A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today with Kathleen Reynolds & Lauren Vallario: Being a great interior designer and being a great CEO are not the same skill set, and Kathleen Reynolds and Lauren Vallario both learned that the hard way. Kathleen has run Kathleen Reynolds Interiors in Greenville, South Carolina for eighteen years. Lauren has run Lauren Vallario Designs in Stamford, Connecticut for over ten. Both built real, busy firms. Neither one had actually learned how to run a business until they got coaching. Kathleen carried a bad feeling about one client for nine months, calling it "the client that will not be named" in her own office, before a single five-minute phone call resolved what nine months of worry never could. Lauren was pricing every flat fee project based on nothing, her words, until a simple tool gave her what she calls confidence on paper. Nine months later, she landed the biggest design fee of her career. Both women are actual clients of business coach Nancy Quinn, and what they share in this conversation is their own experience, not a pitch for her program. This episode is about the specific moment every designer eventually hits, when the talent that built the business isn't the same thing that runs it, and what it actually takes to close that gap. More About Kathleen Reynolds & Lauren Vallario: Kathleen Reynolds is the founder of Kathleen Reynolds Interiors, a full-service interior design firm based in Greenville, South Carolina, now celebrating 18 years in business, handling everything from furnishings and styling to large-scale construction projects. Her team of four takes an organized, personality-driven approach to each client's home. Their motto: your home, uniquely yours. Kathleen opened her own studio in 2008 to bring an organized, streamlined approach to a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming, and that mission hasn't changed since. As a mom of four herself, she knows what it takes to manage a lot of moving pieces at once, which is exactly the energy she brings to every client's project. Lauren Vallario: The most rewarding part of the job for Lauren is knowing her clients live better and love their homes! Lauren steps in as the calm, friendly, knowledgeable, and collaborative Interior Designer ready to take the overwhelm of the design process off your plate entirely as she creates liveable luxury. With a systematic and creative approach (she’s got a spreadsheet for just about everything!), Lauren will help bring your vision into reality while handling all the details. Her clients love being a part of the process as the design comes together with floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings, mood boards, and flawless execution. Based in Stamford, CT, Lauren Vallario Designs was established in 2013 and provides Bathroom and Kitchen Design to clients located in New York and Connecticut. Connect with Kathleen Reynolds & Lauren Vallario and Nancy Quinn: Kathleen’s Website: kathleenreynoldsinteriors.com Kathleen’s Instagram: @kathleenreynoldsinteriors Lauren’s Website: https://laurenvallariodesigns.com/ Lauren’s Instagram: @laurenvallario.designs Lauren’s Docuseries: Episode 1   Episode 2   Episode 3 Nancy Quinn on Boardroom for Creatives: https://boardroomforcreatives.com/board-member/nancy-quinn/ Profit Insiders Academy: https://profitinsiderscoaching.com/profit-insiders-academy/ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: Boardroom for Creatives ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 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 Nancy Quinn on Boardroom for Creatives Other Shows Mentioned: Episode 15 Nancy Ganzekaufer- Niche is Rich Episode 159 Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer Episode 256 Nancy Ganzekaufer- A Powerful Strategy to Attract More Clients Episode 389Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: The Interior Design Profit Formula Episode 783Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders for Interior Designers Episode 841Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders For Interior Designers Group Coaching + Mastermind Episode 869Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders – How Interior Designers Can Price Themselves Right Episode 935Power Talk Friday: Nancy Ganzekaufer: Profit Insiders Academy: Marketing Lessons From Taylor Swift’s Playbook Episode 37Lesley Myrick – Strategies I Used to Build My Business Episode 584Lesley Myrick: Building a Business From the Ground Up, Again Episode 766Lesley Myrick: Offering Interior Design Without Procurement Episode 972Power Talk Friday: Lesley Myrick: Profit Insiders: How Interior Designers Can Leverage Local Marketing

Today with Megan Reilly: Today with Megan Reilly, co-founder and owner of WestEdge Design Fair, LuAnn dives into why designers at every level should stop treating trade shows as shopping trips and start using them as real business development tools. Megan has spent her career on every side of the industry event world, from the Merchandise Mart to Marketing Director of NeoCon and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, to launching her own show on the West Coast in 2013, and she and LuAnn get into how to build relationships with brands that actually go somewhere, the roles beyond "attendee" most designers don't realize they can ask for, and a story about a show-floor connection that turned into an entirely new industry organization. Whether you're brand new to the business or twenty years in, this conversation will change how you show up at your next event. More About Megan Reilly: Megan Reilly is the co-founder and owner of WestEdge Design Fair. Having produced some of the most important events within the design industry, including the Architectural Digest Design Show and NeoCon, Megan relocated to the West Coast from New York City to launch WestEdge Design Fair in 2013. She has extensive experience in brand activations, event management, marketing, programming, project management and public relations. She also covers design and travel for VENÜ Magazine. Ah Ha Moments with Megan Reilly: “Reach gets you seen, but a room gets you remembered." - Megan "What's your gap right now? And maybe don't just attend a trade show or a conference and hope it comes into your path, but see how you can manufacture getting that information during that visit, right?" - LuAnn Connect with Megan Reilly: Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: Boardroom for Creatives ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 Episode 1116: NEW SHOW: Juliana Ewer: How Networking and Volunteerism Can be the Biggest Return on Investment for your Business and Your Heart

Today with Camia Brown: In the space of about a year and a half, Camia Brown lost her grandmother, lost her mother, lost a contractor she relied on for most of her projects to suicide, and went through the end of a relationship she thought was headed toward marriage. At the time, she had 15 active projects running, an office, and a team of four. This wasn't a business on the back burner. It was live, growing, and it didn't pause for any of what she was carrying. Camia Brown built Camia Brown Interiors on craftsmanship, culture, and the belief that a home should tell the story of the people living in it. A background in construction and design, a degree in Spanish, time living in Spain, and design work through Habitat for Humanity and in Costa Rica all shaped how she approaches a project. None of that prepared her for what came next. This conversation isn't about how she pushed through it, because she didn't. It's about what it actually looked like to keep a live, active business running through the hardest season of her life, why she stopped trying to hit anyone else's timeline for getting back to normal, and what she learned about her own capacity in the process. If you're in a hard season right now, this episode is for you. And if you want more conversations on what resilience actually looks like in business, go back and listen to our Overheard episode with Antonio Deloatch Jr., Sandra Funk, and Robin Burrill More About Camia Brown: At Camia Brown Interiors, we believe that design is more than just aesthetics—it's a reflection of who we are and how we interact with the world. Our founder, Camia Brown, brings a unique perspective to interior design, blending her background in construction and design with a deep appreciation for culture and history. With a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, including time living in Spain that also shapes her view, Camia's approach to design is both innovative and rooted in tradition. Her experiences working with Habitat for Humanity and providing design services in Costa Rica have shaped her into a designer who values craftsmanship, authenticity, and cultural diversity. At Camia Brown Interiors, we see each project as an opportunity to tell a story—a story that reflects the personality and lifestyle of our clients. We believe in creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional, incorporating elements of surprise and delight that make each project unique. Our design philosophy is simple: we believe that good design should enhance the lives of those who experience it. Whether we're working on a residential or commercial project, our goal is always the same—to create spaces that are as practical as they are beautiful, as timeless as they are innovative. Through our work, we strive to create spaces that inspire, uplift, and ultimately, bring joy to those who inhabit them. We invite you to explore our portfolio and discover the world of possibilities that await when you choose Camia Brown Interiors. Connect with Camia Brown: Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: Boardroom for Creatives ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 Other Shows Mentioned: Episode 1010: Overheard: Developing Resilience in Interior Design Business Leadership with Antonio Deloatch Jr, Sandra Funk and Robin Burrill

