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    Arts

    A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

    In today’s world being a talented interior designer isn’t enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful business. Design school curricula doesn’t always equip you with the business skills to have your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well-Designed Business® is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 40 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices. This podcast is sponsored by Kravet Inc and Mydoma Studio.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2016

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    1140: Overheard: How to Build a Steady Referral Pipeline with Darci Hether, Rebecca Robinson, and Lacey Michalek Nov 14, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Darci Hether, Rebecca Robinson, and Lacey Michalek

    Today on A Well-Designed Business, three seasoned designers share how they transformed their referral marketing by working with expert Stacey Brown Randall. Rebecca Robinson went from 18 to 40 referrals per year, Lacey Michalek turned a mahjong game into multiple projects, and Darci Hether developed systems for building warm relationships with industry professionals.

    You'll learn the exact referral language that creates psychological responses in past clients, why face-to-face networking beats social media for generating real momentum, and how to turn cold prospects into warm referral sources through strategic events.

    These aren't theories, they're proven tactics from experienced designers who've seen dramatic results. If you've been hoping referrals will just happen, this episode gives you the actionable roadmap to build relationships that consistently convert into new business.


    Other Resource 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


    Stacey Brown Randall’s Newest Book: “The Referable Client Experience”


    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB: #69: Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall – Take Control Of Your Business – Employee Management

    AWDB: #93: Power Talk Friday- Stacey Brown Randall- How To Create an Awesome Client Experience!

    AWDB: #558: Rebecca Robinson: Provide Value & Create Relationships with Contractors

    AWDB: #885: Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall: Generate Business Referrals Without Asking

    AWDB #220: Darci Hether: Literally The Things I Learned From A Well-Designed Business


    1139: Rebecca Ward: Money, Mindset, Pricing, and Starting Your Interior Design Firm Nov 11, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Rebecca Ward

    Mentorship can make all the difference in your design career. Yet many new designers hesitate to take the leap, unsure how to translate their skills into a business or where to find the right support. That’s why Rebecca Ward—CEO and Principal Designer of Rebecca Ward Design in Sacramento—has made mentorship her mission. With over 18 years of experience and an award-winning residential design portfolio, she knows what it takes to step into this industry with confidence and clarity.

    In this episode, Rebecca and I talk about what it really means to shift from an employee mindset to an entrepreneurial one, how to reshape your money mindset so you can lead clients at any level, and why cultivating a growth mindset is essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a baby designer just starting out or a seasoned business owner, you’ll find Rebecca’s grounded wisdom and practical guidance inspiring—and packed with lessons you can put into action right away.

    Her artistic skill shines in creating contemporary spaces that fit the dynamic lifestyles of families today. She believes in enhancing lives through interior design, making surroundings more impactful for productivity and mood. Her goal is to create spaces that reflect clients' needs, helping them be their best selves in the world.


    Beyond her design prowess, Rebecca is dedicated to nurturing emerging talents in interior design. In 2021, she launched the "My Design Mentor" program, empowering individuals to succeed in the field. Her commitment extends to elevating the profession as a whole. Following this, Rebecca expanded her reach by hosting the "Design Curious Podcast," sharing insights with a broader audience keen on exploring the world of design. She values a strong design community, actively investing in local peers through monthly gatherings that foster collaboration and growth.


    Outside of design, Rebecca finds harmony in music, performing with her attorney husband in their acoustic duo. Cherishing family time, she enjoys moments with her two children and lively labradoodle.

    Rebecca Ward's journey is defined by her dedication to design excellence, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to both her craft and community.


    Ah Ha Moments with Rebecca Ward

    “Being a CEO requires so many more different skills and a whole new mindset." – Rebecca Ward

    "You cannot save your clients’ money for them. Your role is to design at the level they’ve invited you into, not to hold back because of your own money story." – LuAnn Nigara

    "I have this saying—I’ve said it a thousand times: Do I want to be right, or do I want to get what I want? Before I get on the phone, I know exactly what I want, what I’m willing to do for it, and what I’m willing to give up if I don’t get it." – LuAnn Nigara

    Connect with Rebecca Ward

    Podcast

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    YouTube

    LinkedIn

    X

    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 #1123: Ali Faulkner: What to Do When a Client Says “No”: Lessons from a Lost Design Proposal

    AWDB #1021: Ann Cariola: Launching an Interior Design Firm at Age 60—It’s Never Too Late

    AWDB #1100: Best Of Show: Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward


    1138: BEST OF SHOW: Beth Bender: Back End Operations for Your Interior Design Firm Nov 07, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Beth Bender:

    Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m talking with Beth Bender, principal and co-founder of The Dove Agency where Beth has developed a team that expertly provides back-office operations for interior design professionals, from strategic planning and consulting to targeted marketing solutions.

