Joining me today is Kathryn Dillon, a certified Primal Question Coach with more than 30 years of experience owning and operating a successful window treatment design and fabrication business.

While Kathryn has built a thriving career, her true passion has always been mentoring others—helping them grow personally and professionally with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Guided by the Primal Question framework and her own journey of healing, she creates safe, judgment-free spaces where clients can gain insight and walk away with practical tools for meaningful change.

Kathryn and I both believe that growth is possible at any stage of life and business, which makes this conversation especially powerful. Today, we're introducing you to the Seven Primal Questions—and how they can transform the way you think, lead, and grow.

• Hiring and managing staff

• Framework of understanding

• Big question

• Our primal question is related to how we see the world and our internal dialogue.

• We all have core motivational needs.

• Knowing our primal question can lead to healthier decision making and emotional regulation.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: scarletthreadconsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele-Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: shiftingrhythmscoaching.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftingrhythmscoaching

• Facebook: Shifting Rhythms Coaching

• 7 Primal Questions by Mike Foster

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Strengths Finder 2.0 Assessment

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

Welcome to the Monday Minute with Michele—your quick hit of strategy, insight, and actionable ideas to help you move your business forward one small win at a time.

Today, we're talking about what a strategic plan should actually do. So stick around—this is one you won't want to miss.

• Need for strategic plan

• How to use a strategic plan

• What goes into a strategic plan

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Strategy2Go

• Metrique Solutions

With me today is Jaquilyn Edwards of Ochre and Beige. Jaquilyn helps interior designers step into high-end positioning through their words, systems, and client experiences—so their value becomes unmistakable.

In today's episode, we explore how intentional messaging builds trust faster, strengthens boundaries, and ultimately grows and protects your profit. Our hope is that you walk away with insight and clarity to run a thriving business that truly reflects the caliber of your work.

• AI impact on copywriting

• Luxury strategy

• Affluent client messaging

• AI can be cost effective to help with copywriting but it creates generic content that lacks personalization.

• Luxury in design also refers to luxury communication which is clear.

• Messaging may need to be repositioned over time to attract ideal clients.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: scarletthreadconsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele-Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.ochreandbeige.com

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ochreandbeige

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaquilynedwards

Joining me today is Brittany Farinas of Miami-based House of One. Brittany is the CEO and Creative Director, known for creating spaces that truly embody the art of living with style.

In just eight years, Brittany has built an impressive career—designing projects across South Florida and expanding into the Northeast, including Martha's Vineyard, the Hamptons, and New York. Her work has been featured in publications like AD, Domino, and Vogue Living, reflecting both her talent and distinctive point of view.

In today's episode, we're diving into her journey of growth, the real cost of scaling a design business, and the lessons she's learned along the way. It's an insightful and inspiring conversation you won't want to miss.

• Hiring and managing staff

• Managing rapid growth

• Charging fairly

• Managing rapid growth, hiring, and maintaining high-quality deliverables while dealing with client expectations can be overwhelming.

• Downsizing a business can help focus on quality over quantity.

• Education and great communication skills help build respect with contractors.

• Charging appropriately for the time and work is important to run a profitable business.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: scarletthreadconsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele-Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.houseof1.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanyalexa_, https://www.instagram.com/houseofone_

Welcome to the Monday Minute with Michele—your quick hit of strategy, insight, and actionable ideas to help you move your business forward, one small win at a time. Today the topic is What to fix next in your business.

Topics Covered:

1. Sales

2. Profit

3. Order

4. Impact

5. Legacy

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Strategy2Go

• Metrique Solutions

With me today on the podcast is Sonia Barney, an award-winning designer, business educator, and founder of Kaivari, a platform built to support creative entrepreneurs with the right coaches, resources, and community at the right stage of business.

In this episode, we're diving into the real cost of choosing the wrong coach—or engaging at the wrong time—and how those decisions can impact your growth. Sonia also shares practical resources to help you ask better questions, make more aligned decisions, and find the support system that truly fits your current stage of business.

