The T.E.A. with Albie Knows
By Alberthe K. Buabeng
The T.E.A. with Albie KnowsFeb 12, 2019
The Instagram Effect: Why You Should Be Diversifying Your Platform Portfolio
What made being a content creator exciting was the innovation… the originality… the audacity to be different. To actually create. Now, what we have instead is that, in the name of bonuses & badges, everyone’s producing the same of everything in hopes of “going viral”. The way creators have stopped creating in the name of growing… this is what I call “The Instagram Effect”.
This episode is brought to you by The Meridian Experience Weekend Vault.
Get on The Meridian Experience 2023 List (Close Date: 08-28-22)
Mentioned/Related Links —
• S1E1: Making Your Blog Work For You Instead of Against You
• S1E2: Single Tasking & Thought Purging For Better Productivity
• Cited Article: TechCrunch
Lessons I've Re-Learned From The Meridian Experience
One question I've been getting a lot lately - which is to be expected I suppose - is "how does it feel?" How does it feel to take on such a large endeavor... to cause a ripple in the industry that has often made me feel small... to impact the lives of my peers... to be known for something bigger that me? It's not until I sat down to write out this episode that I was really able to sit with my feelings and come up with an answer for how it feels.
In this episode, I'll be recounting all of the lessons from HPMKT, The E-Design Experience, launching a podcast, and STMN. And while I never did an official lessons round up for my first book, the lessons from that process as well. My hope is that in sharing my "favorite" self reflections from Meridian, you learn a lil something for yourself - and about yourself - while also taking this as your cue to pause in between your big ideas & build on your lessons from one to the next.
Everything You Need To Know About The Meridian Experience Weekend
While I know that we'll be sitting down for a live at some point to have an interactive conversation all about Meridian, I wanted to have this serve as a searchable, "savable" one stop shop for anyone new to the Meridian Experience.
What is The Meridian Experience Weekend? M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N stands for Manifesting Exceptional Relationships with Interior Design Influencers through Authentic Networking.The Meridian Experience Weekend is a weekend of relationship building and learning for interior designers and home influencers. The 4-day itinerary was curated to equip home influencers with the resources to nurture their passions & pave their own lane as a designpreneur; while interior designers gain a fresh perspective on how to elevate their brand & transcend the traditional design narrative.
Words used by our 2022 guests to describe the weekend include “transformative” “inclusive” “energizing” and “magical”.
Each day features a series of workshops and panels featuring thought leaders in our industry, in addition to intimate co-working sessions to turn those knowledge bombs into immediate action. Woven throughout the weekend is also time for wellness, networking, and rest.
What's The T.E.A. on The Meridian Experience Weekend?
If you’re listening to (or reading) this then you may already know that comeback is a long time coming! When I launched this podcast as The Design Influence 3 years ago, I had a pretty clear idea of where it was headed.
I realized — while procrastinating on bringing the show back — that The Design Influence no longer accurately represented what I was creating. In hindsight, I don’t know that it ever really did… I just knew that The E-Design Experience — the virtual conference that inspired the podcast — was definitely not an accurate representation of what I wanted the show to be. It wasn’t, actually, until I did the Share The Mic Now Home Edition initiative in 2020, that I realized how much I was limiting myself & the show with the name “The Design Influence”… I just didn’t have the mental bandwidth to figure out what the next iteration of the show would look like.
Now here we are, in 2022, less than 3 months away from The Meridian Experience Weekend — the first of its kind retreat style conference for the home industry — and I knew if I didn’t do this now, I was never gonna do this… this being bringing back the show. And then it hit me… The T.E.A… a show where I will be your guide as we T— think (and talk) through industry growing pains, E — equip ourselves with solution based education, and A — take action when & where action is needed.
Talk. Education. Action.
The show would run parallel the conference and continue after till the next one… and the next one… and the next one… for years to come! And that’s really why we’re here today… to talk all about The Meridian Experience!
Welcome To The T.E.A. with Albie Knows
Are you ready for candid (and caffeinated) conversations about life & business as a designpreneur? Welcome to The T.E.A. with Albie Knows. Still dedicated to changing the conversation and creating impact, "The T.E.A. with Albie Knows" is an upgrade to the formerly known as podcast "The Design Influence". Every week, we will think (and talk) through industry growing pains, equip ourselves with solution based education, and take action when & where action is needed. It's time for T.E.A.
I am your weekly hostess, Albie of Albie Knows — interior design content creator, multi hyphenated designpreneur, and all around idea machine. After years of trying to find my place, I’ve learned lots of lessons along the way. With the help of some industry peers, mentors, and friends, I’m always learning, and I have lots to share. So if you’re ready for some T.E.A, pop in your air buds, get cozy, and let’s dive in!
