Instagram story viewer> @luannnigara> Posts

A Well-Designed Business Podcast

@luannnigara

25.3K

followers

3021

following

Helping interior designers and window treatment pros build profitable businesses. Founder of LuAnn University and Boardroom For Creatives.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I love learning about my listeners — you all come from such diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, places, and business levels. It makes my job so much fun, and it's why we address so many different topics on the podcast.

No matter where you are in the world, in life, or in the design industry, understanding the stage of your design business is important. But how do you know? We've got a quiz! Even better? Once you get the results we meet you where you're at with a handpicked list of episodes curated just for you.

Ready to see where you stand? Use the link in my bio to take the quiz to find out where you are and what you need to reach the next level!

#luannnigara #levelup #newbiedesigner #seasoneddesigner #risingdesigner #interiordesignpodcast #businesspodcast #designerlife #designbiz #entrepreneur #goalgetting by @luannnigara

234

33

2 years ago

We made it to the 1000th episode of A Well-Design Business, and can I just say...wow?!! What a road it has been! 🎉🍾🥂

It really is incredible to have 1000 episodes under my belt. I can’t express enough how honored I am to have met and interviewed so many wonderful people in this industry, many of whom have become lifelong friends. 💚
I also want to express my immense gratitude to JudeCharles for taking the time for this interview and expertly guiding me in sharing my story. Jude has played such a valuable role in my life, both professionally and personally.

Eight years ago, I had an idea of what this podcast could become, and I am so grateful that it has succeeded in that — and so much more. The most unexpected and amazing benefit has been the relationships formed here. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to meet you, my listeners, and also collaborate with the experts and designers.

I’m so excited for you to tune in to this special episode. It’s the story of my journey every step of the way, along with the top takeaways from the show so far. And, of course, we have some laughs! Thank you all for the amazing support and for sticking with me for 1000 episodes! I am looking forward to celebrating 1000 more with you!

Always remember: Decide to be excellent! ✨ taken in New Jersey by @luannnigara

333

70

2 years ago

Have you seen the A Well-Designed Business®️ Docuseries crafted by my amazing friend and LuAnn University instructor @judecharles? Part 4 is now available, and you can see all 4 episodes on my website.

8 years, nearly 1000 episodes (now THAT is crazy pants to think about - coming up on 1000 episodes!!!) and 8+ million downloads.

It is just insane. But I want to focus on one thing in particular.

That none of this would have been possible without you.

If you didn’t listen,
If you didn’t share it,
If you didn’t want to be a guest,
Where would we be?

There would be no show.
There would be no us.
And what a sad reality that would be.

The connections we have made, the lessons we have learned, and the absolutely astounding changes we have all made in our businesses, they deserve to be celebrated.

This is not just about me. This is not the “LuAnn Show”.

This is about us and what we built together.

Click the link in my bio to check out the docuseries, and let me know what you think!

#awelldesignedbusiness #awdb #awelldesignedbusinesspodcast #interiordesignpodcast #interiordesigncommunity #excellenceisadecision #decidetobeexcellent #luannnigara #judecharles #docuseries taken in New Jersey by @luannnigara

398

57

3 years ago

You know what I love about this quote? It takes inspiration right out of the equation.

Because if I waited until I felt inspired to do every hard thing in business, I can promise you I would not have made it 40+ years.

Some days you’re excited about the work. Some days you have a great idea before you’ve finished your first cup of coffee. And some days? You have to sit down and do the work because you said you would.

Send the proposal. Make the phone call. Look at the numbers. Have the conversation. Follow up with the client.
You don’t have to feel inspired first.

Sometimes getting to work is the thing that creates the inspiration. 💚

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.” — Stephen King

#gettowork #luannnigara #awelldesignedbusiness #interiordesigners by @luannnigara

25

0

2 days ago

I'm bringing back a conversation with Reed Humphrey, founder and CEO of Dezign Assist, and I have a very good reason for revisiting this one!

When Reed first joined me on A Well-Designed Business®, he introduced us to a different approach to staffing your interior design firm. Dezign Assist provides experienced remote interior designers who can help with everything from CAD and FF&E to renderings, vendor communication, and installation preparation.

And here's the thing. Since that conversation, so many of my own coaching clients have started working with Dezign Assist, and I have been thrilled to see how this support is helping them manage their workloads and run their businesses more efficiently.

Because growing your business doesn't always mean hiring more people in-house. It means building the right team for the business you want to run.

And there's another reason I'm excited to share this episode again!

I'll be spending Saturday, October 17th, at High Point Market with the Alder & Tweed and Dezign Assist teams, and I'd love for you to join us!

We've got two terrific business panels planned:

📍 11 AM: The Profitable Project: Budgeting & Pricing for Design + Construction

📍 1 PM: Real Talk: What Your Design Lawyer Wants You to Know

Plus, we'll have lunch with the Alder & Tweed and Dezign Assist teams between panels!

And at 4 PM, we're heading over to Design Masters to celebrate the 10th birthday of A Well-Designed Business®! There will be a documentary premiere, cocktails, and plenty of time to connect with our design community.

So first, listen to this Best Of conversation with Reed. And then, if you're coming to High Point Market, make plans to come see us!

Link in bio to listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Event registration links are in the show notes!

