Two years ago, when designer Holli Appelquist joined Business of Design® and began to implement the systems. She anticipated improvements to her projects, but she was blown away by the positive changes in her life. She finally enjoyed the work-life balance that previously eluded her. She had more time to work on the tasks she loved doing. More time off during the work week and more time off for holidays. She was able to delegate to staff and their satisfaction improved. Profits soared. Today, Holli is the confident business owner she always wanted to be. In this episode we learn: - establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them - integrity matters, define it and honor it - adding systems allows you to take more time off, to have more breathing space in your week Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Could you start over? Let’s say you’ve been in business a few years, or more. You’ve given it your all, but you still aren’t where you dreamed you’d be by now. Would you just keep plugging away, or would you be willing to try something new? Would you be willing to adopt the BOD™ systems? In this episode, designer Holli Appelquist shares how she joined BOD™ and transformed her company, her profitability, and her life, in one year. In this episode we learn: - you can actively target the profitability you want - establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them - look for new hires adjacent to your interior design firm - employees love how easy it is to train with systems in place - adding systems allows you to take on more projects and work less - systems give you confidence Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It’s one thing to design a kitchen. It’s an entirely different matter to cook in one. If you are an interior design professional who renovates or designs these important spaces, you’ll love getting advice from a professional who has cooked in a hundred different homes.  In this episode we learn: - questions to ask clients before you begin their kitchen renovation - tips for designing a kitchen that functions well - pet peeves to avoid - why it’s important to say yes and follow the opportunity - how to stay motivated with your social media efforts Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Yes, it can be scary to face an audience and stand in the spotlight. However, there are simple techniques you can use to harness your energy and transform it into excitement, rather than fear. In this episode we learn: - an instant technique to combat nerves and fear - what to practice before speaking or doing a presentation - a one-minute crash course in media Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

When someone asks you about your fantasy life, do you immediately think of your Hollywood crush or, are you so deep in the weeds that an assistant is where your mind goes? Ah yes. An assistant. A magical, mythical creature who can do all the tasks you don’t have time to do, plus keep you organized, answer your emails, deal with client headaches, and generally solve most of your problems. Sound about right? In this episode we learn: - make a list of the tasks you love doing and the tasks you hate doing - imagine if you could turn over the tasks you hate to someone else - create training videos in advance of hiring - to retain staff, share the accolades - allow yourself to delegate tasks that you may enjoy, but take a lot of your time Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

It's not how many years you've been in business. It's not how many clients you’ve serviced. It's not even about always knowing what to say to your clients or trades or staff. Being an expert begins with mindset. If you develop the mindset of an expert, you will become an expert. How do you develop an expert’s mindset? By relying on written, repeatable systems that support your business and life goals. In this episode we learn: - I am the expert I am the prize. - I am on a mission to help. - I can only do that if you let me lead. - All will not follow, and that is OK. Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Show your clients how to live like a VIP in their own homes by using those amazing hotel experiences to elevate the lifestyle you incorporate into your design projects. In this episode we learn: - play concierge for yourself and your design clients to elevate daily rituals - excavate your vacations and hotel experiences to find elements worth bringing home or to your clients - think of the foyer or entrance as a portal into the space, a portal into what’s to come as you enter the rest of the home - every space in your home matters, even those spaces no one else goes into - walk into your personal entryway with joy and depart with positive vibes, mimicking your favorite hotel lobbies Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

The Humorous Side of Design Insert laughter, smirks, and relatable cringing in your day during this entertaining, engaging panel discussion. Join Kimberley on the KBIS stage for a candid exploration of the humorous moments, horror stories, unconventional client requests and unexpected twists. The result? Invaluable lessons learned by seasoned designers who have beautifully navigated and showcased the power of creativity in this unpredictable world of design business. Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

How to transform without ‘doing’ anything and how shifting your attention and awareness can change everything in your life. In this episode we learn: - what you think about grows - continually assess where your attention is going when you want to improve something in your business - actively listening to clients gets you closer to satisfying their deepest wishes - your client’s physical environment affects their well-being and productivity - strategies for dealing with professional comparison or seeing so many flawless interiors on social media - the importance of decluttering your mind through your physical space Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Managing fluctuating client cycles of feast-to-famine can produce anxiety in even the most seasoned professionals. Anticipating annual trends where business slows down such as holiday time or the height of summer can help. But navigating longer ebbs and flows is part of any business owners journey. Let’s talk about the essential skills required to cope with feast-to-famine. In this episode we learn: - managing cash flow is part of successfully navigating the feast/famine cycles - don’t put your head in the sand in terms of your financial health - don’t rely on how business “feels”, know what your numbers say - pay attention to your balance sheet - talk to your CPA about income splitting and other ideas that can help you minimize taxes - three profit levers to pull when your business is in a famine era - different ways to create safety nets in your cash flow as a designer (line of credit, savings, etc.) - which tasks that should be completed at a regular cadence to keep your finances healthy (including those you can outsource) Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

In this 4-part series, Kimberley will answer 24 questions in honour of 2024. We’ve broken it down into categories that focus on clients, projects, business, and staff. In this final episode, Cheryl will ask Kimberley 6 questions about staff. 1. Did you ever have trouble keeping staff? 2. What’s the secret to retaining staff? 3. We’ve heard you say you suck at hiring. Why? 4. What is the hardest thing about delegating? 5. What is the best part about delegating? 6. Can you list the pros and cons of employees vs. contractors? Success is not an accident. It's a strategy. Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today. https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast