Profit Is A Choice

Debbie DiFrancesco is joining us today for the Profit First Success Stories episode. Debbie has been sewing since the age of seven and founded Creative Hands in 1990 to supplement the family income. Initially, Debbie provided general sewing and bridle alteration services, while working a second job as an assistant manager at House of Fabrics/ So-Fro Fabrics until 1991.  Two years later, Creative Hands transitioned from alterations to exclusively fabricating window treatments and selling hard treatments. Soon after, in 1997, Debbie attended courses at the professional drapery workroom school - later known as the custom home furnishings Academy and Swannanoa, North Carolina under Cheryl Strickland.  Since then, she has participated in the Custom Home Furnishings Conference and International Window Coverings Expos - as both an attendee and window treatment fabrication instructor.

With an extensive skill set Debbie has, over the years, moved Creative Hands from the attic of her home to a commercial building.  In 2009, she purchased a larger commercial building, which allowed for expansion of the workroom and the transition from a Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealership to a Hunter Douglas Gallery.  Additionally, Debbie is a Certified Hunter Douglas consultant, a Hunter Douglas Certified Master Installer and the current President of the Western NY Chapter of WCAA.

• Profit First
• Consistency
• Planning
• Fear

• I knew I needed to figure something out.
• I took a leap first and thought about it later.
• It’s almost as if I don’t have to think about it.
• As business owners, we have to keep track of a lot.
• Just dive in and do it. It is well worth the time.

• Website: www.creativehandsinfo.com
• Facebook: Creative Hands Window Treatments

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Pricing Without Emotion - Enroll Today
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• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today
• Profit Success Stories with Tracie Bresnahan - Listen Today
• Profit Success Stories with Annette Faber - Listen Today

On today’s podcast we have Hope Arbery. Hope is the owner of Quipa and formerly of Hope Arbery Interiors. Hope started her career as a lawyer, then came home to raise her children. She helped a neighbor out and next thing you know – she is a drapery workroom owner. She went on to add full service design to her offerings in addition to the custom drapery workroom. 

• Workroom
• Order
• Pain
• Frustration
• Calculations

• I would like to recognize that you (Michele) help people grow their profits and their hearts.
• Because I was so afraid of making a mistake, I would always triple check myself.
• In our industry, the details have details.
• What we do is so important because we are impacting people’s lives in their homes.
• When you pay someone to do it, you can see what it really takes to get it done.
• You have to have a whole support system around your business and under it, for it to be sustainable.
• QUIPA should make the whole process easier.
• If you can recapture some of your time, then you can recapture the joy in your business.

• Website: https://www.quipa.com
• Instagram: @myquipa

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today
• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today
• PIAC EP 014: Sarah Daniele - Listen Today
• PIAC EP 019: Heather Gillette - Listen Today

038: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TAKES PERSISTENCE

Joining us on the podcast today is Julianne Taylor. Julianne is the Founder and Creative director of Taylor Burke Home. She is also a published author, collaborator, public speaker and business consultant to creatives. Her newest venture, Julianne Taylor Style allows her to be creative and to work with other companies to put her ‘look’ on all types of products, from wallpaper to pajamas to table top items. Julianne is sharing her story today about building her brand, a bit about licensing product and really using her creativity to express herself and make a living.

• Product development
• Why
• Persistence
• Connection

• You just don't take "No" for an answer.
• You have to keep pushing and not be afraid. 
• The important person in your life has to be supportive.
• Think about the time you spend on specific tasks and ask yourself if it is the best use of your time.
• If I know the answer and I can help someone, why not make it easy for them?
• There is more than enough business out there for everyone to make a dollar. 
• At the end of the day, you have to be easy to work with. 
• You have to have a why.

