Episodios

  • 1001: Nicole Roe: How Having Your Own In-House Receiving Warehouse Can Improve Your Projects
    Jul 16 2024
    Today With Nicole Roe: Today with Nicole Roe, we're discussing her decision to open an in-house receiving warehouse for her design firm, R. Nickson Interiors. Nicole shares her journey from the challenges she faced working with third-party receiving companies to the process of establishing her own warehouse, including vetting the idea, analyzing costs, and finding the perfect space. In this episode, Nicole dives discusses the numerous benefits of having an in-house warehouse, such as increased control over the receiving process, the ability to close more deals, and providing a higher level of service to her clients. Her story is an inspiring example of how thinking outside the box and being willing to innovate can set your design business apart from the competition. LuAnn Nigara and Nicole Roe's Ah-Ha Moments “It's one of those moments where people look at you, and then they look at you again. And they're like, Oh, this is actually an option. And for those that want that full service experience that don't want boxes coming to their door, that don't want to have to move stuff around, that don't want to have to meet the wallpaper installer, like their lives are literally changed.” - Nicole Roe “You were finding these people out there because even though they had never done it before, it was only because it was never offered to them before and they just needed to know that it was available…and with those people come people like them.” - LuAnn Nigara “You're trading the stress of not having control with the stress of having control.” - Nicole Roe More About Nicole Roe Nicole is the founder of R. Nikson Interiors and has over 10 years of experience in the design field. With a degree in Building Construction from Georgia Tech, internship with a luxury developer, worked for a team of construction companies heading up their business development & marketing as well as personal renovation projects. To say that Nicole recognizes the full scope of a design project would be an understatement. With hands-on experience in construction, renovations & interior design - Nicole has done it all. From floor plans to installations - Nicole understands the terminology, methods & everything included in a project rundown from start to finish. Valuing the function of space as highly as how the space looks, Nicole has an eye for design and can envision the completed project before it begins. Nicole spends her free time with her citrus grower husband, their four boys focusing on nature, exercise and renovating their own home. Nicole is never found without multiple beverages, dark chocolate or a podcast in her ear. Connect with Nicole Roe Website Instagram Facebook Tiktok What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Hiring Toolkit Bundle Other Shows Mentioned: #620: Melissa Leclair: Figuring It Out As You Grow Your Modern Interior Design Business #786: Meredith Huck: From Corporate to Interior Design Business: 3 Insights to Succeed #986: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: Boundaries and Expectations are a Few of My Favorite Things
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    1 h y 10 m
  • 1000: 1000th Episode! LuAnn Nigara is Interviewed by Jude Charles!
    Jul 12 2024
    Today With LuAnn Nigara: 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! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Jude Charles’ Storytelling for Interior Designers A Well-Designed Business® Docuseries Hamilton Creatives Glory and Brand Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #127: Corey Damen Jenkins- Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, & Gentleman AWDB #519: What Would Lu Do?: In Light of the Coronavirus AWDB #516: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Video Storytelling for Your Brand AWDB #626: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: How to Tell Your Story to Connect with Clients in Interior Design AWDB #718: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: The Power of Dramatic Demonstration in Your Business Videos AWDB #724: Power Talk Friday: Jude Charles: Using Video to Close More Interior Design Deals
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    1 h y 33 m
  • 999: Faith Fix: Built to Last: Navigating Your Design Business for the Long Term
    Jul 9 2024
    Today With Faith Fix: Today with Faith Fix, we’re discussing the journey of building and growing a successful, sellable interior design firm. As the founder of Freestyle Interiors, Faith shares her 40+ years of experience as an interior designer and business owner, offering valuable insights on growing a design team, developing a strong succession planning strategy, and preparing your business for a seamless transition when the time comes to sell. Learn how Faith navigated the process of selling her business and discover the key factors that contributed to her success. LuAnn Nigara and Faith Fix's Ah-Ha Moments “You are the essence of the point of my podcast—it’s that your talent alone is not going to be the indicator of your ability to grow and have a successful design firm, it's the business back end, that is going to be, you know, the biggest indicator of that and the talent and the other things can layer in.” - LuAnn Nigara “I realized early on that I was growing kind of a larger firm than typical, I wasn't solo with just a few designers. And so I started thinking about succession planning, probably 10 years ago, just to little seeds of what's going to happen.” - Faith Fix More About Faith Fix Faith Fix, founder of Freestyle Interiors in 1981, has over 40 years of interior design experience. Faith is a Florida licensed Interior Designer a well as Florida licensed Certified Public Accountant and an ASID Interior Designer. She has directed Freestyle’s growth to become a prominent SW Florida award-winning design studio. Faith has assembled a highly synergistic team of talented and experienced Lead Designers dedicated to creating beautiful environments. Many of the area’s top architects, developers and builders have come to trust and rely on Faith and her team for their proactive, responsive communication throughout the design/build process as well as the quality of their design. Faith oversees all of the design work and operations at the Freestyle design studio in Bonita Springs to ensure an unsurpassed quality of design and level of service for all of her clients. The fact that most of Freestyle’s work is repeat business speaks for itself. Connect with Faith Fix Website Instagram Facebook Houzz What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Chairman Of The Board with LuAnn Other Shows Mentioned: #468: Power Talk Friday: Ashley Micciche: Why Every Business Needs a Succession Plan #492: Laura Umansky: Leadership is the Secret Sauce of Success #622: Dwayne Bergmann: Empower Your Team to Own the Project Management While Maintaining Design Vision as the Creative Director #855: Power Talk Friday: Hunter Lowder: Is it Time for a Fractional COO? WTFP #43: Peggy Morgans: How Do I Get My Business Ready to Sell?
