Design Biz Survival Guide

Latest Episodes:

169: AI for Interiors, Special Industry Spotlight Episode Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to this special industry spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! In this format, we showcase brands and partners that empower interior designers, both creatively and professionally. Today, we're excited to feature Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsay, co-founders of AI for Interiors, a platform helping interior designers embrace the power of artificial intelligence.

In this episode Jessica and Stephanie share the back story of the brand and how a need within their own design business coupled with a passion for technology developed into what has become the leading resource for design professionals on AI which includes a podcast, online courses, and consulting.

Show Highlights:

Why AI Matters: Overcoming fear and misconceptions about artificial intelligence in the design industry.
AI for Design: Tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Proam AI for inspiration, presentations, and project management.
Practical Applications: How AI supports everything from client communication to creating unique patterns and custom designs.
Behind the Scenes: Using AI to streamline back-end operations, such as HR and project analytics.
Tips for Designers: Where to start with AI and how to integrate it into your design business.

Notable Quotes:

"You don't have to know everything about AI. You just have to start somewhere—like ChatGPT—and let the learning grow from there."
"AI doesn't replace creativity; it enhances it, giving designers more time to focus on their vision and clients."
"If you're drained by repetitive tasks, that's where AI can step in as your assistant and free you up for the things you love."

Supporting Resources:

AI for Interiors Website: aiforinteriors.com
AI for Interiors Instagram: @aiforinteriors
Register for the Design Biz Power Course: designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-power-course/

Follow & Review:

Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more insightful conversations to the design community.

168: Renee Biery | Only Girl on the Jobsite Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

Today we welcome Renee Biery, owner of Devignier Design based in Wilmington Delaware and host of the The Only Girl on the Job site Podcast. In this episode Renee shares her journey of design and how she developed a niche expertise in managing large scale construction from renovations to new builds. We dive deep into the benefits of embracing the construction side of design and the nuances of contributing to the construction process from a design perspective. Renee pays it forward to the design community by informing and empowering designers on how to be more confident on the job site and she shares her top tips right here with us.

Show Highlights:

Embracing Construction: Why designers should integrate construction management into their business models.
Confidence on the Jobsite: How to project value and demonstrate leadership during construction projects.
Collaboration Tips: Building rapport with trades, contractors, and clients for project success.
Podcast Beginnings: The surprising origin of Only Girl on the Jobsite and its evolution into a go-to resource for designers.
Resilience in Design: How Renee's construction-first approach sustained her business during economic downturns.

Notable Quotes:

"You are an equal with the contractor, the architect, and the landscaper. The client sees all of you as equals, and designers need to embrace that confidence."
"Be curious, show up early, and stay a little late on job sites. Building rapport with trades can transform your projects and strengthen relationships."
"The secret to survival in this business is construction. No two projects, teams, or clients are ever alike. That's what keeps it exciting."

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

Devignier Design: devignierdesign.com

Devignier Design on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Renee's Podcast: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/

Sponsor Links:

James and James Trade Program: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

167: Marc Halaby I Excellence through Collaboration Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Marc Halaby, owner of Halaby Restoration and Painting, a renowned artisan-based restoration and painting company in Southern California. Marc shares his journey as a third-generation craftsman, the legacy of his family's artistry, and how his team collaborates with top designers, architects, and builders to create stunning, high-end residential projects.

With a philosophy rooted in collaboration and quality, Marc provides insights into leadership, craftsmanship, and his commitment to excellence. His dedication to team development and client satisfaction has helped him build a respected company where artisans can thrive and clients experience unparalleled results. Marc discusses the importance of involving trades early in the design process and creating a cohesive team dynamic that enhances every project.

Show Highlights:

Marc's family legacy and the evolution of Halaby Restoration and Painting.
Building a company culture focused on support, trust, and continuous improvement.
Collaborating with design partners to bring creative visions to life and elevate client experience.
Training artisans to master unique finishes and transforming spaces with precision.
How to leverage trades' expertise for innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Notable Quotes:

"We got to do this with love. Seriously, we are nice to work with...We don't have attitudes. We're all there to do the same job."
"These guys literally make my life possible, and I like to think the same that I do for them. We're like a big family."

Supporting Resources:

Halaby Restoration: halabyrestoration.com
Marc's Instagram: @halabypainting

Sponsor Links:

166: DESIGN MANAGER, Special Industry Spotlight Episode Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to share brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today, we're speaking with Kevin Lee, CEO of Design Manager, and Staci Davidson, owner of Everything but Design. In this episode, Kevin shares the history of the Design Manager brand and their vision for being the "go-to" project management and accounting platform for interior design professionals. Staci joins the conversation to provide a firsthand account of the ways that Design Manager is improving the efficiency and accuracy of design businesses across the country.

Show Highlights:

How Design Manager helps interior designers in managing the business side of their work
The history and vision behind the Design Manager
The latest version of Design Manager offers an updated, web-based interface
Design Manager supports easy platform updates without data conversions
Design Manager's ability to eliminate the need for multiple software platforms and spreadsheets
The item-based approach of Design Manager and the advantages it provides
How Design Manager makes it easy to track both billable and non-billable time and generate accurate invoices
The support and service available for Design Manager users

Notable Quotes:

"Design Manager is a singular solution to project management and accounting for their design business." - Staci Davidson.
"Design Manager really eliminates a lot of unnecessary additional software platforms, as well as outside tools like Excel spreadsheets and Google documents." - Staci Davidson.

