Today With Tim Yurek:

Succession planning—it’s something every family business needs, but so many owners put off. In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, I’m bringing you a powerful conversation from our Bound by Business series, where Jessica Harling sits down with financial expert Tim Yurek to break down exactly how to plan for the future of your business without disrupting your present.

Tim shares how business owners can uncover hidden cash flow, avoid common financial pitfalls, and set up a seamless transition for the next generation. Whether you're looking to pass the business to a family member, key employee, or even considering an eventual sale, this episode is packed with insights that will help you take control of your financial future.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of succession planning, trust me—you’re not alone. But after listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps to make the process easier and more successful.

Let’s dive in!

More About Tim Yurek

Tim Yurek is the founder and CEO of Tier 1 Capital, a leading financial consulting firm.

As a veteran and thought leader in his space, his insights have been featured on major media such as Bloomberg TV and have earned him a seat at the Million Dollar Roundtable – a global, independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial service professionals. In addition, Tim has earned the designation of “Top of The Table” within the Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes the top 1% of professionals in his industry worldwide.

As CEO, of Tier 1 Capital, Tim plays a foundational role in supporting the intricacies of Business Planning for his clients. Everything from getting clarity on their goals and objectives, designing plans to meet these objectives and finding the money to fund these objectives “within their current cash flow.” This allows them to achieve their long-term goals with minimal or little impact on current cash flow. All of this work is powered by the unique application of the Tier 1 Capital Growth process which allows you to regain control of your money and your cash flow.

Connect with Tim Yurek

Website

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

More About Jessica Harling

With unwavering conviction, Jessica Harling can break down complex decisions to simplify an action plan. Her dynamic problem-solving can confront potential obstacles proactively and energize any team, making others feel valued to achieve their ambitious company goals. She is the founder of Behind the Design, a People Operations company that enthusiastically collaborates with leadership to build dream teams! From recruiting to training and process development, their intuition for creating strong emotional connections discovers and nurtures rockstar talent with established streamlined processes that impact the company’s bottom line.

Connect with Jessica Harling

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Free Zoom Annual Conference Preview - February 27th!

Exciting Windows! 21st Annual Conference - April 16th-18th in West Palm Beach, Florida!

Other Shows

WTFP #255: Tim Yurek: The Critical Difference Between Exit Strategy and Succession Strategy

WTFP #253: Tim Yurek: Three Disturbing Trends That Put Small Businesses at Risk

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Over the past few episodes of Window Treatments for Profit, we’ve tackled the four biggest reasons why clients ghost:

✔ Not standing out as the expert

✔ Overwhelming them with too many choices (decision fatigue)

✔ Fear of making a costly mistake

✔ And now, in our final episode of this series—unaddressed concerns or objections.

This episode dives into the silent hesitation that stops clients from saying "yes." When they don’t voice their doubts, they simply disappear. But as the expert, it’s your job to uncover those hidden objections before they turn into ghosting.

Listen in as I share:

🔹 How to spot unspoken concerns before they cost you the sale

🔹 The exact questions to ask when a client seems hesitant

🔹 How to reframe objections into opportunities for trust and clarity

This is the final episode in our ghosting series—and by the end, you’ll have a rock-solid process for eliminating ghosting in your sales process.

Tune in now and take control of your sales conversations!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Join LuAnn University!

Join us for our Pre-Conference Zoom on February 27th!

Other Shows:

WTFP #303: What Would Lu Do?: Here’s One Strategy to Overcome Client Ghosting

WTFP #304: What Would Lu Do?: Part 2: Why Clients Ghost – Decision Fatigue

WTFP #305: What Would Lu Do?: Ghosted After the Quote? The Pricing Conversation You’re Avoiding

AWDB #306: What Would Lu Do?: Part 3 – Ghosting: Fear of Making Mistakes

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Why do some clients disappear just when they seem ready to buy? In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, we’re tackling a major reason why potential clients ghost: fear of making a big mistake.

Even the most excited clients can hesitate if they feel uncertain, uneducated, or afraid of regret. As the expert in the room, it's your job to recognize and ease these fears so they feel confident moving forward.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ The four ways fear of mistakes shows up—and how to spot it early.

✔️ How to bridge the knowledge gap so clients feel informed, not overwhelmed.

✔️ How to counteract financial hesitation and position the true value of custom window treatments.

✔️ The power of social proof, expert recommendations, and clear guarantees to eliminate client doubt.

Stop losing clients to hesitation! Learn how to turn uncertainty into confidence and guide your clients toward a decision they’ll love.

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Join LuAnn University!

Join us for our Pre-Conference Zoom on February 27th!

Other Shows:

WTFP #303: What Would Lu Do?: Here’s One Strategy to Overcome Client Ghosting

WTFP #304: What Would Lu Do?: Part 2: Why Clients Ghost – Decision Fatigue

WTFP #305: What Would Lu Do?: Ghosted After the Quote? The Pricing Conversation You’re Avoiding

AWDB #485: Power Talk Friday: Claire Jefford: Rock the Consult

AWDB #432: Power Talk Friday: LuAnn Nigara: Your Client Is Wrong, Now What?

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! We’ve been diving deep into the topic of ghosting—why clients disappear and how to stop it from happening. This was supposed to be Part 3 of our four-part series, but something happened...

A listener, Beatriz, wrote in with a real-life scenario that perfectly ties into our topic. She got ghosted after sending a quote, and when she looked back at her process, she realized she never set a clear pricing expectation.

And she’s not alone. If you’ve ever hesitated to talk price in the consultation because you were afraid of losing the client—only to lose them anyway—this episode is for you.

