Episodios

  • 194. Navigating Design Challenges with Rebecca West
    Sep 24 2024

    Whether you are a new designer or seasoned, there is something to learn from today's conversation with my guest, Rebecca West!

    Today, we are going to dig into the marketing messages that we are projecting not only to our clients but to our industry partners. And yes, there are lots of side conversations that are really valuable for you to hear in this episode as well!



    Two decades as CEO of Seriously Happy Homes turned Rebecca West into the go-to business coach for residential interior designers who create happy homes for regular people (rather than the wealthy 1%). In 2023 she closed her business and moved to Paris, France. Now she’s here to help you master your marketing message and establish professional practices that’ll keep your clients - and your accountant - Seriously Happy.

    You may know Rebecca from the many webinars she’s done with the NKBA and IDS. She’s also been a regular TV guest on New Day Northwest, served as a judge for Best in Show at KBIS, and is on the board of Heritage Design School.

    In addition to 1-1 business coaching, Rebecca offers a signature course called “Nail Your Niche” that lays the foundation for becoming the only designer your clients will call. She’s also working on her next book about the “DECIDE” method, a process that helps clients make quick, confident design decisions and keeps our projects on track.

    But Rebecca’s not all business—she can’t resist a costume party or a cat video, loves sipping whisky and eating stinky French cheese, and dances tango with her hubby.

    Grab Rebecca’s free Nail Your Niche starter kit PLUS direct feedback from me on their niche at https://seriouslyhappy.ck.page/aec00a8bb8

    Find out more about Rebecca and follow her Parisian adventures on Instagram at @beseriouslyhappy

    Check out her podcast, "Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know.”

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rebecca-west

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    1 h y 32 m
  • 193. Not Just the Decorator The Essential Role of Women on Construction Projects
    Sep 17 2024

    As the name of this podcast states, being the only girl on the jobsite can be difficult, and I know I’ve mentioned the challenges of this before, but I don’t always dive into the topic as much as I’d like to. Well today, we’re diving all the way in!

    As always, if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers, please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media!

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/role-of-women-in-construction

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    23 m
  • 192. Real Talk: Designers Share Their Profitability Struggles – Can You Relate?
    Sep 10 2024

    I received the emails I’m sharing in today’s episode from so many designers after they signed up for my upcoming webinar. They were letting me know their issues, concerns, and the top 1—and sometimes 10—problems they’re having with the profitability of their projects.

    In today’s episode, I won’t mention names, but you might hear me read yours or hear one you can truly relate to. I know I have related to all of these questions at some point in my career. I want everyone to understand that we are all in this together. There is no judgment. There is no room for shame. We are all learning, and frankly, there just isn’t enough education out there for us on how to build profitable businesses. I hope today’s episode helps, and be sure to sign up for my upcoming webinar, which will give you all the answers to today’s questions in even more detail!

    Please join me for my free Webinar, Unlocking Profitability: Pricing Strategies for Interior Designers, on September 12th & 13th at 12:30 pm EST >>>https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing-webinar<<<

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/designers-share-profitability-struggles

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    41 m
  • 191. Unlocking Profitability: Michele Williams on Mastering Your Financials
    Sep 3 2024

    Today, we are talking all things numbers, and I know that may make some of you cringe a little bit, but I have invited my friend Michele Williams on to share on how to unlock profitability in your business and how to master your financials.

    Michele Williams is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions, two companies focused on empowering creative professionals to own the financials of their business. With an eye for detail and a passion for innovation, Michele has carved a niche in providing strategic business coaching and financial analytics to help business owners navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

    At Scarlet Thread Consulting, Michele utilizes her extensive experience in finance and business management to offer tailored coaching and mentoring services. She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve financial clarity and operational efficiency, enabling them to make informed decisions that drive their businesses forward.

    Through Metrique Solutions, Michele offers a unique blend of technology and consultancy, providing cutting-edge software solutions designed specifically for the owners of small business. Her expertise in financial metrics and data analysis empowers her clients to optimize their pricing strategies and enhance profitability.

    Michele's commitment to excellence and her unwavering support for her clients have established her as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the design community. Her work not only transforms businesses but also inspires creativity and growth, making her an invaluable asset to the industry.


    I am honored that Michele is here to talk with us about the finances that we need to get a hold of in order to establish, maintain, and grow our profitability. Without that, we are stuck in a hobby and not in a business. And while it can be anxiety producing to look at our numbers, listening today will not only help you understand how to look at them but also how to take charge of them!

    Free download:

    Use Coupon code WomanJS for one month free of Metrique Solutions

    Grab Michele’s free quiz where you can get a financial health check-up here: https://www.scarletthreadconsulting.com/financial-quiz-landing-page

    Find out more about Michele and follow her on social media here:

    Instagram: @Scarletthreadatl, & @Metriquesolutions

    Facebook: @Scarlet Thread Consulting & @Metrique Solutions

    Please join me for my free Webinar, Unlocking Profitability: Pricing Strategies for Interior Designers, on September 12th & 13th at 12:30pm EST >>>https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/pricing-webinar<<<

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/master-your-financials

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    1 h y 49 m
  • 190. How to Avoid Client Budget Changes
    Aug 27 2024

    We’ve all been in these client meetings where you’ve hopefully asked the client, “Do you have a budget in mind for this project?” Hopefully, they have given this some thought. But here’s the tricky part….

    You have no idea what they’re basing that number on or if it’s all they can spend.

    A course member reached out to me asking about this issue. She said time and again she is going into these meetings, has bid the whole project out, and then the client starts adding scope of work to the project, and she, rightfully so, is saying, “Whoa, you’re going to blow your budget.” And they say, “Oh, I know. But it’s ok. I want to do more.”

    Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. The opposite is also true. You build out to their budget, and they say, “Oh my gosh, no, I cannot spend this kind of money.” And then, you and your team have to start value-engineering the designs that you’ve completed.

    Neither of these scenarios would set you up to move forward smoothly with the project or complete the design you created.

    Today, I want to share my thoughts on handling these situations and how you can avoid them entirely by educating them on the front end.

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/avoid-client-budget-changes

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    35 m
  • 189. Lessons Learned Through Rookie Mistakes with Virginia DesRoches Part 2
    Aug 20 2024

    Today is Part 2 of my interview with Virginia DesRoches. If you missed the first part, Episode 187, I suggest going back and listening to that one first!

    Virginia DesRoches and John Foran are the dynamic couple and trailblazing visionaries behind Ironwood Studio, an all-encompassing firm that seamlessly merges construction and interior design along the South Coast of MA. Rooted in strong family values, they have earned a robust reputation for their work in designing, building, and renovating family homes from floor plans to furnishings of extraordinary quality and character.

    Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, their designs always blend modern and rustic elements, creating a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere ideal for family living. Their dedication to their craft has been recognized in publications such as The Boston Globe, DIY Network, and The Nest.

    Virginia emailed me recently about a new build she had just recently completed. Her goal was to share her mistakes, which she calls rookie mistakes, with all the designers listening so they could learn the lessons that she experienced throughout this project.

    There was so much value in our conversation that we split it into two episodes! So, today, we are going to dive further into what I call, teachable moments, and she calls rookie mistakes. Everything from understanding what’s in the proposals that the contractors present and do they cover everything to how to manage a project site book, how to develop and present flat fees to a client, and ultimately, how she plans to implement these lessons in her next projects so that she doesn’t make the same mistakes again.

    Virginia has free resource for you here: https://www.ironwoodstudio.co/free-resources called "The Ironwood Dream Home Guide Book." It includes everything you need to know when preparing for your New Build.

    Find out more about Virginia and follow her on social media here:

    INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwoodstudio.co/

    LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-desroches-17192313/


    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rookie-mistakes-part-2

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    45 m
  • 188. Your Scope of Work is the Key to Profitability
    Aug 13 2024

    I hear everything from designers, from “I estimated 50 hours, and I’m now at 90. I’m totally upside down on my numbers.” to “I have no idea where to start” to “I totally messed this one up, Renee, and I don’t know how I’m going to get out of it.”

    If that is you, or you’ve had these pangs of anxiety, you are amongst the many, and this is why I want to talk about his topic today.

    I know I’ve discussed pricing in other episodes, but today, I want to discuss the common thread I’m seeing when designers tell me how they priced their projects. If you skip this step or gloss over it, you absolutely can’t build your pricing correctly.

    As always if this episode leaves you with more questions than answers please feel free to reach out to me at renee@devignierdesign.com or shoot me a dm on social media!

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/scope-of-work-is-key

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    27 m
  • 187. Lessons Learned Through Rookie Mistakes with Virginia DesRoches Part 1
    Aug 6 2024

    We all make mistakes; I make plenty of them! The entire purpose of this podcast is for designers to learn from the mistakes of others. My guest today is Virginia DesRoches who is here today to talk about some of the rookie mistakes she has made and the lessons she learned from them.

    Virginia DesRoches and John Foran are the dynamic couple and trailblazing visionaries behind Ironwood Studio, an all-encompassing firm that seamlessly merges construction and interior design along the South Coast of MA. Rooted in strong family values, they have earned a robust reputation for their work in designing, building, and renovating family homes from floor plans to furnishings of extraordinary quality and character.

    Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, their designs always blend modern and rustic elements, creating a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere ideal for family living. Their dedication to their craft has been recognized in publications such as The Boston Globe, DIY Network, and The Nest.

    When Virginia and I first met in my course, Interior Designers Guide to Construction Management, she shared a large new build she was working on, and couple of weeks ago she emailed me to tell me the job was finished and that while it ended well, she encountered a lot of what she called, rookie mistakes along the way. She thought other designers could also learn from them and wanted to share the high’s and low’s of this project.

    The value in what Virginia shares is extensive, and so today is Part 1, where we cover cover setting fee structures, the details in making selections, permitting, and factoring in things often forgotten about, such as weather and then how to best work with new trades on a project.

    Virginia has free resource for you here: https://www.ironwoodstudio.co/free-resources called "The Ironwood Dream Home Guide Book." It includes everything you need to know when preparing for your New Build.

    Find out more about Virginia and follow her on social media here:

    INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwoodstudio.co/

    LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-desroches-17192313/

    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/rookie-mistakes-part-1

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    1 h y 14 m