Avsnitt
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Today with Arianne Bellizaire & Ben Johnston:
Do we still need to be talking about diversity in our industry? Yes. A thousand times yes. It is so incredibly easy for us to operate inside our comfortable, familiar bubbles and assume that if the door is wide open for us, it must be open for everyone else. But when we don't do the real work, when we overlook the lack of diversity and allow designers of color to face barriers to entry, we are missing out on incredible perspectives and top-tier talent.
My guests today, Ben Johnston, the 2026 Chair of Diversity Advocacy Alliance, and Arianne Bellizaire, an exceptional luxury designer and a foundational DAA committee member, join the show to break down what real, action-oriented advocacy actually looks like. Together, they pull back the curtain on the lack of representation in the design world, sharing a beautiful, real-world example of how their partnership and true alliance opened a massive door that resulted in an important diversity milestone. Ben and Arianne challenge every single business leader to clear their own blind spots, and use their access to ensure that where real talent exists, there is no barrier keeping it from rising.
More About Arianne Bellizaire & Ben Johnston:
Benjamin Johnston sits at the helm of his eponymous design firm and has dedicated his life to artistic pursuits. Ben launched his first design business focused exclusively on interior design, allowing him to follow his passion for bringing extraordinary designs to life. Ben eventually expanded the firm to include architecture, offering clients a holistic approach that invites his prestigious team to manage the creation of luxury homes from start to finish. His passion for form, function, and design coupled with a keen understanding of market needs has resulted in three licensed collections, including a furniture line for Chaddock, a diverse collection of hand-knotted rugs for Madison Lily Rugs, and a textile and wallcovering collection for Fabricut’s contemporary luxury brand, S.Harris. Next year, Ben will debut his collection of fireplace surrounds and tile mosaics with Material Bespoke Stone & Tile. Ben’s book with Rizzoli, entitled, Refined Interiors: Timeless Homes for Modern Living was released in February 2026.
Arianne Bellizaire is the Founder and Creative Director of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors and a recognized voice at the intersection of design, business, and industry influence. Her work spans residential interiors, multifamily development, and experiential showroom design, giving her a unique understanding of how design translates into business value and opportunity.
Before launching Arianne Bellizaire Interiors in 2013, Arianne built a career in corporate marketing and public relations, a foundation that continues to inform how she approaches design, brand partnerships, and strategic consulting. That background gives her a perspective most designers do not have: an understanding of how decisions are made, how value is communicated, and how visibility is built intentionally. She holds degrees in Mass Communications and Political Communication from LSU, and a Certificate of Interior Architecture from UCLA.
Arianne's work extends beyond interior design into ongoing conversations around business, creativity, and personal growth. She is a frequent contributor on industry panels and media platforms, and co-host of The Hustle Adjacent podcast, where she explores the realities of building a career, navigating growth, and redefining success. Her media profile includes features in Architectural Digest, Forbes, House Beautiful, and she was the lead designer on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reboot in 2025.
Ah Ha Moments with Arianne Bellizaire & Ben Johnston:
"If you look at many of the designers of color who've come to this industry, we come to it later…after we do what we thought we were supposed to do. It’s really difficult to grow up aspiring to be something that you don't have a picture of." -Arianne Bellizaire
"All we want is a chance to be at the table, to be considered with the rest of the talent. That's it...we're not asking you to give us anything that we didn't earn." -Arianne Bellizaire
"We all have to be the change we want to see in this world. and we have to do it with intention and authenticity." -Ben Johnston
Connect with Arianne Bellizaire & Ben Johnston:
Arianne's Website
Arianne's Instagram
Ben's Website
Ben's Instagram
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
Boardroom for Creatives
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
Episode 568Arianne Bellizaire: “A Reluctant and Accidental Leader in #BLM”
Episode 20Arianne Bellizaire – Could Your Hobby or Hidden Talent Be Your Marketing Platform? -
Today with Dezign Assist: Kylie Ponton, Corri English:
Today with Corri English, founder and principal designer of Music City Interiors, and Kylie Ponton, principal and CEO of Ponton Interiors, we are talking about what it actually looks like to bring qualified virtual support into your design firm at any stage of business.
Corri is eighteen months into building her Nashville-based studio and already navigating the kind of capacity challenges that come with early success. Kylie has fifteen years of experience, a seasoned team, and systems that most designers are still working toward. They could not be more different on paper — and that is exactly the point. Today they pull back the curtain on their real experiences bringing on Dezign Assist VAs, including the wins, the bumps in the road, and what they know now that they wish they had known sooner. This episode is sponsored by Dezign Assist.
More About Kylie Ponton, Corri English:
Corri English:
By the time Corri English was five years old, she was already working. Theater. Commercials. Voice-over. And already noticing — the way a room changes how people move through it, how a set can carry a character’s whole emotional weight, how the details nobody plans for are often the ones that land hardest. Most people see rooms. She was reading them.
Decades later, that instinct drives everything she builds.
Corri is the founder and principal designer of Music City Interiors, a Nashville-based studio focused on custom homes, renovations, and the kind of spaces that feel like they were designed specifically for the people living in them — because they were. Before launching her design career, she spent years in entertainment as an award-winning actress, singer-songwriter, and voice-over artist, accumulating credits that range from Runaway Jury (alongside Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and John Cusack) to House, CSI: Miami, Luke Cage, and The Bedford Diaries. She also fronted the country-rock band Brokedown Cadillac, whose music landed in Desperate Housewives, The Mentalist, and Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain, among others.
Every role she played, every song she wrote, every performance she gave was really about the same thing: creating the conditions for an emotion.
That’s still what she does. The medium just changed.