• Website: https://www.juliannetaylorstyle.com/
• Instagram: @juliannetaylorstyle
• Website: https://taylorburkehome.com/
• Facebook: Taylor Burke Home
• Instagram: @taylorburkehome

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today
• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today
• PIAC EP 032: Susan Woodcock - Listen Today
• PIAC EP 035: Darren Virassammy - Listen Today

JoAnne Lenart-Weary is the owner of the JLW Company, a decorator, home stager, instructor and so much more. She has had a career in the interior design industry for over 40 years. She founded the Decorating and Staging Academy and continues to provide assistance in building curriculum and growth strategies for the academy. JoAnne can be found at many conferences and online, sharing her vast knowledge.

• Laughter
• Change
• Education
• Joy

• When I finally started to think like a business woman, my sales were increasing.
• Because of personal experiences, validation was more important than money.
• It’s a huge driver when we start thinking and knowing that we are worth it.
• As business people, we must find the balance between our right brain and left brain.
• You have to maintain a sense of humor.
• You can’t take yourself too seriously.
• When you laugh at yourself or find humor in things, people will see you as more approachable.
• Failure is not as terrifying as we think it to be.
• You will enjoy your business more if you have no fear fo failure.
• Staging is part of your profitability.
• Think of ways to tell a story. Whisper the beginning of a story and let them tell the end.
• Look at the rooms in their totality but broken up into zones.
• As stagers we need to make statements. We have a responsibility to add style to what we are doing.
• We have to be able to service clients regardless of their budget.
• We need to think of the client as a life-time client and not a one night stand.
• We have the responsibility to educate the client.
• When you quit loving what you are doing, think about how you can evolve and change what you are doing so you can recapture the joy of the process.

• Website: https://howtodecorateandstage.com
• Facebook: How to Decorate and Stage
• Facebook Groups: How to Decorate and Stage and Interior Decorators Set on Success
• Instagram: @HowtoDecorateandStage

• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Amy Flurry operates an independent communication studio that assists companies in developing and implementing focused communication strategies that position them for the next stage of growth. She draws on her experience in the fashion and home furnishings industry. Also, she applies trend direction to product development and an expanding market strategies to connect businesses to the interior design trade. Amy is the author of Recipe for Press, which has two editions.

• Influence
• Press
• Creating a pitch
• Readiness

• Communications and commerce both need attention individually.
• The “Why” is most critical.
• We have to check ourselves sometimes when we have things come our way. How do they match up with our priorities?
• This is your unique life. Design it.
• A lot of publications run on “new”.
• You need a steady presence in the places that matter to your business.
• Sometimes you can get a lot of attention at one time, but it can go away very quickly.
• A good publicist will prepare you for things.
• Do not discount your community when it comes to exposure.
• Think about what matters to your clients.
• Editor communities are small.
• Listen to podcasts.
• There are fundamentals to getting press.
• Do not pitch editors on the spot. Build a relationship.
• Wait until it is a good fit and the right timing.
• Editors look at your pictures and then decide if they will read your pitch.
• Websites play a major part in pitches and getting press.
• Editors have relationships with photographers and ask if they have seen something “new”.
• Photography positions you to get press quicker.
• When pitching and following up, use the same pictures.
• Trust your instincts.
• Things get cut at the last minute. That does not mean it will never happen.
• You will have to put in the time to get the press and relationships you want.

• Website: https://www.amyflurry.com
• Facebook: Recipe for Press
• Instagram: @amyflurry

• Wingnut Social Podcast with Darla Powell
• Big Picture Strategy - Read Today
• Recipe for Press by Amy Flurry
• Business of Home - Read and Listen Today
• Designers Today - Purchase Today
• Design Influencers Conference - Register for 2020
• The Solid Foundation Builder - Enroll Today
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today

Marie Kurmin is the owner of Kurmin Kreations. Marie graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. She opened Kurmin Kreations to allow her to be home with her kids and pursue her passion. Marie offers design, fabrication and installation of custom window treatments to interior designers and retail clients in the New England area.

Marie shares that the desire and need for more profit became apparent as college tuition time got closer. She took part in educational opportunities through WCAA, WFCP and networking and with that hired an assistant and started working directly with IDs. Those two things alone drastically impacted her profitability.

