A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara
  • 4.9 (770)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

In today's world being a talented interior designer isn't enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful business. Design school curricula doesn't always equip you with the business skills to have your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well-Designed Business® is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 40 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices. This podcast is sponsored by Kravet Inc and Mydoma Studio.

  1. 2D AGO

    1153: WWLD: Stop Making Your Business Harder Than It Needs to Be

    Today With LuAnn Nigara: As the year winds down and routines slow, LuAnn takes this quiet moment to speak directly to you, no guest, no interview, just perspective. In this episode, LuAnn walks through ten patterns she sees business owners repeat over and over again that quietly make their businesses harder than they need to be. These aren’t mistakes. They’re habits, defaults, and decisions that once made sense, but may no longer serve you. Drawing from decades of experience, thousands of conversations, her work at Exciting Windows, Chairman of the Board, LuAnn University, and her role as President of WCAA, LuAnn offers a grounded, CEO-level look at what to stop doing if you want a business that feels stronger, healthier, and more sustainable. This episode is not about goals or resolutions. It’s about perspective. If you have a quiet moment during the holiday break, on a walk, in the car, or with a cup of coffee, this is a thoughtful, focused listen designed to help you pause, reflect, and step back into your role as CEO. 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 What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: ⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠ ⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠ ⁠https://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

    25 min
  2. 1152: LUANN FEATURED: Part 2- LuAnn Joins John McClain on The McClain Method Podcast

    6D AGO

    1152: LUANN FEATURED: Part 2- LuAnn Joins John McClain on The McClain Method Podcast

    Today With LuAnn Nigara on The McClain Method Podcast with John McClain: Today I am excited to share Part Two of my conversation on John McClain’s podcast, The McClain Method. If Part One was about the journey, this episode is about the work. John and I dig into what actually makes a design business sustainable: mindset, pricing, branding, and the confidence to stand fully in your value. We talk candidly about what it means to be unapologetically yourself as a business owner, why professional guidance matters, and how clarity changes everything from your pricing to your client relationships. We also address the real-world challenges designers face every day: client objections, pricing conversations, markup debates, budget boundaries, and how to communicate value without overexplaining or apologizing. This is about learning to lead the process instead of reacting to it. If you’ve ever struggled with pricing confidence, client pushback, or feeling like you need to justify your expertise, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are and help you see what’s possible when your systems, mindset, and messaging are aligned. In this episode, we cover: Branding yourself with confidence and credibility The mindset shifts required for pricing growth Why transparency and communication matter in pricing Establishing systems, processes, and boundaries How to clearly communicate value to the right clients This episode is packed with practical advice and perspective to help you elevate not just your business, but how you show up inside it. More About John McClain: ⁠The McClain Method Podcast⁠ ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: ⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠ ⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠ ⁠https://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

    52 min
  3. 1151: LUANN FEATURED: LuAnn Joins John McClain on The McClain Method Podcast

    12/23/2025

    1151: LUANN FEATURED: LuAnn Joins John McClain on The McClain Method Podcast

    Today With LuAnn Nigara on The McClain Method Podcast with John McClain: Today’s episode is a little different, and one I’m really excited to share with you. This is a special "LuAnn Featured" episode where I share with you my appearance on John McClain’s podcast, The McClain Method. The conversation was thoughtful, honest, and reflective enough that we knew it belonged here on A Well-Designed Business as well. In this conversation, I share the journey that began with helping my husband, Vinny, build Window Works and evolved into creating A Well-Designed Business and the education platform that grew from it. We talk about why I saw such a clear gap in business education for designers, what it actually took to launch and monetize a podcast before podcasting was considered a “strategy,” and why having a real business plan is not optional if you want longevity. We also get personal. I talk about the importance of protecting your health, the reality of patience and burnout, the role Vinny has played behind the scenes, and the lessons that only come from decades of building, pivoting, and staying committed to the long game. This episode is full of honest stories, practical perspective, and encouragement for designers who know they’re capable of more, but may be standing in their own way. And be sure to join us next week for Part Two, where we shift into more specific strategies for building a sustainable, profitable design business. Episode Highlights: How Window Works came to be and what it taught me about running a real business Recognizing the missing business education in the design industry The birth of A Well-Designed Business and what it took to invest in its growth Why self-care, support systems, and patience matter more than we like to admit Expanding a brand with intention, clarity, and vision More About John McClain: The McClain Method Podcast Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! https://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

    1h 3m

  4. 12/19/2025

    1150: Emily Yeates: The Business Edit: The Backend That Builds Million-Dollar Design Firms

