Welcome to The Business of Beautiful Spaces, the podcast where interior design matters! As Interior Designers, we understand the power of creating beautiful and functional spaces that not only look good, but also enhance our daily lives. Join us on this journey as we explore the ins and outs of the interior design industry and dive into the business side of things. From one interior designer to another, we'll share our experiences, insights, and lessons learned as we strive to create spaces ...
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115 - Let's Talk About Streamlining Success: Designers and Vendors Working Together with Idilia Lucente from Decor Rest Furniture
39:39
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39:39Send us a text Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the powerful partnership between interior designers and trusted vendors—and how that collaboration can elevate not just your design vision, but your bottom line. Joining us is Idilia Lucente, Sales Manager at Decor-Rest, a family-run Canadian furniture company known for their commit…
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116 -Let’s Talk About Delegating for Growth: When and How to Hire Help in Your Design Business
36:24
36:24
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36:24Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I sit down with Ronniesha Armstead, founder and CEO of Vetted By Design, to tackle one of the most common questions in the design industry: How do you know when it’s time to hire help? If you’re feeling overwhelmed with admin work, spending more time managing orders than designing,…
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114- Let's Talk About Setting Key Boundaries every Entrepreneur Should Set to Stay Aligned with their Vision
35:21
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35:21Send us a text As the visionary founder of Brenda Brix Consulting and AMR Design, Brenda leads an exceptional team, collaborating with ideal clients to transform her long-standing dreams into reality. Despite facing health challenges and experiencing burnout early on, Brenda's transformative journey led her to create a streamlined and repeatable bu…
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112 -Let's Talk About Elevating Beyond the Holidays: How to Use Gifting to Enhance Your Client Experience
35:22
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35:22Send us a text I’m excited to introduce you to Porsche Williams, the founder of The Prototype, a concierge service that helps interior designers streamline their businesses and elevate their client experience. Porsche specializes in providing unique, done-for-you gifting solutions that seamlessly integrate into a designer’s process—going beyond the…
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111 - Let's Talk About the Purchasing Power of Community and How it can Help your Profits with Cathy Tonks
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38:09Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Tonks, a seasoned interior designer who is transforming the industry with her innovative designer co-op. This collaborative workspace provides designers with shared office space, meeting rooms, and a full showroom featuring access to over 200 vendors. With the collective buying power of over 21 …
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110 - Let's Talk about Building a Legacy – How to Create a Lasting Interior Design Business with Margaret Donaldson
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46:50Send us a text What does it take to build a design business that stands the test of time? In this episode, I sit down with Margaret Donaldson, a seasoned interior designer with over 30 years of experience, to uncover the key principles behind creating a sustainable, profitable, and long-lasting design firm. We discuss how to evolve with industry tr…
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109 - Let's Talk about 6 Trends Shaping 2025 with Trends Forecaster Stacy Garcia
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43:19Send us a text What’s next in the world of interior design? In this episode, I sit down with Stacy Garcia, a globally recognized trend forecaster, product designer, and industry visionary, to explore the future of design and how interior designers can stay ahead of the curve. Stacy breaks down the 6 key design trends for 2025, sharing insights into…
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108: Reclaiming Productivity – How to Filter Out Distractions and Get More Done
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21:36Send us a text Feeling busy but not productive? As interior designers, we juggle endless tasks—client meetings, site visits, vendor calls, and team management—while battling constant distractions. In this episode, I’m breaking down practical strategies to help you stay focused, eliminate distractions, and finally feel like you’re making progress in…
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107 - Let's Talk About Buying Signals with Nikki Rausch, The Sales Maven
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42:15Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by sales specialist Nikki Rausch, a master in recognizing and responding to buying signals. With 25+ years of experience selling to prestigious organizations like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NASA, Nikki shattered sales records and received “top producer” awards along the way. Today, entrepreneu…
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106 - Let's Talk about Cortisol, the "STRESS" hormone with Lucy Lagana
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40:29Send us a text In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Lucy Lagana, a distinguished homeopath and holistic health expert who travels the world sharing her knowledge, including extended stays in exotic locales like the Maldives. Lucy, with her extensive background in homeopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, and allergy clearing, has been a c…
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Ep. 105 - Let’s Talk About Goals, Your Why, and Building Your Legacy
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19:44Send us a text In this episode of Let’s Talk About Goals, Your Why, and Building Your Legacy, we dive deep into the power of core values and Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). Discover how clarifying your principles and aiming high can keep you aligned, guide your decisions, and ignite a sense of purpose in both your business and personal life. Fro…
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Ep. 104 - Let's Talk About Carving Out Your Niche in a Competitive Interior Design Industry
