Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business (Darla Powell)
Explore every episode of Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Aug 2020 | Instagram Reels VS TikTok: The Game Begins - Episode 173 | 00:10:51 | |
It’s official, after a test-run in a few countries, Instagram Reels is officially available in 50 regions—including the US. They fast-tracked their launch because of the increased pressure Trump has placed on the sale of TikTok. So what will come of Instagram Reels? Will they compete with TikTok, or be another Facebook flop? Only time will tell...but until then, check out this Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode for all the deets on Instagram Reels! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
The first advantage from the designer side is that you’re already used to using Instagram, so it will likely be an easier transition—or very little transition at all. Darla and Natalie outlined how to access and use Instagram Reels in episode 163, so check that out for all the technical details. Reels allow you to record and edit a 15-second multi-clip video with music (audio provided OR your very own). You can also speed up and slow down parts of a video. If you have a public account other people can use your audio for their reel and if it’s original, it will be attributed to you. If your account is private, it will only be shared to your feed. The only thing that distinguishes Instagram Reels from TikTok? The AR filters that are available. It’s Instagrams way of trying to reel you in and discover original content meant to entertain and inspire others. Your Reels can also be found on the explore page. What are the only downsides of using Instagram Reels? Listen to find out! Instagram Reels: A viable alternative to TikTok—or just a copycat?Trump has been adamantly stating that TikTok will be banned unless they’re bought out by a US-based company. TikTok NEEDS to sell—so who’s buying? He gave contenders until September 15th to make their move or he’s pulling the plug. Microsoft and Twitter have both been rumored to be interested in the purchase. But it would be a HUGE purchase: TikTok is valued at $50 billion. So based on the fact that Instagram is a platform you know, like, and trust—perhaps TikTok will fizzle out? On the flip-side, will Instagram Reels really compete? It’s basically a copycat of TikTok—so will it catch on? Or go down in flames? Darla still LOVES TikTok and thinks someone will buy them out. But if you were resistant to learning yet another social media platform, Instagram Reels is the way to go. Either way, the TikTok clock is ticking down. September 15th will come quickly—and you can bet Darla and Natalie will report what happens right here! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 12 Jul 2023 | How to Write a Book if You’re an Interior Designer | 00:38:49 | |
Are you an interior designer or a thought leader considering writing a book? Well…what does it take to get a book deal? What are options for self-publishing? How do you write a book in the first place? The process is overwhelming, but today’s guest, Stephanie Chandler of the Nonfiction Authors Association, is here to walk us through the process. Stay tuned! Stephanie Chandler is the author of several books including The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan. She is CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association, a vibrant community for writers, and the Nonfiction Writers Conference, a live event conducted entirely online since 2010. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, she has been featured in Entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, and Wired magazine. *** 📲CONNECT with Stephanie: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonfictionauthorsassociation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniechandler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonfictionassociation/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Nonfiction Authors Association: https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/ Rizzoli (Publisher): https://www.rizzoliusa.com Editorial Freelancers Association: https://www.the-efa.org Association of Ghostwriters: https://associationofghostwriters.org ACX (Audiobooks): https://www.acx.com Findaway Voices (Audiobooks): https://findawayvoices.com "A Well-Designed Business: The Power Talk Friday Experts Vol. 2" by LuAnn Nigara featuring Darla Powell "10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less" by Dan Sullivan 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 03 Nov 2021 | Kate Doster’s Attention-Grabbing Email Marketing Strategies - Episode 241 | 00:40:33 | |
Is email marketing still relevant? How do you grow and nurture your email list? How important are lead magnets? These are just a few of the many topics Kate Doster covers in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast. If you’re struggling to build email campaigns that convert, Kate is the go-to expert. Don’t miss her take! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Why is someone going to their inbox? They’re bored, procrastinating, stuck watching their kids boring tv shows—who knows. But Kate knows that people go to their inbox for a hit of dopamine. Because you’re shooting for a dopamine hit, you want to give them a quick tip or anecdote. When people go to their inbox, they want a quick escape. People think emails need to be a large elaborate story. It doesn’t need to be that. But you do want to make sure your emails are relevant. If someone signs up for Kate’s email list, they get emails about email marketing and sales psychology. If she started talking about her fitness journey to her subscribers, people wouldn't care. They’d unsubscribe. That being said, you can give them a random piece of information that’s tied back to your topic. You must be entertaining and stay true to your brand. You have to treat your subscribers like they’re one in a million, send relevant emails, and include the hit of dopamine. How can I make this person feel good today? How can I make them interested? How can I get them thinking? Start with an attention grabber. Kate’s secret sauce: The “Yeah, but…” emailYou want to give your subscribers something that answers the, “Yeah, but…” question. Yeah, I want this, but this is in the way. People always have “yeah, buts…” You have to identify what’s holding people back from making a decision. You can then share simple guides that give them the answer to their questions and leave them saying, “She gets me. She understands.” If someone is truly interested in getting their living room redesigned but can never agree on something with their spouse, you can share a guide that touches on how to mesh two different styles. Think of something that’s holding people back. Listen to hear what Kate’s specific tips for interior designers are! The importance of lead magnetsIf you have an interior design blog and want to share some dupes for a crazy expensive couch, that could be a lead magnet. You want to share an exclusive thing that people can only get if they join your email list. It can be hard to brainstorm ideas, so Kate shares some genius hacks. If you have a popular and relevant piece of content, upcycle it. If something on social media got a lot of engagement, can you turn it into a PDF? You can use that in an email. It doesn’t have to be reinventing the wheel. Create permanent versions of things that are excelling and offer that as your freebie. Another pro tip? List out all of the excuses and concerns that people have around what you’re ultimately going to sell. Is it working with an interior designer? Is it sourcing? Is it doing something on a budget? Is it finding high-end dupes? If you aren’t sure, look at 2 and 3-star reviews on Amazon or snoop around in Facebook groups. What are people complaining about? When you address the “Yeah, but...” that someone has, it works. It all comes from knowing your ideal client. You want someone to say, “How did you know that’s what I needed?” Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 17 Apr 2023 | Is Lemon8 the New Instagram? | Mini News | 00:08:26 | |
Is TikTok getting canceled? Well, that remains to be seen, but parent company ByteDance is doubling down with a new app called Lemon8. Why is that important for interior designers? Tune in to this week’s Mini News sesh to find out! Got a topic for Mini News? Send it to info@wingnutsocial.com. *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 17 Jul 2024 | Franchising Your Design Business (with Guest Host Rebecca Hay) | 00:42:31 | |
Are you offering micro design in your interior design services? If not, you could be leaving money on the table. Guest Host Rebecca Hay sits down with Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories to discuss the rise of micro design, plus everything you need to know about franchising your design business. Stay tuned! Miranda Cullen is an internationally recognized interior designer and founder of Inside Stories, one of Colorado's top design firms. She currently leads a team of 20-plus designers in her Denver-based studio, which has earned more than a few accolades. In 2022, Miranda won the Design & Architecture award from the International Design & Architecture Committee. This year, Inside Stories was listed among the "Top 13 Interior Design Firms" in the Southwest by Architectural Digest PRO. *** 📲CONNECT with Miranda: Website: https://insidestories.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidestories_design/ 📲CONNECT with Rebecca: Website: https://rebeccahay.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msrebeccahay/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientbydesignpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeH21grLjMPHDXhrrcVo5A Podcast: https://rebeccahay.com/podcast/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Women's Murder Club" Series by James Patterson 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 09 Dec 2020 | Betsy Helmuth’s Guide to 10x Your Influence - Episode 198 | 00:40:40 | |
How do you broaden your influence? How do you get exposure with local and national media? Where do you start? Betsy Helmuth joins this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast to share exactly how she broadened her reach—and how you can too. If you’re ready to 10x your influence, this is the episode for you. Betsy is the owner of Affordable Interior Design and a nationally celebrated interior designer. She can transform modest spaces into beautiful environments—on a budget. She’s appeared on The Today Show, HGTV, DIY Network, CBS, NBC and in dozens of magazines and newspapers. She heads up AID academy and wrote the book Affordable Interior Design. She also hosts an interior decorating podcast. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Betsy has been on TV—almost from day one. She loves all things TV. It’s the language she speaks. If you want to get on tv, it helps to be in a place where there’s a ton of media. But if you’re in smaller towns, the bonus is that there’s less competition. News and media outlets constantly need content. They’re looking for stories. But most people approach them the wrong way. Betsy emphasizes that you need to come to them with “A fresh slice of lemon pie.” When you bite into it, it needs to be refreshing and delicious yet creamy and decadent. You need to give the media something timely and fresh and you can’t make them do the work. You can easily get to anyone’s mailbox through a Google search. Show up in that mailbox with a baked pie. How do you do that? What are the ingredients of the pie?Here are a few tips to craft a pitch that your local media will want to gobble up:
Betsy cautions that you have to be prepared to spend hours on this and never get a response. Be prepared to pitch repeatedly. Be prepared to get the door slammed in your face many times. But when you finally hit it, it gives you legitimacy in your client’s eyes for years to come. How do you reach out? What do you say? Listen for all of Betsy’s tips! Did Betsy’s book 10x her influence?Betsy cannot stress this enough: Don’t write a book hoping to make money. If you do make money, you are one of the rare few. She sees her book as the shiny version of a business card. It helps people get to know you. It lends credibility to your expertise in the space. Think of it as a key that can open some doors. It can introduce you in a new way. But now that self-publishing is so popular, writing a book isn’t so special anymore. She points out that there are so many other ways to be relevant—like hosting a podcast. You can start a podcast covering your core ten principles and you still get visibility. According to Betsy, you should “Choose what comes organically to you. I love to write and I love to present. Those things are things that fill me up whether or not I make money, whether or not they get me anywhere.” Give something fresh that’s you. Do you have anything new or innovative to share in the space? She states that life is too freaking short. Don’t do what other people say legitimizes you. Do what feels valuable to you and the people you want to reach. Are you still achieving what you want to achieve? Don’t run anyone else’s race. Betsy notes “The time and energy that it takes to make something good is not worth it if it’s not authentic.” Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | A New Instagram Update is Reinventing the DM | Mini News | 00:07:53 | |
Has Instagram gone too far this time with its latest and greatest features, and are you about to lose thousands of followers? Darla is joined by Emily Lisi, the Head Creative Wingnut at Wingnut Social, to discuss a new Instagram feature in the works that will allow you to Message or share your favorite posts directly with your followers.
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📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/
🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/
🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 28 Jun 2023 | How to Stay Passionate and Motivated in the Interior Design Business | 00:35:29 | |
What does running ultra-marathons have to do with running an interior design firm? Today’s guest, Holly Snow Hollenbeck, is an inspiring former ultra-marathon runner, who takes lessons she learned as an athlete and applies them to running her interior design business. Before establishing HSH Interiors in 2002, Holly developed her business acumen working in investment banking, consulting and at an internet start-up. Ultimately, she decided to pursue what she had always loved, and enrolled at UC Berkeley’s Interior Design Program. Now Holly helms a staff of 12 designers with two offices, one in SF and one in Tahoe. While Holly’s projects are predominantly in the Bay Area and Tahoe, her portfolio includes projects in Los Angeles and Wyoming. *** 📲CONNECT with Holly: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hshinteriors/ Website: https://www.hsh-interiors.com/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth "At Home: A Short History of Private Life" by Bill Bryson 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 24 Feb 2020 | Abandoning Perfection—The Trending Instagram Aesthetic | 00:12:14 | |
The days of the perfectly curated Instagram feed are dying out, and for good reason—people are tired of seeing perfection. It doesn’t exist in the real world. The airbrushed & color-coordinated photoshopped grid that influencers model is becoming a thing of the past. So what does that mean for designers? If you don’t have to strive for perfection—what do you shoot for? In this Monday marketing minisode, Darla and Natalie share their take on what your Instagram feed should look like. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
The perfect Instagram feed is fading out and being replaced by what some would term as “ugly” photos—unedited, monochromatic, or quickly-snapped. Our smartphones put the world at our fingertips. Within minutes of snapping a photo, we can upload it to social media. Gone are the days of digital photography, intensive editing, and striving for painstaking perfection. People aren’t looking for a sunbeam shining down from God on your Instagram feed. They don’t want to look at an airbrushed life that doesn’t exist in reality. What they DO want is authenticity. Darla and Natalie point out it’s why we are seeing the growth of micro-influencers. Large accounts are losing steam in lieu of REAL people sharing their everyday lives and businesses. So what should your Instagram aesthetic be?It’s about finding balance. Obviously, you still want your feed to have nice photos—but they don’t have to be unobtainable. Our director of Social Media—Shana Heinricy—shared a few key things to think about:
You still want to reflect your brand, blend in with your style, and stay consistent across platforms. BUT focus on sharing nice photos that tell a story of who you or your brand are. They don’t need to be airbrushed perfection, just a reflection of your real authentic self. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 10 Aug 2022 | The Interior Designer’s Guide to the Remote Hiring Process - Episode 277 | 00:40:48 | |
How do you navigate the remote hiring process for your interior design business? What should you include in the interview process? How do you retain a remote team once you hire them? Anna Shcherbyna joins Darla in this episode of Wingnut Social to tackle these questions head-on. Anna Shcherbyna has over 10 years of experience in international operations and recruitment. She is the CEO of Remotivate, a recruitment agency that helps remote-friendly companies hire top remote management and leadership via a done-for-you service. Don’t miss her expert insight! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
As of early 2022, 50% of applicants on LinkedIn have been for remote jobs, but only 20% of the jobs posted are actually remote. The #1 reason why candidates are applying for new jobs is because they’re being forced back into the office. Why are employers still resistant to remote work? Anna points out that when people work remotely, productivity goes up, flexibility goes up, happiness goes up, and morale goes up. But the one thing that you do lose out on is that quickness of communication. How to screen candidates remotelyAnna recommends that you screen for soft skills. It isn’t just about experience anymore. You can’t just look at someone’s resume and LinkedIn profile and determine if someone is a good fit. You need to look for a hunger to learn, time and effort, independence and drive, and someone who is self-motivated. Obviously, you still want to screen candidates to make sure they’re a good fit for the position you’re hiring for. To do this, Anna loves using VideoAsk. You can see if a candidate is comfortable on camera and better assess their passion and interest in the role. Anna also recommends using some personality tests (DiSC and Clifton Strengths, which was formerly StrengthsFinder). CliftonStrengths asks direct questions, such as what you enjoy—and what you don’t—and how you act in different scenarios. It’s harder for you to answer questions from the lens of what you think the potential employer wants. Lastly, she always recommends a test project that is actionable and strategically related to the position being hired for. Give them an actual scenario you’re facing within your business and ask them how they’d resolve it. What steps would they take? Have them create a strategic plan. What are the advantages of hiring a remote employee internationally? Anna shares a few factors you might not have considered! How to nail the remote hiring processStep #1: Start with a questionnaire that tackles what a candidate has experience in, the tools they’ve used, industries they’ve worked in, and more. It’s about covering the logistics. Doing this can eliminate 70% of the people applying. Step #2: Ask the remaining 30% to record a short video where they present themselves and answer a couple of questions that you’ve provided. Step #3: Set up a conversation with the potential team member, interact with them, and conduct an interview. Step #4: Give them a test project to complete. This will allow you to more fully understand what their skills are, how they communicate, and what their experience is. Plus, you get to see them live in action. Step #5: Finally, complete reference checks. Ask them to prepare some previous clients or employers that they’ve worked with for at least 6 months, within five years, and no longer than five years ago. It needs to be with a supervisor who can speak to their character and growth. If you set up the remote hiring process correctly, it creates a seamless experience for you and the new hire. How do you retain remote employees? How can you set them up for success? Listen to the whole episode to hear Anna’s thoughts! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 04 Dec 2024 | Economic Trends and Tips for Interior Designers in 2024 | 00:37:43 | |
This week, Darla sits down with renowned interior design coach Gail Doby. They discuss the current state of the interior design industry and talk about the challenges faced by designers due to economic pressures like interest rates and inflation. Gail offers valuable advice on maintaining profitability, the importance of marketing and networking, and the impact of mindset on business success. Gail Doby is co-founder of Pearl Collective, an interior design business consultancy that has helped designers, architects, and other creatives increase their profitability by up to 512 percent. Doby does more than help her clients wrangle decimals on a budget sheet. After nearly 20 years of experience running her own Denver-based design firm (plus a BSBA in Finance and Banking), she’s obsessed with sharing innovative ways to overcome business roadblocks and challenges. *** 📲CONNECT with Gail: Website: https://thepearlcollective.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collective.pearl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.pearl.collective/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pearl-collective/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential" by Brian Johnson 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 28 Aug 2024 | How to Reach Your Goals by Braving the River of Misery | 00:45:13 | |
Do your goals for your design business feel unattainable, or are you afraid to even set those goals for fear of getting uncomfortable? Business and life coach Andrea Liebross has lots of great tips on how to get out of your comfy pond and reach your full potential within the waves of the “River of Misery.” Stay tuned! Andrea Liebross, a certified business and life coach, specializing in empowering female entrepreneurs to infuse thinking with action so they can drop the drama and figure out how to think like a CEO, manage like a CEO and believe in themselves to achieve success in their business and at home. Celebrated for her transformative work with unapologetically ambitious women, helping translate their visions into tangible accomplishments, Andrea is the author of the new book, She Thinks Big: The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and into the Extraordinary. Andrea is dedicated to implementing systems and strategies that lead to sustainable and meaningful success. She possesses the unique ability to decipher complex situations and shed light on the broader perspective, one that transcends business politics and tedious responsibilities. Her focus is on guiding women toward their highest potential, free from the constraints of traditional norms, to achieve a coveted balance of time, financial prosperity, and boundless energy. Beyond her coaching, Andrea is a dynamic speaker and the engaging host of the Time to Level Up podcast, where she works to help listeners create a plan to have a profitable and successful business. *** 📲CONNECT with Andrea: Website: http://www.andrealiebross.com Podcast: www.andrealiebross.com/podcast Book: www.shethinksbigthebook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrealiebrosscoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea.liebross.coaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-liebross/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0-A88LuOgOREiyvauWSdQ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/liebross/ X: @andrealiebross TikTok: @andrea.liebross.coaching 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level" by Gay Hendricks "The One Minute Manager" by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 31 Jul 2024 | Should I Buy or Rent a Commercial Space for My Design Business? | 00:30:56 | |
Are you wondering whether to buy or rent a commercial space for your design business? Is now a bad time to buy a space? What are the risks? What are the benefits? Today's guest, Paul Neal, has spent over 30 years guiding entrepreneurs and businesses towards financial success, and he has lots of great tips on this topic. Stay tuned! Paul Neal, Founder and CEO of Vantage Point Commercial Capital, has spent over 30 years guiding entrepreneurs and businesses towards financial success. A passionate advocate for sustainable growth, Paul's work embodies his belief that thriving businesses are the heart of strong communities. When he's not helping others realize their dreams, Paul is a devoted family man, running enthusiast, and lover of outdoor adventures, underpinning his commitment to balance and vitality in all aspects of life. *** 📲CONNECT with Paul: Website: https://vpc.capital Paul's book: https://www.ownyourbuildingnow.com/2 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-neal-tea/
📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Paul's book: "Un-Lease Your Business: Unlock Wealth, Autonomy and Control by Buying Your Building and Firing Your Landlord" "Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork" by Dan Sullivan 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 02 Nov 2022 | Project Management Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs (with Tonya Thomas) | 00:22:52 | |
Are you an interior designer struggling with organization and project management? Tonya Thomas joins us today to share some tips and tools that she’s used to help CEOs grow their teams from 1 employee to 50, lead multi-million-dollar revenue growth, and free up their time to oversee major expansion projects. Also in this episode, Tonya explains how hiring a virtual assistant is the key to a complete organizational overhaul. Tonya Thomas is the founder of Team Delegate, a provider of elite virtual executive assistant support to seasoned executives turned small business owners. Tonya is a speaker, 20+ year business owner, and host of the Unbottleneck Your Business podcast. She excels in helping CEOs grow their teams from 1 employee to 50, lead multi-million-dollar revenue growth, and free up their time to oversee major expansion projects. *** ⭐️Why are systems important for businesses? Systems create consistency and organization! A lot of times we have systems in place and don’t realize it - for example, if you have an assistant that manages your calendar through Google Calendars or Outlook, that’s a system! Your system consists of the tools that you use, and how you use the tools. ⭐️SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are super important to put in place for your business. They create organization, and they’re also helpful in case of turnover - you won’t need to utilize your time to train new hires because a well-created SOP can be used effortlessly for onboarding. It’s important that your SOPs are both written and visual, because everyone learns differently (adding in videos can help visual learners). Creating SOPs can also help identify issues within your overall workflow and ultimately allow you to smooth out your processes. ⭐️Some helpful project management tools are Asana, Monday.com, and Teamwork. Tonya personally uses Teamwork for projects. Even if it’s just you and one other person, having a project management system is crucial because it organizes your work. When you’re working with others, especially if it’s remote, a project management system really helps create cohesion and consistency as you’re working together virtually. ⭐️What’s a virtual assistant, and do I need one? If you’re someone who doesn’t necessarily need a full-time employee, but are seeking some help in managing your calendar and other tasks, an executive virtual assistant can work for you. Your company can either be in person or remote, it doesn’t matter - a virtual assistant can help both! An assistant will help create systems for your business, and also research project management and organization tools that suit you and your team. *** 📲CONNECT with Tonya: Website: https://www.teamdelegate.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamdelegate/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyabthomas/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 25 Dec 2024 | New Year, New You: Turn Your Passion Projects Into a Million Dollar Design Business [Replay] | 00:34:11 | |
Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. *** Today’s guest, Liz Potarazu, tells us about her journey to creating an almost million-dollar interior design business in just 3 years. Liz also shares her health and wellness routine that keeps her in tip top shape to run her business. Stay tuned! Liz Potarazu is the CEO and Principal Designer of LP & Co, a residential and commercial office interior design firm. Liz started her career in NYC in B2B sales before earning an MBA in San Francisco and pivoting into corporate marketing. Interior Design is a second career for Liz, one filled with passion, purpose. She resides in Potomac, Maryland, right outside of Washington, D.C. with her husband and three young children. *** 📲CONNECT with Liz: Website: https://www.lpandcodesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lpandcodesign/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4oEBg5pzm0bN_oOwassV2w 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 The Standard: https://interiordesignstandard.com DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION 101: https://luannnigara.com/design-for-construction-101/ Guide to Construction Management: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers Cheryl Kees Clendenon: https://www.indetailinteriors.com Mel Robbins: https://www.melrobbins.com Andrew Huberman: https://www.hubermanlab.com "Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing" by Caroline Myss 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | Get a Licensing Deal by Building Relationships With Vendors | 00:36:45 | |
Today we're discussing how designer Cheryl Luckett built her business on the back of a career pivot all the way up to launching two performance textile collections, one with Revolution Fabrics and another with Wildwood Home. We also discuss setting boundaries in your business and other ways to make self-employment sustainable. Cheryl Luckett's design journey began at Tennessee State University, where she studied Family and Consumer Science. After obtaining her Registered Dietitian credential at Prairie View A&M University, she excelled in corporate America for over 15 years. It was there that her creative instincts collided with her faith, propelling her towards her true calling in design. Now, at Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, she brings her classic style, vibrant palettes, and cultured details to life. Her collaborations with major home furnishing brands showcase her expertise in textiles, lighting, and furnishings. Recently, she launched a performance textile collection with Revolution Fabrics, available at Wildwood Home. Cheryl's work has graced the pages of Southern Home, Traditional Home, HGTV Magazine, Luxe, and Country Living. Her areas of expertise include Interior Design Business, Branding, and Product Licensing. *** 📲CONNECT with Cheryl: Website: https://www.dwellbycheryl.com/ Instagram: @dwellbycheryl Facebook: @dwellbycheryl Pinterest: @dwellbycheryl Threads: @dwellbycheryl X: @dwellbycheryl 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Cheryl's previous episode: https://youtu.be/q80KSir7NKo?si=mhcHfHl8V_7VXmBG "$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No" by Alex Hormozi 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 10 Jan 2024 | REPLAY: How to Bust Out of the Basic Designer Box | 00:35:21 | |
Are you trying to act a certain way so people will perceive you as an elite interior designer? Today’s guest, Shoshanna Shapiro, chooses to take a risk and just be her authentic self. She tells us why this is a gamechanger in your design business. Stay tuned! Award-winning luxury interior designer, Shoshanna Shapiro, delves into the psychocentric and effective functional use of spaces to create unique luxury experiences for her clients. Her approach to design not only reveals the inner beauty and style of her clients, it rejuvenates the soul.As a well-established designer, Shoshanna is no stranger to tackling challenging projects from complete renovations to new additions – she’s done it all with confidence. *** 📲CONNECT with Shoshanna: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sho.and.co/ Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/shannashapiro Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shoandco/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Dakota Design Company: https://www.dakotadesigncompany.com "The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It" by Michael E. Gerber "Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business" by Gino Wickman 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 21 Sep 2020 | How IGTV Captions Help YOU Capture a Larger Audience - Episode 184 | 00:05:46 | |
Are you guys still using IGTV? Did you know they’ve added a feature that will automatically add captions to your IGTV videos? Facebook has been doing it for a while and it’s time for Instagram to catch up. Why is this a BIG deal? Darla shares all the details in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
It’s no secret that Darla believes that video is a VERY important aspect of your marketing and that it should be one of your marketing pillars. It expands your reach—now, more than ever. Darla is an early bird—getting up as early as 3:30 am some days. She’ll play videos very quietly on her phone so she doesn’t disturb Natalie or their pups. Darla isn’t the only one: 85% of videos on social media are watched without sound. Another fantastic bonus? Adding captions to your videos can increase the time spent watching your video by 10–15%. That's HUGE. Darla will watch a video to the end if she can read it. Others likely feel the same way. How IGTV is rolling out this featureUntil now, IGTV hasn’t offered captions. Now, through the use of AI, your videos can automatically have captions. How do you prepare for this? Make sure your audio is high-quality and clear. This will increase the accuracy of the captions. Instagram claims that the more the feature is used, the more the AI will adapt and roll out more accurate captions. The feature is being added in 16 different languages as of September 16th, 2020. To make sure it’s active on your Instagram account, head on over to your settings and search “Captions.” Toggle the “Auto-Generated Captions” slider so that it’s on and make sure the default language is correct. Voila! You will now begin to see auto-generated captions on videos. Will this feature help you watch more IGTV? Will you produce more videos to take advantage of the uptick in traffic? Will it reduce your expenses? Let Darla know what you think about IGTV! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 22 Sep 2021 | Break Boundaries as a Female Founder with Casey Gromer - Episode 235 | 00:47:23 | |
Are you a female founder who’s tired of the hustle mentality? Do you feel like your mental burden is becoming too much to carry? Or maybe you’re a visionary dreamer stuck in the role of CEO? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Casey Gromer shares how you can step away from being the “boss” and still be a passionate and purposeful leader of your business. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
When Casey left the corporate world and went out on her own, she realized the advice that women are getting didn’t work. Why? The hustle mentality. As a woman and mom, you’re likely raising kids, taking care of your home, and working full-time. Women need a flexible structure for their work and life. But that often isn’t the case, so women carry a large mental load. Corporate environments put work first and leave everything else to come second. That mentality doesn’t fly for most women—it can’t. Casey emphasizes that “We’ve created a society where if we’re not hustling, we’re not worthy of making the money.” Women hustle just as much as men—but not all 120 hours of hustle are dedicated to the business. Yet women feel they don’t deserve to get paid when all of their time and energy isn’t focused on hustling. That needs to change. It’s a new concept that you can build a business where you can step away and have other people run it and take ownership. As long as you’re working with a team toward the same vision, it doesn’t matter if you’re the one doing all the things. You’re still the owner of the business. The difference between being a CEO and a visionary leaderYour typical CEO is someone who is a leader, a planner, an executor, well-organized, and knows what’s happening in the business at all times. They get stuff done. That’s where Casey feels her sweet spot is. But a visionary leader is an idea person. They have 100 ideas a day, hate being tied to a desk, don’t like being responsible for people, etc. These are the people that start amazing companies and get burned out. The CEO doesn’t generate ideas so their business tends to stay stagnant. They don’t get to dream about tomorrow. That’s why you have to partner with visionary-style leaders and allow them to dream. Casey partners with visionaries so they can dream and she can plan and execute. If you’re a female founder who’s ready to step back from the day-to-day and leave behind the hustle mentality, Casey has some tips for you. Ask yourself these simple questions:
But even before you do this, Casey implores you to get an assistant that can make sure your ideas have a place to go who works to keep you organized and focused. To hear a full discussion about crafting a vision statement for your company that actually works, listen to the whole episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 13 Mar 2023 | Get a Better Explore Page With This New Instagram Feature | Mini News | 00:05:24 | |
How to Get a Better Explore Page With This New Instagram Feature: Did you know that you can tell Instagram what your interests are so they can show you more content that you actually like? You can get a better explore page with this new Instagram feature, “Manage Interests.” In this episode, Darla guides us through the process, and here are the steps: 1) Click the hamburger icon at the top right of your Instagram profile page. 2) Go to Settings. 3) Go to account. 4) Go to manage interests. 5) Select your interests from the provided categories and start seeing more of what you like and less of what you don’t! ASMR: “ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response; a term used to describe a tingling, static-like, or goosebumps sensation in response to specific triggering audio or visual stimuli.” *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 12 Apr 2023 | Storytelling Through Video: The Best Way to Market Your Business | 00:42:51 | |
Did you know that marketing your interior design business via video on your social channels is more than just showing the pretty spaces? That’s right - it’s about storytelling. Today’s guest, Jude Charles, is an expert in storytelling, filmmaking, and marketing. We discuss how interior designers can create 10 stories in their business to attract and close the right client, plus how to incorporate it in your marketing, and much more! For over 15 years, Jude Charles has been producing documentaries for entrepreneurs. He has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs. Jude is the author of Dramatic Demonstration. This book is a roadmap that teaches you how to dig deep to find compelling stories that no one else knows, and then leverage those stories to grow your business. Jude’s mission is to lead and empower entrepreneurs to have relentless, unwavering courage. *** 📲CONNECT with Jude: Instagram: http://instagram.com/judecharles Website: http://judecharles.co/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ Jude's previous episode: https://youtu.be/ISR_ypRb4-k LuAnn Nigara docuseries: https://www.youtube.com/live/F0QRVIDk6Kk?feature=share Get the 10 storytelling prompts: judecharles.co/wingnut "The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved" by Matthew Kelly 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 26 Jul 2023 | Ontological Design and Color Theory | 00:41:02 | |
Have you ever heard of ontology? Our guest today, Katie Decker-Erickson, is an expert in ontological design and color theory, which is the concept that colors and designs can impact the way we feel. Katie understands that humans are impressionable and can be changed by their environment, so the goal is not just to make a beautiful space, but to add intentional value through human-design connection. Katie Decker began Color Works in 2007 to combine her love of color and beautiful design with her business savvy and the experience she gained while earning her MBA and certification from the International Association of Color Consultants and Designers. The result is a process-driven design firm that emphasizes your ROI just as much as it does choosing the right color. What began as a part-time endeavor is now a multi-million dollar business born of smart and intentional growth. *** 📲CONNECT with Katie: COLOR WORKS FIRM: Website: www.colorworks.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deckerkatie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyColorWorks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyColorWorksDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorworks.design/ COLOR WORKS COACHING: Website: https://colorworks.coach Coaching Resources: https://colorworks.design/resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorworks.coach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorworkscoaching Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ColorfulConversations 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Certified Color Consultation: https://www.aicceacademy.com/?ref=wingnut "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss "Ontological Design: Subject is Project" by Daniel Fraga 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 18 Aug 2021 | Learn to Rewire Your Brain Patterns with Adele Spraggon - Episode 230 | 00:44:12 | |
Do you struggle to reach goals? No matter how many vision boards you create or how you shift your mindset, you’re always falling short? Maybe you’re doing things all wrong. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Adele Spraggon shares how to recognize brain patterns and what you can do to deconstruct and rewire them. Her process can transform your brain and help you achieve what you never thought possible! Adele Spraggon is an award-winning author, thought-leader, international speaker, and trainer. She was awarded the 2020 Women of Inspiration Award and was recognized as a top behavioral expert in 2021. Her book, “Shift: 4 Steps to Personal Empowerment,” has won three awards and is sweeping the globe, transforming how people are setting and achieving their goals. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
After 15 years in the personal development industry, Adele realized that traditional mindset methods didn’t work. She did all of the right things, yet started and quit three different businesses. So she decided to learn more about the human brain. Adele went back to school and got a master’s degree in humanities. When she learned how the brain works, she realized where the disconnect was. We think that what our brain “sees” is perfectly aligned with the external situation. But your brain creates its reality from the external situation.She had to learn how to re-pattern the part of her brain that led her to quit repeatedly. She developed a new set of operating instructions. Everything changed. In Adele’s case, she discovered that her brain pattern was people-pleasing. So anytime she thought she upset someone, she ran in the opposite direction. But how do you recognize your brain pattern? Start by learning what a brain pattern is. What is a brain pattern?A brain pattern is a combination of three factors: a physical sensation, an emotion, and a thought. When these three things come together, they result in a particular action, behavior, or belief. The brain is like an iceberg. Above the water is everything you do, think, or say is above the water. Under the water is the brain pattern that gives rise to your actions. When Adele started a business, her initial brain pattern was one of excitement. But her brain perceived the world as being displeased with her idea. That triggered another pattern, one of discomfort, anxiousness, and panic. Her action was to quit. Her brain was warring over two different patterns. They were neural pathways in her brain that she needed to identify. Does your brain develop patterns based on past experiences?Adele notes that human beings are not born with instincts like many animals are. From the moment a baby enters the world, they must piece together brain patterns to take action. Every situation causes a reaction in the brain which causes it to create a neural pathway (i.e. a brain pattern). Once that pathway is created, your brain prefers to use that channel. Until you recognize and remove that brain pattern, your brain will default to it. But the beautiful thing is that brains are plastic, they’re malleable. Adele notes that in the last 20–25 years, there has been an explosion of research in the field of neuroscience. We used to think that the brain was hardwired when we reached adulthood. The truth is that you can quickly re-pattern the brain because it is designed to keep rewiring itself—you just need to know how to work it. The steps to take to change your brain patternsHow do you give your brain new operating instructions? Adele advises that if something is preventing you from moving forward, you need to ask “What am I feeling? Where am I feeling that? What is my one thought?” In Adele’s case, she felt anxiety in her stomach. Her thought was “I have to quit.” That is a pattern. Her next step is to own it as a pattern. She just had to acknowledge, “I created a pattern in my brain that is now feeling and doing this.” Then you must deconstruct the pattern and replace it with something else. But you can only create the new pattern once you remove the old one. So what does the process look like? Why is positive thinking more harmful than helpful? Listen to the whole episode to learn more about rewiring your brain’s patterns. And to learn more about recreating your brain patterns by listening to your right brain, check out the extended interview at Wingnut Premium! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 16 Jun 2021 | Conversational Commerce is the Way of the Future [According to Paul Ace] - Episode 221 | 00:48:20 | |
cCommerce or C-Com is short for conversational commerce. It’s about building conversations with people and engaging in a conversational way of selling. It can be using SMS messenger, voicemail drops, personalized images, and more. Paul Ace and his team use it to create an 80% human-like experience and a 20% human experience. What does that mean? How can it help you and your business? Find out in this episode of Wingnut Social! Paul Ace is popularizing the concept of C Com through the science of conversion, conversation, and automation. He founded Amplify C-Com which helps businesses grow past seven figures. Amplify combines human psychology and automation to create more profits in their customers profits. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Paul prefers that “leads” aren’t called leads—they’re just people. Every person that opts into something on your site has got something in their life that they’re not happy with. It might be “Hey, I want this interior designer for this particular reason.” Or they may be asking for a service you don’t provide, like painting. Paul has a genius process you can use to refer clients that aren’t a good fit—using both automation and a referral network. Listen to learn more! Psychological strategies to win people overPre-framing is an underutilized tool. Paul emphasizes that if you’re not using it, you’re leaving money on the table. He shares an example: “If you could have something that would get more people to buy, buy more often, and refer more people to buy from you, would you want to know what it is?” That’s pre-framing. If you use questions like this, you’re softening the prospect, getting them to say yes, and making micro-commitments. It becomes so natural to do in your language pattern. In the book “Never Split the Difference,” Chris Voss shared a common question he used in most—if not all—of his negotiations: “Would it be unreasonable to consider…?” Paul uses a similar question: “Would you be against…?” For example, he could ask Darla “Would you be against having more people on the show?” Darla would likely say, “No, we wouldn’t be against having more people on the show!” It removes defensiveness. In the book “Influence” by Robert Cialdini, there’s a study about making copies. Someone asks if he can skip the line to make a copy. Of course, people said no. So he asked, “Can I skip the line because I need to make some copies?” People would say yes! Paul notes that it’s the dumbest reason—because everyone needed to make copies—but they still complied simply because he said: “because.” How conversational is the process?If you’re selling something that’s $7 and sell 1,000 a day, you’re not recording a personal video message to every person. It’s not scalable. But if someone buys a $7 product and then buys your $500 upsell and books a consultation with you one-on-one, you record a personal message for them. Paul emphasizes that you should look at the buyer journey and the pipeline and break down each step. You have to split it into scalable/not scalable. Paul has a client that sells a challenge. If they abandon the cart, they get a text message from the “owner” asking if something was wrong or what they could do to help. It got a 20% response rate. 80% of the work is in the first message that you send. You could then give your team a framework of how to guide them through the sales process and it’s handed over to you at a specific point. Paul walks through an example specific to Wingnut Social and how to speak with a potential client. He also shares why the “fortune is in the follow-up.” Give it a listen to learn more! To get more exclusive content only for subscribers? Go check out Wingnut Premium NOW! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 11 Mar 2020 | Alignable: Should Interior Designers Use This Networking Site? with CEO Eric Groves | 00:34:15 | |
Have you heard of Alignable? Darla and Natalie recently set up an account, but are wondering if it’s worth the effort. After all, they’re on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn (the list goes on). Should they invest their time in another social network that seems similar to LinkedIn? Eric Groves, the Founder and CEO of Alignable, joins the gals to share WHY it’s worth your time—don’t miss it! Prior to founding Alignable, Eric spent 10 years as a founding executive of Constant Contact leading their marketing efforts. He’s the author of ‘The Constant Contact Guide to Email Marketing’. With over 25 years in the industry, he is an expert on engagement, email marketing, small business development, and much more. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Alignable is an online referral network for small business owners. Eric describes it as a way to find new customers by building trusted relationships with each other. He’s spent a lot of time working with small business owners, and everyone said the majority of their referrals were from word of mouth. Eric points out that it’s not like advertising—you can’t just spend $500 on an ad budget and get more referrals. But Alignable is a place that can make that happen. Small business owners typically get most of their referrals within 5-10 miles of where they’re physically located. Alignable allows you to search for business owners in that radius—then introduce yourself and start building relationships. Darla endearingly referred to them as “The tinder for business referrals”. You can search for whoever fits your target demographic for clients: architects, general contractors, real estate agents, etc. Keep listening to learn the simple strategy to connect with the right people. Should you invest your time in Alignable?When asked if Alignable could be compared to LinkedIn, Eric pointed out the main difference: LinkedIn was created with the original intent of helping professionals be recruited and hired. Eric stated that Alignable is more about finding a business opportunity. 50% of the 4.5 million users on Alignable are business to consumer and the other 50% are B2B. But does alignable fit into your marketing scheme? Eric tossed back a question in response: “When you think about your best source of referrals, what percentage of those referrals are coming from other business owners vs. consumers?”. Darla and Natalie responded that they get about 30% of their leads from referrals. Eric points out that if they took that 30% of their time and focused on building a referral network with people who would naturally refer customers to them, that they’d likely increase word-of-mouth referrals to 50%. Eric goes on to share some specific examples of how users doubled and tripled their business, local versus national exposure, the client-facing side of alignable, and where they’re heading next. Don’t miss this engaging and informative episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 28 Jul 2021 | Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs to Charge What You’re Worth [Sarah Schneider] - Episode 227 | 00:38:04 | |
If you are a regular listener, you’ve likely heard the phrase “Charge what you’re worth.” But how do you know what you’re worth? How much work does it take to get to a point where you can charge what you want? Is it all it’s cracked up to be? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Executive Coach Sarah Schneider breaks down how to figure out what “Charging what you’re worth” actually means. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Sarah knows that designers struggle with comparison and self-criticism. They think they need more experience or that people won’t pay their rates. She emphasizes that you have to take an honest look at your background, skillset, and the results that you provide people. Make it about what you deliver and the impact you have. If you’re a high-end designer you’ll charge differently than someone who declutters and organizes spaces. You also have to take into account what you need to make based on your overhead. People get lost in, “Who am I to charge that?” From a psychological and self-worth standpoint, how do you overcome this limiting belief? Sarah believes that you’re never as new at something as you think you are. A designer has likely used their skillsets in other areas of their life, right? Now you’re simply executing it differently. Sarah challenges people to always take a beginner’s viewpoint and look at things with fresh eyes. But “new” at something doesn’t mean inexperienced. Don’t take your knowledge for granted. Focus on what you bring to the tableSelf-doubt is a dream and performance crusher. It's the beginning of the end of your goals. It’s so easy to discount what you know because—let’s be honest—it comes naturally. Sarah coaches people to take inventory of what they bring to the table. If you’re your own worst critic, this can be easier to do with someone who knows you well (someone who champions you or a client that loves you).
