Episode 107: Designing for the Gram: Tips for Instagram Success as an Interior Designer with Leslie Swink
Show Notes:
My next guest is Lezlie Swink, the founder of Swink Social Co, a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping interior designers grow their businesses and stand out in the digital world.
In this episode, Lezlie shares what she feels is the most common mistake designers make on Instagram, if Reels are worth it, and how often we should be posting content. Listen in for how an expert who runs a company that manages others’ social media accounts defines success on Instagram.
Lezlie believes interior designers have a place on Instagram. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just be confident to show up and use it to your advantage.
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 86. Master Your Smartphone for Stellar Design Photos with Linda Holt
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Website: https://www.swinksocialco.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swink.social.co
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Transcript
Michelle Lynne: Welcome to Designed for the Creative Mind, a podcast for interior designers and creative entrepreneurs to run their business with purpose, efficiency, and passion. Because, while every design is different, the process should remain the same. Prepare yourself for some good conversations with amazing guests, a dash of Jesus and a touch of the woowoo, and probably a swear word or two. If you're ready to stop trading your time for money and enjoy your interior design business, you are in the right place. I'm your host, Michelle Lynne.
Michelle Lynne: Welcome back to the podcast everyone. I am excited to introduce you today to my guest, Lezlie Swink. She is the founder of Swink Social Company, or co, a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping interior designers grow their businesses and stand out in the digital world. If you're on Instagram at all, you probably see her all over the place. So it's my pleasure to introduce you to her voice. Lezlie, it's good to have you here.
Lezlie Swink: It's good to be here. Thank you so much for having me.
Michelle Lynne: Oh my gosh, like we were talking about before we hit record, I feel like we've interacted so much that I've known you. It's such a crazy thing that we have these days. Social media is just, I mean, and then you meet people in person and it's like they jump off the screen. And it's crazy.
Lezlie Swink: Yes, that's the fun part. Yeah, meeting people online and then in person. That's the cool part.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, it's very fun. So Lezlie, how did you get involved in your social media agency? What drove you in that direction?
Lezlie Swink: Sure. So this is a long story, but I'll try to condense it as much as possible. So I can't even tell you how many years ago, the kids were very little, and I decided that I wanted to, I loved sewing and I loved, you know, making clothes and I'm like, I'm gonna start my own children's boutique. And I did. And it was great. But I had a brick and mortar and then I was also selling on Etsy. And it was like, I could not get any traction online. And this is like back in the day. I think Instagram had like, just started. But this is like when Facebook pages were like the thing. And so I'm like, okay, well, I guess this is what you do when you have a business. So I'm gonna get on here, and I'm gonna figure it out. And I did and it was great. And I was actually able, you know, granted, it was, I had plenty of success locally, but soon I was selling clothes all over the country, in other countries. So it was great.
Michelle Lynne: Wow.
Lezlie Swink: Needless to say, three young children and a business where you're, you know, making everything like that, that didn't quite work out. So I took time off and raised the family. And then about three-and-a-half, four years ago, I'm like, I need to do something, I need to do something. And I kept going back like, what have I done before and I loved, loved the social media part of it. I love being able to connect with not only clients, but other people in that collaborative effort, you know? So I was like, you know what, I'm going to take what I've learned from running my own social media, and I want to help other people. Because it is a time-consuming task.
Michelle Lynne: Oh, yeah.
Lezlie Swink: But it's worth it, I promise.
Michelle Lynne: It's not just pretty pictures.
Lezlie Swink: No, no, there's a little bit of strategy behind it.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, I'd say so. It's definitely evolved. And it is time consuming, especially when you do it well.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah.
Michelle Lynne: So you've done this and you have just grown and you focus on interior designers now. Do you offer your services outside of our niche?
Lezlie Swink: We do. But very, very few. I would say 95% of our clients are designers.
Michelle Lynne: And that makes it easier because you can start learning the lingo and rinse and repeat. To a certain extent.
Lezlie Swink: It is, yes. And interior design is fun.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, speaking of pretty pictures, there you go. You definitely don't have a shortage of that. So let's start with what do you see interior designers, like what's the biggest mistake we make on Instagram? Let's just specify Instagram, let's not open it anything else.
