Joining me today is Shanna Quinn of East Orlando Bookkeeping. Shanna is Profit First certified and she works with many contractors and sub-contractors, builders and designers. Today we are going to discuss job costing; what it is and why it could be instrumental in helping you determine the true profit in your company. 

• Cost code

• Estimating

• Analysis

• Job cost

• Job costing is what we're going to focus on, that it is a good way for us to really understand what it costs to get the job done. Michele (10:38) 

• It's important to always try all of that specific stuff, right to the job. Shanna (17:13) 

• It is super important for the purchasers to have the business to have that level of information. Shanna (31:04) 

• Be very detailed, because that's the only way they really know what it costs them. and truly execute the plan as they put it out there. Michele (40:38)

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: East Orlando Bookkeeping

• Website: Bookkeeping 4 Contractors

• Facebook: East Orlando Bookkeeping

• Email: [email protected]

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

Each year around this time, November, I begin the planning process for my business the next year. In the next few solo podcasts, I am going to share with you the steps I use to make sure that on January 1, I can move forward with confidence. Enjoy the podcast.

• Planning

• Review

• Time

• Dreaming

• Begin with a big chunk of time and do a deep dive. Michele (01:13) 

• Create space to really review the past year. Michele (04:37)   

• The more you try to please everybody you please nobody. Michele (14:10) 

• Identify what will create a balanced life. Michele (17:55) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• Setting Goals that Matter - Episode 20 with Jennifer Dawn

• Committed to the Pursuit - Episode 72 with Ceil DiGuglielmo

• How to Stop Worrying About Your Interior Design Business - Episode 98 with Katie Baldwin

On the podcast today are Chandler and Jeremy Quarles of Peach and Pine Interiors. They were on the podcast back in episode 80 where we talked about them building a business together that integrated their family life and business life. Today we are going to look at a business challenge they are facing. And this is a challenge that many face – the messy middle. What do we mean by this? This is the place where you are not where you were – but also not where you ultimately want to be. The messy middle. And why do I call it that? Because this is the place that we are in the most, and that takes perseverance to get through. This is the dash between when your business starts and when it is done. This is where your business life is lived.  Listen in as we look at this place, create a new perspective, and actually celebrate this climbing up the staircase to our business mastery.    

If you have ever read the book, Book Yourself Solid, by Michael Port, you may be familiar with his velvet rope policy. This policy is created to establish boundaries for working with your ideal client. You identify your client and give them access to cross the velvet rope to work with you. In this podcast, we are going to dig into creating barriers and then removing barriers for entry to working with your company.

• Barriers

• Ideal Client

• Messaging

• Profitability

• The seven habits are: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw. Michele (2:03) 

• Here are some of those possible questions that move you forward that you may think about when you're building your business. Michele (10:11)  

• We now have a strategy to use to inform our decision making. Michele (18:51) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port

With me on the podcast today is Brad Clinard of High Point Financial Design located in, you guessed it, High Point, NC. Brad’s firm supports interior designers in the journey to financial independence. We will talk more about what financial independence means, the building blocks to creating this, and how Brad’s firm differs from others. You will easily see the connection as well as the overlap between your business financials and family financials. Lot’s to consider with this topic. Enjoy! 

• Financial Independence

• Intentionality

• Communication Style

• Trusted Relationship

• How would you define financial independence? Michele (08:09) 

• A roadblock for designers not being willing to work with a financial planner Brad (17:50) 

• What do you need in your home? What do you need to bring in for lifestyle congruent? Michele (28:38) 

• It's good to stay on top of those things and to have an advisor who reminds you Michele (36:12)

• So in business, we ask what is your why? What are your values? Now let's look at the finances 

  Michele (50:40) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: HPFinancialDesign.com

• Instagram: @brad.clinard

• Email: [email protected]

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

Have you ever been in a place where you were getting all the jobs you wanted and dreamed of? All you have been working for. And the challenge is that it all came in at once – and now you are completely overwhelmed. Maybe you can feel your heart rate speeding up and a light sweat breaking out even as I say these words. Well, if so – this is the podcast for you. We are going to talk about how to manage and overcome the overwhelm in your business.