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Somewhere on a coaching call this week, a designer told LuAnn the same story she hears constantly: her client is insisting on seeing the invoice, certain she's entitled to know what that ten thousand dollar sofa actually cost. It feels reasonable in the moment. It isn't, and in this episode LuAnn walks through exactly why, using the same standard your clients already apply to a restaurant, and to a national retailer like Restoration Hardware, without ever questioning it once. From there, the episode moves into the number most firms get wrong without realizing it. A 35 percent markup, the default for most of this industry, doesn't produce a 35 percent margin. It produces something closer to 26 percent, and that gap is quietly the difference between a business that pays you and one that just keeps you busy. LuAnn backs the target margin up with real, named sources, not opinion, including CPA Greg Crabtree's philosophy that gross margin, not revenue, is the true top line of a business. She also breaks down what she calls the checkbook lie: why a healthy-looking bank balance in a growing firm can quietly mask a business that isn't actually profitable, and why that problem gets easier to hide the bigger a firm gets, not harder. The episode closes with two concrete action steps: the exact math to run on your own last project, and how to start consolidating your vendor relationships to command real trade pricing instead of scattered discounts that never add up to a healthy margin. For the full formula breakdown behind markup versus margin, go back and listen to Episode 279⁠⁠: Pricing for Profit: Understanding Margin vs Markup⁠ 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:Boardroom for Creatives ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 Other Shows Mentioned Episode 279: Pricing for Profit: Understanding Margin vs Markup

Today with Jude Charles: My guest today has interviewed over one hundred homeowners after they hired an interior designer, and he asks every single one of them the same two questions. Why did you choose this designer? And what would your life look like if you hadn't? Jude Charles is back on A Well-Designed Business for his fifth appearance, and this time we get into what he has learned after three years fully immersed in the interior design industry. He has produced more than twenty docuseries for interior designers, architects, and builders, and today he shares what homeowners actually say when the cameras are rolling and their designer isn't in the room. Spoiler, it is almost never about the portfolio. We talk about the two questions Jude asks every homeowner, the right client filter he uses in his own business, and why the most expensive investment most of your clients will ever make deserves more than a pretty picture. If you have ever wondered what is really winning you the project, this episode will change how you think about your own marketing. More About Jude Charles: For over 20 years, Jude Charles has been producing documentaries for entrepreneurs. He has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs. Jude is the author of Dramatic Demonstration. This book is a roadmap that teaches you how to dig deep to find compelling stories that no one else knows, and then leverage those stories to grow your business. Jude’s mission is to lead and empower entrepreneurs to have relentless, unwavering courage. Connect with Jude Charles: 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: Episode 516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand Episode 626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design Episode 718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos Episode 724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals Episode 1000: 1000th Episode! LuAnn Nigara is Interviewed by Jude Charles! Episode 542: Brad Leavitt: AFT Construction: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process Episode 560: Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Design Book Episode 580: Brad Leavitt, AFT Construction: The Two “B” Words: Budget & Builders Episode 615: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Overcoming Resistance in the Design-Build Process Episode 649: Power Talk Friday: Brad Leavitt: Understanding Design-Build from the Builder’s Perspective Episode 878: Throwback Tuesday: Brad Leavitt: A Builder’s Perspective on the Design Build Process Episode 1130: Jen Davidson: Running an Interior Design Business, or Just Working at One You Happen to Own? Episode 1059: Rachel Usher: Creating Community and Strength in the Interior Design Industry Episode 1179: The Business of Interiors Community Summit: The Room That Changes Your Business RSVP to the 10th Birthday Party Watch LuAnn's docuseries produced by Jude Charles Design Masters Studio Designer Mydoma Studio Sunbrella

Today with Kate Ahl: Today with Kate Ahl, founder of Simple Pin Media and a 12-year Pinterest marketing veteran, we are talking about where Pinterest stands right now in 2026 — and why it might be the smartest marketing move interior designers aren't making. Kate has managed over a thousand Pinterest accounts, her team has been with her between five and eleven years, and last year she became a verified Pinterest educator working directly with Pinterest itself. She knows this platform at a level most people don't, and she is here to give it to us straight. In this conversation, Kate breaks down how Pinterest has evolved, what the intersection of AI and Pinterest actually looks like for designers today, and how to use the platform as a real long-game marketing engine for your firm. If you have written off Pinterest, tried it and quit, or never really understood what it could do for your business — this episode is going to make you rethink all of it. More About Kate Ahl: Kate Ahl is the founder and CEO of Simple Pin Media, the largest Pinterest marketing agency serving over a vast client base. With 12 years in the Pinterest space, Kate hosts the #1 podcast in Pinterest marketing with over 3 million downloads and is known for her no-fluff, strategic approach to helping businesses grow through Pinterest. She's a member of Pinterest's exclusive educator program and has built her reputation on cutting through the noise to deliver what actually works. Ah Ha Moments with Kate Ahl: "Pinterest is not a doom scroll platform. We are not the social media app that you give up in a detox. We are not even social media." — Kate Ahl "If it doesn't finish the sentence you're typing, it doesn't know it's there." — LuAnn Nigara (on using Pinterest's search bar to test if your niche has an audience) Connect with Kate Ahl: Website Instagram  Youtube 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 #1126: Nicole Heymer: Rethink SEO for ChatGPT and Google AI AWDB #1171: Jenna Gaidusek: AI Ethics for Interior Designers: Protecting Your Clients and Brand WTFP #344: Kate Ahl: Using Pinterest to Understand Client Style and Strengthen Your Brand

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

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.” -Campbell Campbell 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. Website Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! https://www.luannnigara.com/cob 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! 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 LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Hiring 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 Mindset LuAnn 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: AJ Madison Pro is the industry’s trusted appliance source for professionals who need fast, reliable access to top brands. Backed by nationwide shipping and a powerful logistics network, delivery is precise and dependable. With over 150 premium brands, including Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, Miele, Viking, Thermador, Gaggenau, and more, AJ Madison Pro is your single source for appliance specification. Qualified builders and architects can save up to 15% on luxury brands through exclusive trade programs, with registration handled for you. AJ Madison Pro. Smarter appliance sourcing starts at ajmadison.com/pro.

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!