Marie is going to share how she has implemented Profit First (PF) in her business and some of the obstacles she faced prior to this implementation. Her solution is different to many because she is not using an accounting software package. This shows the power of PF. It can be adjusted to fit your scenario and strategy - within limits of course. Enjoy listening to her journey.

• Profit First

• Figure out your expenses (including labor cost) for every job.
• Honesty, there is nothing hard about it. You just have to set-up multiple bank accounts.
• You need a steady income coming in so you can take out the money that needs to be taken out.
• It is not scary. Once you do it, it becomes a habit.
• Just do it.

• Website: http://www.kurminkreations.com
• Facebook: Kurmin Kreations
• Instagram: @kurminkreations

• Profit Success Stories with Tracie Bresnahan
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today
• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today
• Correct Your Cash Flow - Download Today

Darren Virassammy is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of 34 Strong - a new breed of consultancy that believes everyone deserves a great place to work and that any workplace can be great. A leading expert in the global Employee Engagement Community, the 34 Strong team leverages the Gallup Strengths Finder Assessment and the Q12 Employee Engagement Survey to create massive shifts within organizations - both culturally and on the bottom line.

Darren is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker and facilitator on the topic of strength leadership and employee engagement.

• Strengths
• Focus
• Confidence
• Natural ability
• Self-awareness

• Your talents is a matter of your own nature and nurture.
• The Strength Finders just simply measures the presence of talent.
• People do not see certain habits/actions as talent.
• We have been conditioned to focus on our negatives and weaknesses.
• You have to know who you are and who you are not.
• We need to understand that our talents can be an asset or liability.
• You have to think about what is your greatest impact.
• People are valued for being valuable.
• We have to see people through the lens of the strengths of their talents.
• Consider what things we really need to be doing.
• If you have strength finders results for your team, engage them to see what strength is driving them at any given moment.
• When you get fascinated about talents, it actually helps us achieve better outcomes and it will help engage the team.
• How powerful would it be is you start seeing your kids through their God-given talents?
• Create a Team Talent Map to see what the team brings to the table as a whole.
• You will have individuals on the team who may have different strengths from others and they are still valuable.
• The Team Talent Map can help you see where you will shine and it will help you see the areas you need to be mindful of.
• As leaders, being aware of our strengths and weaknesses help drive the culture we create in our business.
• You can disagree with someone and still validate that they have talents.
• When you unlock your full 34, it allows you to manage your area of weakness.
• There is a version of you that is truly your zone of genius and your zone of excellence.

• Website: https://34strong.com
• Facebook: 34 Strong
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/34-strong-inc-/

• Grind, Greatness, Genius - Download Now! 
• First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham
• Discover Your 34 - Take Assessment Today!
• Play to Their Strengths - Read the Blog Today!
• Correct Your Cashflow - Download Today!

Scott Beebe is the founder and head coach of My Business on Purpose and he's the host of the My Business on Purpose podcast. He loves to liberate small business owners from the chaos of working in their business and helps to get their lives back by assisting them in articulating and implementing intentional vision mission values, systems and processes.

• Preparation
• Vision
• Direction

• Your vision story is never anymore than 90 to 95 percent complete.
• The hardest time is to set aside the time, but you still need to block the time.
• Sit down for 2 to 3 blocks of time free of distractions.
• When you have things written out, you become “possessive” of it.
• Every business should have 5 corner stones: Vision, Mission, Unique Core Value Set, Team Meeting Structure, ad Hiring Process.
• The unique core values should drive everything.
• Most businesses are started with a product first mentality and not a vision centric mentality.
• The hiring process does not end the day you make the offer.
• Identify gaps in the business that need to be filled.
• Revisit the vision when considering hiring someone.
• You have to budget all roles to be hired.
• We are not running non-profits. We are running for profits.
• During the first live interview, you should only focus on the vision, mission, values, and culture.
• Sometimes, you just have to let things burn within your business.