Lezlie Swink: Right. I would say the biggest mistake that I see, and I think that you would agree with me because I hear you say this a lot too is that designers are hiding behind their design. And they are not coming out and putting themselves in front and making those connections. There are so many wonderful designers out there and they do beautiful work. You have to set yourself apart and nobody is you. So that's really the best way to, that's what's going to make you stick out. So yeah, it's kind of sad when I see designers and they have beautiful work and beautiful pages, but I don't know who they are. I've never seen their face.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah. It's so important because it's such a personal business.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: Well, that and it's also, you know, can you verify that that's the person who shows up at the house?
Lezlie Swink: Yes, exactly. Yeah.
Michelle Lynne: So, Lezlie, do you think is it important for us to put our face, say in the grid, or on the stories, both, reels, like all the things?
Lezlie Swink: All the things, yes. Our philosophy is that we should not scroll down more than maybe a few rows and not see your face. That's what we always really aim to do with our clients is to make sure that, you know, that they are front and center. And I know that that's a hard thing for designers to do. So I know it's not easy, but I promise it's worth it.
Michelle Lynne: I think it's a hard thing for people to do. And then you narrow it down and you say women, and that's even more difficult because we have such crazy standards for ourselves.
Lezlie Swink: Yes. Oh, I know. And I think too, yeah, one of the, this is something that makes designers really, really, really good at what they do. But you know that saying that sometimes like your strength can be, your biggest strength can be your biggest weakness. And there's a perfectionist kind of issue that you would say. And it's really good, because everything, like when it's ,your very detail-oriented whenever you go into these projects, and they come out looking fantastic. But a lot of times they get hung up on like over analyzing, you know, that post, and sometimes you just you just gotta get it out there because, you know, what you think is perfect, somebody else is going to find a flaw in and vice versa.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, I say perfection is perception.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: And you're, it's so true. So just get it done. I think also, and I can speak from experience here because I'm camera shy. I've gotten better. So what was really, really, really, really, really difficult years ago, is only difficult now.
Lezlie Swink: Right.
Michelle Lynne: Like, Nicole who works with me, she's always chasing me around, we need to do more video, we need to do more video. I'm like, okay, we'll get there. And it's just so important that you could let go of your, I'm like, I don't even want to see it, Nicole, just go ahead and post it. Just let go of your own expectation, because I think you said it. What you see as perfect, somebody is going to see as flawed what you see as flawed somebody is going to see as perfect.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah, it's so true. And I will tell you whenever, like when I first started Swink Social Co, it took me three months before I showed up on stories. And I would record everything, and this was before the days of like, you had the caption sticker and you had to like type everything out, I would type it out and then I'd be like, never mind. And delete it.
Michelle Lynne: There goes 20 minutes of your life.
Lezlie Swink: Exactly, exactly. But I will say like, one of the things is, I mean, just like with anything, the more you do it, the more comfortable you're going to be with it and the better you're going to get at it. So it definitely is one of those things where practice doesn't make perfect, it just makes it easier.
Michelle Lynne: It definitely makes it easier. Yes. And I think also, like one of the things that my team has been complimented on is that we're approachable. And I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we will, you know, post images that are not perfect, or will show up in less than perfect ways. Because clients, I mean, think about this, and I've been saying this a lot recently. It's like, you show up at somebody's house and you're perfect, they're not gonna want to let you in. Right? Because then they feel judged, and then they feel like insecure. And just like these, I mean, that's generalizing, but I'm just saying that you are you and you're going to attract people that are comfortable with you.
Lezlie Swink: Absolutely, yes, yes, for sure. And I think sometimes doing it really depends. I mean, you know, obviously every business is different. Everybody's in a different place. Everybody's got a different ideal client. But, you know, if you are trying to attract somebody who may not really understand, maybe they've never worked with a designer before, or they don't necessarily understand that process, it's intimidating.
Michelle Lynne: Yes, that's so true.
Lezlie Swink: And if you're not approachable and friendly then they're going to shy away.
Michelle Lynne: Or if on the other hand, you are a little bit more, I don't wanna say uppity or polished or whatever. Like if your personality is just a little bit more proper, there we go, that's a better word. If you're a little bit more proper, or if you're a little bit more polished, or whatever you want to think, look, say, I'm losing my words, then the individuals that relate and are attracted to that are going to be attracted to those individuals. But if you're putting on airs that are not genuine to you, one, I think it's an energy that you can feel even on the gram. And then two, when they meet you, they're going to be disappointed.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely.
