A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast LuAnn Nigara

Today With Han Dang and Vy Truong:
Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am excited to welcome Han Dang of Very Handsome Studio. 
Han and her business partner Vy Truong met in design school and became friends, later starting their firm in 2020 and focusing on hospitality and commercial design. 
Han and Vy are an interesting duo. They describe themselves as a yin and a yang, bringing not just different personality types but also different design styles to the business. And yet, through teamwork, communication, and mutual respect, they have managed to create something special that is growing and continues to do so. 
Today, Han is here to share how she and Vy have overcome obstacles, learned lessons the hard way, and continue to meet challenges and grow their business.
Pick It Apart
[1:42] Han shares how she learned the hard way that the details of the business are so much more than just designing.  
[10:00] Han reflects on how she and Vy had to learn to embrace themselves and show up with authenticity. 
[18:40] Han discusses how she and Vy discovered their “superpowers” along the way. 
[24:20] Han talks about her cultural upbringing and the role it played for her. 
[34:58] Han and LuAnn discuss pricing and the importance of knowing your value.
[53:35] Han discusses how she wants to help her staff uncover their superpowers and play to their strengths.
LuAnn Nigara, Han Dang and Vy Truong's Ah-Ha Moments
“We work in a diverse area, so we have to be open to learning and adapting to every culture and the research behind those stories.” -Han
“Have you learned yet that when you raise your rates, as your prices go up and you have that fear of losing the current clients, that’s exactly what’s supposed to happen? We’re leaving those clients behind and moving on to the next level. That’s exactly what raising rates is supposed to do.” -LuAnn
More About Han Dang and Vy Truong
Vy Truong:
Vy has 6 years of experience in the Design Industry,focusing on Hospitality
and Commercial Design. She provides initial grand concepts for each project and speaks through colors.
Han Dang:
Han has 6 years of experience in the Design Industry, focusing on Education and Commercial Design. She provides detailed insights on every project and is the queen of minimalism
Connect with Han Dang and Vy Truong
Website
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Publications
Publications
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 Shows Mentioned:
#811 Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate
Other Resources Mentioned:
The Power Talk Friday Tour

Today With Katie Krimitsos: Today with Katie Krimitsos, we explore the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness, especially for entrepreneurs. As the founder of the Women's Meditation Network, Katie shares her personal journey of using meditation to navigate the challenges of life, motherhood and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Katie dives deep into the practical tools and strategies she uses to stay grounded and focused, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. From the importance of creating space for self-reflection to the power of listening to your intuition, Katie offers insights for creating a well-designed life and a thriving business that truly align with your purpose.
Pick It Apart [00:55] LuAnn shares the story of how she first met Katie at a podcasting conference in 2016 and how their friendship has evolved.
[05:33] Katie explains how her meditation podcasts provide tools for women to get to know themselves, listen to their intuition, and make decisions to build a well-designed life and business.
[12:20] Katie reads the beginning of a raw, relatable meditation she wrote about losing her temper with her child, illustrating how she creates meditations to help women process real-life experiences and emotions.
[20:58] LuAnn and Katie discuss the importance of asking for help and support when you need it, and being willing to receive it, as Katie shares an example from her own life.
[25:53] Katie and LuAnn explore the idea of using meditation as a tool for self-discovery and making space to hear your inner voice, not just for relaxation or sleep.
[34:44] Katie emphasizes that our seasons change and our needs change, especially as entrepreneurs, encouraging finding what works for you in each moment.
LuAnn Nigara and Katie Krimitsos's Ah-Ha Moments “[Meditation] is is a tool for self awareness that allows us to not be held down by the guilt or the shame of what it was and the humaneness that we're experiencing in moments, and allows us instead to open a space to this deep spiritual person that we are, and it allows that intuition to speak to us. And then we can then move forward based on what that intuition tells us, because she's always right.” - Katie Krimitsos
“Taking time for…meditation exploration — that's giving the place in my mind for all of the thoughts that come during all of those activities to show up…the really important things that my goddess voice wants me to know will bubble up in that complete quiet and rest.” - LuAnn Nigara
“In that recognition that you are the observer of the thoughts and not the thoughts themselves, there's an enormous amount of space that gets created there — this sort of separation…So it just allows space for that voice to start coming through and start having you pay attention to it or having you having it guide you to whatever needs to be done.” - Katie Krimitsos
More About Katie Krimitsos The new beginning of the Women’s Meditation Network began when Katie was going through a painful ending. She had just discovered she was pregnant with her second daughter and all of a sudden, she knew the podcast and business she had been running was no longer for her. Confused and uncertain, she slowed down and got quiet. Within that quiet, the Women’s Meditation Network – and her daughter -was born in 2018.
Never perfect and always real, Katie has been using meditation as a tool to come within so she can create an intentional life. She’s a mom of two incredible daughters, wife to a soulful husband, and loves animals so much, she won’t kill a bug. Most of her wisdom has come from the depths of pain, and her writing seeks to connect us all in this human experience.
Connect with Katie Krimitsos Website
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Podcast
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-Design

