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

Today With Hillaire Pickett Martin:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. On today’s episode, I am joined by Hilaire Pickett Martin. Hilaire runs the day-to-day operations at Design Lines, an interior design firm started by her mother, Judy Pickett, in 1979. Hilaire is here to share how she finds operational gaps and implements technological frameworks to support the workflow at Design Lines, with helpful tips and applications you can utilize in your own business. Listen in and learn how to streamline your systems, save time, and maybe even take next Tuesday off.
Pick It Apart
[2:33] Hilaire talks about her background and coming to work for her mother’s design firm.
[6:48] Hilaire explains how she compartmentalizes the operational tasks and organizes processes by mapping them out and understanding the different steps involved to see where any gaps might be.
[11:57] LuAnn and Hilaire discuss the pros and cons of implementing new technology, some platforms Hilaire loves, and how the user experience can influence decisions.
[33:13] Hilaire explains how she compartmentalizes business tasks.
[43:18] Hilaire and LuAnn discuss designer outreach and Hilaire’s efforts with high school and college interior design programs.
LuAnn Nigara and Hillaire Pickett Martin's Ah-Ha Moments
“If something isn't working, break it down and figure out…what are the parts about this process that are working? But what are the parts that are not working or are just painful?” – LuAnn Nigara
“There’s simplicity in operations.” – Hilaire Pickett Martin
“If a new technology is not user intuitive or friendly—it ain't gonna win in my book.” – Hilaire Pickett Martin
“No one platform has to work for everything that we do.” – LuAnn Nigara
More About Hillaire Pickett Martin:
Hilaire Pickett Martin is a graduate of Elon University. Since joining her mother at Design Lines in 2008, she has handled Design Lines’ communications and applies her enthusiasm and passion to promoting the firm. In 2013 Hilaire stepped into additionally overseeing all the accounting and day-to-day operations of Design Lines. Described as hard-working and very organized, Hilaire enjoys the team atmosphere at Design Lines, the pulling together everyone does to make a project a success. She is proud to work alongside and learn from her mother.
Connect with Hillaire Pickett Martin
Website
Instagram 
Facebook
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
luannuniversity.com
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
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:
WTFP #125: Debra Scarpa: The Power of a Visionary & Integrator Relationship
AWDB #585: Sandra Funk: Helping Designers Improve Their Business Systems
WTFP #21: Vita’s Tip in Ten: How To Protect Yourself By Following Your Systems
Other Resources Mentioned:
Asana
Canva
Airtable
Milanote
DocuSign
Monday.com
Later

Today With Howard A. Lim:
Welcome to A Well Designed Business. What does it take to build a ten-figure world-class brand? Today, Howard A. Lim of HOW Creative is here to walk us through all of the steps and inner work needed to build a brand on this level. Even if you aren’t striving to be known around the world, Howard’s DNA of a brand that he teaches us will benefit you and take you where you want to be. Howard says that you must clearly define your Brand Architecture at the outset in order to sustain value, growth, and equity. So there’s some inner work to do first. Enjoy!
Pick It Apart
[7:11] Howard shares what we should be thinking about if we want to be a big brand name in the industry.
[13:55] Howard explains the importance of your vision and how it works. 
[17:45] Ideas so we can tap into our philosophy when we don’t have one. 
[30:54]  You’ve done all of the inner work and defined your brand, now how do we attract big brands and become known globally?
[39:08] If we become lucky enough to achieve multiple collaborations, what do we do to maintain those relationships?
[47:39] Quality always pays off.
LuAnn Nigara and Howard A. Lim's Ah-Ha Moments
“When you look at successful brands like Apple or Tesla the reason they are so powerful is because their brand is by design.” - Howard A. Lim
“ A brand is what others are saying, now what you are saying.” - Howard A. Lim
“We create the reality that surrounds us, so why not think big?” - Howard A. Lim
More About Howard A. Lim:
Business and Brand Architect™ Howard A. Lim designs businesses from the inside-out and has been a disruptive innovator since 1987, when he founded his full-service firm, HOW CREATIVE. Mr. Lim partners with business leaders to create influential, world-class businesses and brands using his unique, proprietary hybrid model of business development, branding, and customer engagement to attain exponential profits, growth, value, and new opportunities quickly and effectively. Representing companies of all types and sizes, including Apple, Disney, Paramount, DreamWorks, Xerox, Oracle, Mattel, and AT&T, Mr. Lim collaborates with clients globally to develop and execute leading, world-class businesses and brands while adding billions of dollars to his clients' profits.
Connect with Howard A. Lim
Website 
LinkedIn
Facebook
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
LuAnn Live 2023
luannuniversity.com
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
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:
#125: Nicole Heymer- How to Brand Your Business. Yes, Again! Do Not Miss This One!!!
#317: Nicole Heymer- 6 Keys to Planning a Website That Makes Things Happen
#406: Power Talk Friday- Nicole Heymer- You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?
#701: Kristen Rivoli- New Brand, New Year: How Rebranding Can Work for Interior Designers 

