The Interior Design Business CEO podcast helps designers stop feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed and empowers them with the tools and strategies they need to start feeling calm, confident, and in control of their business. Join Certified Life and Business Coach, and award-winning Interior Designer, Desi Creswell, as she pairs mindset with effective tips, tools, and processes to help you stop feeling pulled in a million different directions, and start building a profitable, fulfilling ...
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Outofoverwhelm Podcasts

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153. Protecting Creative Time, Boundaries, and My Summer Wins & Fails (Listener Q&A Part 2)
23:23
23:23
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23:23How do you protect creative time when you’re balancing a design business, family life, and a packed calendar? For designer CEOs, carving out dedicated time to create the vision for new projects isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential for project success and team clarity. In this follow-up to last week’s listener Q&A, I’m diving into the practicalities …
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152. Delegation, Productivity, and Deciding What's Next (Listener Q&A Part 1)
24:34
24:34
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24:34How do you manage growing pains when bringing on a new employee while keeping your business running smoothly? That’s the question one listener asked, and it’s one many designers face when adding their first junior designer. Stepping into leadership, delegating effectively, and staying productive can feel like a delicate balance, especially when cli…
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151. Client Trust, Social Media, and Authentic Marketing with Melissa Oholendt
33:50
33:50
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33:50How do you build trust with clients before they even start the inquiry process? For designers, this foundation often determines whether a project becomes a smooth collaboration or a series of stressful negotiations. I’m joined by Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors and one of House Beautiful's 2025 Next Wave designers. Melissa has mastered c…
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150. Build Momentum through Strong Decisions (CEO Summer School)
30:49
30:49
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30:49What if the key to moving your business forward isn’t having all the answers, but making the right decisions and committing to them? In this episode, we wrap up the CEO Summer School series by exploring why strong decisions are the wheels that drive your business. Every choice you make, from your fees and services to how you spend your time, shapes…
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149. Growth, Team, and Leadership Lessons from Katie Kath
33:28
33:28
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33:28What does it take to run a multifaceted design business that balances creativity, leadership, and growth? Katie Kath, CEO and Creative Director of Jkath Design Build, has spent years developing a business model that integrates interior design, custom cabinetry, and renovation management. Her journey from joining a two-person operation to leading an…
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148. Are You Solving the Right Business Problems? (CEO Summer School)
30:54
30:54
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30:54Are you solving the right problems in your design business? Every day brings new challenges, from client communications eating up your inbox time to profitability concerns that keep you awake at night. But there’s a key difference between solving symptoms and addressing the root causes that will help your business thrive in the long run. In this ep…
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147. PR Strategies for Designers: Strategic Growth & Visibility with Allison Hay
36:41
36:41
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36:41Is your design business ready to take the next step with PR? If you’ve been wondering how public relations could help you grow your firm but aren’t sure when or how to get started, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we dive into the strategies that can take your brand from local visibility to national recognition. I’m joined by Allison Hay…
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146. Delegation and Outsourcing: Collaborate, Don't Abdicate (CEO Summer School)
26:19
26:19
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26:19Building a strong team goes beyond simply hiring the right people. It requires a fundamental shift in how you engage with those who support your business. Many creative CEOs hire for relief, hoping to finally hand off tasks they don't enjoy or feel overwhelmed by. But this relief can quickly turn into frustration when team members aren't delivering…
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145. Stop Being So Hard on Yourself: The Power of Self-Compassion
19:25
19:25
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19:25Do you often find yourself being your own toughest critic? Running a business as an interior designer requires resilience, but constantly focusing on what you haven’t done perfectly can hold you back from reaching your true potential. In today’s episode, I’m diving into why practicing self-compassion is one of the most powerful tools you can develo…
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144. Scaling Is an Inside Job (CEO Summer School)
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30:28
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30:28Running a business is like being on an upward spiral - you're continually expanding as your business expands, but the spiral isn't always smooth. You bump up against internal limits and ceilings, often of your own creation. When you understand that scaling is an inside job, you develop the toolkit to move beyond them. Truth number four in the CEO S…
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143. Time & Energy: Identifying Your Gains vs. Drains
19:25
19:25
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19:25Are hidden time and energy drains quietly sabotaging your productivity? It’s easy to focus on the obvious tasks—proposals, appointments, and emails—but what about the subtle drains that can add up over time? In today’s episode, we’re revisiting the important topic of time and energy leaks in your business, which are often harder to spot but can be …
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142. Time Management: The First Domino of Success (CEO Summer School)
18:40
18:40
