Have you ever considered starting a podcast? I've been contacted by a few of you who are actively planning the launch of your podcasts and feel confused about the technical side. Plus, you're wondering what to do if you run out of things to say. (You won't, by the way. ??) And you're curious how important sponsors are.

Today on The Kate Show, I'm answering all your questions regarding podcasting. Let's jump right in!

It isn't every day I get to host an accomplished, award-winning interior designer on the podcast, and Michelle Lynne did not disappoint. With her Texas charm and no-nonsense approach to business, she and I hit it off the moment we first met back in Palm Springs last fall.

I wanted to have Michelle on the show because: 1) she runs a profitable design firm without a huge team, and 2) she bases her design business coaching on the principles she had to learn the hard way. The best lessons come from mistakes — and could that mean learning from the mistake negates the mistake itself? To a point, yes, and that is what good entrepreneurship looks like.

A successful business isn't born overnight, easily, or automatically.

A business, be it in design or staging or organizing, is built successfully by a business owner who is humble enough to pivot when things aren't working and brave enough to charge forward when things get difficult.

And they WILL get difficult. That's the nature of business. Michelle is inspiring because she's currently "in the moment" with running two businesses, maintaining a marriage, and raising a toddler. Her design business has survived many economic ups and downs, and her coaching company seeks to help you scale and do the same.

"How can I create a marketing calendar for my business?"

I get asked this question by entrepreneurs across the home industry, from interior design and staging to organizing and window treatments. I love when people ask this question because it shows that: a) they want to take real action in their marketing, and b) they recognize that marketing should be intentional, not haphazard.

Today on The Kate Show, I'm sharing the marketing calendar I recommend to nearly all my agency's clients. Whether you are DIYing your marketing or ready to outsource everything, you need a plan that fits your business model and makes sense for your goals.

Branding is not your logo. I used to think having a logo was the core of having a brand, but I didn't realize until years into running a business that the logo is just the icing on the cake. If you've ever worked with a branding professional, you know about the lengthy and in-depth process you must go through for a graphic designer to understand your brand. The logo, while often the most exciting part of the branding process, is one of the last things to be created — and for good reason.

Today on The Kate Show, I'm walking you through a branding checklist that will help you determine whether you have a brand or just a logo. I'll give you action items with every step. As a result, you'll be fully prepared to bring your new brand into the world (or run to your nearest graphic designer because your old logo no longer aligns). ?? Once you understand your own brand, you'll find that marketing is so much easier.

Rather than blasting your ears with more marketing rants today, I'm shifting focus to a much more personal topic: My maternity leave! With our second baby due in June 2022, I am faced, yet again, with planning for a 3-month leave. Because many of you are soon-to-be mothers or hope to be, you might be wondering how (and if) it's actually possible to take 12 weeks off when you have your baby while also running your own business.

The short answer: Yes.

The long answer: Well, that's why I'm making this episode.

Today on The Kate Show, I'm sharing how I plan for maternity leave without reducing revenue or short-changing my agency's clients. In fact, if you are a client or member with us, you'll feel reassured after listening to this episode. Even though I'll be re-prioritizing my time this summer, you will remain a high priority to my agency. I couldn't do this without my team and a whole lotta automation. Let's dive into it.

Several years ago, I made the executive decision to design websites exclusively on Squarespace. Prior to this, my agency was designing websites on nearly any platform, largely Wordpress. However, we kept running into the same issues... Issues that cost my team hours of time and our clients hundreds of dollars. Today on The Kate Show, I'm sharing exactly why we recommend Squarespace over WordPress, Wix, Weebly, and Showit.

Today on The Kate Show, I'm going to show you exactly how you should use social media as a home industry professional and what you should and should not expect from it. Spoiler alert: If social media is causing you stress, you are doing it wrong.

Wouldn't marketing be easier if you just knew what to say...ahead of time? Planning your content marketing in advance is smart for two reasons: First, it allows you to marinate on the topics ahead of time and avoid writer's block when the time comes to create. Second, it allows you to batch create content. I've adapted the process my agency uses for content planning into something that makes sense for home professionals like you. If you are looking to create cohesive, professional marketing content for your interior design, home staging, organizing, or window treatment business, you need to hear this episode.

As you assess your expenses in the New Year, you might be wondering whether you're paying too much when you combine the costs of the dozens of online tools you use to run your business. Whether you use multiple platforms that happen to offer the same features, or you simply don't need the features you first thought you needed, now is the time to clean house.

On this episode of The Kate Show, I'm walking you through how to assess and downsize the number of paid online tools you use, and pay for fewer (but more premium) tools that will get you further ahead in business. It's time to stop overpaying and underusing.

Can you spot a "bad client" a mile away? For years, I struggled with this and still occasionally let one slip through. After assessing my own misjudgments (late night worrying about how on earth I got my team into such a predicament, basically) and after speaking with many of you who have generously shared your "nightmare client" stories, I thought it was worth an episode. If you are new to the home industry, or if you keep working with PITA clients (that's pain-in-the-ass, in case you're wondering), you might be relieved to know there are clear red flags, and even some yellow caution flags, that should alert you to proceed with caution or simply end the interaction. Let's talk about them.