Brainstorm this with someone and write it down—even if you think it’s an obvious or trivial skill. When you’re in a place of self-criticism, you can look back at the list and see what you bring to the table. It’s easier to be kind to yourself when you have collected evidence in your favor. How do you determine what you’re worthSarah works with a lot of entrepreneurs. People are often coached to charge a certain amount if they want to appear credible. Sarah recommends that you find a middle ground somewhere between what you’re comfortable with and what the “experts” say you should be charging. It needs to be an integration of a number that stretches you that you’re willing to say out loud—without throwing up. When Darla started charging what she was worth (to make a profit, stay in business, and give clients the service she’s renowned for), clients started knocking down the door. Darla has a waiting list and she’s never been busier. Darla has found in some cases that doubling your hourly rate can make people pick up the phone. Why does that happen? Listen to the whole episode to hear Sarah share her thoughts. To hear more from Sarah about the breaking away from the comparison game, head on over to Wingnut Premium for an exclusive episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 10 Aug 2020 | YouTube Mid-Roll Ads Requirement Revamped - Episode 171 | 00:08:32 | |
YouTube will now allow shorter videos to be eligible for mid-roll ads! As of July 2020, YouTube will automatically add mid-roll ads to videos 8 minutes or longer. Before this change, YouTube only allowed mid-roll ads on 10-minute videos. Why are they making the shift? There’s some speculation that they’re doing so because advertising rates on YouTube have dropped by nearly 50% since February—even though viewership increased during COVID-19 lockdowns. YouTube is likely trying to increase ads to boost their lost revenue. Learn more about what the change means for you in this Monday Marketing Minisode! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
When you upload a video that is 8 minutes or longer, you have the option of manually placing the mid-roll ads or having YouTube automatically place them. But if you aren’t happy with where they’re dropped, you have the freedom to move them around. Don’t want ads on your videos? No problem. You always have the option to turn off mid-roll ads if you feel it won’t be appropriate in your video content. You can set it so that any video 8 minutes or longer get an ad OR turn midroll ads off and on for each individual video. Even better, YouTube is essentially paying YOU to run those ads. You simply need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on your channel to monetize your videos. Thanks to YouTube’s update, you can exercise monetization options even if your YouTube video is shorter than 10 minutes. So if you have the required subscribers and watch hours—cha-ching. Why the change of heart?As mentioned earlier, YouTube has seen decreasing numbers of ads on their platform as businesses have scaled back on their marketing dollars. Secondly—as more platforms like Instagram and TikTok are starting to add monetization options—YouTube may be trying to ensure that their creators stay on their platform. Previously, to generate revenue, creators were forced to produce longer videos—whether or not they had enough content to support it. By reducing the timeframe to 8 minutes, content creators are under less pressure to stretch out their content. This makes it easier for designers to meet the minimum mid-roll ad requirements and grow their audience. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 25 Jan 2023 | Tax Tips for Business Owners and Interior Designers (with Aaron Smyle) | 00:32:10 | |
It’s officially tax season and it’s time to get all of your paperwork together. W2s, W9s, 1099s - what are all of these documents? Tax practitioner Aaron Smyle joins us today to offer tax advice, define the differences between employees and independent contractors, and what you need to do to set your business up for success. Aaron Smyle MBA, MST is an Enrolled Agent (EA), a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals. *** 📲CONNECT with Aaron: Website: https://www.smyleandassociates.com/ Instagram: @smyletaxes 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Let the Great World Spin" by Colum McCann 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 06 Jul 2020 | Promoted Pins on Pinterest: Invest in this Ad Strategy | 00:11:25 | |
Do promoted pins really get you the best bang for your buck? Or are you throwing money down the drain? In this Wingnut Social remix, Shana Heinricy—Wingnut Social’s Director of Social Media—talks about boosting Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest posts. She shares TWO great strategies to promote your content and what to budget for it. Listen again—you’ll see this topic in a whole new light. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Wasting your time and money on follow/unfollow tactics or even buying followers will result in a whole lot of spam. What should you do instead? You can take the same money you’d spend on those services and use it on promoted pins. You’re not buying a set amount of impressions. You’re adding a budget—and depending on your post performance—they’re going to show it to a certain number of people. But these would be people that want to follow you and are interested in what you’re doing. It will get you better results—for the same amount of money. So how much money does Shana recommend spending? She points out that you can do really well if you implement a $300 monthly budget for promoted pins. But even $20 or $50 should bring you some progress. You should see account growth, more followers, and increased engagement on promoted pins AND other content. It is one of THE best tactics to grow your audience. Promoted Pins on Pinterest: What’s the big deal?Just like boosting posts on Instagram or Facebook, promoting pins on Pinterest is all about increasing engagement. Pinterest is typically focused on evergreen content surrounding life’s moments. So think about things like weddings, moving into college, someone’s first child, or being an empty-nester. Create your content to target those life events and, of course, relate them back to interior design. Another type of post that does really well on Pinterest? Infographics. Shana recommends putting together infographics full of useful information and trying to focus on promoting those pins. Lastly, you want to promote pins that are already performing well for you. The bottom line? Promoted pins can be a game-changer when done right. Listen to this minisode for all the details! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 24 Aug 2022 | How to Apply the Profit First Mindset with Mike Michalowicz - Episode 279 | 00:35:00 | |
This isn’t the first time Darla’s talked about Mike Michalowicz’s Profit First formula (and how interior designers can apply it in their business). But this IS the first time she’s had a conversation with the man himself! If you don’t know who he is, Mike Michalowicz is the author of The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, Fix This Next, Get Different, and a Wingnut favorite—Profit First. In this episode of Wingnut Social, he shares how you can flip the script and turn your business into a money-making machine. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Cyril Northcote Parkinson studied human behavior. His thesis was that as supply increases in availability, consumption increases. If Mike is given one chocolate chip cookie, he’ll eat it. If 20+ chocolate chip cookies are placed in front of him, he’ll likely eat more than one because the supply has changed. The same is true for money. When there’s more available, there’s more to spend. It becomes a trap. Many businesses make tens of millions of dollars but are still struggling to get by because the more they make, the more they spend. They see money in the bank account and go, “Finally, I can do X, Y, Z.” Parkinson also points out that if you constrain supply, you can force frugality. You also become more innovative. You find ways to stretch it. When you have one cookie to eat, you savor it. When there’s less money available to spend, you’re more selective with how you spend it. The pay yourself first principle applied to businessIf you take a portion of your income and put it toward savings, you will have a future of savings. Why not apply that to business? The first thing you do is allocate money to profit. With Profit First, the equation is sales minus profit equals expenses. Money comes in, you take profit, and then you know what’s truly left available for expenses. Profit isn’t an event or eventuality. Profit is a habit. When money comes in, take a portion and allocate it toward profit. You use the profit to pay yourself first. You preallocate money to its intended use. It’s a mindset shift. When you see what money’s intended use is before you spend it, you work within the confines of that. How do you operate if your business has debt? Listen to hear Mike’s thoughts! Using tacking to make quarterly adjustmentsWhat is your five or ten-year vision? What can you do in the next 90 days to best get there? Tacking is a strategy that’s used by sailors. The boat has a desired destination. But you can’t go in a straight line to get there because you have to take advantage of the winds. So sailboats zigzag to capture the wind to get to their destinations. Businesses are the same. You don’t beeline straight to the end goal. Obstacles, like the economy, will present challenges. So take things one quarter at a time. What are the biggest movements you can make in your business to get to your end goal? You also have to get into a quarterly rhythm of distributions. The only way you can grow is with fiscal discipline. The #1 rule of publicly-traded companies is to distribute profit to shareholders every quarter. They do that to maintain engagement and award risk-takers. Your business needs to follow the same pattern. It keeps you emotionally engaged in your business. Why shouldn’t you re-invest your profit? Why should you work with a Profit First coach? Listen to learn why! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 03 Feb 2020 | Your [Ideal] Marketing Demographic IS on Social Media! | 00:15:42 | |
If you think your marketing demographic isn’t on social media—you’re wrong! Stop using the excuse that it’s pointless to market on social media platforms because it won’t get you business. Darla and Natalie are about to prove you wrong. It’s time to embrace the power of social media. In this Monday Marketing Minisode, the ladies will share some fascinating statistics about popular platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the end for a surprising statistic they didn’t see coming! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
If you’ve doubted the necessity of marketing your design firm on social media, here are some statistics that will blow your mind: Facebook:
Instagram:
Most of Darla and Natalie’s ideal clients use Instagram. It’s a great place to show off your work and give potential clients a visual representation of what you can do for their space. In fact, most of Darla’s design clients come from Instagram! Twitter:
Twitter isn’t the ideal space for interior design BUT it is good for tagging and reaching out to brands that DO have a strong Twitter presence. LinkedIn:
It may not be the prettiest platform, but a chunk of your target market still exists here! YouTube: Darla and Natalie were astounded when they read the YouTube statistics. It just proves that video truly is king—for any age. It is the #1 social media platform.
Darla and Natalie didn’t want to bore you with statistics but they are SO important and help prove their point: You need to be on social media. It’s a long game, but you have nothing to lose. The days of sending out mailers or passing out paper flyers are no more. You cannot simply rely on referrals and word-of-mouth. You need a pipeline that won’t dry up—social media can provide that for you. If you’ve been putting it off and delaying the inevitable, embrace it. Get your business on Instagram, Facebook, or whatever platform best matches your marketing demographic. Your customers will find you when you go where they are. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 20 Jan 2021 | Wendy Woloshchuk’s Time Blocking Tips for Designers - Episode 205 | 00:36:02 | |
Are you familiar with the concept of time blocking? Will it make you more productive and efficient with your time? Or are you set in your ways and happy with your current routine? Wendy Woloschuk knows that blocking her time makes her more efficient. In this episode, she shares her tips and tricks for optimal time-blocking success. After all, time is money—how much are you wasting? Wendy Woloshchuk is the owner of Details Interiors. In addition to running a busy design firm, Wendy is a frequent speaker on Market panels and tele-summits and is now teaching other designers through online courses. She is one-third of the Design for Today Collaborative, a group committed to educating Interior Designers and Home Stagers. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Time blocking is a way of intentionally planning out every minute of your day. It forces you to manage your time efficiently and helps you focus on what you’re doing. If you are multi-tasking, you are focusing on a million different things and not doing any of them at 100%, right? The premise of time blocking is that when you give one task 100% of your attention, you’re more effective. At Wendy’s firm, they break down each specific day into a time-block. She starts every day with a cup of coffee, time on Facebook and Instagram, exercising, showering, and getting to the office. On Mondays, her assistant blocks time for social media, their blog, and the newsletter. She has another block for emails. They block in lunch and move on to client work. They check email and social media one more time at the end of the day. How do you know where to start? Wendy shares these simple steps:
What’s the key to optimal success? Listen to find out! How Wendy handles sourcing for clientsIf you’re taking 3 hours to find something that should take you half an hour, then you’re losing money. So Wendy gives herself a set amount of time—half an hour—to find a certain product. Why? If you can’t find it in half an hour, your brain needs to move on and you come back to it. Sourcing takes time and practice. It requires knowing your vendors. Giving yourself half an hour helps you get it done more quickly. Once you’ve found something that will work perfectly, don’t keep looking. You can always go back and adjust if necessary. She always works on one client at a time. While she’s sourcing for one person—if she sees something that’s a good fit for someone else—she makes a note and moves on. Self-discipline becomes habitWhen you have a schedule set and you’ve ben time blocking for a couple of weeks, Wendy notes that it will become a habit. It’s saved her many hours a day. When you get lost in a rabbit-hole, it’s hard to get refocused. But time blocking gives you something to reference to help you get back on track. She notes that it does get easier—and is 100% worth the effort. Hear the rest of her time blocking tips by listening to the whole episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 23 Dec 2020 | Happy Holidays from Wingnut Social! – Episode 200 | 00:17:39 | |
2020 has been a difficult year for much of the world. Darla has faced her own share of personal difficulties throughout the year. But she always falls back on this bible verse: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26 Whenever Darla feels like she can’t get through the struggle or overcome the hurdles she’s facing, she thinks of that verse. She just lets God take control. But Darla wanted to leave listeners with a challenge: “What personal and professional challenges have come your way, and how are you handling them? How are you showing up? What are your goals for 2021? Are you just listening to them and nodding your head? Or are you actually taking action? Are you going outside of your comfort zone to grow into your potential? And now at the end of the year here, it's time to decide, do we accept that challenge going into 2021? Or do we stay comfortable?” Only YOU can answer that. But Darla hopes that in some small part that this podcast has given you some value, entertainment, and tips to help you achieve your goals personally and professionally. “I do know that I am so grateful for you. And let me tell you—we got this—you and me together.” Tune in to this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast for a heartwarming message from Darla—and a lot of belly laughs as you get to listen to a year full of bloopers. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 26 Dec 2022 | Elon Musk’s Latest Twitter Updates: Longer Videos and 4,000 Character Tweets | Mini News | 00:05:41 | |
Elon Musk’s latest Twitter updates may include the addition of longer videos and tweets up to 4,000 characters. Social Media Manager Hayden is here to walk us through these potential updates, the pros and cons of Twitter going long-form, and how this could impact your interior design business. *** ⭐️Twitter is planning to give users more capacity to share longer posts, either in video or text form, within the app. As you probably know, Twitter has been on shaky ground over the past few months with Elon Musk’s acquisition. There have been lots of updates, like Twitter Blue: an opt-in, paid monthly subscription that adds a blue checkmark to your account and offers early access to select new features. Musk has mentioned wanting to add YouTube-like features into the app, enabling users to post longer video, in order to keep viewers from on the app instead of switching to another app to consume video content. He’s also said that longer tweets are coming soon, possibly up to 4,000 characters. Short-form content has been the foundation of Twitter since its inception, so this will be a big change for your Twitter feed. There is no set date as to when these features will roll out, or if they’ll be available to all users or just Twitter Blue subscribers. ⭐️Longer tweets will appear as normal, displaying around 280 characters, with the message “show more” to expand into a longer panel. This allows for users to share longer tweets without disrupting the normal Twitter stream feel. There is also a possibility that, rather than “show more,” it will display how many characters remain in the tweet (ie “remaining 3,000 characters”). It’s possible that displaying this remaining character number and indicating how long the tweet is may reduce the amount of interaction with the tweet. Users may also grow tired of clicking to expand longer tweets and stop interacting with those altogether. Another concern is whether or not Twitter users are asking for this feature to begin with. Most users gravitate to Twitter because of its short-form nature. ⭐️What does this all mean for interior designers? Long-form content on Twitter could be a great way to share about your business and tap into an audience that you may not have been able to connect with previously via short-form content. You may have felt limited in the past by Tweets with a lower character count. Regardless, we recommend that you take advantage of as many platforms as you can to get your business out there! The easiest way to do this is by repurposing content that you’ve already created for other platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, and posting that to Twitter as well. *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 11 Sep 2023 | Showcase Your Personality With This New Instagram Feature | Mini News | 00:09:28 | |
Do you want to post personal photos from your life, but you're worried about messing with the aesthetic of your business page? Instagram has a new feature expanding on "Close Friends" stories where you can now make a grid post only visible to the people who matter most. Our Social Media Manager, Whitney, is here to give you the rundown on this new feature and how it can benefit your business. Got a topic for Mini News? Send it to info@wingnutsocial.com. Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 14 Oct 2020 | Differentiate Yourself: Amanda Berlin Says to Tell Your Story - Episode 190 | 00:35:49 | |
“There is something valuable about who you are and what you do. It warrants being told. It warrants being unearthed and it deserves to be out there...Your story may be the key that unlocks someone else's prison.” — Amanda Berlin Do you know how to differentiate yourself in the design niche? How do you stand out from the crowd? According to Amanda Berlin, you have to connect with your clients. She believes that connection begins with telling your story. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Amanda shares tips, tricks, and tools to implement to differentiate yourself and tell your unique story. Amanda is a visibility and business consultant for entrepreneurs. She is also the host of the Empowered Publicity Podcast, which arms soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skillsets they need to become recognizable and trusted experts. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Amanda believes that one of the easiest ways to distinguish yourself is to lean into your story. You’re the only person who has done what you have done and had the experiences you’ve had that led you to where you are today. Your story will resonate with the right clients if you use it appropriately. No one will see the world the way you do. Your upbringing, relationships, experiences, etc. inspire your life and how you view the world. They are relevant to the people who will be the best fit to work with you. When you’re developing your brand story, you don’t share things you haven’t processed yet. You want the energy of your story to be clean, inspiring, and connective. This is a carefully curated version of your story that doesn’t white-wash everything but DOES present a version of your story that’s relevant. WHY can’t you craft a compelling narrative? Why are you hitting roadblocks? Listen to hear Amanda’s thoughts! Amanda’s three circles of visibilityAmanda teaches a strategy that uses three circles of visibility. But before you focus on the three circles, you need to determine what your goals are. It’s challenging to put yourself out there if you don’t know what result you’re going for. So you need to nail down what you want to get out of this. It drives your tactics. So what are Amanda’s three circles?