    With 20 years of design experience, Beth decided she wanted to start something that would help those in the design industry with the back end of their businesses. Supporting both the financial and marketing aspects of the design business, Beth and I discuss The Dove Agency, how it works, benefits of working with the agency, and the fact that if you don’t run your operations smoothly, no matter how talented you are as a designer, it could mean the end of your business.


    LuAnn and Beth Bender’s Ah-Ha moments:

    “One of your premises is that interior designers should invest in the back end, operations end of the business. You’re talking my language because the whole premise of my podcast is that yes, you need talent to be successful, but your talent isn’t going to be the reason that you are successful. You can get some attraction and some clients, but to create a long lived sustainable profitable business you have to learn how to efficiently run the back end.” – LuAnn Nigara


    “We feel that for a design form to be able to have sustained growth you have to have a two-pronged approach. You have to be able to identify both your marketing needs and your financial needs and they have to be in step.” – Beth Bender


    “At the end of the day, it really should come down to counting every penny because there are tight margins. Regardless of whether you are charging by the hour, or a set fee you still have to know, How much time did I spend on that project? What was the monetary value of that time?” – Beth Bender


    More About Beth Bender:

    Principal and Co-Founder Beth Bender specializes in new client and strategic partner acquisitions for The Dove Agency. Beth has developed a team that expertly provides back-office operations for interior design professionals, from strategic planning and consulting to targeted marketing solutions. Additionally, Beth oversees human and organizational development services and she also manages strategic growth strategies at The Dove Agency.

    Beth earned her degree in human and organization development from Vanderbilt University, and she brings more than 20 years of design experience to her work, enabling her to advise and assist clients with uniquely informed perspectives as she helps them maximize their time, resources, and profitability.

    Combining their impeccable expertise, proficient knowledge, and well-versed viewpoints, Beth and her co-founder, Kenda, together developed services that streamline administrative processes, giving interior design professionals the time to do what they do best—design. These processes are the foundation and hallmark of The Dove Agency today.

    Beth works closely with the marketing team to strategically position each designer with the tools necessary for calculated growth, increased influence, and measurable success.


    Connect with Beth Bender:

    Website

    Instagram

    Facebook

    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


    Other Shows Mentioned

    Episode 575 Lisa Gilmore: Finance Fridays! From 850k to 2.25 Million in One Year!

    WTF Episodes: #653, #645 , #610 , #586 , #551 , #539

    Sara Lynn Brennan Episodes: #607 , #524 , #514 , #463


    1137: Zain Suthar and Trent Kendrick: Build a More Successful Design Business with the Right Partner Nov 04, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Zain Suthar and Trent Kendrick

    How many times have you thought, "If only I had someone to handle the numbers, the marketing, and the tough client calls, I could just focus on design"?

    Today, I’m chatting with a duo who is living that reality—Trent Kendrick and Zain Suthar of Studio Fifth Sunday.

    They met in an Uber, both swearing off business partnerships, only to realize they were the perfect "left brain/right brain" match. Trent is the brilliant designer and artist; Zain is the operations and finance pro.

    Their story is a masterclass in how a well-matched partnership can change the game—creating accountability, unlocking new revenue streams, and allowing you to do more of what you love.


    Connect with Zain Suthar and Trent Kendrick

    Website

    Instagram


    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB #130: Kate O’Hara -Director of Marketing & Business Development for Martha O’Hara Interiors

    AWDB #977 Katie Ryan Pluer: Strategies for Taking on a Business Partner


    1136: David Neagle: Three Powerful Choices That Will Change Everything in Your Interior Design Business Oct 31, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With David Neagle

    Today with David Neagle, best-selling author, speaker, and host of The Successful Mind Podcast, we’re talking about the mindset shifts that can change everything in your business. David shares his journey from high school dropout on food stamps to building a multimillion-dollar company—and the simple daily decisions that sparked his transformation. We dive into the beliefs that keep entrepreneurs stuck, how to create a culture of success within your team, and how to spot the blind spots holding you back.