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    1 h y 11 m
  • 998: Power Talk Friday: Bryan Short: A New Window Treatment Option that Balances Quality and Affordability
    Jul 5 2024
    Today With Bryan Short: Today we're diving into the world of product development with Bryan Short of The Sewing Loft of Avon! The Sewing Loft specializes in custom soft furnishings like window treatments, cushions, pillows, and more. As a co-owner, Bryan wears many hats - from project prep to marketing to client experience. Recently, Bryan and his wife Rachel launched SLA Express - a semi-custom drapery line designed exclusively for interior designers. We're excited to have Bryan join us today to talk all about bringing a new product to market while maintaining strong client relationships. Whether you're in the window treatment industry or any other design field, this conversation is full of valuable insights! LuAnn Nigara and Bryan Short's Ah-Ha Moments “The thinking really stems from years of listening to our trade clients” - Bryan Short “The first and most important thing is to figure out who am I selling this to and who is going to care enough about it.” - Bryan Short More About Bryan Short Bryan Short is a former litigation attorney who joined his wife as co-owner of The Sewing Loft of Avon in 2013. The Sewing Loft specializes in fabricating custom soft furnishings, such as window treatments, indoor/outdoor cushions, pillows and slipcovers. Their primary clients are members of the interior design industry and homeowners. As a co-owner, Bryan wears many hats but concentrates on prepping projects for fabrication, marketing, client acquisition and retention, customer experience and long-term planning. In addition to his work at The Sewing Loft, Bryan is the current CT chapter president of the Interior Design Society, a national organization dedicated to education and business growing of members of the interior design industry. Connect with Bryan Short Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Episode 1,000th Giveaway! Other Shows Mentioned: WTFP #58: Bryan Short: The Value of Business Coaching for a Window Treatment Professional
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    1 h y 15 m
  • 997: Hema Persad: Getting Published in Magazines That Align With Your Designs, With the Help of a PR Person
    Jul 2 2024
    Today With Hema Persad: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. Today, I am joined by Hema Persad of Sagrada Studio. After only two years, Hema has quite the accolades under her belt. She has print placements in Architectural Digest, Rue Magazine, and House Beautiful. Hema was also included in AD's New American Voices list in July 2023. If you have ever shied away from spending a percentage of your revenue on marketing or PR, this will be a valuable episode for you. Hema and I discuss switching careers, if and how to hire a PR person, and how much you should spend on marketing, to name a few. LuAnn Nigara and Hema Persad's Ah-Ha Moments “It took me 15 years from my previous careers to learn the skills to grow a design business. So if I had graduated from design school at 25, I would not have had that experience. I would not have learned about entrepreneurship and marketing. It would have taken me 15 years anyway to learn it all,” - Hema Persad “I had no confidence as an interior designer. It took my PR person seeing something in me in the beginning and then taking my work and knowing where to place and where it belonged, not just being a blanket pitch to ‘AD’ and ‘Domino’ Magazines,” - Hema Persad More About Hema Persad A native of Toronto, Canada, Hema was a practicing attorney for several years before following her heart and pursuing a career in fashion. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles to chase her goal, and spent the following 7 years dressing A-list celebrities, styling ad campaigns and editorials, and working with some of the top fashion talent in the world. Completely self-taught, Hema's interior design career began in 2021 when one of her styling clients asked for help decorating their home. Because of her eye for design and ability to execute her creative vision, that first project snowballed into several more. Hema now designs residential and commercial spaces around the country. As the business continued to grow rapidly, it became clear that it needed its own identity apart from Hema. In 2022 Sagrada Studio was born out of her belief that there is no more sacred (“sagrada”) space on earth than where we live and create. The Sagrada Studio mission is to honor these sacred spaces by helping clients find their own version of timeless, always with an eye towards culture, luxury, and comfort. When she’s not working, Hema loves traveling, and discovering L.A. with her husband Ganesh, and their three daughters. Connect with Hema Persad Website Instagram TikTok Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB #06: Identifying Your Transferable Skills with Erika Ward AWDB #108: Power Talk Friday- Amy Flurry-How To Pitch and Get Press For Your Interior Design Firm AWDB #297: Mikel Welch: Interior Design, TV, Self Made Man AWDB #323: Amy Flurry: How to Pitch Press and Build Relationships AWDB #861: Power Talk Friday: Darla Powell: Instagram for Interior Designers AWDB #967: Breegan Jane: The Gift of Transitioning, Turning Risks into Success
