Designed for the Creative Mind™

Structuring your business the right way can help you navigate in any economy, no matter where you are in your interior design business. Whether you are just starting out or already a few years in, I am sharing ways for you to uplevel your business during these uncertain times. My intention today is to give you some inspiration and courage to keep going even through all the uncertainty. Because ult...

My next badass guest is Rachael Bozsik. She helps women create a legacy and market themselves in a way that feels powerful and in alignment with their brand. Rachael has been recognized as the "go-to" elite personal branding coach for luxury interior designers. She focuses on getting you fewer clients and more money. And don't we all want that?   In this episode, we chat about why you need to decl...

In this episode, I am talking about the boundaries you need to set in your business. Boundaries with your clients, with your kids, and even with yourself. Making sure you have solid boundaries will not only help keep your sanity but also being consistent in keeping these boundaries is super important. And believe me, your life will be more enjoyable when you enforce boundaries in your business.  ...

Like all businesses, so much has changed since ML Interiors Group began. In this episode, Debbie, Megan, and I chat about how the journey has evolved for us over time, including calculating design times, managing client expectations, and handling procurement.   The client journey evolves as your business evolves. So be sure to give yourself grace. Don't think you have to have everything figured ou...

Hey, y'all, welcome back to the podcast. This topic has been weighing on my heart lately, and I felt called to share it with you. To get better answers, we need to ask better questions. I am not only talking about asking your clients better questions but also some questions to ask yourself as a business owner. The quality of your life oftentimes depends on the number of difficult conversations you...

Cheminne Taylor-Smith is a creative thinker and an idea generator. She helps brands, businesses, and entrepreneurs think differently about how they do business. She was the PR director for Elle Decor, the VP of Marketing for the High Point Market, and has consulted with well-known brands such as the Showtime cable network, Christie's auction house, Conde Nast, Mercanteinfiera Parma, Galerie Magazi...

Today I'm speaking with Cash Flow & Business Mentor, Connie Vanderzanden. She is on a mission to help entrepreneurs live the lifestyles they desire by learning the simple steps, structure, and discipline to create and save money.   In this episode, we chat about nurturing our relationship with money and the importance of giving every dollar a job. Connie also shares common money stories she has he...

My next guest is the fabulous Gail M. Davis. She's my newest friend, and we had such a strong connection when I was a guest on her podcast I just had to bring her on here to chat about her incredible background and experience. Gail studied at the New York School of Interior Design and interned at Bunny Williams Inc. and David Kleinberg Design Associates. She also worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and ha...

As a business owner, do you understand your numbers? Do you even know what that means? You can't grow and scale your business unless you have a financial framework in place. My next guest is Danielle Hayden, host of the Entrepreneur Money Stories podcast and CEO of Kickstart Accounting. She helps female entrepreneurs understand their numbers so they can gain the confidence needed to create sustain...

Have you ever wondered what it's like working with your spouse or partner? My next guests are Lauren and Jonathan Ramirez. Lauren founded Lauren Ramirez Interiors in 2016, and after a decade of working in technology, Jonathan made the leap in 2021 to join Lauren and the team. They rebranded the company, which is now known as HouseMill Design.   In this episode, we chat about how they know to stay...

My next guest is Chad Smith, a seasoned entrepreneur and Director of SideDoor. If you are unfamiliar with SideDoor, it is a free online marketplace for interior designers, e-designers, and stagers. It allows you to shop and curate products into sharable collections that you can sell to your clients directly or add to your website and social media pages.   In this episode, Chad and I chat about the...

Do you ever feel there's just not enough time in the day to get everything done? We all do. That is why time management is so important. Prioritizing your tasks and finding pockets of time to get them done is the key to success.   Today I am chatting with Kristen Van Horn, a time management coach for moms in business. Her mission is to help women prioritize their time and tasks so they can focus o...