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29:44Send us a text In this episode, we dive into why honing in on a specific niche can be the game-changer that helps interior designers stand out in a crowded marketplace. Rather than stretching yourself thin trying to appeal to everyone, we explore how narrowing your focus allows you to sharpen your expertise, streamline your marketing, and attract c…
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Ep. 103 - Let's Talk About the Journey to a 20+ Year Career of Entrepreneurship in Design with Crispin Butterfield
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42:12Send us a text Today’s guest is Crispin Butterfield—an interior designer who has been running her own thriving design business for over two decades. We’re going to dive into the ins and outs of building a successful firm: how she started from scratch, the moment she decided to grow her team, and the challenges she faced along the way. Now, with a w…
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Ep. 102 - Let's Talk About Attracting Clients Through Strategic Web Design
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33:29Send us a text Cathleen Barnes is a web strategist and designer with over a decade of experience in the corporate digital e-commerce world. Specializing in working with interior designers, she creates websites that go beyond stunning visuals to become true business tools.What sets Cathleen apart is her data-driven approach. By leveraging inspector …
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Ep 101 - Let's Talk About How To Set Your Hourly Rate as an Interior Designer
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25:41Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the essential process of determining your hourly rate as an interior designer. Whether you charge by the hour, use flat fees, or quote per project, understanding your hourly rate is crucial for accurate pricing and profitability. We cover everything you need to consider, from your geographic area, ideal …
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Ep. 100 - Let's Talk About Creating Clear Communication with our Clients
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55:07Send us a text As interior designers, we know how critical communication is when working with clients. From the very first meeting to the final reveal, clear and empathetic communication can make or break a project. And let’s be honest, we’ve all had those stressful moments—when things don’t go according to plan, or clients are uncertain or overwhe…
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Ep. 99 - Let's Talk About Reflecting on 2024
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10:20Send us a text In this reflection episode, Laura Thornton looks back on the highlights and lessons learned in 2024, including the success of aging-in-place bathroom projects and the challenges faced in the design business. She discusses the importance of visibility, experimenting with Instagram reels and interactive content to connect with clients …
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Ep.98 - Let's Talk to Nina Urzi about Getting Comfortable on the Construction Site.
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33:32Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m joined by Nina Urzi, a powerhouse who transitioned from the tech industry to transform her family’s overwhelmed construction business into a thriving 8-figure company. With her background in corporate HR, sales, and marketing, Nina leveraged her expertise to implement systems, …
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Ep. 97 - Let's talk about Prioritizing Wellbeing for Interior Designers in 2025
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24:17Send us a text In this podcast episode, we explore how niching down can help interior designers thrive in a competitive industry. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focusing on a specific audience allows you to sharpen your marketing focus, create meaningful connections, and position yourself as an expert. By identifying your strengths, passi…
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Ep. 96 - Let's Streamlining Your Design Business: Work Smarter, Not Harder in 2025
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15:23Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we’re focusing on how to work smarter, not harder in 2025. As your design business grows, so do the demands on your time, energy, and resources. Streamlining your business isn’t just about saving time—it’s about creating a sustainable, profitable operation that delivers exceptional…
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Ep. 95 - Let's Talk About Professional Photoshoots
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16:14Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we dive into the ins and outs of professional photoshoots for your interior design projects. From understanding the costs and time commitments to navigating usage rights and creating the perfect shot list, this episode covers everything you need to know to make the most of your pho…
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Ep.94 - Let's Talk About Planning for 2025 Business Goals
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10:21Send us a text In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we dive into strategic planning for a profitable 2025. Laura shares essential steps for setting actionable business goals, including assessing expenses, determining project requirements, balancing consultations and larger projects, setting clear goals, and aligning marketing effort…
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Ep.93 - Let's Talk About Advantages + Costs of Having a Design Studio
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25:50Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the advantages of having a dedicated design studio and how it can elevate your business. From projecting a more professional image and enhancing client trust, to showcasing your style and creativity in a real-world space, a studio offers unique benefits that go beyond what a home office can provide. We’l…
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Ep. 92 - Let's Talk Contracts with Lawyer Erica Canas
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42:55Send us a text Today, we’re talking about one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of running a design business: contracts. I’m thrilled to have Erica Canas, Esq., a Florida licensed attorney and interior design enthusiast, join us for this important conversation. Erica is the founder of ID Law Shop, where she creates “best-practices”…
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Ep 91 - Let's Talk About Digital Marketing with Darla Powell of Wingnut Social.
