Hey friends, it's Tobi Fairley, your host here at the DesignYou podcast. Can you believe it's been 25 years since I started my interior design business and five years since we embarked on this podcasting journey together? It's been a whirlwind of coaching, interior design projects, and diving into the world of a retail store and e-commerce business. That’s a lot of balls to keep in the air.  So, I've decided to take a well-deserved summer vacation from the podcast to recharge and prepare for the exciting fall season. We're also giving our website a refresh to reflect all the amazing changes coming your way. But hey, don't stray too far! I've got some delightful surprises lined up for you throughout the summer. I appreciate your loyalty and am thankful for each of you. Stay in touch, and I’ll be back!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [:07] Tobi Fairley Interior Design is celebrating its 25th year, and I share all the ventures we’ve developed

• [1:14] Fairley Fancy is experiencing rapid growth. Designers are encouraged to enroll in the trade discount program, and I will reveal new services this fall

• [2:05] We are refreshing the website to reflect all the upcoming changes, and I will be blogging again

• [2:53] I’m taking a summer vacation from podcasting to rejuvenate and encourage you to listen to the podcasts previously recorded

• [4:16] Thank you to the loyal listeners for the last five years, and you can still find me on Instagram

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Tobi is taking a summer vacation from podcasting to relax, refresh, and work on new content we will learn about in the fall.

• Designers can sign up for the trade discount that can be applied to clothes and furnishings.

• Be on the lookout for little surprises and treats during the summer.

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook

• Tobi’s Instagram

• Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible

In the dynamic world of interior design, Tobi Fairley offers a refreshing perspective on brand development. Today, she advocates for brand strength and audacity – a quality that sets businesses apart in a crowded market. Tobi emphasizes the importance of standing out amidst competitors, cultivating trust and loyalty among clientele, and staying true to one's authentic vision. With the industry constantly evolving, she underscores the necessity of adaptability for sustained success. Transitioning from a position of brand strength to audacity is the key to thriving in this ever-changing landscape, and Tobi Fairley's course, "DesignYou 2.0," offers the roadmap to achieve just that. Enroll now to witness the transformative results her students are experiencing, and prepare to delve into the crucial realm of visibility for both strong and audacious brands in the upcoming quarter. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [:23] Building an audacious brand to succeed 

• [1:47] The difference between an audacious brand and a strong brand 

• [2:57] Does your brand adapt to the changing landscape 

• [3:25] Is your brand memorable and relevant  

• [4:52] What is a strong brand and then you can move into the audacious category 

• [8:59] Strong brands provide a solid foundation for growth, evolution and adaptability and open you up to collaborations 

• [11:17] Ask yourself if you have checked the boxes. Are you a strong brand, and am I ready for audacious  

• [11:45] Sign up for DesignYou 2.0 Tobi Fairley - DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• To succeed in 2024, your brand needs to be authentic and audacious. Having a strong brand isn’t enough. It should stand out among all the choices customers have. 

• We must be willing to pivot and innovate in response to changing trends and customer needs. Change can be scary, but it is necessary as the market changes. 

• Building a business requires a strong brand, where you have built trust and credibility with clients. After you have mastered that, you must move on to an audacious brand. 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible

Today, we have something special lined up for you. We will explore the evolution of our DesignYou 2.0 training program. Three remarkable participants have joined me and experienced the transformation firsthand. Over the years, this program has grown and adapted like the individuals participating. Now, we offer classes quarterly, each with a unique focus, designed to unlock your creativity and empower you to live your best life. One of the core elements of DesignYou 2.0 is our Project Fail exercise. It's all about embracing the possibility of failure and learning from it. We often discover our greatest strengths and breakthroughs in these moments of perceived failure. Our guests will share how the program has been a stepping stone to success and how Project Fail taught that even if something doesn’t go as planned, they learned from the experience. Our guests encourage anyone ready to unlock their full creative potential to sign up for DesignYou 2.0. It's not just a course but a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.  Until next time, keep creating, keep growing, and keep being uniquely you. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [2:05] The guests introduce themselves and describe their business ventures, and Tobi explains how the DesignYou Training Program has evolved 

• [6:25] Darci spoke about having the camera on during training 

• [9:14] Cristina loves the accountability required 

• [11:05] Kaitlyn points out two aspects that have been game-changing for her: Tobi’s future-oriented perspectives and mindset training 

• [12:51] Tobi explains Project Fail, and each guest shares their tasks and projects and the growth they have experienced through this endeavor 

• [25:44] Tobi further explains the reasons and thought process behind Project Fail 

• [28:33] The guests talk about aspects of the training they found so valuable: accountability, achieving the goal of finishing a project, identifying your brand 

• [37:22] Tobi talks about the structure of the programming over a year and explains how there are different paths a participant can take. Sign up for DesignYou 2.0 Tobi Fairley - DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• During training, you are required to have your camera on. Participants are more focused and engaged; the trainer knows she is being listened to. 