    More About David Neagle

    David Neagle is a speaker, best-selling author, founder of the multimillion-dollar global consulting company Life Is Now, Inc, and host of the Business Daily News ranked podcast - The Successful Mind.

    Being in the personal and professional development industry for more than 20 years, David has helped tens of thousands of students from across the globe gain confidence and find the right mindset needed to increase their revenue, turning their endeavors into seven- and eight-figure ventures.


    Ah Ha Moments with David Neagle

    “The opportunity was always there. Number two, I couldn’t see it because I had such a bad attitude. So when I changed my attitude, I changed my perception and it allowed me to even conceive about going down that road.” - David


    “Our greatest power is our ability to choose. The negativity never goes away completely. It’s that you discipline yourself to choose to focus on the opposite of that every day.” - David


    “The world doesn’t care enough to be against you. You’re doing it all by yourself.” - LuAnn


    Connect with David Neagle The Millions Within Book

    David Neagle

    The Successful Mind Podcast

    Instagram

    Instagram

    Facebook

    YouTube

    LinkedIn

    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 Resources Mentioned:

    Check out David Neagle’s assessment quiz. A helpful tool to help you get started on a new path. Take The Quiz

    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB #913: Power Talk Friday: Terri Taylor: The Importance of Money Mindset in Charging Your Worth

    AWDB #957: Power Talk Friday: Audrey Faust: Building Wealth Through a Positive Money Mindset


    1135: Hannah Goldberg: How to Attract Dream Clients Before You Have an Interior Design Portfolio Oct 28, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Hannah Goldberg

    Today on A Well Designed Business, Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors shares how she built what she calls a "no-niche niche," working across multiple design styles while maintaining crystal-clear boundaries around her ideal client and design ethos.

    Hannah breaks down how to navigate the "yes era" of early business, using vignettes and mood boards to communicate your aesthetic before you have perfect portfolio shots, and why investing in professional branding from day one made all the difference.

    From building an email list while bartending to surviving a chandelier crisis at The Mansion in May show house, Hannah's journey demonstrates how clarity on your design ethos becomes the foundation for sustainable growth, even when you're stretching across different styles and projects.

    If you're wondering how to attract your dream clients before you have the perfect portfolio, this conversation offers a roadmap for building with intention from the start.

    More About Hannah Goldberg

    Hannah Goldberg is the founder and principal of Hannah Charlotte Interiors, specializing in bespoke commercial and residential design projects in DC and beyond. With over a decade of industry experience blending her passion for design with her engineering and interior architecture background, Hannah ensures each space is functional and beautiful, with a focus on collaboration and client vision. Each of her projects is tailored to diverse needs and aesthetics, drawing inspiration from nature, art, food, and travel.


    Ah Ha Moments with Hannah Goldberg

    "I made the conscious decision that my projects are not going to look the same—and that's okay for what I want in my business."- Hannah Charlotte


    Connect with Hannah Goldberg

    Website

    Instagram

    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


    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

    #820: Alex Alonso: Always Say Yes to a Client, Except When You Should Say No


    #917: Power Talk Friday: Fred Berns: The Five Things All Successful People Do


    1134: BEST OF SHOW: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life Oct 24, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Jean Stoffer:

    Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we are joined by the one and only Jean Stoffer. Jean is an award-winning independent designer, star of The Established Home on the Magnolia Network, and author of the newly released book Establishing Home. In our conversation, Jean offers a glimpse into her journey, showing us the joys of intertwining work and family, the benefits of an unhurried attitude, and the blessings each season of life has to offer.

    Pick it Apart:

    [6:01] Jean discusses “being in the trenches” as she built her business from the ground up, learning cabinetry design, kitchen design, and troubleshooting at her own pace.

    [10:10] LuAnn and Jean agree that cultural messages often pressure young designers to rush toward success, but both believe that isn’t always the right path. Jean discusses embracing the season you are in.

    [16:50] Jean walks through the current family dynamic and everyone’s role in the Stoffer Home business.

    [27:30] LuAnn and Jean talk about the importance of processes as you grow your business.

    [48:00] Jean discusses working with the Magnolia Network and putting her work on television.

    LuAnn Nigara and Jean Stoffer’s Ah-Ha Moments

    “Our value system and reputation are just so bedrock for me and our family.” – Jean Stoffer.

    “I really believe there are seasons for things, and it’s great to embrace those and accept them.” – Jean Stoffer.

