Window Treatments for Profit with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Nigara

This podcast is specifically designed for window treatment professionals. If you are interested in doing what you do better, whether you are a retailer, installer, workroom, sales rep or from our industry partner community, you have found your people. We are going to talk about sales, marketing, hiring, efficiency, productivity and of course, profitability. Because why do any of it if you are not profitable, right? My name is LuAnn Nigara and I have been in the window treatment industry for 4 decades. With my husband Vince and our cousin Bill Campesi we’ve built our business, Window Works, from start up to over 4 million dollars in annual sales and to a team of 15. Vin, Bill and myself are also part of the ownership team at Exciting Windows. Exciting Windows is the industry leader in mentoring, supporting and inspiring window treatment professionals to build a better business. So I get you, I know what you do. I have spent my career doing it with you. So how about we get started making your business better, shall we?

  1. 5d ago

    365: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 5 | More Than a Paycheck

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit You built a profitable window treatment business. You have good clients, control over your schedule, and an income that supports the life you want. If you chose to stay small, that may be exactly the business you intended to build. But have you ever asked what else that business could be producing for you? In the final episode of the Small on Purpose series, LuAnn challenges an assumption that can easily go unnoticed when business is already going well: earning enough to support your life today is not necessarily the same as building financial capacity for your future. This isn't about growing for the sake of growth, working more hours, or building a team you don't want. It's about understanding what your existing business is capable of producing and making intentional decisions about profit, owner compensation, retirement, and eventually, what happens to the business when you're ready to step away. LuAnn walks through why gross profit matters, why more sales aren't always the answer, and how to look at your financials for the levers that could create more profit without automatically creating more work. She also asks one of the questions she regularly brings to business owners at live conferences: Do you decide your profit, or do you discover it? Because Small on Purpose should describe the size and structure you chose. It should not become an artificial ceiling on what your business can produce for your life. In this episode, you'll learn how to look beyond revenue, examine what your business is actually producing for you as its owner, and start making a plan for what you want all these years of business ownership to make possible. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  2. Sep 21

    364: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 4 | Systems for a Team of One

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit You may be a company of one, but that doesn’t mean your memory should be the system running your business. In Part 4 of the Small on Purpose series, LuAnn explains why documented, repeatable systems matter even when you have no intention of building a large team. Systems protect the client experience, reduce the things you have to remember and rescue, and make it possible to bring in help or step away without everything depending on you. LuAnn shares how Window Works uses its weekly order status process to catch problems before they become client problems, and she breaks down one of her longtime business principles: wind it back. When something goes wrong, the goal isn’t simply to determine who was at fault. It’s to find the point in your own business where something you control could have prevented the problem, caught it sooner or reduced the damage. You’ll also hear how Peggy Morgans learned to document the standard in a custom business where “every job is different,” why the 80/20 rule matters, and how AI can help you capture processes without making the project harder than it needs to be. The takeaway is simple: The first person your systems are supposed to help is you. You can absolutely choose to remain a company of one. Just make sure staying small remains your choice. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows and Resources Mentioned: Episode 43: Peggy Morgans: How Do I Get My Business Ready to Sell? All of Vita Vygovska's episodes on Window Treatments for Profit Vita Vygovska's Boardroom for Creatives Profile

    364: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 4 | Systems for a Team of One

  3. Sep 7

    363: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 3 | Stop Selling the Commodity, Start Selling You

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit If you're a company of one, you don't necessarily need different marketing tactics than a larger company. You do need to be more discerning about which ones deserve your money and your time. In Part 3 of the Small on Purpose series, LuAnn breaks down how a solo window treatment professional can get found consistently without wasting limited resources on marketing that isn't producing the right opportunities. You'll learn how to turn happy clients into a more intentional referral engine, including a strategy from Stacey Brown Randall that more than doubled Rebecca Robinson’s referrals. LuAnn also walks you through a simple client phone-call exercise from Nicole Heymer that can uncover the actual language your customers use to explain why they chose you. And there's proof behind the exercise. After interviewing more than 100 homeowners, filmmaker and brand strategist Jude Charles discovered that not one said a beautiful portfolio was the reason they chose their designer. LuAnn also shares the Window Works marketing decision that came from discovering as much as 70% of its work was taking the team 30 minutes to three hours away from the showroom, and why knowing where your best customers actually come from matters even more when you're running lean. You'll also learn how to identify your real points of difference so you're not left competing on the one thing a small business can least afford to compete on: price. Because getting found is only half the equation. The other half is giving the right client a reason to choose you. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows and Resources Mentioned: WTFP 167: Nicole Heimer, How to Find and Highlight Why Someone Should Buy From You AWDB 093: Stacey Brown Randall, Create an Awesome Client Experience AWDB 1209: Jude Charles, The Reason Clients Choose One Interior Designer Over Another AWDB 1140: Overheard: How to Build a Steady Referral Pipeline with Darci Hether, Rebecca Robinson, and Lacey Michalek AWDB 1196: Overheard: How to Build a Referral Pipeline That Actually Works with Liz Walton, Amy Peltier, and Janelle Blakely-Photopoulos LuAnn's docu-series with Jude Charles

