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    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:
    1150: Emily Yeates: The Business Edit: The Backend That Builds Million-Dollar Design Firms Dec 19, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Emily Yeates:

    If you’ve ever found yourself whispering, “I love design but the business side is exhausting,” this episode is your wake-up call.

    Emily Yeates, founder of Urban Revival and creator of The Business Edit, joins LuAnn to pull back the curtain on how she built a thriving, efficient design firm and how she now teaches other designers to do the same. From contractor headaches and pricing pitfalls to intake calls and profitable proposals, Emily doesn’t teach theory. She hands you the system that actually works.

    Inside this conversation: – The real reason designers struggle with profitability (hint: it’s not your talent) – Why managing contractors is breaking your business and what to do instead – How to flip your intake calls, furniture sales, and vendor strategy into profit machines – Why The Business Edit is not a “market tour” and how it’s changing designers’ lives

    If you're ready to stop reacting and start running your firm like a business, hit play.

    The Business Edit returns January 27–29, 2026 in Las Vegas.

    Mention this episode for $1,000 off. Learn more at urbanrevivalphx.com


    More About Emily Yeates:

    Emily, the visionary behind Urban Revival, started her design firm over 15 years ago. Her passion for design ignited at a young age, growing up in a family of luxury real estate developers. With remarkable projects and record-breaking sales, Emily has been named by Luxe Magazine as one of the most promising designers across the country. Her talent has been featured in renowned publications such as Architectural Digest, Forbes International Properties, Domino, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Luxury Scottsdale, My Domaine, and more.


    Driven by a desire for mentorship, Emily has dedicated herself to helping designers overcome obstacles and accelerate their success. She possesses a unique ability to guide those who feel stagnant in their design businesses.


    Connect with Emily Yeates:

    Website

    Instagram

    The Business Edit


    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:

    Learn about The Business Edit: UrbanrevivalphxLANDING business-edit-client-stories


    Book a complimentary call with Emily to review your business practices: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/businesseditinfo


    The Business Edit returns January 27–29, 2026 in Las Vegas.

    Mention this episode for $1,000 off. Learn more at⁠ urbanrevivalphx.com⁠


    1149: BEST OF SHOW: Claudia Ricciardone: Her Journey from Hobby to Interior Design Business Dec 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Claudia Ricciardone:

    Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m talking with Claudia Ricciardone, founder of Claudia Josephine Design.

    Claudia and I discuss those stubborn pain points that we face in starting a business. Coming from a psychology background, Claudia teaches us that pain is what actually causes us to grow in that it forces us to find a solution. Listen in as Claudia shares her own solutions as she navigated turning her hobby into a business. I don’t know about you, but when a psychologist offers business advice, I am going to listen.

    LuAnn and Claudia Ricciardone’s Ah-Ha moments:

    “When there is a pain point, ask yourself what quality you need to develop to move past that pain point.”- Claudia Ricciardone

    “In addition to the content I provide for my promotional offerings, you just never know who you are going to meet that could be a colleague that you can learn from, and they learn from you, and improve your business.” – LuAnn Nigara.

    “Hire the best photographer you can afford. Hiring a great photographer is what got me published in my first magazine, LUX Lifestyle Magazine.” – Claudia Ricciardone.

    “Wherever you are in the business, you can see your goals clearly, but you can still have fear. The difference is taking the plunge or not. If you are running a business there is no getting around making an investment.” – LuAnn Nigara

    “When the student is ready the teacher will come. The right guides will come.” – Claudia Ricciardone

    More about Claudia Ricciardone:

    Claudia Ricciardone is a luxury residential interior designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Claudia provides full-service interior design services with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly furnishings and décor through the company she founded, Claudia Josephine Design.

    Claudia is a certified GREEN Accredited Professional (AP), member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), and Maria Killam Certified True Colour Expert. She served as the interior design columnist at LUX Lifestyle Magazine, where her work was published and distributed internationally. Claudia’s designs were also recently featured in Southpark Magazine.