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    1 h y 8 m
  • 996: Power Talk Friday: Katie Decker-Erickson: Building True Confidence Through Knowledge and Experience
    Jun 28 2024
    Today With Katie Decker-Erickson: Today, on A Well-Designed Business, I have the amazing Katie Decker-Erickson. Her company, Color Works, has helped interior designers build the businesses they desire. Her knowledge has led her to coach others, all while balancing her personal life. With her, today We are exploring the importance of finding your 'happy spot' in business. More About Katie Decker-Erickson Katie began her career in commercial color consulting as a part-time passion project in 2007. Today, her company, Color Works has grown into a multi-million dollar commercial design company, currently operating in over 20 states nationwide, with a fully remote team of more than a dozen individuals. Katie is known for her business acumen (having grown 1500% in a single year), passion for teaching others (with 18 years teaching graduate and undergraduate courses) and this is what led her to coach other interior designers who want to scale their business to their lifestyle. She is also a mom and devoted to her two young daughters with a commitment to women's empowerment both personally and professionally. Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson Color Works Firm: Website Instagram Facebook X LinkedIn Color Works Coaching: Website Coaching Resources Instagram Facebook YouTube Blog What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Colorful Conversations: Networking Tips for Interior Designers with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Other Shows Mentioned: #960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse #839: Flashback Friday: Candice Olson: How to Be an Overnight Success in 25 Years
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    1 h y 18 m
  • 995: Jenny Yi: Discovering a Business When Your Life Is Falling Apart
    Jun 25 2024
    Today With Jenny Yi: Hi, welcome to a Well-Designed Business. I talk a lot on the show about goals, drive, motivation, and having a willingness to just go out and make things happen. But what about when that doesn’t feel possible? What about when your life is in a crisis, or you’re struggling with your mental health, or it feels like work just to get out of bed, let alone tackle the long list of things to do that entrepreneurship requires? That is a different beast altogether—and it’s a beast that my guest today, Jenny Yi, understands all too well. Jenny’s story is a powerful one—one that I think we all need to hear, but one that is especially important for any of you out there who are struggling, whether life has just kicked you down or you’re coping with something heavy. LuAnn Nigara and Jenny Yi's Ah-Ha Moments “You were telling me all the things you do in the Jenny Yi empire. But then you got quiet and you said, ‘but It's important to me to give the path of ownership and entrepreneurship to somebody else who's out there that wants the control of our own destiny.’” -LuAnn “There's one thing I want your listeners to understand and know that it doesn't matter where you are right now—it gets better. Life gets good, even when you can't see it, even when you can't imagine it, even when you can't predict it, even when people talk about how to envision good lives and you just can’t.” -Jenny More About Jenny Yi Jenny Yi is a vibrant traveling designer who has taken the world of hospitality by storm. With a discerning eye for transforming hotels and Airbnb spaces, Jenny’s firm specializes in makeovers that captivate guests and leave them yearning for more. Her three-figure portfolio showcases her unrivaled talent in crafting unforgettable experiences through innovative design. Not only has Jenny made her mark in the industry with her makeovers, but she has also expanded her influence with her very own hospitality bedding line, setting the standard for luxurious comfort and problem-solving automation for hosts. Her exceptional work has been featured on platforms such as Biggerpockets, Millennial Millionaire, STR Insider, and Voyage, cementing her reputation as a go-to expert in the field. With a growing following of 50,000 loyal admirers, Jenny's designs have inspired countless individuals to reimagine their own spaces. Connect with Jenny Yi Website Email Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Get 20% off your first three months with Mydoma Studio by going to mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness Other Shows Mentioned: #145: Sandra Funk of House of Funk: Why and How She Re-Branded her 10 Year old Firm #386: Wendy Glaister: Not All Challenges Are Design Related #520: Power Talk Friday: Sandra Funk: The Interior Design Standard is Here! #523: Leah Meyer Perez: Overcoming Fears and Insecurities #715: Kathleen Jennison: From Trauma to Triumph in Interior Design
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    1 h y 5 m
  • 994: Power Talk Friday: John Dupra: Revel Woods: How Creating Meaningful Strategic Partnerships Leads to Success.