  4. Aug 24

    362: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 2 | Buy Back Your Time Without Building a Team

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit This is Part 2 of Small on Purpose, a WTFP series for the window treatment professional who is choosing to stay solo, on purpose, and is also choosing to run that business profitably. Last week, LuAnn made the case for choosing small on purpose. This week she gets into the mechanics that actually make it work, starting with the fear most solo owners never say out loud: what if bringing in help means losing control over how my business gets represented? This episode makes the case that it doesn't have to. LuAnn breaks down 3 categories of help every solo operator can lean on without ever adding a name to payroll: Subcontracted installers and commission salespeople, where the real risk isn't hiring the wrong person, it's skipping the conversation where you define your standards upfront. LuAnn shares detailed, real-world checklists for both roles, pulled straight from decades running Window Works, and the story of Georgiana Schwandt (episode 78), who built her install side around exactly this approach. Repeatable work, using a framework LuAnn credits to industry consultant Madeleine MacRae, sorting every task into $10, $100, $1,000, and $10,000 an hour tiers, and protecting your time for the tiers only you can fill. Expertise you don't need to own, where the standard changes entirely, you can't grade a bookkeeper or an attorney the way you grade an installer, so you learn to define the deliverable instead. Designer Tanna Elder's story (AWDB 818) shows exactly what that looks like in practice. The episode closes with a concrete 3-part action step, and a special invite to a free Zoom preview of the 2026 Exciting Windows CEO Conference, plus details on the upcoming Managing For Profits seminar with LuAnn and Vin Nigara, coming to New Jersey this September and Atlanta this November. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows and Resources Mentioned: C-Suite Talks with Madeleine MacRae Episodes Episode 818: Tanna Edler: Seven Strategic Solutions that Saved a Spinning Interior Design Solopreneur

    362: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 2 | Buy Back Your Time Without Building a Team

  5. Aug 10

    361: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 1 | Small Is a Decision, Not a Compromise

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit This is Part 1 of Small on Purpose, a new WTFP series for the window treatment professional who is choosing to stay solo, on purpose, and wants to run that business at full profitability. Choosing small is a valid decision, same as choosing to grow, and it deserves the same respect. But choosing small still requires real discipline around your numbers, and this series is built on both of those truths. In this first episode, LuAnn lays out 2 ways people build a small business on purpose, full time inside limits you set yourself, or on the side, alongside something else, still expected to perform. She anchors both to a principle from designer Rachel Moriarty, someone LuAnn has known since 2016: "It's not a hobby, it is a business, and you have to run it like one." Then she tells the story of Exciting Windows member Susan Day, who ran her window treatment business solo for over a decade when she learned by taking the Exciting Windows Make A Friend 7 Step Selling System that she could intentionally set and reach revenue goals. 20+ years ago that goal was $100,000 a year. Now she approaches $1 million in gross revenue using the exact same system. Because of this system, Susan not only achieves her revenue goals but she also achieves arguably an even more important personal goal which is to take her 10 weeks off, every single year! LuAnn runs the actual math live, showing how the same revenue goal can take dramatically fewer appointments depending on just 2 numbers, average sale and close rate. Then she shares designer Adam Scougall's honest account of trying to make his design business his entire income, watching the pressure drain the joy out of it, and instead building a firm boundary, 2 projects a year, kept separate from his day job, a fraction of Susan's number and just as legitimate, because it was never about the size. It was about hitting your own number, on purpose. This episode gives you 3 concrete steps, 1 from each story. Tune in to see what your aha will be. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows and Resources Mentioned: 356: What Would Lu Do? Q2 Series | When the Right Thing Gets Hard | Part 5: When the Wrong Opportunity Looks Exactly Right Episode 346: What Would Lu Do?: Part 1- Increase Profit Without Increasing Chaos Episode 347: What Would Lu Do?: Part 2- Shorten the Time Between a Problem and a Decision Episode 348: What Would Lu Do?: Part 3- Create a Stable Team That Doesn’t Rely on You Episode 349: What Would Lu Do?: Part 4- Remove One Operational Bottleneck That Wastes Time Every Week Episode 350: What Would Lu Do?: Part 5- Grow Intentionally, Not Accidentally.