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18:40Could time management be the key to creating the business and life you want? If you feel like you’re always running out of time or struggling to get things done, this episode will give you a new perspective. In truth number three of CEO Summer School, I’m sharing why taking control of your time is the first step toward taking control of your future…
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141. Running Toward vs Running From: The Mindset Behind Your Goals
15:59
15:59
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15:59Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of pursuing a vision for your business? Setting your vision and pursuing it boldly can feel daunting, especially when you’re focused on what you want three years from now. In this follow-up to CEO Summer School's truth number two, I’m highlighting a crucial distinction that impacts your energy, effectiveness,…
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140. Create Your Vision and Pursue it Boldly (CEO Summer School)
23:44
23:44
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23:44Are you stuck trying to figure out what your business vision should look like? Maybe you know what you want but are unsure how to take action toward it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing truth number two from my CEO Summer School series: "What I Know for Sure." In order to grow a thriving interior design business, you must have a compelling vision of…
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139. Deciding Which Strategies Are Best for Your Business
17:01
17:01
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17:01If there is no right way to grow your interior design business, how do you know what to do next? In this episode, I dive into how to identify your unique right way forward. Understanding your next steps requires examining three key areas: strategy, mindset, and emotional alignment. I share how to evaluate potential business moves through the lens o…
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138. No Right Way to Grow Your Business (CEO Summer School)
17:54
17:54
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17:54Are you stuck thinking there’s a “right way” to grow your business? Maybe you’re trying to follow best practices or copying strategies you’ve seen others use, but something still feels off. In this first episode of CEO Summer School, I’m sharing a truth I know for sure: there’s no single “right way” to grow your business. There are countless ways t…
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137. CEO Summer School: What I Know for Sure
16:11
16:11
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16:11Are you ready to slow down this summer, but still feel like you should be making progress in your business? Maybe you want to give yourself more space to enjoy the season, but also want to keep your interior design business moving forward. In this episode, I’m announcing the return of CEO Summer School—my free audio series designed to help you navi…
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136. Reimagine the Way You Work: A Personal Update
21:53
21:53
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21:53Is there a part of your business you’re feeling pulled to rethink or do differently? Maybe it’s something you’ve outgrown or a new vision that keeps tugging at your attention. When that “what if” won’t go away, it might be time to reimagine what’s next. In this episode, I’m sharing a process you can use to make big changes in your business with mor…
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135. Falling off the Wagon: How to Recommit without Guilt
13:04
13:04
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13:04Have you ever started a new habit or routine, only to suddenly find yourself completely off track? That moment when you realize you've "fallen off the wagon" can trigger a spiral of guilt and self-judgment that makes it even harder to start again. These moments of deviation aren't failures at all, they're essential parts of the change process. In t…
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134. Burnout Prevention: How to Stop Overfunctioning
28:29
28:29
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28:29Are you constantly swooping in to save the day, taking on excessive responsibility, and feeling like you're the only one who can do things right? You might be caught in the pattern of overfunctioning, which can lead to burnout without even realizing it. I share the signs of overfunctioning, why we do it, and most importantly, how to break free from…
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133. Confrontation or Communication? Navigating Difficult Conversations
26:55
26:55
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26:55Do you struggle to have difficult conversations with clients, contractors, or team members? I've been coaching on this topic a lot lately, and it's clear that many designers find themselves in situations where they worry about coming across as rude or confrontational. In this episode, I dive into why these conversations feel so challenging and how …
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132. Decision Debt: A Framework for Better Decision-Making
31:58
31:58
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31:58Are you drowning in unmade decisions? I call this "decision debt" – the accumulation of postponed choices that drain your energy and keep you stuck in a perpetual state of indecision. As interior designers, we help clients make decisions every day, but often struggle with our own business decisions, letting them pile up until they become overwhelmi…
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131. How to Thrive When Things Feel Uncertain
26:23
26:23
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26:23Is uncertainty in the design industry keeping you up at night? With economic shifts, political changes, and market fluctuations, it's easy to feel like the ground beneath your business is constantly shifting. As interior designers, we're not just navigating our own businesses—we're helping clients make significant investments during these same unce…
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130. Pep Talk: Give Yourself What You Need
14:34
14:34
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14:34Have you been ignoring your own needs while taking care of everyone else's? In this special pep talk episode, I explore the powerful practice of identifying what you truly need and then giving it to yourself. Whether it's physical rest, emotional support, or simply permission to want what you want, learning to honor your own signals can transform h…
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129. Boundary Mistakes: 4 Common Pitfalls
25:44
25:44
