If you’re finding your designs are constantly being questioned or dismissed, then today’s episode is for you!

On any given day, interior designs have a lot to keep track of. Most of us are self-employed so we are not just working in our business, we’re working on our business. So today, I want to tackle something that will truly set you apart but is so often overlooked because we are so overwhelmed with everything else. But I want to highlight how important this is to add to our ever-growing to-do list because it will absolutely improve not just the success of your projects but the success of your business. 

Miscommunication and power struggles on job sites can sabotage your designs. In today’s episode, we break down why trades and designers often clash—and how to earn respect, avoid costly mistakes, and strengthen collaboration.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/why-designers-struggle-with-trades 

I am honored to host LuAnn Nigara today to talk all about leadership in our industry, the struggles and the underlying reasons why stepping into leadership is so critical for the health and profitability of our business. 

LuAnn Nigara is a celebrated media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur. Recognized as the “go-to” keynote speaker for leaders and entrepreneurs to launch their life and get out of their own way, she always delivers a dynamic presentation. In her third business launch, LuAnn Nigara Inc., she provides business resources for entrepreneurs through live events and LuAnn University. LuAnn has published three books, is a sought-after columnist and has captured international attention for her weekly podcasts "Window Treatments for Profit" and “A Well-Designed Business®” which has more than 1000 episodes and 9 million downloads. 

Luann’s experience and wealth of knowledge as a window treatment professional, working with designers day in and day out she knows our strengths, our weaknesses and our biggest struggles.

She always brings the wisdom, the tough love, and the straight talk that we need to hear! Leadership isn’t just about managing projects. It’s about owning your role, setting the tone, and building a business that truly thrives. 

Download LuAnn's free quiz here: https://luannnigara.com/quiz/ 

You can find out more about LuAnn here: 

https://www.instagram.com/luannnigara,  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRScT16XD_jq_NqsPPawDA,  https://www.facebook.com/groups/luannnigaraandfriends/ 

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/luann-nigara 

Today I want to talk about a critical component to your success of every construction project that you may not be thinking of because it doesn’t take the form of a process, tip, or trick on a physical job site - and that is the value of a support network. One that you can lean on, transparently ask the questions you’re afraid to ask, but most importantly, one that truly understands this crazy ass niche inside our industry.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/power-of-support-network 

If you think back to last year’s worst project I know in a nanosecond you’d be able to tell me all about it, detail what went wrong, how much sleep you lost, the increased stress you went through, and likely profitability. I do understand that, and looking back on those projects are important, but today I want to talk about something we don’t analyze from previous years, and that is our wins. Focusing on our wins is so much more important than only looking at the projects that went wrong, and today I want to explain why this change in focus can propel your success for 2025.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/grow-your-business-in-2025 

Planning your year is more than just filling your calendar—it’s about aligning projects with your business goals, avoiding burnout, and staying intentional. In today's episode, I also share with you how to recognize subtle "pink flags" in projects before they turn into major red flags, and why trusting your instincts can save you time, money, and stress. Plus, learn how to set boundaries, create flexibility in your schedule, and build a strategy that works for you in 2025 and beyond.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/planning-your-projects 

Today, I am excited to welcome my guest, Rick Campos! Rick Campos is a former interior designer turned podcast host, business coach, and advocate for the interior design community. After years of running his own design business and working with industry professionals, Rick launched Design Biz Survival Guide, a podcast and platform that empowers designers with insights, strategies, and confidence to grow profitable businesses. With his background in leadership, community building, and expertise in the business side of design, today, Rick is sharing his practical advice to help interior designers lead with confidence, connect with peers, and embrace the unique challenges of the design industry.

Find out more about Rick by visiting his website here: 

www.designbizsurvivalguide.com or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designbizsurvivalguide/ 

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/real-talk-with-rick-campos 

I’ve just returned from a family ski trip, and it was everything I needed. Vacations aren’t just about getting away; it’s about breathing and recharging, allowing you to come back stronger. Now that I’m home, I’m diving head first into 2025, so I want to kick off this new year’s episode with a topic that’s deeply personal to me, and that is defining success on your own terms. You CAN build a business that is meaningful, aligned, and truly works for YOU.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/defining-success-on-your-own-terms 

Today is all about reflection. I’m going to be looking back on 2024, celebrating some wins, lots of lessons learned, and appreciating the growth along the way as well as what the design community has meant to me this year,  why I’m so inspired by the changes I see in our industry and what I’m looking forward to in 2025.

Find out more about my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers 

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/reflect-recharge-plan-for-2025 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this time of year. We’ve got the holidays, year-end, projects in the works, and marketing for new projects. There are all sorts of things coming this time of year, and it’s really hard to take a step back and realize that you are not serving yourself, your clients, or your projects by getting caught up in that chaos. 

As a whole, designers tend to be people pleasers, and while that serves us in so many ways, it can also hold us back. It can absolutely take time away from our lives, drain our energy, and it can definitely cost us money. Those are all things that we need to avoid to run healthy, profitable businesses that we love. So today, we are diving into how interior designers can thrive through the holidays!

Find out more about my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers 

Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/how-interior-designers-thrive-through-the-holidays 

Today, we are tackling a topic that is so incredibly critical to the success of your project and, frankly, the success of your future projects, and that is the hidden costs of poor communication. 

I think designers overlook this because they think they’re already great at communicating. This is what we do. We talk with our clients. We share our design. We explain our visions. Yes, yes and yes. But what I want to drive home is the power communication has on a project, both for good and for bad. 

This is where I see a lot of projects fall apart because someone missed a detail, didn’t follow up, or assumed everyone was on the same page. 

Miscommunication can be extremely subtle and often not intentional. But it can have an impact on everything.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/costs-of-poor-communication 

Find out more about my course The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers