Only Girl On The Jobsite

If your schedule is feeling tight, or your fall is filling up way faster than you'd like or feeling pressure to take on just one more project, then today's episode is for you!  Scheduling can have an impact on the success of your projects, the health of your business, as well as your sanity. It's all about scheduling, no matter how experienced you are or how many systems you have in place. And how you handle it and lead your clients through it, how you protect your calendar, that is where the real skills lie.  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/busy-booked-burned-out 

There is a powerful, yet overlooked question that you should ask yourself every time you start developing a proposal for your client: “So what?” Whether you're listing deliverables, defining construction roles, or setting your fees, this question forces you to clarify the purpose, value, and outcome of every line in your scope. If you've ever had a client question why you're needed on site—or why your fee is what it is—this episode is for you. Learn how to build trust, eliminate confusion, and finally land the jobs you want. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/one-question-to-transform-proposals 

I often talk about the importance of industry partnerships for growing your business and keeping your project pipeline full. But today, I want to take that conversation deeper. In this episode, I'm sharing how truly powerful these relationships can be — not just for business development, but for your own growth as a designer and leader. From managing construction with confidence to navigating complex projects, the right partnerships—built on respect, clear communication, and transparency—can completely elevate your experience and outcomes. I'll also share a personal story about a contractor who became one of the most trusted collaborators of my career — and why partnerships like his are rare but absolutely worth seeking. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/collaborators-you-dont-forget    

Today's topic hits home for so many designers. It honestly doesn't matter if you're new to construction or you've been around for years. Today, we're talking all about confidence, and specifically that gap between experience and confidence. This seems to trip up so many designers, and the two don't always go hand in hand. Confidence is not performative; it is built. And you absolutely have the ability to build that confidence to create more profitable projects that bring you joy.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/confidence-and-experience 

Today's topic is another one that I don't think gets enough coverage or attention, and that's what happens after you get your contract signed.  We focus a lot on getting the signed contract, which makes sense because without it, you wouldn't be getting to this step. But I want to cover what you do after the client hires you. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/you-got-the-job-now-lead-it 

This wasn't my plan. This wasn't even close to my plan. I never set out to build a course, I never set out to be a podcaster. I certainly didn't imagine I'd be coaching designers or building a program like The Designers Edge. But somewhere along the way, I realized that every experience I've had, ever woman I worked for and the lessons I learned on their job sites, the lessons I learned on my own job sites as the owner of my own firm and every coverseation I've had with a fellow designer was all leading to here. So in today's episode, I'm sharing the full story - how it started, what changed everything for me, and why this next chapter is about delivering something deeper, more transformational, more supportive than ever before.  Join The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/wasnt-the-plan-but-became-the-purpose 

Today, I want to discuss the elephant in the room - and that is the economic unease that we're all feeling, and particularly, how it's impacting our industry. We're going to talk about what's behind the economic unease and how it is impacting both the construction and decorating worlds differently. It's not just about the rising tariffs, it's about who the buyer is that you are targeting. I've been in this industry long enough to have weathered storms like this before, so I want to reassure each of you that there are ways to protect your businesses, your profits, and your bottom line, so that you can come out strong on the other side. Join my upcoming workshop, How to Price Construction Projects When You're More Than Just the Designer: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/the-projects-are-out-there 

Today, we're going to have a little bit of a wreckoning from something I hear all the time from designers, and it starts something like, “Renee, I use square footage pricing to develop my fees for construction management.” Or, sometimes it's a tiered flat fee, or per number room, or a percentage. While I'm not here to tell you that pricing formulas don't ever work, I am here to tell you this: the formulas you are using for your decorating projects are holding you back and underpricing you for construction. If you've ever gotten to the end of a construction project and wondered where your time and, therefore, profit went, today's episode is for you.  Join my upcoming workshop, How to Price Construction Projects When You're More Than Just the Designer: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/formula-thats-failing-designers   

If you've ever skipped billing for a “quick” call or job site decision, this episode is your wake-up call! In today's episode, you'll see how those small moments of expertise carry massive value—and why it's time to stop giving them away for free. Learn to protect your time, price your worth, and set clear boundaries on every project, and get ready to take some notes! Join my upcoming workshop: How to Price Construction Projects When You're More Than Just the Designer. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/10-minutes-of-magic-isnt-free  