Years on film sets left a mark that can’t be unlearned. She started seeing rooms the way cinematographers see frames — as mood, as character, as the place the story either wants to happen or doesn’t. Songwriting taught her something different but just as essential: the rhythm and architecture required to make separate pieces cohere into something that feels inevitable. Both inform how she approaches a home.
Through Music City Interiors, Corri works with homeowners, builders, and architects on large-scale custom builds and renovations — handling everything from spatial planning and architectural detailing to full furnishings, finishes, and decor sourcing. Her aesthetic leans warm, layered, and slightly cinematic — collected rather than curated, elevated without being cold, detailed without being precious. She’s especially drawn to the projects other designers find difficult: the tricky floor plans, the structural constraints, the rooms that almost work. The puzzle isn’t the obstacle. The puzzle is the point.
Her design philosophy is direct: a home should feel autobiographical. Not a reference image someone found on Pinterest, not a composite of what’s trending this quarter — something that belongs unmistakably to the people who live there. More refined, more intentional, more emotionally grounded than they could have gotten to on their own, but never disconnected from who they actually are.
She doesn’t design for the photograph. She designs for the exhale.
Corri lives in Nashville with her husband, Apple Music Country host Ty Bentli, and their three children — in a house that regularly hosts kitchen dance parties, construction-site field trips, blanket forts, and spirited debates about lighting temperatures she almost always wins.
Ah Ha Moments with Kylie Ponton, Corri English:
“I don't feel like I had time to learn everything the hard way. I just wanted more input, more feedback, more results." - Kylie
“I felt like I had help but not support.” - Corri
"I really do believe almost any firm on the planet could figure out a way to get their stuff done easier, faster, quicker with less headaches if they have qualified support." - LuAnn
Connect with Dezign Assist. Corri English, and Kylie Ponton:
Corri’s Website
Corri’s Instagram
Kylie's Website
Kylie's Instagram
Dezign Assist
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
Board Room for Creatives
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.
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
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 -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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Welcome to our special bonus show! Today, as promised, we will be sharing our conversation with Eric Ross about his business philosophy, his process for selling accessories, and the way he manages his reveal install day. Eric’s process is unique and very unusual. Be sure to listen in, to hear what he has to share.
Eric has been a professional decorator for more than twenty years. Although his preferred design style is traditional, he listens to his clients, to help them discover what they love, and what they respond to because he believes that everyone’s home should represent who they are on their best day. Tune in today, to get some great advice from Eric!
Show Highlights:
Eric doesn’t deliver a project piecemeal. He only reveals it when it’s ready.
Eric takes risks when making purchases for his clients but they seldom ask to return items.
It is important to look at what you’re trying to achieve, and the value you’re bringing to people, and stick to that.
Know that your job is to make things beautiful and if something gets returned you have still done your job.
Eric loves to wow people at the install.
People who appreciate Eric’s value and want a beautiful home will be willing to pay the price he’s asking.
It’s Eric’s job to design a room to completion. It’s the client’s job to decide on the budget.
The designer needs to learn what makes the client tick.
Links:
Website: Eric Ross Interiors
Facebook: Eric Ross Interiors
Instagram: Eric Ross Interiors
Pinterest: Eric Ross Interiors
Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business
A Well-Designed Business 4th Birthday Party -
Welcome! Today, Eric Ross joins us on the show. Eric is a charming southern gentleman and a well-experienced design professional. He is also a seasoned businessman who has figured out how to run his firm in a unique way that really works for him. In today’s episode, he describes how he runs his private interior design studio like a retail store. He explains that he no longer feels the need to change, apologize or adjust the way he works to conform to a client’s expectations. Eric knows himself well, he understands his passions, and he is very clear about what he will and will not do. Be sure to listen in today, to find about his very interesting business model.
Eric is from Nashville. He has been in love with the traditional living design style since he was a child. He has more than twenty years of design experience and his work has been published in Traditional Home, Southern Style, Southern Lady, The Cottage Journal, as well as in many other publications. Eric’s passion is to fan the flame of traditional decorating with a deeply Southern esthetic. Tune in now, for more!
Show Highlights:
Eric explains what he means when he says that he is running his design firm like a store without a storefront.
What the decorating track of Eric’s business is all about.
Eric’s margins are hefty, just like those in a storefront, and all of his design services are included in that pricing.
The way that Eric educates his clients about his philosophy and the way he works.
Talking about transparency.
People will happily pay Eric for his product rather than his time.
Trust is a key issue.
Eric’s business model allows him to have total control over the whole process.
Eric’s advice is to start small with clients. It makes your business more manageable.
The biggest motivator for Eric is seeing the result of what he has created.
Eric’s qualifying process for his new clients.
Eric explains why he does not do discounts.
The opportunities you’re losing by being overworked.
Eric’s goal is to monetize his passion.
Our industry is too high-touch to make it high volume.
It’s okay to mark up because of the value you add to the project.
You don’t have to explain your “no”.
Eric has a new book out, called Enduring Southern Homes.
Links:
Website: Eric Ross Interiors
Facebook: Eric Ross Interiors
Instagram: Eric Ross Interiors
Pinterest: Eric Ross Interiors
Mydoma Studio: A Well Designed Business -
Today with Madelaine Mayer:
Today with Madelaine Mayer, licensed architect, certified interior designer, and founder of ADROIT Architecture & Interior Design in New York City, we are getting into what it really means to bet on yourself when everything you have built says you should stay put. Madelaine spent nearly 20 years in commercial and institutional architecture before making the leap to interior design — and the story of how she got there, and what kept her tethered so long, is one a lot of people in this audience are going to recognize.
