A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara

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. 4H AGO

    1191: BEST OF SHOW: Park & Oak Interior Design: From the Park Bench to Luxury Design Firm in 3 Years

    Welcome to the show! We have Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto, the founders of Park and Oak Interior Design Studio, located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with us today. These ladies work on new construction, renovation, and furnishing projects across the US, and you may even know them from their Instagram, with 130 000 followers. The way that they handle themselves and speak about their firm really conveys the confidence that they have in what they’re doing. And the success they’ve had in their first three years in business is not at all typical. In today’s episode, Renee and Christina pull back the curtain and boldly share with us their experiences and the lessons they have learned over the last three years. Listen in today, to find out what they have to share. Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto founded the Park & Oak interior design studio in 2015. They are known for creating homes that are visually stunning, yet functional and comfortable. Their work, rooted in the art of timeless style, is driven by the belief that design can be used to create feelings of comfort and happiness. It combines the best of their individual aesthetics for a unique look. Christina and Renee have a creative energy that is engaging to work with. Using beautiful and unexpected sources of inspiration, they work collaboratively with clients to create spaces that thoughtfully honor the spirit and traditions of their owner. Tune in now for more! Show Highlights: Renee and Christina talk about what each of them brought to the table when they started out, and about what attracted them to each other, as business partners. Some of the one-year and five-year goals that they established when first starting out. Renee and Christina’s approach to the individual roles that they have in the business. Renee describes the really special way that she and Christina work together. From a park bench to a studio. The first person that they hired was a bookkeeper. What kept them powering through in the beginning, when they were sacrificing a lot and there were many challenges to face. Struggling with balancing family life and business. It took some time to bring their really awesome team together. In year two, they experienced a turning point in the business. They use a finite system to prevent problems and execute their projects efficiently. Learning from their mistakes and gaining the courage to stand up for themselves. Creating the right systems, in order to protect themselves. There’s really a lot going on behind the scenes too. How they find the time to keep their systems in order and their projects running smoothly. Renee is behind their really impressive Instagram following. Links: Park And Oak Facebook: Park And Oak Design Twitter: Park And Oak Instagram: Park And Oak Design Pinterest: Park And Oak

    1h 14m

  2. 4D AGO

    1190: Josh Cooperman: Building What's Next While Protecting What Works | Live From KBIS 2026

    Today With Josh Cooperman: Josh Cooperman and I have been crossing paths at trade events for years — waving at each other across the hall, meaning to sit down, never quite making it happen. We finally did, live at KBIS in the KB podcast studio, and this conversation was worth every year of waiting. Josh is the host and publisher of Convo by Design, a platform dedicated to exploring what he calls sublime design and the creatives who make extraordinary spaces a reality. His background is anything but conventional — degrees in journalism and social sciences from Washington State University, followed by a career that ran through CBS Radio's motorsports division in Dallas, music promotion at KDGE-FM, and a stint as General Manager and Program Director of Playboy Radio. Yes, really. He started Convo by Design in 2013 because he wanted to do what he always wanted to do when he grew up, tell stories about the things he loves. Sound familiar? What makes this conversation different is that Josh and I are both long-timers in this space. We started our shows within a year of each other, when most people didn't know what a podcast was. We've watched this medium grow, get crowded, get noisy, and get commoditized. And we have a lot of opinions about what that means for anyone thinking about entering it now. We also get honest about what we're each building next and why the next chapter looks nothing like the last one. In this episode, we talk about: Why most designers who want a podcast should pause and answer one question before they do anything else What your "why" has to be — and why lead gen from an industry-only audience is not a strategy The real reason 90% of podcasts die before episode 10, and what separates the ones that don't Why "award-winning" and "luxury" have lost their power as positioning language — and what to say instead The editorial calendar mistake LuAnn made for seven years (and what she finally did about it) Why the trade publications seeded thought leadership to podcasters — and what that opened up for all of us The MBA format: what it is, why it's coming, and what it means for how you use this show going forward Josh's new venture, Shelter Republic — a closed-end, invitation-only community for designers who want peer connection, thought leadership development, and real conversation outside of the once-a-year trade event circuit Why the best idea Josh has had in years came from his son — a computer engineer with zero background in design who spotted a gap the industry couldn't see from the inside If you've been listening to this show for a while, this one will feel like a conversation between two people who have been doing this work long enough to tell you the truth about it. And if you're newer here, welcome. This is a good one to start with. Connect with Josh: Convo by Design: convobydesign.com Shelter Republic inquiries: convobydesign@outlook.com 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. 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 Thank You to Today's Sponsor: AJ Madison Pro is the industry’s trusted appliance source for professionals who need fast, reliable access to top brands. Backed by nationwide shipping and a powerful logistics network, delivery is precise and dependable. With over 150 premium brands, including Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, Miele, Viking, Thermador, Gaggenau, and more, AJ Madison Pro is your single source for appliance specification. Qualified builders and architects can save up to 15% on luxury brands through exclusive trade programs, with registration handled for you. AJ Madison Pro. Smarter appliance sourcing starts at ajmadison.com/pro.