    Jun 21 2024
    Today With John Dupra: Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. For today’s Sponsored Show, I am so happy to welcome back John Dupra of Revel Woods. John also gives great tips on how he has had strategic partnerships in his business from the beginning, which he will even say is why he is still here today. He shares how to leverage those relationships in your business and the tactical strategies to make the most of them and show up as an excellent strategic partner. There is definitely a “right” way to develop and maintain these relationships, and if you are wondering how, John’s brain is the one you will want to pick on this topic. LuAnn Nigara and John Dupra's Ah-Ha Moments: “Part of what I've been able to do and what many successful people do is increase your luck surface area. You're not going to be able to brute force your way into everything all the time. Sometimes, you will randomly be at an event, a party, or a LuAnn Live, and meet somebody who will change your life and career forever,” - John Dupra “When you’re within a respectful partnership, you’re doing something for them, and the next day they are doing something for you, and nobody is keeping score.” - LuAnnn Nigara More About John Dupra John Dupra (pronounced DU-pray)’s father Craig started in the wood flooring business before John was born as an installer and refinisher, which he did for 24 years before eventually opening his own wholesale wood flooring distribution company in Rochester, NY. John grew up helping his father when not in school before taking a job for Saint-Gobain, a large materials manufacturing company that made sundries for the flooring industry. He traveled the country as a sales engineer working with flooring contractors for eight years before deciding to join the family business in wholesale distribution. It was there John saw the need to evolve the industry, by evolving its sales channels. If the correct platform was built, designers would be just as integral a part of the flooring industry as flooring stores. Making flooring a lucrative avenue for the designer, while providing a better experience to their clients. Revel Woods is that platform. Now designers are empowered to add flooring to their projects in a way that’s never been seen before. His favorite podcast to be on is A Well Designed Business and he doesn’t care who knows it. Connect with John Dupra Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Revel Woods Other Shows Mentioned: AWDB: #329: Power Talk Friday: John Dupra – Revel Woods Launches New To The Trade Program AWDB: #555: Sarah Daniele: 19H The Blueprint, Create Resiliency in Your Business AWDB: #632: Power Talk Friday: John Dupra: Taking The Fear Out of Flooring for Interior Designers AWDB: 709: Jenny and Ben Slingerland of Black Ink Interiors: The Stages and Decisions to Grow Your Design Business AWDB: #722: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: How to Incorporate 3D Renderings into Your Interior Design Business AWDB: #823: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: A Case Study For a Successful Business Plan AWDB: #879: Power Talk Friday: Sarah Daniele: Mydoma Studio and the Business of Change as the Interior Design Industry Enters a Digital Transformation AWDB: #883: Power Talk Friday: Aubre Fox: Increase Your Profit and Create Your Own Flooring Collection With Revel Woods AWDB: #905: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: Why Successful Design Firms Choose Duke Renders for Their Rendering Projects AWDB: #951: Power Talk Friday: Duke Renders: More Interior Designers Share the Value Of Using Duke Renders For Your Rendering Projects AWDB: #919: Window Treatment Friday: Sara Lynn Brennan: How to Sell Window Treatments in Your Full Service Interior Design Projects AWDB: #607: Sara Lynn Brennan: Project Management with Specific Deliverables and Deadlines
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    1 h y 19 m