Today With Bryan Mason and Jeanine Hays:
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode features Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason of AphroChic—a media and design brand celebrating African Diaspora cultures through their lifestyle magazine, podcast, and product lines. Jeanine and Bryan are helping us relearn history as we dive into their latest book, AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home. This is essential reading, not only for designers, but for everyone, and the conversation we have around it is an important one so that we can be an active part of the change in this country.
Pick It Apart
[2:48] Janine talks about how the AphroChic blog was inspired by a gap she saw among home décor blogs at the time that left out people of color.
[15:20] Bryan explains that design is diverse by nature, and is a human thing to do so it happens in cultures all over the world, yet here in America, Eurocentric design is the only story that has been told for many years, forgetting the work of the rest of the world.
[27:27] LuAnn asks Bryan and Janine for some meaningful ways those in the interior design industry can be a part of positive change.
[40:37] LuAnn shares that she was called out as a racist, and shares that she later learned that systemic racism conditions you to not notice. This is the work that white people must do, learn the actual history so you see, you know the real truth. 
[44:58] Janine and Bryan discuss how their new book is a history book and sociology book hidden within a design book.
LuAnn Nigara and Bryan Mason and Jeanine Hays' Ah-Ha Moments
“Every aspect of what we've done has started with seeing a gap, seeing a space where we haven't seen that representation, or that cultural story represented, and then working to fill it in, in some way.” - Jeanine Hays
“Design is diverse by nature because the world is diverse by nature.” - Bryan Mason
“Racism is itself a, not a single, monolithic, stagnant thing. It is living. It adapts, it changes from one situation to another.” - Bryan Mason
“True change happens when you really do understand the reality of what happened in history.” - LuAnn Nigara
“Systemic racism doesn’t just condition the oppressed, it conditions the oppressor.” - Bryan Mason
More About Bryan Mason and Jeanine Hays:
Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason are the authors of REMIX: Decorating with Culture, Objects, and Soul. Their media and design brand AphroChic celebrates African Diaspora cultures through their lifestyle magazine, podcast, and product lines available through Perigold and 1st Dibs. The couple resides in upstate New York in their lovingly named “AphroFarmhouse.”
A powerful, visually stunning celebration of Black-owned homes, featuring inspiring interiors and family histories of notable Black Americans—including chef Alexander Smalls and actor Danielle Brooks.
In their new book, AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home (Clarkson Potter | November 15th, 2022 | $35.00 | Hardcover), Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason explore the Black family home and its role as a haven, heirloom, and cornerstone of Black culture and life. Sixteen gorgeous house tours invite you into the intimate spaces of actors and musicians, the creative studios of artists and curators, the “boss” offices of entrepreneurs and executives, and homes filled with pieces handed down from generations past.
The cultural context found throughout AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home sets it apart from other popular coffee-table design texts. With engaging text and beautiful photographs by the late Patrick Cline, this book amplifies many issues currently faced by African Americans, including gentrification, redlining, and more, highlighting the Black Family Home as a missing piece in the narrative of both interior design and American history. Showcasing the amazing diversity of the Black experience through striking art-and-heirloom-filled

Today With Darla Powell:
Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Darla Powell of Wingnut Social. If you’re an avid listener of the show, you know how much of a social media guru Darla is. Now, she has come out with a course called Instagram for Interior Designers which consists of everything you would learn about Instagram if you were to personally pick her brain.
Pick It Apart
[10:13] Darla tells us about her new course Instagram for Interior Designers.
[23:20] The importance of knowing yourself and your value proposition before tackling your social media strategy.
[31:00] Why you need to have your ducks in a row, for example having your website in order. 
[35:20] LuAnn and Darla talk about module two of Instagram for Interior Designers.
[53:25] Wingnut’s specific impact on client Anne Gillyard’s business grOH! Playrooms.
[59:25] How we can get the Instagram for Interior Designers course.
LuAnn Nigara and Darla Powell's Ah-Ha Moments
“It’s a no-brainer to me. You can’t not be investing in marketing. It’s a key component to business” - LuAnn Nigara
“You have to lock in your value proposition before doing anything, otherwise you’re just throwing stuff at the wall and hoping it sticks.” - Darla Powell 
“Regardless of what your marketing budget is, start small.” - Darla Powell
More About Darla Powell:
Darla Powell is more than just an award-winning interior designer, podcast host, social media speaker, and former police detective.
She’s also an adept unraveler of marketing secrets.
Her down-to-earth style delivers smart, actionable information that’s relevant to real business owners—because she is one.
Topics range from social media mastery (what really engages followers—it’s probably not what you think) to how to build your brand from the ground up (how did she go from retired cop to one of the top five interior designers in Miami in less than sixteen months—secrets will be revealed).
Connect with Darla Powell
Wingnut Academy: Instagram for Interior Designers
Website
Instagram 
Facebook 
LinkedIn
Other Shows Mentioned:
#203: Darla Powell: How to Launch an Interior Design Firm
#330: Darla Powell: Darla Powell Interiors 18 Months After Opening
#601: Darla Powell: Real Tips to Up Your Social Media Game
#830: Anne Gillyard: Capitalizing on Your “You” to Grow Your Interior Design Business
A Big Thank You to Today's Sponsor:
Today’s show is sponsored by Darla Powell and Wingut Academy. Check out all the details on https://wingnutsocial.com/instagram-for-interior-designers/