    42 min

  3. MAY 5

    1189: Helen Bygraves: How to Grow a Design Firm to 50 People Across Two Countries

    Today With Helen Bygraves: It’s easy to look at massive design firms and wonder how they could have possibly done it. When you’re growing your business, it can seem like top-tier firms must have a secret roadmap or a crystal ball that tells them what decisions to make when.  But more likely, the success of a firm like that comes down to something much simpler: the discipline to show up and the guts to say “yes” to the right opportunities, even when they’re daunting. That’s exactly how my guest today, Helen Bygraves, has built Hill House Interiors over the last 28 years. Today, she breaks down the reality of scaling an international empire, surviving the tough times, and coming out on the other side. More About Helen Bygraves: Helen Bygraves’ unique perspective on interiors draws on her singular background as a professionally trained dancer. From an appreciation for proportions, volume and movement to her sense for narrative and theatre, Helen’s experience on the stage has given her an inherent understanding of how to present interiors to their best effect.  Her aesthetic choices are further enriched by a passion for travel, which she indulged during a period in her 20s working in the airline industry. Her insatiable curiosity for other cultures led to a period of several years exploring the world. Even today, Helen relishes working on overseas projects, where the local architecture, fashions, aesthetic traditions and culture are a constant source of inspiration.  Born and raised in London, Helen fell into her calling as a designer almost accidentally, by renovating her own properties, which caught the attention of friends and led to her first clients. With her trademark enthusiasm, passion and exceptional organisational skills, she began her career in interior design while working in the travel sector and raising her daughter, Daniella. Never daunted by any challenge, Helen fervently believes in pushing boundaries, maintaining that progress comes when you venture beyond your comfort zone. This mantra applies as much to her creative process and life choices as to the design decisions she encourages her clients to explore. Helen met Jenny in the early 1990s when they were both starting out in their creative careers. Their instant friendship was a meeting of two creative minds, cemented through shared aesthetic values, convictions and a sense of humour, and it quickly evolved into a business collaboration that now spans 25 years. Hill House Interiors has grown organically through word of mouth over the years, and continues to evolve. With her nurturing personality, Helen takes particular pleasure in furthering the careers of her staff and watching them flourish.  With a beautiful new office in Dubai to better service clients in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and the launch of an exclusive range of furniture, rugs, cushions and trimmings, Helen is relishing every moment in the continuing evolution of Hill House Interiors. Ah Ha Moments with Helen Bygraves: "Always surround yourself with the very best you can afford because they are going to take you to the next level." -Helen "The day you think you know it all is the day you shouldn't be doing this job." -Helen "It’s only a failure if you can’t correct it, right? It’s only a failure if you can’t figure out how not to do it again." -LuAnn Connect with Helen Bygraves: www.hillhouseinteriors.com www.hillhouselifestyle.com Instagram LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: 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. 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: AWDB #1100 Best Of Show: Erika Ward: Identifying Your Transferrable Skills with Erika Ward AWDB #519 What Would Lu Do?: In Light of the Coronavirus AWDB 790 Rick Campos: Design Biz Survival Guide- The Answer to All Your Business Questions AWDB 774 Rick Campos: Design Biz Survival Guide Celebrates 4 Years! AWDB 1059 Rachel Usher: Creating Community and Strength in the Interior Design Industry