Today we're going to talk about something that quietly chips away at your profits, your confidence, and your sanity on construction projects, and that is your unclear role, which affects your bottom line.  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/doing-it-all-getting-paid-for-half     

Today's episode is a really special one. I am joined by Mercedes G Quintanilla, a designer who completed every single lesson inside my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management.  I actually offered an incentive for the first time for members inside the course, who completed it in its entirety, and Mercedes dove in headfirst. She not only went through the whole curriculum from start to finish, but she's now going back through it, to catch all of the, what she calls, nuggets. And here's why that's so powerful: it's easy to cherry-pick content to solve an immediate problem on your plate, and sometimes that is exactly what you need. But when it comes to construction management, understanding how a project unfolds, phase by phase, and your role in each phase, that's what's going to help you avoid the headaches before they hit. The flow does matter. The foundation matters. And Mercedes does get that.  Mercedes G Quintanilla is an accomplished Designer originally from El Salvador, who has cultivated a rich career blending interior design and architecture. She holds a bachelor's degree in interior design from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and a master's degree in architecture from Boston Architectural College.  In 2013, after navigating the challenges of the economic downturn, she ventured into real estate investment, got her license, and founded Atlanta Investing Properties LLC, specializing in flipping residential properties that required significant transformation. This hands-on experience in project management has equipped her with invaluable skills for overseeing complex design projects and renovations, as well as managing intricate real estate transaction paperwork. After a rewarding journey in real estate, Mercedes returned to her true passion—design—in 2016, while continuing to manage real estate renovations on the side. As her real estate, remodeling, and design work deepened, particularly in residential and workspace design, Atlanta Investing Properties LLC naturally evolved into a design studio. Today, she blends her expertise with her design skills to craft unique spaces that nourish the soul and elevate well-being   Even with her background as a trained architect, her experience she recognized that there were gaps in how she approached her projects, in particular residential projects.  In today's episode, you'll hear about the areas of my course, The Interior Designers Guide to Construction Management, that surprised her, ones that challenged her, and ones that gave her the structure that she needed to take her business to the next level. You can find out more about Mercedes and follow her on Instagram here: https://mercedesquintanilla.com  https://www.instagram.com/_mercedes.quintanilla   Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/what-you-still-need    

Today we are talking all about leadership. I know this is a skill you've mastered in your decorating projects and it is one you can translate many of the same aspects into construction. In today's episode, I'm breaking this down so you can start leaning into it today. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-use-your-leadership 

Picture this, you're on a construction site, all sorts of hell is breaking loose, you're scrambling for answers, and you're also thinking, ‘Oh my god, why didn't I see this coming?' If this feels like you, today's episode is for you!    Today you'll learn why building your knowledge before the problems start is the only path to confident and profitable projects and why cherry-picking info in crisis mode just won't cut it. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/build-your-foundation 

Today, I want to talk about construction projects from a holistic birds-eye view because the reality is that construction projects are hard, and I don't think I talk enough about the fact that they are challenging and sometimes can come with a steep learning curve.  I know there are more designers than not on construction projects, and I see designers every day diving in, determined to figure it out as they go. That's who we are - we make things work. And while I know that resourcefulness is incredible and gets us so far in our business, it does have limitations and so today, I want to break this down in order to lift up our industry and set ourselves apart while we're managing construction projects Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/missing-support-for-designers-managing-construction 

If you're ready to take your business to the next level, today's episode is for you! I am so excited to have my friend Katie Decker-Erickson on today's episode! Katie began her career in commercial color consulting as a part-time passion project in 2007. Color Works, has grown into a multi-million dollar commercial design company, currently operating in over 20 states nationwide, with a fully remote team of more than a dozen individuals.  Katie is known for her business acumen (having grown her interior design firm 1500% in a single year). As a business coach for interior designers, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master's degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design through her coaching. In her podcast, "Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design" she helps interior designers bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship. Katie shares real-world insights, actionable strategies, and candid conversations to help you streamline your operations, increase profitability, and build a business that works for you—not the other way around. She has a passion for teaching others (with 18 years teaching graduate & undergraduate university courses), devotion to her two young daughters, and commitment to women's empowerment both personally and professionally.  Today, we're diving into when and how to scale your business, the power of process-driven success, and why agility is your greatest asset as an entrepreneur. Enjoy!   Mentioned in this episode: Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work  Find out more about Katie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deckerkatie/   https://www.instagram.com/successbydesign_coach_podcast/  https://www.facebook.com/successbydesigncoachpodcast  Check out her free resources here: https://successbydesign.coach/free-resources    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/business-of-design-power-of-process 