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Music: For Love
Musician: Jeff Kaale
Episode 004: How Culture and Travel Inspire Design with Keia McSwain
Currently, the Owner and Project Manager of Kimberly & Cameron Interiors, consider Keia a well organized, highly effective interior design obsessed Wonder Woman. Additionally, she serves as the President of the Black Interior Designers Network.
I knew that there was no better way to celebrate (and honor) Black History Month than to have the President of the Black Interior Designers Network on the show.
As someone who has worked effortlessly and endlessly to create a space for designers of color within the industry, in our conversation we talk about celebrating diversity, cultural influences in design, and what buying power truly means in the industry.
Being that Keia is also someone that juggles many hats, we also talk about what it means to tend to herself and what her self-care looks like, something that I’m sure many of us could learn from just as much as we can from her words on culture, travel, and design.
Carrying on the legacy of a close friend and mentor is no easy feat, and yet it’s exactly what Keia did and continues to do with Kimberly & Cameron Interiors and the Black Interior Designers Network, which is celebrated its tenth anniversary this year!
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FIND KEIA ONLINEEpisode 003: Why E-Design Isn't For You (And That's Okay)
Be it on Instagram, via YouTube comments, or straight to my email, I frequently get questions related to e-design — getting started, software to use, how to charge…you name it. Hell, it was probably a question from you!
Spoiler: my most frequently asked question is always software related, LOL.But one question I would’ve expected to get more of that was actually my least asked question was whether or not e-design was a good fit.
I’ve had designer friends remove e-design from their service offerings, realizing that it wasn’t a good fit for them and so happy to be freed up to focus on the services that did fit their business model. They understood the root of their e-design frustrations and ultimately realized that, no matter how many times they tweaked their packages or pricing, it would never make them happy.
Why aren't more designers asking themselves this — is e-design a good fit for me and my business?
E-design, for better or for worse, has forever changed the landscape of the design industry and has become a very enticing income stream for many designers, seasoned and new alike. So in theory, it could or should be for everyone right? Wrong. While it is an attractive part of the design industry, it may not be part of the industry that’s for you. In the same way that not every designer does hospitality, commercial, or renovation design, I want you to know that it’s okay if e-design isn’t part of your repertoire.
If you’re a designer that has considered e-design for your business, you might wanna pull out some pen & paper or your favorite note-taking app, because today we’re talking all about why e-design just might not be for you.
MENTIONED
• Season 1, Episode 4: Product Sourcing Online: Retail vs Trade
• Season 1, Episode 10: The Business of E-Design
LET'S CONNECT
@albieknows on Instagram
@thedesigninfluence on Instagram
Episode 002: What Do You Do When Nothing Seems to Be Working?
Whether it’s in your business or in your personal life, have you ever had those moments when it just seems like nothing you do is working? Like you just can’t catch a break or get “it” right, whatever “it” is? Yeah, I’ve been there!
So what do you do when you’re in the thick of all these feelings? What do you do when nothing seems to be working? Spoiler alert: there isn’t a one size fits all answer.But in this episode, I want to share with you some of the most common “it’s not working” complaints I’ve heard (some I’ve even said myself) and what you can start to do to “fix” it.
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Client Relations
• Work-Life Balance
• Finances
Whether you’re a seasoned designer, newbie entrepreneur, or somewhere in the middle, no one is immune to feeling, at least once or twice, like you have no clue what you’re doing! But here’s the thing, you can’t succumb to the weight of the doubt otherwise you’ll risk making zero progress. Instead, discern what’s not working, why it isn’t working, and then come up with a plan to fix it.
Today's episode is a very truncated list of all the things that you could possibly feel just aren’t working for you but the overall approach is the same no matter the area that you’re struggling with…
- Identify the struggle
…and not with vague, cliche terms, but with very explicit and clear language. Until you can be completely honest about what’s not working, you’ll never figure out why it’s not working, much less how to fix it.
- Visualize the solution
…and I don’t mean just being all “woo-woo” about the end goal, although there’s some woo involved. I mean being very very clear about what it would look like if this thing was working for you. How do you know it’s not working exactly? What does the alternative look like. See that and hold on to that. Hell, write it down!
- Create a plan that actually addresses each piece of the problem
…and gets you closer to the solution you’ve envisioned. You may have to start at a very uncomfortable (and unpopular) beginning, but in the end, it’ll pay off. Marketing not reaching the right people? Might be time for a rebrand. Social media getting too overwhelming? Consider a following/follower purge. Client relations are a constant struggle? Rethink the services you’re offering. Work like balance totally non-existent? Outsourcing might be just what you need to create white space. Coping with an unhealthy money mindset? Maybe a therapist can help you work through those mental blocks.