Today With LuAnn Nigara: You’re talented. You’ve built something thoughtful, elevated, even exceptional. So why isn’t it landing? That’s the real question behind today’s What Would Lu Do. In this episode, I answer a question from a creative entrepreneur who offers highly customized, luxury-level products designed in collaboration with interior designers. Her question? Do designers even want this level of custom work… or do they prefer established brands with systems and structure? But that’s not really the question. The real question is: If what you offer is so good… why isn’t it getting traction? What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why talent and quality are not the deciding factors in getting hired How market fit determines whether your offer lands or gets ignored The difference between being visible, distinct, and discreet (from my conversations with Kate O’Hara) Why high-end clients expect custom… but demand it be effortless How designers actually discover (and specify) vendors and partners The role of relationships vs. visibility in growing a high-level business What both vendors and designers must do to reach the next tier The Big Takeaways 1. Not every great offer is for every client If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’ll connect with no one. 2. The higher the level, the narrower the audience Luxury, custom, and bespoke always mean a smaller, more specific market. 3. Discovery might get you noticed. Relationships get you hired At higher levels, opportunities come through trust, not chance. 4. Custom is expected. Effortless is required Your value isn’t just what you create. It’s how smoothly you deliver it. 5. Whether you’re a designer or a vendor, the path is the same Find the right rooms. Get in them. Stay in them long enough for trust to build. Referenced Episodes To go deeper on client tiers and positioning, listen to: Episode #1148: A Framework for Understanding Luxury Interior Design Clients Episode #1157: Marketing to the Three Tiers of Luxury Clients and How to Attract Each One Mentioned in This Episode In this episode, I reference a creative entrepreneur who submitted today’s question. While I typically keep the focus on the lesson rather than the source, in this case, seeing the type of work we’re discussing may be helpful. You can find her information in the show notes below: Trisha Patel Website Instagram 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 today’s show! We are really happy today to have Candy Scott and Rachel Cannon join us on the show! In today’s episode, these two smart ladies will be talking to LuAnn about the changing landscape in the business side of interior design. Candy and Rachel are both highly organized, with finite systems in place for running their businesses and they truly understand that you really need to know and sell your own value, as a designer, rather than the value of the products that you specify. Listen in, to find out what they have to share with you on the show today. Candy is the principal of Mood Design and Build, which is located in Chicago. She has won multiple awards during her seventeen-year career in designer and she’s worked with large developers and corporate clients, outfitting high-rise condominium lobbies, club rooms, and model showrooms. Rachel is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has clients from Palm Springs to Palm Beach, with over fifteen years of experience in residential and commercial interior design. She opened her own firm, Rachel Cannon Interiors nine years ago and her work has been featured in Traditional Home, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV, My Domain.Com, and Southern Home. Tune in now! Both Rachel and Candy are going to be at LuAnn Nigara Live, It’s About The Conversation. Show highlights: Business disruptions are not a new thing. The future of the interior designer with the disruptive emergence of products being available online to the consumer. Being a designer is not just about selling merchandise- it’s so much more about the relationship. As designers, you need to be the innovators! Why you have to start charging for your services. If you make your money on a flat fee, you don’t have to focus on selling furniture. Creating tracking documents for orders. Surviving the changes in the industry. The layer of service that Candy has added to her business, to really set it apart. The value of having the designer run the project. Rachel’s ideas for designers to make money, going into the future. The middle end of the market is going to go away. Rachel’s approach to design consult packages. The importance of branding. As an entrepreneur, you just have to be open to change. Some things to consider when creating your brand. Rachel Cannon is an interior designer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with clients ranging the nation from Palm Springs to Palm Beach. She has over 15 years of experience in residential and commercial interior design, nine of which are at her namesake interior design firm, Rachel Cannon Limited. Armed with a degree in interior design and a background in art history, Rachel joins together classic principles with a decidedly contemporary tone. She provides her clients with sophisticated interiors that exude an effortless combination of subtle color, rich architectural detail, and a beguiling mix of livable, tailored and luxe details. With a clientele of professionals and families with demanding schedules, Rachel is most praised for her ability to simplify the interior design process while paying meticulous attention to planning and detail. The finished product: a livable yet polished space the entire family can enjoy. Rachel’s work has been featured in Traditional Home, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV.com, MyDomain.com and Southern Home. Her captivating wit and knowledge of art, design, and architecture have made her a favorite on television, radio, and podcasts. While always on the go, the Rachel Cannon Limited team is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2014, Candy Scott founded MOOD Design and Build where she continues to work with residential clients, business owners, and development partners on their homes, offices, and commercial interiors. As a designer, Candy is most inspired and intrigued by the transformation process. Both for the people who inhabit the spaces and the physical spaces themselves. She believes bringing consciousness to our spaces greatly impacts the way we think, feel, and behave. Candy graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design. Through the years, she has won multiple awards and has worked with large developers and corporate clients outfitting the high rise condominium lobbies, clubrooms, and model showrooms. She has worked with small to medium-sized businesses as well, transforming their lobbies and offices to places employees love to work. Previous shows mentioned on this episode: Candy #227 Rachel #306 Wendy Woluschuk #316 Links: Rachel Cannon: Rachel Cannon Limited Instagram: RCL Interiors Facebook: RCL Interiors Candy Scott: Mood Design Build Instagram: Mood Design Build Facebook: Candy Scott Book mentioned in the show: Start With Why- How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Portfolio.

Today With Kia Weatherspoon: Today with Kia Weatherspoon, we explore what it truly means to lead, not performatively, but fully and honestly. As the founder of Determined by Design, Kia has built a mission-driven firm rooted in the belief that interior design is not a luxury for a few, but a standard that should serve all people. In this conversation, she shares how that belief has shaped her work in affordable housing, her approach to advocacy and the way she articulates value in spaces often overlooked by the industry. But this episode goes deeper than business and design. Kia opens up about the cost of performing leadership, the importance of honoring your own humanity and how the way you see yourself directly impacts how you serve others. This is a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose and the responsibility we carry as designers to create spaces, and businesses, that truly support the people they are meant to serve. LuAnn Nigara and Kia Weatherspoon's Ah-Ha Moments “The humanity you give to yourself is reciprocated in how you serve others.” - Kia “I am my own hero.” - Kia “Interior design is not a luxury for a few—it is a standard for all.” - Kia More About Kia Weatherspoon: The most decorated black interior designer of a generation.  Kia Weatherspoon, ASID, CID, IIDA, NCIDQ, D.F.A (h.c) is unafraid to take risks. Her superpower is that she jumps – defying every design stereotype as she’s moved through the industry. The most damaging - interior design is a luxury reserved for a few.  Being the child of an addict was not something that happened to her - but for her. For a long time, she strived for this yearning to be seen and in that she realized showing up as her most authentic self was her greatest strength. Understanding showing up as who you are is what makes great leaders – she doesn’t see titles and sees others as who they are. In that she goes above and beyond not to just see them – but searches for ways to elevate, celebrate, uplift and make sure their voices are heard.  Often asked what the key to her success at Determined by Design® is,  simply put the success is that she has always checked her ego and searched for humanity. She is unafraid to challenge anyone who doesn’t see the humanity and softness every person deserves. Her vehicle to doing that happens to be through interior design - founding Determined by Design®. Her voice, presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better. Her innovative approach to design for everyone is why Determined by Design® is the only interior design firm in the nation that provides Design Equity® services.  She is an advocate, educator, speaker, business owner, leader and most of  all – she is just Kia. That is enough and why she’s been recognized as the ICFF Design of the Year, has an Honorary Doctorate from New York School of Interior Design, the ASID National Design for Humanity recipient, the HIP  Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, the CREW Washington, DC Raise Your Voice Awardee, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40  under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna  Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient. She is many things but  all of them are the things that make her determined by design. Connect with Kia Weatherspoon: Website Determined by Design Instagram  Determined by Design Instagram LinkedIn 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 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 Geraldine Morrison: What happens when you stop guessing in your business… and start making decisions based on real industry insight? In this episode, LuAnn is joined by Geraldine Morrison, Chief Partnerships Officer for Domestic and Global Brands at NKBA | KBIS. With leadership experience at brands like Samsung and LIXIL, Geraldine brings a unique perspective on how manufacturers, designers, and industry organizations intersect—and why that matters to your business. Recorded live at KBIS 2026, this conversation goes beyond what NKBA is and gets into how it actually supports you as a business owner. Because here’s the truth: many designers are making decisions in isolation. They’re relying on instinct, past experience, or what they’re seeing on social media. But that only gets you so far. Geraldine shares how access to real data, market research, and industry connection can change the way you operate. From understanding shifts in consumer behavior to recognizing where opportunities are emerging, this is about making smarter, more strategic decisions. You’ll also hear how NKBA is expanding its reach, from global initiatives like Global Connect to its growing presence at High Point Market, creating more opportunities for designers to connect, learn, and grow. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making decisions without the full picture, this episode will challenge you to think differently about where you get your information and who you’re connected to. 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 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 A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: AJ Madison Pro is the industry’s trusted appliance source for professionals who need fast, reliable access to top brands. Backed by nationwide shipping and a powerful logistics network, delivery is precise and dependable. With over 150 premium brands – including Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, Miele, Viking, Thermador, Gaggenau, and more – AJ Madison Pro is your single source for appliance specification. Qualified builders and architects can save up to 15% on luxury brands through exclusive trade programs, with registration handled for you. AJ Madison Pro. Smarter appliance sourcing starts at ajmadison.com/pro.

