All designers aim to create environments for their clients that will improve their lives and support their health and wellness. In the execution of those designs, that often focus on functionality and aesthetics, other areas of wellbeing may get overlooked. Taking a broader, more holistic approach to client needs and the connection of the space to the natural environment can produce additional benefits. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast Matthew Tenzin, principal...

Many interior designers are uncomfortable with the idea of selling their services to a client. For them, the word “selling” carries a connotation of persuading someone to buy something that maybe they don’t want or can’t afford. There are other ways to approach a sale, however. Keep in mind that prospective clients are looking for help from you, the expert. Explain to them what you have to offer and explore whether you are a good fit for each other. In this episode, Gail talks with...

Sometimes a designer latches onto a particular period or style and builds their career around it. It may appeal to their sense of aesthetics or taste. Or it may speak them in more profound ways. They look for clients who also respond to that style and adapt when possible to meet that client’s needs. In this episode, Gail talks with Christopher Kennedy, principal, Christopher Kennedy in Palm Springs, California. Christopher has a B.A. in architecture and an MBA in finance. He has been...

Interior designers deal with hundreds, if not thousands, of details every day. It only takes one slip-up to jeopardize a project and potentially lose a client. Being well organized can help prevent mistakes from happening or deadlines falling through the cracks. You need someone on your team with top-notch project management skills. In this episode, Gail talks with Kathleen DiPaolo, founder and CEO of Kathleen DiPaolo Designs, based in Newport Beach, California. Kathleen also operates...

In his 2020 account of his 15 years as CEO of the Disney empire, The Ride of a Lifetime, Roger Iger proclaimed the maxim, "Innovate or Die". It quickly became a mantra for business executives and would-be executives hoping to emulate Disney’s phenomenal success. Whether or not you share the same sense of passion and urgency for innovation as Iger does, the fact is that some degree of innovation is needed for any business to maintain competitiveness and move forward. Knowing how to apply...

Using social media to market products and services is not a new practice. But in recent years it has increased exponentially with the massive popularity of channels like TikTok and Instagram. That proliferation presents new opportunities for interior designers, but it also presents some challenges. With so much competition for consumers’ attention, you need a consistent, coherent strategy if you want to reap the benefits. In this episode, Gail talks with Darla Powell, director and...

Along with marketing, public relations can be an effective means of expanding into new markets and attracting more of your ideal clients. Also like marketing, to produce the desired results, you need to devote a certain amount of time each week to PR and consistently implement your plan week in and week out. It may take some time, but persistence will pay off in the long run. In this episode, Gail talks with Amy Flurry, a nationally recognized speaker on do-it-yourself public...

You have many reasons to be proud of your business. But as we all know from having sold homes or cars, it’s not what we value that matters, it’s what the buyer values. If you plan to sell your business, either in the near or distant future, you need to start now to ensure that it has a high value for those who might be interested in buying it. That can vary from buyer to buyer. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast financial consultant Manny Clark. Manny has many years of...

Practicing interior design is highly demanding. So is running a small business. Combine them and you have a perfect storm for generating stress and burnout. You can ease some of that pressure by getting help. Whether you’re a sole practitioner and like it that way or a firm with a small team, you don’t have to do everything yourself. You may not want or are not able to hire an employee or two, but you can get assistance by outsourcing to others who have expertise in areas you don’t have or...

People have many reasons for why they do the jobs that they do. Certainly, some may have more options than others. Yet, time and again studies, personal accounts and memoirs attest to the fact that people who devote themselves to doing what they love—even when it involves great sacrifice—experience the greatest satisfaction from what they do and while they are doing it. And often, they eventually achieve high levels of success. In this episode, Gail talks with multi-media artist Dawn...

Procurement is one of the most essential activities of any interior design business. But it is time-consuming and fraught with frustrations and headaches. Up to now, designers have not had many options if they wanted to delegate procurement to someone else. Thanks to a new service created by interior designers for interior designers, that is now easier than ever. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast interior designer Christi Barbour, founder and partner, Barbour Spangle,...

Alas, there is no magic formula or time-tested blueprint for running a successful interior design business. One reason is that, despite a number of similarities, each interior design business is unique. Yet, struggling business owners often look to their competition to try to figure out what they should be doing. Instead, they should be asking themselves what will make their particular business profitable. In this episode, Gail talks with Ali Faulkner, principal designer, AEF Interiors...