    Today With Emily Yeates: If you’ve ever found yourself whispering, “I love design but the business side is exhausting,” this episode is your wake-up call. Emily Yeates, founder of Urban Revival and creator of The Business Edit, joins LuAnn to pull back the curtain on how she built a thriving, efficient design firm and how she now teaches other designers to do the same. From contractor headaches and pricing pitfalls to intake calls and profitable proposals, Emily doesn’t teach theory. She hands you the system that actually works. Inside this conversation: – The real reason designers struggle with profitability (hint: it’s not your talent) – Why managing contractors is breaking your business and what to do instead – How to flip your intake calls, furniture sales, and vendor strategy into profit machines – Why The Business Edit is not a “market tour” and how it’s changing designers’ lives If you're ready to stop reacting and start running your firm like a business, hit play. The Business Edit returns January 27–29, 2026 in Las Vegas. Mention this episode for $1,000 off. Learn more at urbanrevivalphx.com More About Emily Yeates: Emily, the visionary behind Urban Revival, started her design firm over 15 years ago. Her passion for design ignited at a young age, growing up in a family of luxury real estate developers. With remarkable projects and record-breaking sales, Emily has been named by Luxe Magazine as one of the most promising designers across the country. Her talent has been featured in renowned publications such as Architectural Digest, Forbes International Properties, Domino, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Luxury Scottsdale, My Domaine, and more. Driven by a desire for mentorship, Emily has dedicated herself to helping designers overcome obstacles and accelerate their success. She possesses a unique ability to guide those who feel stagnant in their design businesses. Connect with Emily Yeates: Website Instagram The Business Edit What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! https://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: Learn about The Business Edit: UrbanrevivalphxLANDING business-edit-client-stories Book a complimentary call with Emily to review your business practices: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/businesseditinfo The Business Edit returns January 27–29, 2026 in Las Vegas. Mention this episode for $1,000 off. Learn more at⁠ urbanrevivalphx.com⁠

    1h 7m

  5. 12/16/2025

    1149: BEST OF SHOW: Claudia Ricciardone: Her Journey from Hobby to Interior Design Business

    Today with Claudia Ricciardone: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m talking with Claudia Ricciardone, founder of Claudia Josephine Design. Claudia and I discuss those stubborn pain points that we face in starting a business. Coming from a psychology background, Claudia teaches us that pain is what actually causes us to grow in that it forces us to find a solution. Listen in as Claudia shares her own solutions as she navigated turning her hobby into a business.  I don’t know about you, but when a psychologist offers business advice, I am going to listen. LuAnn and Claudia Ricciardone’s Ah-Ha moments: “When there is a pain point, ask yourself what quality you need to develop to move past that pain point.”- Claudia Ricciardone “In addition to the content I provide for my promotional offerings, you just never know who you are going to meet that could be a colleague that you can learn from, and they learn from you, and improve your business.” – LuAnn Nigara. “Hire the best photographer you can afford. Hiring a great photographer is what got me published in my first magazine, LUX Lifestyle Magazine.” – Claudia Ricciardone. “Wherever you are in the business, you can see your goals clearly, but you can still have fear. The difference is taking the plunge or not. If you are running a business there is no getting around making an investment.” – LuAnn Nigara “When the student is ready the teacher will come. The right guides will come.” – Claudia Ricciardone More about Claudia Ricciardone: Claudia Ricciardone is a luxury residential interior designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Claudia provides full-service interior design services with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly furnishings and décor through the company she founded, Claudia Josephine Design.  Claudia is a certified GREEN Accredited Professional (AP), member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), and Maria Killam Certified True Colour Expert. She served as the interior design columnist at LUX Lifestyle Magazine, where her work was published and distributed internationally. Claudia’s designs were also recently featured in Southpark Magazine. Connect with Claudia Ricciardone: Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com Inside Voice, Outside Voice Monthly Virtual Events https://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 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: #50 Veronica Solomon: Powerful Marketing For Your Interior Design Firm- Website to Fan Engagement on Facebook #58 Maria Killam: Color- When You Can Own It As An Expertise, You Can Charge Higher Fees #752 PTF: Kelsey Kurtis: Connection-Based Branding For Success

    1h 6m

  6. 12/12/2025

    1148: In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara: A Framework for Understanding Luxury Interior Design Clients