The guest on today’s Power Talk Friday is Fred Berns, the only Interior Design Industry Business Coach, and Speaker.  Fred was a Speaker at the Design Blogger’s Conference, held in L.A. In March, where he spoke about how to create your bio, so this show is tagged onto the Design Blogger’s Series. This is the fourth time that Fred has appeared on this show and LuAnn is really happy to have him back again because he always brings so much value. (He previously appeared on shows #22, #48 and#96.) Today, Fred will help you to figure out your ‘only‘, so listen in now and find out why it’s so important.   Fred creates personal bio’s and other promotional materials for design professionals, worldwide. He has had more than twenty-five years of experience, training design professionals and creating their online profiles, website, and social media copy, blogs, and marketing forums. He also offers a wide range of business coaching services, including his High-End Performance Coaching Program, his bio briefing and his website once over. Listen in to today’s show to find out from Fred how you can really stand out in the marketplace.   Today, Fred talks to LuAnn about:   Why it’s so important for you to figure out your ‘only’. How he helps designers to arrive at their ‘only’. Some categories to consider when trying to figure out your ‘only’ phrase. How to be sure that you are really the ‘only’ one when making that claim. How to subtly modify your ‘only phrase’, if necessary. Using the word ‘specializes’ to better describe your ‘only’ and to differentiate yourself. That your ‘only’ doesn’t have to be a big thing. How having an ‘only’ helps you to charge a higher fee. How he helps people to draft letters to inform customers that they are raising their fees. How educating people about your value helps to overcome their resistance to your charging top dollar. Why he encourages you, as a designer, to highlight rather than hide your past. That it’s often the small things that make you unique. Some examples of how you can incorporate your ‘only phrase’ into your bio, to make yourself memorable. Ways for newly graduated designers to set themselves apart. His victory vocabulary. Using the law of attraction to draw the kinds of clients you’d like to work with towards you. That the most financially successful designers are not necessarily the best designers. ‘Only’ is not the only word, but it’s the best one!

Today With Josh Kasper of Studio Kasa: Art is one of the most overlooked, and under-monetized, elements in interior design. In this sponsored episode, LuAnn sits down with Josh Kasper, founder of Studio Kasa, to talk about how designers can approach art differently, not just as a finishing touch, but as a strategic part of both the design and the business. Josh shares how his firm helps designers source art efficiently, elevate their projects, and create an additional revenue stream without adding more work to their plate. From understanding how to guide clients through art decisions to avoiding the endless rabbit hole of online sourcing, this conversation reframes what’s possible when you have the right process and partner in place. If you’ve ever struggled with how to confidently incorporate art into your projects, or how to make it profitable, this episode will open your eyes to a smarter way of doing it. More About Josh Kasper: Having spent almost a decade on Wall Street at iconic firms including Goldman Sachs, Josh Kasper launched himself into the art world as a collector. While engaging with traditional advisors and galleries he found the art to be too expensive and mostly based on what was considered “in” versus his unique tastes.  This brought him directly to artists’ studios, which led him to develop an Instagram feed (@_Studio Kasa_) where he could share both artists’ stories and their creation process. One day someone asked him to source artwork for their home... the rest is history. Today Josh Kasper leverages his experience in financial services and as an art curator working almost exclusively with interior designers offering various solutions at all pricing thresholds, while providing a seamless client experience. Today, his company Studio Kasa serves as a trusted resource for interior design professionals:   Curating artwork tailored to each client’s aesthetic and the unique character of every space Managing the full end-to-end process from sourcing through shipment and installation Negotiating pricing and offering competitive designer referral fees Saving designers valuable time so they can focus on their clients and core design work Connect with Studio Kasa: 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 Join the giveaway! Through May 5th, when you book and attend a discovery call or webinar with Josh, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a featured piece of art. (See it below!) Pretty cool, yes. But the real opportunity is this: You will learn how to turn something you’re already doinginto a structured, profitable part of your business. Go to studiokasa.art/luannand choose the session that fits your schedule and you will be entered to win!

Today With Duke Renders and Jenna Gaidusek: AI is everywhere right now. Some designers are excited about it. Others are frustrated by it. And many are quietly wondering… Is this actually helping my business or just adding more noise? In this episode, LuAnn sits down with Mina Duque of Duke Renders and AI expert Jenna Gaidusek to cut through the confusion and get to the truth. What is AI actually good for in the design process? Where does it fall short? And most importantly… what happens when you present something to a client that isn’t fully thought through? Because once you present it, it’s no longer an idea. It’s a promise. You’ll hear why AI can be a powerful tool for early-stage exploration—but why it cannot replace the accuracy, accountability, and decision-making required for real-world execution. Mina breaks down Duke Renders’ structured process, from clay renderings to final visuals, and how that process helps designers catch costly mistakes before they happen. And Jenna explains exactly why AI-generated images can look beautiful at first glance… but fall apart when you zoom in. This episode will change how you think about: • AI as a brainstorming tool—not a final deliverable • The difference between inspiration and execution • Why accuracy protects your profit• How better visuals lead to better decisions not just prettier presentations If you’ve been wondering whether you still need professional renderings in the age of AI, this conversation will give you your answer. And it will likely raise your standards in the process. Connect with Duke Renders: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Houzz 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 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 951Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: More Interior Designers Share the Value Of Using Duke Renders For Your Rendering Projects Episode 905Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: Why Successful Design Firms Choose Duke Renders for Their Rendering Projects Episode 823Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan Episode 722Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: How to Incorporate 3D Renderings into Your Interior Design Business