We talk about the sunk cost trap, the expectations we inherit from the people who love us most, and the permission we withhold from ourselves when our credentials start to feel like an obligation instead of an asset. Madelaine also gets into how that 20-year technical foundation now gives her a genuine competitive edge in the complex, code-heavy world of New York City residential renovation — and what it looks like to build a company culture intentionally, from scratch, when you know exactly what you don't want it to be.
More About Madelaine Mayer:
Since founding ADROIT Architecture & Interior Design in 2022, Madelaine has earned a reputation for infusing complex New York City residences with boundless joy, innovative problem solving, and ineff able style. Drawing inspiration from her extensive travels, contemporary art, and architectural history, Madelaine wields a keen eye to create deeply personal and practical interiors alongside fun and memorable client experiences.
Madelaine has been featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy, and Real Simple, and was awarded the Apartment Therapy Small/Cool Best Vibe award for her own home in 2023.
With over 20 years of experience in New York City, Madelaine is a licensed architect, certified interior designer, LEED and WELL accredited, and a faculty member at the New York School of Interior Design. She earned her Masters in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology and her Bachelors in Architectural Studies and Art History from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Ah Ha Moments with Madelaine Mayer:
"There are pressures, internal and external. Sometimes they serve us, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they serve us until they don't. And then our job is to recognize the gift that they gave us, but then to break free and listen to the inside voice that's calling you to do the next thing." — LuAnn Nigara
"Just because something is difficult to achieve, just because something is perceived as elite or having a high barrier to entry, that it therefore has a higher value and it's better or more appropriate or more applicable. And that's just not true." — Madelaine Mayer
"You literally have to decide to be excellent as the boss every day. How do I show up in the inside of my business that no one else sees?" — Madelaine Mayer
Connect with Madelaine Mayer:
Website
Instagram
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
Boardroom for Creatives
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #1100: Best Of Show: Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward
AWDB #930: April Gandy: The Key to Managing a Successful Renovation Project -
Today With Kate O’Hara:
Today on In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara, we’re discussing diversifying your revenue—how to expand your business without losing focus on what’s already working.
Kate O’Hara, CEO and Creative Director of O’Hara Interiors, joins me to unpack what it really looks like to grow beyond design. We talk about service expansion—adding furnishings to construction, or vice versa—opening a second location, stepping into commercial, and what to know before diving into retail or e-commerce.
We also get honest about the “fun stuff”—books, licensing, TV, speaking, and podcasts—and why those often fall into the PR bucket, not the profit one. Kate shares how to test new ideas as CEO-level experiments, keep your core business airtight, and balance quick wins with long-term plays that build lasting opportunity.
If you’re ready to grow with intention, this conversation will help you run every next move like a CEO.
LuAnn Nigara and Kate O'Hara's Ah-Ha Moments
“When you are diversifying, each moment of diversification is an experiment.” - Kate
“When you go to diversify…you’ll immediately see what isn’t buttoned up in your core business.” - Kate
More About Kate O’Hara
Kate O’Hara grew up in the world of design. After a decade with the company, she stepped into the role of CEO + Creative Director, expanding the family design firm into new regions of the U.S. When she isn’t traveling between our Minnesota and Texas offices, you can find Kate speaking at conferences, working with our design team, and connecting with new clients and furniture lines.
Connect with Kate O’Hara
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
Houzz
LinkedIn
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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. -
Today with LuAnn Nigara:
The Boardroom for Creatives Is Open. Here's Why I Built It.
After nine years and over 1,400 episodes of bringing the best voices and the most qualified experts to this community, LuAnn built something new.
In this episode she tells the full story, the heartfelt emails she couldn't answer the way they deserved, the Instagram DM that crystallized the problem, and the interview with Corey Damon Jenkins that made everything click into place.
She also goes behind the scenes: the genius moment followed by the tech panic, the two green lights she got in a single afternoon from her coach Amber De La Garza and her husband Vin, and what happened when she started inviting Board Members into the room.
The Boardroom for Creatives is a curated platform where you book a private 50-minute session with a vetted expert personally selected by LuAnn. Someone she would send her own clients to. No long-term commitment. No contracts. No pay to play.
Board Members are taking appointments now.
👉 boardroomforcreatives.com
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
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
Watch the Docuseries!
https://www.luannnigara.com/cob
Get The Goodies!
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
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
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 -
Today with William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio of Mr. Steam:
We all know that wellness-focused design is steadily trending. And in today’s sponsored show, we’re talking about what exactly that means in terms of bathroom design, and how you can be ahead of the cutting-edge to meet clients before they even know what they’re looking for.
My guests today, William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio of Mr. Steam, join the show to talk about how steam showers can change the game for your clients. They talk about the language behind wellness design in bathrooms, why steam is so important, and they break down the operational logistics that might be holding you back from implementing these features into your designs. Learn how to start creating a new, elevated experience for your clients in every bathroom design. To learn more go to luannnigara.com/mrsteam
More About William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio:
Dawn DiGregorio
Vice President and General Manager- MrSteam / Feel Good Inc.
With over 25 years at MrSteam, Dawn continually drives success in planning, business and product development, customer service, technical service, human resources, operations, sales, and marketing while building a culture that empowers every individual to innovate, grow, and thrive.
Dawn has devoted herself to the promise of fostering positive relationships that unite groups while allowing individuals to find their voice, grow their talents and succeed.
Dawn pridefully and passionately approaches every initiative with a focus on care and service, truly embodying the MrSteam-Feel Good Inc. ethos; “We feel good when you feel good.”
William Kauker
Director of Marketing- MrSteam / Feel Good Inc.
The peanut butter and the chocolate. The strategist and the creative marketer.