Today With Kathy Kuo: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Have you taken the time to identify your core values? To actively write them down and define what they mean to you? And if so, have you taken it a step further and pulled those values into your interactions, your hiring, your firing, and your feedback? Core values might be easy to push to the side. But if done right, they reduce conflict, make decision-making easier, and provide important clarity for your business.  Today, I’m joined by Kathy Kuo to unpack core values and discuss how to embody them in your business and your processes.
Pick It Apart [4:52] LuAnn and Kathy discuss the importance of values not just to you but to your clients, your employees, and the culture of your business.
[12:52] LuAnn reflects on what happens when you don’t establish company values.
[19:06] Kathy and LuAnn talk about how to decide which values are important enough to make the core values list.
[38:36] Kathy shares the process she uses to make tough employment decisions.
[47:28] Kathy discusses her design trade program and what it offers for designers.
LuAnn Nigara and Kathy Kuo's Ah-Ha Moments “The real question is, are you hiring and firing based on these values, and how does that actually translate to your customers, because your clients actually buy your core values.” -Kathy
“When we sat down to write out the values, I had a list of 10, which I knew was too many. And the integrator said, these are all important to your business. But this was the money line. He then asked me, what are the things you would hire and fire on? And that was the lightning bolt of clarity for me.” -LuAnn
More About Kathy Kuo Kathy Kuo is the CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, a recognized tv personality, and a celebrated interior designer. Published in the press as an international guru within the home and lifestyle space, Kathy has an unmatched eye for curating, sourcing and designing luxury furniture and homewares. Today, she continues to develop the fastest growing online platform in the home and design industry. Kathy has 20+ years of experience in the home industry and now serves as a speaker and activist for female entrepreneurs. It is her mission to support women to intentionally grow and scale value-focused teams.
Connect with Kathy Kuo Website
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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 Shows Mentioned: #190: Kathy Kuo – How Kathy Kuo Home, the Online Boutique, Can Assist Your Interior Design Firm
Other Resources Mentioned: Schwartz Design Showroom on May 22nd
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Today With Rachael Bozsik Johanson: Hi, welcome to a Well Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday.  We all know by now that we should niche, but the struggle lies in the how. What IS my only? What IS my superpower? How do I figure it out?  And that’s where my guest today, Rachael Bozsik Johanson, really shines. Her superpower is finding the superpower of others and teaching them how to use it to elevate their business, their services, their marketing, and their sales process.  Today, Rachael is here to share how to discover that superpower of yours, and more specifically how to take it and use it to land the right clients, market yourself strategically, and transition to the true luxury market.
Pick It Apart [1:50]: Rachael and LuAnn talk about the “5% tweak” that changes the game for branding, messaging, and positioning.
[13:46]: Rachael unpacks how to transition from the “general practitioner” to valued specialist.
[18:45]: Rachael and LuAnn discuss how to tap into your past experiences to discover the special something you’re sitting on.
[24:43] Rachael highlights how to use your superpower to craft your messaging, services, and processes.
[46:55] Rachael and LuAnn talk about the power of standing out (and how to do it right).
[57:06] Rachael shares how to use your superpower to attract clients, including leveraging partnerships. 
LuAnn Nigara and Rachael Bozsik Johanson's Ah-Ha Moments “A lot of the women I work with aren’t clear on their story. And how can you expect your clients to get clear on your story if you aren’t clear on it yourself?” -Rachael
“The level of detail and research that you do, and the level of what’s included in the ultimate deliverable when you work with you is incomprehensible actually.” -LuAnn
More About Rachael Bozsik Johanson Rachael Bozsik Johanson is an international keynote speaker and Thought Leadership Coach for female entrepreneurs within the creative field.
It is Rachael’s mission to empower entrepreneurial women to position themselves as world-class thought leaders and public figures in their niche via the press, paid speaking, and partnerships. Think – a feature in Arch Digest, mic at High Point Market, and Partnership with Loloi. Rachael’s clients include award-winning interior designers, HGTV personalities, and internationally recognized creatives.
Rachael has been applauded for her work in numerous international publications as a top-tier expert in elite brand positioning in 40 national outlets including Forbes, Glamour, Business Insider etc.. Through her work as a professional speaker, she has empowered close to 100,000+ women on stages including Harvard Business School, Design Influencers Conference, (ASID) American Society of Interior Designers NYC, IIDA, Cornell, Bermuda’s SBA, SPANX HQ just to name a few. She has also had the opportunity to partner with incredible brands including Oprah’s Leadership Academy, Loreal, Sephora, Kendra Scott etc.
Connect with Rachael Bozsik Johanson Website
Instagram
Testimonials
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 Shows Mentioned: #830 Anne Gillyard: Capitalizing on Your “You” to Grow Your Interior Design Bu