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! On this episode, LuAnn sits down for a chat with Denise Wenacur, the principle of DW Design & Décor in Croton on the Hudson, which is a beautiful community just outside of NYC. Design-build is the hot topic of the day, and you’ll learn the importance of having an interior designer as the point person for the client between the architect, the builder and themselves. She discusses the ways having an interior designer on their team from the outset truly benefits the process and the result of the project. If that wasn’t enough, Denise will share tips for connecting with people who can introduce you to the type of projects you are looking for. Tune in to this engaging and informative conversation! Show Highlights: Denise recounts why and how she changed her business model to include the construction part. She is always the first point of contact as the interior designer. She rounds out each team with an architect, contractor, and whichever trades need to be added, as well. Each team member has their unique perspective and experience that they bring to the job, all working together for the good of the client and a perfect outcome. Making a 3D version of the architect’s plans can assist in both the design and the build in amazing ways. Denise has a video on her website explaining the pros and cons and importance of having a designer involved at the beginning of construction. One big successful project will generate referrals. Sharing on social media tips and ways that your services have made a positive impact will further help you to get noticed. Denise also holds a Construction Manager certificate from Pace University. This helps build confidence when she’s working with the rest of the team. Communication is everything, and it’s all about the client. Denise feels like she’s doing a good job when she gets new clients from her referral partners. Denise shares some ideas on how to meet architects and builders in the area. It’s important to create the relationship first. A CFO surprise! When you know your numbers, it instills confidence and that comes across to your clients. Potential clients will know if you know what you’re doing. Resources: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Podcast – Please SUBSCRIBE, Rate & Review! Purchase LuAnn’s Book! Power Talk Friday LuAnn Live Connect with Denise! Denise’s Website Denise’s Facebook Denise’s Instagram Denise SINGS!The 1-4-5’s YouTube Channel Other episodes mentioned: #380 Circle Design, John and Theresa Dorlini #361, #442, Kimberly Merlitti #441 4Pt Design Build, Laura and Cliff Muller #181 H2 Design Build, Angela Rasmussen #202 Enoch Sears #292 Jana Phipps

Today With Rachel Usher and Rick Campos: The Business of Interiors Community Summit: The Room That Changes Your Business What if the thing that changes your business isn’t another course, another podcast, or another late night Googling session, but simply getting in the right room? In this episode, LuAnn talks with Rachel Usher, founder of The Business of Interiors, and Rick Campos, creator of the Design Biz Survival Guide, about the power of community, candid conversations, and why designers need spaces where the real business of interior design is discussed openly. This isn’t about inspiration for inspiration’s sake. It’s about sitting in a room with other designers who are asking the same questions you are, navigating the same challenges, and willing to share what’s actually working in their businesses today. If you’ve ever felt like you’re building your business on your own, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to. And more importantly, you shouldn’t. More About Rachel Usher and Rick Campos: Rachel Usher: Rachel Usher is a luxury Interior Designer, podcast host and business mentor. With over a decade of experience running an award-winning Interior Design business Rachel is now breaking down barriers within the Interior Design industry through her company The Business Of Interiors, a platform to unite designers and build a community through her podcast If These Walls Could Talk and her annual Business Of Interiors Community Summit. Rachel's  award-winning studio Usher & Co Interior Design is going from strength to strength, working on illustrious properties across the UK & internationally. Rick Campos: Rick Campos is a business coach specialising in helping interior designers run profitable, efficient businesses. Through his Design Biz Survival Guide,  Rick’s practical insights help designers streamline their processes and achieve long-term success. Connect with The Business of Interiors Community Summit: Website Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour 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 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 Amy Lynn Allard: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Looking for advice on systems to turbo-charge your business? Amy Lynn Allard of Boston’s Amy Lynn Interiors learned to thrive using well-crafted, meticulous systems. She is big on time blocking, but that’s not all. Amy walks through two of her most powerful systems, the team agenda and an invaluable spreadsheet she uses to create a multiple-project timeline. Pick it apart: [17:53] Amy explains her approach to adding specs to elevations. [25:47] Amy walks through how she creates her agenda. [42:14] Amy explains her Monday morning overview meeting. [45:22] Amy shares how she creates a schedule for new client work. [46:42] LuAnn recaps Amy’s new client schedule creation process. [53:52] Amy shares about her business coach. LuAnn and Amy Lynn Allard’s Ah-Ha moments: “Hire and fire off your core values.” – Amy Lynn Allard Connect with Amy Lynn Allard: Website Instagram  Pinterest  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. 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

Today With Aga Artka and Jenny Rebholz: When you hear the phrase "personal brand," do you immediately think of your color palette and your website layout? What if we are getting so caught up in the visual pieces that we are forgetting what a brand really is, and why it has to reflect who we are as humans?  My guests today, Aga Artka and Jenny Rebholz, authors of The Brand of You, join the show to discuss what a personal brand really means, why your "why" is the ultimate survival tool for your business, and the importance of human connection.  More About Aga Artka and Jenny Rebholz: Aga Artka  Aga is known for bringing creative energy, analytical thinking, hard work, and heart to all that she does. From her work as Owner & Creative Director of Aga Artka Interior Design to her role as a mentor and community activist, she uses her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to challenge the status quo, reimagine possibilities and influence positive change. She seeks knowledge, expands her perspective and gains inspiration from the world around her. Aga’s fearless approach to her career journey exemplifies that if you have the will, then there is a way.   Jenny Rebholz Jenny is known for her compassion, positive energy, sense of responsibility and wordsmithing. As Principal of PushPoint Marketing, she focuses her creativity and communication skills on elevating others, helping professionals shine and businesses thrive. She’s the ultimate connector—whether teaching, consulting, or collaborating, Jenny prioritizes building relationships. She defines her own success by leveraging her strengths, seeking and creating opportunities. Jenny’s commitment to building impactful content and meaningful connections has forged a fulfilling career path, demonstrating that words matter and who you know is just as important as what you know. Ah Ha Moments with Aga Artka and Jenny Rebholz: “You may choose to say whatever it is that you want to be known for. But when you're not in the conversation or when you're not in the room, if people say something different about you, then that promise that you just shared with the world—it didn't stick.” -Aga “When you start to connect with who you are as a designer, what your values are, what your purpose is…when you hit the hard moments, you know you can cry a minute, you you can scream, whatever you need to do, but when you know who you are and are clear on your brand and what you bring to the table, you're ready to figure out the next step.” -Jenny "If you don’t start with mission, vision, values, like, I’m sorry, you are going to get your teeth kicked in and you’re not gonna know how to stand up." -Luann Connect with Aga Artka and Jenny Rebholz: Website LinkedIn LinkedIn Aga Artka LinkedIn Jenny Rebholz 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. 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 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 Other Shows Mentioned: #174 Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours #466 Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What? #1136 David Neagle: Three Powerful Choices That Will Change Everything in Your Interior Design Business