Ryann Dowdy thought she was doing everything right. Dream job, 6+ figure salary, family, nice home, but still felt unfulfilled. She finally realized it was because she was chasing a dream that wasn't hers, so she left corporate life and became an entrepreneur. As she found more success on her journey, she still felt alone and misunderstood by her peers. Ryann knew she was called for more.   As wom...

Did you know that Pinterest is more of a search engine than a social platform? It ranks right up there with YouTube and Google. People go to Pinterest when they're looking to solve a problem. They have an idea in their head but looking for that deeper definition or visual of it and want to be inspired.   My guest today is Leah Reinert, a Pinterest Marketing Specialist. She believes Pinterest is a...

Hey, y'all, welcome back to the podcast. I am coming at ya today with a solo episode about leveling up your leadership. As CEO of your business, you need to be a leader and make tough decisions.   You'll hear about a few jobs I had before starting my interior design business. I am also sharing my experience and the skills I learned working in different management roles and how to be a good leader...

Our memories are stories. Our dreams are built on stories. Even our fears are based on the stories we tell ourselves.   Today I am chatting with Ben Rutledge, brand strategist, designer, marketer, and co-founder of Mighty Fine Agency. Ben is passionate about helping small businesses succeed by telling the right story to the right audience.   In this episode, Ben and I discuss the importance of tel...

My next guest is entrepreneur and creative, Merrick Porchéddu. In 2016, she started Artist Uprising - a concept to bridge the gap between creatives and commerce. She felt that when paired together, these partnerships can change an artist's career and introduce brands to new audiences. Merrick also co-founded Belmont Creative, a creative agency in Dallas, and is the founder and CEO of Artist Uprisi...

My next kick-ass guest is Nicole Heymer. She is the founder of Glory & Brand, a boutique creative agency specializing in branding, websites, marketing automation, and strategy. Nicole and I chat about the importance of defining your brand and how to figure out what makes your business unique.   Don't be generic. Pick your lane, choose your name, and roll with it! Know your ideal client and tailor...

Today I want to talk about the value of saying no. It's important to have the word "no" in your vocabulary. And by that, I mean not saying yes to everything or even things you've already committed to. Start getting comfortable saying no. It's essential for your mental health and your business health. Michelle Lynne began her interior design career after spending more than two decades working in Co...

What kind of experience do you give your clients? While yes, you are hired to create beautiful, functional spaces, as a luxury provider, you are also providing a luxury experience for your clients. In this episode, I am sharing what we call our ML Experience. This is what we use to lead our clients through the entire process with authority so they know they can trust us. It shows we are confident,...

Do you get overwhelmed thinking about all of the things you need to do to get healthy? So much so that you feel like giving up? Don't overcomplicate it.   My next guest is Stephany Acosta, personal trainer and founder of Elevate Fitness in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, we chat about how your physical health also impacts your business health and a few simple steps you can take now to get back on...

My next guest is Shelly Rosenberg, Owner and Principal Designer of Acorn & Oak. The mission of Acorn & Oak is to demystify interior design and help make it easier for all families to make their homes safe and chic.   As a mother of three children, each with learning differences and special needs, Shelly's goal is to identify and honor everyone's unique design requirements. She listens to her clien...

Hey babes, welcome back! As business owners, we need to do things that stretch us out of our comfort zones. Our businesses are bigger than us, and there comes a point where we can't do everything ourselves.   Today we are going to talk about how the only way to grow your business is to stretch that courage muscle and build a team that will grow along with you. So let's jump in!   Learn more about...

Hey, y'all, welcome back to the podcast. As creatives, we sometimes don't think about the legalities of owning a business, but it is so important to have all of your legal basis covered. Today my guest is Jamie Lieberman. She has been a practicing lawyer for 16 years and is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal. In this episode, Jamie and I chat about the art of negotiation and when is the right...

In this episode, I am sharing my view of flat-rate pricing versus charging an hourly fee for your design services. Although I am a huge fan of value-based pricing, there are some times when you will need to charge clients by the hour. The bottom line is you need to price your services correctly so as you start to work faster you make more profit. Then continue to analyze and increase your pricing...