    1h 17m

  4. MAY 1

    1188: In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara: Scaling Your Design Firm Part 1: The Three Paths Forward

    Today With Kate O’Hara: As you grow your business, you inevitably hit a point where you just can’t force more projects into your pipeline. So…what happens next? Do you bring on another designer? Are there other options? Do you have to let go of creative control if you do bring on another designer? How do you make sure it’s a successful process?  In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Kate O’Hara shares the answers to all of these questions. She breaks down the three options you have in terms of growing or scaling your business, and how to make sure that each one sets you up for success.  (Then in Part 2, she highlights how to take the space you create as you scale to diversify your income and create more revenue opportunities.) LuAnn Nigara and Kate O'Hara's Ah-Ha Moments “Now you’re letting go of what happens to those clients when they’re in the hands of your other designers. So you have to have a strong team and people that you really trust to the moon and back.” -Kate “It’s all of the little, tiny little touch points that are coming out on your website, that are coming out in social, that are coming out in the magazine opportunities, the publication opportunities that you have, where you are literally saying we, us, not just the words we us, but all the different ways that it actually is we, us.” -LuAnn “I think we sometimes we forget in our efforts to create really strong company culture and to be this type of firm people want to work for, it doesn't mean we have to be the type of firm that everyone and anyone can work for.” -Kate 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!

    57 min
  5. 1187: WWLD: If Talent Isn’t the Problem, Why Aren’t You Getting Hired?

    APR 28

    1187: WWLD: If Talent Isn’t the Problem, Why Aren’t You Getting Hired?

    Today With LuAnn Nigara: You’re talented. You’ve built something thoughtful, elevated, even exceptional. So why isn’t it landing? That’s the real question behind today’s What Would Lu Do. In this episode, I answer a question from a creative entrepreneur who offers highly customized, luxury-level products designed in collaboration with interior designers. Her question? Do designers even want this level of custom work… or do they prefer established brands with systems and structure? But that’s not really the question. The real question is: If what you offer is so good… why isn’t it getting traction? What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why talent and quality are not the deciding factors in getting hired How market fit determines whether your offer lands or gets ignored The difference between being visible, distinct, and discreet (from my conversations with Kate O’Hara) Why high-end clients expect custom… but demand it be effortless How designers actually discover (and specify) vendors and partners The role of relationships vs. visibility in growing a high-level business What both vendors and designers must do to reach the next tier The Big Takeaways 1. Not every great offer is for every client If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’ll connect with no one. 2. The higher the level, the narrower the audience Luxury, custom, and bespoke always mean a smaller, more specific market. 3. Discovery might get you noticed. Relationships get you hired At higher levels, opportunities come through trust, not chance. 4. Custom is expected. Effortless is required Your value isn’t just what you create. It’s how smoothly you deliver it. 5. Whether you’re a designer or a vendor, the path is the same Find the right rooms. Get in them. Stay in them long enough for trust to build. Referenced Episodes To go deeper on client tiers and positioning, listen to: Episode #1148: A Framework for Understanding Luxury Interior Design Clients Episode #1157: Marketing to the Three Tiers of Luxury Clients and How to Attract Each One Mentioned in This Episode In this episode, I reference a creative entrepreneur who submitted today’s question. While I typically keep the focus on the lesson rather than the source, in this case, seeing the type of work we’re discussing may be helpful. You can find her information in the show notes below: Trisha Patel Website Instagram Have a Question for WWLD? Head to: 👉 luannigara.com/WWLD Submit your question and it might be featured in an upcoming episode. 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

    19 min

  6. APR 24

    BEST OF SHOW: Candy Scott & Rachel Cannon: Interior Design is a Service Business Not a Commodity Business