Michelle Lynne: It's like, you're not that person. Like back in the day when I was on match.com, like, which, again, I think I mentioned this in a podcast a couple episodes ago, that really dates me, match.com. Now, I think it's just Match and then there's all the other ones. But seriously, like, I would show up at a restaurant to meet somebody and I'd be like, dude, you said you were six feet tall, you're not much taller than I am. And I'm like, 5'4". Like, you need to really position yourself properly because you're gonna have this major letdown. The clients will.
Lezlie Swink: Exactly. Yes.
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Michelle Lynne: So this kind of brings me to the next question is that. Are Reels worth it? Because I see these people like dancing and pointing and doing all these things.
Lezlie Swink: Yes. So I'll tell you, if you've ever see me doing Reels like that, somebody call an ambulance because I'm having a medical emergency because I'm not gonna dance, okay? Like that's not gonna happen. And not to say that there's anything wrong with that. And that it's not entertaining to see that, but you don't have to do the dog and pony show to do Reels. There are so many different ways to do them. And in all actuality, you should kind of have like, you know, even with like your content on your grid, how you want to have a variety when it comes to that, you also want to have a variety when it comes to your Reels. Like maybe you're showing off or you're highlighting a project or project reveal. You know, obviously, that's going to be more pictures and maybe some video in there and it's probably a little bit more polished. Have some fun and do like the voiceover, the lip-synching stuff. Another Reels format that's been extremely popular lately is just the text on the screen. Like how easy is that? You don't even have to show your face for that one. So but they'll have the video and then you put your text on your screen. And a lot of times, you want to use the looping soundtrack so that way people will stay on it and read it a little bit longer, and then you're getting more views, which therefore it pushes it out.
Michelle Lynne: Oh interesting. Okay, so you just said, the more views you get, it pushes it out. Is that like that fancy lingo for algorithm-y stuff?
Lezlie Swink: Yes, it's pretty much.
Michelle Lynne: That's a technical term, y'all. Algorithm-y stuff.
Lezlie Swink: It's totally technical. We use that term all the time. Yeah, so the watch time is going to be the most important thing with your Reels. So you want somebody, you not only want them to watch the whole video, but if you can get them to rewatch it, then that sends out a, that just lets Instagram know, like, okay, people are actually finishing this. So like the long, really long Reels like, not to say that you can't do them, but they better be really good to keep viewers, you know, till the end.
Michelle Lynne: Oh, from dropping off?
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: Interesting. That makes sense, though.
Lezlie Swink: Yes. But to go back to the original question that I did not even answer. Yes, Reels are still important. And I will say that they've kind of, they came out with a bang and people were, they were favored very, very heavily. But things are starting to balance out. So the Reel success that we saw a year ago, two years ago,
Michelle Lynne: Get it, Reel success.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah.
Michelle Lynne: R-E-E-L, R-E-A-L, the real success. Sorry, I rudely interrupt you. But I couldn't let that one pass.
Lezlie Swink: It's not the same, but it's one of the better ways to still get new people to discover you. So I'm not saying like, go out and you should only do Reels. I'm a huge believer in that you should have balanced in everything. You should have balance in, you know, whether you're going to do a carousel post, whether you're going to do a Reels video, whether you're going to do just a static image. Graphics, I don't see that a lot. And we don't do them just a whole lot with our design clients. But if we are, then we make sure that we're balancing everything out. And here's the deal, like with the algorithm, it's, you know, and I'm sure if you've paid attention to Instagram, and you listen to the people, it's like, okay, Reels are in, you've got to do Reels, only Reels. No, Reels are out. Now we need to do carousel posts, only carousel posts.
Michelle Lynne: Whiplash.
Lezlie Swink: Yes. So it's like, I mean, if you're trying to do like the thing at the moment, you're going to be spinning your wheels and chasing your tail. But if you have a balanced plan, that's okay. You're gonna hit it. It'll be fine no matter what's going on.
Michelle Lynne: There you go. That makes sense. Spinning your Reels, spinning your wheels. I'm on fire today, Lezlie.
Lezlie Swink: You are.
Michelle Lynne: I've just had way too much coffee. Hot coffee, iced coffee, all the things. So that makes sense, though, because if you're doing the static posts and the carousels and the Reels in your overall feed, if they're favoring one over the other, you're hitting them all.
Lezlie Swink: Right. Yep.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, so let's talk about consistency. How often should we be posting? Even if it's like, yeah, just how often should we be posting?
Lezlie Swink: So when somebody asks me that, I always ask them, how many times a week can you post? Because if you can't do it, if you say you're gonna, oh, I can post every day. But can you really? And if you can't, then don't, don't do that. Because then you're gonna get frustrated, you're gonna put it to the side, and you're not going to do it.
Michelle Lynne: Right.
Lezlie Swink: You know, if you can, and this is the other thing too, is that, you know, if you can post three times a week, great. Like that's probably like where you would probably want to be. We'll call that like maintenance. All right? So if you're really looking to grow your account, you may want to post a little bit more often. So like for our clients, what we do is three to four times a week, because we post every other day. So some weeks we're going to hit it three times, and the next week, we're going to hit it four times. The big thing is that don't neglect stories. That is where those connections and relationships are built. Get your posts, but make sure that you're showing up in stories as well.
Michelle Lynne: So stories, the way I understand it, and please correct me if I'm wrong. I understand that is more like raw, unedited, not I mean, like if you're aiming for perfection, fine. Do that in your grid. Actually, don't try to aim for perfection like we talked about, but then the stories are just kind of like, they're gone in 24 hours. So if you kind of look like a dork just live with it for a day.
Lezlie Swink: Right. Yes. Yeah, and that's the thing too, and also like, you probably don't want to go overboard in your stories either. Like some, you know, if you're, I know that when I get to a story and you know how it's got all the slides up there, it's a little bit better now that they've change it to 60 seconds instead of the 15 second clips. But if I get up there and I see like, somebody's got seven slides, and I know that each one is a minute long, I'm like, oh, do I have seven minutes to commit right now, as I'm going through? Chances are I probably don't.
Michelle Lynne: They become dots instead of dashes.
Lezlie Swink: Yes, yes. But yeah, in stories like that is, if you don't have time to post, like, if it's like, you know, it's a hair on fire kind of week, and if you're just doing good just to, you know, get through each day, that's a very good opportunity to still stay consistent. Like hop on stories. And I always tell, I have a three-part stories strategy. Share something personal, and it can be like, everybody thinks like, it's dumb, nobody cares what I'm eating. Nobody cares about my morning routine. Ah, no people care, because those are the things that people relate with. And so share something personal, share something that you're working on, and then share something that inspires you. That's three stories right there, boom, done.
Michelle Lynne: Oh, I just wrote that down. I'm gonna try that. That makes sense, though. And I agree. And it's, it's interesting because as an interior designer, no matter who you are, how long you've been in business, how quote big or small your business is, people want to know you. Because we're in a sexy industry, therefore, you become a sexy industry, like, I don't say, like person. So like it or not, y'all listening, you're a sexy bitch. People want to know you.
Lezlie Swink: Well, hey, there's a reason why reality TV is so popular. People are curious. They're curious. They want to take that peek behind the curtain. And they want to know, like, what is, what happens on, you know, and stories is perfect for that.
Michelle Lynne: That's a great point. And it is just so quick peek behind the curtain.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah, yeah.
Michelle Lynne: Huh. There you go.
Lezlie Swink: One other thing I would say with designers and stories, and I think this is a really big one for interior design is that, you know, it's important to document your process and stories is a great way to do it. So, you know, as you're working on a project, if you are sitting there, and if you're, you know, if you're like dedicated, like, alright, I'm working on XYZ project, here are the mood boards, this is the presentation, you know, and what you do is you document that and you create a story highlight. And so those story highlights are where you can save all of those stories.
Michelle Lynne: Oh yeah.
Lezlie Swink: And then it's really hard when you go through an entire project, because projects are months, sometimes years, or year.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah.
Lezlie Swink: But, you know, that's a lot to kind of go back and dig through and find all of that information to put this kind of like project progression in place. But if you haven't in your stories, like boom, it's there. And you know what's really cool? You can instantly turn it into a Reels.