Today With Antonio Deloatch
Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. What’s the difference between a designer who thrives in business and one who doesn’t? It isn’t talent. It isn’t passion. It isn’t motivation. It’s simply the ability to commit and get things done. My guest today, Antonio Deloatch Jr, is one of those real action-takers—someone who I just have no doubt is going to be big and successful, not just as a designer, but at whatever he puts his mind to. It’s a combination of his outlook, his attitude, and his ability to put one foot in front of the other and make it happen. Today, he’s sharing his story and insights with us.
Pick It Apart
[3:39] Antonio shares his experience at the Black Interior Designer’s networking event.
[7:30] Antonio discusses how grassroots marketing worked for him. 
[21:00] LuAnn and Antonio talk about marketing opportunities that can make a difference. 
[25:11] Antonio shares his “why” and the pillars of his business.
[28:47] LuAnn and Antonio talk about how to make things happen for your business.
LuAnn Nigara and Antonio Deloatch's Ah-Ha Moments
“All you need is one. One good project could pay for my marketing plan for the year. It’s a low barrier to entry. If that’s $600 on pretty postcards, it’s not that expensive but could have a really big return.” - Antonio Deloatch
“There’s always good or bad in the era that you’re doing business. Just get over it, get on with it, and do business in your era.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Antonio Deloatch:
I’m a New Yorker with a love for the California sun…
Living in New York & Los Angeles with a global state of mind equals the best of both worlds. 
I get up every single day to change the way people live through art, light and design. For me, taking a non functional space and transforming it into the most popular room in the home, is a dream come true. I have tackled projects ranging from studio apartments in Hong Kong to million dollar estates in the Hamptons to sprawling ranch homes in Ojai CA. Each project is an exploration of you and how you will live in the space. 
My love for décor and design started early. I realized that I wanted to use my talents outside of the sales floor or cubicle. I started my design business in 2014 and my main goal still to this day is to bring quality, as well as affordable designs to any consumer.
Connect with Antonio Deloatch
Website
Instagram
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
luannuniversity.com
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
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:
#524: Power Talk Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: Showing Up is Not Enough
#06: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward

Today With Robyn White:
We all know that marketing matters. But so often when I’m talking to newer designers, I realize that marketing is misunderstood—especially when it comes to the luxury client. 
My guest today, Robyn White, understands that. Today, she’s here to talk about what marketing really is, how marketing for the luxury client is unique, and how to incorporate your personality and story into your messaging.
Pick It Apart
[2:26] Robyn and LuAnn reflect on what marketing really means.
[6:54] Robyn explains the difference in marketing to a luxury client.
[15:54] LuAnn and Robyn discuss how important it is for your website to show what makes you unique. 
[27:43] Robyn explains how to convey luxury through your website. 
[43:14] Robyn and LuAnn reflect on how important your website is.
LuAnn Nigara and Robyn White's Ah-Ha Moments
“The more marketing you do, the more you’ll start to realize that people don’t care that much about what you’re trying to sell to them, because it’s not about them. When you turn the tables and make your marketing about how you help them and what problems you solve, they become interested.” - Robyn White
“If I can read a page on your website and I can substitute any person’s name for this because there’s nothing so specific that is only you, then you haven’t done your job in explaining who you are or what it’s like to work with you.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Robyn White:
Robyn White is the owner and founder of RDW Design Studio, a boutique website design studio located on Cape Cod, MA. Robyn offers a refined website design experience for clients who value quality and want a strategic, sophisticated and simple website designed so they can book more premium clients.
Robyn specializes in helping interior designers, architects, stagers and organizers elevate their website so it reflects the high-quality work they provide and so their business has the online home it deserves. Through her impactful and strategic website design, she positions her clients as the premium choice by making the right first impression online.
She helps her busy clients go from overwhelmed to overjoyed with their websites by taking care of all the techie stuff without the techie talk. Through her supportive, streamlined and stress-free design process, Robyn designs websites that are not just beautiful, but allow her clients to show up online with confidence and attract their ideal clients.
Connect with Robyn White
Website
Instagram 
Facebook 
LinkedIn
Get a Freebie!
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
luannuniversity.com
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
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:
#466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?
#174: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours
#159: Power Talk Friday – Nancy Ganzekaufer – How To Get Confident & Clear on What You Offer
#841: Power Talk Friday - Nancy Ganzekaufer - The Profit Insiders for Interior Designers.