    Connect with Claudia Ricciardone:

    Website

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

    luannuniversity.com

    Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events

    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:

    #50 Veronica Solomon: Powerful Marketing For Your Interior Design Firm- Website to Fan Engagement on Facebook

    #58 Maria Killam: Color- When You Can Own It As An Expertise, You Can Charge Higher Fees

    #752 PTF: Kelsey Kurtis: Connection-Based Branding For Success


    1148: In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara: A Framework for Understanding Luxury Interior Design Clients Dec 12, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Kate O’Hara:

    Have you ever had that experience where you’re working with a client on something and they just seem to resist what you’re saying…and you ask yourself, “Why won’t they just let me do what they’re paying me to do?”

    Maybe you have a difficult client. But more likely, the problem is that you don’t understand that particular client’s priorities or motivations. And that’s not a reflection on you, your client probably doesn’t understand this about themselves either.

    Wouldn’t it be great if you had a framework for tapping into what your client really wants and needs? That’s exactly what my guest today, Kate O’Hara, has created.

    Today, she breaks down three levels of clients, and more importantly, what matters most to these clients within six important criteria.


    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!


    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:

    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


    1147: BEST OF SHOW: Carla Titus: Think Like a CEO By Outsourcing Your Numbers Dec 09, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Carla Titus:

    Welcome to A Well-Designed Business Podcast. Today we are joined by financial expert Carla Titus, founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, a financial planning company offering fractional CFO services to transform business profitability.

    Carla helps us understand what a fractional CFO is and how this service can provide the financial support and insight many businesses need to achieve financial clarity and plan for a profitable future. She specializes in helping 6- and 7-figure businesses gain control of their numbers with a 5-step framework she calls 2C3P that tackles financial health from all sides. Listen in to find out more.


    LuAnn Nigara and Carla Titus’ Ah-Ha Moments

    “The beauty of bringing an expert into your business is that you do not need to know everything. That is the whole point of outsourcing your finances. You’re bringing that knowledge, and also that person that’s going to guide the process from beginning to end, [to] make you feel empowered and comfortable around your finances and your numbers.” – Carla Titus

    “Don’t overthink what you don’t know.” – LuAnn Nigara

    “There’s times where you need to step into that CEO role and work on your business, not in your business.” – Carla Titus

    “Managing the influx and outflows of cash really can help a business be more financially stable, but also feel completely in control of what’s happening.” – Carla Titus

    “If you want to sell your business one day, if you want to run a successful long term company, there has to be a salary for someone that is in charge.” – Carla Titus


    More About Carla Titus:

    Finance expert with over 15 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and established online businesses fractional CFO consulting experience. Our company provides a vast array of on-demand CFO services that leverage our industry expertise. A well-rounded CFO team with Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, Online Business, Operations, Execution, Planning, and Tech background.

    She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to business owners. Wealth & Worth Within’s mission is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.

    She is dedicated to imparting financial knowledge in order to properly manage finances and achieve profitable results. She has applied that expertise to businesses, helping them grow by creating simple yet effective systems to improve cash flow management and bottom-line results.


    Connect with Carla Titus

    Website

    Instagram

    Facebook


    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:

    #489: Power Talk Friday: Brad Clinard: Intentional Planning for Abundant Living

    #719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s

    #395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business

    #464: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner

    #361: Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO?


    1145: What Would Lu Do?: How to Lead Projects With Architects and Builders (Without the Drama) Dec 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with LuAnn Nigara:

    When it comes to high-end projects, collaboration isn’t optional and it definitely isn’t casual. It has to be intentional. In this solo episode, LuAnn breaks down the systems, scripts, and standards that every designer needs to lead confidently alongside architects, builders, and trades.

    If you've ever felt like you're managing chaos instead of driving results, this episode will show you how to step into true project leadership without sacrificing your sanity or your margins.


    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:

    Operations 201: Project Workflow for Construction-Based Design” with Jenny Slingerland


    “Operations 301: Project Leadership in Construction” with Kat Anderson


    1146: Cyrus Loloi: A Modern Take on Trade Furnishings for Interior Designers Dec 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Cyrus Loloi:

    Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. You likely know the Loloi name—they are a powerhouse in our industry. But on today’s sponsored show, I am excited to chat with Cyrus Loloi about the sister brand, Joon Loloi.

