[Rebroadcast] Project Productivity

In this episode, I dive into a common challenge faced by designers: creating proposals for clients with vague scopes of work and uncertain budgets.

I share some strategies that have worked for me in guiding clients through the design process, determining fair fees, and ensuring transparent alignment between scope and pricing. Learn the importance of professionalism, expertise, and customized proposals in addressing wishy-washy situations.

If you're looking for confidence and clarity on how to handle undefined scope and budget scenarions, this is the episode for you! 

 

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➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about my systems building course.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Ever had your plans derailed? It happens to the best of us! In today's episode, we're diving into a common hurdle: clients opting out of your services for their project's implementation phase. Join me as I unravel 5 crucial questions to navigate this setback, complete with real-life examples and actionable scenarios.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, it's essential to anticipate and strategize for such situations. Tune in to discover how fine-tuning your business model can be your secret weapon in overcoming client rejections and thriving in your field.

 

Episode 105 Tips and tricks to getting your clients to sign off on all items in the design

 

Episode 05 Get your clients to trust you with Cynthia Soda

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome to my first shorty episode! Every week, in between teachings and amazing interviews, I’ll be sharing bite-sized nuggets to help keep you motivated and inspired!

In this episode I delve into the concept of the "messy middle" – a phase in our entrepreneurial journey where progress seems elusive and doubts start creeping in. Drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt's speech, I emphasize the importance of embracing the challenges and uncertainties as integral parts of the journey toward success. In today's uncertain economic climate, I encourage you to find motivation amidst the chaos, reminding you that every setback is an opportunity for growth.

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I speak with Amanda Arcone, about her decades of experience in the corporate and banking world and how her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to start her own design business.

She describes searching for structure, framework and community and the specific ways my courses and Designer's Room resonated with her. You aren't going to want to miss her ideas on cultivating confidence and investing in yourself to make decisions that benefit your business's ecosystem as well as you future forward self. Finally she talks a bit about her brick and mortar showroom and strong and developed business goals for the next 10 years.

You aren't going to want to miss out on how Amanda applies her experience and expertise to design firm ownership.

 

Join us in Designer's Room here

Learn more about Amanda Arcone on her website and follow her on Instagram

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Dive into this enriching conversation filled with valuable advice, personal insights, and motivational gems! Listen in as we delve into the career journeys of two esteemed members of Designer's Room, Jamie Khan and Adriana Pietropaolo, as they transition from commercial design to the dynamic realm of residential design.

In this special episode, Jamie and Adriana, who have been integral parts of each other's professional journeys even before their involvement with Power of Process and Designer’s Room, candidly share their experiences and transformations. From their corporate beginnings to becoming successful design firm owners, they discuss their educational paths, entrepreneurial endeavors, and the pivotal moments that redirected their career trajectories towards the "Wild West" of residential design.

Tune in to discover how Designer's Room and our courses have made tangible impacts on their businesses, including overcoming imposter syndrome, implementing strategic pricing adjustments, and enhancing conversion rates with the unwavering support of the Designer's Room community.

Prepare to be inspired as Jamie and Adriana shed light on the distinctive nuances between commercial and residential design, along with their future aspirations and goals.

If you're looking for an uplifting dose of motivation or a sign that you too can pursue your passion and achieve your goals, look no further - this episode is your catalyst for inspiration!

 

Learn more about Designer's Room here

Episode 97: [Bonus] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable with Designer & POP Alum Adriana Pietropaolo

Episode 152: What it Means to be a Licensed Interior Designer with Maia Roffey & Sharon Portelli

 

Find Adriana Pietropaolo on her website and follow her on Instagram

Find Jamie Lee Khan on herwebsite and follow her onInstagram

 

 

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is a little different, but in a terrific way! Now that Designer's Room is open to the Interior Design Industry, I wanted to give you a small peek into what this incredible community provides. This episode is an excerpt from a Designer's Room training session from May 2022 where I get into that often dreaded topic of Mastering Sales.

I break down some mental blocks I've seen come up for designers around selling, explain conversion rates, how to calculate them and why they are important to your business' success. In the second half of the training, I share 10 sales tips to boost your conversion rate to help designers feel empowered even when their project calendar is a roller coaster. I cover prospecting, preparation, process and much more.

If this episode is beneficial to you, you can find many other trainings inside of Designer's Room. If you’re seeking community and knowledge as a interior design professional this is the membership for you!