As you move away from the innermost circle the connection to the audience becomes looser. But which circle you choose to leverage depends on your individual goals. Amanda also points out that you must find visibility tactics that resonate with you—but also embrace things that challenge you. What if you’re afraid to be visible? Which tactics can bring in more clients? When do you hire a publicist or a coach? How are relationships so important to growing your business? Amanda shares her thoughts on ALL of these questions and so much more. Don’t miss this episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 20 Jul 2022 | Why Interior Designers Need Ongoing SEO to Remain Competitive - Episode 274 | 00:28:00 | |
Why is SEO so critical for your brand’s online presence? How does it help you compete with other interior designers? Why is ongoing SEO the key to keeping your interior design business ranking on Google? The biggest piece of misinformation that we hear about SEO is that it’s a “one-and-done” service that’s complete when your website is created. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Ongoing SEO, when done correctly, is your key to remaining competitive. Gavin—Wingnut’s resident SEO guru—covers this important topic in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
When your website is created and SEO-optimized, you can’t just set it and forget it. You can’t just run ads and call it good. Why? 80% of people searching on Google ignore paid ads. Secondly, most people won’t go past the first page of search results. So your business needs to be ranked in the top 10 search results. How do you achieve that? You have to track and measure the impact of your work and adjust your SEO continuously. You can make adjustments as you go to make sure your pages stay on the first page of Google’s search results. Your competition’s SEO tactics are constantly changing. If you’re ranking for a keyword and it falls from #2 to #10, you need to make some adjustments or you’ll lose traffic. If your competition is ranking for keywords that you used to rank for, changes need to be made. That’s why a robust and ongoing SEO strategy can mean the difference between being flooded with clients—or being irrelevant. Your clients have questions—make sure you provide the answersWhen it comes to blogging, people think they need to produce a chunk of new content once a month and they’re okay. Gavin points out that blogging is a great strategy and you need to do it. However, you have to keep in mind that Google is trying to connect people who have questions with the answers they’re looking for. 5–10 years ago, people would stuff keywords into a blog and rank for it. Google is now an intelligent platform that can’t be fooled. If you’re keyword stuffing, your content won’t rank. When you write content, focus on answering questions that your ideal client is searching for. What questions are they asking? How do YOU provide the best answer and share value? The keywords and phrases you use reflect your ability to understand your customer. If you have a great idea of what your customers are looking for and provide them value, you’ll see a bump in SEO. What tools can you use to help you write SEO-optimized content? How does Google’s algorithm play a role in your success? Listen to the whole episode to learn more about ongoing SEO’s impact on your bottom line. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 05 Feb 2020 | Brick-and-Mortar Isn’t Dead: The Upside of a Retail Space with Victoria Sanchez | 00:45:59 | |
Should an interior designer invest in a retail space to enhance their design business? How can a showroom benefit your current firm as well as be profitable on its own? If you’re on the fence about investing in your own space, Victoria Sanchez joins Darla and Natalie to go over the pros and cons and share why it works so well for her. Victoria Sanchez is an award-winning designer and the owner of ‘Victoria At Home’, a premier home furnishings boutique with showrooms in Alexandria, VA, and Santa Fe, NM. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in interior design—and over 30 years of experience in the industry. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Victoria has always been drawn to retail and she loves the opportunities it provides her. People come into her store and get to know her style and personality. They gather a general sense of who she is—while she gets to know them. She is able to explain that she’s a designer and show them her aesthetic in one moment. Victoria points out that retail space isn’t for everyone. She didn’t launch hers until her kids were in high school and she had more time—and cashflow—to get it going. You need tools and resources in play, as well as money for inventory, display, and staff. Above all, you have to love working with people. She shared that about 25% of her revenue comes from her retail space and about 75% is from design work with clients. She uses her retail space as a catalyst for her design business and it has significantly increased her client-load. Victoria shares more about her locations and why their placement is important. Keep listening! More designers need to invest in marketingVictoria is passionate about educating designers. She believes the current curriculum in design programs is lacking proper marketing techniques for the specific field. She points out that it is of paramount importance to have a marketing plan in place. If that’s not something you’re comfortable with—hire someone who is. Victoria works with Andrew Joseph PR to help market her new location in Santa Fe. She was honest with herself and knew she didn’t have the time or expertise to properly market her business. Her community in Santa Fe is small and she learned quickly that marketing and networking go hand-in-hand. If people like you, they will talk about you—and word-of-mouth in a small community will get you places. Is having a retail space worth it in the day and age of digital shopping? Can you compete with the online giants? Listen to the whole episode to hear Victoria’s take on the industry and why she believes brick-and-mortar is here to stay. She’ll share some of her numbers, expenses, and how her two locations are so different. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 29 Jan 2025 | Finding Community and Mentorship in the Interior Design Business | 00:29:47 | |
Julianne Hendrickson returns to discuss her significant growth in the interior design industry and the launch of her mentoring group for aspiring designers. She shares insights on the importance of collaboration, community building, and the value of mentorship in fostering professional development. Julianne also outlines her future goals for expanding her mentoring efforts online and emphasizes the importance of being authentic in business. The discussion highlights the journey of growth, the challenges faced, and the strategies that have led to her success. Julianne Hendrickson is the principal owner of Hendrickson Interiors. Julianne lives in Tampa, FL with her two children and husband. She loves to travel, read, nap, and have a spa day. *** 📲CONNECT with Julianne: Website: https://www.hendricksoninteriors.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hendricksoninteriors 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 10 Jul 2024 | Tips for Designers to Procure Furniture Profitably (with Guest Host Liz Potarazu) | 00:50:59 | |
Are you a new designer struggling to make connections with furniture manufacturers? Are you an experienced designer looking to streamline your sourcing and shipping? Today's guests, Peter and Alexander Spalding, are the creators of Daniel House Club, a website that helps designers find products, manage vendors, and maximize their creativity. Stay tuned! The concept behind Daniel House Club is both personal and professional to CEO Alexander Spalding and Chief Brand Officer Peter Spalding. As past owners of an interior design firm, they had experienced the many challenges and complexities of running a design business themselves. The Spalding brothers knew all too well that designers spend excessive amounts of time finding products, managing vendors, and handling logistics – and spend less time on being creative. *** 📲CONNECT with Peter and Alexander: Website: https://danielhouse.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielhouse.club 📲CONNECT with Liz: Website: https://www.lpandcodesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lpandcodesign/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4oEBg5pzm0bN_oOwassV2w 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo" by Irving Stone "Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business" by Gino Wickman 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 23 Nov 2022 | How Much Should I Pay Myself as a Business Owner? (with Tara Newman) | 00:42:23 | |
How much should I pay myself as an interior design business owner? Do I need to have a million-dollar business to be a millionaire? And what does profit-first mean? Tara Newman is here to help you calculate your revenue goal, figure out how much you should be charging for your services, and learn what percentage you should be paying yourself as the business owner. Tara Newman is the Founder and CEO of The Bold Profit Academy where she teaches service-based business owners how to sell premium services and programs without the emotional stress of launching, worrying about ads, overwhelming social strategies or complex funnels.Tara hosts a weekly podcast called The Bold Money Revolution and has been featured in publications like Money Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and Huffington Post as well as other publications and podcasts. *** ⭐️Tara says that $250,000 per year is what allows you to pay yourself $10,000 a month. It’s not necessarily a factor of whether we should be looking things at an annual basis or monthly basis. Tara works with many business owners, particularly established female experts running service-based businesses. One of the big moments for these women who are experts at what they do, but not necessarily experts at business when they get started, is when they realize they need to replace their traditional salary (which is often around 6 figures). Tara says if you want to be paying yourself $100,000 a year, you need to have business revenue in excess of $250,000 a year. If you’re running a business bringing in $250,000 or less in revenue, in profit-first theory, you should be able to pay yourself 50% of that revenue. ⭐️When you’re scaling your business and hiring employees, how do you keep on track with paying yourself adequately within the profit-first formula? As business owners, it’s important to get into a habit of asking yourself, “How can I simplify?” Ask yourself these questions on a weekly basis: What can I delete? What isn’t adding any value to my customer experience? Tara says if it’s not adding to your customer experience, then it’s not adding value to you in the long run. Another thing to ask yourself is what you can automate. There are some great technological options and simple tools that allow businesses to automate more and still maintain a high-touch business. Tara finds that many business owners don’t understand their operation well enough, and they just start hiring employees because they feel overwhelmed. Instead, Tara recommends you stop and check in on how to reduce the overwhelm not necessarily through adding a person. Can better boundaries be established? Is there some clarity we can have around our process? These things need to be addressed before scaling, otherwise you run the risk of complicating your process in a costly way. The ultimate goal of scaling is to increase revenue without adding equal amounts of expense. ⭐️How do you know if you’re charging enough for your services, and how do you find out your goal revenue? We all have our own magic number that we need to hit based on our personal financial goals and situation. Tara created a revenue goal calculator that allows you to reverse-engineer your particular needs. When using the calculator, you’ll put in your personal financial needs and then it will calculate what revenue goal you need to hit in order to pay yourself. Check out the revenue goal calculator at theboldleadershiprevolution.com/revenue. *** 📲CONNECT with Tara: Website: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetaranewman/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole" by Susan Cain Revenue Goal Calculator: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/revenue-goal-calculator/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube
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| 17 Jan 2024 | Why You Should Use a Recruiting Agency to Expand Your Team | 00:37:14 | |
Are you looking to expand your design firm, but not sure how to find the perfect teammate? What steps should you take to ensure your candidate is the right fit? Today's guest, Jessica Harling, is an expert in recruiting, training, and process development, and she sheds some light on working with a recruiting agency to find your next employee. Stay tuned! Behind the Design builds dream teams! From recruiting to training and process development, we nurture rockstar talent and streamline systems to impact the bottom line. *** 📲CONNECT with Jessica: Website: https://gobehindthedesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobehindthedesign/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gobehindthedesign/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 14 Dec 2022 | How to Become an Interior Designer From Home (with Alexis Peters) | 00:34:35 | |
Are you getting burnt out by running a traditional interior design firm? Then check out this show with Alexis Peters - you just might change your business model. Today’s guest is Alexis Peters of “Home Styling by Alexis,” and we discuss the importance of offering virtual services to your clients, as well as the perks to becoming a completely remote interior designer. Alexis Peters fundamentally believes that every single person on this planet deserves to live beautifully regardless of their income. Beauty & affordable go hand in hand in her book. Alexis' background as a production designer for feature films is where she learned how to stretch the dollar crazy far and the results were thrilling. Craving to help as many people as she could live beautifully, Alexis started an interior design business specializing in Virtual Design. *** ⭐️Alexis specializes in virtual design. She wanted to build a business where she could travel and be anywhere she wanted, yet still be making money. Coming from a film background, she transitioned into a design career after helping her mom redesign her home over FaceTime during the pandemic. She believes all businesses should offer virtual design to increase their sales. When you go digital, there are no limitations on who you can serve. Alexis started her business by reimagining spaces for locals, but realized she could access a wider clientele by designing via FaceTime or Zoom. This career choice still allows her to help others, but now she can embrace more free time and stay comfortable at home. Alexis describes this as, “I still get to have my life, and be creatively fulfilled and help people.” ⭐️Alexis fell in love with design as a child visiting one of her family member’s mansions. She felt so inspired by the gorgeous home that she would return to her house and rearrange furniture, artwork, and more. She learned that the way you arrange furniture in a space can be life-changing. Alexis felt she was able to recreate the magical feelings she felt in the mansion in her own home just by moving furniture around. She was able to create a new, safe, cozy feeling to her space with existing pieces. It inspired her current business in that she believes everyone deserves to live beautifully regardless of their budget. ⭐️When it comes to virtual design, you can offer many things: 3-D renderings, floor plans, and much more. No matter what you’re offering, Alexis believes a virtual aspect to your business is crucial. In our current society, more people are craving a virtual option. With virtual offerings, your business becomes more accessible and you expand your clientele. *** 📲CONNECT with Alexis: Website: http://www.homestylingbyalexis.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestylingbyalexis/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts Photogrid: https://www.photogrid.app/en/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 17 Feb 2020 | Instagram Comes Clean: 5 Myths BUSTED | 00:12:55 | |
Darla and Natalie will bust 5 myths that have been floating around about Instagram in this Monday Marketing Minisode! Instagram launched a branded account—@creators—where they share tips, tricks, updates, tutorials, and MUCH more. Recently, they answered some FAQs in their stories. Darla and Natalie discuss those “answers” and share their take. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
1. Photos versus videos: which one is better? Guess what? According to Instagram, they are ranked on the feed equally! However, the caveat is that your feed is based on your activity and preferences. If you interact with more videos, you’ll see more videos on your feed. Darla shares another trick that may sway you one way or another—be sure to listen! 2. How often does Instagram change their algorithm? Drumroll...All the time. The Instagram algorithm uses artificial intelligence (AI) and claims feed rankings are constantly adapting and changing. 3. Does being part of a pod get you featured higher in the feed? In the short-term, you may see positive changes. However, Instagram WILL spot engagement that isn’t authentic and adjust accordingly. It’s just a matter of time. 4. Does a comment need to be more than 6 words to be counted? There’s a rumor goin’ round… that a comment needs to be 6 words or longer to be counted in your algorithm. Instagram responded in their truly blunt fashion, simply saying that’s FALSE. They used lots of emojis in their answer, too. 5. Are posts ranked higher if they get interaction in the first 30 minutes? Instagram again answered that this was false BUT based on Darla and Natalie’s personal experience, the faster you see engagement the better. You also need to respond quickly and interact with your fan-base. What is important in the long run?In the end, Instagram’s cryptic answers don’t bother Darla and Natalie. After all, Instagram holding its cards close to their chest keeps the mystery alive. This alone sustains engagement because no one really knows the answers to all of Instagram's secrets. So what’s the bottom line? Comments, likes, reshares, and views are HIGHLY important—along with a focus on creating stellar content. Continue to foster authentic engagement with followers. Follow these hard and fast tips and you’ll thrive on the platform. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | How Interior Designers Can Start Their Own Furniture Collection (with Guest Host Nicole Heymer) | 00:31:08 | |
Are you an interior designer wondering what it takes to create your own furniture collection? Today's guest, Antonia Caicedo, created a luxury collection of pieces that forges a bond between Art Deco and Mid-Century modern styles. With her experience on both sides of the manufacturing business, Antonia knows what it takes to make a great vendor and a great design client. Stay tuned for lots of tips and another fantastic guest host, Nicole Heymer of Glory & Brand! With an innate understanding of the relationship between design and architecture, Antonia Caicedo serves as Design Director at JIMECO and is the creator of the Antonia Collection, a luxury collection of pieces that forge a bond between Art Deco and Mid-Century modern styles. This collection, continuing to transform and featuring an assortment of case-goods, occasional, and upholstery pieces, together with its own lighting collection, communicates Antonia’s unique vision of “effortless luxury”. *** 📲CONNECT with Antonia: Website: https://www.jimeco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimecointeriors/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jimeco/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jimecoantoniacollection4931?si=jkSJcD6L4yMZiJXP 📲CONNECT with Nicole: Website: https://gloryandbrand.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloryandbrand LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glory-and-brand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloryandbrand 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "The Architectural Detail" by Edward R. Ford 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 22 Jan 2020 | The Interior Design Consultation: To Charge or Not to Charge? with Sandra Funk | 00:37:24 | |
Every interior designer has a different opinion when it comes to charging for the design consultation. Darla has charged for the consultation from day one—but has been beta-testing free-of-charge consultations. Why? Find out in this episode of Wingnut Social, with special guest Sandra Funk! Sandra is the founder and principal designer of House of Funk, a design firm based in NYC and New Jersey. She is an award-winning designer with over two decades of experience in the industry. Sandra is launching the Interior Design Standard in the spring of 2020—described as a template for building your business. Give this one a listen! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Sandra has never charged for a consultation. Her focus is on high-end design with projects that take between 8-18 months to complete. She believes that if you charge for a consultation, you’re pressured to have a complete design proposal ready immediately. Sandra believes it diminishes the bigger project. By not charging, she can focus on getting to know potential clients. By the time she meets a client, she’s already done the research, had conversations and is 99% sure she wants to work with them. The goal of her consultations is to gauge communication style, responsiveness, how the clients each other, and learn the scope of the job. She does this by asking scripted questions, such as: What emotions do they want to feel in the space? How do they want the space to function? Who uses it? When is it used? How many people use it? Do they have children? Dogs? What, if any, rooms reflect their style? She’s looking for someone who knows what they want, is decisive, and has the necessary budget—with no capacity or interest to execute the project themselves. How do you say no to people who aren’t a good fit?Sandra works with very specific high-end clientele. She sets a minimum project budget for $100,000—but her average client is renovating 3+ rooms with a $300,000 budget. The home must have a million-dollar or higher valuation. Lastly, the work needs to make logical sense for her firm. She calculates that based on overhead costs, how many clients she can handle at one time, and projected salary for the year. So what does Sandra do when people aren’t a good fit? She refers them to her online design option and has had great success driving traffic to it. Her firm is still working with the client on all of the design—but none of the execution. It is a win-win for both sides and she’s not sending away unhappy prospects. Sandra points out you must always remember that “when you say yes to the little things that don’t make sense for you, you actually close yourself off to the big things that do make sense”. To hear her tips for new designers and about the design program she’s launching in the spring, listen to the whole episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 06 Oct 2021 | Kathleen Jennison’s 7-Step Cheat Sheet for New Interior Designers - Episode 237 | 00:41:03 | |
Kathleen Jennison experienced a traumatic event that left her between two choices: living life by design or living life by default. She chose the former and has never looked back. It led her to make a drastic career change from an accountant to an interior designer. What led to the change? And how did she learn the interior design business in a time when there were no podcasts, Facebook groups, or coaches? She shares 7 critical steps she made—and what new interior designers should do—in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
In 2006, Kathleen came around a hairpin turn to encounter a car that was parked, taking photos. To avoid the car, Kathleen veered towards the side of the road—right over a cliff. She fell 200 feet into a ravine. The last thing she remembered was the airbag deploying and thinking “This is not gonna be good.” Kathleen was airlifted to UC Davis medical center. She had a traumatic brain injury, lost the vision in her right eye, and had broken many bones. She also struggled with short-term memory loss. Thankfully, it came back—but she had to relearn many things. Because of the accident, Kathleen lost her peripheral vision. Her ophthalmologist suggested she take an art class to help with her depth perception, so she dove in. The Art Institute had an architectural drafting class, so she decided to try it. After the drafting class, she took the fundamentals of interior design and color theory and enjoyed it. She decided to quit her job and go back to school for interior design. Before she knew it, she had a degree. But there were no jobs available. So Kathleen started her own interior design business in 2011. Because the design industry doesn’t have standardized processes and procedures, she had to learn how to do everything on her own. She didn't realize she needed experience in marketing, website development, psychology, and more. What did she learn that new interior designers can benefit from? Kathleen’s 7-Step Cheat Sheet for Newbies
Bonus tip: Outsource anything outside of your zone of genius. Kathleen outsources her social media, blog, and even her accounting to experts. Once you have the revenue to outsource what you don’t excel at, outsource, outsource, outsource. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 13 Jan 2021 | Jessica Harling's Genius Hiring Process for Small Businesses - Episode 203 | 00:50:03 | |
How do you make your first hire? What processes should you have in place to avoid making mistakes? Should you simplify the process and use a recruiting agency? Jessica Harling shares her expertise in hiring in this episode of Wingnut Social! If you’re running a small business ready for growth, do not miss this practical and oh so important episode. Jessica Harling is a 4th-generation window treatment specialist and founder of Behind the Design. She is a leading expert in employee engagement for design organizations. She specializes in recruitment, training, and process development that drives results. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
What are you good at? Where are your weaknesses? What thing doesn’t bring you joy? Jessica recommends hiring people that fill your weaknesses. If you’re awesome at the books, don’t delegate the books. For most interior designers, they need admin support. Look at your day-to-day. Of all the tasks, which can be delegated? Jessica recommends utilizing your network to look for candidates. You have clients, contractors, and vendors that you can leverage to help you find what you’re looking for. Let your network know that you’re actively looking to hire. Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn are great resources to use. Jessica suggests implementing some sort of hoop to jump through to weed out those who aren’t serious, such as requiring them to submit a cover letter with the application. If you get 1,000 applications but only 100 have a cover letter, it immediately helps you narrow the search. Should you use personality assessments in hiring?Jessica believes that it is critical for you to use personality assessments. You want to learn about someone’s characteristics and whether or not they’re capable of doing the role. If you’re hiring an admin who’s going to be making 20 calls a day and they aren’t good on the phone, they won’t be a good match. Jessica likes using the Predictive Index and How to Fascinate, but there are numerous other personality tests that you can try. Want to weed out more candidates? You can have them do homework along the way as part of the process. You can even ask someone to bring a portfolio or a resume with them. It’s a test that they follow instructions. If you aren't sure they’re cut out for it, bring them in and have them shadow you for the day. It’s like a ride-along. Jessica wouldn’t recommend doing more than 3–5 steps in your recruiting process. You should know by that point if someone is a good fit. The advantages of using a recruiterRecruiters could be on the phone with 20–30 people a day to find the one person that you want. Because of that, recruiters know more about candidate responses and how to cut through them. Jessica knows when someone will be wishy-washy. But what would Jessica need to know about your business to find the best match? Jessica will dig into the brand and how they operate. Is the owner present every day? What is the culture of the company? What are the benefits, compensation, and schedule? From there, she aligns the company with the best prospect. She won’t give the company a candidate that could be a great salesperson but won’t work in the company culture. How else does Jessica’s business fill a missing gap in recruiting? What legalese do you need to know to protect your small business? Listen to the whole episode to take advantage of Jessica’s expertise! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 03 Apr 2020 | How the CARES Act Could Help YOUR Small Business with Aaron Smyle | 00:44:31 | |
The CARES Act is the topic of discussion around the USA right now—and for good reason. It’s providing economic relief in a time of great need. But it also plays a huge role in economic relief for small businesses. Darla and Natalie have been trying to muddle through what it means for their business and decided to ask a professional—Aaron Smyle. Aaron is the owner of Smyle & Associates, tax consultants that serve businesses and individuals in the New York City area. He has an MBA, MST, and is an Enrolled Agent (EA), a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation. In this episode of Wingnut Social, he breaks down how the CARES Act helps small businesses. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
As of April 3rd, registration will open online for the CARES act. The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) was part of the legislation that was passed. So what is it? At its core, it’s a forgivable loan from the government to help cover payroll for 8 weeks. You’re allowed to borrow 2.5x the monthly average of your yearly payroll costs (wages, independent contractors, health insurance costs, and retirement benefits are included in the calculation). It also includes owners’ compensation. As a simple example, if your average payroll is $10,000 a month, you can borrow up to $25,000 through the PPP. Eligible expenses that can be considered for forgiveness are rent, utilities, interest payments, and payroll. The caveat is that you HAVE to keep people on the payroll. If you do not have people on payroll (or wages being paid out), only an amount up to 25% of what is borrowed can be forgiven for rent, utilities and interest. If you’ve already laid some people off, you have until June 30th to hire them back and prove that you’re consistently paying the payroll that you were prior to the coronavirus pandemic. If your numbers track correctly and you’ve proven you’ve retained your employees, the whole loan amount will be forgiven. At this time, the assistance is for 2 months. If the Coronavirus pandemic persists longer than projected, they may need to pass further legislation. Keep listening as Aaron covers some details for S-Corps, interest rates if your loan is not completely forgiven, and more. Consider the Economic Injury Disaster LoanAaron points out that small business owners should apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)—where the first $10,000 is technically a grant. Supposedly, you should have access to the funds within 3 days of applying and no proof is necessary (unlike the records required for the PPP). You can still apply for the PPP, but the $10,000 will be subtracted from the amount that would be forgiven. So if you qualify for $50,000, $40,000 would be forgiven to account for this $10,000 grant. The EIDL is the best option for solopreneurs as it is eligible to cover their wages AND it can roll over into a loan if necessary. During this time, payroll taxes that you owe can be deferred for a period of time. Aaron implores you to pay this if at all possible. If you go out of business, you as the owner will be personally liable for those taxes and required to pay them back. Aaron points out that we are all facing uncertainty and that you need to step back and evaluate and make the correct decision for your business despite your emotions. Aaron poignantly states,“Don’t make short-term decisions that have long-term consequences”. Be sure to listen to the entire episode—Aaron unpacks the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, enhancement of charitable contributions, and all of the little details around relief for your small business. UPDATE: We told you this was moving fast. A recent update disallowed the payment of 1099 contractors from the definition of “payroll costs” going into the equation of what can be borrowed. The definition is now: Payroll costs consist of compensation to employees (whose principal place of residence is the United States) in the form of salary, wages, commissions, or similar compensation; cash tips or the equivalent (based on employer records of past tips or, in the absence of such records, a reasonable, good-faith employer estimate of such tips); payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave; allowance for separation or dismissal; payment for the provision of employee benefits consisting of group health care coverage, including insurance premiums, and retirement; payment of state and local taxes assessed on compensation of employees; and for an independent contractor or sole proprietor, wage, commissions, income, or net earnings from self-employment or similar compensation. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 31 Oct 2022 | How to Schedule Reels and Posts on Instagram | Mini News | 00:07:01 | |
Social media manager Lilah joins us to discuss how to schedule reels and posts on Instagram. Instagram has a new in-app feature that will allow you to schedule your reels and other posts. This is a great development, but is it the best option for you and your business? Watch this video and find out! *** ⭐️Instagram is releasing an in-app scheduling feature! Scheduling your content is extremely important if you’re aiming to grow your business through Instagram. It allows you to save time by batching your content - you can upload your photo, add a caption and tags, and then schedule all your posts out. It will be a very simple feature, including just the date and time of scheduling, just like scheduling an email. ⭐️Despite this update, there are still many 3rd-party options for scheduling content on Instagram that offer more in-depth features (Hootsuite, HubSpot, and Later are other platforms that offer post scheduling). The benefit to using the Instagram scheduler is that it’s directly in app - it will be best for scheduling reels, especially if you want to add audio or music. However, unlike the 3rd-party platforms, Instagram currently will not offer competitor reports, hashtag analysis, best posting times, and other helpful tools. ⭐️What if I have multiple people logged into one Instagram account? Lilah suspects that not everyone will be able to see the scheduled posts, and that it will be specific to your phone. So if you are in a situation where you have someone approving posts to go out, this likely won’t be the best solution for you at this time. *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Renovating Vintage Vans and Airstreams: Can You Really DIY? | 00:35:20 | |
If you’re a fellow internet user, you’ve probably seen lots of videos of people renovating vans and vintage trailers. You might be wondering, can I do that myself? Is this safe? What are the rules and regulations of this process? Well, today’s guest, Nate Stover, is the head builder and designer at Innovative Spaces, a company that renovates vans, RVs, Airstreams, and more - and he has tons of information on how to get started working in this niche industry. Nate, Founder, Owner and Head Builder & Designer at Innovative Spaces, became involved in the trades from building furniture to eventually building entire homes from early on. The trailers he works on at IS gives him the opportunity to not only use his previous building skills, but he is also able to exercise his creative skills to produce something truly unique and functional. Every project that leaves the Innovative Spaces yard represents their ingenuity and years of craftsmanship. *** 📲CONNECT with Nate: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativespaces/ Website: https://innovsb.com/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 10 Apr 2024 | Tips to Master Your Finances and Plan the Future of Your Business | 00:35:16 | |