    Welcome to today’s show! We are really happy today to have Candy Scott and Rachel Cannon join us on the show! In today’s episode, these two smart ladies will be talking to LuAnn about the changing landscape in the business side of interior design. Candy and Rachel are both highly organized, with finite systems in place for running their businesses and they truly understand that you really need to know and sell your own value, as a designer, rather than the value of the products that you specify. Listen in, to find out what they have to share with you on the show today. Candy is the principal of Mood Design and Build, which is located in Chicago. She has won multiple awards during her seventeen-year career in designer and she’s worked with large developers and corporate clients, outfitting high-rise condominium lobbies, club rooms, and model showrooms. Rachel is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has clients from Palm Springs to Palm Beach, with over fifteen years of experience in residential and commercial interior design. She opened her own firm, Rachel Cannon Interiors nine years ago and her work has been featured in Traditional Home, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV, My Domain.Com, and Southern Home. Tune in now! Both Rachel and Candy are going to be at LuAnn Nigara Live, It’s About The Conversation. Show highlights: Business disruptions are not a new thing. The future of the interior designer with the disruptive emergence of products being available online to the consumer. Being a designer is not just about selling merchandise- it’s so much more about the relationship. As designers, you need to be the innovators! Why you have to start charging for your services. If you make your money on a flat fee, you don’t have to focus on selling furniture. Creating tracking documents for orders. Surviving the changes in the industry. The layer of service that Candy has added to her business, to really set it apart. The value of having the designer run the project. Rachel’s ideas for designers to make money, going into the future. The middle end of the market is going to go away. Rachel’s approach to design consult packages. The importance of branding. As an entrepreneur, you just have to be open to change. Some things to consider when creating your brand. Rachel Cannon is an interior designer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with clients ranging the nation from Palm Springs to Palm Beach. She has over 15 years of experience in residential and commercial interior design, nine of which are at her namesake interior design firm, Rachel Cannon Limited. Armed with a degree in interior design and a background in art history, Rachel joins together classic principles with a decidedly contemporary tone. She provides her clients with sophisticated interiors that exude an effortless combination of subtle color, rich architectural detail, and a beguiling mix of livable, tailored and luxe details. With a clientele of professionals and families with demanding schedules, Rachel is most praised for her ability to simplify the interior design process while paying meticulous attention to planning and detail. The finished product: a livable yet polished space the entire family can enjoy. Rachel’s work has been featured in Traditional Home, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV.com, MyDomain.com and Southern Home. Her captivating wit and knowledge of art, design, and architecture have made her a favorite on television, radio, and podcasts. While always on the go, the Rachel Cannon Limited team is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2014, Candy Scott founded MOOD Design and Build where she continues to work with residential clients, business owners, and development partners on their homes, offices, and commercial interiors. As a designer, Candy is most inspired and intrigued by the transformation process. Both for the people who inhabit the spaces and the physical spaces themselves. She believes bringing consciousness to our spaces greatly impacts the way we think, feel, and behave. Candy graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design. Through the years, she has won multiple awards and has worked with large developers and corporate clients outfitting the high rise condominium lobbies, clubrooms, and model showrooms. She has worked with small to medium-sized businesses as well, transforming their lobbies and offices to places employees love to work. Previous shows mentioned on this episode: Candy #227 Rachel #306 Wendy Woluschuk #316 Links: Rachel Cannon: Rachel Cannon Limited Instagram: RCL Interiors Facebook: RCL Interiors Candy Scott: Mood Design Build Instagram: Mood Design Build Facebook: Candy Scott Book mentioned in the show: Start With Why- How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Portfolio.