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44:08Send us a text Founder and CEO, Darla Powell, is an interior decorator herself and knows firsthand how to successfully market in this niche. After receiving countless requests from fellow designers for help with marketing their interior design firms, Darla saw a tremendous need for an agency well-versed and laser focused on marketing strategies and…
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EP. 90 - Let's Talk about using AI for Interior Designer with Douglas Robb from DesignHER
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33:59Send us a text Douglas envisions Interior Designher as a community hub where designers can finally learn, share, rent or buy the business skills they should have learned in school. In addition to all sorts of free education resources - from people who know what they’re talking about - Doug is collaborating with a few of our “experts” to create a se…
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Ep. 89 - Let's Talk Brand Identity with Paisley Gamble
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39:46Send us a text With an eye for detail and a heart for storytelling and 19 years of experience, Paisley is a luxury interior designer known for blending cultural influences with timeless elegance. Her work spans from the Gold Coast of Australia to Oaxaca, Mexico, creating immersive spaces that evoke harmony and emotion. Paisley's global perspect…
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Ep. 88 - Let's Talk About Facebook Ads with Marketing Strategist Amber Rose Thomas.
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35:54Send us a text Amber Rose Thomas is the visionary founder of "Launch with Amber," a bespoke service designed to elevate the effectiveness of Facebook Ads for coaches, experts, and course creators worldwide. Disappointed by the subpar results her clients experienced with traditional ad agencies, Amber, a Facebook™ Blueprint Certified Ads Manager and…
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Ep. 87 - Let's Talk about Sustainability in Interior Design with Ashley Yeates
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41:45Send us a text Ashley is a passionate designer with two companies that create wonderful design outcomes: her interior design firm- AYI & Associates and her furniture company- Ashley Yeates. This designer and business owner wears many hats. But thanks to family and faith, this multitasking mom can stay grounded and continue to focus on her purpose. …
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Ep. 86 - Let's Talk About Building Team Culture with Brittny Smith
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37:56Send us a text Brittny is the founder and creative director for Homesmith Design, delivering her signature modern minimalist style. An entrepreneur at heart, Brittny started Homesmith Design as a solo passion project and has quickly grown it into a successful design studio serving clients across the country, while preserving the personalized servic…
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Ep. 85 - Let's Talk About Attracting Brand Partnerships with Natalie Papier
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32:28Send us a text Natalie Papier is an interior designer, art curator, and TV personality based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Natalie believes that meaningful design starts with art and that homes should be a reflection of the people who live in them, full of life, character, and warmth. She is a host of Magnolia Network’s Artfully Designed, now in it…
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Ep.84 - Let's Talk to Suzanne Robson about Starting a Second Career in Interior Design
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41:30Send us a text In this episode we are talking to Suzanne Robson from Suzanne Robson Design located in Austrilia about the challenges involved in starting a second career in the interior design space along with running our own design businesses. Website: https://www.suzannerobsondesign.com.au/ Instagram: @suzannerobsondesign Profit Academy: https://…
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Ep.83- Let's Talk About the Power of Process with Rebecca Hay
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43:51Send us a text Rebecca Hay is known for her authentic, all-inclusive approach and has spent much of her design career building relationships with other designers and entrepreneurs. She has built a successful, 7 figure interior design business by trial and error, podcasts, online courses, and books. Over the last decade she has grown from an insecur…
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Ep. 82 -Let's Talk About Using an Art Advisor to Enhance Interior Design Services with Katharine Earnhardt from Mason Lane
39:17
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39:17Send us a text In this episode of "Let's Talk About Using an Art Advisor to Enhance Interior Designs," Laura Thornton chats with Katharine Earnhardt from Mason Lane Art Advisory. Katharine shares her extensive experience and insights on how contemporary art can elevate interior spaces. She discusses the importance of selecting art that not only com…
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Ep. 81 - Let's Talk Designer Q+A for August 2024
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17:59Send us a text Designers questions are answered on the last Monday of the month. Send in your questions to get answered. More information on The Profit Academy for Interior Designers can be found here: https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/ Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to s…
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Ep.80 - Let's Talk About Unlocking Profits: Why Interior Designers Must Embrace Wholesale Over Retail
19:22
19:22
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19:22Send us a text In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve into the crucial shift from retail to wholesale sourcing for interior designers and decorators. We explore why embracing wholesale can dramatically increase profit margins, ensure project exclusivity, and reduce competitive price shopping. The episode provides a wealth of informat…
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Ep.79 - Let's Talk about Public Relations with Allyson Conklin of ACPR
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36:51
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36:51Send us a text Boutique PR agency founder committed to helping new and heritage brands achieve awareness through meaningful earned media placements. I launched ACPR in 2010 on a mission to do better PR. I now lead a small team who serves ~15 forward thinking, industry disrupting visionaries in the beauty, home, and lifestyle spaces. Website: https:…
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Ep. 78 - Let's Talk About Fractional Marketing with Jason Shader Smith From MLH Agency
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33:17Send us a text Jason Shader Smith is the founder and principal of The MLH Agency, an integrated marketing agency providing full-service branding, public relations, and event curation services. Passionate about working with mission-led startups, he founded MLH in 2023 to provide small and medium-sized businesses with fractional marketing support. To…
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Ep.77 - Let's Talk Designer Q&A for July.