William’s CV is a legacy of leading global advertising agencies tasked to champion some of the world’s biggest consumer and business brands.
William is now focused on delivering elegant solutions that help shape and guide the product, marketing and brand experience for MrSteam / Feel Good Inc. where every innovation is thoughtfully designed, and every individual is empowered to champion making people feel good.
Ah Ha Moments with William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio:
"We don't make faucets tile or plumbing fixtures, we make steam showers, and now saunas too. And when designers call with questions, how-to questions and the like, they're talking to people who have spent their entire careers on this one experience." -Dawn "People are not just saying, I want a beautiful bathroom anymore. They're saying, I want to change my life. I want my home to make me perform better in my life." -William
"So it sounds like Mr. Steam is built on this philosophy, number one. This is not like, oh, by the way, we have a product and we can make an angle out of it. This is a core culture belief for your company." -LuAnn
"We really do need to steam. We need to be aware that steam will be part of the project as soon as possible. It's not something that could be an afterthought, right?" -William
Connect with Mr. Steam:
Website
Instagram
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 -
Today with Jasmine Roth:
We all want to stand out and get noticed in our businesses…but sometimes we get so caught up in trying to do what we’re “supposed” to do or put out what we think people are looking for that we forget the most important thing—loving what we do and committing to who we are as people and business owners.
My guest today, Jasmine Roth, host of HGTV's hit shows and the upcoming series Roast My Rental, joins the show to share her journey to her high-profile career. Jasmine breaks down the reality of building a standout firm rooted in authenticity, explaining how keeping her early construction business and her network helped her stay efficient, why saying no to the wrong projects clarifies your true business values, and how embracing seasons of life is the ultimate secret, not just to long-term entrepreneurial happiness, but also to getting noticed and standing out from the crowd.
More About Jasmine Roth:
Jasmine Roth is the founder of Built Custom Homes, curator of the online retail store The Shop by Jasmine Roth and host of HGTV’s hit shows Hidden Potential and HELP! I Wrecked My House. She was also on HGTV’s Rock the Block Season 1, but we won’t spoil the winner for you! Jasmine will also be starring alongside comedian Leslie Jones in a new HGTV series Roast My Rental, premiering July 24th, 2026 at 9:30pm ET/PT. Building custom homes is her bread and butter and she loves finding ways to make homes as personal, functional and beautiful as possible.
Growing up, Jasmine spent her childhood weekends building playhouses and furniture in her dad’s garage. In college she met her husband, Brett, and graduated with a business degree in entrepreneurship and new venture management from the school of business. In 2012, Jasmine launched her boutique development company, Built Custom Homes. As owner and founder, Jasmine runs her projects with a hands-on approach and customizes each home to the family that will eventually live there. Jasmine's website is rapidly growing, and her first book, titled, "House Story: Insider Secrets to the Perfect Home Renovation," was published in 2021. In 2023 she rolled out Virtual Design Consulting with Built Custom Homes to assist clients around the world.
She lives in Park City, UT with her husband Brett and their daughters Hazel Lynn (6) and Darla Rose (1). She is also excitedly expecting a new baby due October 23rd, 2026.
Ah Ha Moments with Jasmine Roth:
"If you're doing something you love, share that. Don't share, don't try to be somebody else. Don't try to post things cause you think that's what somebody's looking for or that's what they wanna see, you just post what you're doing because what you're doing is interesting." -Jasmine Roth
"Saying yes to the right things and really what it comes down to is saying no to the right things can give us the opportunity to say yes to the bigger things, to take that seat at the table." -Jasmine Roth
"If it makes sense to you, if it feels good to you, if you are engaged... you'll be engaging. You can't look and say, what should I say to show up to be one in the noise? It either is you or it isn't because you can't keep up the facade, right?" -LuAnn Nigara
Connect with Jasmine Roth:
Website
Instagram
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #759 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing
AWDB #987 Kate Wood: Discovering and Leaning into Your Niche
AWDB #1035 Lindsay Hunter: The Equestrian Interior Designer: Getting Ultra-Specific with Your Niche
AWDB #1183 BEST OF SHOW: Fred Berns: Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours -
Today with Isabel Ladd:
Today with Isabel Ladd, self-taught interior designer and unapologetic maximalist, we are getting into what it actually looks like to build a business entirely on your own terms. Isabel is a 2026 High Point Market Authority Style Spotter, a Kips Bay and House Beautiful Whole Home Showhouse alum, and someone who has spent 11 years in business deliberately engineering her client process so that by the time someone works with her, it's a love match — for both of them.
Isabel walks us through the intentional speed bumps she's built into her intake process, the 15-page handbook her clients receive before they ever get on a call with her, and the mindset shifts that changed everything — including why she deleted more than half of her portfolio and never looked back. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to run a business from a place of joy instead of obligation, this is your episode.
More About Isabel Ladd:
A ride-or-die Maximalist, Isabel Ladd thrives on creating homes saturated in a kaleidoscope of intelligent, meticulously layered colors and patterns. A girl of many mantras, Isabel loves to preach: More is More, Less is never enough; and Mix: don’t match.
Isabel has participated in both the Kip’s Bay Designer Showhouse and House Beautiful’s Whole Home Showhouse. She won the Luxe Magazine Red Award “Interior Design: Best of the Rest” , is a House Beautiful “Next Wave” Designer, represented Kentucky in Business Of Home’s “50 States Project, ” and was named a “New Trad” in Traditional Home magazine. Her work is regularly featured in design + lifestyle outlets.