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25:44Have you ever found yourself feeling exhausted, resentful, or frustrated with clients, contractors, or even team members? If so, you're likely experiencing the consequences of ineffective boundaries in your interior design business. I see this pattern repeatedly with designers who come to me for coaching—they know they need to set boundaries but st…
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128. Hustle vs Hard Work: The Critical Difference
15:33
15:33
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15:33Are you constantly chasing the next goal, pushing yourself to the limit, and feeling like you can never quite catch up? In today's episode, I'm diving into the crucial distinction between hustling and hard work—two approaches that might seem similar on the surface but lead to dramatically different outcomes for your interior design business and per…
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127. How Design Retreats Can Help You Grow Your Business with Jennifer Davis
26:24
26:24
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26:24Have you been feeling stuck in your interior design business lately? Are you ready to level up but unsure of the next steps to take? Attending a professional retreat or conference could be just the spark you need to reignite your passion and grow your business to new heights. In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Davis, founder of Davis Interiors…
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126. How to Stop Doing Things Last Minute: 5 Tips to Take Control
29:21
29:21
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29:21As interior designers, we often juggle multiple projects and deadlines, making it easy to fall into the trap of putting things off until the eleventh hour. But this habit can lead to unnecessary stress, careless mistakes, and even damage to our professional reputation. It's time to make a change. I dive into the mindset shifts and practical strateg…
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125. Prepare Your Business for Summer Now
30:27
30:27
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30:27If the thought of a break brings up a ton of fears and worries, it’s time to start planning now to ensure your interior design business is set up for success during those sweet summer months. Whether you want to take extended time off, work a reduced schedule, or simply navigate the changes in rhythm that summer brings, it's important to be intenti…
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Start Here: Welcome to The Interior Design Business CEO Podcast
0:57
0:57
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0:57I'm an award winning interior designer and a master certified life and business coach. I created this podcast to help designers go from stressed and overwhelmed to calm, confident, and in control because I know that when you thrive, so will your business. In every episode, I blend mindset concepts, emotional resilience tools, and practical strategi…
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124. Fear of Wasting Time: Why Withholding Effort Holds You Back
22:11
22:11
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22:11In this episode, I dive into the dreaded fear of wasting time and energy and explore why it's not actually possible to waste your time if you have the right approach. I share how this fear manifests as withholding effort and how that ultimately keeps you stuck, preventing you from learning and growing. Join me as I reframe the idea of "wasted" time…
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123. Nancy Ganzekaufer & Desi Share 6 Ways to Leverage Your Time to Increase Your Profit
40:32
40:32
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40:32I'm joined by fellow interior design business coach Nancy Ganzekaufer for a collaborative conversation about six actionable strategies to make the most of your time. From planning your days for maximum efficiency to using AI to streamline communication and project proposals, these tips will help you work smarter, not harder. None of these strategie…
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122. 3 Game-Changing Routines Every Interior Design CEO Needs
33:11
33:11
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33:11I'm sharing the essential habits and practices that have been game-changers for both myself and my clients in creating an interior design business that runs smoothly and supports the life you want to live. These routines will help you feel more grounded, intentional, and in control as the CEO of your business. Discover how to bookend your week with…
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121. Negative Thought Spirals: 5 Ways to Stay Calm and Focused
28:52
28:52
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28:52I'm diving into how to recognize when you're caught in a negative thought spiral and practical strategies to break free from it. By learning to manage your mind in these moments, you can cultivate a greater sense of calm, confidence, and focus in your work and life. I share five powerful techniques to stop negative thought spirals in their tracks. …
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120. Choosing New Design Business Opportunities Without Overload
30:54
30:54
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30:54I share a powerful process for systematically assessing new opportunities and invitations. By asking yourself a series of key questions, you can gain clarity on whether saying yes or no is the right decision for you and your business. Whether you're considering a new design project, partnership, conference, or even your own ideas, this episode will…
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119. Taking the Leap: Risk & Reward When You Invest
27:04
27:04
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27:04In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of risk tolerance and how it impacts your ability to achieve your biggest goals as an interior design business owner. I explore what risk tolerance really means, how to assess where you currently fall on the spectrum, and most importantly - how to expand your capacity to embrace discomfort and uncertain…
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118. Enough Chances to Succeed: Staying Committed to Pursuing Your Goals
25:51
25:51
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25:51In this episode, I share my personal experience of setting and achieving a challenging goal last year - doing a headstand in yoga. Through this lens, I explore the importance of giving yourself enough chances to succeed and staying committed to your goals, even when progress feels slow or difficult. Discover how to approach your interior design bus…
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117. Scaling Through Meaningful Relationships with Blue Pencil Collective
55:10
55:10