Today With Gage Edward: In this sponsored episode of A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn sits down with entrepreneur and former Flipping Out star Gage Edward to talk about a challenge every designer knows well: coming home from market with hundreds of photos… and no clear way to organize or use them. After more than a decade leading business development for a nationally recognized design firm, Gage saw firsthand how inefficient the product discovery process can be. Designers walk miles of showrooms at High Point or Las Vegas Market, snap endless photos of tags and products, and return home to a camera roll that is nearly impossible to sort through. That frustration led him to co-found Discover Market, an app designed to help designers capture and organize product information in real time while they’re walking market. In this conversation, LuAnn and Gage break down: Why sourcing at market often creates more chaos than clarity The hidden cost of leaving market without an organized system How scanning product tags can instantly capture pricing, vendor info, and availability Why efficiency at market directly impacts profitability back in your studio The bigger opportunity for designers to streamline product sourcing and project workflow If you’ve ever returned from market with hundreds of photos and no idea where that perfect chair came from, this episode will hit home. Because here’s the thing. Market is an investment. Your time, your travel, your energy. And if you don’t have a system to capture what you discover, you’re leaving value on the table. More About Gage Edward: Gage Edward is an entrepreneur and business development leader with more than a decade of experience working at the intersection of interior design, product development, and strategic partnerships. For ten years, he led business development for a nationally recognized design firm, overseeing client intake, managing interior design projects and construction builds, and developing creative partnerships with brands including Living Spaces, Walter E. Smithe, and Alder & Tweed Furniture. During that time, he structured and negotiated national licensing programs across multiple product categories — including doors with Masonite, tile with Jeffrey Court, and paint with Dunn-Edwards and Vista Paint — all sold in partnership with The Home Depot, a retail relationship he helped cultivate and expand.   Much of this work was documented over seven seasons and more than 70 episodes of Bravo’s Flipping Out, where he appeared as himself while building and operating the business behind the scenes. After a decade in leadership, Gage left to pursue independent development projects, including overseeing the design of the Pelican Golf Club and its restaurants in Belleair, Florida.  Drawing from his own challenges sourcing, discovering, and organizing vendors Gage later co-founded SideDoor and the Discover Market app — platforms built from more than 15 years of firsthand experience navigating trade shows and the product marketplace. Connect with Discover.Market: Discover.Market Instagram Discover.Market Website Gage's Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour 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 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 John McClain: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I am joined for the second time by John McClain. John is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, and author of The Designer Within. In this episode, he shares a bit about his back story with us—from crisis to conquest. John is here to help you understand that you can learn and grow from your mistakes, and success can be born out of failure. John shares his dark night of the soul story with us, but it didn’t end there. He turned that rough patch into a catalyst to organize his business for the better. Since then he has implemented a “How We Work” document, detailed client contracts, flat fees, and non-negotiables because his business is worth it. He is worth it. And you are worth it. LuAnn Nigara and John McClain’s Ah-Ha Moments: “Until you’ve been through a serious business crisis, it’s hard to know how it really cuts you in your gut.” – LuAnn Nigara “I don’t care if you’re a solopreneur or if you have 25 people working for you. Your company policy is your company policy. And that is what you have to stand by.” – John McClain “A lot of people don’t take the time to sit down and come up with the rules [of their business]. ” – John McClain “You do have to take time—really getting clear with who you are, what you do, how you do it, why you do it, and your non-negotiables.” – LuAnn Nigara “I want to be an advocate for other designers and out in the world, to really stand up for themselves. And to have a company philosophy, have a company vision have a company backbone that they can stand behind.” – John McClain More About John McClain: John McClain is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, speaker, on-air contributor, and writer who has turned his lifetime passion for interior design into an opportunity to do the same for others through his book, The Designer Within (available now at thedesignerwithin.co). John McClain Design has offices in Central Florida and Los Angeles, CA. His projects have received numerous awards and have appeared in many publications including Traditional Home and Elle Décor. John’s design advice can also be seen regularly in print, television appearances, and online in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Us Weekly, and many more. Connect with John McClain Website Instagram Book and Designer Courses 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. 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: #472: John McClain: Running His Firm from Two Coasts Makes Systems and Tools Critical #145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm #801: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: How Mistakes and Obstacles Led to Growth & Transformation #842: Joshua Smith: Sell the Experiences, Not the Commodity

Today With Kandrac & Kole: What does it actually take to stay in business with someone for more than two decades? In this episode, Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Interior Design share what has sustained their 21-year business partnership. And no, it’s not just friendship. We talk about defined roles, decision-making authority, handling disagreement without ego, and the operational discipline that supports long-term success. This is not a conversation about “getting along.” It’s about structure. If you’re in a partnership, considering one, or leading a growing team, this episode will challenge you to examine how clearly roles are defined, how conflict is handled, and whether your leadership habits are protecting your business or quietly limiting it. Partnership is not chemistry. It’s clarity, accountability, and shared standards. Listen in and decide how you want to lead. More About Kandrac & Kole: Voted among Atlanta’s Top 20 Residential Interior Designers by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Kandrac & Kole has gained national recognition on HGTV and in publications including The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Home Magazine, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Kandrac & Kole are known for their friendly, energetic personalities, their unique use of color and pattern, and their bespoke designs.  Joann and Kelly, experts in residential and commercial design, share engaging stories about their design projects, travels, and personal experiences on their podcast Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole, as well as through their popular blog and national speaking engagements. Their passion for interior design extends to their charity work in the U.S. and Guatemala. Connect with Kandrac & Kole: Website Blog Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole Podcast Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest 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. 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 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 Other Shows Mentioned: Episode 616 Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole: Onboarding New Interior Design Clients

Today With Bri Ussery: Today with Bri Ussery, we’re talking about a topic most of us think we’ve mastered but probably haven’t: communication as operational infrastructure. Bri, a strategist and fractional COO for interior design firms, explains why even the most well-built systems fall apart without clear, intentional language supporting them. From weekly update emails to onboarding decks to meeting notes, she shows how the words you use either reinforce your authority and stabilize your projects or quietly create ambiguity, scope creep, and timeline wobble. If you’ve ever said, “But it was in the contract,” or felt frustrated that clients aren’t responding the way you expected, this episode is for you. Bri walks us through her four pillars, how language signals expertise, how communication sets the pace, why documentation holds the truth, and how structure shapes client behavior. This conversation will challenge you to look at your processes through a new lens and strengthen the thread that runs through every client interaction. More About Bri Ussery: Bri Ussery is a strategist and fractional COO who works alongside interior design principals to build the operational architecture that sustains exceptional creative work. Her work focuses on strengthening the clarity, structure, and rhythm beneath a studio—how projects move, how decisions are made, how communication flows, and how the business measures its own health—so that vision can be executed with consistency, integrity, and financial steadiness. Bri began her career in design and understands the pace, pressure, and precision required to run a studio with a full slate of projects and a team to lead. She also saw how quickly strong work can fracture when the structure behind it isn’t steady : when timelines stretch, expectations drift, and studios are forced to reinvent the wheel with every project. She believes that the caliber of the work is magnified by the architecture that holds it and that good structure doesn’t constrain creativity, it protects it. Ah Ha Moments with Bri Ussery: “Clarity is kindness.” - Bri “Documentation holds the truth.” - Bri “There is a difference between being warm and being vague.” - LuAnn Connect with Bri Ussery: Website Architecture of Communication Deck Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour 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 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 Architecture of Communication Deck Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #986: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Boundaries and Expectations are a Few of My Favorite Things AWDB #831: Flashback Friday: Nate Berkus: The Importance of Creating An Exceptional Client Experience