- Execute and commit
…to whatever your plan is. You know exactly how you want things to look and feel when they’re working so now we just follow the breadcrumbs till we get there.
I’d love to hear from you guys, about specifically what isn’t working for you, whether it’s in your business or the peripheral pieces of your life. If I get enough feedback we can do a followup Q&Albie episode addressing what you guys share!
Anniversary Episode: 8 Lessons I Learned Starting Over
A year ago (depending on when you’re listening to this), I became an official podcaster. I learned a lot, made a lot of mistakes, spoke to a lot of people, and went on the ride of a lifetime because I took a leap of faith and invested in another one of my big crazy ideas.
Now, a year later, we are back for season 2 — 6 months later than planned but totally okay — and I am super excited to be back with new conversations, stories, and lessons to share.
With every pivot was a lesson so let’s get to em, shall we?
1. Plans Change… And That’s Okay.
2. Hustling Isn’t A Badge of Honor
3. It Really Is Okay To Walk Away From Entrepreneurship
4. Starting Over Isn’t Failure
5. All Skills Are Transferable…And Re-Transferable6. People Are Always Rooting For You
7. Social Media Is (Can Be) The Great Equalizer
8. It’s Okay To Say No
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RESOURCES MENTIONED
• Listen to Season 1
• Read the Albie Knows blog
• Buy my new book
Episode 021: What I Learned After 6 Months of Podcasting
In the Fall of 2018 I had the crazy idea of rebranding The E-Design Experience and creating The Design Influence podcast. By the end of October, I’d secured nearly a dozen guests for the show and shortly after began batch recording the first season of solo episodes, guest conversations, and Q & A sessions.
While I had a general idea of what I wanted for the show and had sought some counsel from more seasoned podcasters, I really and truly had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. Sound familiar?
So what have I learned after 6 months, 21 episodes, 9 guests, and countless sleepless nights of podcasting?
Lesson #1 — podcasting is hard as hell
Lesson #2 — batching saves lives…and it save this show
Lesson #3 — things aren’t always as people make them seem
Lesson #4 — perfection is truly paralyzing
Lesson #5 — always have a back up that is familiar and reliable
Lesson #6 — the women in this industry are phenomenal
Lesson #7 — I hate the sound of my own voice but I love talking to you
Lesson #8 — consistency is personal and mental
I don’t say any of this to tell you to run out and start a podcast — because I do believe it isn’t for everyone! — but I do believe that we all have passions and dreams and big ideas that deserve to be explored.
BET ON YOURSELF...
Start the blog.
Buy the course.
Record the podcast.
Write the book.
Take the trip.
Whatever it is that’ll take your dream from dream to reality, bet on yourself and make it happen. I did. And I have a lifetime of lessons with zero regrets to show for it.
While this may be the final episode of the season, this isn’t the end of the road for us — not even close!
This summer The Influence Directory will be opening up with two new courses.
For more information and enrollment you can head over to www.thedesigninfluence.com/directory. There, you’ll also be able to see what else is coming plus make course suggestions!
At the end of every guest episode, I asked them what’s been influencing them lately. Here’s my answer to that question — you. Every email, DM, request, comment, and review influences that next step in my own designpreneur journey.
Thank you for being my influencers.
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Episode Resources
On The Blog: 10 Lessons I Learned Hosting A Conference
Episode 005: Creating Content & Getting Paid With Affiliate Marketing and Sponsored Content
Coming This Summer In The Influence Directory:
• Pre-Enrollment Now Open: Affiliate Marketing Decoded
• Pre-Enrollment Now Open: Unlocking Presentation Tools
Q & Albie: The Business of Batching with Heather Hess
If you caught the last episode then you know I hung out with fellow wife, mama, e-designer, and content creator, Heather Hess. We had a great conversation all around the other side of e-design and working with third party platforms — and trust me when I say, if you’re someone who has been considering e-design as a service or business model, this is definitely an episode you’ll want to tune into.
In addition to how Heather secured her first clients via Etsy, we also talked about how she built a loyal community on Instagram, how she secured a position with SwatchPop as their Editorial Director, and her content creation plans for the future, which started with her batching her entire 2019 content strategy!
I knew Heather would have to come back on the show to talk all things batching with me! If you listened to Episode 2 of the show where I talked all about single tasking and thought purging for better productivity, then you know batching is my jam! So this Q & Albie sesh is all about just that.
This week we’re answering:
- When preparing to batch work, what do you do first? Do I set up wording first or graphics?
- I have a lot that I want to talk about — I’m multipassionate. So how I do I prioritize so I can plan my batching?
- Batching is something I would love to do but I don’t have the time. How do I create a schedule for batching?