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55:10Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a successful interior design business through meaningful relationships? In this episode, I sit down with Kasey Johnson and Regan Nix, the co-founders of Blue Pencil Collective, a full-service design and architecture firm, to explore this very topic. Kasey and Regan also share their experience bringing o…
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116. 3 Essential Things to Focus On in Q1 for Your Interior Design Business
22:47
22:47
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22:47I'm sharing the three most impactful things you can focus on in quarter one to gain traction and build momentum in your business. By constraining your focus and committing to targeted strategies, you'll be able to make meaningful progress towards what you truly desire, whether that's bringing in your best-fit clients, increasing your profitability,…
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115. Follow Through on Your Goals: Self Accountability Strategies for Interior Designers
24:57
24:57
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24:57Do you struggle with follow-through and honoring commitments to yourself in your interior design business? You're not alone. Self-accountability is an essential skill that many business owners grapple with, especially as their companies grow and evolve. Tune in to discover practical tips for strengthening your self-accountability muscles. I share t…
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114. Empowering Beliefs and Powerful Questions to Reach Your 2025 Goals
11:35
11:35
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11:35At the heart of building a practice you truly love—one that supports you creatively, financially, and personally—is the ability to make thoughtful decisions. In this episode, I share some powerful questions and beliefs to help you make decisions and pursue your goals with purpose in the coming year. Join me in reflecting on where you are undecided,…
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113. Overcome Goal Aversion to Reach Your Full Potential
28:33
28:33
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28:33Goal aversion can manifest in various ways, some obvious and others more subtle. It might look like telling yourself you're not a goal person, doubting your ability to achieve the goal, or fearing disappointment if you fall short. If you avoid setting goals in your interior design business, or you only feel the resistance to truly committing once y…
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112. Progress Goals vs Outcome Goals: Staying Motivated and on Track with Your Goals
15:44
15:44
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15:44I share a powerful strategy that will help you stay motivated, accountable, and on track throughout the entire journey: leveraging both progress goals and outcome goals in your interior design business. Utilizing both of these approaches gives you clarity, direction, and ways to evaluate your path forward, all of which are going to increase your li…
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111. 5 Key Ingredients to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet
21:18
21:18
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21:18As we wrap up the current year and look ahead to the next, now is the perfect time to reflect on what worked well, what didn't, and what you want to create moving forward. Goal-setting is an essential practice for any business owner who wants to build something significant that supports them financially, creatively, and fulfills their desire for gr…
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As we come to the close of another year and begin thinking about goal setting for 2025, knowing what enough means for you is vital for creating the kind of life and business you truly want. And in this episode, I dive deep into the concept of enough and how it impacts every aspect of your interior design business. I explore how to identify when you…
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109. Uplevel Your Brand Messaging & Positioning: Copywriting for Interior Designers with Deb Mitchell
1:05:20
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1:05:20I sit down with brand strategist and copywriter for interior designers, Deb Mitchell, to discuss how powerful messaging can transform your interior design business from the inside out. From the importance of authentic brand positioning to crafting a compelling voice that builds trust with your ideal clients, Deb shares her expert insights on the po…
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108. Break Free from the Productivity Trap: A New Perspective on Getting It Done
18:14
18:14
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18:14As interior designers, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that more is always better. Whether it’s working on client projects or moving the ball on our business goals, we believe that if we could just be more efficient, more organized, or more disciplined, we could finally get ahead. But what if this constant pursuit of productivity is actually…
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107. Designing for Good: Charitable Giving Strategies for Interior Designers with Mark Ostrom
48:36
48:36
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48:36In this episode, I sit down with Mark Ostrom, the founder, executive director, and creative director of Joy Collaborative: a nonprofit located here in the Twin Cities that creates uplifting spaces for children with life-limiting conditions. Mark shares the story behind Joy Collaborative and explores how designers can give back in a way that's authe…
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106. Project Panic: Navigate Hiccups While Staying Calm
28:20
28:20
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28:20In this episode, I answer a question from a listener who struggles with staying calm and collected when project issues arise. We often absorb the stress of these hiccups to shield our clients from them. However, things are most definitely going to go wrong at some point - whether it’s at the project site, during a presentation, or even in response …
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105. Pivot with Purpose: Should You Revise Your Year End Goals?
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28:14You probably set yourself an annual financial goal back at the beginning of 2024, and here we are, coming into the final months of the year. Are you on track to hit your goals? Maybe you’re falling behind, or perhaps you’ve already surpassed your target and are wondering if you should raise the bar even higher. Listen in this week as I show you how…
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