• Website: www.mybusinessonpurpose.com
• Website: www.letyourbusinessburn.com
• Facebook: My Business on Purpose

• Vision Story Template - Download Now!
• PIAC EP. 009 - Listen Now!
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
• Business Done Differently by Jesse Cole
• Finding Your Yellow Tux by Jesse Cole
• Let Your Business Burn by Scott Beebe
• Correct Your Cash Flow - Download Now!
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Now!

Tracie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Engineering and a Master’s degree in Quality Assurance Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University. She worked in the apparel and the consumer products industries for 12 years.  Tracie opened  Custom Creations in 1996, fabricating custom window treatments and accessories . With her engineering background she has built a business specializing in one of a kind and challenging design solutions for clients; as well custom designed upholstered furniture.  Collaborating with her on some of her projects is her husband Brian, who has a degree in Architectural Engineering.  He is a huge asset in designing and building custom projects with her for clients. 

On this episode Tracie will share her journey to managing her money using the Profit First methodology and the Master Your Profit course.

• Profit First
• Planning
• Getting Past Fear

• Implement “gauges” for your business.
• I learned to love running the business.
• The process may not be what it is in the book. You have to tailor it to your business.
• Before Profit First, I was robbing the business.
• It may seem scary, but it is not hard to do.
• Keep it simple.

• Website: https://www.mycustomcreations.com/
• Facebook: Custom Creations and Tracie Norton Bresnahan
• Instagram: @custom_creationstb

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today
• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today

033: Sober is the New Black

with Natalie Reddell

Natalie Reddell, also known as the ‘COMMANDER in CHIC®’, is a Richmond, Virginia based interior designer who has earned a reputation for her passionate approach to creating elegant interiors that feature layered styles, textures, colors and patterns. Specializing in luxury residential interiors, Reddell translates her love of travel, fashion and art into vibrant, tailored spaces that reflect the personalities of the people that reside in them. Over the past eighteen years Reddell has designed homes nationally and internationally, including modern beachfront properties, classic mountain retreats, updated-traditional farm estates, eclectic city apartments and warm, inviting family-friendly homes. Reddell’s strength lies in her ability to pair classic style with custom details and functionality tailored to each client.

A well known influencer in the lifestyle space, Natalie Reddell, along with her trusty sidekick, The Golden Hashtag, inspire a loyal band of followers with her authentic and welcoming images and live videos. Her approach to creating a joyful and beauty- filled life covers everything from interior design, entertaining, styling tips, beauty ‘lessons’, cooking and recipe sharing, travel, fashion and more. Her advice is delightfully refreshing and fun as she includes tips from her own home design, client projects and the trial and error of experimenting with new hair and beauty products.

As a style expert, the COMMANDER in CHIC® is regularly sought out as a trendspotter and panel participant at design markets and social media conferences across the United States where she covers new product and design trends and shares her knowledge and expertise about navigating the world of social media. Reddell’s work has been featured in several publications including Sotheby’s Reside, Barron’s Penta, Home Accents Today, Mansion Global, and Designers Today among many others. She has appeared as a contributor on CBS-WTVR Virginia This Morning and has been profiled on numerous podcasts including the Chaise Lounge. Reddell earned her Interior Design degree from Florida State University and went on to study the History of Architecture and Interiors at Parsons University in Paris, France.

• Addiction
• Awareness
• Self-care
• Isolation
• Anxiety

• Recovery is a continuous process.
• We tend to be perfectionist which makes us our own victims.
• Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
• Be a good friend to yourself.
• When you are in recovery, you feel isolated and alone.
• Having other people know my story keeps me accountable.
• We are not the only people dealing with what we deal with.
• You do not have to be an “addict” in order to have moments to check yourself.
• It is not a snobby disease.
• Say it out loud to know that you can deal with it.

• Website: https://nataliereddell.com
• Facebook: Commander in Chic®
• Instagram: @nataliereddell 

• Sober is the New Black - Watch Now
• Headspace
• Talkspace
• AA Meetings - Scheduled for April 5, 2019 thru April 9, 2019 @ 8 AM to 9 PM located at Universal Furniture
• High Point Market - Plan Your Trip!
• Master Your Profit - Enroll Today!