- Does batching really help with your productivity or are you spending the same amount of time on tasks, but just doing them all together?
- What are the tools that you use and love to help with batching?
- How can I batch client work?
- How far is too far in advanced when you’re batching if things are always changing?
- My problem with batching is that I get going, I get distracted. I’ll start working on one thing, but if it needs a missing piece, I tend to that and get derailed in another rabbit hole. How can I truly stay focused and in the moment and not get pulled away?
- Are there any batching hacks that you can recommend?
- Do you find that technology makes batching easier or old-fashioned pen and paper planning?
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RESOURCES
Batching Hack: Setting Up Canned Emails in Gmail
Our Favorite Systems, Apps, and More
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FIND HEATHER ONLINE: Website | Instagram | SwatchPop
As a mother to 4 young kids, she quickly realized that the design of a home greatly impacts how people function inside. Heather believes a home should reflect the personality of those inside, so she loves that her job is to help make that happen.
E-Design, specifically, became her main passion because it provides her clients with an affordable interior design experience from the comfort of their home, while also giving her the opportunity to stay home with her kids while working. Like many of us, Heather has done freelance e-design on many 3rd party platforms but also serves her own clients through her website.
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THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
Episode 020: The Other Side of E-Design and Third Party Platforms with Heather Hess
It’s no secret that I love chatting with fellow e-designers, but it’s not something I’ve ever done on the show, so today’s episode — the last guest episode of the season — is with my girl Heather Hess and we have a lot to talk about.
Heather’s passion for design started in her own home.
As a mother to 4 young kids, she quickly realized that the design of a home greatly impacts how people function inside. Heather believes a home should reflect the personality of those inside, so she loves that her job is to help make that happen. E-Design, specifically, became her main passion because it provides her clients with an affordable interior design experience from the comfort of their home, while also giving her the opportunity to stay home with her kids while working.
Heather has also leveraged her talents to be the Editorial Director for SwatchPop, focusing on their social media and blog content, allowing her to create content that people crave, look forward to and feel a part of.
In addition to talking about all things e-design — from securing your own clients to working on a platform like SwatchPop — we get into a few other fun topics like batching and blogging…aka some of our fav things about being entrepreneurs!
Heather has created a loyal online community and thriving career, all as an e-designer by leaning into her strengths and passions.
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FIND HEATHER ONLINE: Website | Instagram | SwatchPop—
THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Minisode 002: Why You're Really Struggling Online (And What To Do About It)
Way back, while I was recording the premiere episode on blogging and whether or not your blog is working for you or against you, it hit me — yes, we’re designers, but where many of you struggle isn’t where you think you struggle. Anyone making money with an online business — not brick and mortar or in-person — has to be rocking some other facets of the online world. I’m talking everyone from the online educator to the beauty guru. What they understand is the need to show up online. Not in all the places but in the places they do best.
Episode 019: How I Secure Interviews and Collaborations With A Small Following
Over the past year, I have been able to secure interviews and sponsored collaborations, all on the heels of a yearlong social media sabbatical. I share this with you because while I am immensely proud this, what I am most proud of is the circumstances under which I hit these milestones — with a small number of followers/subscribers across all of my social channels. We often hear about the pressure to have high numbers as social proof, but there is something to be said for the micro-micro-MICRO-influencer who, as the saying goes, is small but mighty!
So how did I do it? On the blog, I shared the techniques that I’ll be mentioning on today’s show. Whether you have 1,000 or 1,000,000 followers & subscribers, there are a few key things you should be doing to boost your visibility and brand attractiveness, and that’s what we’re getting into today.
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Resources:• Episode 017: The Power of Positioning Yourself As An Influencer (If You Want To)
• On The Blog: How I Secured Brand Collaborations With Less Than 1,000 Followers
• In The Shop: Courses Coming to The Influence Directory
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THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Episode 018: From Side Hustle to Self Employed with Amanda Amato
In the short amount of time I’ve been on my designpreneur journey, I can say more than half of the designers I’ve met are, or started as, “side hustlers” — working a whole other job full-time while pursuing a design business. That transition from "side hustle" to self-employed isn’t just quitting a job & starting a new one — it’s as much a financial & mental transition, as it is a physical one. So I am excited for you guys to hear today’s conversation with one of my fav people, Amanda Amato.
Last year Amanda made the decision to resign from her full time "day job" to pursue AMA Designs full-time. Today we’re digging into what it was like balancing the two roles, how she came to that ultimate decision to leave her full time job, and what the transition has been like. I am confident, even if you’re not a side hustler, that you’re gonna get so much value from our conversation, so let’s dive in!