Today with Jessica Matteson: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Jessica Matteson started her business with lots of experience but little time and money to invest in getting Jessica Matteson Landscape Architecture off the ground. Jessica shares her journey from starting with just $35 in advertising postcards to running a successful luxury landscape architecture business. Pick it apart: [14:28] Jessica shares her onboarding process in detail [18:12] Jessica gives a tip on how to handle a client introducing new wants in the middle of a project [22:78] Jessica shares how she broadens the scope of projects to include additional products [26:20] Jessica shares how she used to do her discovery process and the benefits of conducting it with her new method [34:28] Jessica tells the story about how she invented her one-day service concept [41:20] Jessica shares her simple marketing strategy she’s used since day one [52:30] Jessica tells about her early years and the mantra that got her through LuAnn and Jessica Matteson’s Ah-Ha moments: “I’ve stopped converting people. I just look for people who are open to the message.” – Jessica Matteson “Just do one thing. Don’t ever let yourself do nothing. Because the difference between something and nothing is everything.” – Jessica Matteson “Just get ready for when the opportunity is fully available.” – Jessica Matteson “You can’t work out hard enough in one day to achieve the body you want.” -LuAnn (paraphrasing Jessica’s statement) More About Jessica Matteson: Jessica Matteson is a landscape architect that believes in the great joys of life. She works with residential and select commercial clients to design landscapes and distinctive outdoor experiences. Using her signature discovery process, she identifies the special magic of each property and combines it with each clients’ unique identity to create something one-of-a-kind and exceptional. By harnessing the nuances of light, sound, air movement, and perspective, as well as the subconscious psychology of plantings and materials, she tells an original story of a place and its inhabitants. Jessica’s work is influenced by travel to more than 20 countries to study all genre of landscapes and wild places. She has a Masters of Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor of science in horticulture, both from Cornell University. Before opening MLA, she worked for highly respected firms in both the south and northeast as well as an organic design-build company in New York State. Connect with Jessica Matteson: Website Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest 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. 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

Today With Jenna Gaidusek: AI is not going anywhere. But how you use it inside your design firm? That’s a leadership decision. In this follow-up conversation with Jenna Gaidusek, we move beyond what AI can do and dig into what it should do inside your business. Because here’s the thing: Ignoring AI is not leadership.But using it without standards? That’s not leadership either. In this episode, we talk about: What is absolutely off-limits when using AI Why uploading other people’s intellectual property is a hard no How to protect client financial and project data Why “Chat said so” is not a strategy How to create internal SOPs and guardrails for your team AI is a tool. It is not exercising judgment for you. It is not leading your business for you. If you are the principal of your firm, you are responsible for how this technology is used. This episode will help you think like a CEO in the age of AI and put boundaries in place before problems arise. Because systems create freedom. And standards protect integrity. More About Jenna Gaidusek: Meet Jenna Gaidusek, a visionary entrepreneur, interior designer, and one of the most trusted voices in the world of design technology. As the founder of AI for Interior Designers ™, Jenna has dedicated her career to helping creative professionals navigate the fast-changing landscape of artificial intelligence with confidence, clarity, and a healthy dose of curiosity. Jenna’s approach is refreshingly practical and deeply human. She understands that, for many designers, AI can seem intimidating or out of reach. That’s why she’s made it her mission to break down complex concepts into real-world strategies that anyone can understand and apply—no tech background required. Through her on-demand learning platform, The DAIly, as well as live workshops, in- person events, and personalized advisory, Jenna empowers designers to use AI not just as a buzzword, but as a genuine tool for creativity, efficiency, and business growth. A longtime advocate for ethical technology, Jenna partners with leading industry groups and publications to ensure that AI is used responsibly and transparently in the design world. Her insights are grounded in real experience: before becoming a tech educator, Jenna built a thriving design firm and launched platforms like eDesign Tribe and eDesign U, both acquired by Mydoma Studio in 2022. Connect with Jenna Gaidusek: Website Instagram  Youtube LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour 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 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 EP.618: Jenna Gaidusek: How to Build an Online Business in Interior Design AWDB EP.911: Power Talk Friday: Jenna Gaidusek: Introducing Virtual Assistant Certification by Mydoma Studio AWDB EP. 1110: Jenna Gaidusek: Mastering AI Tools for a Streamlined Design Business

Today with Meryl Santopietro: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®. Today, I’m thrilled to have Meryl Santopietro. She is going to be sharing with us about her career and her decision to move her business to Manhattan. Meryl’s business was based in Rhode Island until she moved her business to Manhattan. She also has the pleasure of working with her two daughters every day. More About Meryl Santopietro: SANTOPIETRO INTERIORS is a family design firm based in New York City and Rhode Island, that is highly sought after for their diverse, expertly executed style, careful attention to detail and unparalleled project management expertise on the grandest scale. This A.S.I.D. (American Society of Interior Designers) Award winning design firm specializes in residential and commercial interior design servicing the most prominent figures in the worlds of media, fashion and finance. The varied backgrounds and expertise of the firm’s members provide clients with an unprecedented, comprehensive approach to design and careful attention to detail. Meryl, the founder and creative director, brings to the team a fine arts background with degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and Rhode Island School of Design and more than 30 years experience spearheading all levels of design projects. Alessandra, senior designer, has an apparel design degree from Rhode Island School of Design and experience working for some of the most notable fashion houses, including Ralph Lauren. Joy, director of marketing and development, brings a legal background with a law degree from Suffolk University and concentration in Intellectual Property law. Together, their ability to listen to their clients and transform spaces into oasis, tailored to each individual and their lifestyle is what makes them so unique and so beloved by their clients.  Connect with Meryl Santopietro: ⁠Website⁠ 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 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

Today With LuAnn Nigara: A Well-Designed Business® 10-Year Anniversary Series, Part 5 What happens when your business finally works? The referrals are steady.The revenue is consistent.The team exists. For many entrepreneurs, this is where survival ends. But it’s also where drift can begin. In Part 5 of the 10-Year Anniversary Series, LuAnn shares the leadership shift that happens after stability. Through a pivotal story from her early years at Window Works and a transparent look at her recent recalibration of the podcast itself, she unpacks what it really means to lead what you’ve built. This episode is about: • Recognizing where your real value lives• Avoiding drift when things feel comfortable• Recalibrating your business to serve both your mission and your life• Designing the next decade intentionally If your business works… this episode is your mirror. Because once it works, your job changes. Now you must lead it. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

Today With Christa O’Leary: Today with Christa O'Leary, we explore how her background in psychology and marriage and family therapy completely transformed the way she approaches design. Christa shows us that great design isn't just about aesthetics, it's about creating environments that support wellness, help clients thrive, and make them feel how they want to feel when they walk through the door. Ever feel like your design work would be even better if you truly understood the people you're designing for, not just their style preferences, but how they really live, what they struggle with, and how they want to feel in their spaces? Christa talks about learning to speak your client's language (not designer language), assessing spaces in ways design school never taught, and why understanding personality types can be your greatest tool for client communication. Your design work can go deeper. It can change lives. More About Christa O’Leary: Founder and CEO of Home in Harmony Designs, Christa O’ Leary leads a distinguished design firm renowned for crafting exquisite interiors that elevate both aesthetic beauty and the well-being of her clients. With a rare combination of expertise— holding dual degrees in psychology and human development— O'Leary’ s foundation in marriage and family therapy uniquely informs her philosophy of “Design Inspired Living,” where interiors not only reflect personal style but also foster emotional and physical wellness. A celebrated figure in the world of interior design, O’ Leary has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Design Firms by Designer’s Today magazine and hailed as the “One to Watch” by Modern Luxury Magazine. Her insights and innovative approach have positioned her as a thought leader in the industry. She has shared her expertise as a keynote speaker at the prestigious High Point Market and participated as a Market Pro, further solidifying her influence in the design community. Additionally, she has been a featured speaker on the Traditional Home panel at HPMKT, offering her unique perspective on creating spaces that nurture and inspire. A celebrated author and advocate for sustainable living, Christa’ s work has captured the attention of national media, with appearances on CBS, NBC, and The Hallmark Channel. As a sought-after motivational speaker, she has inspired audiences worldwide, appearing on renowned radio shows and podcasts. Her signature designs, regularly featured in prestigious publications such as Modern Luxury, Designer's Today, New England Home, Luxury Interiors, and by the acclaimed international fabric house Kravet, encourage a life of elegance, harmony, and vitality. Most recently, O’Leary’s work was highlighted in the 2025 Hamptons Cottages & Gardens showhouse with her spectacular dining room space that was an overwhelming Instagram favorite. Through her visionary leadership at Home in Harmony Designs, Christa continues to push the boundaries of traditional interior design, blending her deep understanding of aesthetics and human psychology to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply enriching those who inhabit them. Connect with Christa O’Leary: Website Instagram  Facebook  Book: Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life Clutter Clearing Challenge 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 Other Shows Mentioned: #892: Sharon L. Sherman: Decoding Personality Types for Successful Client Outcomes #1081: Tracee Murphy: The Psychology of Luxury Sales in Interior Design

