What’s the difference between a hobby and a profession? Well it’s as simple as boiling it down to making money. I hear a lot of designers undervaluing their services and having anxiety about marking up procurements on construction projects. So today, we are having a frank discussion on this topic!   After listening to today’s episode, I hope it gives you some new insight and inspiration, as well as hopefully a few actionable steps you can start taking today. Don’t wait to change your money...

After talking to and hearing from many designers and hearing all of their questions, I started noticing this underlying theme in most of the questions the designers were asking.   I thought it couldn’t all boil down to this one similarity, but it did—and that was pain points. Almost every question I read involved a lack of fully understanding the pain point of whoever they were working with.   So, in today’s episode, I’m diving into the importance of identifying and addressing the...

Spring is a busy time of year! Today, I want to talk about how to manage these really busy months but also how to prepare for the summer months ahead by leaning in on your systems, getting schedules sorted out, now for all involved in a project, how to communicate this clearly with your clients and potential clients, and making sure to schedule in some down time for yourself and your family. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/summer-guide 

Today, I’m covering a topic that has been coming up in conversations I’ve had with designers lately: the aversion to risks.    I am hearing from designers like you about all of the risks they are trying to avert—financial security, reputation damage, and legal risks—and they are normal and to be expected. But when they get in the way, you miss out on potential opportunities. They can slow down your career advancement and reduce your competitive edge.   So today, I am sharing some examples...

People think that what we do is ‘make pretty spaces.’ And that makes sense; what we do is beautiful in the end. But what I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, is that we also affect the quality of the lives of the clients that we serve. By doing these construction projects and dialing in the customization, we not only make things beautiful but we impact the happiness and well being of our clients. Today, we’re diving even further into this topic so that you truly understand the power and...

I know you’ve all heard the saying, “You are the company that you keep.” And I want to talk today about how it’s not just about when you’re growing up. It still applies to my life today, and I want to explain how so that you can see signs of it in your own life because this can be key to your business success.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/successful-as-the-company-you-keep 

Technology has improved so much in today's world. Although I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m much better on a construction site than on a computer, I still do use it. Today, I want to address the downside of using technology in our business that you may not be aware of! Mentioned in today’s episode: Episode 165 with Michelle Lynne: https://devignierdesign.com/michelle-lynne/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/downside-to-technology 

We live in a world where we all want quick fixes and instant gratification whether that’s through Amazon Prime 2-day shipping or the latest fad diet, or plug and play formula’s in our industry to price our fees. Pricing your projects is critical to getting right and a huge stressor for the designers I talk to. Whether that’s in various FB groups, my course, or a Zoom call with one of you, it inevitably comes up in every call. We all want to be making the money we deserve and profit from the...

Do you need to add construction management to your firm?  I’ve heard this question from many designers who have reached out, as well as questions such as: “Will this be something they regret not adding?”  “Will I not get the clients I want if I don’t offer this service to them?” Today, I want to talk about how I responded to this question and the reasoning behind it.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/is-construction-management-right-for-you   

When you think of crediting your work, you may be thinking solely about how this impacts you. But we also play a role in that issue. So today I want to share a story that has just hit mainstream media in our industry, and how critical it is to give as well as receive proper credit for our work.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/giving-receiving-proper-credit   

One of the things I love most about construction management is that it’s constantly changing. I know that drives some of you crazy, and I don’t blame you! But for me, I think that’s how I’ve stayed in this niche for the last 30 years. Today, I want to share with you two things I’ve recently learned, and why we need to embrace learning without fear! Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/embrace-learning-without-fear 

I am in contact with a lot of designers, and in our conversations, I started to notice a common trend in traits and issues that I wanted to go over today. I address isolation, skillset concerns, construction phase misunderstandings, and the question of how to price construction projects. I hope today’s episode leaves you with more answers than questions! But as always, please feel free to reach out to me with your questions at [email protected] or on social media. Find the full...