#AWellDesignedBusiness #LuAnnNigara #DezignAssist #HighPointMarket #InteriorDesignBusiness #InteriorDesignPodcast by @luannnigara

4

0

3 days ago

It’s not just shipping. It’s a delivery experience.

At our latest Window Works Lunch & Learn, we welcomed Jaclyn Isaac, founder of NESTFreight℠, for a conversation about the logistics behind a seamless design project.

From freight and receiving to storage and final delivery, we explored why what happens behind the scenes matters just as much as the finished space.

Thank you to Jaclyn for sharing her expertise and to everyone who joined us!

#WindowWorksNJ #NESTFreight l #InteriorDesignCommunity #InteriorDesignProfessionals #WhiteGloveDelivery by @luannnigara

60

6

3 days ago

@luannnigara, the business coach for interior designers, has been talking about SEO for years. So I loved digging into how it’s evolving with AI on A Well-Designed Business.

I helped break down the new layers (AEO and GEO) and shared some thoughts on your IP.

Understanding search, and how AI is changing it, isn’t just a “should do” anymore. It’s vital to your growth.

I also got to share my new AI SEO Assistant program!

Once a week, it audits your website and sends you just 💥 three things 💥 to fix, check, or plan.

Three keeps it manageable, and it keeps you moving.

What it covers:
• Fixes, sent straight to you
• Clearer messaging
• Spelling and grammar checks
• AEO and GEO opportunities
• Marketing ideas

Link to our conversation in bio.

DM me “3 things” to learn more. by @luannnigara

2

0

4 days ago

Join me this week as I welcome the esteemed Jessica Harling with some very cool Exciting Windows news that we are thrilled to share with you! Tune in to hear about Jessica’s new role in the company, the vision board that got her there, and how much she and I have both learned and gained from the community over the years—and most importantly, how it can help you and your business grow and become more streamlined and more profitable.

Listen to this week's episode at the link in my bio, or wherever you get your podcasts! by @luannnigara

10

0

4 days ago

Next week is High Point, and I’m already thinking about all the people I’ll get to see.

The longer I do this work, the more I realize that so much of what I value about this industry is the people. The friendships, the conversations, the people who cheer you on, challenge you, teach you something, and make the whole thing a lot more fun.

This photo is a throwback from High Point a few years ago, and it feels like the perfect reminder of just how many great people this industry has brought into my life.

I’m so lucky to be a part of this incredible community. Can’t wait to be back in the room with so many of you next week. 💚 by @luannnigara

90

6

5 days ago

If you know me, you know I love using my custom GPT to brainstorm, organize my thoughts, research, and think through ideas.

But here’s what I’ve learned: AI can give you a really good answer to the wrong question.

It can analyze the information you give it beautifully. But experience is often what tells you there’s another question you should have asked first.

AI is an incredible tool. I’m going to keep using it, and you should too. But somebody still has to sit in the CEO chair. And that somebody is you.

I did a What Would Lu Do? episode on this recently. If this has you thinking, go back and give it a listen. Link in bio.
👉 luannnigara.com/1232-what-would-lu-do-ai-gave-you-the-right-answer-but-you-asked-the-wrong-question/

#awelldesignedbusiness #luannnigara #interiordesignbusiness by @luannnigara

19

0

6 days ago

You can have a beautiful project, a happy client, and a stunning portfolio.

And still not make the profit you should have made.

You know I say it all the time. Run your business like a business.

And when you are working on design-build projects, that means understanding your numbers, pricing your services correctly, managing budgets, and building strong relationships with the builders you work alongside.

Because here’s the thing. You cannot price your way to profitability if you are not managing the project profitably from start to finish.

At High Point Market, I’m sitting down with Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction, Jenny Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors, and Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design for a conversation I know you need to hear.

The Profitable Project: Budgeting & Pricing for Design + Construction

We’re talking about the business decisions that determine whether a project is actually profitable.

How do you establish a realistic budget and keep it on track?

What happens when the client changes their mind halfway through the project?

How do you protect your fees without damaging the client relationship?

And what does a builder really look for when deciding which interior designer to bring onto a project?

I want you to hear both sides of this conversation. Because understanding what your builder needs from you is just as important as knowing what you need from your builder.

The goal is not simply to land bigger projects. The goal is to make sure those projects are worth doing.

Join us!

Saturday, October 17
11:00 AM
High Point Market, High Point, NC

Reserve your seat by clicking "Events & Info" at the link in my bio.

Come ready to think about your pricing, your processes, and your partnerships. I want you walking away with ideas you can put to work on your very next project. by @luannnigara

21

2

7 days ago

AI is already learning about your interior design business.

The question is,
is it getting the right story?

What makes your firm different?
Who are your ideal clients?
What do you do better than anyone else?

If Google and AI don’t understand those things, how can they confidently recommend you?

I recently joined LuAnn Nigara on A Well-Designed Business podcast to talk about how search is changing, why SEO is so much bigger than keywords and technical website tasks, and what interior designers can do NOW to make sure they’re being found, understood, and recommended.

The good news?
You have more influence over how your business shows up online than you might think.

🎧 Listen to my conversation with LuAnn! Link in bio.

#InteriorDesignBusiness #SEOForInteriorDesigners #AISearch #AWellDesignedBusiness #InteriorDesignMarketing by @luannnigara

11

0

7 days ago