Libsyn Directory

564: Vicky Serany, Southern Studio: Thriving Despite Covid 19

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Release Date: 07/14/2020

981: Jennifer Chukwujekwe: Global Collaboration with Nigerian Designer and Entrepreneur

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Jennifer Chukwujekwe: Today with Jennifer Chukwujekwe, we’re heading to Nigeria (virtually) to learn about the incredible work she is doing to transform the interior design industry in her home country. As the President of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria and the founder, CEO, and creative director of Jenniez Designs, Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills as she navigates the unique challenges faced by designers in Africa. From building a furniture factory to address sourcing issues to starting a school to educate aspiring designers,...

980: Power Talk Friday: Shelli Warren: Recognizing That Your Small Business Brings Value to the Right Employee

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Shelli Warren Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Shelli Warren, distinguished Women's Leadership Advisor, and the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast. Do you believe the misconception that success is only attached to working for a corporation? If so, you may have little faith in hiring the right team, because as you will hear from Shelli, you have much to offer the right person in the form of a career. Pick It Apart: [6:07] Shelli shares her philosophy that her clients should understand that they have value and can provide valuable careers for employees. [12:28]...

979: Hygge Design + Build: Becky and Nate Vandenbroek on Tips for a Successful Design/Build Business

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Becky and Nate Vandenbroek Hi, Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today I have on Becky and Nate Vandenbroek from Hygge Design+Build. If you are someone who wants to get into the design-build industry, this episode is for you. Becky and Nate know how to help designers who want to break into the design/build world and share what to consider when choosing to collaborate with builders. Both possessing Erika Ward transferable skills, Becky with her upbringing with a builder dad and Nate as a previous project manager, they ditched their 9-5 and in 2020 formed Hygge Design+Build. As...

978: Power Talk Friday: LoriAnn Kuntz: How to Love (and Understand) Your Interior Design Business Numbers

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With LoriAnn Kuntz Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. It’s Power Talk Friday. Today I am excited to welcome LoriAnn Kuntz, founder of Profit Priority, a bookkeeping and financial management company for creatives. Understanding your numbers matters. But it’s equally as important to understand when and why to outsource your bookkeeping. Hear LoriAnn’s insights on why strategic bookkeping matters—and how you can take control of your numbers. Pick It Apart: [3:18] LoriAnn and LuAnn discuss why knowing your numbers matters—and what it means to “love” those...

977: Katie Ryan Pluer:Strategies for Taking on a Business Partner

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Katie Ryan Pluer Today with Katie Ryan Pluer we are discussing what it takes to build a successful business partnership in the interior design industry. Katie brings a wealth of experience in business development, marketing, and advertising — along with a successful track record of buying and selling businesses. She has a keen understanding of what it takes to create a profitable business, and has spent the past few years getting settled in the interior design industry as Vice President of Natasa Jones Interiors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you have a partner or are considering...

976: On Air Strategy Sessions: Is a Disconnect Causing Your Ideal Clients to Walk Away?

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Melissa Fields Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! Today we run an entire new segment! It's "On Air Strategy Sessions"! In today's episode, we have Melissa Fields with us. Melissa is the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. So, let's meet her! More About Melissa Fields Shades of Gray Design Studio is a boutique interior design studio based in San Antonio, Texas. It was started in 2018 shortly after Melissa Fields, the Founder and CEO, retired from the United States Air Force after 20...

975: Joyful Abundance: Thriving in Business with a Positive Mindset

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Jennifer Davis Today on A Well-Designed Business I’m with Jennifer Davis, the founder of Davis Interiors, a boutique design firm based in Minneapolis. Jennifer's story is proof that intention, manifestation, and a positive mindset can lead to the life and business of our dreams. In this episode, we discuss Jennifer’s strategies and beliefs that have helped her create a joyful client experience and a successful career. From setting intentions and aligning your actions with your goals to overcoming impostor syndrome and cultivating an abundance...

974: Power Talk Friday: Katie McDonald: How to Prioritize Your Well-being in Your Interior Design Business

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Katie McDonald Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I’m excited to welcome back Katie McDonald, certified holistic health coach and instructor at b.nourished. As entrepreneurs, we do have a tendency to put ourselves on the backburner, focusing our time and attention on the needs of the business. But if we’re not creating something sustainable—if we’re heading toward burnout, are we really creating well-designed businesses? It can feel as if we need to justify rest, justify taking time for ourselves, Katie’s take is that we...

973: Jamie Gasparovic: How Investing In Your Business Can Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Jamie Gasparovic Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Jamie Gasparovic, Founder and Principal Designer of Studio Gaspo, a boutique full-service interior design firm. Have you ever had imposter syndrome? Join the club. Jamie has a little secret to combating imposter syndrome, and that is to invest in your business. Jamie has spent thousands in investments for her business. Six figures in the last year, to be more specific. Before you drop your jaw, listen in to hear all of the value and advice Jamie has to give on investing...

972: Power Talk Friday: Lesley Myrick: Profit Insiders: How Interior Designers Can Leverage Local Marketing

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Lesley Myrick: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. For today’s Sponsored Show, I am so happy to welcome back Lesley Myrick of Profit Insiders. Now, we all know that local business is the backbone of interior design. And yet, our focus often falls primarily or solely on online marketing. But local networking and marketing offer a lot of potential—if you know how to take advantage of opportunities (and measure your success). Lesley knows that local marketing is about more than joining BNI or your run-of-the-mill networking group. While those organizations can certainly be...

More Episodes

Welcome to A Well-Designed Business! LuAnn’s guest today is Vicky Serany from Southern Studio, and you’re going to hear how Vicky’s mission, vision, and goals for her company changed over the years. Sometimes you just have to make your business fit the life you have. You’ll be inspired to learn that you can revise, recalibrate, and reinvent your business at any time ever, over your entire life - and you’re going to receive lots of insights on leadership, too, so listen in!

Vicky Serany uses fresh combinations of texture, pattern, and color to create luxury interiors that meet the needs of each client. By paying attention to every detail of a project, she is able to meticulously transform the design vision into reality. Her inspiration comes from the beauty in everyday life and travel to fascinating places. Vicky’s extensive work in residential design and new home construction has earned her awards both locally and nationally. Vicky is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and lives in Cary with her husband, Dan. This empty nest mom jumps at the opportunity to spend time with her two grown children. When she’s not creating inspired interiors, Vicky enjoys spending time at the beach, sharing a bottle of wine with close friends, and exploring new adventures on her bucket list!

Southern Studio Interior Design was founded in 2001 and has earned a reputation as an award-winning interior design firm specializing in luxury interior spaces with casual sophistication. We believe that a well-designed home is timeless and reflects the unique personalities of its owners. The mission of Southern Studio is to provide a high level of creativity, integrity, and personalized attention to every project.

Show Highlights:

Vicky shares the dilemma she faced during the 2008 recession and the solution she found that actually went against everybody’s advice.
Vicky and her team took advantage during coronavirus to work on “Covid-19” projects from home, learning new skills.
“The one thing I’ve learned is that if we really focus on best business practices, we can survive and we plan for the down times.” Vicky
LuAnn addresses the need to have a support group within the industry - mentors, business coaches, and experts in the area.
Vicky provides an overview of the tools, processes, and systems that help her and her team to manage projects.
Every team member is empowered to use their “Make It Right” policy.
Learn from mistakes.
Think about where you want to be and where you want to go so that you’re better equipped to lead your teams into the future.
No matter where you are as a designer, you get there with a plan, taking action, and your support group.
When things are tough, it doesn’t always mean that something is wrong.
Don’t be paralyzed by fear!