Profit Is A Choice

Susan Woodcock owns Home Dec Gal, a how-to sewing resource and custom workroom in Western North Carolina, and is a Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) instructor and international speaker.  Susan’s publishing credits include Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments.  Together with her husband, Rodger Walker, Susan co-produces the Custom Workroom Conference, an annual educational event and trade show.  In 2017, Susan and Rodger founded Custom Workroom Technical Center or “Workroom Tech”, a hands-on training facility dedicated to the workroom industry. She credits her mother with teaching her to sew and inspiring her career of creativity. 

In this episode we are going to discuss how being responsible in our business practices leads to profitability of more than just money.

• Personal Responsibility
• Support
• Jealousy
• Fear

• It’s not just about focusing on the numbers. It’s about having a well-rounded business.
• There are times when the customer is at fault, but we need to take responsibility as well.
• Stick to your core values.
• Do not let anyone compromise your core values.
• How you handle problems in your business can make or break your business.
• Stand up for yourself.
• Have confidence in yourself and your business.
• You want to be authentic and genuine with your brand and core values.
• If you make your customer happy, it will come back to you.

• Website: www.homedecgal.com 
• Website: www.customworkroomconference.com 
• Website: www.workroomtech.com 
• Podcast: http://thesmmpodcast30minuteswithworkroomtech.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: Workroom Tech
• Instagram: @workroom_tech

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!
• Failing Forward by John Maxwell
• I Would Like You More If You Were More Like Me by John Ortberg
• The Solid Foundation Builder - Enroll Today!

Annette Faber is the owner of Kaylees Creations in Greenville, SC. She is a to-the-trade workroom focused on high end fabrication and dress maker details. Annette strives to add value to her design teams by working hard, being trustworthy, collaborating and living the core values of her business - integrity, transparency, excellence, dependability, and leaving a positive fingerprint on each person she interacts with.

Annette shares with us her financial journey before, during and after the implementation of Profit First.

• Profit First

• Once you owe the IRS, you never forget that feeling.
• If you calendar an event/trip, it will happen.
• Just “hold your nose” and jump!

• Website: www.kayleescreations.com
• Facebook: Kaylee's Creations
• Instagram: @annette.faber

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• Toilet Paper Entrepreneur by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!
• Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today!
• Master Your Profit - Enroll Today!

Jaquilyn Edwards is a writer, artist and the founder of Ochre & Beige, the blogging studio responsible for ghostwriting 150+ blog posts and several websites in the interior design industry last year.

Jaquilyn's design & marketing education at Stanford, paired with several years at a tech startup in Silicon Valley, are the power couple that help her support creative entrepreneurs' profit goals with effective blogging strategies.

Beyond executing a solid plan, however, Jaquilyn has found a knack for pinpointing a common theme, or why, among the flurry of details in each designer's life. This translates to capturing their unique "voices" within a blog or website and witnessing the surprising result — mutual empowerment on the path to profitability!

• Content Creation
• SEO
• Messaging
• Consistency

• I had to make the choice to grow.
• Blogging gives you access to so many people.
• When you have a blog, you can structure content around it when it comes to marketing.
• You want your warm leads to sign up for the website.
• It’s natural to just post to social media once a week, but you can post multiple times.
• You can get 2-3 weeks of social content from one blog post.
• Mention the blast in any video you do.
• Your content should support your business goals.
• Use headlines settings to your advantage (H2 and H3 headers).
• You can write like you speak.
• Really focus on the value of your content.

• Website: www.ochreandbeige.com
• Facebook: Ochre and Beige
• Instagram: @jaquilyn.k

• Editorial Calendar - Freebie
• Blogging for Home Pros Group - Join
• Biz-Ability Just Do It - PIAC Ep. 025 with Rachel Moriarty
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!

Michele Seekings is the owner of SPIRE Art Services in Charleston, South Carolina.    After  26 years in the medical/pharmaceutical industry,  Michele founded SPIRE to pursue her passion for art. Michele is an avid art collector and supporter of local art initiatives including curating INTRO, an annual pop-up show featuring the area’s top 10 emerging artists.   She actively serves on the Board of Directors for the Gibbes Museum of Art as the Chair of the Visiting Artist Program.  Michele is also involved with local organizations such as Historic Charleston Foundation, the Preservation Society, and Spoleto USA.   

• Art
• Collections
• Organization
• Relationship

• Choose art you love.
• You don’t need a Picasso in your collection for it to be a true art collection.
• You have to figure out what “value” means to you.
• There is usually a story behind the art.
• Keep documents and notes as much as you can for your collectibles.
• The more information you have the better.
• Present the client’s vision with options.
• If you focus on relationships and learning, you will always be earning.
• At a minimum try to get a photo of the art, along with the artist and title.
• Know the client’s plan when it comes to art.
• Be as efficient as possible.