Today, we are bringing back a listener favorite from Season 5, Episode 177. Charging What You're Worth in Interior Design   We talked about the difference is between a hobby and a profession and how it can simply be boiled down to making money. So many designers undervalue their services and have anxiety about marking up procurements on construction projects, and this was a top downloaded episode, so I wanted to bring it back for all of those who may have missed it and as a refresher for those that did hear it! After listening to today's episode, I hope it gives you some new insight and inspiration, as well as hopefully a few actionable steps you can start taking today. Don't wait to change your money mindset issues and boost your security, knowing your value and worth in ways that you can start charging for immediately! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/listener-favorite-charging-your-worth   

If you have been looking for that one perfect solution in your business - that one right way to be successful in your business, then today's episode is for you!  Today, I want to dispel the myth that there is only one right way, one successful way of running your projects and your business when that just isn't the case and how flexibility is the key to success! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/flexibility-is-key-to-success 

If you're finding your designs are constantly being questioned or dismissed, then today's episode is for you! On any given day, interior designs have a lot to keep track of. Most of us are self-employed so we are not just working in our business, we're working on our business. So today, I want to tackle something that will truly set you apart but is so often overlooked because we are so overwhelmed with everything else. But I want to highlight how important this is to add to our ever-growing to-do list because it will absolutely improve not just the success of your projects but the success of your business.  Miscommunication and power struggles on job sites can sabotage your designs. In today's episode, we break down why trades and designers often clash—and how to earn respect, avoid costly mistakes, and strengthen collaboration. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/why-designers-struggle-with-trades 

I am honored to host LuAnn Nigara today to talk all about leadership in our industry, the struggles and the underlying reasons why stepping into leadership is so critical for the health and profitability of our business.  LuAnn Nigara is a celebrated media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur. Recognized as the “go-to” keynote speaker for leaders and entrepreneurs to launch their life and get out of their own way, she always delivers a dynamic presentation. In her third business launch, LuAnn Nigara Inc., she provides business resources for entrepreneurs through live events and LuAnn University. LuAnn has published three books, is a sought-after columnist and has captured international attention for her weekly podcasts "Window Treatments for Profit" and “A Well-Designed Business®” which has more than 1000 episodes and 9 million downloads.  Luann's experience and wealth of knowledge as a window treatment professional, working with designers day in and day out she knows our strengths, our weaknesses and our biggest struggles. She always brings the wisdom, the tough love, and the straight talk that we need to hear! Leadership isn't just about managing projects. It's about owning your role, setting the tone, and building a business that truly thrives.  Download LuAnn's free quiz here: https://luannnigara.com/quiz/  You can find out more about LuAnn here:  https://www.instagram.com/luannnigara,  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRScT16XD_jq_NqsPPawDA,  https://www.facebook.com/groups/luannnigaraandfriends/    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/luann-nigara 

Today I want to talk about a critical component to your success of every construction project that you may not be thinking of because it doesn't take the form of a process, tip, or trick on a physical job site - and that is the value of a support network. One that you can lean on, transparently ask the questions you're afraid to ask, but most importantly, one that truly understands this crazy ass niche inside our industry.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/power-of-support-network 

If you think back to last year's worst project I know in a nanosecond you'd be able to tell me all about it, detail what went wrong, how much sleep you lost, the increased stress you went through, and likely profitability. I do understand that, and looking back on those projects are important, but today I want to talk about something we don't analyze from previous years, and that is our wins. Focusing on our wins is so much more important than only looking at the projects that went wrong, and today I want to explain why this change in focus can propel your success for 2025. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/grow-your-business-in-2025 

