Afleveringen
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My guest today is a bad ass visionary, successful digital creator, and fellow interior designer! But don't let her soft-spoken nature fool you... she single-handedly took on one of social media's biggest platforms and created a huge knowledge-based community for interior designers, design students, & architects all on her own!
With over 35k followers and 1.5M+ views on YouTube, Andrea Trujeque - or Andrea Tru as she's more commonly known to her loyal design fans - sits down with me in this episode to share her journey from newly graduated interior designer to inspiring digital content creator!
Originally from Mexico and now living in Vancouver, Canada, Andrea has helped thousands of designers through her videos and ever-growing Instagram page to level up their careers and gain the skills and confidence required to pursue careers interior design and architecture fields.
The launch of her highly successful online SketchUp course has helped transform design aficionados and interior designers all over the world from complete beginner to pro level, giving students the tools and expertise to create their own stunning, 3D design projects.
Grab a coffee and settle in for a listen... you'll be inspired by Andrea's love for design and passion for teaching others!
SPECIAL OFFER: listeners of this episode can sign up for Andrea's SketchUp course and receive 30% OFF the regular price by using the affiliate link below!
*Click HERE for access to the course*
ABOUT ANDREA:
FIND Andrea online at www.truconcept.ca
FOLLOW Andrea on Instagram @aandreatru
WATCH Andrea on YouTube HERE
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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So this episode is one from the Life Chat (Youtube series) archives - but it's a good one!
I chat with a former mentor client of mine, someone who didn't come from a formal design background but grabbed life by the horns anyway and broke into the design industry on her own.
Melissa Heaman is the founder and principal designer of Harbour Mill Design. Focusing on an artistic approach of mixed design aesthetics centred on natural elements and functional living, Melissa tailors her design process for each individual client’s needs for a truly custom experience. Her collaborative approach to impressive design includes working with a great team of reputable contractors, tradespeople, skilled artists and expert installers.
We talk about how design & decor blogging paved the way into working on her first design projects, to taking on larger-scale projects, and even venturing into design retail - all within the first 5 years of launching her business!
Currently she's on a break from working with clients to focus on time with family - a decision she made after consciously stepping back from a storefront she launched during the pandemic.
We end our chat focusing on the importance of listening to and honouring your pace above all... an inspiring message for interior designers at any stage in their own careers!
ABOUT MELISSA:
FIND Melissa online at harbourmilldesign.ca
FOLLOW Melissa on Instagram @harbourmilldesign
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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She's Baaaaaaack........ we pick back up right where we left off in Part 1 (episode #16) for Part 2 of our sit down/catch up together!
I just love this incredible soul - today's guest is one of the most genuine and authentic people I've yet to meet in this industry - who rocks at roller derby and manifested her way onto The Marilyn Denis Show twice! We first crossed paths several years ago when I attempted a quasi-rescue from the comments section of an online designer group (more on that in episode #16 - Pt 1)...
Michelle Binette - self-taught interior designer, avid puzzler, & tenacious implementer of all-things tech & A.I., has continually inspired me with her passion for growth and her endearing transparency around what it's actually like growing an interior design business from the ground up.
We catch up after nearly a year of busy #designlife to candidly chat about retainers and how interior designers could and should be implementing them, the dreaded P-word (people-pleasing) and how working to overcome perfectionism is one of the keys to thriving in business, and what happens when you offer furnishings procurement and the client wants ALL your trade discounts... there are a few real life stories thrown in for some context you definitely won't want to miss!!
Grab a coffee and settle in... we cover so much!
ABOUT MICHELLE:
FIND Michelle online at michellebinette.com
FOLLOW Michelle on Instagram @michellebinette.design
*Catch an older episode together from Michelle's own podcast: Real Talk Design HERE
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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Meet Anthony Bruno, the creative force & mastermind behind Anthony Bruno Interiors, a New Jersey-based residential interior designer with a flair for drama... literally!