Are you giving away all the financial keys to your interior design kingdom to just one person? Do you have a bookkeeper, a CFO, or an accountant, but not all three? Today’s guest, Kathy Svetina, tells us why that might not be the best idea, plus tons of other helpful info. Stay tuned! Kathy Svetina helps small businesses with $3M+in annual revenue build financially healthy and sustainable businesses. She is the founder of NewCastle Finance, a company offering Fractional CFO services to growing small businesses and the host of the Help, My Business Is Growing Podcast. For nearly 14 years, she did senior-level financial planning and analysis for Fortune 500 companies. Now she teaches small businesses how big companies use financial information to drive their business forward. *** 📲CONNECT with Kathy: Website: https://www.newcastlefinance.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksvetina/ Podcast: https://helpmybusinessisgrowing.buzzsprout.com/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "The World of Yesterday" by Stefan Zweig 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 03 Aug 2022 | How Maria Killam Grew to 100k+ Instagram Followers - Episode 276 | 00:45:51 | |
Maria Killam is a decorator, stylist, speaker, educator, and true color expert in interior and exterior design. She’s also the creator of the Killam Color System™, a proven system for choosing color that anyone can learn. Maria has always shared her work on her blog and has thousands of readers. But her Instagram never took off—until recently. Maria leveraged a popular Instagram trend and grew to 100k+ Instagram followers in mere weeks. Learn how she did it in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Maria Killam launched her career while working in a paint store. She took a color course and learned how to accurately describe colors. As she helped clients choose the right colors for their homes, she started painting out large color samples and used them over and over again. She saw that beiges always had the same undertones: pink-beige, green-beige, yellow-beige, etc. The undertones expanded from there. Her goal is to help her clients understand undertones so their design choices are complementary and timeless. Maria created a color wheel tool to help people identify the undertones in their spaces to choose the right neutrals. Now Maria offers online courses and eDesign to help both designers and homeowners create timeless spaces. Keep listening to learn how understanding color and undertones influences every design choice you’ll make. Maria’s Strategy to gain 100k+ Instagram followersMaria has spent a lot of time on Instagram. Why? Because people judge you as a marketer, designer, and businessperson based on your number of Instagram followers. They’re either impressed—or not. One day, Maria was watching an influencer who did a “10 ways to do something…” video series that they split into 10 parts. It was a light-bulb moment for Maria. So she launched her own 10-part series: “10 Finishes that Immediately Date Your New Build.” Her Instagram following grew by 100,000 followers in a matter of weeks. Instagram is trying to be like TikTok. It’s ALL about video. It worked for Maria because her no-nonsense personality was fully expressed in these videos. Before, she followed different random trends. Secondly, you build trust faster when they watch a video. If you’re not on video, you’re going to be behind. So how do you get started? Start sharing videos on your stories. They’re only 15 seconds and get you comfortable in front of the camera. Maria felt extremely awkward in her first videos. But you have to go through that awkward phase to become a rockstar on video. Maria has attracted a whole new audience. Learn how you can do the same in this episode of Wingnut Social! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 07 Aug 2024 | How to Find Hotel-Quality Bedding for Your Design Clients | 00:29:11 | |
It's summertime, so you might be thinking about what the best type of sheets are for staying cool. Today's guest is textile expert Heidi Luber, and she has tons of tips on finding the best quality sheets that will last (whether for you or your design clients). Stay tuned! Heidi Luber is the CEO and fourth-generation owner of Lubertex International, a textile firm with a rich legacy dating back to 1937 in Montreal, Canada. Heidi's journey is a captivating tale of innovation and reinvention. As the landscape of textile manufacturing shifted, so did Heidi's focus. Sensing an untapped market within the hospitality industry, she steered Lubertex towards new horizons, forging partnerships with elite hotel brands and redefining the company's identity. *** 📲CONNECT with Heidi: Website: https://www.lubertex.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lubertex-international/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 30 Oct 2024 | Secrets to a Hiccup-Free Install Day | 00:33:52 | |
Darla sits down with interior designer Bambi Bratton to discuss setting proper expectations for install day, managing client relationships, and dealing with logistics. They discuss Bambi's journey in the design world, her marriage to a custom home builder, and the importance of developing strong relationships with workrooms and showrooms. Bambi A’Lynn Bratton is an interior designer who lives in Austin and works all over the great state of Texas. She focuses on the residential market, helping homeowners turn dreams into reality. Bambi believes that she has done her job when people say that they’d rather be at home than anywhere else. “There is so much out there,” she says. “I work hard to make a variety of things mix well together. It would be a shame to be too limited in the spaces we create.” *** 📲CONNECT with Bambi: Website: https://bambialynn.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambialynn 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 28 Apr 2021 | Transform Your Business with Powerful Self-Talk [Roy Redd] - Episode 214 | 00:34:56 | |
After a seminar that changed his life, Roy Redd started a small CPR business that he grew to six-figures over the next year. So he wrote his first book, “The Success Magnet.” During the launch of that book, he got a DM from Casey Trujeque, who asked if his methods worked for athletes. So Casey flew him out to Portland Oregon to work with an athlete. He was able to turn that athlete around with his methods. How? How did changing his self-talk change his game? Learn more in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Roy asks, “What are you saying to yourself about yourself? In a year from now, what has to happen in your career and your life for you to be happy with your progress?” That is what he calls an instant clarity question. Why? Because with clarity comes certainty. Uncertainty is what causes us to have anxiety or negative self-talk. Roy realized this athlete had a “functional bound.” You’re bound by social ideas, trauma, or what you’ve been told you can and cannot do. He was getting nervous at the end of his games. So they did an experiment and realized that he had a traumatic experience at six at the end of a game when his Dad put his hands on him. Now every time he’s in that situation, his brain goes into fight or flight mode. His self-talk was “I’m not confident because I feel this way.” So they reframed and reclaimed the situation. He learned to anchor to the present. They pulled this unconscious memory into his conscious mind where he can control it. You can do that too. How to recognize your boundsWe have millions of past experiences. Roy notes that you can’t expect someone to pull and delete all of them. But you can get to a space where you can get comfortable being uncomfortable. You will end up in a space where you will deal with negative self-talk, either conscious, unconscious, or subconscious. We attach “I” to experiences and it becomes embodied in your identity. Being hungry is an experience you have, but when people are hungry they say “I am hungry.” When they’re upset, they say “I am depressed.” But you are not those things, they are states that you’re in. But by saying “I am” you are locking yourself into those states. Instead of saying, “I am depressed” you can say that “I am experiencing depression.” Depression isn’t physical, measurable, or tangible—but it is something that you can experience. It’s a sensation. You’re locking emotions into your body. You feel depressed, but you’re having a sensation in your chest. It’s an anchor for an experience that you have to move away from. How to use self-talk to become betterWhen Roy dove into neuroscience and the mind, he learned that it all boils down to self-talk. It’s not what happens to you in life that matters—it’s how you interpret it. Once you can identify the self-talk you’re having, you want to stop it or slow it down. How? Root yourself in the moment with things you love and things that get you in a flow state. What are you curious about? Passionate about? Is it connected to your purpose? Those three things lead you into a flow state when you’re in a zone. You lose all sense of time or self-awareness and you’re just in the moment. That’s when you take performance to the next level. Once you’re there, you can master and dial in on the things you’re trying to become better at. Want to learn how to stop your negative self-talk in its tracks? Listen to the whole episode for Roy’s strategy! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 05 Aug 2020 | How to Pivot Your PR Approach with Courtney Pisarik - Episode 170 | 00:35:11 | |
Your PR approach is more important now than ever. With the impact of the Coronavirus, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the upcoming elections—the world is in turmoil. Designers MUST pivot and take a moment to craft their PR approach to be sensitive to the world around them. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Courtney Pisarik joins Darla and Natalie to talk shop about her firm's PR approach mid-pandemic.
Courtney Pisarik is the founder and owner of Ink PR, which is a boutique public relations firm specializing in communications for interior designers and other home professionals. After a storied career in lifestyle and entertainment, she made the shift from the lifestyle industry to focus solely on interior design. She’s never been more focused, successful, and happy. Listen to hear her story! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Everyone is in the process of adapting. Courtney points out that her firm learned quickly that they had to pivot and pitch things that were relative to the news cycle. She emphasizes that you have to stay in touch with what’s happening in the world around you. Above all, she notes that you need to remember the power of human connection: “We’ve all learned our currency and our value is in our relationships with our friends and our media.” They are the #1 priority for Courtney and her team.
With that in mind, how do you pivot your PR approach? How do you connect with editors and magazines on a different level to get your work out there? Courtney recommends taking the time to do some basic research. What does the magazine cover? What is their aesthetic? Learn about the editor—where do they live? Do they love dogs? Do they drink coffee? Take a minute to be a human being. How would you interact with them if you were introduced in person? Find a way to cultivate that connection.
She points out that you can even review their social media channels and see what they’re passionate about. Take the time to read their previous writing or articles and reference them in your communication. It will change the conversation. At the end of the day, we are all human beings and want to be appreciated and recognized for what we do. PR teams are really salespeople. Courtney points out that they’re trying to sell the messaging and the imagery that we have. The fact of the matter is that you need to know your product and know your buyer. It’s time to include webinars and virtual events in your PR approachHow else do you need to pivot your PR approach? Do webinars and virtual events have a place when it comes to PR? Courtney agrees with Darla and Natale—virtual events are here to stay. Courtney's firm is constantly producing programming for clients and brands and attending webinars herself. She’s doing Instagram takeovers, setting up panels, and even has some webinars in the works leading up to High Point.
Courtney is working with a designer—Genevieve Trousdale—who will be launching an online portal resource for interior designers. They’ll be invited to share their resources to connect on a granular level and work as a team. Her firm has focused almost completely on webinars leading up to the launch.
They've also been hosting a webinar series called “Save our Suppliers”. The goal was to connect designers desperate to shop with brands looking to get in front of designers. Makes get on the webinar and share their new products and when they can get it out. This was a great way to break down some doors during the pandemic.
On top of everything already on Courtney’s plate, she’s also co-formed another webinar called ‘The Comm Collective’ with programming every week. They come together to discuss issues happening in the industry and take turns producing their own programs. They’ve invited editors from House Beautiful and Good Housekeeping to moderate the conversations.
The long and short of it? Video, webinars, and all things virtual isn’t going anywhere. It’s here to stay. To hear all of Courtney’s ideas and recommendations for tailoring your PR approach, listen to the whole episode!
The Comm Collective hosts a webinar every Thursday at 4pm est and anyone is invited to join! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 23 Mar 2020 | Should You Turn Your Blog Into a Blogcast? with Jeri Cerutti | 00:13:26 | |
Do you have a blog and are looking to gain more exposure? Perhaps your site is SEO optimized, adored with images galore, and your writing skills are stellar. But people are becoming increasingly busy and just don’t have the time to read a blog post like they used to. Creating a video isn’t necessarily the answer—but what about a blogcast? Have you heard the term? Jeri Cerutti co-hosts this Monday Marketing Minisode with Natalie to talk about her genius idea to turn her blog into an audio recording, AKA—a blogcast. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
It all started when Jeri asked her son-in-law if he would read her blog and give her feedback. He said he didn’t have time to read, but if she recorded it for him, then he would listen. Natalie has also had the opportunity to listen to Jeri read to her grandchildren, and thought “I could listen to this”. She has the perfect voice for audio. Also—to be honest—not everyone loves to read. Some people, such as Natalie, deal with Dyslexia. Others don’t have the time to sit down and read a blog. A lot of American’s have long commutes—so why not convert your blog to audio? Which led the ladies to this question: why not record all of Jeri’s blog posts to create a blogcast? Podcasting can help broaden your reachCreating a podcast—or in this case, a blogcast—is one of the easiest ways to broaden your reach. It’s a great way for the visually impaired to get exposure to your content. Not only can they hear it, but they can hear it in YOUR voice, with your unique tone and inflection. It speaks to your authenticity. Natalie and Darla think the idea is genius. After all, who doesn’t want to broaden their audience? It should be every blogger’s goal to reach more people with their content. We live in a busy world and whatever can be done to connect with more people should be done. Alright Wingnuts, it’s time to weigh in: Would you rather read a blog or listen to it? Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 02 Jan 2023 | How to Keep Your Instagram From Getting Hacked: New Instagram Safety Updates | Mini News | 00:08:19 | |
Have you received a suspicious "Giveaway" DM on Instagram, or been followed by an account that may be impersonating someone? On today's Mini News, Emily walks us through some new account safety features that have been added on Instagram to help users regain access to their accounts if they find themselves locked out or hacked. *** ⭐️Instagram has added some new tools to help users regain access to their accounts if they find themselves locked out or hacked. The new recovery center is at instagram.com/hacked. The con is most help options just direct you to the Help Center, which already existed, to help you troubleshoot your issue. In other words, you’re not being put in touch with a real person at Instagram Support. However, the pro is this tool makes the recovery and troubleshooting process much more streamlined. You’re provided quick, easy access to steps you can take depending on your issue. ⭐️A great new safety measure Instagram has provided is this: if you find yourself locked out of your account, you can choose two of your Instagram friends to confirm your identity and get back into your account. Instagram is also testing measures to combat impersonation and ways to help prevent hacking before it happens. There have been many instances where people impersonate design businesses and run fake giveaways to get other users’ info or hack their accounts. Instagram is testing a feature that sends warnings if an account that is suspected to be an impersonator follows you, or if an account that may be impersonating a business sends you a DM. ⭐️How can you keep your Instagram account safe before any of this happens to you? Use a strong, unique password with numbers, letters, and special characters. Don’t use this password for anything else. Change your password regularly, at least once a year. Ideally, you should change your password every few months. Lastly, turn on your two-factor authentication in Settings under Privacy and Security. You’ll get a login code when you sign in on a new device, so it offers a little extra security for your account. *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 26 Jun 2023 | How to Use Instagram Ads to Grow Your Account | Mini News | 00:09:26 | |
In the final excerpt from our latest informational webinar, “The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram,” we discuss how to use Instagram ads to grow your account. If you want to watch the full one-hour webinar, you can go to our Instagram @wingnutsocial and click the link in our bio, or visit https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 27 May 2020 | How to Get ‘Seriously Happy’ About Your Business Model with Rebecca West | 00:40:12 | |
Are you ready to change your design game and embrace an innovative business model that makes you ‘Seriously Happy’? Has the Coronavirus forced you to make a shift in your services? Why not take it a step further and tweak your business model moving forward? Today’s guest on the Wingnut Social podcast has been an innovative thinker from day one. Listen to this episode to hear how Rebecca West serves her clients in her innovative ‘Seriously Happy’ fashion. Rebecca West founded her design firm Seriously Happy Homes in 2007. She is a business coach and the author of the book Happy Starts at Home. She incorporates design psychology with her client’s personal aesthetic to craft a design vision like no other. Your home should be your happy place. To learn more about her innovative business and design model, be sure to listen. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Rebecca LOVES design. So much so that it is all she offers. Rebecca doesn’t source furniture or do project execution and management—just design. When she launched her design business 13 years ago, she decided she was going to create her own rules. She wanted to focus on design psychology and what made her happy. The hassle and headache that comes with project execution was NOT her desired role. Rebecca states you couldn’t pay her enough to deal with the stress that comes with execution. So why would she offer a service that she absolutely hates? Different situations call for different solutions. Rebecca wanted to be able to suggest IKEA furniture, instead of sourcing a designer that may be triple the price. She didn’t want money to be the deciding factor in her work. So she made her own way with her business model. How Rebecca executes her business modelRebecca creates a detailed digital file for each of her clients with layouts, dimensions, material lists, products, links to products, etc. Because her clients and their contractors’ source everything themselves, she goes the retail route as often as possible. She leaves all of the final decision-making in the client’s hands. But she’s also available for questions and a helping hand when necessary. Rebecca fully realizes that her business model isn’t for everyone. Her ideal client is a working professional—frequently in the tech or engineering fields—that aren’t afraid to manage projects. They have disposable income and are thoughtful about how they spend that money. She doesn’t cave when a client asks her to take on the entire project. She doesn’t waste her time on what doesn’t make her happy. Listen to the whole episode for a laundry-list of helpful information: Rebecca’s pricing model, how she handles the revision process with clients, and the innovative way she markets her business (HINT: It includes Yelp!). Rebecca’s business doesn’t fit your typical mold—but she’s found great success embracing her ‘seriously happy’ mindset. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 15 May 2024 | REPLAY: How to Make Luxury Design Accessible | 00:48:36 | |
Can niching down your business actually multiply your income? Is it possible to make a luxury service like design accessible to more people? How do you set boundaries with clients and start attracting the type of people you love to work with? All this and more on today's episode with Elle & Yvette of Decorelle Studio! We are Elle & Yvette, sisters and founders of Décorelle Studio, a luxury interior design firm servicing the DMV area and beyond. We founded Décorelle in 2018 to fill a gap in the interior design market – one that often fails to capture the newlyweds who just bought their first home, the empty nesters who want to reimagine their nest, or the bachelor(ette) who is just starting life out. Over the years, we have mastered the art of marrying the luxury that is interior design and accessibility. *** 📲CONNECT with Decorelle Studio: Website: https://www.decorelle.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/decorelle.co/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Great CEOs Are Lazy" by Jim Schleckser "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 15 Jun 2022 | Interior Design as a Second Career - Episode 269 | 00:38:47 | |
Have you considered interior design as a second career? Cheryl Luckett had a 15-year career as a registered dietician and human resources professional. She launched Dwell by Cheryl after a weekly blog chronicling her home improvement projects quickly morphed into a side hustle decorating homes. After five years and a carefully planned exit strategy she dubbed “Project 36,” she left corporate life and made interior design her full-time career. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
After 10 years in the same company, Cheryl realized something wasn’t clicking. She didn’t want to be there forever. At the time, she had just purchased her first home and started decorating it. It sparked something inside her. So she took some design courses at her community college, starting with basic drafting. She fell in love with design. She started a blog sharing her ongoing home projects, which led to clients within her circle of influence. A couple of years of night classes later, she realized she was on to something. But she needed a plan to transition out of corporate America. She called it “Project 36.” It was her 36-month exit strategy out of corporate. She was single, had been in the same job for 12 years, and had great benefits—including stock options. The one thing that would keep her from making the move was financial. So she hired a financial planner and said, “I want to leave my job in 36 months. Help.” They set out a plan to chip away at student loans and save money so she felt comfortable with her career change. She set a timeline for everything she needed to get done. The plan unfolded over time. The more the months ticked away, the more comfortable and confident she became about taking the leap. She needed to be strategic. She believes anyone considering a second career should be the same. Transitioning to interior design as a second careerAs Cheryl’s 36 months ticked onward, she posted three times a day on social media. It allowed her to engage in a community she wasn’t a part of full-time—yet. It allowed her to build demand for her service before she needed it. She brought people along on her journey. They knew she worked full time, knew she was in school, and knew she was building a side hustle. Her followers were so bought into her story that when she shared a video of leaving the ivory tower, they were excited with her. Now, every December 31st, she posts that video. She executed her plan, made the leap, and is still thriving because of it. What else did she do? Cheryl spent a lot of her PTO traveling to design conferences, investing in herself and her growth. She built relationships with people on an upward trajectory. Once she transitioned into her design business, she continued to invest in herself to continue on the path of growth. So she hired a coach—Kim Kuhteubl. It was a significant investment but helped her understand that it’s an inside game. To show up for your business, sell your services, and serve people—you’ve got to have your mind right. It was the best move she made in the beginning stages. Her coach helped her with mindset, branding, visibility—all of the big picture things. Listen to the whole episode to find out why honing in on a niche and having a process in place to find the right clients is a key part of her success. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 26 Oct 2022 | How to Create Social Videos and Blow up Your Business (with Susan & Paul Kadilak) | 00:37:45 | |
Do you want to create videos for social media and grow your business, but you’re not quite sure where to begin? Susan and Paul Kadilak (Kadilak Homes) are here to share all their content creation secrets! They have had incredible success marketing and promoting their design + build firm, growing their business by 60% in one year by developing and implementing a social video strategy. Today they’re discussing how to build and action based strategy to grow business with social video, key details to create social video, and what’s next in the evolution of social video and how to grow in this ever changing landscape. @KadilakHomes is a design build firm run by Susan & Paul Kadilak in the Greater Boston area. Together they have made it their mission to help their clients turn an ordinary house into a haven that they love coming home to! The Kadilak’s have grown by connecting directly with their audience through their social media channels and are excited to announce that they just launched a brand-new app, “Renovation Rekindle” for their Emmy nominated home renovation show. *** ⭐️Can I really get my ideal client from social media marketing? Susan says look at the numbers - everyone is on these social platforms, and you need to go where your clients are. From social media alone, Susan and Paul’s business has grown tremendously. When you’re posting consistently and putting your content out there, your clients are attracted to that. If there is a client out there who isn’t a good fit for you, and they look at your content, they’ll never call you. But if someone’s looking at your content and watching your videos, they’ll usually do it for a while before they call you. They’re often a better fit because they’ve taken the time to prescreen you - they likely have made a decision before they even call you! Based on this, the quality of people reaching out to you will be better than traditional advertising. ⭐️Susan and Paul advise that if you’re not creating video content right now (and you’re hesitant to begin), start small. Instead of jumping in front of a camera, experiment with visuals, pictures, and concepts - you don’t necessarily have to be in the video at first. Take videos of your next project, drawing, job site, or whatever feels right. Eventually, you can start to appear in the videos, beginning with a quick snippet, and working up from there. Susan says she’s the last person who wants to be on video, but realized she wouldn’t get better if she didn’t try. Looking back, Paul says they “weren’t good” when they first started, but to be fair…nobody is! If you’re worried about starting, and find yourself paralyzed by fear of failure, you have to get over it or else you’ll never get started at all. You don’t have to be perfect…you don’t even have to be “good.” At the end of the day, you’re not auditioning for a role; you’re just documenting what you do and connecting with your clients, sharing your authentic self. *** 📲CONNECT with Susan & Paul: Website: https://kadilakhomes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KadilakHomes/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know" by Malcolm Gladwell "Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success" by Gary Vaynerchuk Check out "Renovation Rekindle" here: https://kadilakhomes.com/renovation-rekindle/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 26 May 2021 | How to Use Pinterest to Up-Level Your Social Media Marketing [Kate Ahl] - Episode 218 | 00:37:51 | |
Pinterest is a great way to connect with your clients. How? Because most of them find their inspiration on Pinterest. Secondly, it’s a great way to showcase how you design and level up the design for future clients. Best of all, it helps people become aware of you. So how do you leverage Pinterest to work for your design business? Kate Ahl—the owner of Simple Pin Media—shares her best strategies in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
According to Kate, the largest difference is that you go to Instagram to get caught up on the lives of people you follow. You have to follow them to see them in your feed. You’re looking to wander and get lost in people’s stories. People also rarely move off the platform. But the intent on Pinterest is “How can you serve me?” or “I need a solution to my problem.” Someone is looking for inspiration and they don’t care about you. They’re not interested in a brand. They’re only interested in the goal. There’s no attachment to a brand name—just the design. Pinterest is all about search and discovery. Keep listening to hear Kate share some of the pros and cons of Pinterest. The Verified Merchant ProgramPinterest is reintroducing the concept of shoppable pins with their “Verified Merchant Program.” They’ll show that it’s a shoppable pin but will link to your website for the actual sale. The challenge is that the user's habit isn’t to buy right away. But Pinterest is putting a lot of effort into shop integrations, videos, and story pins. They’re trying to find diversified ways to get people to the shopping point quickly. Unfortunately, Kate points out that the Verified Merchant Program is still clunky, glitchy, and picky about who is approved. If people don’t want to go that route, Kate recommends using images and keywords that will lead to places you know they’ll sign up for a consultation. For now, Kate believes the shop tab is useful for people who sell things that are $100 or less. For higher-end products, Kate recommends leading people to a form that has a question that asks how they heard about you. What is Kate’s overall opinion of the Verified Merchant Program? Listen to hear her unfiltered response! What’s changing with story pins?Story pins allow creators to showcase something they offer or the steps it takes to complete a project. They just changed the name to “Idea Pins'' because people were getting story pins confused with Instagram Stories. These pins stick around forever—no 24-hour shelf life—and people can save them to their boards. However, there is no link. But it does encourage people to follow your profile where they can then click to your website. Kate has actually seen an increase in home page traffic when people use idea pins. It’s a great way to showcase a new design and even increase your follower account. How does Pinterest handle intellectual property dilemmas? What are Kate’s thoughts on Tailwind (and other apps)? Listen for the whole conversation! Want even more great content? Head on over to Wingnut Premium for the extended interview with Kate Ahl! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 01 Dec 2021 | Carol Cox Shares Why Thought Leadership Still Matters - Episode 245 | 00:43:56 | |
Carol Cox is the founder of Speaking Your Brand®. Her mission is to help women create thought leadership platforms to have the impact they desire in their field. But how do you get to that point? Is becoming a thought leader worth the time and effort? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Carol speaks about the power of sharing your personal experiences, what container you should use for your thought leadership, and the basics of her VOICE method. Don’t miss this awesome replay. 1v7P9R7TkavQBnV12gvh | |||
| 08 Jan 2020 | Dive into the World of Product Licensing with Stacy Garcia | 00:40:15 | |
Product licensing is a world that every designer dreams of joining. It can be seen as the ticket to retirement—passive income that brings in a pretty penny. But according to Stacy Garcia, it’s a little more complicated than that. Dive into this episode of Wingnut Social as Darla and Natalie converse with Stacy about the ins and outs of product licensing. Stacy Garcia made her way into the design world 20 years ago when she launched LebaTex—a textile company. She knew she wanted her own collections and a branded product line, so she made it happen. Tune-in to hear how she went from a bootstrap business to successfully licensing products with multiple big-name designers. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
20 years ago, Stacy struggled to break into licensing. So she put everything on the line and took out a $50,000 line of credit against her home and launched her textile company, LebaTex. She put every last penny into that business (and consequently didn’t sleep for two years). She designed a professional trade-show booth and hired a publicist—and then she landed her first deal. It took some moxie to put everything on the line. But what do designers look for now? Stacy points out that you can launch something small with a lot less money. If you can get one licensing deal, it gives you leverage. It gives you more access to the market. But you have to remember you’re relying on distribution and manufacturing from whomever you sign with. They’re looking for something unique. Here are some questions she points out they will consider: Why should they choose you over someone else? Is it your design aesthetic? Your social media following? Do you know how to forecast what will be trending in materials, colors, and consumer buying habits? What you NEED to know about product licensingIf you desire to get into product licensing (and excel at creating beautiful and unique products) there are a few things you need to understand:
There is a lot to consider when it comes to product licensing. You have to remember that it’s not just a creative decision—it’s a business opportunity. You want to get the lay of the land when considering a deal (What would a collection look like? How many pieces? Royalties? What is the lifetime of the collection?) and manage your expectations. To hear the ladies full discussion on product licensing, the deals you should shoot for, social media considerations—and much more—listen to the whole episode with Stacy Garcia now! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 03 Aug 2020 | Go LIVE from Facebook Messenger Rooms - Episode 169 | 00:09:04 | |
Facebook created Messenger Rooms in April as an answer to Zoom who had more than quadrupled their users during the Coronavirus pandemic. The FREE Messenger Rooms have done so well that they’ve dug into Zoom’s market share—and even lowered their stock price.
