778: Deborah Main: A Journey Through Illness to Interior Design

Today with Deborah Main: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode is a little bit different than the usual business acumen. We’re diving into Deborah Main’s story of how she became The Pillow Goddess. Deborah is the epitome of an inspirational story—of resiliency, of overcoming hardship, and chronic illness, and of art and creativity serving as an outlet in times of suffering.  Deborah’s story serves as motivation, inspiration, and absolute proof that art and design can heal and bring joy in even the toughest of times. Pick it apart: [0:36] Deborah shares her inspirational story of battling chronic illness. [14:24] Deborah discusses how she found pillow design, serving as a creative outlet that helped her focus on something positive.  [24:00] Deborah shares the limitations her illness still has on her life and what it has taught her.  [35:46] Deborah tasks about how she works with interior designers. [43:42] LuAnn and Deborah discuss the new collection with Robin Baron. LuAnn and Deborah Main’s Ah-Ha moments: “You mention it as part of your journey, ‘Oh I answered an open call for designers and made some pillows and applied to Austin Fashion Week’ as if they are things you just do in the course of your day. I’ve got to believe that it took a lot of courage and guts to actually do it.” -LuAnn Nigara   “I was very sick at the time, and my husband thought I was crazy but he supported me. He easily could have said, ‘Oh you’re obviously feeling better—why don’t you just do the dishes and make me some food?’ But he just saw what was happening. He saw me opening up and lighting up and he was so happy to see that that he never questioned me—he just wanted me to keep doing pillows.” -Deborah Main More about Deborah Main: Deborah Main is The Pillow Goddess, a dynamic, innovative design leader who has helped individuals and businesses create beautiful, distinctive high-end spaces for 18 years.   Based in Austin, Texas, Deborah’s experience and deep appreciation for design, textiles, the home furnishings industry, and a wide variety of interiors and home products gives her a fully-rounded understanding of what it takes to provide an exceptional luxurious look and feel to both personal environments and commercial spaces. She provides interior designers with high-quality products for their clients, while also helping retailers and brands differentiate their products/services from their competitors.   Deborah’s private clients are some of the leading high-end specialty boutiques, national e-commerce sites, interior design businesses, and home brands in the United States. She has helped them provide value to their customers and environments – building brand awareness in the process – which has allowed them to position themselves as the exclusive and unsurpassed option for luxury clientele. Connect with Deborah Main Website  Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest The UnZipped Collection What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events 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 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 Shows Mentioned: #449- Design Biz Live: What We Learned at LuAnn Nigara Live, It’s About the Conversation. #454- Power Talk Friday: Jamie Lieberman: Hashtag Legal: Lawyers That Speak Designer.  #638- What Would Lu Do?: Processes and Contracts: They Aren’t Made to Be Broken. #640- Power Talk Friday: Ashley Connell: Founder of Prowess: Helping You Find Your Next Hire. #654- Jenny Madden: Navigating Maternity Leave in Your Interior Design Business. #721- What Would Lu Do?: Year End 2021-Questions to Ask. #723- What Would Lu Do?: Let’s Do a Revenue Generator Review. #725- What Would Lu Do?: Year End: How to Plan Your Marketing. #727- What Would Lu Do?: Year End Review: Apps, Tech, Memberships and More! Thank you to today's sponsor! Mydoma Studio: Mydoma makes it easy to streamline your processes, track projects, communicate with clients, and get organized. It’s created by designers for designers, specifically to address what you need as a business owner. I’ve said countless times that systems and processes are how you reach the next level of profitability. Mydoma Studio makes it easy to do that. You can get 20% off your first three months by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness. Other Shows Mentioned: #540 Robin Baron: Strategic Thinking on Product Development #32 Robin Baron – The President of ASID NY Metro Chapter Talks with us about PR and Brand Development #41 Cheryl Janis #423 Tiffannie White #715 Kathleen Jennison Sassy Says #45 Tiffannie White Sass Says #31 Cheryl Janis