    Today With Kate O’Hara: Have you ever had that experience where you’re working with a client on something and they just seem to resist what you’re saying…and you ask yourself, “Why won’t they just let me do what they’re paying me to do?” Maybe you have a difficult client. But more likely, the problem is that you don’t understand that particular client’s priorities or motivations. And that’s not a reflection on you, your client probably doesn’t understand this about themselves either.  Wouldn’t it be great if you had a framework for tapping into what your client really wants and needs? That’s exactly what my guest today, Kate O’Hara, has created.  Today, she breaks down three levels of clients, and more importantly, what matters most to these clients within six important criteria. More About Kate O’Hara Kate O’Hara grew up in the world of design. After a decade with the company, she stepped into the role of CEO + Creative Director, expanding the family design firm into new regions of the U.S. When she isn’t traveling between our Minnesota and Texas offices, you can find Kate speaking at conferences, working with our design team, and connecting with new clients and furniture lines. Connect with Kate O’Hara ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Pinterest⁠ ⁠Houzz⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ 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: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

    59 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    1147: BEST OF SHOW: Carla Titus: Think Like a CEO By Outsourcing Your Numbers

    Today With Carla Titus: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business Podcast. Today we are joined by financial expert Carla Titus, founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, a financial planning company offering fractional CFO services to transform business profitability.  Carla helps us understand what a fractional CFO is and how this service can provide the financial support and insight many businesses need to achieve financial clarity and plan for a profitable future. She specializes in helping 6- and 7-figure businesses gain control of their numbers with a 5-step framework she calls 2C3P that tackles financial health from all sides. Listen in to find out more. LuAnn Nigara and Carla Titus’ Ah-Ha Moments “The beauty of bringing an expert into your business is that you do not need to know everything. That is the whole point of outsourcing your finances. You’re bringing that knowledge, and also that person that’s going to guide the process from beginning to end, [to] make you feel empowered and comfortable around your finances and your numbers.” – Carla Titus  “Don’t overthink what you don’t know.” – LuAnn Nigara  “There’s times where you need to step into that CEO role and work on your business, not in your business.” – Carla Titus “Managing the influx and outflows of cash really can help a business be more financially stable, but also feel completely in control of what’s happening.” – Carla Titus  “If you want to sell your business one day, if you want to run a successful long term company, there has to be a salary for someone that is in charge.” – Carla Titus More About Carla Titus: Finance expert with over 15 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and established online businesses fractional CFO consulting experience. Our company provides a vast array of on-demand CFO services that leverage our industry expertise. A well-rounded CFO team with Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, Online Business, Operations, Execution, Planning, and Tech background. She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to business owners. Wealth & Worth Within’s mission is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy. She is dedicated to imparting financial knowledge in order to properly manage finances and achieve profitable results. She has applied that expertise to businesses, helping them grow by creating simple yet effective systems to improve cash flow management and bottom-line results. Connect with Carla Titus Website Instagram  Facebook What’s new with LuAnn Nigara luannuniversity.com https://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 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: #489: Power Talk Friday: Brad Clinard: Intentional Planning for Abundant Living #719: Peter Lang, Kimberly Merlitti, and Michele Williams: Financial Prep for Year-End- The Must Do’s #395: Power Talk Friday: Michele Williams: Financial Health Checklist for Your Interior Design Business #464: Power Talk Friday: Peter Lang: Understanding Your Finances #FreeTheDesigner #361: Power Talk Friday: Kimberly Merlitti: Does Your Interior Design Business Need a CFO?

    57 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    1145: What Would Lu Do?: How to Lead Projects With Architects and Builders (Without the Drama)

    Today with LuAnn Nigara: When it comes to high-end projects, collaboration isn’t optional and it definitely isn’t casual. It has to be intentional. In this solo episode, LuAnn breaks down the systems, scripts, and standards that every designer needs to lead confidently alongside architects, builders, and trades. If you've ever felt like you're managing chaos instead of driving results, this episode will show you how to step into true project leadership without sacrificing your sanity or your margins. What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠ ⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠ ⁠https://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: Operations 201: Project Workflow for Construction-Based Design” with Jenny Slingerland “Operations 301: Project Leadership in Construction” with Kat Anderson

    24 min
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4.9
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In today's world being a talented interior designer isn't enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful business. Design school curricula doesn't always equip you with the business skills to have your interior design business be everything you imagined it would be! A Well-Designed Business® is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers. Your host, LuAnn Nigara shares her 40 years of success in the interior design industry, and she finds the most successful guests to share their interior design business best practices. This podcast is sponsored by Kravet Inc and Mydoma Studio.

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