 

Designer's Room Membership

Episode 36: Sales tips from my friend at LinkedIn Ft. Tiffany Heimpel

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is filled to the brim with "aha!" moments about all things Human Resources and the role it plays in a small business, so get ready to take some notes. I chatted with Laura Tolhoek, founder and principal consultant of Essential HR Canada, to get answers to all my burning HR questions and learn why it is so worth it for small businesses to hire an outside expert. She shares the differences between subcontractors and employees, the nitty gritty behind contracts (including the one most important part), and even a few HR horror stories that her services can help prevent. Her insights on why investing in an outside team of professionals can free up a business owner's time, mental capacity, and emotional energy were so on the nose and she even gets a tad controversial towards the end. See what you think! I know you’re going to soak up so much wisdom and motivation from Laura the same way I did! 

 

Key Takeaways

• How the role of HR extends beyond typically disciplinary issues. It includes navigating various practical work situations and answering complex queries. 

• The distinction between hiring subcontractors and employees and the appropriate scenarios for each within small design firms such as wages, outsourcing work, and who’s responsible for equipment. 

• The importance of having properly drafted contracts for both employees and subcontractors further highlights the role contracts play in delineating the terms of work and clarifying the relationship's parameters.

 

 

Get in touch with Laura Tolhoek

• Essential HR

• Essential HR Canada on LinkedIn

• Essential HR on Instagram

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode I had the opportunity to chat with two incredible Designers who are also POP alumnae and long time members of Designer’s Room.  

Yazyth Norelius of Colorado and Ariella Arazi of Montreal each share how they started in the industry and in their businesses, where they felt stalled and how joining our community, POP, and then Designer's Room gave them the support, ideas and confidence to shift strategies and change how they do business. We talk about consultation pricing, finding the ideal client and the specific processes they've implemented, how much more they enjoy running their businesses and how much more profitable they’ve become. I know listeners will be inspired by their tenacity, nuggets of wisdom and what they've got ahead this year!

 

 

Key Takeaways:

1. Ariella and Yazyth share the significant growth they have seen in their businesses over the last few years - from sporadic job-taking and fewer projects, to developing a more structured vision and expanding projects. 

2. Ariella shares that learning to trust her gut and implementing clear boundaries have been instrumental in maintaining a work-life balance and attracting ideal clients.

3. Yazyth shares how setting specific boundaries, turning off email notifications after hours, and creating a work environment that respects personal time and family engagements have been vital for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

4. Candid insights and personal experiences from Ariella, Yazyth, and Rebecca that focus on the importance of balance and personal well-being and how it plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy business growth and success.

 

Ariella Arazi

• Arazi Design Studio

• @arazidesignstudio

 

Yazyth Norelius

• One of a Kind Interior Design

• @oneofakindid

 

Episode 125: Building the courage to start your own business with Yazyth Norelius

Designer's Room Sign Up

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today is one for the books! I am thrilled to speak with the Queen of podcasting herself, LuAnn Nigara, and bask in her wisdom. LuAnn describes her inspirational career trajectory and how her business has evolved in the last 4 decades. She shares nugget after nugget of wisdom as she highlights the importance of quieting down, cultivating an inner voice, visualizing goals and how to listen to that intuition (and a few select advisors) to move forward into success. I am beyond excited and inspired after this conversation and I know you will feel the same, a perfect introduction into 2024!

 

LuAnn Nigara

• Website

• Instagram

• LuAnn University

• LuAnn's Podcast Network

  • A Well-Designed Business®

  • Window Treatments For Profit with LuAnn Nigara

  • The Inner Edit: Wellness for Digital Creators podcast.

 

New England Home and Interiors

The Silva Method

 

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Buckle up folks because I've got a big announcement for you! If you've been feeling, like me, that you are doing anything and everything and still can't keep up, then take a listen to this episode. I'm sharing a story of how being deflated by early failure eventually turned into a swath of offerings like courses, groups, events, memberships and of course, this very podcast. Recently, after taking a deep look at my natural strengths, I audited what is and isn't working in my business and have some huge news that you are not going to want to miss.

I hope this story and update is encouraging to anyone who feels they are floundering and in danger of losing their intuition and dampening their skills by "doing it all". This news will be a support to all designers, regardless of where they are in their business journey. Get excited for 2024!

 

Episode Highlights

 

1. Rebecca finally shares her big announcement about changes in her coaching business.

2. She explains that she reflected on the direction of her coaching and decided to focus on her unique abilities and core strengths, such as bringing people together and developing curriculum.

3. She shares the story of starting a designer meet up and her desire to expand her circle of designer connections.

4. She discusses her vision for creating a safe and inclusive online community called "Designers Room" for design firm owners, decorators, architects, and others to connect, learn, and grow.

5. Rebecca ends by sharing the new membership benefits, including a vault of recorded trainings, live Q&A sessions, a Facebook group for community connection, and a future private member's only podcast.

 

Jessica Kelly Design

StrengthsFinder

Designer's Room

 

 

Download our Free Resources

➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script

➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist   

➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue

 

Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses

➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course

➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners.

➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!