I have seen it before. We go through a goal setting process and then move forward without continually checking to see if the goal is truly attainable and realistic. Maybe you have heard of SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. Today we are going to talk about stress testing our goals to check for attainable and realistic.

So, I did a thing. I took my business on vacation. We had such a wonderful time together. Just me and Scarlet Thread Consulting. I had been thinking of this and wanting to do this trip for a while, but the timing was not working. On this podcast I am going to share the 3 benefits of taking your company on a vacation.

With me today is Crista Grasso, creator of the Lean Out Method and the 90 Day Lean Out Planner. Crista helps growing businesses achieve more by doing less through a combination of strategic planning and lean business practices.

Today we are going to talk about what that looks like for the design industry. There are many actionable activities in this podcast, so get ready to lean out your business.

Numbers, numbers, numbers. They can really feel overwhelming in a business. And you always hear me, and others, talking about managing your financials or watching them. And maybe you have been thinking – I am looking at them, but not sure what I am looking at or what they should look like. I get it. So, that is what we are going to dive into on the podcast today. We are going to chat about how to set reachable money goals in your Interior Design Firm. Grab a pen and paper and let’s get started.

Joining me on the podcast today is Jack Tompkins of Pineapple Consulting Firm. Jack began his career in the insurance world where he focused on analytics, financials, and building relationships. Now, he works with business owners to turn their flat data into beautiful visual representations to make analyzing and understanding the data so much easier. This was a really fun conversation to have and it seriously inspired me with the possibilities. Listen in for ideas on how to turn that flat data into something more.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with work? Many businesses are right now due to the massive desire our clients are having to control where and how they live since we are spending more time at home. On this podcast we are going to discuss how to delegate work without dumping it. There is a difference, and you might be surprised to know many of us thought we were delegating work when really, we were just dumping it off on our teammates. Let’s break this down together.

Rose Zefferino is the owner of Z Domus Designs, a builder’s interior design firm, located in Pennsylvania. Rose began her career in homebuilding as a project manager right out of college then moved over the years into more of a design position focusing on selections and assisting other builders in creating a smooth-running process. This serves both the clients buying and building the home as well as the builders responsible for the construction.

In this episode, Rose shares with us how her design and selection management process has been honed based on her beginning in construction. We discuss the differences in custom builds and community management, as well as hiring for these different but similar support positions. This episode also helps continue the conversation that there are many facets to design and that finding your area of expertise and doubling down on that can be profitable.

Creating a strategic plan does not have to be difficult or overwhelming. If you followed along in my year end planning podcasts, you have a lot of the inputs to this strategy. If not no worries, you can do it now. Let’s build a strategic plan!

Julia Hash of JSH Designs in Raleigh, NC joins us today. Julia owns a full-service boutique drapery fabrication and design studio. She shares with us how her dream started in her attic, moved down to the main living space, then outside of her home. Listen in to the journey of entrepreneurship that Julia has taken, and continues to take to grow the business in a way that accentuates what she and her team do best.

We are going to discuss why our style is not our brand, how we start to define a brand, and why it matters. Enjoy the podcast.

When I started my first business, I was just doing the work that was in front of me. I had no real plan for where I wanted the business to go and no real plan for the financial success and long-term sustainability of my company. Each year setting goals felt like I was just choosing what felt right or what I was hearing from others at the time without any real basis at all. And you know what, the goals I set did not matter very much as the difficulty of the year progressed. Just like those fitness goals set in January with good intentions, they fell by the wayside. But there is a better way.

Lori May of Lori May Interiors is with me today on the podcast. Lori started her business by blogging which led to rapid growth, an opportunity to be on HGTV, and now running a full-service design business with a team. Lori’s passion to make the ordinary – extraordinary comes through in our conversation. She focuses on building trust with her clients and vendors and enjoys the collaboration aspect of design the most. Listen in as she shares her story.

Today on the podcast, we are going to talk about the saying, “You Are Enough”. Just to be clear, I think that is a lie stated like that. And it is a lie that keeps us down, trapped, feeling less than and encouraging the imposter syndrome to grow larger in our minds. Listen in as I tell you why I believe this to be a lie, and I balance it with some truth.

Why is Why So Important?

Jack Canfield wrote the book, “The Success Principles” in 2005. I remember reading the book and just being blown away by the title of the first chapter, which was “Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life.” I will just let that one sit with us for a minute.

This podcast is part of a series to assist you in planning for the new year in your business. We are going to jump in and talk about a SWOT analysis, goal planning, how to preserve our energy, and how to say no.

Joining me today is Shanna Quinn of East Orlando Bookkeeping. Shanna is Profit First certified and she works with many contractors and sub-contractors, builders, and designers. Today we are going to discuss job costing; what it is and why it could be instrumental in helping you determine the true profit in your company.

Each year around this time, November, I begin the planning process for my business the next year. In the next few solo podcasts, I am going to share with you the steps I use to make sure that on January 1, I can move forward with confidence. Enjoy the podcast.

On the podcast today are Chandler and Jeremy Quarles of Peach and Pine Interiors. They were on the podcast back in episode 80 where we talked about them building a business together that integrated their family life and business life. Today we are going to look at a business challenge they are facing. And this is a challenge that many face – the messy middle. What do we mean by this? This is the place where you are not where you were – but also not where you ultimately want to be. The messy middle. And why do I call it that? Because this is the place that we are in the most, and that takes perseverance to get through. This is the dash between when your business starts and when it is done. This is where your business life is lived. Listen in as we look at this place, create a new perspective, and actually celebrate this climbing up the staircase to our business mastery.

If you have ever read the book, Book Yourself Solid, by Michael Port, you may be familiar with his velvet rope policy. This policy is created to establish boundaries for working with your ideal client. You identify your client and give them access to cross the velvet rope to work with you. In this podcast, we are going to dig into creating barriers and then removing barriers for entry to working with your company.

Have you ever been in a place where you were getting all the jobs you wanted and dreamed of? All you have been working for. And the challenge is that it all came in at once – and now you are completely overwhelmed. Maybe you can feel your heart rate speeding up and a light sweat breaking out even as I say these words. Well, if so – this is the podcast for you. We are going to talk about how to manage and overcome the overwhelm in your business.

In Steven Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the second habit is this; begin with the end in mind. We are going to talk about this habit and see how it applies to the business we are building not only at the strategic level but at the tactical level. Enjoy the podcast.