The Design You Podcast Tobi Fairley

Today, we have something special lined up for you. We will explore the evolution of our DesignYou 2.0 training program. Three remarkable participants have joined me and experienced the transformation firsthand. Over the years, this program has grown and adapted like the individuals participating. Now, we offer classes quarterly, each with a unique focus, designed to unlock your creativity and empower you to live your best life. One of the core elements of DesignYou 2.0 is our Project Fail exercise. It's all about embracing the possibility of failure and learning from it. We often discover our greatest strengths and breakthroughs in these moments of perceived failure. Our guests will share how the program has been a stepping stone to success and how Project Fail taught that even if something doesn’t go as planned, they learned from the experience. Our guests encourage anyone ready to unlock their full creative potential to sign up for DesignYou 2.0. It's not just a course but a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.  Until next time, keep creating, keep growing, and keep being uniquely you. 

 
IN THIS EPISODE: 

[2:05] The guests introduce themselves and describe their business ventures, and Tobi explains how the DesignYou Training Program has evolved 
[6:25] Darci spoke about having the camera on during training 
[9:14] Cristina loves the accountability required 
[11:05] Kaitlyn points out two aspects that have been game-changing for her: Tobi’s future-oriented perspectives and mindset training 
[12:51] Tobi explains Project Fail, and each guest shares their tasks and projects and the growth they have experienced through this endeavor 
[25:44] Tobi further explains the reasons and thought process behind Project Fail 
[28:33] The guests talk about aspects of the training they found so valuable: accountability, achieving the goal of finishing a project, identifying your brand 
[37:22] Tobi talks about the structure of the programming over a year and explains how there are different paths a participant can take. Sign up for DesignYou 2.0 Tobi Fairley - DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible 

 


KEY TAKEAWAYS  

During training, you are required to have your camera on. Participants are more focused and engaged; the trainer knows she is being listened to. 
It is important to remember that we are human as well as creatives, and we must self-care and enjoy the journey. 
Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most effective ways to realize your full potential. It pushes you to confront your fears and challenges, allowing you to discover capabilities and strengths you never knew you had. And even in the face of failure, you emerge stronger and wiser because you've learned valuable lessons. 

 
FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 
Tobi’s Instagram 
Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible 

 

RESOURCES: 

Cristina Cleveland - Website 

Cristina Cleveland - Instagram 

Darci Tether - Website 

Darci Hether - Instagram 

Kaitlyn Loos - TikTok 

Are you a designer passionate about sharing your thoughts, interests, and expertise with the world? Have you ever considered diving into the realm of influence and content creation? In today's episode, we delve into the exciting world of being an influencer or a content creator, exploring why this avenue might be worth exploring for you. We will uncover how influencers shape trends, the importance of finding your niche and the common challenges and strategies for overcoming them on the influencer journey. Is it the right path for you? Join me as we explore what makes it tick! 
 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

[1:17] Tobi expands content from the last two episodes on being an influencer and content marketing 
[1:47] Influencers over the age of 40 are perceived as being more wise, and a discussion of the pitfalls 
[4:50] Preparing to tackle the influencer/content marketing space 
[6:49] Quality over quantity and engage with brands you would use 
[9:43] Staying consistent while being patient and educating yourself in influencer marketing, as in DesignYou 2.0 
[16:57] Discussion of additional best practices, familiarize yourself with social media platforms and ethical guidelines 
[22:50] Collaborating with brands, negotiations, pricing your worth and understanding analytics  
[26:10] Networking with other influencers and understanding legal and contractual agreements and opportunities to sign up for DesignYou 2.0 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  


You are never too old to be an influencer. Always be authentic. Believe in what you are promoting. Engage with your followers through conversation. 
High-quality content consistently attracts viewers who are drawn back to your platform when the material you present or discuss deeply connects with them and is executed professionally. 
Creating content is critical. You should learn which social media platform you like best and how to create professional content for that platform.  
 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 
Tobi’s Instagram 
DesignYou 2.0 Sign Up Waitlist. 

Have you ever noticed how some social media users capture your attention by recommending products or ideas you love? They're building a brand and attracting followers, just like you can! 

In this episode, we'll explore three powerful strategies to leverage your expertise and turn it into new income streams for your business. Even if you're unfamiliar with influencer marketing lingo, you'll discover how to expand your reach and boost your bottom line. Don't miss out on these insightful ideas! 