Now, Facebook is implementing a NEW feature into Messenger Rooms: The ability to go Live. This gives designers diverse alternatives and makes it more possible for large audiences (up to 50 people) to tune in and watch group video calls in real-time. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
You can create a room from Facebook or Messenger Web and invite anyone to join—even if they don’t have a Facebook account. Viewers can join from their computer, phone, or tablet. You can broadcast that you’re going live to a profile, page, or group.
You have control over where the room is shared, who can see it, and who can join. You can even add or remove participants from the room or as Darla put it—“Be your own bouncer.” How is this different from a normal Live? Can Facebook access the audio or video? Listen to find out! What the Live feature in FB Messenger Rooms means for designersIf you can go Live with groups up to 50 in messenger rooms—for free—hello! That means designers can create webinars, host events with multiple guests or panels, share presentations, or launch courses right through Messenger Rooms. You can control who’s invited and who can see the Live.
It can be a way to create a weekly or monthly VIP group for followers. They can participate, ask questions, and interact with you “face-to-face.” It’s great for networking. It can help you gain traction before moving on to paid platforms or before announcing a paid webinar.
Facebook is building a serious connective infrastructure to help YOU build your empire. Give it a go, invite some people, see how it works out. What else does Facebook have up its sleeves? Find out by listening to the whole Monday Marketing Minisode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 16 Nov 2022 | How to Ask Your Interior Design Clients for Their Budget (with Hilaire Pickett-Martin) | 00:21:39 | |
How do you get that elusive budget from your interior design clients? Stick around and find out! On today’s show, we’re discussing client communication and transparency. Guest Hilaire Pickett-Martin is here to tell us to not shy away from answering (and asking) the tough questions with your interior design clients - plus how to ask your interior design clients for their budget! Hilaire Pickett-Martin grew up (quite literally) in the business. She is a graduate of Elon University. Hilaire handles Design Lines’ communications, and applies her enthusiasm and passion to promoting the firm. She also oversees all the accounting and day-to-day operations. Hilaire uses her inborn knowledge of the business to pitch in wherever she can. Outside of the business, her favorite vacation spot is Whistler, British Columbia, and she recently learned to wakeboard and snowboard. *** ⭐️Hilaire says transparency starts at the first meeting with your client. It’s important to really listen to your client and understand their challenges. What does your client ultimately want? Use your first meeting to get to the bottom of their goal. Hilaire sets expectations along the way, even in the initial design presentation. She may show her clients design choices that have big lead times; she makes sure to articulate these timelines to her clients. She also tries to get a sense of the client’s budget and timeframe (even if it’s a range) to make sure they align with her vision. Hilaire is very authentic in her conversation with her clients, being fully honest if she doesn’t think something can be accomplished within their budget and timeframe. ⭐️How do you get your client to tell you their budget? There are several different approaches. If your clients have a number but are just hesitant to share it, Hilaire recommends asking for a range - “give us a high, give us a low.” Another approach is to identify pieces within the space that the clients are willing to spend money on. You can find a budget range by value engineering specific pieces. Value engineering is a fancy way of saying “working within a budget.” There are 3 things you can have - price, function, or quality - but you can’t always have all 3. You might have to sacrifice one or the other. If you value engineer the price of an item, you may not have the best quality. At the end of the day, you have to pick what’s important and what you want to spend the money on. ⭐️Being transparent during the final steps of the design process is just as important as being upfront in the beginning. So you’ve procured furniture and it’s on purchase order - having open communication about delivery is crucial. Obviously there has been a huge amount of pressure on expediting over the past few years due to supply chain issues. Hilaire is very open about deliveries, letting her clients know that the timelines and delivery dates are subject to change. She feels people have been relatively understanding of these delays coming out of a pandemic. Additionally, Hilaire and her team are present for every install. They make sure everything comes off the truck in great condition, and if they’re not, they let the client know and work towards repairs or returns. Lastly, they communicate with their clients at the very end of the process upon invoicing. *** 📲CONNECT with Hilaire: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designlinessignature/ Website: https://designlinesltd.com/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Feeding the Soul" by Tabitha Brown 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 13 Oct 2021 | Pivot Your Business with a Strategic Business Coach [Like Michele Williams] - Episode 238 | 00:47:42 | |
Michele Williams is a strategic business coach who works with designers to help them create a strategic focus for their business, finances, and all decision-making. She firmly believes when you have a clear idea of where you want to go, you can get clear steps forward in place. She empowers business owners to take back the reins. When Darla came to Michele, she was struggling through a messy divorce while managing a full-time design business, Wingnut Social, and a podcast. Darla was ready to break and felt out of control. How was Michele able to guide her through her next steps? What did Michele do that helped Darla reclaim control of her businesses? How can she help you, too? Listen to this episode to learn more! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Darla was running three businesses—the design business, the podcast, and Wingnut Social. Far too much for one person to handle. None of the businesses could function without her in them. What was her first step? Michele told her to take a step back, pull her head out of the day-to-day, and decide what she loved doing. Michele emphasizes “Stop building businesses that you don’t like. Stop building businesses that drain you. Stop building businesses that ask more than you’re willing to give. Start building businesses that you love with an intention and with a strategy.” That’s what Michele helped Darla work through. Which business did she want to put her time and attention into? What made her heart beat faster, that she felt passionate about? What wouldn’t she regret losing? Michele notes you must “Clear everyone else’s voice and hear yours.” You can’t make a business profitable if your heart isn’t in it. Michele isn’t there to make you a better designer, social media expert, or podcaster. She is there to help her clients run their businesses and make them better business owners. You develop a great business by having a strategy that leads to goals that lead to a plan. It becomes a framework for decision-making. The strategy allows you to say “yes” or “no” and not feel guilty about the decisions you’re making. How to pivot your business if you can’t afford a coachMichele says the first step is easy: find someone you trust and consume all of the free information you can from them. Michele—and most coaches out there—offer some sort of free resources. Michele has a weekly podcast (Profit is a Choice) that shares 100% free content. She produces newsletters with actionable tips. You can write down takeaways and start using the free advice that coaches share. Michele has met numerous people who’ve listened to her for years, implemented everything she’s recommended, and got to a place where they could hire her. What else can you do? Invest in courses. Courses can help get you where you want to go so you can make enough money to do the next thing. Are you pivoting in your business because you want to—or someone told you that you have to? You need some understanding of why you need to pivot. Then you need to decide to pivot in a direction that will make you happy and joyful. You create a strategic plan and vision of what could be. Then you put one foot in front of the other and gain clarity. When you’re creating a vision, Michele emphasizes that you have to believe that the best is yet to come. If you’d like someone to guide you along the way, reach out to Michele today! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | Transparency With Your Clients: How Much Is Too Much? | 00:53:27 | |
In this engaging conversation, Darla and Cheryl Clendenon explore the intricacies of running an interior design business, focusing on the importance of transparency in pricing, the value of client relationships, and the need for effective business management. They discuss the challenges designers face in pricing strategies, the significance of educating clients, and the impact of trust on business success. Cheryl shares her insights on leveraging trade programs and the psychology behind pricing, emphasizing the need for designers to position themselves effectively in the market. The conversation highlights the importance of building a sustainable business model while maintaining strong client connections. A well known designer & writer in the industry & the 2021 Person of the Year from KBB. In Detail Interiors, employs 8 people, has a retail boutique showroom, e-commerce, Candle Studio and Cheryl has been working with Designers and Architects on changing up their business strategy since 2017. Cheryl's approach is from a creative stance-always-, unapologetically honest, and is passionate about helping interior designers and creating attainable success for small businesses. Today’s Takeaways: •Designers need to think larger and embrace their business as a real entity. •Transparency in pricing does not mean revealing every cost breakdown to clients. •Value pricing is essential; clients should understand the value they receive, not just the cost. •Building trust with clients is crucial for long-term success. •Effective management of business costs can prevent financial pitfalls. •Educating clients about the design process and pricing is key to avoiding misunderstandings. •Designers should leverage trade programs to improve their margins and offerings. •Client relationships are foundational; they should feel valued and cared for. •Understanding the psychology of pricing can help designers position themselves better in the market. •A sustainable business model requires ongoing analysis and adaptation. 📲CONNECT with Cheryl: Website: https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damngooddesigner/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallbusinessthinkbig YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DamnGoodDesigner 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 “Come Back” Book by Claire Fontaine and Mia Fontaine 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | How to Make Luxury Design Accessible | 00:47:50 | |
Can niching down your business actually multiply your income? Is it possible to make a luxury service like design accessible to more people? How do you set boundaries with clients and start attracting the type of people you love to work with? All this and more on today's episode with Elle & Yvette of Decorelle Studio! We are Elle & Yvette, sisters and founders of Décorelle Studio, a luxury interior design firm servicing the DMV area and beyond. We founded Décorelle in 2018 to fill a gap in the interior design market – one that often fails to capture the newlyweds who just bought their first home, the empty nesters who want to reimagine their nest, or the bachelor(ette) who is just starting life out. Over the years, we have mastered the art of marrying the luxury that is interior design and accessibility. *** 📲CONNECT with Decorelle Studio: Website: https://www.decorelle.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/decorelle.co/ 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 "Great CEOs Are Lazy" by Jim Schleckser "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 18 Jan 2023 | REPLAY: Business Tips for New Interior Designers | 00:35:03 | |
Meredith founded the “House of Huck” in 2020 as a passion project. She gave herself an ultimatum: If she wasn’t successful in three years, she’d go back to the corporate world. But in one year, she transformed her business into a full-time career. She’s leveraged her unique background in corporate sales—and some genius social media marketing tactics—to build a thriving business. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Meredith shares some business tips for new interior designers that you just can’t miss! Connect with Meredith Huck
Resources & People Mentioned
Why House of Huck grew quickly 95% of Meredith’s clients have come from social media. How does she leverage various platforms to gain visibility? Meredith got in front of the camera. It allowed people to learn about herself and her life. She also embraced a unique social media marketing strategy: Throwing a scavenger hunt. Meredith chose 5 local businesses, bought gift cards, and hid them around town. You had to follow her on social media and answer a riddle to find the gift card(s). Once someone found one, they had to tag her in a post. She gained followers, gave back to her community, and it even led to a request for a design consultation. Why Meredith doesn’t want to grow and scale a team Meredith is struggling with a great problem to have: Getting too many requests for her design services. She’s learning how to take discovery calls, explaining how her process works, and scheduling out (sometimes weeks or months). She sets the expectation that it may be weeks before she can connect back to work on their project. But then she communicates via email, notes in the mail, etc. She’ll have those clients work on creating a Pinterest board to fill in the gap during those weeks. Meredith is busier than ever, but she isn’t interested in growing and scaling a team right now. She loves what she does and chooses to outsource when necessary. She works with a virtual assistant and outsources renderings and sourcing tasks. Business tips for new interior designers What has Meredith learned from her first couple of years as a new interior designer? Tip #1: It’s not just about charging a design fee. Whenever you can, open up wholesale accounts and purchase furnishings directly from them. A large portion of Meredith’s revenue has come from the margin she makes on furnishings. Tip #2: Trust your gut. Meredith agreed to do some design work for a couple despite seeing numerous red flags. Meredith requires her clients to request revisions within one week of her design presentation. After her design presentation, this client asked for more than a week to decide. Two months later, they asked her for a refund of her design fees. Tip #3: Don’t take every job that comes your way. Only work with people who appreciate what you’re doing for them. Meredith shares more tips, tricks, and business strategies in this episode of Wingnut Social. Check it out! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 09 Nov 2022 | Environmental Psychology and Design (with Smita Sahoo) | 00:34:32 | |
What does studying criminal minds have to do with interior design? Smita Sahoo (founder of āśaya I Design in Chicago) joins us to discuss her studies of environmental psychology, which explores the relationship between humans and the world around them. Smita uses research and data to drive her design. Also in this episode, Smita offers advice to fellow women designers and entrepreneurs. After working for over 16 years with top national and international real estate developers and companies, Smita founded āśaya I Design, a Chicago based luxury interior design and architecture firm. Her uniquely creative voice in the design profession is informed by a diverse background in architecture, interior design and environmental psychology. Smita thrives on designing spaces that strengthen our emotional connections to the places we live, work, and interact. *** ⭐️Smita has a focus in environmental psychology, which is understanding how humans interact in their environments. Environmental psychology is very data-based, and this data helps drive her design. Every human being picks up on certain cues in their environment before they act. Smita studies the design of certain spaces and how human beings perceive it. She illustrates this through the design of a high-end store. You can’t lock up all the expensive items like a CVS. Your merchandise needs to be on display, but you don’t want to encourage it to be snatched up. In this situation, you need to curate a perception that customers are being watched so they are less likely to steal. Ultimately, Smita uses research and data to design comfortable spaces that feel secure. ⭐️Smita is very passionate about empowering fellow women in business. She has some really great advice, starting with “believe in yourself.” Once you believe in yourself, and you have decided that this is your path, no matter what happens you will commit to moving forward. Everything else will become aligned. Successful entrepreneurs are not those who haven’t seen failure - they have failed, picked themselves up, and kept going! Smita compares this to a child’s mentality of learning to walk. Despite constantly falling, they remain curious and don’t give up. She advises to not give up, with the intention of learning to walk, and eventually you will start walking. Confidence and tenacity comes first - the rest can be taught. You have to be a little crazy in pursuing your business, because if you’re just playing it safe and doing what’s already been done, you aren’t taking any chances or betting on yourself. ⭐️When it comes to mentorships, Smita keeps an open mind and likes to have multiple mentors from different walks of life. Different people have different strengths. Smita advises reaching out to potential mentors regarding some of their work that you admire, and request some time to chat. Smita has never shied away from reaching out to high-level designers and asking to grab coffee and chat about their experiences. She even reaches out to other business owners to ask simple questions like, “How do you save on taxes?” and “How do you hire people?” There’s a lot to learn from other business owners and how they operate. Try reaching out to someone you know and share secrets! *** 📲CONNECT with Smita: Instagram: https://instagram.com/asaya.design?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Website: https://www.asayadesign.com/ 📲CONNECT with Susan & Paul: Website: https://kadilakhomes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KadilakHomes/ 📚Resources & People Mentioned: "Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul" by Howard Schultz 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 29 Sep 2021 | How to Balance your Marriage + Business + Self [with LMFT Amber Hawley] - Episode 236 | 00:48:09 | |
How do you communicate with your partner when one or both of you run a business together? How do you avoid reaching the point of burnout? What are the signs of burnout? These are just a few of the burning questions Amber Hawley answers in this episode of Wingnut Social! Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist specializing in couples therapy. She owns a group practice in Silicon Valley. Amber also runs two online businesses—The Couples Fix podcast and The Distracted Entrepreneur podcast. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
When Amber works with a couple who are in business together, she starts by helping them nail down boundaries between work and home. She emphasizes that you have to make sure there’s space for both in your relationship. Then you create routines where you can separate the two. You also need to make time to intentionally connect as a couple. You have to create a dedicated time to talk about your relationship. If you’re in conflict all the time you know it needs to be addressed. The flipside is also true—if there’s no open communication, you need to connect. If you’re having a good day, you don’t want to ruin it by bringing up something you’ve been struggling with. And when you’re already enmeshed in conflict, that isn’t a good time either. That’s why creating a ritual where you come together and talk about your relationship is key. What’s going well? Where are you struggling? If everything is going great, you’ve simply carved out time to have a conversation. But if you’re not talking at all, that dedicated time once a week or monthly is imperative. Mitigating burnout as a business ownerAs a business owner, you have a lot of demands on your time and energy. The hustle culture makes it hard to set boundaries (but you need to). What are the signs of burnout?
The first time Amber experienced burnout, she didn’t recognize it because she loves seeing her clients. But everything else in her business overwhelmed her. Simple administrative tasks stole her energy. She thought she was just struggling with her ADHD. But when you put off important things in your business—like billing clients—it becomes a problem. Strategies to avoid reaching the point of burnoutAmber’s favorite strategy is to hire and delegate (sound familiar?). Some things need to be done in your business and you may not be the best person to do them. That fact can be hard to swallow but it’s true. Amber also believes that you need to assess what’s important and see what you can delete off of your list immediately. If you struggle to let go, you can put a pin in it and return to it another time. Setting boundaries around how much you—and team members—work is key. You can experiment to see what works. Business owners are chronically over-scheduled and need to create more space in your day than you think you need. You must be diligent about not adding more to your plate. What else does Ambera recommend to avoid burnout? How can entrepreneurial couples strengthen their marriages? Listen to the whole episode to learn more! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 19 May 2021 | REPLAY: Infuse More Play in Your Day with Jeff Harry - Episode 217 | 01:01:26 | |
Darla is smack in the middle of a move to Maryland (U-Haul and all), so this week we are replaying a popular episode with Jeff Harry! Get ready to infuse some play in your day—and be better for it.