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Find Amanda Online: Website | Instagram | Facebook—
THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Episode 017: The Power of Positioning Yourself As An Influencer (If You Want To)
One of the tracks of last summer's conference — The Exponential Designpreneur — focused exclusively on the growth of designers, beyond design. With that a lot of the content was crafted around other avenues of income & visibility, such as personal branding & establishing yourself as an influencer within (and outside of) the design community.
Translation: being an influencer.
In this episode, I’m going to talk about what it can look like being not only a designer in the industry, but an influencer in the industry.
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Resources:
• Episode 001: Making Your Blog Work For You Instead of Against You
• On The Blog: Lessons From The Fyre Festival Documentaries
• In The Shop: Social Media Planning Calendar Template
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THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Q & Albie: You're A CEO So Act Like It with Veronica Solomon
If you tuned in last week then this minisode is gonna be a real treat because we are back with Veronica Solomon for a Q & A on #allthethings when it comes to being the CEO in your business.
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• paying yourself first
• understanding business principles
• diversifying services
• embracing shiny object syndrome
• selling in your business model
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This week we’re answering:
• I am just getting started out & everyone says to niche down. How do I identify my niche? (2:06)
• As a solopreneur, how do you diversify my services without a team? I'm only one person. (3:19)
• I am starting out and struggling with consistently securing clients. What have been your most successful avenues for new projects to keep your pipeline healthy & consistent? (4:21)
• I just left my full-time job to pursue my side hustle as now my only career. What are the first steps to legitimizing my business? (6:37)
• I'm going to my first trade show soon & I want to make sure I represent my business best I can. Any tips for this? (7:56)
• I've finally gone from making money in my business to actually making a profit. But how do I actually pay myself? Do I pay myself, as the boss, if I want to have a team eventually? (10:09)
• My online services do way better than my in-person services even though it's all local clients. How can I shift the table to be seen as more than just e-design? (12:51)
• Setting my prices is difficult for me because I want to be profitable but I also don't want to turn people away. What's the sweet spot? (14:42)
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
Episode 016: You're A CEO So Act Like It with Veronica Solomon
Veronica Solomon has been creating beautiful interiors for the last 10 years, and knows a thing or two about the ups and downs in the business. The landscape of interior design has changed dramatically over the years, and with all the changes, she has learned how to package her services, market her business, and create an iron-clad process that clients see value in, and are willing to pay top dollar for. These processes and systems have grown her business exponentially. And not only did clients take notice, but so do publications, industry organizations, vendors and fellow designers.
When I asked Veronica what her super power was, off air, she said “client management, closing the deal, and diversifying services” — three areas that most creatives struggle with, especially in the beginning. But as I have continued to watch Veronica move within her business and the industry, it hit me — her real power is in being the CEO of her business. With or without a team, Veronica has adopted a mindset that completely changed her business and we dig into what that “aha” moment was for her that took her from bankruptcy to publication features.
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SKIP STRAIGHT TO THE CONVERSATION AT 4:51
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FIND VERONICA ONLINE
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
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THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Episode 015: Getting Clear On Goals & Choosing To Be Excellent with LuAnn Nigara
LuAnn Nigara is the co-owner of Window Works in Livingston, NJ, the author of The Making of A Well-Designed Business™ and the engaging host of the 5-star rated podcast A Well-Designed Business™.
The podcast, A Well-Designed Business™ is the definitive resource for interior design professionals interested in operating a profitable and productive business. Known for asking questions that get to the heart of the subject, her show is down to earth and actionable. In our conversation we talk about how hard it is to run a systemized, profitable business, noting that it is not something done lightly but with commitment and intention, the rewards are far more reaching than financial.
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“Decide to be excellent because make no mistake about it, excellence is a decision” — LUANN NIGARA, THE MAKING OF A WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS™
This episode is jam packed with gems but some of the biggest takeaways are:
• Some are attempted and some are accomplished…and that’s okay.
• The basic formula to success is having confidence, understanding the obstacles, and implementing a plan & strategy.
• In the beginning, you need to be vigilante about assigning yourself manageable and accountable tasks.
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FIND LUANN ONLINE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
READ LUANN’S BOOKS:
The Making of A Well-Designed Business™
The Things I Learned From A Well-Designed Business™, The Power Talk Friday Experts
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THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.
Episode 014: What People Never Told You About Business with Niki McNeill
Niki is a Raleigh, NC native and has been working in the interior design industry for nearly 10 years. After being fired unexpectedly at the beginning of 2018, she decided to build her own design company, SingleBubblePop Design Studio. In less than a year, she’s grossed well over 6 figures and already starting to build our her team. When we decide to start our own businesses, for most of us, it’s a lot of trial and error. We can only hope that in those errors, we learn and continue to be better with each new attempt. That’s what Niki did. From starting her blog a decade ago to using previous design experiences to build her own business, nothing is lost in the trenches. Her design company has been profitable from day one because she applied business principles to her design services, creating systems that maximize her profitability. She’s an entrepreneur first & designer second!