    361: Q3 Series | Small On Purpose Part 1 | Small Is a Decision, Not a Compromise

  6. Aug 3

    360: Michael Barbarita: The Five Numbers Every Window Treatment Owner Should Track Weekly

    Today with Michael Barbarita: You already know the feeling. You glance at the checkbook, you see a number that looks okay, and you decide that's good enough. You don't open QuickBooks. You don't look at your gross profit percent. Some part of you is afraid that if you actually looked, you might not like what you'd find. Michael Barbarita has spent thirty years inside businesses just like yours, first as an owner himself, growing a retail company called Ski Town USA from two and a half million dollars to eight million in under five years, and now as a fractional CFO through his company, Next Step CFO, working mostly with owners in the trades. He told LuAnn something simple that changes how you think about your numbers for good: the time to look is when it's cloudy, not when it's raining. Michael doesn't ask his clients to become accountants. He gives them five numbers, what he calls the vital five, and a rhythm for checking them. Sales, gross profit, gross profit percent, and net profit get pulled from your weekly P&L, and for most owners, that report is already sitting in your accounting software waiting to be opened. Cash is the one exception. That number gets checked every single day, because cash is what can sink you fastest, and it's the one number you can't afford to only glance at once a week. LuAnn connects Michael's framework directly to something she and her husband Vin have pushed Exciting Windows members toward for years, a fifty five to sixty percent gross profit margin. Once you're actually watching your gross profit percent every week, you have a real answer to whether you're anywhere close to that target, instead of a guess. The conversation goes further into why so many business owners let their accounts receivable slide, and Michael's five components of what he calls a compelling offer, the framework he uses with clients to get them out of competing on price. LuAnn ties it back to something she's said for years, that you have to sell the transformation your work creates, not the blind, the shade, or the drape itself. If pricing and margin are the piece that's nagging at you after this one, go back and listen to WTFP #199, Solo Margins Matter, for the fuller case on what discounting below a healthy margin actually costs your business. More About Michael Barbarita: Michael Barbarita has owned and operated Retail, Manufacturing and Service companies over the last 30 years. One of the retail companies he operated called “Ski Town USA” grew from $2.5 Million to $8.0 million in less than 5 years. One of the products he manufactured was “Cookies To Scoop Frozen Cookie Dough” and was featured on the QVC Home Shopping Network and was selected as one of the top 20 products in the State of Massachusetts in 1997. He has sat on the Board of Directors of 5 different companies. He was a Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for a large specialty retailer. He was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for all of his previously owned companies as well. Michael has been involved in the structuring of leveraged buyouts. He has experience in owning both commercial and residential investment real estate. He also has experience exporting and doing business on a global scale.  He is an award winning public speaker. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and majored in Accounting. Connect with Michael Barbarita: Website Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows Mentioned: Episode 199: What Would Lu Do?: Margins Matter: Why Discounting Puts Your Business at Risk

  7. Jul 20

    359: Robin J. Emdon: The Quote You Promised Yesterday Still Isn't Written

    Today with Robin J. Emdon: You left the customer's house and told them you'd have the quote to them by tomorrow. Then the installer had a question. Then the admin had a question. Then another customer called about a new job. And three days later, that quote still isn't written, and you're the one who feels guilty about it. Here's the truth Robin J. Emdon wants you to sit with: this isn't a discipline problem. Robin is the creator of GetResultsology®, The Science of Getting Stuff Done, known as The Procrastination Slayer and The Momentum Architect. After realizing in 2019 that procrastination had cost him years of his own life, a six year degree that took him ten, Robin spent the shutdown of 2020 doing what he does best: researching the research on neuroscience and behavioral psychology. What he found is that capable, competent people procrastinate for a hardwired, biological reason, not because they're lazy or disorganized. In this conversation, Robin breaks down the three neurotransmitters driving whether you follow through or freeze, and gives the research behind why accountability works: a private, unwritten goal gets done about 46 percent of the time, but add writing it down and real human accountability, and that number jumps to 76 percent. LuAnn connects that research directly to a practice built into every Exciting Windows conference, where members publicly commit to a six month goal, write it on a postcard, and get held to it when the next conference opens. If a quote, a pricing review, or a piece of your marketing has been sitting for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode gives you the actual mechanism behind why, and what to do about it starting this week. Want to be in a room full of window treatment business owners who build accountability into how they run their businesses? Learn more at excitingwindows.biz. More About Robin J. Emdon: Robin J. Emdon is the creator of GetResultsology® – The Science of Getting Stuff Done!, a practical, science-backed system that helps solopreneurs, creatives, and independent professionals overcome procrastination, build momentum, and follow through on the work that truly moves the needle.  Nicknamed The Procrastination Slayer and The Momentum Architect, Robin has supported clients across the full spectrum of productivity challenges — from those paralysed at the starting line to high-performers seeking more clarity and speed.  Robin’s path began in his family’s retail business, followed by life coach training in California in 2001. While raising two sons as a full-time single dad in South Devon, coaching took a back seat — until a turning point in 2019, when he realised how deeply procrastination had stalled his own goals. A six-year degree had taken him ten.  When the world went quiet in 2020, Robin immersed himself in neuroscience, behavioural psychology, and productivity research. Out of that came GetResultsology® and his signature momentum formula:  Do it today – Profit tomorrow – Repeat.  Robin now helps clients worldwide turn daily action into meaningful progress and attainable success — all from his quiet corner on England’s southwest coast.  Connect with Robin J. Emdon: Website Free unabridged book Free 5-Day Challenge Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  8. Jul 6