    Joon Loloi maintains many of Loloi’s values (including a commitment to quality, intention, and integrity). But it differs in many ways—not only does it offer a full range of home furnishings, but it is not exclusive to the trade. That’s an intentional decision—Cyrus and his brother Stephen saw a shift in how designers are sourcing and decided to create a brand that answers the need for a seamless digital shopping experience. That paved the way for Joon Loloi.

    Today, he shares the story of the newer brand, how he maintains the family name’s trust and reputation, and how Joon Loloi is meeting modern needs for interior designers.


    More About Cyrus Loloi:

    Cyrus Loloi is an experienced marketing and business leader specializing in brand strategy, e-commerce growth, and organizational leadership. He plays a central role in shaping the strategic direction of Loloi and Joon Loloi, overseeing key initiatives in performance marketing, creative operations, customer experience, and cross-team collaboration


    Ah Ha Moments with Cyrus Loloi:

    "We just felt like there's an opportunity to speak to the trade in more modern, sort of novel ways that Loloi is not currently positioned to do." –Cyrus Loloi

    "Every single product has to be mutually exclusive from Loloi. Number one, there's no reason to just launch something that's entirely redundant. And number two, we didn't want to sort of sell from under the retailers and designers that have supported Loloi all these years." –Cyrus Loloi

    "You’re not outsiders coming from tech and trying to figure out how to sell furniture and rugs to you to make money. You’re insiders who have observed that there's another lane inside here." –LuAnn Nigara

    "I believe one of the biggest mistakes in the industry is assuming that all 80,000 or so designers in the United States shop the same way, think the same way, business model is set up the same way." –Cyrus Loloi


    Connect with Loloi:

    Website

    Instagram

    Tik Tok

    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


    1144: BEST OF SHOW: Marianna Zimmerman: It’s Never Too Late to Design Your Life Nov 28, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Marianna Zimmerman

    Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m talking with Marianna Zimmerman, owner of The BEST is yet to come DESIGNS, LLC.

    “Your current situation doesn’t have to be your final destination.” This quote from Marianna gives you a little clue of what we’re discussing today. For years Marianna was working in administration at a hospital. She questioned if she was able to do what she REALLY wanted to do, own her own design business. With the support of her husband and her decision to believe in herself, she has successfully owned her firm for 12 years. If you have any doubt or fear or questions about your abilities, know that this episode will give you the kick in the pants you need.


    LuAnn and Marianna Zimmerman’s Ah-Ha moments:

    “I didn’t want to feel like I was playing catchup, but I had to realize that it’s not about playing catch up or competing. It’s more about sharing my gift and what I can offer to the world.” – Marianna Zimmerman

    “Not every project is photo worthy. The reason you do what you do is to make the client happy. In the end, a happy client is the goal, not the professional shot.” – Marianna Zimmerman

    “You have to be the one to do it. Whether you have the emotional, physical or financial support of someone or you’re on your own with no support, ultimately you have to be the one to do it. You have to decide to be excellent and make the decision to execute.” – LuAnn Nigara


    More about Marianna Zimmerman:

    Marianna Zimmerman, Brooklyn NY Native lived many years in Boston Ma until eventually settling down 9 yrs ago in good ole Dallas Texas. After Graduating from QC Design school 2001, She became a Certified Interior Designer and then a ASP Home Stager in 2009. With over 20 years of experience and helping friends and family design their homes part time while always working 2 jobs as a single mom, She moved to Texas and her husband encouraged her to use her gift & venture into her own business.

    She launched The BEST is yet to come DESIGNS LLC in 2011.

    Marianna believes “great design is about creating a beautiful space that you feel comfortable coming home to.” She is devoted to designing with luxury and style that is affordable. She has always believed in the motto “your current situation doesn’t have to be your final destination”… The Best is yet to come!

    While specializing in Modern aesthetics, she has traveled all over helping clients with a variety of different styles and genres. She is a self proclaimed decor fanatic and always finds that “one unique piece” that she incorporates & leaves her stamp in the project.