Before transforming homes across the United States, Anthony was once a theatre kid turned director and set designer, weaving incredible stories on stage.
But as the pandemic hit in 2020, the universe handed him a new script: launching his own design business.
In this episode, we dive into Anthony’s journey from curtain calls to client calls, how he embraced the challenge and uncertainty of pivoting industries, and why patience, curiosity, and a student-mindset are essential tools in any designer’s toolkit. Anthony shares his philosophy on pushing past discomfort, building meaningful relationships with trades & clients, and why asking for and going after what you really want is the key to shifting the needle in any interior design business.
Plus, Anthony shares his take on creating viral social media content and how even the most mundane moments of a designer’s day can become online gold.
Anthony’s vibrant energy, resilience, and kindness make him a joy to chat with—and a force to watch in the design world. Get ready for an episode that’s as inspiring as it is entertaining!
ANTHONY BRUNO:
FIND him at anthonybrunointeriors.com
FOLLOW on Instagram @anthonybrunointeriors
FOLLOW on TikTok @anthonybrunointeriors
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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I'm not too proud to admit that I didn't actually use a contract in my interior design business for EASILY the first 5 years I was working with clients... what was I thinking!?
But over the years, and after finding valuable mentorship of my own, I realized just how dangerous (and stupid!) not having a contract or Terms of Service was.
In this episode I dive into all things interior design contracts, and review several of the clauses I have in my own design contract & why you should consider adding similar clauses if you haven't already implemented something like them.
DISCLAIMER - I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice. I always recommend running anything 'contract' related by your lawyer before having clients sign on the dotted line.
It's NEVER worth the risk to operate without any form of contract, no matter if you're just starting out and haven't worked on large-scale projects yet. One bad legal run-in could derail your entire design career!
DESIGNER RESOURCE: If you don't already have a solid contract or Terms of Service, you can purchase my guide HERE - take from it what you need and amend to suit your interior design business today!
DESIGNLIFEINC.
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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We met online! (But it's not exactly what you think).
I just love this incredible soul - today's guest is one of the most genuine and authentic people I've yet to meet in this industry - who rocks at roller derby and manifested her way onto The Marilyn Denis Show twice! We first crossed paths several years ago when I attempted a quasi-rescue from the comments section of an online designer group (more on that in the episode)...
Michelle Binette - self-taught interior designer, avid puzzler, & tenacious implementer of all-things tech & A.I., has continually inspired me with her passion for growth and her endearing transparency around what it's actually like growing an interior design business from the ground up.
We catch up after nearly a year of busy #designlife to candidly chat about a shared disdain for phone calls (while actually answering a live call during our chat lol), the growth & evolution of her business, the very real subject of mental health & working through challenges, experimenting with different pricing methods, & we wrap up Part 1 of our discussion diving deeper into the whole per-square-foot method I've come to use and LOVE!
Grab a coffee and settle in... we cover so much! You're definitely going to want to hear more from Michelle - stay tuned for the rest of Part 2, launching later this year...
Curious about how to get into using a per-square-foot pricing method in your own design business?? I've developed a course that expertly guides & teaches you exactly how I price my own design projects! Find it on my website today!
ABOUT MICHELLE:FIND Michelle online at michellebinette.comFOLLOW Michelle on Instagram @michellebinette.design
*Catch our older episode from Michelle's own podcast: Real Talk Design HERE
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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Raise your hand if you thought you'd be further along in your interior design journey by now when you first started out... (I'll raise my hand with you!)
In this episode I'm sharing the chronological evolution of my own interior design business to help dispel some of the myths social media and hustle-culture has fed us about what the timeline of a "successful" business should look like... spoiler alert: it's bullsh*t.
The one crucial thing I've realized later on in my own career is just how much perspective I was actually missing in those early years - comparing myself to other designer's achievements online wasn't healthy and had zero relevance to my own business journey.