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/ Staci Davidson: https://everythingbutdesign.com/

165: Emily Yeates I Repeatable Processes for the WIN Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Today, we welcome Emily Yeates, CEO and Principal Designer of Urban Revival — a full-service interior design firm based in Paradise Valley. Arizona. In this episode, we discuss Emily's exposure to design at a young age and her passion for problem-solving, which led to the launch of her own design business.

Emily shares her lessons learned while growing her team and developing her processes… spoiler alert — it did not happen overnight. We also discuss the importance of a fine-tuned business structure and how it not only allows her to provide extraordinary service to her clients but also allows her to be present for herself, her health, and her family.

Tune in to learn how Emily built a successful design business by creating efficient systems while balancing her professional and personal life!

Show Highlights:

Emily's early exposure to design and the path to launching her own business
Hiring the right people for your business and why more designer is not the solution when growing your business
Developing a strong business structure with the help of her operations manager, Meredith
How having clear and repeatable processes made her business run smoothly
Tools and platforms that Emily's team uses for efficiency and communication – Asana, Loom, DesignFiles, etc
How the business was able to thrive during Emily's cancer treatment
Emily's "Business Edit" program and how it helps other designers succeed
The importance of furniture profit margins and wholesale ordering

Notable Quotes:

"I refuse to live in an ugly place. I grew up around beautiful things. I wanted a beautiful place, and I was going to make it happen." - Emily Yeates
"The pinnacle of success is having a business that can run when I step away, and it keeps going." - Emily Yeates
"Profit margin is a really big deal to me. And furniture is the way that I'm able to do that." - Emily Yeates
"Implementing processes and structure allows you to put your business on autopilot in times when you need it." - Rick

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Urban Revival Website - https://urbanrevivalphx.com/urban-revival

Emily Yeates on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/urbanrevivalphx/

Sponsor Links:

James and James: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

164: CANTARA I Special Industry Spotlight Episode Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're speaking with Jason Voorhees, founder and president of Cantara – a full-service home technology integration agency based in Costa Mesa, California. In this episode, Jason shares the history of the brand, his passion for home technology, and how his team of experts collaborates with designers, builders, and architects to enhance the beauty and function of extraordinary homes throughout Southern California and beyond.

Show Highlights:

The meaning behind the name Cantara and the history of the brand
Jason's role as the founder and president of Cantara
Working with Cantara from a designer's perspective and the importance of integrating technology early in the design process
How the home technology industry has grown beyond just audio and video systems
Different departments in Cantara – lighting design, window treatments, audio/video systems, home automation, etc
How Cantara maintain long-term relationships with clients even after the project is complete
Jason's involvement in the Dream World documentary and its impact on the industry
The potential of AI in home technology and how it can make homes smarter and more beautiful

Notable Quotes:

"Our industry is unique in that we need to be great at designing and be world-class at building, installing, and finishing the job." - Jason Voorhees
"It's important that we do a good job as an industry to start reframing and redefining what it is that we do so that people realize, 'Oh yeah, there's so much more driven by technology in these houses these days.'" - Jason Voorhees
"We hope that our clients stop time, remove themselves from the moment, just for a second, and look around and think, 'Wow, this is the perfect evening. My home is singing for me right now.'" - Jason Voorhees

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Cantara Website: https://www.cantaradesign.com/

Cantaradesign on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cantaradesign/

Guild Integrators Alliance: https://www.guildintegratorsalliance.org/

Dream World Documentary: https://www.dreamworldfilm.com/

163: Kate O'Hara I The "Family" Business of Design Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

Today, we welcome Kate O'Hara, CEO and Creative Director of O'Hara Interiors — a full-service interior design firm specializing in high-end commercial and residential projects. In this episode, Kate shares her journey from a career in education to taking the helm of the family design business. We discuss her role in the business and the delicate balance of leading, delegating, and empowering a growing team of creatives. Kate also shares the pros and cons of maintaining two offices, one in Minneapolis and one in Austin, and she shares her perspective on boundaries, community, and communication.

Show Highlights:

Kate's background and transition from teaching to running her family design business
The unique dynamics of working in a family business
The pros and cons of maintaining two office locations
The importance of communication, delegation, and empowering your team
Having clarity in processes and decision-making to enable team members to work efficiently and creatively
The importance of intentionally setting boundaries and maintaining a work-life balance

Notable Quotes:

"Be intentional about having balance, especially as we started working from home. Everything bleeds together." - Kate O'Hara
"If you're going to run multiple offices successfully, there have to be clear lines of decision-making and communication." - Kate O'Hara
"I'd much rather be effective than be busy." - Kate O'Hara
"Knowing when and how to communicate decisions and intentions as you go really leads to a lot of the success of a company." - Kate O'Hara

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

O'Hara Interiors Website - https://oharainteriors.com/

O'Hara Interiors on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ohara_interiors/?hl=en

Sponsor Links:

James and James: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

162: Errol Dejager I The Journey from Fear to Love Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Today, we welcome Errol Dejager, founder of Dejager Design - a full-service interior design firm specializing in luxury residential design. In this episode, Errol shares his journey from South Africa to Southern California in pursuit of his passion for design. We discuss his biggest influences and mentors that guided him on his path to launching his own design business and the development of his holistic design process. Errol also shares a pivotal moment in his life and career that redefined the evolution of his design business.