I am so excited to share the conversation I had with my friend Michelle Lynne!    Michelle Lynne began her interior design career after spending more than two decades working in Corporate America. She began in the home staging arena and has since built a successful, award winning, full-service interior design firm, ML Interiors Group, employing talented designers and serving clients across the country.   In the summer of 2018, Michelle began focusing on a big gap she saw missing in the...

So you’ve secured your next job, and you’re really excited to get started! But you also know you’re going to be working with an entirely new crew of construction workers. And that’s when you get a pit in your stomach as the anxiety builds.  Today, we’re talking about why that happens in the first place, how to see it coming, and, better still, how to put those fears of working with a new team of contractors to rest.   Find the full shownotes at:...

What happens when a client ghosts us or puts a project on pause only to return unexpectedly and yet expects us to drop everything and pick up right where we left off?   This is a topic that we need to get right! So today, we’re going to explore how to manage these situations with grace and professionalism.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/manage-client-ghosting   

In today’s episode, I peeled back the curtain and looked at the crucial role we, as interior designers, play in construction projects, moving beyond esthetic contributions and into a vital function in managerial roles.    Our expertise not only enhances the beauty of a space but also its usability, efficiency, and often it’s cost effectiveness. The collaboration we can foster between contractors, architects, and ourselves brings together a spectrum of expertise that’s essential to the...

I am so excited to be able to bring on a GC that enjoys, appreciates, and understands the value that designers bring. My guest today is Sean Canada, Co-Owner of Park & Patina Design + Build, licensed Contractor/GC, and a big fan of the show! Sean has one foot in the Construction/job-site/GC world and one in the design. He has worked with both, hired both, and helped develop teams and people to work together to accomplish projects. He loves what both sides bring to the table and sees the...

One way to manage overwhelm is by hiring help and support within your firm. Today, I want to share how to be strategic and thoughtful when hiring, especially in the world of construction management.    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/thoughtful-hiring 

Toxic clients - they exist! Perhaps you’ve had your own experience. I know I’ve had mine! Today, I’m taking a deeper dive into what you can be looking for, ways you can improve the relationship, and how to sever ties if that’s ultimately the decision you make.  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/toxic-clients   

In last week’s Episode 157: https://devignierdesign.com/empowering-you-construction-management/, I talked about designers supporting fellow designers in the world of construction management and how critical it is for designers to understand there is a support system out there rooting them on. Today, I want to take it to the next step and discuss other support systems that are available to you that not only make you feel like a part of a community but will help establish you as an expert...

Today’s topic is critical to cover at the beginning of the year - this isn’t something I was planning on talking about, but felt it was such an important topic, and that is YOU!   If you are a designer who has been feeling isolated, alone, and unsupported - today’s episode is for you! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/empowering-you-construction-management 

This year of 2024 is one we really should be looking forward to!   I have been hearing so many positive stories, studies, and forecasts that will set us up for a successful year in regard to construction management.    Some of you may be questioning this because your phone isn’t ringing, you’re not getting work, or you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you can’t possibly take on more.   This is why I wanted to take the time today and break down what they’re saying, how this impacts our...

By now, you have no doubt been inundated by emails, social clips, and webinars about doing a year-end review. But if you’re a small business, you may not understand the value of doing one. I came across an article where they interviewed a bunch of interior designers. They had great insight as to the questions they asked themselves, and I wanted to share them with you all today.   Get ready for a journey of introspection and transformation in today’s episode. Whether you're a seasoned...

 We are in the middle of the holiday season, and everyone is feeling stressed. This reminded me that this feeling and some of the actions we take during this time period are very similar to the feeling you get when you’re winding down a construction project. So today, I want to talk all about controlling the chaos when finishing up a project so that you can end up strong, successful, and proud of yourself as you pivot to the next project. Find the full shownotes at:...

In any given week, I speak with countless designs across the country and even the world. And recently, the topics seem to be coming back to marketing - which makes sense. It’s a critical part of our business. But what I’m starting to realize is that the questions aren’t revolving around marketing but an underlying anxiety and stress about the current state of their business.    While I’ll never claim to be an expert in anxiety, I was forced into a crash course on how to manage it. And so...