Michelle Lynne: I've seen that. Like, when I'm on there posting or something, it says you can turn this into a Reel.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: That's a very cool feature.
Lezlie Swink: Yes, it is. And it makes my job a lot easier.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, no kidding. Just put this up here, woman, and I'll do something with it for you.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, so that's all just really authentic to each of our brands. Nothing needs to be fancy. It just needs to be done.
Lezlie Swink: No. And if you think about, like, think about why you get on social media. Like why do I get on social media for? It's because I'm looking just to kind of like take a break from the real world. I'm not looking for anything serious. I'm looking to be entertained, I'm looking to find inspiration. So I think that, you know, as much as we say, like, you got to have a strategy, and you do, but it doesn't have to be overly complicated. As long as you're showing up as your real self, as long as you're just out there. You know, and you're entertaining, and not even like entertaining from a like, oh, hey, I'm funny and goofy, but entertaining in the way it's like, what is Michelle up to today? I know she's been working on that project, you know, I can't wait to see what else she's doing. So I think just kind of keeping that in mind and not overcomplicating things.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, and also, just it's not overcomplicating. I think, shoot, we could probably name this episode, don't overcomplicate it, just do it. Social media with Lezlie Swink.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: Imagine trying to bake a cake without a recipe. You kind of know what the ingredients are, but you don't know how to put it all together. After lots of hard work and trying different combinations, all you are left with is a sticky situation and a stomachache. Babe, running an interior design business can feel exactly that same way. That is why I created The Interior Design Business Bakery. This is a program that teaches you how to bake your interior design business cake and eat it too. If you don't want to figure out the hard way, and you want guidance to follow, a recipe that has already been vetted, someone that has already been there and done it and will help you do it too, then check out the year-long mentorship and coaching program, The Interior Design Business Bakery. If your interior design business revenue is below $300,000, or if you're struggling to make a profit and keep your sanity, this is the only program for you. You can find that information at designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery. Check it out. You won't regret it.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, next question kind of ties in with this is, you as the expert, Lezlie, you as the individual who navigate or manages a company who manages social media for others, how do you define success on Instagram?
Lezlie Swink: Ooh, that's a really good question. And honestly, like, for me personally, it's gonna look completely different from everybody else. For me personally, it is about, it's the relationships that I built. I don't care how many followers I have, I really don't. I mean, I know that, you know, and everybody wants to grow their following, and I do.
Michelle Lynne: It's a vanity metric.
Lezlie Swink: It is. And it grows. But I'm more concerned, okay, whenever you come into my community, are you the right fit for my community? Right? I mean, I don't not to say like, I don't want you there if you're not like a designer, that's not what I'm saying. But it's like, I don't want you to come and then not engage, right? Because that just hurts my account. So I want to make sure that whenever somebody comes in that I'm making a connection with them, and building that relationship with them. And I'll tell you, that's how I built my business, is Instagram and the connections that I've made.
Michelle Lynne: Which makes sense, which is why I felt like I knew you when we logged on. So nice work, Lezlie.
Lezlie Swink: Thank you.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, so to recap what you're saying for our listeners, it doesn't matter how many people are following you. You know, that's just kind of like I said, a vanity metric. The goal is really to have them engaging with you because then that's going to help you grow. But also, y'all, if they're not calling to hire you, why are you even on Instagram?
Lezlie Swink: Right. Right. Right.
Michelle Lynne: Because they need to be calling.
Lezlie Swink: Yes, yes. And as much as it is connecting with like a potential client, it's also connecting with other people in the industry. It's connecting with people who, we always call them, we call them nurture accounts, and we want to build relationships. We want to help our clients build relationships with other people who have maybe direct access to their ideal client. So we want to build that relationship so then when it comes time where it's like, oh, you know, so and so needs a designer, I mean, you're top of mind for somebody to refer you.
Michelle Lynne: That makes sense. Yeah, it's about business, not just about pretty grids.
Lezlie Swink: Yeah, it is. It is. And I know a lot of designers and I get it, I will still tell you that. And to an extent, I do believe that like a perfectly curated grid, while that is not as prevalent, or kind of like the standard with Instagram anymore, I think for designers, there is something to be said that it still does have to look good. People are hiring you for your eye and how are you presenting that? Now when they're just starting out, like it's totally okay, I mean you're just not going to have a lot of stuff. Then you start showing that behind-the-scenes stuff. I mean, we all start somewhere. So don't hold back because you're like, well, I don't have any finished projects, or I only have a few finished projects.