• Website: www.spireartservices.com
• Facebook: Spire Art Services
• Instagram: @spireartservices

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!

Nicole Heymer is the founder of Curio Electro, a boutique creative agency specializing in intuitive branding, compelling design and actionable strategy. Since 2011, Curio Electro has worked with a wide variety of clients at every stage in their development, from nationally known interior design firms to local craft breweries.

Nicole's clear, practical take on branding has been featured in print, on podcasts, and as the framework for branding workshops. She is an active ASID Industry Partner and currently serves as the Editor of NJ ASID's Blueprint Magazine.

• Digital destination
• Niche
• Narrative
• Commodity vs. boutique

• Find your own niche!
• Try to learn the lesson the first time, for the next time.
• The biggest problem is the lack of messaging.
• Someone will write the narrative for you if you do not take control of it.
• Find what is true and interesting about your business.
• Is it different from the competitors?
• Is it desirable to a target client?
• Is it doable for the business?
• You have to be attached to the plan and the brand.
• You are not a commodity!
• It is not just about the marketing.
• It is never too late to properly brand your business.
• Don’t be afraid and stand for something.

• Website: https://curioelectro.com/
• Facebook: Curio Electro
• Instagram: @curioelectro

• Define Your Brand Voice - Freebie
• Better Business Coaching System - Enroll Today!
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!

Peter Lang, CPA, is an accountant who specializes in the unique accounting challenges faced by artistic professionals. Designers and other artistic professionals may find that ordinary CPAs are simply unequipped for their needs, but with 16 years of tax and accounting experience under his belt, Peter is a proven expert in helping interior designers do their taxes and all the other financial duties that art school didn’t teach them.

 Peter moved to Boston in 2004 to pursue his Master in Taxation degree. It was there that he began working at a large cutthroat accounting firm, where he was written up for the first and only time in his professional life for “helping people too much.” He then moved on to a small firm where he quickly became bored with the life of a traditional CPA and noticed that interior designers were consistently underserved by standard CPAs, so he decided to pursue his dream of running his own firm and settling down with his family and business in Rhode Island.

• Niche
• Communication
• Advisor
• Taxes

• Ask questions to see if the potential accountant is a best fit for you.
• Ask about the relationship the accountant has with other bookkeepers.
• Understand the software packages that the accountant is familiar with.
• Your accountant should be doing an analysis of your business type to advise you on the best structure for you.
• Pay attention to the numbers and ask your accountant questions.
• Don't spend a large sum of money until you talk to your trusted advisor.  If you ask before spending, you will be in a better position.

• Website: www.thedesignercpa.com 
• Facebook: The Designer CPA
• Instagram: @thedesignercpa 

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!

027: Referrals Without Asking for a Full Pipeline

with Stacey Brown Randall

Stacey Brown Randall is a member of the business failure club, a contrarian on how to generate referrals and a supporter of the entrepreneurial dream. Through her programs, she provides a roadmap to take control of your business.    

Stacey’s quest to crack the code on how to generate referrals without asking began after her first business failed. When she started her second business – a business and productivity coaching practice – she knew keeping her pipeline full of new clients would be one of the biggest differentiators from her business failure.  She honed-in on referrals as the main source of prospects for her second business but wasn’t satisfied with the conventional advice which is to receive referrals you must ask.   

She is a three-time entrepreneur, author of Generating Business Referrals…Without Asking, and host of the Roadmap to Grow your Business podcast. 

• Referral
• Referral source
• Trust
• Touchpoints

Thoughts from Stacey:

• Referrals have two things: a personal connection and an identified need.
• It is not an industry thing.  It is a mindset thing.
• A real referral is a transfer of trust.
• Flip the script and help others refer you without the ask.
• Build a referral experience for your referral sources.
• Identify your referral sources then treat them like royalty.
• You don't have any revenue if you do not have any clients.
• The way to get more referrals from your referral sources, is to take care of your referrals.
• Make the touchpoints meaningful and memorable.
• Hand written notes are always called for.

• Website: https://staceybrownrandall.com
• Facebook: Stacey Brown Randall
• Facebook Group: Referrals Without Asking
• Instagram: @StaceyBrownRandall

• Generating Business Referrals Without Asking by Stacey Brown Randall
• Referral Ninja Quiz: https://staceybrownrandall.com/quiz
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• LuAnn Nigara Live - Register Today!
• PIAC Podcast - 002: EXCELLENCE IS THE KEY TO REPEATABLE PROFITABILITY

026: Faster Than Normal Can Be A Gift

with Peter Shankman

The New York Times has called Peter Shankman "a rockstar who knows everything about social media and then some." He is a 5x best selling author, entrepreneur and corporate keynote speaker, focusing on customer service and the new and emerging customer economy. He is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.)