    “I think as a society, we are putting pressure on moms to think that you can have it all. And you actually can, but not all in the same season is my belief.” – LuAnn Nigara.

    “It’s very important that the quality and all of the things connected with [your brand] remain as close as to your original vision and way of doing it.” – LuAnn Nigara.


    More about Jean Stoffer

    Jean Stoffer is an award-winning Grand Rapids-based independent interior designer specializing in kitchen and bath designs. Each of her designs is custom suited for her clients’ lives and how they hope to use their home. Jean is also the founder of Stoffer Home, a retail store featuring beautiful and functional items for the home, and Stoffer Home Cabinetry, the source for Jean’s own line of quality, British-inspired flush inset cabinets. In December 2021, the Magnolia Network began airing The Established Home, a TV series featuring Jean and her design work.


    Connect with Jean Stoffer

    Website

    Stoffer Home

    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


    Other Shows Mentioned

    #563: Power Talk Friday: Mike Van Tassell: Expressing Your Brand Through Photography


    1133: Overheard: 3 Experts, One Mission: Build a Website That Converts with Ebony Looney, Deb Mitchell, and Nicole Heymer Oct 21, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Ebony Looney, Deb Mitchell, and Nicole Heymer

    We all know that a website is important. It’s your calling card, your portfolio, the place where clients go to make sure you’re a legitimate designer who does what you say you do.

    But so many designers are still going wrong with their websites. And the problem with doing it yourself is that there are so many pieces involved, layout, the design, the SEO, the copywriting, and when your website isn’t doing what it needs to do, it’s hard to even know where to start fixing the problem.


    More About Ebony Looney, Deb Mitchell, and Nicole Heymer

    Ebony Looney: Ebony is a Web Designer and Creative Director with 22+ years of experience making the web beautiful for B2B service providers. She has worked with agency owners, private sector and educational institutions such as Carbra Construction & Design, Benedict College & South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. With a background in web design, development, fashion design and online marketing she believes that beautiful design is good business. She is happy to cover any website marketing related topic you think your audience would be most interested in.

    Deb Mitchell: Deb Mitchell’s career as a professional writer began when she responded to an ad in a local Charlotte, NC magazine seeking volunteers for a readers’ panel. On a tour of the magazine’s offices with the other selected panelists, the idea for an article came to her and when she mentioned it to the editors, they hired her on the spot as a writer. Nearly ten years and hundreds of articles later, Deb decided to blend her design feature writing experience with her pre-writing career experience in high-end retail sales to help interior designers move their businesses forward with strategic copywriting and content marketing services.

    Today, Deb’s client list is ever growing with designers at nearly every stage of business. Most recently, she’s joined forces with two experts, a branding designer and a website developer, to offer designers an all-in-one option for fully custom designed and copywritten WordPress websites.

    Deb has by-lined articles in publications such as Casual Living, Design Texas, Lake Norman Magazine, and Today’s Charlotte Woman, and on The Renegade Writer blog. Her ghostwriting has appeared in dozens of top shelter publications and design blogs.

    Nicole Heymer: Owner and Creative Director, Glory & Brand Nicole Heymer is the founder of Glory & Brand, a boutique creative agency specializing in branding, websites, marketing automation, and strategy. Since 2011, Nicole has worked with a wide variety of clients at every stage in their development, from nationally known interior design firms to local custom home builders. Nicole's clear, practical take on branding has been featured by a range of design industry resources—from the Wingnut Social podcast to the Design Influencers Conference to the . You’ll find her methods in print, on industry webinars, and as the framework for branding workshops.


    Connect with Ebony Looney, Deb Mitchell, and Nicole Heymer

    Nicole Heymer

    Deb Mitchell

    Ebony Looney


    Other Resources Mentioned:

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


    Other Shows Mentioned:

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

    AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

    AWDB #317: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen

    AWDB #466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?