Show Highlights:

Errol's journey from South Africa to the United States and starting his own design business
The influence of his mentors and how they shaped his approach to interior design
The event that made him re-evaluate his approach to both life and business
Saying "NO" and being more selective about the clients and projects
Errol's strategies for serving a high-end, luxury clientele
Utilizing technology like 3D modeling and virtual reality to engage clients and move them from a place of fear to love during the design process
Keeping his portfolio private to respect client confidentiality and how it impacted his business

Notable Quotes:

"The first and most important thing is to listen... You've got to listen to your clients. They'll tell you what they want." - Errol Dejager.
"No is a complete sentence." - Errol Dejager.
"Reframe your overhead. Instead of it being a liability, it's an asset." - Errol Dejager.

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Dejager Design Website - https://www.dejagerdesigninc.com/

Errol Dejager on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erroldejager/

Books Mentioned:

The Gap and the Gain - Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy: amazon.com/Gap-Gain-Achievers-Happiness-Confidence

Sponsor Links:

James and James: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

161: Deborah Flate I Sales Strategies for Designers Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

Today, we welcome Deborah Flate, founder of Dialogue Consulting. Deborah is the voice of sales techniques and strategies that inspire the sales teams of some of our favorite design brands and showrooms in the industry. In this episode, Deborah shares some of her core sales principles with us because, at the end of the day, your design business is a sales organization, too. We dive deep into selling with confidence, what questions to ask, what information to listen for, and how to leverage showrooms and sales reps to support your sales process.

Tune in to learn how to master the art of selling in your design business!

Show Highlights:

Deborah's background and her transition from interior design to sales
Deborah's business model and training she provides to design brands, showrooms, and the design community
The importance of sales techniques and mindset for designers, even though many may not see themselves as salespeople
The questions designers should ask their clients to understand their needs and priorities
The role of showrooms and sales reps in supporting the sales processes of designers and how to leverage their product knowledge and expertise
The importance for designers to develop strong product knowledge and utilize the resources and information provided by sales teams
Advice for designers on prioritizing their resources and product lines

Notable Quotes:

"You can be the most talented designer, the most talented person in the world, but if you don't know how to sell and the techniques of how to sell, it's going to be really hard for you to succeed." - Deborah Flate.
"We are all salespeople, whether we want to think so or not. Convincing a person to go to a movie is selling them. Convincing them the color you want to paint your home is selling them." - Deborah Flate.
"Design business owners need to embrace the fact that their business is also a sales organization. You need to incorporate that into it because it is a really big part of the picture." - Rick.

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Dialogue Consulting Website - https://dialogue-consulting.com/

Dialogue Consulting on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dialogueconsulting

Deborah Flate on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahflate/

Books Mentioned:

Leveling Up with GUSTO by Debora Flate: amazon.com/Leveling-GUSTO

To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink: amazon.com/Sell-Human-Surprising-Moving-Others

Sponsor Links:

Daniel House Club: https://danielhouse.club/

High Point Furniture Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/registerDBSG

160: Kamala Nair I Words Matter Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

Today, we welcome Kamala Nair, a professional copywriter and voice brand expert for interior design professionals. In this episode, Kamala shares how her time as a copywriter at Elle Decor introduced her to the world of interiors and the importance of storytelling in order to support and elevate the beauty of interior design. Get your notepad ready because Kamala shares her top three strategies for using effective copy to differentiate your brand. We also discuss her personal journey of entrepreneurship and how relocating from NY to London empowered her to think big and launch her own business.

Show Highlights:

Kamala's background as a copywriter and her transition to running her copywriting agency
Strategies for how to use words to differentiate your design brand
Creating an effective statement of differentiation for your brand
Evoking emotions and creating a personal connection with clients
Avoiding cliches and generic language when crafting brand messaging
Identifying what makes your design business unique or different
The importance of understanding and marketing to your ideal client persona
Kamala's journey of launching her own design copywriting business and the challenges she faced

Notable Quotes:

"You have a maximum of 15 seconds to capture your reader's attention. If you don't capture their attention in that 15 seconds, they're going to move on." - Kamala Nair
"Create a statement of differentiation. It's a headline and a subheadline that succinctly captures what makes your brand different." - Kamala Nair
"You really need to be marketing towards who you want to be working with and not who you're currently working with. You need to speak directly to your ideal clients, pain points, the problems that they're trying to solve." - Kamala Nair

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Kamala Nair Website - https://www.kamalanairinc.com/

Kamala Nair on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kamalanair/

Sponsor Links:

High Point Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/registerdbsg

Design Manager: https://designmanager.com