    54 min
  7. Kia Weatherspoon: The Cost of Performing Leadership

    APR 21

    Kia Weatherspoon: The Cost of Performing Leadership

    Today With Kia Weatherspoon: Today with Kia Weatherspoon, we explore what it truly means to lead, not performatively, but fully and honestly. As the founder of Determined by Design, Kia has built a mission-driven firm rooted in the belief that interior design is not a luxury for a few, but a standard that should serve all people. In this conversation, she shares how that belief has shaped her work in affordable housing, her approach to advocacy and the way she articulates value in spaces often overlooked by the industry. But this episode goes deeper than business and design. Kia opens up about the cost of performing leadership, the importance of honoring your own humanity and how the way you see yourself directly impacts how you serve others. This is a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose and the responsibility we carry as designers to create spaces, and businesses, that truly support the people they are meant to serve. LuAnn Nigara and Kia Weatherspoon's Ah-Ha Moments “The humanity you give to yourself is reciprocated in how you serve others.” - Kia “I am my own hero.” - Kia “Interior design is not a luxury for a few—it is a standard for all.” - Kia More About Kia Weatherspoon: The most decorated black interior designer of a generation.  Kia Weatherspoon, ASID, CID, IIDA, NCIDQ, D.F.A (h.c) is unafraid to take risks. Her superpower is that she jumps – defying every design stereotype as she’s moved through the industry. The most damaging - interior design is a luxury reserved for a few.  Being the child of an addict was not something that happened to her - but for her. For a long time, she strived for this yearning to be seen and in that she realized showing up as her most authentic self was her greatest strength. Understanding showing up as who you are is what makes great leaders – she doesn’t see titles and sees others as who they are. In that she goes above and beyond not to just see them – but searches for ways to elevate, celebrate, uplift and make sure their voices are heard.  Often asked what the key to her success at Determined by Design® is,  simply put the success is that she has always checked her ego and searched for humanity. She is unafraid to challenge anyone who doesn’t see the humanity and softness every person deserves. Her vehicle to doing that happens to be through interior design - founding Determined by Design®. Her voice, presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better. Her innovative approach to design for everyone is why Determined by Design® is the only interior design firm in the nation that provides Design Equity® services.  She is an advocate, educator, speaker, business owner, leader and most of  all – she is just Kia. That is enough and why she’s been recognized as the ICFF Design of the Year, has an Honorary Doctorate from New York School of Interior Design, the ASID National Design for Humanity recipient, the HIP  Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, the CREW Washington, DC Raise Your Voice Awardee, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40  under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna  Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient. She is many things but  all of them are the things that make her determined by design. Connect with Kia Weatherspoon: Website Determined by Design Instagram  Determined by Design Instagram LinkedIn What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: ⁠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 10m

  8. APR 17

    1184: Geraldine Morrison (NKBA): Stop Guessing—Use Industry Insight to Grow Your Business

    Today With Geraldine Morrison: What happens when you stop guessing in your business… and start making decisions based on real industry insight? In this episode, LuAnn is joined by Geraldine Morrison, Chief Partnerships Officer for Domestic and Global Brands at NKBA | KBIS. With leadership experience at brands like Samsung and LIXIL, Geraldine brings a unique perspective on how manufacturers, designers, and industry organizations intersect—and why that matters to your business. Recorded live at KBIS 2026, this conversation goes beyond what NKBA is and gets into how it actually supports you as a business owner. Because here’s the truth: many designers are making decisions in isolation. They’re relying on instinct, past experience, or what they’re seeing on social media. But that only gets you so far. Geraldine shares how access to real data, market research, and industry connection can change the way you operate. From understanding shifts in consumer behavior to recognizing where opportunities are emerging, this is about making smarter, more strategic decisions. You’ll also hear how NKBA is expanding its reach, from global initiatives like Global Connect to its growing presence at High Point Market, creating more opportunities for designers to connect, learn, and grow. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making decisions without the full picture, this episode will challenge you to think differently about where you get your information and who you’re connected to. What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: 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 A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: AJ Madison Pro is the industry’s trusted appliance source for professionals who need fast, reliable access to top brands. Backed by nationwide shipping and a powerful logistics network, delivery is precise and dependable. With over 150 premium brands – including Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, Miele, Viking, Thermador, Gaggenau, and more – AJ Madison Pro is your single source for appliance specification. Qualified builders and architects can save up to 15% on luxury brands through exclusive trade programs, with registration handled for you. AJ Madison Pro. Smarter appliance sourcing starts at ajmadison.com/pro.

    25 min
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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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