Planning your year is more than just filling your calendar—it's about aligning projects with your business goals, avoiding burnout, and staying intentional. In today's episode, I also share with you how to recognize subtle "pink flags" in projects before they turn into major red flags, and why trusting your instincts can save you time, money, and stress. Plus, learn how to set boundaries, create flexibility in your schedule, and build a strategy that works for you in 2025 and beyond. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/planning-your-projects 

Today, I am excited to welcome my guest, Rick Campos! Rick Campos is a former interior designer turned podcast host, business coach, and advocate for the interior design community. After years of running his own design business and working with industry professionals, Rick launched Design Biz Survival Guide, a podcast and platform that empowers designers with insights, strategies, and confidence to grow profitable businesses. With his background in leadership, community building, and expertise in the business side of design, today, Rick is sharing his practical advice to help interior designers lead with confidence, connect with peers, and embrace the unique challenges of the design industry. Find out more about Rick by visiting his website here:  www.designbizsurvivalguide.com or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designbizsurvivalguide/    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/real-talk-with-rick-campos   

I've just returned from a family ski trip, and it was everything I needed. Vacations aren't just about getting away; it's about breathing and recharging, allowing you to come back stronger. Now that I'm home, I'm diving head first into 2025, so I want to kick off this new year's episode with a topic that's deeply personal to me, and that is defining success on your own terms. You CAN build a business that is meaningful, aligned, and truly works for YOU.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/defining-success-on-your-own-terms 

Today is all about reflection. I'm going to be looking back on 2024, celebrating some wins, lots of lessons learned, and appreciating the growth along the way as well as what the design community has meant to me this year,  why I'm so inspired by the changes I see in our industry and what I'm looking forward to in 2025. Find out more about my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/reflect-recharge-plan-for-2025 

It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this time of year. We've got the holidays, year-end, projects in the works, and marketing for new projects. There are all sorts of things coming this time of year, and it's really hard to take a step back and realize that you are not serving yourself, your clients, or your projects by getting caught up in that chaos.  As a whole, designers tend to be people pleasers, and while that serves us in so many ways, it can also hold us back. It can absolutely take time away from our lives, drain our energy, and it can definitely cost us money. Those are all things that we need to avoid to run healthy, profitable businesses that we love. So today, we are diving into how interior designers can thrive through the holidays! Find out more about my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/how-interior-designers-thrive-through-the-holidays 

Today, we are tackling a topic that is so incredibly critical to the success of your project and, frankly, the success of your future projects, and that is the hidden costs of poor communication.  I think designers overlook this because they think they're already great at communicating. This is what we do. We talk with our clients. We share our design. We explain our visions. Yes, yes and yes. But what I want to drive home is the power communication has on a project, both for good and for bad.  This is where I see a lot of projects fall apart because someone missed a detail, didn't follow up, or assumed everyone was on the same page.  Miscommunication can be extremely subtle and often not intentional. But it can have an impact on everything. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/costs-of-poor-communication  Find out more about my course The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management at: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers 

Last week, I hosted a webinar titled Respected & Profitable, which has sparked such incredible conversations about how being respectful and respected on a project greatly impacts your profitability that I wanted to share with each of you! I also share how to approach negative comments you may hear with curiosity instead of judgment and how the client, contractor, and you, the designer, work together as equals.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/curiosity-over-judgment 

If you've ever wondered if local marketing could make or break your business today's episode is for you! Today, my guest, Nancy Ganzekaufer, shares valuable insights on marketing your interior design business both locally and online, reveals surprising industry statistics you might not know, and explains how to build a thriving business while enjoying a balanced and fulfilling personal life. Nancy Ganzekaufer is a sought-after Business and Life Coach, Body Language Trainer, Speaker, and Author. Previously named one of New York's top coaches, Nancy specializes in coaching interior designers with a focus on marketing and sales strategies, helping them maximize their profitability while identifying and serving their ideal clients with confidence.   Nancy guides her clients to develop the most straightforward path to higher profitability, visibility, and scalability through confident decision making, efficient systems development, and effective communication. She enjoys rolling up her sleeves and helping her interior design clients tackle the tough challenges in life and work, transforming them into happier, healthier, focused professionals.  With her no-nonsense coaching style, Nancy has empowered thousands to know and charge their worth and position themselves in their market with authority and authenticity.  Grab Nancy's free resources for Interior Designers here: https://nancyganzekaufer.com/free-resources-for-interior-designers/  Find out more about Nancy and all of her social media links here: https://nancyganzekaufer.com/  Join her Facebook Group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/interiordesignbusinessforum     Sign up for my upcoming webinar on Thursday, December 5th at  12:30 pm EST / 9:30 am PST >>>https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/respect-webinar