Perhaps at one time or another you’ve considered using a recruiter to help you with a difficult or timely hire. Perhaps, too, after reviewing their fees you decided to conduct the search on your own. Understandable — but did you factor in all the elements involved? A recruiter can do a lot more than helping you find possible candidates. They can make the difference between making a satisfactory hire and making a great one. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast Ken Roberts,...

Fear can be a positive emotion, protecting us from danger. Fear can also be a hindrance, holding us back from achieving our best, true selves. Deep-seated fears and traumas from the earliest years of our lives may influence our choices and relationships without us even being aware they are doing so. In the name of keeping us safe, they create barriers to growth. Recognizing and getting free of these fears can allow us to live more positive, productive and satisfying lives. In this...

In many parts of the world, life expectancy is increasing. Many adults in the U.S. today can anticipate living into their 80s and possibly beyond. Maintaining a high quality of life in one’s later years requires taking steps now to ensure your future physical, mental and financial well-being. With a sound foundation, the second half of life can be just as fulfilling and rewarding as the first. In this episode, Gail talks with Michael Clinton, author of ROAR: Into the Second Half of...

Many interior designers today maintain one or more social media accounts as a means of promoting themselves and their firms. Many also say they don’t get much new business from their social media efforts. In part that may be because they’re not really familiar with the best ways to leverage their social media presence. In this episode, Gail talks with Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community (IDC). As the name implies, the Interior Design Community was established to be...

As with any major transaction, many things can go wrong when selling a business. You need to be well-informed and diligent from the very beginning. Some mistakes or oversights could end up reducing the value of your firm or saddling you with a high tax liability. Working with qualified professionals from the start can help ensure you get the most value and other conditions you want from your sale. In this episode, Gail invites attorney Manny Clark to the podcast to discuss what factors...

You’ve invested a lot personally and professionally in growing and sustaining your firm over the years to make it the thriving business it is today. When it comes to selling your business, however, the value for prospective buyers is not how the firm has performed in the past but what prospects it has for the future. To get the most value for your business when you’re ready to sell, make sure it’s in tip-top condition to set up the buyer for success. In this episode, Gail talks with...

If you’re looking to grow your firm’s revenue and profit, consider diversifying into other areas. That can take many different forms, depending on your interests, creativity and the opportunities that come your way. But be careful. A new enterprise can become a distraction and put a strain on your business. You want to choose those that support the main business and increase its value as well as its bottom line. In this episode, Gail talks with Julia Kirkendall, owner and principal...

Even in the best of times, running an interior design business presents many challenges. You can view them as obstacles, or you can view them as opportunities that drive you toward new possibilities. If you fret about the negative, you can cloud your mind with anxiety or worse. If you maintain a more positive, even optimistic, attitude, you can tap into your problem-solving skills to explore new, perhaps also better, options. In this episode, Gail talks with Cindy Aplanalp Ruzicka,...

No matter how creative or talented you are, the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. At the end of the day it’s what you deliver to the client that matters, not what’s on the design board. Turning inspiration into reality involves a lot of steps and orchestrated execution. Ensuring all that goes smoothly and according to plan is the role of the project manager. Whether that’s an individual or the function of some individual, they are critical to the success of your business. In this...

With 13 blocks of home furnishings, over 2,000 studios and showrooms, and a calendar full of events and educational sessions, High Point Market can feel overwhelming to first-time attendees. Don’t let the magnitude intimidate you. With a few pointers from an expert, you can customize your High Point experience to get the most from this one-of-a-kind industry showcase. In this episode, Gail talks with Tammy Covington Nagem, chief executive officer, High Point Market Authority in High...

Every entrepreneur and small business owner needs help now and then. Peer groups can be a great source of information and support. Books, blogs and podcasts can provide new approaches, strategies and valuable lessons learned. Sometimes, though, your best option is to seek out an expert who can work with you one-on-one to identify the source of the problem and create a plan to move forward. In this episode, Gail talks with Brian Kerlin, founder and chief executive officer of Optitude, a...

Whether you’re a sole practitioner or running a large interior design firm, technology can help it operate more smoothly, efficiently and reliably. From managing projects to finances to human resources, technology can standardize policies and procedures, speed up access to information and documentation, and ensure proper compliance with laws and regulations. No matter if you are a tech newbie, a tech pro or a technophobe, you can find products and services to suit your abilities and the needs...