• It is important to remember that we are human as well as creatives, and we must self-care and enjoy the journey. 

• Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most effective ways to realize your full potential. It pushes you to confront your fears and challenges, allowing you to discover capabilities and strengths you never knew you had. And even in the face of failure, you emerge stronger and wiser because you've learned valuable lessons. 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• Tobi Fairley -DesignYou 2.0 - Get Visible 

RESOURCES: 

Cristina Cleveland - Website 

Cristina Cleveland - Instagram 

Darci Tether - Website 

Darci Hether - Instagram 

Kaitlyn Loos - TikTok 

Are you a designer passionate about sharing your thoughts, interests, and expertise with the world? Have you ever considered diving into the realm of influence and content creation? In today's episode, we delve into the exciting world of being an influencer or a content creator, exploring why this avenue might be worth exploring for you. We will uncover how influencers shape trends, the importance of finding your niche and the common challenges and strategies for overcoming them on the influencer journey. Is it the right path for you? Join me as we explore what makes it tick! 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:17] Tobi expands content from the last two episodes on being an influencer and content marketing 

• [1:47] Influencers over the age of 40 are perceived as being more wise, and a discussion of the pitfalls 

• [4:50] Preparing to tackle the influencer/content marketing space 

• [6:49] Quality over quantity and engage with brands you would use 

• [9:43] Staying consistent while being patient and educating yourself in influencer marketing, as in DesignYou 2.0 

• [16:57] Discussion of additional best practices, familiarize yourself with social media platforms and ethical guidelines 

• [22:50] Collaborating with brands, negotiations, pricing your worth and understanding analytics  

• [26:10] Networking with other influencers and understanding legal and contractual agreements and opportunities to sign up for DesignYou 2.0 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• You are never too old to be an influencer. Always be authentic. Believe in what you are promoting. Engage with your followers through conversation. 

• High-quality content consistently attracts viewers who are drawn back to your platform when the material you present or discuss deeply connects with them and is executed professionally. 

• Creating content is critical. You should learn which social media platform you like best and how to create professional content for that platform.  

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• DesignYou 2.0 Sign Up Waitlist. 

Have you ever noticed how some social media users capture your attention by recommending products or ideas you love? They're building a brand and attracting followers, just like you can! 

In this episode, we'll explore three powerful strategies to leverage your expertise and turn it into new income streams for your business. Even if you're unfamiliar with influencer marketing lingo, you'll discover how to expand your reach and boost your bottom line. Don't miss out on these insightful ideas! 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [0:31] Tobi explains the topic for the day is part two of a three-part series on burnout and specifically, being an influencer 

• [3:18] Develop digital products to be sold online 

• [7:13] Partnering with brands and companies is called affiliate marketing 

• [9:21] Sponsored content is when you collaborate with brands and companies directly, and you create content, and the next step up is brand partnerships 

• [11:16 Discussion regarding offering consulting services, paid speaking engagements and licensing products 

• [16:47] Discussion of creating an e-commerce store 

• [21:10] Next week, we discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of influencing, and Tobi shares the courses she has available for you to join 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• Designing courses to sell as an online business is an excellent way to start. However, creating a fluid income stream will take more than one item.  

• Affiliate marketing can earn income if you enjoy social media. However, it is not a get-rich-quick idea. It takes lots of work.  

• The multiple followers you generate are the key to having any online business.  

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Are you feeling burned out? You're not alone. But what if I told you it doesn't have to hold you back? In this special two-part episode, we'll tackle burnout head-on. First, we'll explore how technology, specifically AI and Machine Learning, can be your secret weapon to reclaim your time and boost your income. But that's not all! Have you ever thought about sharing your knowledge and experience with the world? The influencer community thrives on wisdom and authenticity, and guess what? You've got plenty of both! In the second part, we'll dive into the exciting world of influencer marketing and show you why age is just a number. So, whether you want to reignite your passion or discover a new creative outlet, this episode has something for you. Stay tuned! 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [0:21] Tobi explains the topic for the day is burnout and how it can be the catalyst for reinventing yourself 

• [4:07] Have you explored AI and machine learning 

• [9:03] Predictive modeling will help you stay ahead of the curve 

• [13:19] Who likes anything to do with finances 

• [15:32] Tobi discusses being an influencer or tackling an affiliate type of marketing 

• [22:18] Next week, we will talk about specific ways you can leverage your expertise to diversity your income stream, but Tobi encourages you to open your mind to technology 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• Designing is not only a profession, but it can also be your identity.  