    AWDB #574: Power Talk Friday: Deb Mitchell: Attract the Right Clients With Stand-Out Copy

    AWDB #819: Power Talk Friday: Ebony Looney: Attract Clients Through Your Interior Design Business Website

    AWDB #1087: Best of Show: Nicole Heymer: 6 Keys to Planning A Website That Makes Things Happen


    1132: Jessica Nelson, Stephanie Lindsey: Using AI to Streamline Your Interior Design Business Oct 17, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey

    Today on A Well Designed Business, Nicole Heymer returns to discuss the massive shift happening in online search that’s changing how potential clients find interior designers. We’re living through a pivotal moment where traditional Google searches are being replaced by AI-powered recommendations from ChatGPT, Google’s AI mode, and other large language models. Nicole explains why your website information is now being summarized and served directly to searchers, what this means for how you need to structure your content, and the specific steps you can take to ensure AI systems recommend you. From testing your own search results to prioritizing Google reviews in new ways, this conversation covers the practical strategies designers need to implement right now to stay visible in an AI-driven search landscape. Whether you’re getting most of your business from referrals or you’re heavily invested in SEO, this shift affects everyone, and the designers who adapt early will have a significant competitive advantage.


    LuAnn Nigara, Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey's Ah-Ha Moments

    “For us, ChatGPT and custom GPTs are really where it started. We’ve built maybe 50 or 60 of them, from personality analyzers to budget calculators to city code checkers, and we use them every day. It helps us understand clients, understand our team, and communicate better. That’s been transformational for our firm.” - Stephanie


    More About Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey

    Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey are the designers and co-founders behind AI for Interiors, a platform that helps interior designers use AI tools in ways that actually make their jobs—and their lives—easier. As the founders of Etch Design Group, they’ve experienced firsthand how the right AI tools can give back valuable time and simplify the day-to-day, all without losing the personal touch that makes design so powerful.

    Jessica blends a background in both IT and design, making her the go-to for AI tools and tech strategy.

    Stephanie keeps it all grounded in the realities of running a busy, high-touch design studio. Together, they teach practical, real-world ways to use AI—and they’re passionate about helping designers stay in control of their process while working smarter, not harder.


    Connect with AI for Interiors

    Website - AI For Interiors

    Podcast - Apple Podcast

    Podcast - Spotify

    YouTube

    LinkedIn - Stephanie

    LinkedIn - Jessica

    Instagram

    Website - Etch Design Group

    100 Lunches Podcast - Apple Podcast

    100 Lunches Podcast - Spotify


    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


    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB #892: Sharon L. Sherman: Decoding Personality Types for Successful Client Outcomes

    AWDB #1110: NEW SHOW: Jenna Gaidusek: Mastering AI Tools for a Streamlined Design Business

    AWDB #950 Overheard: Insights on Hiring Exceptional People

    AWDB #635 Beth Diana Smith: Refining Process in Your Interior Design Business

    AWDB #722 How to Incorporate 3D Renderings into Your Interior Design Business

    AWDB #1099 Shea McGee: From Dream to Empire: How Shea Built Studio McGee 3.0

    Get the Beth Diana Smith Window Works Lunch and Learn Recording Here

    ⁠Get the Anastasia Harrison Window Works Lunch and Learn Recording Here


    1131: Thom Filicia: The Sentence That Built a Multi-Faceted Design Brand Oct 14, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Thom Filicia

    Today, I’m joined by one of the most recognizable names in design, Thom Filicia. From his early days at Parrish-Hadley to his breakout role on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, to building a thriving design firm, product collections, a retail brand, and countless collaborations, Thom has continually expanded what it means to be a designer.

    In this conversation, Thom shares why knowing who you are as a designer is the foundation for everything else, how staying curious and saying yes to new opportunities has shaped his career, and why great design is more than creating a beautiful room — it’s about creating spaces people truly want to live in.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to grow beyond projects into partnerships, products, and a lasting brand while staying authentic to your design voice, you won’t want to miss this episode.


    LuAnn Nigara and Thom Filicia ’s Ah-Ha Moments

    “It’s not just about creating a beautiful space, because creating a beautiful space is sort of the low-hanging fruit. We can all make something look beautiful, but making it make sense for the people that live there… that’s great design. Because at the end of the day, design is for people.” - Thom

    “Don’t not like something before you even understand what it is. Know you first, stay open second, and try to have some facts.” - Thom

    “Sometimes you just have a minute to say what you do. You don’t have ten.” - LuAnn

    “Take what you do seriously, but for the love of God, do not take yourself seriously… Take what you do seriously and be really passionate and good at what you do, no matter what it is.” - Thom


    Connect with Thom Filicia

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    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB #67: Alan Tanksley- Lessons and Observations from a 30+ Year Career in Interior Design

    AWDB #407: Century Furniture and Carrier & Company Launch New Line at High Point Market April 2019



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