Designed for the Creative Mind™

Welcome to a bonus episode of the Design for the Creative Mind podcast, where we dive into the upcoming Interior Design Business Success Summit. Join me as I share details about the upcoming 4th Annual Interior Design Business Success Summit. Held in Dallas at the Dallas Market Center during Design Days, this event promises to be a unique opportunity for interior designers to connect, learn, and g...

Hey there, Design for the Creative Mind family! It's your host, Michelle Lynne, back with another episode that's sure to resonate with many of you. Today, we're diving into a topic that can be a thorn in the side of any business owner: negative reviews. But don't worry, I'm here to share some personal stories and strategies on how to handle them with grace and maintain your integrity.   In this ep...

Welcome to another episode of Design for the Creative Mind, where we dive into the world of interior design and explore ways to run a business with purpose and efficiency. I'm your host, Michelle Lynn, and today we had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly innovative Jenna Gaidusek.   Jenna is a trailblazer in the virtual interior design space, a mentor, and an educator who has embraced art...

Welcome back to another episode of Design for the Creative Mind, where we dive into the business side of interior design. In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Jacqueline Green, the CEO of Behind the Design.   Jacqueline shared her journey from a seasoned commercial interior designer and former college instructor to a marketing and education expert for the design community. She talks...

In this episode of Design for the Creative Mind, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Buzinski, affectionately known as Buzz, a US Air Force veteran, serial entrepreneur, international speaker, and best-selling author. Buzz shared his expertise on digital marketing for small businesses, particularly focusing on his innovative Rule of 26, which aims to double a company's revenue by increasin...

Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Design for the Creative Mind podcast! I'm your host, Michelle Lind, and today I'm thrilled to have Jessica Harling with me. Jessica is a passionate ringleader and dynamic problem solver, known for her work with Behind the Design.   We dive into the concept of personal branding, discussing the phrases Jessica uses to summarize her personal brand. Hav...

In this episode I talk with Nikki Roush. She is the CEO of SalesMaven  and she has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of selling  with 25 plus years of selling experience. Entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically.  Nikki has written three books. They're all available on Amazon, and she has a podcast called...

In this episode I talk with Jeffrey Madoff, a multi-talented creative with a diverse career spanning fashion design, film production, producing, and teaching. Madoff has worked with prestigious clients like Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Victoria's Secret, and more. He's also an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and an Amazon best-selling author of "Creative Careers, Making a Living with Your...

In this episode I talk  with Masha Koyen, a messaging strategist and website copywriter for interior designers about the importance of strategic copy and messaging in the visually-driven world of interior design. Masha talks about the need for designers to blend their visuals on their websites  with great copy that connects to their audience and tells them a story. Your website has to work double...

In this episode I have the pleasure of introducing you to the dynamic duo behind Lima Stanley Design, a health and wellness-focused interior and landscape design company based in Dallas, Texas. Daniel and Rome share their journey into incorporating sustainability and wellness practices into their business, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniel reflects on his original pass...

In this episode I talk to Jamie Van Cuyk, the owner and lead strategist of Growing Your Team. She helps women, small business owners become confident leaders who hire correctly every single time. It's a big promise, but Jamie backs it up and shares with us in this episode the keys to getting it right.  In our conversation Jamie shares with us the 4 things to look out for in your business to know t...

In this episode I am thrilled to introduce you to Katie Decker Erickson, a powerhouse in the world of interior design and business.  Katie  has not only earned her MBA but has spent nearly two decades building a multi-million dollar interior design firm that operates in over 20 states and she is sharing with us what things have been the most helpful for her as she has built her business.  In our c...

In this episode I'm diving into a topic that's close to my heart - leadership. Whether you're leading a team or going solo, leadership is the key to unlocking freedom in your interior design business, and how you are as a leader is crucial to your team and business success.  I share my journey, starting from managing tables in a restaurant at 23 to running my own interior design business. Leadersh...

In this episode, we dive into the heart of client education, specifically in the context of project financials and client sourcing.  We've all seen those design forums filled with pricing struggles and client shopping stories. Today, let's break down the myth and find a solution. The truth of the matter is—clients aren't jerks; they're often just uninformed. Time to shift your perspective from fru...

In this episode I'm introducing you to Debbie DeCleva, the leader of the dream team at Ogallala Comfort, a luxury bedding company with a mission to lift people out of poverty and save the Monarch butterfly, and we are diving into the fascinating connection between butterflies and a good night's sleep. Debbie shares her family's second-generation involvement in the business, and the role of milkwee...

 In this episode I'm introducing you to Sarah Lyon, a full-time freelance writer for publications such as Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Washington Post, and more. We're thrilled to have her here to share her insights and experiences. We delve into Sarah's journey into the world of freelance interiors writing and how her passion for writing and journalism led her down this pa...

In this episode, I am taking you on a journey through some challenging times in my business this year, and shedding some light on how to face unexpected situations and overcome fear. From a contractor mishap to personal health issues and team betrayals, I am sharing valuable insights that can help you navigate tough seasons in your business.   How you deal with these disappointments is a key indic...

In this episode I am coming to you live again (for part 2) from the Las Vegas Market and I am interviewing Interior Design Business Bakery alum Heather Vercellino and her husband Joe about how impactful being in The Bakery has been for not just Heather's interior design business, but how it has trickled into every part of their life.    Sometimes having the talent isn't enough, you also have to ge...

In this episode I am coming to you live from the Las Vegas Market and I am interviewing two of my friends and former students Ivan Piniero and Heather Vercellino, of the Interior Design Business Bakery. They both now have thriving businesses from two very different backgrounds and you will get to hear each of them tell their stories of their individual journey to get where they are now from the fi...

In this episode Michelle dives into what it actually takes to start your Interior Design business whether you are just starting out or have been in business for a few years.    Building the foundation of your business the right way is essential to your business success. In this episode Michelle breaks down the checklist that you can use to make sure you have all the business essentials covered, an...

In this episode of the podcast, Michelle breaks down all of the worst advice that she ever received when she was building her business, and goes into what you should do and how you should be thinking instead.    Understanding who to take advice from as a baby designer, and getting plugged in to a community of like minded business owners is a key element to your growth and development in your busin...

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the recipe for building a successful interior design business. A big part of that is going to be finding the right mentor and making sure that you get the support you need to help grow your business.   We outline the key ingredients for growing an interior design business, especially if you're in the early stages: Identifying your ideal client Strong mark...

Welcome back to the Design for the Creative Mind podcast, where we discuss the journey from being a novice "baby designer" to becoming a successful "big girl business owner." In this episode, we'll explore the transformation and key elements that can help you achieve your design business goals. A "baby designer" is where most of us start our journey in the interior design industry. Transitioning f...

Welcome back! I took a short break from the podcast in order to re-evaluate and strategize a strong way forward, and now I'm back!  If you're a small business owner in the design industry that wants to get over the 6-figure hump, take home a nice profit and find your passion about work again, you're in the right place. In this episode, I'll go through my story from corporate, to a puddle of tears...

Hey, y'all. It's just me for a quick solo episode letting you know that I am practicing what I preach about slowing down to speed up. Join me for this short episode to hear about our upcoming plans to make this podcast bigger and better when we return!   It would be very much appreciated if you would leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. It really helps to keep the show releva...