Today, we're covering a topic that most designers struggle with, including myself, and that is talking with your client's about their budgets and having a clear conversation so that everybody's on the same page, right from the beginning. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/budget-conversations-that-lead-to-success   

Ready you're ready or not, we're heading into the holiday season! Although the dates don't change, this time of year tends to sneak up on me, and I'm sure a lot of you as well. But it's also a time that makes me think of connection and appreciation. And that may immediately make you think of family and friends, and it should. But the connection and appreciation also ties back to the way we work as interior designers. And that's what I want to talk about today - how you can head into the holidays with a plan to build upon your connections, show your appreciation, and set yourself up for success, not only with the projects you're on right now but for future projects coming your way.   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/building-relationships-boosting-profits 

Today, I'm excited to share my conversation with Meredith Huck. Meredith is the owner and principal designer of House of Huck and a member of my course, Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management. House of Huck is a full-service Interior Design firm located in Coastal Connecticut. Their homes are the essence of coastal casual—textured accents, inviting spaces, high-end finishes and timeless furnishings. Their goal is to curate a tranquil and welcoming environment into their client's homes while not sacrificing the beauty within, just as the coast does for us. I often talk about the members of my course and how valuable our conversations are. So, I wanted to share that type of conversation with each of you. Meredith and I cover so many different topics in today's episode, including profitability and how we gauge our profitability. Spoiler alert: it's not always in dollars and cents! She's also passionate about running an efficient and organized design business. Bringing her previous career in business forward into her design practice using repeatable processes that benefit not only her but also every project she's working on.    You can find out more about Meredith and follow her here: www.instagram.com/houseofhuck  https://www.youtube.com/@houseofhuck/videos  https://www.pinterest.com/houseofhuck/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/design-processes-personal-freedom   

No one's mind is more blown than mine that this is my 200th episode! This podcast started out as a Covid adventure, and if you had asked me at the time, would I be 200 episodes in? I honestly would have laughed at you if you'd told me that I would have started a podcast, first of all, and secondly, that I'd still be doing it 200 episodes later.  So many of you are new listeners, so I wanted to reintroduce myself today, who I am, why I am here talking about construction management, and why I think it's so important for each of you. And to all of you who haven't been along for the ride, I can't thank you enough. It's because of all of you, your DMs, emails, and encouragement, that I am 200 episodes in with no end in sight!   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/200-episodes 

If you've struggled with setting boundaries, then today's episode is for you! If you missed last week's Episode 198, go back and listen to that one first. Today, we are taking the next step in how to establish respect and control of a construction project with the contractor and the client. And that's all about setting boundaries– right from the start of a project to maintain the control, respect, and confidence you need throughout the entire process! So today you will learn why boundaries matter, how they can actually create more freedom in your work, and how to set and maintain these boundaries from the very first day! Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/setting-boundaries 

Today's topic is something I hear about frequently from designers, so I'm changing things up starting today and will be doing a series on this one topic: How to gain respect and authority on the job site. In today's episode, we are starting with mindset and how to shift your mindset from worker bee to becoming a project leader. This isn't an overnight shift that you will be able to create, but I do know that small shifts in the right direction will be perceived and will shift the perception of your role with the other team members and your clients. And so today, we are digging into how to change your mindset, and what you can start implementing today.    Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite    Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/worker-bee-to-project-leader 

An often overlooked component is referral marketing—and I don't mean just with your current or past clients. You need to start looking beyond them and building specific relationships that will drive construction projects to you and fill your pipeline. So today, we're going to break down why that's so important and how to best go about it!   As always, if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers, please feel free to reach out to me at hello@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media!   Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/master-referral-marketing  

Last week, we talked about how you can expand your services by moving into construction management. And I heard from many of you how you found the episode really helpful, so, thank you for reaching out! I always love hearing what resonates with each of you.  So today, we are going to expand on that conversation, and  I want to walk you through how you can showcase your expertise both in design and construction in social media and throughout your content! As always, if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers, please feel free to reach out to me at hello@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/showcase-your-skills 