In addition to his passion for helping people and companies find success, some of Peter's highlights also include:

•  Founder of HARO - Help A Reporter Out, which became the standard for thousands of journalists looking for sources prior to being acquired three years after launch

•  The ShankMinds Breakthrough Network, which is an elite, online mastermind of thought leaders, business experts, and change makers

•  Faster than Normal - The Internet's #1 podcast on ADHD, focusing on the superpowers and gifts of having a "faster than normal brain”

Peter has been a worldwide influencer for companies ranging from Huawei to Specialized Bicycles, from New York Health and Racquet Club to Sprint.

 Finally, Peter is a father, a 2x ironman triathlete, a class B licensed skydiver, and an avid Peloton rider. He's based in NYC with his daughter and 19-year-old cat, both of whom refuse him access to the couch. 

• Rituals
• Triggers
• Choice
• Exercise

• Clutter is a distraction waiting to happen.
• Live your life 30 minutes early.
• Pills can’t teach skills.
• Whatever works, stick to it!
• Identify your triggers and work around them.
• ADD/ADHD is a gift not a curse.
• It is not that we are distracted.  We are actually looking for something that excites us.

• Website: https://www.shankminds.com/
• Facebook: Peter Shankman
• Twitter: @petershankman
• Instagram: @petershankman

• Faster than Normal Podcast: https://www.fasterthannormal.com/
• Faster than Normal by Peter Shankman

025: Biz-Ability Just Do It

with Rachel Moriarty

Rachel Moriarty is a leading home style expert, best-selling author, speaker, brand ambassador, product designer and co-host of the popular Design+Style podcast. Recently, named one of "2018 Most Influential People" in Real Estate Staging, Rachel is also an award-winning designer with more than 13 years of experience redesigning the houses, vacation and investment homes of successful professionals in and around San Diego County and nationwide via her online services. Her work both as a designer and stylist has been published in home furnishing catalogs and industry and shelter magazines. A treasure huntress since the age of 12, her specialty is elevating spaces by incorporating her client’s family heirlooms and is known for her use of playful patterns, bold strokes of color and serious style. Rachel's current projects include a new tile line with Elegant Mosaics, the design and launch of The Design Network’s new eDesign platform, a new podcast called 'Visibility with Rachel' and the renovation of three homes for a new HGTV series focused on short term rentals scheduled to launch in early 2019.

TOPICS MENTIONED:

• Flexibility
• Fear
• Planning
• Staying Focused

• Be open to “loosening” up from implementing so many boundaries.
• Don’t shoot down the things you “dis-like”.  Give it a try and see what comes out of it.
• Everything you do and talk about, find a way to tie it back to your business.
• Get clarity with where you are going with your business.  You cannot throw yourself on live social media if you do not have a strategy behind it.
• Content is king!  Outline what you will talk about and be well prepared when posting to social media.
• There are so many ways to be visible.  Whatever is your “thing”, stick with it.
• It takes time, but it is so important to position yourself in business. 
• If you are not so focused in on where you are going with your business, it can be a distraction.
• Start small and build momentum.  Start TODAY!
• You have to be ready to step into a bigger version of yourself.

• Website: http://www.rachelminteriors.com/
• Facebook: Rachel Moriarty Interiors
• Facebook Community: Design and Style Podcast
• Instagram: @rachelmoriartyinteriors

• MARKETING: For the staging + design industry

• Year in Review with a Look Forward Episode 20 with Ceil DiGuglielmo

024: Learning the Craft of Upholstery

with Cynthia Bleskachek

Cynthia Bleskachek has been doing upholstery professionally since 2001 – before that, she grew up making buttons and pulling staples in her mom’s home upholstery shop. Her journey has cultivated a deep love, and appreciation for the character, and quality of older furniture – in a market overwhelmed by disposable options, re-upholstery provides a viable alternative.

The Funky Little Chair began as a Facebook blog of sorts, providing bits of education from whatever project was on the “horses” in the upholstery shop. In 2016, Cynthia opened The Funky Little Chair in order to focus on hands-on education for hobbyists and aspiring professionals.

On our podcast today we are really discussing the upholstery industry, the struggles they face, the future of the craft, and what can be done to keep this industry viable in our current economy.

• Professionalism
• Expertise Gap
• Talent
• Flipped Classroom
• Gig Economy

Thoughts from Cynthia:

• There are professional standards in upholstery and it takes years to hone the craft in all areas. This is not a quick learn industry.
• There must be intentionality to be profitable in an upholstery shop.
• If I had to only build new upholstery, I would be out of business. Let’s stop throwing so much away.
• Trades like upholstery cannot be learned in excellence from video alone, there has to be some amount of hands on.
• A flipped classroom allows us to educate theory and beginning skill before investing in the in-person hands on education.

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Episode 8 with Richelle Plett

Socials:

• Website: www.thefunkylittlechair.com
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/thefunkylittlechair
• Facebook: The Funky Little Chair
• Instagram: @thefunkylittlechair