    358: What Would Lu Do?: Solid Salesperson, Shaky on Products — Now What?

    Today on Window Treatments for Profit You’re a year and a half into the window treatment business. You can sell. You’re closing. But when it comes to product knowledge — mounting, specifications, what’s possible, what isn’t — you still feel like you’re catching up. So what do you do about it? That’s the question a listener in the Atlanta area brought to LuAnn in this WWLD episode, and it’s one that more window treatment professionals relate to than you might think. In this solo teaching episode, LuAnn answers it directly — not with a list of classes to sign up for, but with a real framework for how confidence is actually built in this industry. Here’s what LuAnn covers in this episode: • Why the fact that you’re asking this question is already a very good sign • The single fastest education available to any window treatment professional right now — and it doesn’t cost a dollar • How to use your franchise system as a competitive advantage most independent business owners will never have • How to attend manufacturer trainings, vendor webinars, and rep visits like a detective — not a passive student • Why the WCAA’s Atlanta chapter is worth the membership and worth the drive — and which events to prioritize • IWCE and SENA — what to look for and how to make sure you actually implement what you learn • Why confidence in the field isn’t just about product knowledge — it’s about having a process you can trust • The WTFP archive episodes that will teach you how clients think, not just how products work Resources mentioned in this episode: • Jessica Harling’s Exciting Windows Make a Friend™ 7-Step Selling System — Episode 760 of A Well-Designed Business and LuAnnUniversity.com wcaa.org Sunshadingexpo.com  • WTFP Archive episodes: The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales series, The Five Reasons Clients Ghost You, How to Qualify Leads Without Disqualifying Future Revenue, Why Service Not Price Wins Affluent Clients • Submit your own WWLD question at luannnigara.com/wwld If you have ever felt the gap between your sales ability and your product knowledge, this episode is for you. LuAnn shows you exactly how to close it. Our Favorite Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Windowworksnj.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Shows and Resources Mentioned: Episode 760 of A Well-Designed Business⁠ WTFP Archive episodes: The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales series, The Five Reasons Clients Ghost You, How to Qualify Leads Without Disqualifying Future Revenue, Why Service Not Price Wins Affluent Clients⁠ Deb Barrett — Episode 134 of Window Treatments for Profit Deb Barrett Textile Week — debbarrett.com Deb Barrett Window Treatment Certified Specialist WTFP Archive: The Five Reasons Clients Ghost You WTFP Archive: How to Qualify Leads Without Disqualifying Future Revenue WTFP Archive: Why Service, Not Price, Wins Affluent Clients

    358: What Would Lu Do?: Solid Salesperson, Shaky on Products — Now What?
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About

This podcast is specifically designed for window treatment professionals. If you are interested in doing what you do better, whether you are a retailer, installer, workroom, sales rep or from our industry partner community, you have found your people. We are going to talk about sales, marketing, hiring, efficiency, productivity and of course, profitability. Because why do any of it if you are not profitable, right? My name is LuAnn Nigara and I have been in the window treatment industry for 4 decades. With my husband Vince and our cousin Bill Campesi we’ve built our business, Window Works, from start up to over 4 million dollars in annual sales and to a team of 15. Vin, Bill and myself are also part of the ownership team at Exciting Windows. Exciting Windows is the industry leader in mentoring, supporting and inspiring window treatment professionals to build a better business. So I get you, I know what you do. I have spent my career doing it with you. So how about we get started making your business better, shall we?

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