• Support platform for design community

• Entrepreneurship challenges

• Coaches vs. Mentors

• It is important to match your need to the coach you select.

• Personality matters when selecting a professional to work with.

• Different professionals are available to help at each stage of business growth.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: scarletthreadconsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele-Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.kaivari.com, www.soniabarneydesign.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaivarico, https://www.instagram.com/soniabarneydesign
• Link: www.kaivari.com/free-resources

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

With me today is Danae Branson, founder of Elite Design Assistants, a virtual assistant agency providing professional virtual design support to interior designers. She is also the owner of Niche Mavin, a freelance gig-based platform serving professionals in interior design, architecture, construction, and real estate.

In today's conversation, we're focusing on the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant—whether as ongoing team support or as a flexible, fill-in resource during busy seasons. You'll learn how to assess your needs, determine when it's time to bring in support, and how partnering with a virtual design assistant can help you deliver exceptional design services to your clients.

• Benefits of Hiring Contractors

• Fractional Support

• Cost vs Efficiency

• Working with experienced professionals when subcontracting makes a difference in continuing service levels.

• There can be a trade-off between cost and efficiency based on the person you hire.

• Contractors can be beneficial, especially for short-term surges in work or when a business owner needs temporary relief from overwhelming tasks.

• Virtual Design Assistants (VDAs) can fill in gaps due to maternity leave, medical leave or hiring delays.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @elitedesignassistants, @nichemavin

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danae-branson-a98b31163/

• Website: elitedesignassistants.com

• Website: nichemavin.com

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

Welcome to the Monday Minute with Michele. One of the new things we're adding to the podcast is a series of short, bite-sized episodes designed to give you quick insights you can put into action right away.

Each Monday Minute is meant to be a fast listen—something you can absorb quickly and then apply to your business in a meaningful way.

I hope these small moments of learning help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Enjoy this new offering!

Topics Covered:

• Gross Profit Defined

• Net Profit Defined

Joining me today is Marcy Sagel, founder and principal of MSA Interiors, a leading commercial interior design firm specializing in multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, affordable housing, and other complex commercial projects. With over 30 years of experience, Marcy brings a deep understanding of how thoughtful design shapes the way people live every day.

In this episode, we're diving into the world of multifamily living—what it really means, the unique considerations behind designing these spaces, and why everyone deserves beautiful, functional design, from affordable housing to high-end market-rate communities. I hope you'll find insight and inspiration in this conversation.

• Affordable Housing

• Accessible Multifamily Housing

• Collective Decision Making

• Multifamily design differs from residential in terms of stakeholder management and the need to balance aesthetics with durability and longevity across different price points.

• Everyone deserves great design, regardless of budget.

• The ability to balance and manage collective decision-making is imperative.

• Affordable housing require durable materials and can still incorporate thoughtful design.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcysagel/

• Website: msainteriors.com

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

On the podcast today is Tracy Hoth, a life coach and professional organizer with over 16 years of experience. Tracy helps coaches and business owners transform their busy, cluttered operations into organized, CEO-level businesses—so they can calmly make more money while working fewer hours.

Her specialty is stepping in to organize digital files, systems, and workflows so you can finally focus on the work that matters most. I'm excited for you to hear this conversation and learn how organization can create both clarity and profitability in your business.

• Digital Organization

• Structured Systems for Executive Function

• Overcoming Resistance to Change

• Personal identity and past experiences can influence one's ability to stay organized.

• Structured systems support individuals with executive function challenges.

• Consistent systems build organizational skills.

• Simple file structures and organization of bookmarks streamlines operations.

• Understanding the root of resistance, such as lack of time or energy, is crucial for change.

• Sort and purge before making decisions.

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @tracyhoth

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracyhoth/

• Website: simplysquaredaway.com

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions