I've talked many times about how important great communication is with your clients. But... it's too easy to forget that it's EXTREMELY important with your team members, too! That includes contractors, subs, assistants, architects and anyone else working on the project with you. One miscommunication...
There are so many weeks when I wish there were 26 hours (or more) in a single day!! Sometimes I feel like someone sped up the clock and I'll never get everything done. If you feel like that, too, you know that being as productive as possible is the one thing that will slow it all down. But HOW to st...
In this world of online and real-world competition, there's only one way to stay ahead of the pack. That's providing stellar customer service, every time to every client! But that isn't always the easiest thing to do, so I have 4 tips that will help you improve your customer service game and make ...
There are so many times when I wish I could read my clients' minds - so I could really understand what they want and need. I'm sure you've all had that feeling, too! It would make our jobs so much easier, right?! But after many years in the business, I do know that there is one thing that every sing...
It's always been a belief in business that you should keep emotion out of the boardroom. Or you may have heard the one about how women are too emotional - UGH! But there's actually scientific proof that certain emotions can actually make you MORE successful at what you do! Here are 3 that research
...We've all heard the saying that you should never take things personally, but there ARE times when that's just not true! I've found that there are so many times when getting personal in the design business is definitely called for - here are just a few!
The Personal Touch
When clients hire you for ...
In a recent survey by Deloitte of what luxury customers and clients want more than anything else from service providers, the results were interesting! I expected the first two - stellar customer service and an amazing experience. But the last of the top 3 was a surprise. It was TIME. Everyone want...
There is so much excitement this time of year - but if you're a business owner, there's a LOT of stress, too! You're trying to tie up your projects, get your invoices paid, and get paid yourself! It's a whirlwind and it can make you crazy. So how do you end the year on a high note?! Here's a peek in...
There are too many interior designers who aren't making a good living out there today. And the most common reason for that is they aren't charging enough for their services. It's so frustrating to hear from designers that they feel like they want to throw in the towel and say ENOUGH! And usually, at...
I know. Chatting about profit margins is so exciting! Ok, I jest. But, the end of the year is coming sooner than you think and I want you to get in the best mindset to review your business for the year!
What are Profit margins?
Profit margins are confusing! Often, designers think that they're...
Selections are so key for successful projects. And today, even with luxury clients, we have balance their budget against what we know is best for a project. That's really important when it comes to bigger investments like windows, counters, and floors! Last week we talked about the pros and cons of ...
One of the most costly mistakes I see in design is selecting the wrong material for a countertop. Even the most experienced designers can find themselves in trouble, especially when the client is set on something like white marble in a kid's bathroom. Here are some countertop pros and cons for the m...