What if I told you that at this time next year, you could be taking a client Zoom call while in Thailand, with another trip to Italy planned for the following month, all without missing a beat–or a profit–in your creative business? My special guest today, Megan Siason of M Studio Interior Design is here to prove that such a claim isn’t a pipe dream, it can be your reality!

On this episode, we’re revealing the ins and outs of Megan’s innovative approach to building a flourishing design practice that doesn’t just sustain but truly complements an adventurous lifestyle filled with travel. Discover how she's navigated the challenges of enhancing her rates and establishing systems that empower her to roam freely, while her remote team ensures the business thrives. As we unravel the fabric of digital innovation, Megan and I discuss how tools like Proposify and Dubsado have been game-changers in the design world, bringing client interactions into the modern age. This digital shift, partly propelled by the pandemic, has made it entirely possible to manage projects and teams from any corner of the globe–meaning that all those trips you’ve been putting off can finally be achieved without sacrificing any of your business’ success. And, we’ll share ​​the art of seamless client communication across time zones, and how personal touches from your travels, like sending postcards to clients, can solidify professional relationships with your clients.

So, embark with us on an inspiring voyage through the realms of creative entrepreneurship. This episode is an invitation to reimagine your passion for design as a gateway to a well-traveled and joy-filled entrepreneurial life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Tips to find the balance between travel, play, and keeping clients happy and updated

• Strategies for planning and scheduling client communication while traveling

• The importance of open, clear communication with clients when traveling

• Why discernment of clients and understanding your own value is the first step in opening your business to travel

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Supporting Resources:

• For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website www.melissagalt.com

• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @MelissaGalt and TikTok @MelissaGaltBusinessCoach

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

As we round out our tour of the design discovery process, it’s time to explore the art of the home review report. In guiding you through the third installment of our design discovery series, I’ll explore the art of conducting a thorough home review to assess the style and comfort of your new clients. Though this is a straightforward process, you must take the right steps to vet the project for compatibility and give your clients the security they need to agree to your vision enthusiastically.

Ensuring you're punctual and prepared to document every detail is just the start of this process. As we walk through the systematic approach to each room, I'll show you how to offer expert design recommendations that provide real value to your clients. These insights are then transformed into a comprehensive graphic report that serves as both a visual aid and a scope of work, setting the stage for a successful and collaborative design journey.

Throughout this episode, I share the ins and outs of creating design boards for client projects, highlighting the significance of inspiration platforms and the necessity of having a design assistant. You’ll learn how to set project priorities, timelines, and budgets before moving to the contract phase, and discover how affirming these details with clients during report presentations can lead to a smoother transition into the design process. Finally, I’ll share my strategies for balancing your client roster, ensuring a thriving design practice that doesn't sacrifice your well-being. Prepare to capture every nuance with precision, from the welcoming embrace of the foyer to the intimate corners of personal spaces. The home review isn't just a feast for the eyes; it's the cornerstone of a collaborative design process that promises to bring your client's dream to life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to conduct a thorough home review to assess style and comfort.

• The importance of creating robust visual reports as a tool for collaboration with clients

• Tips for utilizing design boards and inspiration platforms like Pinterest to streamline the design discovery process and report

• Strategies for managing a client roster to avoid burnout and maintain work-life balance

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website www.melissagalt.com

• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @MelissaGalt and TikTok @MelissaGaltBusinessCoach

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

As creatives, we often fall into the temptation of leapfrogging the business aspect of a new project in order to dive right into the creative. However, if you want the most creatively satisfying projects, you need to take care of the business side of things with your client first. This means crafting rapport and a quality relationship with your clients that will allow them to trust your vision wholeheartedly so that your creative prowess can shine.

In today’s episode, I’ll reveal my most effective blueprint to gather the intel you need to create a proposal that your client will sign with enthusiasm, guaranteeing that you land every project and nab those creative opportunities of your dreams. The art of the design discovery process is an invaluable step that goes far beyond a simple phone call. It's about building a bond of trust and rapport, setting you up to craft irresistible proposals that clients will jump at the chance to accept.

I’ll guide you through the intricacies of client-designer dynamics to help you take control of the design process and steer your clients toward success. Learn how to select clients who resonate with your services, ask the right questions concerning their home attachment and budget, and manage the common misconceptions shaped by home improvement shows. By asserting your role as the expert, you'll lead your clients to make sound furniture investments and ensure the design journey is smooth sailing. We’ll also tackle the profound influence of varied landscapes of decision-making styles on design projects and I'll share strategic insights on aligning with clients whose decision-making speed complements your work rhythm. This will help you to set realistic expectations, and gracefully bow out of projects that don't match your brand. By conducting a meticulous home review, you position yourself for a successful partnership and a project that stands as a testament to your expertise. Tune in, and let's take this step together toward becoming the affluent creative you are destined to be.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The importance of a comprehensive design discovery process to build trust and rapport

• Tips on managing client-designer dynamics and guiding clients through the design process

• How to identify and align with clients' decision-making styles to ensure smooth collaboration

• Strategies for tactfully declining projects that don't match your brand without losing additional client opportunities

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• For more information about The Affluent Creative, check out my website www.melissagalt.com

• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @MelissaGalt and TikTok @MelissaGaltBusinessCoach

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.