Michelle Lynne: Y'all just heard that from the expert. Get your booty out there and post what you have.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, so I generally teach, grab your iPhone or your, what's that other brand, Android? I think it's Android. Grab your smartphone, okay, just grab your smartphone and you can take photos that are still interesting. They could be vignettes, or they could be a lovely photo of something that inspires you, and that's suitable to put on your grid. But using stock photos, not such a great idea.
Lezlie Swink: Those never get traction. Ever.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah.
Lezlie Swink: So, no, I would, yeah, just like I agree.
Michelle Lynne: Avoid stock photos.
Lezlie Swink: Grab your phone, just start playing around. And I'll tell you what, I mean, this camera phones these days, wow, they take some great pictures.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah. And then Linda Holt, who was on the, what are we on? Podcast, yeah. Monday, not enough coffee maybe. Linda Holt actually has a program that teaches you how to use your smartphone to take photos. And I'll have to figure out, I'll have to go back and look and see what episode she was on and link that in the show notes. But there's no excuse anymore. There's no excuse for not having content.
Lezlie Swink: There's really not, there's not. I mean, you know, the photos, you can take yourself. Having a scheduling tool, like, I know that you guys have come out with Sidemark, that's a great option. And I saw too, that you even have AI integrated into it. So you're not even, you don't even have to start from nothing. You can like get some help with it, schedule it out, and boom, you're done and then show up on stories.
Michelle Lynne: Exactly, exactly. Well, thanks for the plug there, Lezlie. Yeah, y'all should check out mysidemark.com if you're wondering what she's talking about. Mysidemark.com. Thank you very much. So, Lezlie, I love talking all things business, especially related to interior design and whatnot. But I also like to have a little bit of fun.
Lezlie Swink: Alright.
Michelle Lynne: So the next segment is our rapid fire Q&A sesh. And it's just so that our listeners can get to know you a little bit better. Because just like we're preaching, it's all about being personal.
Lezlie Swink: Right. Exactly.
Michelle Lynne: So, dun, dun, dun. When was the last time you laughed so hard you peed yourself?
Lezlie Swink: Oh, my gosh, um, I don't think I've actually ever done that.
Michelle Lynne: After how many kids? That's impressive.
Lezlie Swink: I would probably have to say that it might have been back in March, because I went to my, went back to my hometown and spent, we still have slumber parties with the girls that I grew up with. I've known them since kindergarten.
Michelle Lynne: Oh how fun.
Lezlie Swink: We're in our 40s and we still get together and have slumber parties. So they're always a really good time.
Michelle Lynne: That's awesome. And how fun that you've got so much history with these women?
Lezlie Swink: I know. I know.
Michelle Lynne: And you still like each other?
Lezlie Swink: Yes, we do.
Michelle Lynne: That's impressive. Well, then let's ask, what did you want to be when you were growing up? When you were back, hanging out as a child with these people?
Lezlie Swink: You know, I never really had a profession in mind. But I did know that I always wanted to be a mommy.
Michelle Lynne: Aww, I love that.
Lezlie Swink: I wanted to be a mom.
Michelle Lynne: And how many kids did you say you have, three?
Lezlie Swink: I have three.
Michelle Lynne: Yep. I think you won. You did it, Lezlie. So where do you find inspiration?
Lezlie Swink: Oh, I would say inspiration hits me, well, every time, I love to garden. And so anytime I'm out in the flowerbed, knee deep in dirt, that's when all of my best ideas come and I have no way of like jotting them down. So usually whenever it's the most inconvenient time, that's when inspiration hits. In the shower, going to sleep, you know, driving.
Michelle Lynne: You know what I think? I think it's just because our brain is giving us like permission to just be empty. And so it just says, Hey, here you go.
Lezlie Swink: Yes, I totally agree with that. I do. And that's what I say, yes, if you're ever feeling stumped on anything, like get up, walk away, go take a walk or something.
Michelle Lynne: Absolutely. Absolutely. So any tattoos?
Lezlie Swink: No tattoos.
Michelle Lynne: No tattoos?