Today With Jennifer Chukwujekwe: Today with Jennifer Chukwujekwe, we’re heading to Nigeria (virtually) to learn about the incredible work she is doing to transform the interior design industry in her home country. As the President of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria and the founder, CEO, and creative director of Jenniez Designs, Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills as she navigates the unique challenges faced by designers in Africa.
From building a furniture factory to address sourcing issues to starting a school to educate aspiring designers, Jennifer's resourcefulness knows no bounds. She also offers valuable insights into the cultural nuances of Nigeria's 250 ethnic groups and how she adapts her design solutions to cater to these diverse needs.
Throughout the episode, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and networking within the design community, both locally and internationally. Her call to action is a powerful reminder that by working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we can all take our businesses to new heights.
Pick It Apart [13:05] Jennifer discusses the challenges of interior design in Nigeria, and what she is doing to help solve these problems.
[23:48] LuAnn asks Jennifer about her business model and what kind of projects she normally takes on.
[27:49] Jennifer and LuAnn discuss the interior design school Jennifer started, Jenniez Designs, what it offers, and why it is so exciting to have this in Nigeria.
[35:59] Jennifer shocks LuAnn with more entrepreneurial ventures she has developed as solutions for students at her school.
[41:22] Jennifer explains how her design business coaching program works, and discusses common challenges with LuAnn.
[50:15] LuAnn and Jennifer discuss the diversity in Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups each with their own language and cultures, and how that impacts design.
[1:05:55] Jennifer shares a common custom in Nigeria and expands on why it is important to be respectful of your clients and their culture.
LuAnn Nigara and Jennifer Chukwujekwe's Ah-Ha Moments “I’m on a mission. I just like to solve problems. And I tell people, I only solve problems within the industry. Once it's outside the industry, I'm not interested…I'm just passionate about the industry. I'm passionate about interior design, and passionate about transforming lives and businesses to interior design.” - Jennifer Chukwujekwe
“I don't think [anyone] expects each of you to be perfect…But it's taking the time to understand your client. That's what the onus is on the design industry — is to not just to make assumptions that this person has the same values and the same beliefs that you do about the items and the colors and the selections.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Jennifer Chukwujekwe Jennifer  Chukwujekwe is a Wife, Mother, Experienced Interior designer, Author and Coach. The first interior design business coach in Nigeria.
She teaches interior designers how to build, grow and scale their business, so they can make profit, become successful and live a fulfilling life through Design.
She is a three-time graduate of Commercial Interior Design, Business and Branding and Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute UK. She has a first degree in Geology and Masters in Applied Computing and IT from the University of Bedfordshire UK. A Graduate of Entrepreneurial Essentials from Harvard Business School Cohort November 2021.
Prior to coaching, she launched her interior design company- Jenniez Designs.
Connect with Jennifer Chukwujekwe School website
Design website
Instagram
Instagram
Instagram
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! Purc

Today With Shelli Warren Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Shelli Warren, distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor, and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Do you believe the misconception that success is only attached to working for a corporation? If so, you may have little faith in hiring the right team, because as you will hear from Shelli, you have much to offer the right person in the form of a career.
Pick It Apart:
[6:07] Shelli shares her philosophy that her clients should understand that they have value and can provide valuable careers for employees.
[12:28] Before you even post a position, get clear on their job responsibilities.
[16:01] When and how to build a leadership team.
[20:08] How to guide someone towards making desirable decisions and being accountable.
[27:54] Realizing that you may have to fire people because the pace of your business has changed and you need to bring in new hires.
[48:25] When a business owner is ready to sell their business, many times it is an employee who buys it.
LuAnn Nigara and Shelli Warren's Ah-Ha Moments
“You can have a worthwhile career, and also offer people worthwhile careers.” - Shelli Warren
“People will stay working for you when they feel connected to you or their immediate supervisor.” - Shelli Warren
“The team that got you here may not be the same team to get you there.” - Shelli Warren
More About Shelli Warren
Shelli Warren is a distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Her expertise lies in helping small business owners develop and nurture a leadership team that can take over the daily operations of the business, enabling the owners to focus on higher-level growth decisions.
Drawing from her impressive background, which includes successfully managing multi-million dollar projects for Fortune 50 corporations and iconic billion-dollar brands, Shelli has spent nearly a decade coaching business owners.
Now in its fifth year, The Stacking Your Team podcast stands as a top-rated show with over 500,000 downloads. It serves as a source of inspiration and education for women leaders, guiding them on how to build capable leadership teams that can effectively provide the daily direction needed to exceed their company's clients' expectations.
Connect with Shelli Warren Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
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 Mentioned: Intro Call with Duke Renders
Shelli’s Stacking Your Team website
Shelli’s Stacking Your Team podcast
Other Shows Mentioned:
AWDB #55 Rachel Moriarty – Message to Solopreneurs- Act As If the World is Watching
AWDB #214 Rachel Moriarty: How FaceBook Live Can Be A Game Changer For Your Interior Design Business
AWDB #707 Rachel Moriarty: Authenticity and Visibility in Your Interior Design Business
AWDB #906 Katie Wick: My Path in Interior Design; My Choice to Be an Employee.