Ah Ha Moments with Isabel Ladd:
"It's not about the market that you're in that determines if your aesthetic is successful. It's about who aligns with your vibe. And good vibes are more important to me than anything else.” - Isabel
“There’s not a problem. There’s just a solution we haven’t figured out just yet.” - Isabel
“I give myself authority to make the best decisions for you on your behalf.” - Isabel
"If I don't care if there's only 5% of the people in Kentucky that appreciate your look — you're going to get 100% of that 5% because you're willing to say, this is who I am and this is how I show up." - LuAnn
Connect with Isabel Ladd:
Website
Instagram
Pinterest
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB Episode 991: Chloe Bullock: Conscious Design
AWDB Episode 831: Flashback Friday: Nate Berkus: The Importance of Creating An Exceptional Client Experience
AWDB Episode 1141: Nate Berkus: “Foundations”: His New Book and 30 Years of Interior Design Business Wisdom
AWDB #1006: Power Talk Friday: Tammy Nagem, CEO, High Point Market Authority. Why You Should Go to HPMKT -
Today with Jason Saft:
Today with Jason Saft, founder of Staged To Sell Home and one of the most recognized names in luxury staging. Jason has built a business staging multi-million dollar properties across New York City — the kind of apartments and townhouses that were stuck on the market for years until he came in and transformed them into spaces that sell in weeks. With over 20 years in real estate and interiors, a 24,000 square foot warehouse of curated inventory, and a team of 15, Jason operates at a level most stagers only dream about. But what's fascinating about this conversation is how openly he talks about the journey to get here — the years of saying yes to everything, the projects he took for little to no money, and the boundaries he's learned to set (and strategically break) along the way.
We dig into how Jason communicates his value through data, why he'll negotiate on certain projects but hold firm on others, and what it's really like to manage impossibly tight timelines while maintaining his signature design aesthetic. Jason also shares why he stepped away from occupied staging after one particularly brutal project, how he's built systems that allow his team to execute flawlessly under pressure, and why he believes sharing his process openly has been one of the smartest business moves he's ever made. Whether you're a stager, designer, or running any kind of creative business, this episode is packed with insight on building something sustainable at the highest level.
More About Jason Saft:
Jason Saft is the founder of Staged To Sell Home and a visionary leader in the home staging and design industry. His contemporary, curatorial style seamlessly blends eras, integrating modern pieces into historic settings and allowing antiques to feel fresh in new builds. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and interiors, he has overseen more than $3 billion in sales and possesses a unique ability to transform unsellable properties into a sale through the art of interior staging. By realizing every space’s inherent potential, he creates homes where buyers envision their most aspirational lives
Jason’s audience of more than 100k followers looks to him for insight on design that resonates both culturally and commercially. His work has earned awards from the Real Estate Staging Association and has been featured in some of the most prestigious and recognizable outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Vogue, The New York Times, Forbes, and more. Explore his world at www.stagedtosellhome.com.
Ah Ha Moments with Jason Saft:
"I spent the last 20 years saying yes to everything, so I could finally start to say no." - Jason
“You hired my expertise. Stop getting in the way of it.” - LuAnn
"While I try not to negotiate a lot, because that is the difference of taking care of your employees, hiring that extra person, investing in your inventory, there are a lot of times where I absolutely will negotiate, because there is value in association." - Jason
"You can make whatever deal you want when you know the reason for it." - LuAnn
"Don't ever give anybody anything without telling them that you're giving it to them." - LuAnn
Connect with Jason Saft:
Website
Instagram
Press
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #76: Shauna Lynn Simon- Home Staging is not Interior Design and Here’s Why
AWDB #741: Leia Ward: Getting Started with Luxury Staging
AWDB #1104: Corey Damen Jenkins: How He Manages Imposter Syndrome and Builds Client Loyalty in Design -
Today with Janelle Photopoulos, Amy Peltier and Liz Walton:
Today we're continuing our referral marketing series with three more designers who transformed their businesses by working with Stacey Brown Randall.
Liz Walton shares how she went from throwing spaghetti at the wall to systematically generating referrals, and she's now more profitable while working less. Amy Peltier reveals her brutal boot camp of calling 40 people per week when she moved cross-country, and the consistency lessons that still drive her business. And Janelle Blakely Photopoulos shows how intentional relationship-building brought in $750,000 in referral business, with seven of her last ten projects coming from referrals.
You'll learn why language is everything when sending video messages, why tracking actual dollar amounts changes your approach, and how to position yourself so realtors and architects want you in their back pocket. These designers were already successful, but they recognized that hoping for referrals and systematically generating them are two very different things.
This is Part 2 of our referral series. If you missed Part 1 with Darci Hether, Rebecca Robinson, and Lacey Michalek, listen to that episode first. Stop winging your referral strategy and start building relationships that actually convert.
Connect with Janelle Photopoulos, Amy Peltier and Liz Walton:
Janelle Photopoulos
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
Amy Peltier
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Liz Walton
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
Episode 69 Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall – Take Control Of Your Business – Employee Management
Episode 93 Power Talk Friday- Stacey Brown Randall- How To Create an Awesome Client Experience!