• To-do List  

• Priority 

• Delegation  

• Boundaries

• The seven habits are: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw. Michele (2:03) 

• Here are some of those possible questions that move you forward that you may think about when you're building your business. Michele (10:11)  

• We now have a strategy to use to inform our decision making. Michele (18:51) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

Joining me today is Traci Reuter of Divine Social. Her firm supports businesses in growing their brands through authentic, meaningful social advertising. We are going to discuss Facebook and Instagram ads. We will be looking at the difference between organic posts, boosted posts and paid advertising. Listen in if you think your company is ready or might be soon for digital paid advertising.  

• Digital advertising

• Audience building

• Engagement

• Conversion

• What was happening that made you think, there needs to be a better money management system such as profit first? Michele (4:22)

• What is the difference between a general post, a boosted post, and an ad? Michele (14:49)

• You really need to have a long term mindset for this. Traci Reuter (30:12)

• How do we know that we are poised and positioned and ready to take the next step?  Michele (40:41)

• The strategy’s got to be done well, and done with a lot of forethought. Michele (50:20)

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: divinesocial.com and divinesocial.com/profit 

• Facebook: TraciReuterSocial

• LinkedIn: tracireuter

• Instagram: @tracireuter

• YouTube: Traci's YouTube Channel

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• Profit First and Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz

• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

In Steven Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the second habit is this; begin with the end in mind. We are going to talk about this habit and see how it applies to the business we are building not only at the strategic level but at the tactical level. Enjoy the podcast. 

• Habits  

• Strategy 

• Plan  

• Intention

• The seven habits are: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw. Michele (2:03) 

• Here are some of those possible questions that move you forward that you may think about when you're building your business. Michele (10:11)  

• We now have a strategy to use to inform our decision making. Michele (18:51) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

• How to Rethink Your Business for Maximum Success, Episode 90 with Michele Williams

• Strengths Finder 2.0 by Gallup Press

With me, today on the podcast is Brandi Bernoskie of Alchemy and Aim. Brandi is a digital strategist, web developer, and tech expert. Our conversation is focused on updating your digital strategy. Many of us have a plan to show up online, but how often do we refine it, and what prompts us to do so? These are the questions we will be digging into. 

• Relationship to money

• Digital experience

• Business evolution

• Sunday Reflection

• We are living in such an online world now, we really have to think about the consistency of the whole experience we created digitally. Brandie Bernoskie (11:23)

• You can revisit [your brand] because you and your business are evolving. Brandie Bernoskie (18:09)

• Keep a note of where something may have felt off, or something that didn't work. Brandie Bernoskie (28:16)

• Number one is learning to recognize when your business starts to get out of alignment. Michele (39:23)

• As a business coach, I won’t be on the front cover of an Interior Design magazine. My job is to help my clients get that position, not for me to take that position. Michele (49:08)

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: alchemyandaim.com

• Instagram: @alchemyandaim

• Instagram: @brandibernoskie

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• Profit First and Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz

• Storybrand by Donald Miller

• How to Rethink Your Business for Maximum Success, Episode 090 with Michele Williams

Today marks the beginning of year 3 of podcasting and the wrap up of year 2. This has been such a fun time, and it is difficult to believe that two years is behind us. Each year I love to stop and reflect on all that I have learned from hosting this podcast. Each person and topic have a teachable moment and almost always more than one. My continued hope is that each of you listening has had your life and business enriched in countless ways from this podcast. I ask you to review this podcast wherever you listen. I have not asked for reviews in more than a year – but it helps others find us. So, if you could take a minute to do that, I would be very thankful.  

• Scaling  

• Intentional decision making 

• Financials  

• Business Hierarchy of Needs

• Discussing client service strategies on Episode 57 with Ashley Uhl. Michele (3:46) 

• Sherry Wilson discusses Detailed Bookkeeping for Designers on Episode 67. Michele (8:29)  

• Learn about the Dynamics of an Entrepreneurial Family with Harrison and Brantley Williams on Episode 77. Michele (13:13) 

• Veronica Solomon discussed Consistency in Business on Episode 87. Michele (18:58) 

• Discover all about How to Build Supportive Relationships Within Your Design Business with Kara Cox on Episode 97. Michele (22:20) 

• In Episode 107, learn about how Alex and Michelle Gage encourage others to use Business Measurements for Your Interior Design Business. Michele (25:00) 

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today