I break down exactly where Beatriz lost control of the conversation and share a powerful pricing strategy that puts YOU back in charge.

Listen now and learn how to stop getting ghosted after the quote!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Submit your questions to What Would Lu Do?

Join LuAnn University!

Join us for our Pre-Conference Zoom on February 27th!

Other Shows:

WTFP #304: What Would Lu Do?: Part 2: Why Clients Ghost – Decision Fatigue

WTFP #303: What Would Lu Do?: Here’s One Strategy to Overcome Client Ghosting

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Are you losing clients because they feel overwhelmed by choices? In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, we tackle decision fatigue—why it happens and how it can sabotage your sales process. Discover actionable strategies to:

Don't miss these powerful insights to reduce client ghosting and take your consultations to the next level!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

LuAnn University!

Other Shows:

WTFP #303: What Would Lu Do?: Here’s One Strategy to Overcome Client Ghosting

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

If you’ve been in the window treatment business for any length of time, you’ve likely experienced this: you pour hours into a proposal or consultation, think you’ve nailed it, and then—silence. The client disappears, leaving you frustrated, confused, and wondering what went wrong.

Let me assure you, ghosting isn’t about your worth as a person. But it is often about how you communicate your value as a professional. The good news? This is fixable.

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

The A Well-Designed Business® 4-Part Docuseries!

Jude Charles’ Dramatic Demonstration Book!

Jude Charles’ Website!

Jude Charles’ Instagram!

Other Shows:

#724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals

#718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos

#626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design

#516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand

Today With Jessica Harling:

Hi, welcome to Window Treatments For Profit! Today, Jessica and I recap the key insights from our 'Bound by Business' series. We’ll dive into the five invaluable lessons Jessica has learned from her experiences in family business dynamics. From navigating challenges to celebrating the unique joys of working together, we’ll explore the reality behind family businesses, the importance of setting boundaries, and how to communicate effectively. Join us for a candid discussion filled with laughter, wisdom, and a few surprises along the way!

More About Jessica Harling

With unwavering conviction, Jessica Harling can break down complex decisions to simplify an action plan. Her dynamic problem-solving can confront potential obstacles proactively and energize any team, making others feel valued to achieve their ambitious company goals. She is the founder of Behind the Design, a People Operations company that enthusiastically collaborates with leadership to build dream teams! From recruiting to training and process development, their intuition for creating strong emotional connections discovers and nurtures rockstar talent with established streamlined processes that impact the company’s bottom line.

Connect with Jessica Harling

Website

Instagram 

Facebook 

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources Mentioned

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

In this episode of "Window Treatments for Profit," I tackle a challenge many window treatment professionals face: the dreaded question, "Can you do better on the price?" Join me as I share my insights on pricing and the importance of understanding your value. I’ll guide you through the beliefs that shape your quotes and how to maintain confidence in your pricing strategy. Let’s dive into practical strategies to handle price objections and ensure you’re not undervaluing your expertise. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you grow your business and stand firm in your worth!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Sign up for LuAnn University!

What Would Lu Do?

Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Today, I’m diving into the vital elements of building a high-performing team, drawing insights from Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. We’ll explore the importance of trust, the role of healthy conflict, accountability, and focusing on collective results. If you’ve ever felt like your team just isn’t “gelling,” this episode is for you! Plus, I’ll share details about my upcoming workshop that will help you kick off the new year with a clear, strategic plan. Let’s transform your team dynamics together!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

LuAnn Nigara’s Books!

The Making of A Well-Designed Business: The Workshop

Today With Amanda Smith:

Hi, welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amanda Smith, a leader in the window treatment industry and co-founder of Seamless Workroom. From her start as a teacher to becoming a sought-after partner for interior designers, Amanda’s story is a testament to the power of systems, efficiency, and a commitment to quality.

More About Amanda Smith

Like many others in this business, I did not start out as a fabricator of window treatments. I attended college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education. After teaching English and Social Studies for seven years, I attended graduate school earning a master’s degree in library science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and worked as a high school media specialist for three years until my twin boys were born in 1998. At which time I became a stay-at-home Mom.

When my boys turned three, I knew I wanted to work but did not want to return to teaching full time. While visiting a friend one afternoon, I noticed she had new window treatments in her family room. It was an “ah ha” moment. I thought, “If I can make cocktail dresses, I can surely learn to make window treatments!” I come from a family that sews. My mother, an accomplished sewer and quilter, taught me the art at age 12. My father owned a successful auto upholstery business for 25 years. Both of my grandmothers and all of my aunts sewed. With my family’s support, I set up a small workroom in an extra bedroom and completed my first job in July 2001.

What started out as a small, retail business has grown into a full-service to the trade workroom offering fabrication of panels, valances, roman shades, bedding and decorative accessories as well as several lines of fabrics, hardware, shutters, blinds, roller shades, solar shades, and natural woven shades for those associated with the interior design industry.

In July 2017 I, along with Rose Mary LeBlanc, launched a second business. Seamless Workroom is a workroom management system which helps to improve efficiency and productivity within the workroom for fabricators and designers in the industry.

Connect with Amanda Smith

Sew Unordinary

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Seamless Workroom

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Email

Cheryl Luckett’s Instagram!

A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Cheryl Luckett’s Instagram!

Sign up for LuAnn University!

Other Shows:

AWDB #397: Power Talk Friday: Where Are They Now?: Cheryl Luckett: Dwell By Cheryl

AWDB #291: Cheryl Luckett – From Side Hustle to Full Time Interior Design