Episode 364 Janelle Photopoulos: Leading, Not Simply Running, Your Interior Design Firm
Episode 426 Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall: Generating Business Referrals…Without Asking -
Today With Campbell Minister:Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Building a referral-led business isn’t always easy. It takes commitment, dedication, integrity, and accountability. Most of all, it takes the ability to navigate speed bumps and navigate challenges. My guest today, Campbell Minister, knows what it takes to do all of those things. She has created clear processes, learned how to set up proactive client expectations, and built strong relationships that bring referrals and repeat business her way. Today, she’s sharing her insights on what it takes to create those relationships and bring referrals your way.“It’s a testament to understanding the core belief that interior design is a personalized, high-level luxury service. You’re not in competition with everyone, and you’re not the right fit for everyone.” -LuAnn“Discipline and dedication are it. Really, at the end of the day, what makes me happy is if my clients are happy, so I am always thinking about what it takes to create that client experience. What do you want people to say about you?” -Campbell“It’s not who’s right or wrong. It’s who’s bringing their perspective and that lens, and what’s their lens for the situation. There’s your story and my story, but there’s always a third story.” -CampbellCampbell Minister Design (CMD) is a boutique, referral-led decorating firm.Campbell started her firm in 2016 while taking courses in interior design. She dove headfirst into a new build construction project, forcing her to become intensely focused on project execution, and working under tight construction timelines. Fast forward 7 years later and you will find Campbell leading a team of designers, operational support staff, and tradespeople to bring her clients’ vision to life.Campbell acts on behalf of her clients at every step of the design process, caring for their home as if it was her own. She leverages strong working relationships with trusted vendors to execute each client’s vision.As the daughter of a serial decorator, artist, and antique shop owner, Campbell has an innate sense of style and an eye for good design. Merging this background along with degrees in communication, education, and art history, Campbell uses these skills to successfully turn clients’ design ideas into gorgeously real spaces.WebsiteInstagram Facebook PinterestThe Power Talk Friday TourWatch the Docuseries!https://www.luannnigara.com/cobFor 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!Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into ActionAudiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into ActionBook 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday ExpertsBook 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2LuAnn’s WebsiteLuAnn’s BlogPower Talk FridayLike Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: PodcastHiring Toolkit Bundle#346 Do Not Let Us Design: Taylor Dieterich & Yashlie Negron#547 Power Talk Friday: Jamie Lieberman of Hashtag Legal: 5 Steps to Sharpen Your Negotiation Skills#939 Power Talk Friday: Amy Flurry: From Creating Media Opportunities to Creating a Product line; Aloka Home#282 Blanche Garcia – You Teach Clients How to Treat You#370 Kesha Franklin: A Different Path to a Career in Interior Design#374 Ellie Mroz: The Reveal Install & Working with Trades#704 Power Talk Friday: George Oliphant: George to the Rescue#871 Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Out of Overwhelm: Why Time Management Begins With Your MindsetLuAnn Nigara and Campbell Minister’s Ah-Ha MomentsMore About Campbell MinisterConnect with Campbell MinisterWhat’s new with LuAnn NigaraGet The Goodies!Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:Connect with LuAnn NigaraOther Resources Mentioned:Other Shows Mentioned:
-
Today With Zach Keenan and Zach Perez:
Are you spending more time checking boxes in your project management software than you are actually designing? We all love the idea of technology making our lives easier, but even with tools and systems, we still end up taking a lot of time out of our day to make them work for us. But what if you could fully and seamlessly automate your most annoying, time-consuming tasks…like searching for a specific receipt in a cluttered drive, manually logging site-visit hours, or moving data from one platform to another?
My guests today, Zach Perez and Zach Keenan, co-founders of Aupra, join the show to talk about the power of agentic AI. They specialize in building custom automation solutions that go well beyond basic chatbots to create internal systems that act on your behalf.
More About Zach Keenan and Zach Perez:
Zach Keenan and Zach Perez are childhood best friends turned co-founders. After two distinct personal journeys, they reconnected over a shared interest in business in 2025. Recognizing the growing opportunity within AI, they went on to launch Aupra in August of that year.
Aupra is an AI Automation company that specifically focuses on the design + build industry. They use AI to automate the most-time consuming work design studios have to deal with.
AI is so much more than just ChatGPT. Creating internal systems is truly where the magic can happen for businesses.
As young entrepreneurs they are excited to reveal the opportunity AI automation presents to the design industry.
Ah Ha Moments with Zach Keenan and Zach Perez:
"When it goes from AI to agentic in an agentic system, you give AI the capability to take action by giving it tools and giving AI the ability to use tools... allowing AI to now act on your behalf, but not only act by using those tools, but also remember what it did and then do it again and again and again." -Zach Perez
"Ideally, if we can, you know, reduce the amount of time spent doing tedious tasks, you can focus on the things you actually enjoy doing or that make the business more money." -Zach Keenan
"If I am out there and I’m using multiple things and they’re all working for me, but I am still the managing the human person, moving things from place to place, you might be able to replace that activity for me. I think that’s really the bottom line on this, isn’t it?" -LuAnn
Connect with Zach Keenan and Zach Perez:
Website
Youtube
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #1171 Jenna Gaidusek: AI Ethics for Interior Designers: Protecting Your Clients and Brand -
Today With LuAnn Nigara:
What happens when you have the opportunity to buy an established interior design business?
And more importantly…
How do you honor someone’s legacy while still protecting yourself financially?
In this episode, LuAnn answers a thoughtful listener question from Hannah Textor, a newer designer navigating a potential transition with a long-time designer nearing retirement.
She explains the questions to ask before acquiring a design business:
What actually gives a business transferable value?
What financials should you review?
How do you evaluate client retention risk?
What happens if everything lives in the owner’s head?
And how do you structure a deal that is fair, realistic, and sustainable?
This conversation goes far beyond valuations and contracts. It’s about understanding the difference between a busy business and a profitable one, recognizing hidden liabilities, and learning why trust is often the most valuable asset being transferred.
If you’ve ever considered buying a design firm, selling one, or transitioning a legacy business, this episode will help you ask smarter questions before making a major decision.
Have a Question for WWLD?
Head to: 👉 luannigara.com/WWLD
Submit your question and it might be featured in an upcoming episode.
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
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
Watch the Docuseries!
https://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
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 -
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! In this episode, LuAnn chats with Jaclyn Lankiewicz, the woman behind the Instagram handle, Jaclynmari_.