If you're feeling a bit lost or stuck right now... I want you to listen to the personal perspective I'm about to share: you are exactly where you're meant to be in this very moment.
xo
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Mentor mention: Kimberley Seldon - The Business of Design✨
https://businessofdesign.com
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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I LOVE hearing & learning about other entrepreneurial journeys...especially when it's about people I know and enjoy working with myself!
In this episode I sit down with my friend Justin Kandola - supporter of local business initiatives, avid golfer, and the man behind the wheel at DK Modern Furnishings, right here in beautiful Kelowna, Bristish Columbia.
He takes me through the tough decision to leave the family business and start his own, the importance of forging your own path, just what exactly happened to the furnishings industry during the pandemic, and how working with interior designers through DK's own trade program has become a highlight of his business.
If you're an interior designer that offers furnishings & procurement services (or has considered getting into F&P), you don't want to miss this one!
JUSTIN KANDOLA + DK MODERN FURNITURE:
VISIT the store HERE
FOLLOW on Instagram @dk_modernfurniture
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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This episode is a few parts humour, mixed with a few parts reality... and for any real-life clients out there listening, know we LOVE! you, but sometimes you say the wildest things.
I've compiled 12 different statements & questions clients commonly bring up during a project that might make you cringe, and what they actually mean for you as the interior designer.
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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In this short but super impactful episode, I teach you exactly how to counter price objections from potential clients about your design fee... it's not complicated!
Listen to find out exactly how to challenge the narrative the next time a client says they've already talked with another designer who said they can do it for less.
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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What's the saying... "One bad apple can ruin the bunch?" Over the past 21 years working with many questionable interior design clients myself, I've learned to spot a bad apple or two!
In this episode I get right into why you shouldn't work with everyone, how red flag clients can actually hurt your design business, and the 7 red flag archetypes I've come to recognize over the years that make me seriously pause to consider even taking on a project right at the very start of my discovery & on-boarding process...
I share my stories so you can potentially avoid some of the pitfalls I've experienced as a growing designer, and learn what to be mindful of the next time a 'shiny' new & tempting project comes across your desk!
DESIGNLIFEINC.:
FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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In this episode I chat with Tiff Cheng - inspiring, multi-faceted entrepreneur and face of By Tiff C based in Vancouver. We first connected on Instagram (she slid into the DM's!), and both share an absolute love of supporting and nurturing other creatives in business!
We waste no time getting right into the sh*t show of going through an interior design degree (what they did and DIDN'T teach us!), the chaos of jumping into a design career as a new designer, and the freedom that comes with honouring & following your passions and embracing the 'pivot' in your entrepreneurial journey.
ABOUT TIFF:*Find out more about Tiff and By Tiff C online at bytiffc.com*Follow Tiff on Instagram @bytiffc
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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It is currently the end of September - which means it's CRUNCH time!!
We're right in the middle of the end-of-project-completion-prep-for-photos-&-awards-submissions phase, and I am definitely feeling the burn & pressure this time of year tends to bring... but we're pushing on through and it will all be worth it in the end!
In this episode, I take you through my own process of on-boarding a client, getting through the design phase, moving through the furnishings & procurement phase, all the way down to installs, styling, and what happens the day of our project photo shoots. Everything I do in my own interior design business - in a nutshell - I'm sharing with you!
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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"True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are" - Brene Brown.
In this episode I chat with fellow interior designer & The Designers Common founder, Leah Penner!
Experiencing design school through the middle of the pandemic (online and disconnected) fostered a deep need for connection and collaboration once she completed her program... thus emerged The Designers Common: a community providing support, inspiration, and learning opportunities for interior designers in Lower Mainland, BC and Okanagan valley area through in-person and online events.
"The design industry thrives when we let go of competition and comparison and instead embrace learning from everyone involved, as each person brings valuable insights to the table" - The Designers Common
ABOUT LEAH:*Find out more about Leah and TDC at thedesignerscommon.com*Follow TDC on Instagram @thedesignerscommon
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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This episode is a clip from my Price Like A Pro: Insider's Guide To Calculating Fees & The Per-Square-Foot Method micro course!
