacred words are Why, Percipient, Whizbang and Profit. But please do not say the words Package, Blocks, Red Flag, Overwhelm or Picked. Hives break out, and it gets ugly. 

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer,  Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

People ask, when did you KNOW you had found your ideal work wife- Cheryl will reply,” When she drew me eight different cacti on her 3rd day because I said -find me a damn cactus.”

The woman who has never been through an airport without being extended an invitation to stop and play show and tell with the contents of her backpack can single-handedly plow snow with a rake and rescue her boss in a snowstorm in Arizona.–Yes, I said Arizona–after sleeping all night in a tuna can of a rental car.

They don’t make ’em like this anymore, folks. (By the way, she is completely tethered up with air tags, so do not even think about it.) The dedication is real, and she extends this to her clients in too many ways to mention.

Her sacred words are: “Are you kidding me, Cheryl?”, “Mamma Mia” and “I can’t believe it’s Friday.”

An accomplished designer in her own right with an amazing sense of color and pattern, Liz can wear the designer hat in the morning and the project manager hat at noon and return to the office as the ultimate manager of all things. Clients love her, Subs respect her, and the team adores the woman who gets “it” done-whatever “it” may be.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Damn Good Designer, where Cheryl and Liz of In Detail Interiors will share invaluable insights on building your successful design business with no topic off the table. Today they focus on a successful initial consultation. It might surprise you what Cheryl refuses to do or discuss when meeting the client for the first time. So, "Get ready to challenge the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary!” Stay tuned to the end to hear this episode's Damn Good Truth!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Cheryl’s goals in her first consultation are to make the client feel comfortable and excited about the project and to infuse  “expert in the room” confidence
• Key element to all initial consultations is the success of the discovery call
• Why this is one of Cheryl’s favorite aspects of a new project and making it yours too
• How repetition is key to making sure there is no mistake with the client’s understanding of the consultation process and how we work 

Sponsored By : The Design ParadigmDisruptive Reinvention. Are you ready?

https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com

RESOURCE LINKS:

Damn Good Designer - Website

The Design Paradigm - Website

Join the conversation on our Facebook Group : Small Business Think Big

ABOUT THE HOSTS: 

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

2021 KBB Person of the Year

2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards

2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

200 or so years ago, a child came roaring into the world feet first, ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“Why?”- from the minute she landed the wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap.

To this day, she does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping, which is where you will find her only between 2 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural-born contrarian who talks faster than 2x speed on a podcast.

She gravitates towards wanting to help clients and designers who are the square pegs in a world of round holes; she loses earrings impossibly frequently, falls off of platform shoes and is unapologetically saucy. Relaxing is not in the skill set. Life begins and ends with family.

Her sacred words are Why, Percipient, Whizbang and Profit. But please do not say the words Package, Blocks, Red Flag, Overwhelm or Picked. Hives break out, and it gets ugly. 

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer,  Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

People ask, when did you KNOW you had found your ideal work wife- Cheryl will reply,” When she drew me 8 different cacti on her 3rd day because I said -find me a damn cactus.”

The woman who has never been through an airport without being extended an invitation to stop and play show and tell with the contents of her backpack can single-handedly plow snow with a rake and rescue her boss in a snowstorm in Arizona.–Yes, I said Arizona–after sleeping all night in a tuna can of a rental car.

They don’t make ’em like this anymore, folks. (By the way, she is completely tethered up with air tags, so do not even think about it.) The dedication is real, and she extends this to her clients in too many ways to mention.

Her sacred words are: “Are you kidding me, Cheryl?”, “Mamma Mia” and “I can’t believe it’s Friday.”

An accomplished designer in her own right with an amazing sense of color and pattern, Liz can wear the designer hat in the morning and the project manager hat at noon and return to the office as the ultimate manager of all things. Clients love her, Subs respect her, and the team adores the woman who gets “it” done-whatever “it” may be.

Join Cheryl Kees Clendenon and Liz Lapan, the dynamic duo behind  the visionary and integrator balancing all the moving parts of a full service interior design firm in their no-nonsense and thought-provoking podcast, the Damn Good Designer.

Each episode is full of damn good truths and real talk as they share invaluable insights on how to run and build a successful business while challenging the  norms, the industry, each other and YOU. Emphasizing a business-savvy approach, Cheryl and Liz take you on a roller coaster of discovery, considering success from a different lens, breaking free from groupthink, and encouraging you to embrace your own authentic designer self. There is not much they will not say “out loud”.

In this podcast, you'll find no room for conformity as they shatter the mold of one-size-fits-all business practices. Cherishing a  "bad girl" reputation, Cheryl's fearless attitude showcases a  refusal to follow the conventional wisdom, ask “why” repeatedly and reject what no longer makes sense in today’s world.

If you're seeking a dose of inspiration, a splash of unconventional wisdom, and a refreshing perspective on the entrepreneurial world, the Damn Good Designer is your go-to podcast. Tune in and let Cheryl and Liz, along with their expert guests in the fields of designers, architects, landscapers, and other creative professionals, guide you toward building a remarkable business that defies norms and sets you on a path to unparalleled success."Get ready to challenge the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary!

RESOURCES:

https://www.damngooddesigner.com

https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com/

About the hosts:

Cheryl Kees Clendenon-

2021 KBB Person of the year 2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards 2021 Changemaker Design Hounds

200 or so years ago a child came roaring into the world feet first ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“why”- from the minute she landed wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap

And to this day does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping. Which is where you will find her only between the hours of 2am and 7:30am. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural born contrarian who talks faster than 2x speed on a podcast

She gravitates towards wanting to help clients and designers who are the square pegs in a world of round holes, lose earrings impossibly frequently, fall off of platform shoes and are unapologetically saucy. Relaxing is not in the skill set. Life begins and ends with family.

Her sacred words are: Why, Percipient, Whizbang and Profit. But please do not say the words: Package, Blocks, Red Flag, Overwhelm or Picked. Hives break out and it gets ugly. 

Liz Lapan

VP of Everything, Interior Designer,  Work Wife, Team Cook, Unicorns

People ask, when did you KNOW you had found your ideal work wife- Cheryl will reply ” When she drew me 8 different cacti on her 3rd day because I said -find me a damn cactus”

The woman who has never been through an airport without being extended an invitation to stop and play show and tell with the contents of her backpack, can single handedly plow snow with a rake and rescue her boss in a snowstorm in Arizona.–yes, I said Arizona–after sleeping all night in a tuna can of a rental car.

They don’t make ’em like this anymore folks. (by the way she is completely tethered up with air tags so do not even think about it) The dedication is real and she extends this to her clients in too many ways to mention.

Her sacred words are: “Are you kidding me Cheryl”, “Mamma mia” and “I can’t believe it’s Friday”

An accomplished designer in her own right with an amazing sense of color and pattern, Liz can wear the designer hat in the morning, the project manager hat at noon and return to the office being the ultimate manager of all the things. Client’s love her, Subs respect her and the team adores the woman who gets “it” done-whatever “it” may be.