She is the principle of Jaclyn Marie Interiors based in Long Island, NY.
Her journey into interior design, like many, has not been a direct line. Basically, Jaclyn created an Instagram page that was getting so much attention that it prompted person after person to ask her if she would design their space. As you will hear today, her response was, “I finally said to myself, ok, let me do this”.
Jaclyn created an Instagram that has created a design business, and since you already have a design business and want to create more clients through Instagram, perhaps you’ll find her tips to be very helpful.
Listen in to see what we can learn about how to attract clients through Instagram!
Show Highlights:
Keep your feed neutral, bright, and uncluttered.
Edit your pictures properly, paying close attention to wood tones.
Be strategic about what and where you’re posting.
Keep an eye on your nine squares.
A picture of herself, a zoomed-in picture of styling, and a larger picture, such as a whole living room or whole kitchen is another tactic that Jaclyn likes to use.
Sharing a little of her personal life through Instagram helps people feel connected to her.
Another tip that Jaclyn offers is tagging retail vendors because they re-post a lot.
Jaclyn likes to share designers on her story (but not on her feed), and details the reasoning behind this.
Answering every message and comment from followers is a great way of engaging with them and inspiring trust.
How to identify someone whose work you’d like to share, and how to reach out.
Understanding your “why” and saying no to those you don’t wish to collaborate with.
Posting new content every day shows your followers that you’re reliable.
Jaclyn mentions apps that she finds helpful: Videoshop, Unfold, rewardStyle, VSCO, Snapseed, Retouch, and Planoly.
Resources:
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review!
Purchase LuAnn’s Book!
The Power Talk Friday Tour
LuAnn Live
Connect with Jaclyn!
Jaclyn’s Website
Jaclyn’shouzz
Jaclyn’s Instagram
Wingnut Social
East End Interiors Trade
Thank You to These Podcast Sponsors:
Connect with Your Local Kirsch Distributor Now!
Kirsch
Open Your Trade Account with ARTICLE.com Here!
Article
Other guests mentioned from previous episodes:
Sara Lynn Brennan #’s: 463, 514
Darla Powell #’s: 203, 330
Kim Merlitti #’s: 361, 442
Sandra Funk #’s: 2, 145 -
Welcome to the show! We have Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto, the founders of Park and Oak Interior Design Studio, located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with us today. These ladies work on new construction, renovation, and furnishing projects across the US, and you may even know them from their Instagram, with 130 000 followers. The way that they handle themselves and speak about their firm really conveys the confidence that they have in what they’re doing. And the success they’ve had in their first three years in business is not at all typical. In today’s episode, Renee and Christina pull back the curtain and boldly share with us their experiences and the lessons they have learned over the last three years. Listen in today, to find out what they have to share.
Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto founded the Park & Oak interior design studio in 2015. They are known for creating homes that are visually stunning, yet functional and comfortable. Their work, rooted in the art of timeless style, is driven by the belief that design can be used to create feelings of comfort and happiness. It combines the best of their individual aesthetics for a unique look. Christina and Renee have a creative energy that is engaging to work with. Using beautiful and unexpected sources of inspiration, they work collaboratively with clients to create spaces that thoughtfully honor the spirit and traditions of their owner. Tune in now for more!
Show Highlights:
Renee and Christina talk about what each of them brought to the table when they started out, and about what attracted them to each other, as business partners.
Some of the one-year and five-year goals that they established when first starting out.
Renee and Christina’s approach to the individual roles that they have in the business.
Renee describes the really special way that she and Christina work together.
From a park bench to a studio.
The first person that they hired was a bookkeeper.
What kept them powering through in the beginning, when they were sacrificing a lot and there were many challenges to face.
Struggling with balancing family life and business.
It took some time to bring their really awesome team together.
In year two, they experienced a turning point in the business.
They use a finite system to prevent problems and execute their projects efficiently.
Learning from their mistakes and gaining the courage to stand up for themselves.
Creating the right systems, in order to protect themselves.
There’s really a lot going on behind the scenes too.
How they find the time to keep their systems in order and their projects running smoothly.
Renee is behind their really impressive Instagram following.
Links:
Park And Oak
Facebook: Park And Oak Design
Twitter: Park And Oak
Instagram: Park And Oak Design
Pinterest: Park And Oak -
Today With Josh Cooperman:
Josh Cooperman and I have been crossing paths at trade events for years — waving at each other across the hall, meaning to sit down, never quite making it happen. We finally did, live at KBIS in the KB podcast studio, and this conversation was worth every year of waiting.
Josh is the host and publisher of Convo by Design, a platform dedicated to exploring what he calls sublime design and the creatives who make extraordinary spaces a reality. His background is anything but conventional — degrees in journalism and social sciences from Washington State University, followed by a career that ran through CBS Radio's motorsports division in Dallas, music promotion at KDGE-FM, and a stint as General Manager and Program Director of Playboy Radio. Yes, really. He started Convo by Design in 2013 because he wanted to do what he always wanted to do when he grew up, tell stories about the things he loves. Sound familiar?
What makes this conversation different is that Josh and I are both long-timers in this space. We started our shows within a year of each other, when most people didn't know what a podcast was. We've watched this medium grow, get crowded, get noisy, and get commoditized. And we have a lot of opinions about what that means for anyone thinking about entering it now.