 
IN THIS EPISODE: 

[0:31] Tobi explains the topic for the day is part two of a three-part series on burnout and specifically, being an influencer 
[3:18] Develop digital products to be sold online 
[7:13] Partnering with brands and companies is called affiliate marketing 
[9:21] Sponsored content is when you collaborate with brands and companies directly, and you create content, and the next step up is brand partnerships 
[11:16 Discussion regarding offering consulting services, paid speaking engagements and licensing products 
[16:47] Discussion of creating an e-commerce store 
[21:10] Next week, we discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of influencing, and Tobi shares the courses she has available for you to join 

 


KEY TAKEAWAYS  

Designing courses to sell as an online business is an excellent way to start. However, creating a fluid income stream will take more than one item.  
Affiliate marketing can earn income if you enjoy social media. However, it is not a get-rich-quick idea. It takes lots of work.  
The multiple followers you generate are the key to having any online business.  
 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 
Tobi’s Instagram 
DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Are you feeling burned out? You're not alone. But what if I told you it doesn't have to hold you back? In this special two-part episode, we'll tackle burnout head-on. First, we'll explore how technology, specifically AI and Machine Learning, can be your secret weapon to reclaim your time and boost your income. But that's not all! Have you ever thought about sharing your knowledge and experience with the world? The influencer community thrives on wisdom and authenticity, and guess what? You've got plenty of both! In the second part, we'll dive into the exciting world of influencer marketing and show you why age is just a number. So, whether you want to reignite your passion or discover a new creative outlet, this episode has something for you. Stay tuned! 

 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

[0:21] Tobi explains the topic for the day is burnout and how it can be the catalyst for reinventing yourself 
[4:07] Have you explored AI and machine learning 
[9:03] Predictive modeling will help you stay ahead of the curve 
[13:19] Who likes anything to do with finances 
[15:32] Tobi discusses being an influencer or tackling an affiliate type of marketing 
[22:18] Next week, we will talk about specific ways you can leverage your expertise to diversity your income stream, but Tobi encourages you to open your mind to technology 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  


Designing is not only a profession, but it can also be your identity.  
AI is a tool that can lighten your load and provide a great product, leaving time to invest in things you enjoy doing. Machine learning is another tool that will save time. 
Older influencers are thriving and are statistically followed more than their younger peers. The goal of being an influencer is to be authentic. Don’t support or sell anything you don’t believe in. 

 
FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 
Tobi’s Instagram 
DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Are you a grinder? Designers often are because we think grinding away is the only way to be successful. Is grinding sustainable? Of course, it isn’t. So, let’s talk about a different way of doing business—slow living. Join me as we discuss ways of changing our mindsets to give us space to slow down, create meaningful work, and find joy in the process. Remember, more, more, more keeps us chasing an imaginary finish line, and we never arrive because, in the design world, there isn’t an end to the projects. So, let’s define success and implement slow living. Let’s find joy in the journey while we create and do business with intention.  
 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

[0:30] Tobi explains the concept of slow living vis-a-vie the hustle 
[3:29] Is there a better way of operating your business? 
[6:09] Tobi discusses what slow living is not, and she talks about being intentional 
[10:12] Incorporating slow living into your business 
[15:38] Tobi discusses the necessary mindset shift 
[20:07] Opening your mind to different opportunities and what is the joy number 
[26:48] Tobi gives an example of adding income to your bottom line and an encouragement to the listener 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

We grind because we think it is necessary to be successful. Grinding is not sustainable. What if we changed our view of success?  


Slow living leaves space for self-care. It is about setting boundaries for yourself, clients, and vendors and about saying no sometimes.  
Slow living is not lazy, unproductive living. It is being intentional with our time and energy and finding joy in the journey.  

 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 
Tobi’s Instagram 
DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Imagine a world where you ditch unrealistic timelines and an overwhelming schedule. What if, instead of feeling anxious and like a failure, you planned with honesty about how long tasks take? This, my friends, is the power of realistic time blocking so you can create from abundance and not scarcity.
By ditching the "fallacy of time optimism" (that pesky tendency to underestimate how long things take), we shift from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance. We create space for joy and accomplishment in our daily schedules and lives. Today, we'll delve into the transformative power of realistic time blocking. We'll explore how this approach can combat stress, empower you to control your schedule, and, ultimately, revolutionize your business experience.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[0:21] Tobi explains what creating from abundance rather than scarcity is
[5:58] What is Parkinson's law and an example of a frustrated client
[15:13] Tobi encourages you to recognize you are human and not a machine, let the task take as long as it takes, and stop lying to yourself
[23:36] Tobi talks about being realistic in your scheduling and how her client rescheduled her life, so she now creates from abundance
[26:14] Tobi invites you to message her and visit with her about a coaching opportunity



KEY TAKEAWAYS 
We do ourselves a disservice when we decide that a particular task can realistically be completed in the amount of time we give it. Time Optimism! It's not a good thing.
Don’t let the time of day control your activities. If you desire personal time in the morning rather than getting directly to work, take that time you need to be refreshed and joyful to create from the abundance of joy.
An excellent motto to frame and put on your wall is “It takes as long as it takes.”
FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:
Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!
Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.
If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.
Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook
Tobi’s Instagram
DesignYou High-Performance Program.