Jeff Harry defines play as “Any joyful act where you are fully present in the moment. It has no purpose or result.” You are fully in love with what is actually happening. Your play moments are the best moments of your life when you feel most alive. You are in flow. What is the work where you forget about time? How much of that work do you do on a given day? Jeff shares that identifying the work that you LOVE to do and increasing it by even just 1–2% has a ripple effect. Play can make you more productive, creative, and successful in the long run. It gives you momentum. How do you do that? Learn how in this episode of Wingnut Social! Jeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves to feel their happiest and most fulfilled—all through the medium of play. He has worked with Microsoft, Google, Southwest Airlines, the NFL, Adobe, Facebook, and Amazon, helping them learn how to infuse more play into their day. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Why is play such a lost art? Jeff points out that by the time you reach the age of 18, you will have heard the word “no'' 148,000 times. On top of that, every adult in your life piles “shoulds” on you. Then you go to school where you’re told to raise your hand, ask for permission, etc. You hit your teens and you’re bombarded with social media. You get more information in a day than people in the 1950s got in one year. It tells you you’re not enough, you need to buy this, etc. All the answers are external. Anytime you try to do anything that is “you”, you are considered mischievous or weird. You’re considered “too much” or “extra.” It’s such a rebellious act to simply be yourself. Ask yourself: What do I love to do? What makes me come alive? What makes me feel good about myself? Do something because you want to or because it brings you joy. It doesn’t have to have productive value, a sense, or a purpose. But you’re having fun. It puts you in a positive mindset and you’re priming your brain to look at every opportunity as play. How do you integrate play into business? How do you encompass a play-oriented mindset in the workplace? How do you determine your team’s appreciation language? Jeff Harry takes a deep-dive into these topics—don’t miss it! How to infuse more play in your dayJeff walks through some exercises in this episode that HAVE to be shared. Where do you start? He notes that you cannot play until you’ve calmed yourself down. If you’re angry or in an anxiety-ridden state, you can’t play.
Another exercise? Get 3 people that know you really well and ask them these questions:
When you get 3–5 people to give you that information back and you look at it, you get so many answers and gems of wisdom. You can also get your friends together and do what Jeff calls a “Tipsy Storm” over Zoom. You get tipsy on alcohol, chocolate, ice cream, whatever it is, and brainstorm together. Write down ideas. Go to bed, wake up, and return to that list. Circle the one that resonates the most with you and see where it takes you. Bonus exercise: What did you do as a kid that brought you joy? How can that be tied to the work you love to do now? Take those “play” values from your childhood and find the work that you love to do most that encompass those values. Jeff’s final challenge: Allow your emotions to fully envelop you. When you fully feel it, you can let it go. When you allow emotion in, you live a more fulfilling life. Let your grief and sadness out. People haven’t mourned 2020. Write down everything you wanted to accomplish in 2020 that you didn’t get to, mourn them, fold it up, fold it into an airplane, and let it go. What do you want to do with the last 23 days of 2020? What impact do I want to have? Are you ready to stop “shoulding” on yourself so much? Are you ready to show up? Listen to the whole episode for more of Jeff’s amazing insight into positive psychology. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 13 Apr 2022 | How Designers Become THE Source for Luxury Flooring - Episode 260 | 00:47:35 | |
John Dupra co-created Revel Woods, a platform that helps designers provide their clients with a luxury floor sourcing experience. Revel Woods elevates the traditional process so interior designers can offer a high-end service that can’t be replicated. In this episode of Wingnut Social, John shares how you can become a Revel Woods pro and become THE source for your client’s customer flooring (and maybe even create your own custom line of flooring). What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Sourcing floors typically includes taking clients to a flooring showroom they could have visited on their own. It’s been a necessary evil because there haven’t been options for designers to source trade options. Even trade-only showrooms offer brands available anywhere—unless you go truly custom and jump price levels. Most designers don’t need something that high-end. John points out that you wouldn’t go to Bob’s discount furniture outlet to source furniture for a high-end client. Why would you do it for flooring? You don’t want to offer a service or experience they could’ve done on their own. Revel Woods is a platform that sources flooring for you. Some of it might be available elsewhere but they private label everything. Create your own line of luxury hardwood flooringRevel Woods is also developing a program with a manufacturer in Canada that will do a semi-custom made-to-order flooring. Flooring options are usually like the pizza aisle at the grocery store—you have premade cheese, pepperoni, supreme, etc. The program they’re developing is like a pizza shop where you choose your crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. You get to choose from 15 master colors, solid or engineered hardwood, and different widths, grades, lengths, and sheens. You can create your own collection exclusive to you and only available to your clients. They give you complete and total control over the process. John shares how pricing and wholesaling work, so keep listening. Revel Woods is launching a NEW platform: Revel Woods PlusRevel Woods is partnering with a major manufacturer to build a visualization platform. You can use sample rooms or take a photo of a client's room and swap the flooring out. It will be built into the Revel Woods platform with hundreds of private-label trade-only options only accessible to designers. You can use this tool to show a client what the flooring will look like in their room. You can also send them the link to the product (without pricing). Fine hardwood flooring will never go out of style, but luxury vinyl planks have been the go-to flooring option of late. What does John think will be the next trend? His answer may shock and will certainly surprise you! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 05 May 2021 | How to Hire—So You Don’t Have to Fire [with Colleen Baader] - Episode 215 | 00:34:43 | |
How do you hire the right people so you don’t find yourself letting someone go six months down the road? Do you hire for your weakness or hire someone that fits in with the culture? So much goes into hiring the right person. So in this episode of Wingnut Social, Colleen Baader joins Darla to share how she hires for her design firm. Colleen Baader has been an interior designer for 27 years primarily focusing on commercial design. Seven years ago she started Vertical Interior Design focused on corporate, healthcare, and hospitality design. She even designed and built her own home in 2018. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Colleen tries to look at the strengths of her team—and where she’s seeing weaknesses. Then she tries to target those weaknesses in the hiring process. They give out a survey called “The Culture Index” to help determine an applicant's natural tendencies and personality. Are they detailed? Visionary? Organized? If she’s looking for someone detailed, she knows her creative people will be worn down and exhausted by those tasks. But if they’re being 100% creative for their 8 hours at work, they leave on a high. Colleen strives to hire the right people for the right role so they don’t leave burned out. You want to hire someone for a role that they’ll be successful and find joy in. You'll have opportunities for more jobs if you allow your team to be diverse. People with different skills not only complement each other, they learn from each other. She always strives to foster collaboration—never competition. You should be rooting for each other to close deals. Once you find a few individuals who fit, have them come in and work with the team for half a day. They can see what it’s like to work with them. The people you work with and the environment you’re in can often be what keeps you at your job. Don’t be afraid to hire upDarla wanted to get to the point where she wasn’t doing all of the design work. If you’re hiring and want to delegate, you want to make sure the hires are capable of taking on that role. Conversely, Colleen emphasizes that you can’t be afraid to hire people that are smarter than you or are more talented than you. You have to learn to set your ego aside. Colleen worked with someone who said, “Let’s hire the smartest people and get out of their way.” Colleen loves it. She admits that her CAD skills and elevations aren’t great, so she uses her skills where they’re used best and offloads her weaknesses to someone else. What about the compensation conversation? How do you hire to scale? Should you hire contractors or employees? Listen to the whole episode for Colleen’s take! Quick Tip: How to filter comments on InstagramGo to the hash marks in the upper right corner and choose “settings.” Check “privacy” and click on “comments.” You can choose “filters” and choose “hide offensive comments.” You can choose the words that are trigger words (ahem, “bitcoin”) and filter out any comments that include those words. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 16 Feb 2022 | Attract Affluent Clients Doing What You LOVE with Melissa Galt - Episode 252 | 00:41:13 | |
Are you an interior designer just clamoring to work with the rich and famous? Do you want to be the designer to the stars? If you’re ready to work with affluent clients, Melissa Galt is the business coach to turn to. She loves the business of design more than design itself, which is why coaching is 95% of her business. She helps designers learn how to earn more in less time—and love their businesses a whole lot more in the process. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares the unique strategy she uses to attract her ideal clients (HINT: It’s all about doing what you love). What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social: Interior Design Podcast
Most affluent clients aren’t obvious. In many cases, they’re the ones that are earning and saving. They are selective in where they invest their money. Melissa has nailed down five groups of avatars and nine overall personas of affluent clients based on personal experience. What are the three most common she’s come across?
You select your clients as much as they select you. Melissa emphasizes that “It doesn’t matter how much money I make if I’m not proud of it.” Rich or not—choose wisely. How to work smarter—not harder—to attract your ideal clientYou need to be clear on your ICP and only work to attract those clients. The millionaires next door are low-key, private, and confidential. Marketing to them is going to be far different than the fast-spenders who are flashy in everything they do. You have to choose one persona to chase to position yourself correctly in the market. Then you need to get clarity on where to meet and connect with your avatar. Who is already serving them that isn’t competing with you? Then you work to build your own circle of influence (or what Melissa likes to call your “Profit Posse”) and connect with these people. Co-market, co-promote, and create opportunities for introductions. Another simple strategy? Look at your lifestyle. What do you like to do? What if you took that to the next level? If you love wine-tasting, skip the free tasting and shell out for the $250 dinner with wine pairings. You’re far more likely to rub elbows with affluent clients there. Melissa considers this “net-living” not networking. She states that “Doing what you love at a higher level will deliver the affluent clients that you most want in a very aligned and authentic way.” How do you determine a persona’s value systems? What do affluent clients look for when hiring a designer? How do you hook them on social media? Check out the whole episode to learn more! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 14 Apr 2021 | How to Convert Discovery Calls to Clients with Nikki Rausch - Episode 212 | 00:45:39 | |
According to Nikki Rausch, the objective of a discovery call is to identify whether or not you’re talking to a potential client. How do you determine that? How can you ask the right questions and move them to the next step in the process? How do you close a discovery call with a new client? Nikki shares her strategy in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
What should you say to develop a rapport and get the filter running? Nikki emphasizes that the very first thing you want to do on your discovery call is pre-frame the conversation. It not only creates safety, but it establishes the flow of the call. The client may feel nervous or intimidated about talking to you. Pre-framing the conversation allows you to calm their nerves—and yours. So what does that look like? You thank them for chatting with you, share the objective of the meeting, lay out how long you’re scheduled to chat, and ask if that still works for them. Then you say “To make this meeting meaningful and productive for you, I’d like to start with a couple of quick questions. Is that alright?” It allows you to take the lead and weed people out quickly. How do you structure it differently if it’s a cold call? Listen to learn more! Step #2: Only ask questions you NEED the answer toAsk questions that you only need the answers to earn their business and to determine if they’re a good client fit. Many designers try to ask all the questions in the discovery call, instead of waiting until after signing the contract. This is a no-no. Tailor the discovery call to 7–10 questions whenever possible. So what types of questions should you ask?
Ask questions to reinforce anything they can be right about. Why? Most people like to be right. They’ll be more open to hearing what you have to say if you can say “You’re right…” Any remaining questions you have can be specific to their particular project. How do you STOP providing free advice on a discovery call? Listen for Nikki’s tips! Step #3: Look for buying signalsA buying signal is a verbal or nonverbal cue that people use to indicate interest. It often comes in the form of a question, like, “If someone were to hire you, where do you source the product?” It’s a huge buying signal. Another example? When someone brings up a negative experience. If they share that story with you, they’re looking for reassurance that you won’t do the same thing. What else do you look for? What should you do at the end of a discovery call when the client is a good fit? Listen to the whole episode with Nikki Rausch to find out! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 14 Jul 2021 | An Unexpected Way Designers can Leverage Pinterest per Chandler Oldham - Episode 225 | 00:46:25 | |
We’ve talked about how designers can leverage Pinterest with their social media marketing strategy. But is there another way to use Pinterest, both internally and externally? Chandler Oldham certainly believes so. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares the unique way her firm—DXA Studio—uses Pinterest. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
As a way to collaborate on ideas, Chandler’s team likes to create a Pinterest board for projects so people can save things in it. It’s also great when you have clients who want to be more hands-on, which developers seem to be moving toward. During COVID, it was also one of the easiest ways to communicate and not waste time going in the wrong direction. Chandler points out that their use of Pinterest is heavy-handed during the concept period when they’re doing most of the designing. But Chandler loves to use it throughout the entire process. You can send a detailed image to a client or a contractor and it conveys so much more than trying to explain with words. Plus, it saves you from having to make a sketch. The only downside of Pinterest is that you can go down the rabbit hole trying to find something. Their algorithm tends to send you the same images repeatedly and you have to know how to get to what you’re searching for. Tips and tricks to best utilize PinterestWhen you find a furniture maker or designer that you like, Chandler emphasizes that you should spend time on their websites. Use the Pinterest plugin so that you can save images from their site. That way, you’re constantly saving things to Pinterest for yourself. It gives you a new place to get images and it changes what the algorithm gives you versus solely searching inside Pinterest. She makes sure the original owners of the image get the credit for the image. Lastly, Chandler recommends that you create as many boards as you can for yourself and save, save, save photos. You’ll be upset if you didn't save an image and try to recall it later, only to realize you can’t find it. How Pinterest helps with the creative processChandler uses Pinterest all the time because she’s always thinking one project ahead. She wants to always inspire herself and stay on top of the next best thing. Pinterest helps her firm stay on top of what’s trending and what’s happening in the marketplace. As a designer, Chandler loves any site that allows her to peruse images. Pinterest also makes the world smaller. Since the world couldn’t travel, every resource was posting new things on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Social media allows the whole world to open up to you and you can see things from a different perspective. How does Chandler use Pinterest to source vendors and tradesmen? Listen to learn more! Want even more great content? Head on over to Wingnut Premium! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 03 May 2023 | How to Combat Overwhelm and Increase Your Productivity | 00:38:35 | |
Are you experiencing anxiety and overwhelm running your interior design business? Well, you’re not alone! Today’s guest, Melissa Morris, is here to help. Melissa shares some tips on combating overwhelm and how to grow your agency by implementing processes and systems in your business. Get ready to get your time back! As the founder of Agency Authority, a project management and operations consultancy for agency owners, Melissa Morris uses her 10 years of agency experience to help business owners maximize their team, increase their productivity, and grow their profits. Firmly committed to breaking the ‘long hours and bad pay’ stigma that plagues the agency world, Melissa’s team helps business owners and their team members do the work they love without sacrificing client satisfaction, the bottom line, or their own sanity. *** 📲CONNECT with Melissa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavmorris/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youragencyauthority/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agencyauthority 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ ClickUp (Project Management Tool): https://clickup.com "The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level" by Gay Hendricks 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 30 Dec 2020 | How to Use Influencers to GROW Your Business - Episode 201 | 00:46:31 | |
How do you use influencers to grow your business? How do you tap into your local influencer market? How do you nail down your value proposition to decide what influencer is THE best fit for your business? Darla has talked about how to become an influencer in your space. Now, it’s time to flip the script and learn how to partner with someone to build your brand awareness. Eric Dahan joins Darla in this episode of Wingnut Social to share his expertise in the space. Check it out! Eric Dahan is a serial entrepreneur who is the CEO and co-founder of Open Influence. He’s an authority in the influencer marketing space. Dahan has established Open Influence as the premier influencer marketing company. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
How are you trying to communicate your brand? You need to consider where your audience is and understand them implicitly. So where do you start? Ask the question: What’s my value proposition to my audience? You work backward from there. It’s simple advice, but people tend to glaze right through it. Choosing an influencer to work with needs to be a strategic decision. This exercise forces you to refine what you know about your business and articulate it. Eric points out that you need to lean toward influencers that have an audience in your market. You need the message, the messenger, and the audience to align for an effective result from a campaign. He notes that “Finding the right influencer that talks to the right audience isn’t enough. You need to then craft the message and the call-to-action that will resonate with them.” You also need to understand the customer journey of your audience. Are they on Pinterest looking for inspiration? Are there certain accounts they follow from a lifestyle standpoint? You want to find an influencer with a similar audience that talks about topics that are interesting and relevant to your audience. Eric and Darla talk through some examples and ideas—so listen for inspiration! How do you determine the value of influence?Everyone wants to barter or trade with influences and no one wants to pull out their wallet. Maybe the first or second post for your business could be a favor if you have an established relationship. But the truth is, influencers need to get paid—they can’t pay their bills with free stuff. How do you determine the value of their influence? In terms of dollar amounts, Eric shares that there are so many variables, including:
You could be looking at $500 to $1,500 for one to several posts. Layer in the relationship aspect with a payment. Make sure the content being produced is as good as it can be. You also have to consider, what is the education curve of your product? If it’s an impulse buy—like a toothbrush—you get the value proposition instantly. But if you’re selling interior design services, people don’t just scroll through and add it to their cart. It takes a lot of consideration—maybe even 3–6 months’ worth. You’ll never convert with one story or video. In that case, you may want to look for an ambassadorship and ongoing relationship with an influencer. Doing so keeps you top of mind for your audience. It always comes back to: What does the customer journey look like? And how do you adjust your strategy to fit into that journey? Hear the full conversation on tapping into your local influencer market in this episode of Wingnut Social! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 04 Jan 2023 | REPLAY: Perfecting Your Interior Design Niche | 00:27:10 | |
Anne Gillyard—along with Jodi Arellano—own and operate GrOH! Playrooms, specializing in educationally-based children’s interiors. They strive to create spaces full of color, joy, fun, and playfulness that encourage your child’s development. But how did they choose to niche down into something so specific? How have they built a thriving play-focused business? Anne joins Darla to discuss all things marketing, niching down, and incorporating play into your child’s every day. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Connect with Anne GillYard
Resources & People Mentioned
How Anne landed on a niche in playrooms Anne worked in early education for years as a teacher and curriculum designer. But her expertise is play. She always wanted to be an interior designer but never thought she’d land there. Now, she designs family rooms, playrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces where the intention is to live, breathe, and move around with your kids. When they launched GrOh!, they were worried they wouldn’t survive if they niched down too far. So if a client asked them to do something outside their scope, they quickly agreed to it. But it wasn’t where they thrived. Once they fully committed to their niche, they took off. Now they have a waitlist of 6+ months. How to choose your interior design niche Anne says to pour your favorite drink, get comfy, and spend some time thinking. What lights your fire? What takes the least amount of energy to brainstorm about? When you complete a project, what are you proud of? How can you make your experience special? What can you do to make your relationship with your client wonderful and easy? Reflect after every project and determine what you enjoyed—and what you didn’t. What did you find to be easiest? Anne once created a gorgeous custom kitchen, designed to help create independence for kids. While the project was a smashing success, they didn’t enjoy the work. Now, they only focus on what they love. How GrOH! Reaches their ideal clients In December 2019, GrOH! had committed to only doing commercial spaces. A few months later, because of covid, no one was going to commercial play spaces—maybe ever again. So they pivoted to residential spaces. Word-of-mouth wasn’t a possibility at that point. So what marketing stuck? They invested in photography immediately. Then they hired social media out to professionals (Wingnut Social, of course) and the change was transformative. It’s allowed them to niche and establish themselves as go-to experts. Since then, 99% of their clients find them through social media. And Anne is a social media genius. Her content is eye-catching, playful, and educational all while perfectly showcasing their designs. How has she found such social success (aside from Wingnut Social, of course)? She shares her tricks of the trade in this episode. Don’t miss it! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | How eDesigners Can Win Prizes (with Jenna Gaidusek) - Bonus Episode 282 | 00:17:32 | |
Do you want to win some prizes with your sick eDesign skills? Jenna Gaidusek (Mydoma/Edesign Tribe) is in the studio today to discuss Mydoma's Designer Virtual Home Tour Contest. Interior designers can enter for a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes, including a trip to HPMKT Spring 2023! You can enter the contest here.
Jenna is an interior designer that has worked remotely since 2016 in her business Jenna Gaidusek Designs. She is also the founder of the eDesign Tribe community on Facebook as well as eDesign u and the eDesign Platform- recently acquired by Mydoma studio. Jenna is now the director of education and community for Mydoma studio bringing design professionals together and providing educational tools and resources to help them expand their business in a way that works best for their lifestyle.