We also get honest about what we're each building next and why the next chapter looks nothing like the last one.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why most designers who want a podcast should pause and answer one question before they do anything else
What your "why" has to be — and why lead gen from an industry-only audience is not a strategy
The real reason 90% of podcasts die before episode 10, and what separates the ones that don't
Why "award-winning" and "luxury" have lost their power as positioning language — and what to say instead
The editorial calendar mistake LuAnn made for seven years (and what she finally did about it)
Why the trade publications seeded thought leadership to podcasters — and what that opened up for all of us
The MBA format: what it is, why it's coming, and what it means for how you use this show going forward
Josh's new venture, Shelter Republic — a closed-end, invitation-only community for designers who want peer connection, thought leadership development, and real conversation outside of the once-a-year trade event circuit
Why the best idea Josh has had in years came from his son — a computer engineer with zero background in design who spotted a gap the industry couldn't see from the inside
If you've been listening to this show for a while, this one will feel like a conversation between two people who have been doing this work long enough to tell you the truth about it. And if you're newer here, welcome. This is a good one to start with.
Connect with Josh: Convo by Design: convobydesign.com Shelter Republic inquiries: [email protected]
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
luannuniversity.com
https://www.luannnigara.com/cob
Get The Goodies!
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
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
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
Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
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Today With Helen Bygraves:
It’s easy to look at massive design firms and wonder how they could have possibly done it. When you’re growing your business, it can seem like top-tier firms must have a secret roadmap or a crystal ball that tells them what decisions to make when.
But more likely, the success of a firm like that comes down to something much simpler: the discipline to show up and the guts to say “yes” to the right opportunities, even when they’re daunting. That’s exactly how my guest today, Helen Bygraves, has built Hill House Interiors over the last 28 years.
Today, she breaks down the reality of scaling an international empire, surviving the tough times, and coming out on the other side.
More About Helen Bygraves:
Helen Bygraves’ unique perspective on interiors draws on her singular background as a professionally trained dancer. From an appreciation for proportions, volume and movement to her sense for narrative and theatre, Helen’s experience on the stage has given her an inherent understanding of how to present interiors to their best effect.
Her aesthetic choices are further enriched by a passion for travel, which she indulged during a period in her 20s working in the airline industry. Her insatiable curiosity for other cultures led to a period of several years exploring the world. Even today, Helen relishes working on overseas projects, where the local architecture, fashions, aesthetic traditions and culture are a constant source of inspiration.
Born and raised in London, Helen fell into her calling as a designer almost accidentally, by renovating her own properties, which caught the attention of friends and led to her first clients. With her trademark enthusiasm, passion and exceptional organisational skills, she began her career in interior design while working in the travel sector and raising her daughter, Daniella. Never daunted by any challenge, Helen fervently believes in pushing boundaries, maintaining that progress comes when you venture beyond your comfort zone. This mantra applies as much to her creative process and life choices as to the design decisions she encourages her clients to explore.
Helen met Jenny in the early 1990s when they were both starting out in their creative careers. Their instant friendship was a meeting of two creative minds, cemented through shared aesthetic values, convictions and a sense of humour, and it quickly evolved into a business collaboration that now spans 25 years. Hill House Interiors has grown organically through word of mouth over the years, and continues to evolve. With her nurturing personality, Helen takes particular pleasure in furthering the careers of her staff and watching them flourish.
With a beautiful new office in Dubai to better service clients in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and the launch of an exclusive range of furniture, rugs, cushions and trimmings, Helen is relishing every moment in the continuing evolution of Hill House Interiors.
Ah Ha Moments with Helen Bygraves:
"Always surround yourself with the very best you can afford because they are going to take you to the next level." -Helen
"The day you think you know it all is the day you shouldn't be doing this job." -Helen
"It’s only a failure if you can’t correct it, right? It’s only a failure if you can’t figure out how not to do it again." -LuAnn
Connect with Helen Bygraves:
www.hillhouseinteriors.com
www.hillhouselifestyle.com
Instagram
LinkedIn
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:
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.
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
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 Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #1100 Best Of Show: Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward
AWDB #519 What Would Lu Do?: In Light of the Coronavirus
AWDB 790 Rick Campos: Design Biz Survival Guide- The Answer to All Your Business Questions
AWDB 774 Rick Campos: Design Biz Survival Guide Celebrates 4 Years!
AWDB 1059 Rachel Usher: Creating Community and Strength in the Interior Design Industry -
Today With Kate O’Hara:
As you grow your business, you inevitably hit a point where you just can’t force more projects into your pipeline. So…what happens next? Do you bring on another designer? Are there other options? Do you have to let go of creative control if you do bring on another designer? How do you make sure it’s a successful process?
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Kate O’Hara shares the answers to all of these questions. She breaks down the three options you have in terms of growing or scaling your business, and how to make sure that each one sets you up for success.
(Then in Part 2, she highlights how to take the space you create as you scale to diversify your income and create more revenue opportunities.)
LuAnn Nigara and Kate O'Hara's Ah-Ha Moments
“Now you’re letting go of what happens to those clients when they’re in the hands of your other designers. So you have to have a strong team and people that you really trust to the moon and back.” -Kate
“It’s all of the little, tiny little touch points that are coming out on your website, that are coming out in social, that are coming out in the magazine opportunities, the publication opportunities that you have, where you are literally saying we, us, not just the words we us, but all the different ways that it actually is we, us.” -LuAnn
“I think we sometimes we forget in our efforts to create really strong company culture and to be this type of firm people want to work for, it doesn't mean we have to be the type of firm that everyone and anyone can work for.” -Kate
More About Kate O’Hara
Kate O’Hara grew up in the world of design. After a decade with the company, she stepped into the role of CEO + Creative Director, expanding the family design firm into new regions of the U.S. When she isn’t traveling between our Minnesota and Texas offices, you can find Kate speaking at conferences, working with our design team, and connecting with new clients and furniture lines.
Connect with Kate O’Hara
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
Houzz
LinkedIn
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! - Visa fler