I get into 3 of the most common pricing methods for interior designers, the pro's and con's of each, and my experiences pricing projects with each...
Spoiler alert: I DON'T use any of these to price my jobs now (I share how I price projects in an upcoming episode, stay tuned!)
Interested in taking my pricing course? Find it HERE: micro course
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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This episode is a cool one - I chat with Chartered Investment Manager, Amy Bell... who ALSO happens to be a former client of mine! We get into why she decided to hire me for her projects, the importance of being comfortable talking about the 'money piece' from the very beginning with clients, and how to grow your own money confidence as women and interior designers.
Amy is no stranger to the money game - and now works with other female entrepreneurs on building their financial futures so they too can experience the freedom and joy they deserve in life.
ABOUT AMY:*Find out more about Amy and DTS Lifestyles online at dtslifestyles.com
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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What else can I say... the road to success is paved with failure. Lots of it!
In this episode I pull back the curtain on my own start in the industry, the limiting beliefs I created for myself all the way back in design school, stepping (and crashing hard) into entrepreneurship... and the beautiful gifts & lessons I've learned that have brought me right here to mentorship and DESIGNLIFEINC. today.
FIND MORE DESIGNLIFEINC.:*Follow on Instagram @designlifeinc
*JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
DESIGNER MENTORSHIP: If you're looking for high-level mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides, & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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As interior designers in business, we're always on the lookout for ways to improve our processes, our profits, our presentations... you name it. But have you ever truly stopped for a moment to consider the one thing I consider to be even more important than all of those combined: your mindset?
In this episode I talk about the absolute importance of overhauling your personal beliefs and auditing the things you tell yourself about your ability to be a successful and profitable interior designer... and how many of us fail to nurture this one key and crucial element in our businesses.
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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What is one of the most stressful things about being an interior designer in business?... NOT knowing where your next clients are coming from!
I moved provinces in 2014 - after running a successful design business for 11 years - and figured whatever I did to gain my first clients starting out would naturally work again in a new and much larger city.
BOY, WAS I WRONG.People didn’t know this, but for nearly 2 years I struggled to find clients and build my network, and I began to wonder if we had made a huge mistake relocating where we did. The market was super saturated and I just wasn’t making traction like I thought I should be.Eventually things took off, but it wasn’t until I really put myself out there in some pretty unconventional ways that I began to see the payoff. In this episode I share with you all of the things I did to re-build my business again in a brand new and busy market, what worked, and what I would suggest avoiding if I were starting all over again from scratch!
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP - If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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Are you truly showing up on social media to showcase your interior design talents, nurture your audience, and grow your client base!? You SHOULD be!!!On this episode I sit down and talk all-things social with Megan Shallow - founder and CEO of BNL Media Consulting - a boutique marketing agency based in Coquitlam, British Columbia that works with startups through to mid-size companies on levelling up their online marketing presence & reach.Megan and I first connected while volunteering on the board of Kelowna Women in Business back in 2017, and I experienced first-hand the talent she has for online communications and community connections... this lady knows how to craft amazing brand messaging and leverage the power of social! She's also an incredibly talented and genuine human (we love those).
This episode is filled with golden nuggets & industry wisdom as it relates to how interior designers can expertly show up on platforms like Instagram to showcase our work and build better relationships... I'm also now super inspired to try the "Voice Memo" tidbit she suggests for reaching out authentically to new followers and business connections!
Watch the video version of this episode HERE
ABOUT MEGAN:*Find out more about Megan and BNL online at bnlmediaconsulting.com*Follow BNL on Instagram @bnlsocial
DESIGNLIFEINC.:FOLLOW on Instagram @designlifeinc
JOIN the private interior designer community on Facebook
MENTORSHIP: If you're looking for high-level 1:1 mentorship opportunities, expertly designed templates, guides & resources, and courses on how to elevate your business game and create a thriving interior design business, check out designlifeinc.ca
Do it different. Do it better. Elevate the industry.
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