Lezlie Swink: No, I'm a chicken.
Michelle Lynne: Well, you have to find something that you love that you want to have on your body for the rest of your life.
Lezlie Swink: Well, yes.
Michelle Lynne: So chicken, I don't think, that's just a serious commitment. Okay, what is your favorite book?
Lezlie Swink: Um, so my favorite book is, oh, and I hope I get this right, What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman. I love the author, she's fantastic. I will say because the Hunger Games, I mean, I was one of those people that got wrapped up in that whole series, and then, you know like when you finish reading like a really good book, and it's such a letdown. You're like, what am I going to do with my life now?
Michelle Lynne: Is that the same author of Hunger Games, Ellen Marie Wiseman?
Lezlie Swink: No, that's, I can't even think of the name of her, but no. So What She Left Behind was like the first book that I read after that series where I'm like, okay, this is really good.
Michelle Lynne: That says a lot. That says a lot.
Lezlie Swink: Yes.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, good. I love that question because I get all sorts of new ideas and new interests that are introduced to me. Okay, Lezlie, what's your biggest pet peeve?
Lezlie Swink: Oh, when people don't put their shopping carts back, like at the grocery store, like to the cart return.
Michelle Lynne: There you go.
Lezlie Swink: That's a lot.
Michelle Lynne: There's two types of people. Those that do and those that don't.
Lezlie Swink: Well, when you live in, and I'm sure Michelle, you can appreciate this too, because Dallas isn't too far. But when you live in Oklahoma, and the wind blows the way that it does, and you have dings in the cars.
Michelle Lynne: Valid point. Valid point. Yeah, you can see them literally going across the parking lot.
Lezlie Swink: Oh yeah.
Michelle Lynne: Okay, last one, easy one. What's your favorite color and what do you think it says about you?
Lezlie Swink: Oh, hands down green. I love green. And I think for green, I don't know what it says. I mean, I think it's just, I think it's such I mean, it's a natural color. And I am in my element when I'm out in nature.
Michelle Lynne: There you go.
Lezlie Swink: I think that's why I connect with that color so much.
Michelle Lynne: And it's just so soothing.
Lezlie Swink: It is.
Michelle Lynne: Almost any hue. Well, maybe not the electric green, but.
Lezlie Swink: Except a neon green, that hurts my eyes.
Michelle Lynne: Yeah, that takes me back. That takes me back, I'm not gonna tell you how long ago that takes me back. So Lezlie, thank you for being on the show.
Lezlie Swink: Oh, thank you so much for having me.
Michelle Lynne: This was so much fun. Yeah, it's neat to connect, and not just on social.
Lezlie Swink: I know.
Michelle Lynne: I know the audience, our listeners, have loved everything you've shared. So how can they connect with you?
Lezlie Swink: Okay, well, you can find me on Instagram, at swink.social.co, really, you can go anywhere and just put in Swink Social Co, and I'll come up. There's not a whole lot of other Swink Social Cos out there.
Michelle Lynne: Not so many, huh?
Lezlie Swink: No.
Michelle Lynne: Well, I will make sure those details are listed in the show notes for our audience to reference. And for those of you who can benefit from even more resources surrounding the business of running your interior design business, you know what I'm going to tell you, join the growing community on Facebook's private group, the Interior Designers Business Launchpad. That's my group. I go live on a regular basis. It's a very supportive group. And y'all, I know it's on Facebook, but it's just the easiest place to have a private group where we can love and support each other. And speaking of love and support, wherever you're listening to this podcast, drop a review. It really does help keep our podcast relevant. So thanks again for being here, Lezlie.
Lezlie Swink: Thank you.
Michelle Lynne: And for the rest of you, we'll see you next time.
Michelle Lynne: Hey, y'all. If you love the show and find it useful, I would really appreciate it if you would share with your friends and followers. And if you like what you're hearing, want to put a face with the name and get even more business advice, then join me in my Facebook group, the Interior Designers Business Launchpad. Yeah, I know it's Facebook, but just come on in for the training and then leave without scrolling your feed. It's fun. I promise you'll enjoy it. And finally, I hear it's good for business to get ratings on your podcast. So please drop yours on whatever platform you use to listen to this. We're all about community over competition, so let's work on elevating our industry, one designer at a time. See you next time.