Today With LuAnn Nigara: When your business starts working, everything changes. In Part Four of the 10-Year Birthday Series, LuAnn shares the shift that happens when success creates complexity — and why growth without structure leads to burnout. What began as one microphone and one clear promise eventually became something bigger. More responsibility. More demand. More opportunity. And with that came a critical realization: You don’t scale by saying yes to everything.You scale by designing intentionally. In this episode, LuAnn walks through how A Well-Designed Business® evolved from a podcast into a thoughtfully built ecosystem — including Power Talk Friday, LuAnn University, Chairman of the Board, and the newly emerging Boardroom for Creatives. But this isn’t about the programs. It’s about the pattern. If you’ve moved from one-room projects to full homes…If you’ve tested new services and refined your offers…If you’ve felt the pressure of success and wondered how to protect your standards… This episode will help you see your own business more clearly. Because building the house is one level. Designing it on purpose is another. And leading what you’ve built into the next decade? That’s where we’re headed next. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

Today with Marie Flanigan: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business®. Today, I’m thrilled to have Marie Flanigan back on the show. Marie has more than a decade of experience as a thriving designer, one whose list of accolades goes on for days. In today’s episode, Marie is answering questions from listeners about how to make big decisions in your business— how to attract the clients and projects you truly desire, how to strategically market, how to handle client expectations, and more! LuAnn and Marie Flanigan’s Ah-Ha moments: “I think it’s so important to just live out doing the best you can— be the best at whatever you’re doing in the moment. That’s what builds the relationships, that’s what provides the contacts, that’s what gives you the 10,000 hours to become the expert and really grow into the area you want to be in.” -Marie Flanigan “You do want to turn away the business that sucks the energy out of you or that takes too much of your time away, because when the right projects come along you need to be open for that.” -Marie Flanigan “Gut instinct is very important, but you should also go on data.” -Marie Flanigan “It isn’t just about putting an ad in a newspaper— it’s all the little things that you do across your business.” -LuAnn Nigara More About Marie Flanigan: Originally trained as an architect, Marie Flanigan seamlessly unites structure with style, unlocking a unique level of depth through her mutual consideration of an interior and its framework. For more than a decade, Marie has crafted well-articulated spaces that expertly reflect the stories of those who dwell and work within. Her trademark signature of innovative simplicity is evident through the sophisticated use of color, texture, and light. Marie’s projects span the country, from luxury residences to high-end commercial showrooms, each one exhibiting her firm’s commitment to exceptional design and extraordinary service. Marie’s work and expertise have been featured by premier publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Domino, Traditional Home, Elegant Homes, Southern Home, and Luxe Magazine. She regularly shares her design and lifestyle advice with TV audiences, including her role on HGTV’s internationally broadcast series, Property Brothers: Brother vs. Brother. In addition to Marie’s design work, she has now launched collections with some of the industry’s top manufacturers including Visual Comfort and Aria Stone. Her debut book, The Beauty of Home, is now available for purchase. Connect with Marie Flanigan: Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Twitter 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. 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: #89 Marie Flanigan – How Marketing Strategies Helped Her Grow Her Firm #50 Veronica Solomon – Powerful Marketing for your Interior Design Firm- Website to Fan Engagement on Facebook #06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

Today With Megan Dahle: If your books are clean but your decisions still feel heavy, this episode is for you. My guest today, Megan Dahle, is a fractional CFO for creative business owners, and she has a unique way of helping entrepreneurs understand what their numbers are actually telling them without shame, overwhelm, or judgment. In this conversation, Megan shares her four-part framework for looking at your business numbers in a way that supports better decisions, calmer leadership, and long-term sustainability. We talk about the difference between historical information and future insight, why operational expenses are often misunderstood, and how clarity in how money comes in and moves through your business directly impacts your confidence as a decision-maker. This is not an accounting lesson. It’s a conversation about understanding patterns, recognizing direction, and leading your business with intention instead of fear. If you’ve ever thought, “I should feel better about my business than I do,” this episode will help you understand why and what to pay attention to next. More About Megan Dahle: As someone who has seen the intimate ups and downs inside hundreds of small businesses, including her own, Megan Dahle (pronounced “Dolly”) has an uncanny ability to spot the invisible habits, processes, and fears that make running a business harder than it needs to be. From a young age, Megan could “see” numbers inf the form of shapes and colors. Today, she uses that gift to translate confusing spreadsheets and financial statements into visual, intuitive tools that help creative business owners understand what their resources are actually buying, where growth is possible, and what kind of work truly lights them up. Megan doesn’t tell people what to do. Instead, she helps them uncover their own path by illuminating what’s been unseen and getting brutally but lovingly honest about their relationship with their business.  With a Master’s degree in accounting and 23 years of experience, Megan has spent the last nine years helping creative founders realize just how smart and capable they already are. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her wandering through gardens, playing at the bridge club, or curled up on the couch with a good book. Connect with Megan Dahle: Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: Watch the Docuseries! https://www.luannnigara.com/cob Register FREE for Prereqs for Success: 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 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 Part Three of the A Well-Designed Business 10-Year Birthday Series, LuAnn moves the story forward into the phase almost no one prepares you for. The moment when hustle stops being the solution. Not because the work disappears. But because the work changes. By this point, the podcast no longer depended on LuAnn doing everything herself. It depended on something else entirely. Stewardship. In this episode, LuAnn shares what happens when stepping out of the weeds doesn’t mean stepping away, but stepping into a different level of responsibility. A level she had lived through before while growing Window Works, and one she recognized just in time this time around. You’ll hear how the work shifted from execution to bigger thinking, and why growth at this stage demands more discernment, not more effort. LuAnn walks through: What replaces doing when you stop doing everything Why long-term alignment matters more than enthusiasm How LuAnn University evolved from great courses into a true business school for creatives Why speaking engagements, partnerships, and opportunities must earn their yes How responsibility expands when you’re accountable to communities, not just yourself The difference between visibility and values Why some of the hardest no’s look great on paper And how leadership without ego creates stronger outcomes for everyone involved This is also the season where decisions began running through a future lens. Five years. Ten years. Twenty years. Will this still matter? Will I still be proud of it? And what happens when I’m no longer here to run it? This episode is about the quiet shift from building something exciting to protecting something meaningful. From growth to guardianship. From proving to preserving. If you’ve ever felt the weight of success get heavier instead of lighter, this episode will help you understand why. And why that weight is not a problem to solve, but a responsibility to lead. In the next episode, LuAnn will share what came next. The structures. The systems. And the decisions that allowed the business to grow without losing its soul. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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