Find Niki Online: Website | Instagram | FacebookEpisode 013: Navigating Visibility Opportunities While Remaining On Brand & In Alignment with Rachel
As something of a “visibility whisperer”, I got to discuss "Visibility Management" (as opposed to time management) with Rachel Moriarty. We talk all about what it’s like navigating visibility opportunities while remaining on brand & in alignment, with some examples from recent collaborations.
Rachel Moriarty wears many hats — from being a leading home style expert to best selling author to product designer. With more than 13 years of experience in design, her work as a photo stylist has also been published in home furnishing catalogs and industry magazines. Besides home makeovers, Rachel's current projects include a new tile line with Elegant Mosaics and renovations for a new HGTV series scheduled to launch this year.
As an expert in using her platform to fill her pipeline & build partnerships, I just know you guys are gonna love our conversation.
Today we dig deep into how getting uncomfortable propelled her business in ways that she hasn’t even expected. We talk about things she’s done in her business, the strategies she’s used, to get herself seen and booked.
Find Rachel Online:
Episode 012: Going Beyond the Projects & Clients with Cheryl Luckett
With an unwavering faith & charming southern style, designer Cheryl Luckett has built a brand that is hard to miss & even harder not to love. Southern Home describes Cheryl’s style as “opulence in reach” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. In 2012, she launched Dwell by Cheryl Interiors on a mission to transform her clients’ houses into homes that are not only pleasing to the eye but that provide a sense of well-being both inside and out.
For more than 15 years Cheryl worked at a Fortune 500 company in Charlotte, North Carolina as a Registered Dietitian and later a human resources professional in diversity and inclusion. After much prayer and consideration, she realized that design wasn’t just her passion, it was her purpose and decided to take on interior design full-time.Cheryl has been able to parlay her passions into a design brand — a brand with accolades that include being named one of the 15 Best Designers in Charlotte by Build Direct™, serving as Brand Ambassador for NC based Revolution Performance Fabrics, be one of the featured designers participating in Southern Home Magazine’s Julian Price Home Showhouse (Greensboro, NC), and launching the Belle by Cheryl Collection for Sylvester Alexander.
— Find Cheryl Online- Website & Blog: Dwell by Cheryl
- Instagram: @dwellbychery
- New Collection: Belle by Cheryl Luckett
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This episode is made possible by The Influence Directory — an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey.Episode 011: Finding Purpose in Your Pivots
As children we’re asked what we want to be when we grow up. I think this is actually still a thing, where adults, unwittingly, tell kids figure out your life early and figure it out fast. While I do believe it’s never too early to start planting the seeds of the future, I know that what I wanted to be at 5 isn’t what I wanted to be at 7… at 14… at 19… or at 25. And now that I’m in my 30s, what I am and what I want to be is none of those previous things.
A lot of us pivot for a myriad of other reasons. The power in pivoting is finding the purpose in it…controlling your pivots instead of being controlled by them. So in this episode, we’re going to be talking about the shifts that you may be experiencing, avoiding, or even regretting as you navigate your designpreneur journey, and how you can do so with passion and purpose.
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 010: The Business of E-Design
As an online interior designer (exclusively) and also a content creator, I realized after undergoing my own journey of exploration, that many of the challenges fellow online designpreneurs were facing weren’t being specifically addressed, and so The E-Design Experience was born. But what is e-design? How do you do it? What does it look like? Who is it for? So in today’s episode, I want to talk all about the business of e-design with you, hopefully answering some of those questions for you.
What is E-Design?
Exactly as the name implies, e-design aka online interior design is an interior design process that takes place remotely and/or virtually — completely in the digital space — allowing designers and clients to connect beyond the constraints of location.
How Do You Do It?
Spoiler alert: there is no one way to do it. E-design can be done in a multitude of ways but at it’s core there are some fundamentals of e-design that can be agreed upon.
What Does E-Design Look Like?
What matters is that you’re delivering exactly what you committed to, as a designer, and exactly what your people our needed & wanting from you.
Who Is It For?
If you’re looking for a passive design service, e-design isn’t for you. If technology isn’t for you, than neither is e-design. If you cannot find a way to deliver exceptional service in a more truncated format, e-design isn’t for you either.
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E-design isn’t a substitute for traditional interior design services; it’s an alternative. While there is a school of thought that e-design has “disrupted” the interior design industry, I say it has enhanced it. While it may not for everyone nor is there any one way to do it, it is undeniable that e-design is an exciting new landscape for our industry.