• AI is a tool that can lighten your load and provide a great product, leaving time to invest in things you enjoy doing. Machine learning is another tool that will save time. 

• Older influencers are thriving and are statistically followed more than their younger peers. The goal of being an influencer is to be authentic. Don’t support or sell anything you don’t believe in. 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Are you a grinder? Designers often are because we think grinding away is the only way to be successful. Is grinding sustainable? Of course, it isn’t. So, let’s talk about a different way of doing business—slow living. Join me as we discuss ways of changing our mindsets to give us space to slow down, create meaningful work, and find joy in the process. Remember, more, more, more keeps us chasing an imaginary finish line, and we never arrive because, in the design world, there isn’t an end to the projects. So, let’s define success and implement slow living. Let’s find joy in the journey while we create and do business with intention.  

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [0:30] Tobi explains the concept of slow living vis-a-vie the hustle 

• [3:29] Is there a better way of operating your business? 

• [6:09] Tobi discusses what slow living is not, and she talks about being intentional 

• [10:12] Incorporating slow living into your business 

• [15:38] Tobi discusses the necessary mindset shift 

• [20:07] Opening your mind to different opportunities and what is the joy number 

• [26:48] Tobi gives an example of adding income to your bottom line and an encouragement to the listener 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

• We grind because we think it is necessary to be successful. Grinding is not sustainable. What if we changed our view of success?  

• Slow living leaves space for self-care. It is about setting boundaries for yourself, clients, and vendors and about saying no sometimes.  

• Slow living is not lazy, unproductive living. It is being intentional with our time and energy and finding joy in the journey.  

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

• Tobi’s Instagram 

• DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Imagine a world where you ditch unrealistic timelines and an overwhelming schedule. What if, instead of feeling anxious and like a failure, you planned with honesty about how long tasks take? This, my friends, is the power of realistic time blocking so you can create from abundance and not scarcity.

By ditching the "fallacy of time optimism" (that pesky tendency to underestimate how long things take), we shift from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance. We create space for joy and accomplishment in our daily schedules and lives. Today, we'll delve into the transformative power of realistic time blocking. We'll explore how this approach can combat stress, empower you to control your schedule, and, ultimately, revolutionize your business experience.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:21] Tobi explains what creating from abundance rather than scarcity is

• [5:58] What is Parkinson's law and an example of a frustrated client

• [15:13] Tobi encourages you to recognize you are human and not a machine, let the task take as long as it takes, and stop lying to yourself

• [23:36] Tobi talks about being realistic in your scheduling and how her client rescheduled her life, so she now creates from abundance

• [26:14] Tobi invites you to message her and visit with her about a coaching opportunity

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• We do ourselves a disservice when we decide that a particular task can realistically be completed in the amount of time we give it. Time Optimism! It's not a good thing.

• Don’t let the time of day control your activities. If you desire personal time in the morning rather than getting directly to work, take that time you need to be refreshed and joyful to create from the abundance of joy.

• An excellent motto to frame and put on your wall is “It takes as long as it takes.”

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook

• Tobi’s Instagram

• DesignYou High-Performance Program.

I’m angry and on my soapbox today. Everywhere you turn, there is a business strategy around peddling the idea that a mere three steps can magically solve all your woes. While that notion is undoubtedly tempting, it's also entirely impractical. One size does not fit all. However, the opposite extreme – believing everything valuable must be hard – isn't true either.  Adopting the belief that genuine value only arises by making something hard is wrong. Maybe the answer is easier than we think. Don’t miss this episode. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

[0:2] Tobi admits she is agitated because she was trying to create something without her creative flow and also because of people selling simple solutions 

[4:57] Does everything worthwhile need to be hard to achieve, or do we make some things harder than they need to be 

[7:15] Tobi discusses people selling “How to be your best self” or something similar to the detriment of buyers 

[13:21] Tobi shares what she heard on Instagram and admits it made her angry and how it brought up unhappy thoughts of her childhood 

[17:06] Discussion of the Human Design Chart 

[20:37] Business is hard, and Life is hard, but some things are not, and that does not make them invaluable 

[24:19] Attacking others for choosing the easy way, we have been programmed to feel the hard way is the right way 

[27:19] Tobi leaves listeners with the challenge of thinking about the concepts we learned today 

KEY TAKEAWAYS  

Many people believe that if something has value, it should be hard. Sometimes, when good things are happening, we want to make them hard. 