***
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social:
[0:00] - Jenna Gaidusek is here - again?! [1:49] - The origin story of eDesign Tribe [3:39] - Jenna's one stop shop for project management, eDesign, and education [6:23] - Electronic design is becoming the new normal [8:26] - The Designer Virtual Home Tour Contest (powered by Mydoma) [11:12] - The benefits of electronic design and visualizers [11:57] - How to enter the contest for a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes [12:56] - Free learning opportunities with Mydoma [14:37] - The What Up Wingnut Round! [16:03] - Get a free trial with Mydoma and enter the contest
***
📲CONNECT with Jenna Gaidusek: Website: https://www.mydomastudio.com/vhometour/ Jenna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna.gaidusek/ Mydoma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydoma/ eDesign Tribe Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eDesignTribe/
📲CONNECT with Darla:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlapowellhome/
📚Resources & People Mentioned: Ubersuggest: https://app.neilpatel.com/en/ubersuggest/ Enter The Designer Virtual Home Tour Contest: www.mydomastudio.com/vhometour
🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/
🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 19 Jun 2024 | Tax Tips for Designers to Keep More Money in Your Pocket (with Guest Host Liz Potarazu) | 00:39:33 | |
Are you afraid of the IRS? Well, you don't have to be! Tax expert, Sugey Piedra, sits down with our guest host Liz Potarazu (LP & Co) and shares lots of tips on how interior designers can keep more money in their pockets and set their future finances up for success. As an enrolled agent and 20+ year certified tax preparer, Sugey Piedra likes to make her clients’ money work for them so that they don’t have to work forever. In her daily work as co-founder of Prominence Business & Wealth Management, Sugey supports high-earning, service-based business owners achieve long-term wealth through a holistic approach to financial services, providing bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial planning and tax strategy under one roof. *** 📲CONNECT with Sugey: Website: https://www.prominencebusiness.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/prominence.services LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Sugey/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProminenceBMgmt 📲CONNECT with Liz: Website: https://www.lpandcodesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lpandcodesign/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4oEBg5pzm0bN_oOwassV2w 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Liz's Episode: https://youtu.be/LvajsamXejc "We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power" 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 20 Nov 2023 | How Buying Fake Followers Damages Your Instagram Account | Mini News | 00:07:00 | |
Have you ever bought fake followers to make your interior design Instagram look more legit? Are you considering buying fake followers? Well, there are several reasons why you shouldn't do it - and your Instagram account can be seriously negatively affected. Our Assistant Director, Abigail, and Social Media Manager, Whitney, are here to shed some light on the consequences of buying followers. Got a topic for Mini News? Send it to info@wingnutsocial.com. Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 02 Dec 2020 | Social Media Copyright Guidelines: How to Protect Your Content with Jamie Lieberman - Episode 197 | 00:38:49 | |
Do you share other people’s content on social media? Are you familiar with social media copyright guidelines? Do you know how to protect your own work if the situation arises? Jamie Lieberman shares her expertise on the legality of all things social media in this episode of Wingnut Social. To learn more about the basics of copyright law, handling inspiration posts, getting bland collaborations, and protecting your content—listen now! Jamie Lieberman is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal and has been a practicing attorney for more than 15 years. She’s currently on the Board of Directors for The Influencer Marketing Association. Jamie is well-versed in the legal hangups that haunt creative-based businesses. She’s also a co-author—along with Darla—in the upcoming book A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume II. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Jamie emphasizes that you have to think about the goal of your social media. What is it doing for your business? Is it your whole business as an influencer? Or simply a marketing tool? You then have to think about:
If you’re creating it yourself, then you own it. If someone else is creating it for you, you have to make sure you still own it. You must only use other people’s content with permission. It’s intellectual property that is copyrighted. You need a general understanding of copyright rules. The dos and don’ts of inspiration postsHow should you handle inspiration posts? Jamie’s “lawyer” answer is that you cannot share anyone’s content that you do not have permission to share. Attribution is NOT the same as permission. If you want to use someone else’s content—ask them if you can share it. Sharing on an Instagram story is fine because it’s sharing their content. But a lot of people copy and paste someone else's work and put it in an original post—which is NOT okay. You have to be careful about how you’re using someone else’s content. Photographers have become very sensitive about this. Their images get shared and used without their permission over and over again—and many aren’t standing for it anymore. Jamie had a client with over a million followers on their Facebook page. He posted a photo—with attribution—that led to a protracted fight. He just said it was a beautiful photo and wasn’t trying to monetize it, but the bottom line is that he didn’t have permission. DMCA Takedown NoticeIf you are the owner of the image, you have the right to require someone to remove it—even if you haven’t registered a copyright. By nature, when you create an original work, it’s yours. So how do you handle it? Collaborative negotiation. Unless there’s a contentious background, reach out without a lawyer. You can simply send an email and request they take down your image. If that doesn’t work, you can file a DMCA Takedown Notice. All of the social media networks can do it. If you own copyright protected material and someone is using it without permission, you can file the notice. It’s the same with a website host. It gets it done. But what if your end goal is monetary compensation? Jamie points out that it’s more difficult to get monetary damages without a copyright registration. If you have it, you may be eligible for damages. You can send the demand yourself or have your lawyer help you. But at the end of the day, you have to question what your end goal is. Jamie emphasizes that “Your intellectual property is only as strong as you’re willing to protect it.” If someone is infringing on that, Jamie recommends asking them to take it down. How do you claim ownership of your own work on Facebook? How do you cultivate long-term collaborations with brands? Where is the future of social media headed? Jamie answers all of these questions and more in this episode. Don’t miss it! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | Overcoming the Price Objection and Becoming a Stronger Salesperson | 00:45:34 | |
Have you ever sent a budget proposal to a client and they objected to your rates? This can be a difficult situation to navigate, but today’s guest, Nikki Rausch, is a sales expert with lots of tips on how to become a stronger salesperson. CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”. With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform. *** 📲CONNECT with Nikki: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoursalesmaven/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoursalesmaven/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerausch/ Free Training: https://yoursalesmaven.com/wingnut 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 Free Training: https://yoursalesmaven.com/wingnut Nikki on Episode 97: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjJPAc2F4_s Nikki on Episode 212: https://youtu.be/JOg0sd0T9Xg "What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You: Unlocking Consumer Decisions with the Science of Behavioral Economics" by Melina Palmer Nikki's Podcast: https://yoursalesmaven.com/podcast/ 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 27 Oct 2021 | Business Coach Desi Creswell Shares How to Build Trust in Yourself - Episode 240 | 00:38:43 | |
Desi Creswell is a business coach who specializes in working with interior designers. As a coach, Desi doesn’t tell you what to do. She asks high-quality questions to help you uncover what you know to be true for yourself that aligns with what you want to create for your business. As she draws that out of you, you will learn to do it for yourself. In a coaching relationship, you tend to view your coach as a parental figure—someone who has all the answers and knows what’s best. But Desi doesn’t want her clients to solely rely on her for decision-making. She wants to equip her clients with the tools to make empowered decisions about their own businesses. That starts by learning to trust yourself. She shares why this is so important in this episode of Wingnut Social! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
If you’re researching between project management tools, you talk to people who use the systems to see how the product works for them, right? Does it do what it needs to for their business? What are the best parts of the software? Ultimately, you have to make the decision. But you may continue to find yourself asking questions, hoping someone else makes the decision for you. The problem becomes that you’re seeking something externally that you need to provide for yourself internally. The struggle is that as soon as you make a decision, there’s something at stake. It can be scary. You may question your decision or get an outcome you didn’t like. The #1 reason people don’t want to make a decision is that they’re afraid of the backlash they’ll get from themselves if they make the “wrong decision.” Will you beat yourself up? The truth is that you will make bad decisions—in life and business. So how will you handle it? Build trust in yourself by taking baby stepsDesi suggests practicing decision-making with little things. Trust yourself in the little decisions, even something as simple as what you’re eating for lunch. It allows you to build the muscle and apply it to bigger decisions. Then, once the decision is made, trust that you made the right decision no matter what unfolds afterward. You can decide that there are no bad decisions. There are just decisions that you make, you get results from them, you learn from them, and you move on. When you allocate the responsibility to someone else, you’re blaming them for the outcome. You have to take responsibility for the results of your decisions. But it all starts with getting out there and doing it. You’ll have some things that won’t work out how you think they should. For example, when Darla launched Wingnut Premium, it didn’t take off how Darla expected it to. So she pulled the plug. It was an experiment that she chose to do that didn’t work out as planned and that’s okay. Darla is moving on to bigger and better things. Darla actively chose not to see it as a failure but a learning lesson. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 24 Apr 2023 | Are Instagram Subscriptions Worth It? | Mini News | 00:08:34 | |
Instagram Subscriptions are here, but it is a realistic way to make money? Are Instagram Subscriptions a good fit for you and your business? Stay tuned for this week’s Mini News to find out! Got a topic for Mini News? Send it to info@wingnutsocial.com. *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 10 Feb 2021 | [Replay] Betsy Helmuth’s Guide to 10x Your Influence - Episode 208 | 00:40:40 | |
Things are crazy in the Wingnut world, so this episode is a throwback to a popular episode: Betsy Helmuth’s Guide to 10x Your Influence. If you missed it the first time—don't miss it this time! Betsy Helmuth joins Darla in this episode to share exactly how she broadened her reach and got local and national exposure—and how you can too. Check it out! | |||
| 23 Feb 2022 | No Interior Design Degree? KD Reid Shares His Take - Episode 253 | 00:33:53 | |
Do you need an interior design degree to successfully run an interior design firm? If you don’t get a formal education, where do you get an education? KD Reid is a successful interior designer with a passion for art and architecture and a reputation for crafting beautiful and functional spaces. Guess what? Zero formal design education. He shares how he grew from intern to business owner in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
KD graduated with a degree in Sociology from Montclair State University. After graduating, he spent eight years providing mental health services in the LGBT community. Throughout his career, interior design was a hobby he enjoyed. But he never saw it as a lucrative career path. He would design spaces for friends and family. At a time when Craigslist was popular, KD came across some design internship opportunities. He'd snag one here and there which allowed him to learn some interior design skills. Then he came across Dekar Design, a woman-led design firm focusing on hospitality and commercial projects. It was his first real look into the world of interior design. They saw that he had an eye for design and immediately let him jump on projects and learn hands-on. KD’s journey from design assistant to principal interior designerAfter working with Dekar Design, KD had the opportunity to meet Mikel Welch. One of Mikel’s first projects in NYC was a Harlem restaurant called B Squared. KD had the opportunity to work on the project which led to working with Mikel for five years. He started as a design assistant, transitioned to project manager, and became a lead designer. Mikel gave him hands-on experience and allowed him to learn other facets of interior design. KD got to dive into set design, staging, virtual merchandising, and more. This job gave him the confidence he needed to take on projects by himself. Because of COVID, many people in KD’s network wanted to invest in building out home offices, which propelled KD to start his own business. Where will KD’s future lead? KD wants to be clear that he is not anti-education. He simply learned that it’s not necessary to find success in the industry. But KD has goals. To reach them, he’s attending Parson’s Yellowbrick Design Program to take a product design course. One of his strengths is home decor, accessories, and styling. They’re the jewelry of a space, right? KD’s dream is to launch his own home accessory line. What is KD’s advice for designers who don’t have an extensive network? What does his team look like? What marketing strategy does he employ? Listen to the whole episode to learn more! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com | |||
| 31 Jul 2023 | 5 Easy Tips to Better Your Design Brand | Mini News | 00:16:18 | |
It’s summertime and business might be slowing down a bit as clients take vacations and sign off for the season. While things are slower, is there anything you can do to better your brand, like working on social channels, websites, and blogs? Absolutely! Our Marketing Director, Taylor, is here with some great digital housekeeping tips to take advantage of your free time and set yourself up for a great fall. Got a topic for Mini News? Send it to info@wingnutsocial.com. Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971 *** 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 10 May 2023 | The Future of Restaurant Design | 00:36:13 | |
Robots are coming to a restaurant near you! How the hell do we design for that?! Turns out there are quite a few things you may not know about restaurant and hospitality design. Today’s guest, Robert Ancill, shares his insight on interior design and architecture for restaurants and hotels, ranging from the psychology of design to robots replacing staff. Robert Ancill has spent over 25 years in the restaurant industry, designing and overseeing the launch and operations of over 40 new restaurant brands and 500+ restaurant or café openings or remodels. His projects have taken him to 24 countries, where he has worked with clients in a wide range of businesses - from restaurants and hotels to offices and luxury homes. Robert is particularly experienced in franchising and development in international markets. *** 📲CONNECT with Robert: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNIdesignLA 📲CONNECT with Darla: Darla’s Interior Design Website: https://darlapowell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell 📚Resources & People Mentioned: Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by Jim Collins 🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/ Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar Get Wingnut Academy Updates: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/ 🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube | |||
| 23 Jun 2021 | Crappy Copywriting: How to Be More Marketable with Gregory Anne Cox - Episode 222 | 00:30:42 | |
Are you struggling to market yourself? Does the copywriting on your website leave something to be desired? Are you ready for a career change but struggling with self-doubt? In this episode of Wingnut Social, you’ll get a special two-part episode with Gregory Anne Cox—both coach and copywriter—covering how to be more marketable and how to overcome self-doubt. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Gregory believes that you get to decide to be relevant or not. There’s a lot of space in culture for new conversations—like how to start a business at any age. Where you place your focus is the path that you’ll take. Gregory chooses to help her listeners find their inner rebel to stand up for whatever they want to at whatever age. What if you’re struggling with inner doubt? Gregory suggests you go back to a time in your life where you’ve felt that way before. You’ve made it to today, haven’t you? Gregory always wanted to go back to school and complete her degree in Psychology. She had been a chef for 30 years and suddenly she couldn’t cook anymore. She couldn’t go back to school, so she found life coaching. It allowed her to use the same type of skills to help people transform their mindset. She loves the mantra, “Where your attention goes your energy flows.” Look at what you might want to do. How will it make you feel if you don’t do that? Or at least try it? You only have so much mental energy every day. What do you want to put that energy toward? Crappy Copywriting: How to Be More MarketableWhat do you do for your clients? Is that portrayed in your copywriting? Gregory notes that copywriting is less about your capability as a writer and more about finding out what your client wants and what you do for them. Then you put words on paper that express that and helps you stand out. You have to differentiate yourself and speak to your ideal client. Gregory sees the “I” problem a lot. People’s copy reads like it’s all about them: “Welcome to my website. I am a coach, I welcome you to my website.” You only have so much real estate on a website—don’t waste it. You want to drop people into their problem as soon as you can. Don’t fill up the page with features, descriptions, benefits, etc. But you need to speak to the prehistoric reptilian brain in someone’s head. Secondly, she recommends you use fewer, more powerful words. Tell a story. You need to bring yourself into the picture—and not try and please everyone. The people that are your people want to see your quirkiness because they have it in them. Darla didn’t find success with her interior design firm until she fully embraced who she was. How does Gregory turn crappy copy around? Why does Gregory ask clients about their favorite jelly bean? How does she make a boring process fun? Listen to the whole episode to learn more! Looking for premium content including extra takeaways and bonus information? Check out Wingnut Premium for four extra podcast episodes a month, access to a private Facebook group, and access to me 24/7. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 24 Nov 2021 | Abbi Perets: How to Write Email Marketing Campaigns that Get Read - Episode 244 | 00:42:32 | |
What does a successful email marketing campaign look like? How do you get people to read your emails and not just immediately trash them? Abbi Perets—The founder of Successful Freelance Mom—shares the secret to her successful email campaigns in this special replay of the Wingnut Social podcast! She’ll cover her TWO big rules, what makes people open emails, and why it’s important for there to be a purpose behind your content. Don’t miss it! | |||
| 09 Mar 2022 | Grow Your Interior Design Team The Smart Way - Episode 255 | 00:54:24 | |
Is it time for you to grow your team? What are the signs it’s time to hire another team member? What process should you use to hire the best candidate for the job? Jamie Van Cuyk—the owner and lead strategist of Growing Your Team—is an expert in hiring and onboarding teams within small businesses. She shares some spectacular tips and strategies that you can implement immediately to grow your team the right way. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Jamie shares that there are 4 things to watch out for that are clear signs you need to grow your team. But they aren't things that are normally top of mind during your day-to-day work. So Jamie recommends that you review these signs quarterly to see if it’s time to hire:
Once you’ve decided it’s time to grow your team, what are your next steps? A great hiring process. How to craft the perfect job description (and where to post it)Jamie believes that you shouldn’t use a templated job description when creating a job description. The job post may attract someone who can do the skill you’re hiring for but likely doesn’t speak to the right fit for your team and culture. Their style and personality have to mesh with you and your team values. So what do you do? Walk through these questions:
What will make someone say, “Yes, this is the place for me!” The goal of a job posting is to attract the right candidate and turn away the wrong ones. Once you develop your ideal person your job posting should speak to that person. You can design a room that you love. But is that the right room and right design for every client? No! It might not work in their home. You may use the same concepts, materials, and create a similar flow but things will look different. A role might have similar responsibilities but will look different in each company. Where is the best place to post a job opening? Should you hire for passion over skill? Listen to hear Jamie’s take. How to ensure someone is the right hireAsk questions that produce answers of value. You need to reduce the number of hypothetical questions you use, i.e. “What would you do if…?” Instead, ask questions that have them support their answers with examples: “So tell me about a time when…?” Ask them about something they will experience working for your business. Have they worked with high-end, demanding clients? How did they handle the experience? If you’re hiring someone entry-level, they may not have had those experiences in an interior design company but have had similar experiences where they have worked. They can transfer those skills to your business. Develop a case study or opportunity for them to present their skill. If they say they know how to do CAD drawings, give them everything they need to sit down and complete a quick project. What are they able to put together? You have to know what you’re testing them on. Are you testing their ability to think through the information they’re given? Their ability to use a tool? Their thought process? You can’t test them on something that aligns with your brand because they don’t know that yet. Move through the process quickly. Align a case study with an interview so they knock out everything immediately. But Jame is careful to note that you can’t ask too much of them before you’ve spent time with them. Don’t waste their time—and yours—if they won’t make it to the next round of interviews anyway. What’s an easy way to weed talent out of the process (not necessarily in a good way)? Should you use personality tests in your hiring process? How many candidates should you interview? Jamie covers these questions—and so much more—in this episode! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 29 Jun 2022 | How to Start an Online Coaching Business - Episode 271 | 00:43:15 | |
Have you thought about becoming an interior design coach? Maybe you’re burned out, ready to move on to another point in your career, or simply want some side income. Whatever the reason, online coaching might be the way to go. But how do you start an online coaching business? Do you dive in full-time, or dip your toes in part-time? Do you offer one-on-one coaching or group coaching? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Kendra Perry—a former six-figure functional health coach turned online business strategist—shares how you can seamlessly build an online coaching business. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Everyone's an expert in something, right? Is there something you learned as an interior designer you wished you knew? Do you have expertise in a specific niche? It doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary. You don’t need specific education. You can take the knowledge you’ve acquired through your career and build it into an online program. The most important thing you need to consider is your niche. What segment of the market are you going to target? What’s the single problem you solve for people? Who is that person? What are those people looking for? Kendra emphasizes that you aren't just selling coaching—you’re selling solutions to problems. What outcome can you provide with your coaching? You can monetize any skills but you need to understand who you’re serving, the problem you’re solving, and the outcome you offer. Should online coaching be a side hustle or full-time job? Should you market your coaching business using current channels? Listen to hear Kendra’s thoughts! Why you should start with one-on-one online coachingMany new coaches want to start with group coaching or an online course, but Kendra recommends beginning with one-on-one coaching. Why? Because it’s simpler. You don’t need a launch strategy, program hosting, modules, etc. You can reach out to your current audience and see who’s interested. You could have a coaching client the next day. Secondly, if you don’t have a huge audience, one-on-one coaching will be easier to start with. The amount of feedback you’ll get is invaluable, which you can then take and apply to a group program. Anything you learn can be rolled into an online course. To do something like group coaching or a course, you need volume to sell to and infrastructure in place. That’s why Kendra recommends giving yourself 6–12 months to bring in a full-time income. You have to build an audience and a list and those things take time. When do you move to group coaching? And how do you structure an online course for your business when the time is right? Kendra is a wealth of information on this topic. Tune in to the whole episode to learn the ins and outs of building an online coaching business in the design space. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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| 23 Mar 2022 | Video Storytelling as a Marketing Strategy for Interior Designers - Episode 257 | 00:42:25 | |
When Jude Charles was 17, he took a video production class. At the end of the year, Jude’s teacher handed him a yellow envelope and told him that he had to start a business. Inside was his first set of business cards. Since then, Jude has dedicated his life to helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs tell their stories. He firmly believes that “Stories aren’t just how we connect as people and human beings but story is what differentiates you from someone else.” In this episode of Wingnut Social, Jude emphasizes that you have to start sharing your story. Video storytelling breaks through the noise and sets you apart. Jude shares how to overcome the intimidation factor, what type of stories to tell, and shares the best way to structure your story. Don’t miss it! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
Jude points out that everyone has three different stories that can be shared at any point. These stories are important to use every day on social media. You can repeat them over and over again. What are they?
But how do you get started? Jude has been a guest on over 70 podcasts. He’s studied storytelling for over 20 years. He still listens to himself tell his story so he can find new ways to tell it. It also helps him learn how to connect better with an audience. If you rehearse your story and practice recording it, it makes it less intimidating. Jude’s video storytelling method: dramatic demonstration of proofYou can’t just sit in front of a camera and tell your story. That’s boring, right? The way that you make your story interesting is by using the five different types of demonstrations:
Storytelling is about a specific moment in time. These moments have led you to where you are today. They influence how you’ve become a great designer. Jude points out many people believe that their story isn’t unique or interesting—that no one will care. But what debunks the idea that no one cares? Telling your story. You’ll realize that there will be someone it resonates with. Jude believes so strongly in the power of video storytelling that he only takes on five video production clients a year. Why? Because he works to understand who they are on a deep level. It takes time to be able to get to know someone and accurately portray the essence of who they are with video storytelling. Why you should just hit the record buttonRecord yourself telling a story. Record yourself telling the story that you take for granted. Jude emphasizes that you shouldn’t sell yourself short—or overthink it. Your clients aren’t aware of everything you do to get a project completed. You want to create content so people understand what you do and can appreciate the value that you create. What you do will be different from the next interior designer. So where do you start? Just document what you’re doing every day to get in the habit of creating content. You don’t need fancy equipment to get started because every smartphone is equipped with a great camera. You don’t even have to share it on social media. If you share a video of your process with a potential client, it makes them trust you more. It’s not only social proof but it’s a sales tool. You’ve made them part of the journey. Hearing something said 1,000 times is not as powerful as seeing it once. Listen to the whole episode to hear Jude’s video storytelling tips for content on different social media platforms, including YouTube. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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