There is nothing I love more than hanging out with fellow designers and my recent webinar gave me that opportunity. What I love about it is realizing the commonalities that we all face - the good and the bad.  One of the things that came up was expanding your decorating business to include construction management. Why that's important and how to take the first steps. So today, we're going to break that down!  As always, if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers, please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/expanding-your-services   

Whether you are a new designer or seasoned, there is something to learn from today's conversation with my guest, Rebecca West!   Today, we are going to dig into the marketing messages that we are projecting not only to our clients but to our industry partners. And yes, there are lots of side conversations that are really valuable for you to hear in this episode as well! Two decades as CEO of Seriously Happy Homes turned Rebecca West into the go-to business coach for residential interior designers who create happy homes for regular people (rather than the wealthy 1%). In 2023 she closed her business and moved to Paris, France. Now she's here to help you master your marketing message and establish professional practices that'll keep your clients - and your accountant - Seriously Happy.    You may know Rebecca from the many webinars she's done with the NKBA and IDS. She's also been a regular TV guest on New Day Northwest, served as a judge for Best in Show at KBIS, and is on the board of Heritage Design School.    In addition to 1-1 business coaching, Rebecca offers a signature course called “Nail Your Niche” that lays the foundation for becoming the only designer your clients will call. She's also working on her next book about the “DECIDE” method, a process that helps clients make quick, confident design decisions and keeps our projects on track.   But Rebecca's not all business—she can't resist a costume party or a cat video, loves sipping whisky and eating stinky French cheese, and dances tango with her hubby.    Grab Rebecca's free Nail Your Niche starter kit PLUS direct feedback from me on their niche at https://seriouslyhappy.ck.page/aec00a8bb8    Find out more about Rebecca and follow her Parisian adventures on Instagram at @beseriouslyhappy Check out her podcast, "Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know.”   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rebecca-west 

As the name of this podcast states, being the only girl on the jobsite can be difficult, and I know I've mentioned the challenges of this before, but I don't always dive into the topic as much as I'd like to. Well today, we're diving all the way in!    As always, if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers, please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/role-of-women-in-construction   

I received the emails I'm sharing in today's episode from so many designers after they signed up for my upcoming webinar. They were letting me know their issues, concerns, and the top 1—and sometimes 10—problems they're having with the profitability of their projects.  In today's episode, I won't mention names, but you might hear me read yours or hear one you can truly relate to. I know I have related to all of these questions at some point in my career. I want everyone to understand that we are all in this together. There is no judgment. There is no room for shame. We are all learning, and frankly, there just isn't enough education out there for us on how to build profitable businesses. I hope today's episode helps, and be sure to sign up for my upcoming webinar, which will give you all the answers to today's questions in even more detail! Please join me for my free Webinar, Unlocking Profitability: Pricing Strategies for Interior Designers, on September 12th & 13th at 12:30 pm EST >>>https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing-webinar

Today, we are talking all things numbers, and I know that may make some of you cringe a little bit, but I have invited my friend Michele Williams on to share on how to unlock profitability in your business and how to master your financials. Michele Williams is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions, two companies focused on empowering creative professionals to own the financials of their business. With an eye for detail and a passion for innovation, Michele has carved a niche in providing strategic business coaching and financial analytics to help business owners navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.  At Scarlet Thread Consulting, Michele utilizes her extensive experience in finance and business management to offer tailored coaching and mentoring services. She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve financial clarity and operational efficiency, enabling them to make informed decisions that drive their businesses forward.  Through Metrique Solutions, Michele offers a unique blend of technology and consultancy, providing cutting-edge software solutions designed specifically for the owners of small business. Her expertise in financial metrics and data analysis empowers her clients to optimize their pricing strategies and enhance profitability.  Michele's commitment to excellence and her unwavering support for her clients have established her as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the design community. Her work not only transforms businesses but also inspires creativity and growth, making her an invaluable asset to the industry. I am honored that Michele is here to talk with us about the finances that we need to get a hold of in order to establish, maintain, and grow our profitability. Without that, we are stuck in a hobby and not in a business. And while it can be anxiety producing to look at our numbers, listening today will not only help you understand how to look at them but also how to take charge of them!   Free download:  Use Coupon code WomanJS for one month free of Metrique Solutions  Grab Michele's free quiz where you can get a financial health check-up here:  https://www.scarletthreadconsulting.com/financial-quiz-landing-page Find out more about Michele and follow her on social media here: Instagram: @Scarletthreadatl, & @Metriquesolutions   Facebook: @Scarlet Thread Consulting & @Metrique Solutions   Please join me for my free Webinar, Unlocking Profitability: Pricing Strategies for Interior Designers, on September 12th & 13th at 12:30pm EST >>>https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing-webinar