Some people who sell the concept of doing these four things and all will be well aren’t selling something that works. But people are gullible and want the easy way out, so the seller is the winner. 

Social media would have you believe that you need to improve, that you need to change, and work toward being your best self; maybe you already are, and that type of social media or influencer is a bad influence on you, stripping away your self-confidence. 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW: 

Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro! 

Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money. 

If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts. 

Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook 

Tobi’s Instagram 

DesignYou High-Performance Program. 

Have you ever felt like your hair was on fire? Do you believe you must accomplish something monumental or reach a specific milestone to validate your success? Does your "to-do list" seem like an insurmountable mountain, and dissatisfaction permeates your existence? It’s time for a change. Today, I will give you the blueprint for embracing and loving your life, and together, we'll explore strategies for confronting those challenging days or endeavors when nothing seems to align. Join me on my joy journey, where I’m learning how to love my life. We all have choices, and I encourage you to lay aside those tasks, chores and attitudes that rob you of your joy.  

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:20] I ask a profound question, “Are You in Love With Your Life?”

• [4:13] Choosing what fills your day and how you set up your schedule

• [8:24] I share regrets of not spending time with my daughter when she was young and experiencing hair-on-fire moments

• [17:03] Continuing the hustle can lead to depression. You don’t have to earn your joy and leaning into your creative space

• [22:01] The “To Do List” will rob your joy

• [22:59] I invite you to think about the question, “Are You in Love With Your Life, and if not, What Are You Willing to Change?”

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Everyone is busy. Sometimes too busy. The truth is that you can choose what you do during a day or a week. Make choices that give you joy and eliminate the tasks that you can. Not everything you place on your schedule is necessary. 

• There will be moments in your business and life when you will experience hair-on-fire moments. How you think of those problems and how you address those problems determines the effect those problems have on your joy.

• You have to make time in life for your creative space. Creativity doesn’t naturally come when you are exhausted and let your “To-Do List” run your life. 

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook

• Tobi’s Instagram

• DesignYou High-Performance Program.

My perspective on relationships shifts when I view the world through my “joy lens.” We've all experienced disappointment in romantic relationships or friendships. However, it's not always the fault of the relationship itself. Sometimes, it's the unrealistic expectations we impose upon it. We find ourselves let down when reality fails to match the narratives of love stories or romantic comedies we think it should be. But here's the truth: not every person we begin a friendship with is destined to be our lifelong friend or companion, and that's perfectly okay. Today, let's delve into the importance of creating space for others, setting boundaries, avoiding gossip, minimizing complaints, and dramatizing situations and relationships. Prepare for a fun, thought-provoking, and inspiring experience.  You deserve healthy, joyful relationships; this episode is your guide to making them a reality!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:50] Today, we are talking about idealized love, romantic and friendships

• [4:12] I discuss what I learned in my coaching certification training about romantic love and friendships

• [7:47] I reveal how my daughter is navigating friendships in college

• [14:01] The blame game of friendship

• [18:31] I discuss the alternative of “what is wrong with you” to “what happened to you” and how we rank ourselves against others

• [23:25] I apply “holding space” for others rather than judging them, how that affects my joy practice and a challenge to listeners

• [29:34] The value of journaling coupled with the joy practice and being authentic when speaking with others

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Women need to recognize that expectations of how romantic love or friendship should go in our dream world are not reality. The rom-com expectations we have of those relationships are not real-life or sustainable.

• Humans have a habit of labeling other humans. That practice is not helpful. When you have a problem with others, rather than labeling them “this or that,” you should decide they are not your person. Move on.

• Rather than thinking about a person with “Why would you do that?” or “What is wrong with you,” it is better to consider that something could have happened to them. “What happened to you?” is a better way to view someone.

FEATURED ON THIS SHOW:

• Ready to elevate your social media presence and supercharge your interior design business? Sign up for my live three-part training Show Up on Social Media Like a Pro!

• Get the Build A Better Business Guide and be on your way to a business with more ease, more joy, and more money.

• If you liked today’s episode and you have a moment, please leave me a rating and a review in Apple Podcasts.

• Join the Design Biz Disrupters Community on Facebook

• Tobi’s Instagram

• DesignYou High-Performance Program.