    She believes being an East Coast girl, living in a Texas world is what separates her from other local Interior Designers- Her modern, edgy, “think outside the box” flare combined with her passionate work ethic & outgoing friendly personality makes it natural for her to work with each client’s specific style and needs.


    Connect with Marianna Zimmerman:

    Website

    Instagram

    Facebook


    Other Shows Mentioned:

    # 167 Kelsey Grose- Winner of Best New Design Blog at Design Bloggers Conference 2017

    # 203 Darla Powell- How to Launch an Interior Design Firm

    # 455 Megan Molten- Planning Creates Success in Your Interior Design Business

    # 631 Ariella Horowitz- Success for Design-Build Firms is in the Details

    # 677 Megan Molten- To Succeed, Focus on Your Why


    1143: LuAnn Featured: LuAnn Joins Carol Cox on the "Speaking Your Brand" Podcast Nov 25, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With LuAnn Nigara on Speaking Your Brand Podcast with Carol Cox:

    In this panel conversation hosted by Carol Cox, LuAnn joins fellow powerhouse women to talk about what it really means to build a thought leadership platform. From podcasting and speaking to owning your niche and telling your story, this episode is packed with insight for anyone ready to step up and be seen.

    LuAnn shares her journey from launching A Well-Designed Business to growing it into a multi-million-download platform, and how her focused, niche-driven approach helped her become a sought-after speaker and mentor in the interior design industry. You’ll hear her thoughts on consistency, visibility, and the mindset shifts that separate dabblers from real business leaders.

    Whether you’ve thought about hosting events, sharing more of your voice, or simply showing up more powerfully in your brand, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting and start leading.


    What You’ll Hear:

    • How LuAnn built visibility and authority through podcasting and live events
    • Why niche clarity is critical to growth
    • The difference between vulnerability and over-sharing in business
    • What it takes to speak with confidence—and why it’s a skill worth learning
    • Why generosity and collaboration fuel long-term success


    More About Carol Cox:

    Carol Morgan Cox is the founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, host of the weekly Speaking Your Brand® podcast, and a sought-after presenter and trainer on public speaking, business storytelling, AI strategy, and women's leadership.


    Connect with Carol Cox:

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    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


    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


    Carol Cox's Shows on A Well-Designed Business:

    Episode 140: Today We Celebrate the 1st Birthday of A Well-Designed Business! Carol Cox of Speaking Your Brand Interviews LuAnn!


    Episode 307: Carol Cox: How To Be a Great Panelist at an Interior Design Event


    1142: BEST OF SHOW: Chanae Richards: An Unconventional Path to an Interior Design Business Nov 21, 2025
    Show notes

    Today with Chanae Richards

    Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. The journey to building a well-designed business isn’t always linear. Sometimes designers come from the most unlikely of careers. That’s something we have heard many times on the show. But today Chanae Richards shares the story of how she founded her firm Oloro Interiors. Not only did she come into the space as a second career, but she even built her interior design business in an unusual and unexpected way. She has made some very unique decisions along the way that have led to her success.


    LuAnn and Chanae Richard’s Ah-Ha moments:

    “There’s the confidence, and there’s the know-how behind that confidence. It’s not just the showy ‘I know it all,’ but it’s why you know it and how you know it and having them believe that you understand the guts to it.” -Chanae Richards

    “What’s interesting about this is that when you think about if somebody hypothetically said, ‘I want to be an interior designer…I have my education and my internships and I have my chops and I’m ready to go, but I don’t have clients yet. Should I start focusing on a rental space while I try to build my design business?’ You could line up ten business coaches and more than 50% of them would say, ‘No, don’t divert your attention.’ But you did it because you didn’t ask anyone’s permission, and that’s sometimes the best thing in the world. And it worked for you.” -LuAnn Nigara

    “I’m able to do all that I do, simply because I have hired and cultivated great teams, both at the firm and the Center. I have a number of people who are simply brilliant and I mean that. I hire great people and empower them to do great teams both inside and outside the firm.” -Chanae Richards