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20:09Send us a text In this month’s interactive episode of "The Business of Beautiful Spaces," Laura Thornton dives into the most pressing questions from interior designers. From tackling complex project challenges to refining business strategies, Laura offers tailored advice and insights to elevate your design practice. Whether you’re struggling with c…
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Ep. 76 - Let's Talk Seasoned Insights: Navigating Misconceptions in Interior Design Business + So Much More with Sarah St. Amand
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1:19:39Send us a text Welcome to another episode of "Let's Talk Design," where we dive into the heart of interior design with the experts who shape our spaces. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce a very special guest, Sarah St. Amand. With over 25 years of experience, Sarah has masterfully assembled a dynamic and creative team at Sarah St. Amand Interior Des…
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Ep.75 - Let's Talk about Paying Yourself with Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting
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43:57Send us a text Danielle Hayden is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. a bookkeeping and accounting firm that is on a mission to coach six figure (+ beyond) female entrepreneurs so they can better understand their numbers through bookkeeping, financial analysis, and support so they can grow profitable, sustainable and enjoyable busi…
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Ep. 74 - Let's Talk About Mastering the Business of Interior Design with Stacey Cohen
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56:46Send us a text In this exciting episode of "The Business of Beautiful Spaces," we are thrilled to welcome Stacey Cohen from Stacey Cohen Design and Design Your Business with Stacey Cohen Workshops. Stacey brings her wealth of experience from running a successful design firm for over 15 years and shares her journey in developing a comprehensive step…
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Ep. 73 - Let's Talk about Strategy and Marketing for Interior Designers with Melissa Galt
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48:09Send us a text Melissa is a former successful residential interior designer with over 25 years of industry experience. Since becoming a business coach 15 years ago, Melissa has worked with thousands of clients to dramatically boost their revenue and deliver more time for creative work through smart systems and proven processes. Most importantly, Me…
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Ep.72 - Let's Talk about Designer's Questions
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40:33Send us a text This episode I am answering your questions! Last Monday of the month I will answer you questions, so send them in at [email protected] The Profit Academy for Interior Designers: https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/ Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thornton…
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Ep.71 - Let's Talk to The Productivity Specialist, Amber De La Garza
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35:01Send us a text Amber De La Garza is The Productivity Specialist! Amber has more than a decade of experience helping small business owners maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most by improving their time management and elevating their productivity! Amber is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, host of the Small…
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Ep. 70 - Let's Talk About Creating Brand Obsession with Jeffrey Shaw
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52:02Send us a text From humble beginnings, Jeffrey Shaw became one of the most preeminent portrait photographers in the United States. His portraits have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and CBS News, in People and O Magazine, and in the halls of Harvard University and The Norman Vincent Peale Center, and countless beautiful homes across the U.S. Tod…
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Ep. 69 - Let's Talk About the Profit Academy for Interior Designers
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19:16Send us a text Introducing The Profit Academy for Interior Designers The ultimate blueprint to pricing expertise and elevating your profitability with this online course exclusively tailored for interior designers, decorators, stagers and any design enthusiast. In this program you learn by a step-by-step approach how to confidently price your inter…
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Ep. 68 - Let's Talk About Introducing a Repricing Fee to Maintain Workflow in your Design Business
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16:09Send us a text In this episode, we will explore how to manage clients who delay the timeline after the design presentation, holding up your workflow. Whether clients are busy with life or struggle with decision-making, there are strategies to keep them on track. One effective approach is making project pricing valid only for a certain period and im…
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Ep. 67 - Let's Talk about Designing for Condo Projects
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20:01Send us a text This episode I focusing on the complexities of condo projects for interior designers, here's a structured way to discuss the critical aspects such as understanding condo board rules, logistical considerations, design limitation and solutions and regulatory compliance. The Profit Academy for Interior Designers: https://theprofitacadem…
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Ep. 66 - Let's Talk About the Power of Mindset Coaching with Jami Sparling of Authentic Armour
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43:43Send us a text Speaking with Jami Sparling, mindset coach from Authentic Armour in this episode. Jami is a mindset coach and the founder of Authentic Armour, empowering entrepreneurs to unlock their potential through transformative mindset coaching. With a diverse background spanning paramedicine and interior design, Jami's transition from creative…
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