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Did you hear? The Design Influence has a new template shop & it’s only fitting that one of our first templates is an e-design contract template!
Make sure you’re always on the same page with your clients, keep projects on track, and start with a solid foundation.
The e-design contract template is super easy to download & edit so that you’ll be able to outline, step by step, what your clients can expect from you & what you expect from them.
Download, edit, and refine it as you see fit — this is your business after all.
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 009: Walking Away From Entrepreneurship
It’s an interesting time we live in where being an entrepreneur is more coveted than being whatever your craft is. But Gary V says it best when he says entrepreneurship is glamorized. What about all the other ugly parts of entrepreneurship that no one talks about?
The daily grind for new clients?
The overhead?
The taxes?
The late nights & early mornings?
The wins & losses that are all yours, and no one else’s?
The payroll?
I want to talk about walking away from entrepreneurship, well, because no one else is.
If you’re someone who has been on the fence about entrepreneurship — you’re unsure if it’s still something you want for your current season of business or if it’s worth it, I want you to ask yourself this five questions:
- Why did you pursue entrepreneurship or self-employment in the first place? What was the drive or catalyst behind wanted to create your own business?
- Whatever your reason for starting — is it still relevant or are you in a different season of life?
- What are you struggling with as an entrepreneur? What are the exact factors that have you questioning this path?
- What’s the worst case scenario, should you choose to no longer be an entrepreneur — what do you have to lose?
- What’s the best case scenario, should you choose to no longer be an entrepreneur — what do you have to gain?
Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, not does it look the same for everyone, so no matter which lane you choose, be sure it’s the best fit for you, your way of operating, and your season of life.
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Q & Albie: Mastering Brand Sponsorships & Collaborations with Morgan Molitor
If you tuned in the past 2 weeks then this minisode is gonna bring you full circle because we are back with Morgan Molitor for a Q & A on #allthethings when it comes to working with brands, pitching yourself, and creating content.
• Hiring a team in preparation for growth
• The power in pitching brands (and not waiting for them)
• What it’s really like when you’re working with & creating content for brands
• What numbers you should really be monitoring & how they reflect your influence
• Why the construction2style business model is shifting from client work to more brand deals
This week we’re answering:• What do I need to start doing to position myself as an authority in my industry?
• How do I show a company my value if I have a low social media following and/or website engagement?
• Do I need to have a one-page or media kit? Is it necessary?
• If I'm from a small city or area, do you recommend I look to partner with local or national brands?
• A brand turned me down for a project, so when should I reach back out to them, if at all?
• How do I introduce myself to a brand I want to work with?
• What can I or should I do to establish myself as an influencer to brands?
• In the first email, do I need to include my full pitch ideas?
• When do I start to talk money when I'm pitching?
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.
Episode 008: Mastering Brand Sponsorships & Collaborations with Morgan Molitor (Part 2)
If you tuned in to last week’s episode then you already know that you’re in for a treat this week, because we are back with Morgan Molitor.
Morgan is one half and co-founder of construction2style, and while not a “certified” interior designer, thanks to digital marketing and her passion for interiors, she’s been able to build a successful interior design + contracting business alongside her husband Jamie Molitor.
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LAST WEEK WE CHATTED ALL ABOUT…
- hiring a team in preparation for growth
- the power in pitching brands (and not waiting for them)
- what it’s really like when you’re working with & creating content for brands
- creating longterm relationships with the right brands
- what numbers you should really be monitoring & how they reflect your influence
- why the construction2style business model is shifting from client work to more brand deals
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Find Morgan Online
• Website & Blog: Construction2Style
• Instagram: @construction2style
• YouTube: Construction2Style
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 007: Mastering Brand Sponsorships & Collaborations with Morgan Molitor (Part 1)
How many of you follower influencers across different industries, wondering to yourself how, you too, could work with brands & what that would mean for you as a designer? In today's episode, you're getting to get one step closer to mastering brand sponsorships and collaborations for your business.
Morgan Molitor, one half and co-founder of construction2style, specializes in collaboration. Always thinking about 100 different ways to optimize any project they’re working on, she attributes half of their business to brand partnerships and sponsored content.
Morgan doesn’t have any type of interior design certification, but thanks to digital marketing and her passion for interiors, she’s been able to build a successful interior design + contracting business, that includes certified designers on their team.
Find Morgan Online
• Website & Blog: Construction2Style
• Instagram: @construction2style
• YouTube: Construction2Style
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 006: Why You Should Have An Email List For Brands
How many different ways have you heard that you need an email list? You’re favorite podcaster has told you you need one. You have Instagram ads selling you templates to create one. You’ve read all the blog posts on the value of having one. So it’s no big secret in the power of the email list. But here’s what you may not have heard about email lists, however, is about lists for brands.