    More about Chane Richards:

    Chanae Richards is the CEO & Principal Designer of ọlọrọ interiors, an interior design firm with offices in Philadelphia and New York. Her curated spaces and design expertise have been featured in ELLE Décor, Business of Home, Philadelphia Magazine, and Apartment Therapy as well as on national syndicates including MSNBC, National Geographic, Vice, CNN, and The Travel Channel. An inaugural Philadelphia Mural Arts Fellow, Chanae also serves as the Managing Director of Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center, a groundbreaking initiative providing residents with free business resources and support for community innovation.

    Chanae received her BA from Temple University and MA and MPA from Rutgers University. She is also an alumna of Bank of America Women’s Institute at Cornell University and a member of the Black Interior Designer’s Network.


    Connect with Chanae Richards:

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    Pinterest


    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:

    Mydoma Studio: Mydoma is your complete designer toolkit. Mydoma makes it easy to streamline your processes, track projects, communicate with clients, and get organized. It’s created by designers for designers, specifically to address what you need as a business owner. I’ve said countless times that systems and processes are how you reach the next level of profitability. Mydoma Studio makes it easy to do that. You can get 20% off your first three months by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness.


    Other Shows Mentioned:

    AWDB #06 Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

    AWDB #711 Christine Platt: The Afrominimalist



    1141: Nate Berkus: “Foundations”: His New Book and 30 Years of Interior Design Business Wisdom Nov 18, 2025
    Show notes

    Today With Nate Berkus

    Today on A Well-Designed Business®, I’m joined once again by one of our most requested guests: Nate Berkus. If you’ve listened to our first conversation (Episode #433⁠), you already know Nate brings a level of clarity and intention that’s rare, not just in design, but in business.

    This time around, we talk leadership. Team. Vision. What it means to build a business that reflects your values, not just your style. Nate shares how he’s structured his firm for long-term success—what he delegates, how he hires, and the culture he protects.

    And, exciting news, his newest book Foundations is officially available today. This isn’t just a beautiful book. It’s a deeply personal one, centered on meaning, memory, and what it truly feels like to live in a space that reflects who you are. Grab your copy wherever books are sold.

    In this episode, you’ll hear:

    • What it means to lead from your strengths and hire to fill the gaps

    • The structure and intention behind a team that thrives

    • How personal values show up in professional design

    • Why restraint can be more powerful than excess

    • What Foundations reveals about Nate’s own evolution

      Order Foundations today here

    Listen to Nate’s first appearance in Episode #433

    Learn how to hire well with the Dream Team Toolkit at LuAnnUniversity.com

    Related Episodes: Eileen Hahn on leadership and values-driven hiring


    More About Nate Berkus

    NATE BERKUS is one of the world’s most influential interior designers, known for his elevated yet accessible approach to interiors. His thirty-year-and-counting career has included innumerable television shows and home collections, along with designing award-winning interiors. Consistently named to the AD100 and Elle Decor A-List, Nate lives in New York with his husband, Jeremiah Brent, and their children, Poppy and Oskar.


    Ah Ha Moments with Nate Berkus

    "If I'm gonna design and sell a bath mat for $12... shouldn't my feet have been on a bath mat for 500 and shouldn't I have also walked on a bath mat for six? ... I feel like it's my responsibility to know." - Nate

    "Grace goes a long way. You never want to be the person on someone's schedule... where their name shows up on their phone and they think to themselves, 'this is going to be a long day.'" - Nate

    "I can tell you that regardless of the level of success...there is something different about a certain subset of you guys that I've interviewed where the passion is so deep to that connection to the past, to the source, to the anthropology of it, to the history of it... and it's always... the person that it's important to, their design work is always elevated." -LuAnn


    Connect with Nate Berkus

    Website

    Instagram

    Book

    Rug USA


    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 Resource Mentioned:

    Nate’s newest book: Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal


    Other Shows Mentioned

    Listen to Nate’s first appearance in Episode #433


    Related Episodes: Eileen Hahn on leadership and values-driven hiring


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