We've all been in these client meetings where you've hopefully asked the client, “Do you have a budget in mind for this project?” Hopefully, they have given this some thought. But here's the tricky part…. You have no idea what they're basing that number on or if it's all they can spend.  A course member reached out to me asking about this issue. She said time and again she is going into these meetings, has bid the whole project out, and then the client starts adding scope of work to the project, and she, rightfully so, is saying, “Whoa, you're going to blow your budget.” And they say, “Oh, I know. But it's ok. I want to do more.” Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. The opposite is also true. You build out to their budget, and they say, “Oh my gosh, no, I cannot spend this kind of money.” And then, you and your team have to start value-engineering the designs that you've completed.  Neither of these scenarios would set you up to move forward smoothly with the project or complete the design you created.  Today, I want to share my thoughts on handling these situations and how you can avoid them entirely by educating them on the front end.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/avoid-client-budget-changes   

Today is Part 2 of my interview with Virginia DesRoches. If you missed the first part, Episode 187, I suggest going back and listening to that one first!  Virginia DesRoches and John Foran are the dynamic couple and trailblazing visionaries behind Ironwood Studio, an all-encompassing firm that seamlessly merges construction and interior design along the South Coast of MA. Rooted in strong family values, they have earned a robust reputation for their work in designing, building, and renovating family homes from floor plans to furnishings of extraordinary quality and character.  Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, their designs always blend modern and rustic elements, creating a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere ideal for family living. Their dedication to their craft has been recognized in publications such as The Boston Globe, DIY Network, and The Nest. Virginia emailed me recently about a new build she had just recently completed. Her goal was to share her mistakes, which she calls rookie mistakes, with all the designers listening so they could learn the lessons that she experienced throughout this project.  There was so much value in our conversation that we split it into two episodes! So, today, we are going to dive further into what I call, teachable moments, and she calls rookie mistakes. Everything from understanding what's in the proposals that the contractors present and do they cover everything to how to manage a project site book, how to develop and present flat fees to a client, and ultimately, how she plans to implement these lessons in her next projects so that she doesn't make the same mistakes again. Virginia has free resource for you here:  https://www.ironwoodstudio.co/free-resources  called "The Ironwood Dream Home Guide Book." It includes everything you need to know when preparing for your New Build.  Find out more about Virginia and follow her on social media here: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwoodstudio.co/  LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-desroches-17192313/ Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rookie-mistakes-part-2 

I hear everything from designers, from “I estimated 50 hours, and I'm now at 90. I'm totally upside down on my numbers.” to “I have no idea where to start” to “I totally messed this one up, Renee, and I don't know how I'm going to get out of it.”  If that is you, or you've had these pangs of anxiety, you are amongst the many, and this is why I want to talk about his topic today.  I know I've discussed pricing in other episodes, but today, I want to discuss the common thread I'm seeing when designers tell me how they priced their projects. If you skip this step or gloss over it, you absolutely can't build your pricing correctly. As always if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media!   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/scope-of-work-is-key 