What Is a Brand Email List?
Essentially you want your brand email list to serve as a place where you communicate with potential brand partners.
How You Can Use A Brand List
Similar to your public list — which isn’t to be confused with your client list, which could be a separate third list altogether by the way — your brand list is where you can sell yourself & your expertise to brands.
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 005: Creating Content & Getting Paid With Affiliate Marketing and Sponsored Content
Have you ever wondered how people make money online, especially influencers & content creators? We hear about so many different revenue streams, in addition to the main income maker, that it can often get hard to discern which is the best for for us holistically as designers and which is the best fit for your unique business model.
If you create any kind of content — blogging, social media, video, email, podcast — then there’s a world of ways to monetize “passively” but two very popular ways involve brands that aren’t your own — sponsored content & affiliate marketing. What are the differences between the two & how (if at all) they may make sense for your business?
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TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Minisode 001: Navigating Market (And Other Industry Events) As An E-Designer
A sentiment I’ve heard shared across lots of designers — online designers and even some new designers — is that major industry events aren’t for them; so on today’s "minisode” I’m gonna dig into what it’s like as an online designer & creator going to industry events. And I want to you keep an open mind and think about how you can apply what I’m saying to ANY industry event you attend in the future.
Episode 004: Product Sourcing Online: Retail vs Trade
I’ve seen this debate brought up OFTEN during my time as an e-designer, and I know personally it is something I’ve always wondered about myself — when it comes to specifying product as an online designer, do I do trade, retail, or both?
If no one’s said it to you before then let me be the first — e-designers do not only source retail.
At the very least, they don’t have to. It comes down to your business model — how you’re trying to make money & what fits the way you operate. The decision of how & where to source is a personal one, so while I’m going to break down some of the pros & cons so that you can make an informed decision when deciding which is the best fit for you.
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Today’s episode is brought to you by Gather.
Episode 003: Understanding Your Audience & Turning Them Into Clients with Carmeon Hamilton
In today’s episode, Carmeon Hamilton shares with us her insights on some of my favorite topics & topics that I know y’all are gonna love too. We’re talking about setting boundaries to create balance, especially when you wear so many hats, understanding & converting potential clients, and how her instagram has grown a whole life of its own.
Carmeon is the buyer and environmental designer for a Stash Home, sourcing home décor products to bring to consumers throughout the mid-south; as well as the founder and principle designer of her own design company, Nubi Interiors.
See Carmeon In Person
Instagram: From Followers to Dollars
February 9, 9am – 1pm
Join Carmeon for this informative workshop and learn how to maximize your business by maximizing your social following.
Find Carmeon Online
• Blog: Cohesive Randomness
• Instagram: @nubiinteriors
• Facebook: Nubi Interiors by Carmeon Hamilton
Episode 002: Single Tasking & Thought Purging For Better Productivity
I have quickly learned that being busy isn’t, or at least shouldn’t be, a badge of honor because I quickly went from juggling to burnt out & drowning. The idea of multitasking became more like an addiction, and like most addictions, it wasn’t long before I saw how bad it really was for me — I wasn’t actually getting that much done & it was more detrimental than it was helpful.
So what do I instead? I have spent the past YEAR — yes, year! — training myself on how to “single-task” and more importantly, how to quiet anything that tries to pull my focus on the task at hand.
While I haven’t perfected this new lifestyle by any stretch of the imagination — hello, I’m still a mom! — I have picked up some pretty useful hacks & habits, and that’s what I want to dive into today. I want to share with you some of my single-tasking tricks & how they’ve helped me step up my productivity.
Mentioned Techniques:
• Thought Purging
• Prioritizing & Planning
• Batching & Single Tasking
Mentioned Tools:
• Trello from brain dumping and big picture, macro planning
• Powersheets for intentional & thoughtful goal planning from month to month & week to week.
• Undated Weekly Planner Pad for appointments & scheduling week to week
• Tomato One Pomodoro Timer App for more efficient time management & batching.
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GATHER.
Episode 001: Making Your Blog Work For You Instead of Against You
I’ve seen how blogging has evolved firsthand — how it can be super rewarding & worth every second you invest into it, and I’ve also seen how it can just drain you of all your creative juices with no ROI. These are the differences between your blog working for you & your blog working against you; so in this episode, we're going to be talking about what that might look like to help you identify how your blog is serving you (if at all) and what you can do differently.
Episode 000: What is The E-Design Experience, What is The Design Influence, and Who is Albie Knows
Hear from show host, Albie of Albie Knows, how founding The E-Design Experience less than a year ago has evolved into this podcast, and what you can expect from The Design Influence every week.