How to build an interior design team
( adapted from my article in July issue of Home Accents Magazine) Many designers and small retailers are pivoting fast and furiously to answer the needs of the
DGD- Business Truths! A blog.
Why worker Compensation insurance is important for interior designers
It is time. Are you considering your business expenses for 2021? As I sit here working on year end projections and sales goals, —and expense evaluation–one of the
Five minute year end facts- about your business
Be savvy. These are “gotchas” for many small businesses. Hire out what you are not the best at and if you can afford to do so- hire someone
Do the work to be successful
Doing the work you need to do to be successful in interior design When I began my business- I dragged my kids to job sites if I needed
How to make Houzz Pro work for interior designers.
This is a screen shot of our Houzz Pro video they do for you on your site–How can anyone not like your phone number being front and center??
Doing what it takes.
I am beginning to wonder –if I was crazy way back when in my early days when I did what it takes TO GET THE BUSINESS and make
Client welcome packets or better- a client introduction? – How to do it right!
Client welcome “packets”- are they welcoming? Ok so- lot of talk lately about client welcomes or introductions for interior designers ( formerly known as packets or packages:) Sorry
5 best retail store strategies to practice now in 2020
Retail: The new contact sport? This article appeared this week in Home Accents mag! Great for retailers but also for anyone running a small business. “What got you
The journey to here- The making of an interior designer
Other designers- and small retailers or businesses-ask me this frequently- How did you get started and how long did it take to be successful in interior design? When
Powerful Communication- 5 ways to convey value by using the right words
How to convey ENERGY, CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE in your communication I am a broken record on this and designers- professional consultants- still use verbiage that could be so
Pod cast interview with Darla Powell! Talking about having a retail showroom!
Retail showroom- is it worth it? Listen here and find out what I think and how Darla and Natalie respond! It is a hoot! Listen to Cheryl on
How to talk to vendors at market and other favorite tips
Forging relationships with new vendors Here is the thing- no two vendors have the same program going on at market- some will open everyone and their dog and
10 Truth Bombs- The Interior Design industry is not dying- unless you do not know how to keep up
Helloooooooo! “The retail apocalypse that everyone has been talking about really hasn’t happened.” Eric Rosenthal, Senior Director of Leveraged Finance at FR So what about the design industry?
How to get a job at an interior design firm-even if you have little experience
Getting any job can be tough- but in the interior design field most of us look for “some” sort of experience- there are specific skills that are important
How to build a design career without an interior design degree. What no one will tell you
Do you need a degree specific to Interior Design? Of course it helps but I did not. I own a successful firm. I hire new grads- have two
10 key things to do your first 90 days in a new job- or new business
Super new at this? Some good advice for new business owners or new employees especially in a design firm! You know- it is not even really that hard
“Charging what you are worth” is dangerous magical thinking
Whoa. I hope this does not upset half of the design community! But hold on a second before you kick me to the curb. Of course, anyone in
The art of design vs the business of design- Are you over processed?
Going Rogue today! I love a good process- for sure. I would even say I am a numbers person and love a good spreadsheet. It is my mantra
6 key tricks to staying organized in a creative small business!
Some of you who pop in to read my blog upon occasion, may know I am undergoing an overhaul of my office. Suffice to say I needed to
I am going to be unpopular today- and I will tell you why
The big debate or rather debacle about Houzz has been ongoing for a couple of years. I wrote a post about it in 2015 before the current blow
How NOT to get hired. Resume, cover letter, conversation killers
Dear World: Somewhere we went off the tracks. Or, we have landed in The Twilight Zone. Mediocrity has become the norm and not only is it accepted but
Houzz for designers: Love it? Hate it? Do not understand it?
Many designers have a love/hate relationship with Houzz I am not the only one who has had success from the platform but without a doubt there are issues-
I am passionate. Why not?
Be real. This is going out again for that special someone who does not “get” it. Get real. Be real. I would guess that most of my fomer
What is one essential trait of a great designer?
I am not asking simply “What makes a great designer?” but what trait is essential? The trait that resonates louder and more often with the design folks I