We all make mistakes; I make plenty of them! The entire purpose of this podcast is for designers to learn from the mistakes of others. My guest today is Virginia DesRoches who is here today to talk about some of the rookie mistakes she has made and the lessons she learned from them. Virginia DesRoches and John Foran are the dynamic couple and trailblazing visionaries behind Ironwood Studio, an all-encompassing firm that seamlessly merges construction and interior design along the South Coast of MA. Rooted in strong family values, they have earned a robust reputation for their work in designing, building, and renovating family homes from floor plans to furnishings of extraordinary quality and character.  Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, their designs always blend modern and rustic elements, creating a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere ideal for family living. Their dedication to their craft has been recognized in publications such as The Boston Globe, DIY Network, and The Nest.   When Virginia and I first met in my course, Interior Designers Guide to Construction Management, she shared a large new build she was working on, and couple of weeks ago she emailed me to tell me the job was finished and that while it ended well, she encountered a lot of what she called, rookie mistakes along the way. She thought other designers could also learn from them and wanted to share the high's and low's of this project.    The value in what Virginia shares is extensive, and so today is Part 1, where we cover cover setting fee structures, the details in making selections, permitting, and factoring in things often forgotten about, such as weather and then how to best work with new trades on a project.   Virginia has free resource for you here:  https://www.ironwoodstudio.co/free-resources  called "The Ironwood Dream Home Guide Book." It includes everything you need to know when preparing for your New Build.  Find out more about Virginia and follow her on social media here: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwoodstudio.co/  LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-desroches-17192313/ Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rookie-mistakes   

It's already July 30th and I don't know about all of you but I'm feeling that mid-summer slow down, both the highs and the lows of it. Now is the time when we want to start looking ahead to start planning our fall and winter pipeline projects. So today I want to talk about how to embrace the moment while also preparing for the future if you have a full pipeline of projects and what to do if you don't. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/planning-for-fall-winter   

If you ever feel a lack of confidence about skills that you definitely have, then today's episode is for you!! Last week's episode (Ep184) was a really important conversation around struggles I know so many designers have about setting boundaries and how they present themselves to contractors, clients, and anyone else in our industry. A lot of this stems from a lack of confidence and feeling insecure about skills that you definitely have.  This topic definitely hit a nerve with a lot of designers listening to last week's episode about things you took away from the episode and things you want to work on. In fact, it even came up inside my course's live masterclass on building the best team. So today I want to continue on with this topic on gaining confidence in our skills, setting those important boundaries, and elevating our design expertise! As always if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/elevate-your-expertise 

If you want to know how to really master your confidence and build effective, quality relationships with your team members then today's episode is for you!! Jeannie Andresen is here today and we dive into how to start building relationships with a new team member, why these relationships are so important, and how to create boundaries when needed and stand in our own value!  Jeannie Andresen is a former corporate director turned business coach who specializes in helping interior designers gain confidence, balance, and profitability in their businesses. Jeannie's background includes a decade of experience in corporate America running a recruiting business inside a Fortune 100 finance firm. Her role included directly managing a team of six, indirectly managing a team of 30, and onboarding, training, and coaching sales professionals to develop daily habits of success to reach their business goals. Jeannie now focuses her business on teaching design professionals the confidence, processes, and boundaries necessary to run an organized, efficient, and profitable design business.  She has been interviewed on prominent design podcasts such as A Well Designed Business and Designed by Wingnut Social, and is an educational partner to Designer Link, an interior design membership community on Chicago's North Shore.  Find out more about Jeannie and follow her here: Instagram: @jeannieandresen_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeannieaandresen  Grab her free download here: https://pages.jeannieandresen.com/bulletproofboundaries    If you're interested in joining my course, you can use my code ‘Masterclass' to receive $150 off the price. That special discount will expire on July 18th at midnight EST.    If you have questions, feel free to schedule a course discovery call with me by scrolling down to the bottom of the page here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/jeannie-andresen 

Recently, I've been hearing rumors about supply chain issues rearing their ugly heads again, and I was too busy to focus on them at the time and certainly didn't feel it in my day-to-day world. But I came across an article and took the time to do some research on this topic and I want to share the information I found with you and why it is so important for you to continue to lean into your construction management services.   If you're interested in joining my course, you can use my code ‘Masterclass' to receive $150 off the price. That special discount will expire on July 18th at midnight EST.  If you have questions, feel free to schedule a course discovery call with me by scrolling down to the bottom of the page here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/supply-chain-issues   

I am a luxury interior designer, construction expert, and industry educator. That's my sound bite. What is your soundbite? Today, I want to talk about how to develop your own soundbite and why it's so critical to do so. After listening to today's episode, I would love to hear your soundbites! Send me an email at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media! We are much stronger together, and this is a way we can connect even further! Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/your-soundbite