Episode 71: Declare Your Brand with Rachael Bozsik

podcast

Show Notes

My next badass guest is Rachael Bozsik. She helps women create a legacy and market themselves in a way that feels powerful and in alignment with their brand. Rachael has been recognized as the “go-to” elite personal branding coach for luxury interior designers. She focuses on getting you fewer clients and more money. And don’t we all want that?

In this episode, we chat about why you need to declare your brand to the world, partnership options for interior designers, and ideas on where to start with positioning yourself. Rachael shares a ton of great information with us. You don’t want to miss this one!

Learn more about working with Rachael by visiting www.rachaelbozsik.com and following her on Instagram.

The 3rd Annual Interior Design Business Success Summit will be October 12-14, 2022. Visit www.designedforthecreativemind.com/summit for more details and to reserve your ticket.

About Michelle

Michelle Lynne began her interior design career after spending more than two decades working in Corporate America. She began in the home staging arena and has since built a successful, award-winning, full-service interior design firm, employing talented designers and serving clients across the country.

In the summer of 2018, Michelle began focusing on a big gap she saw missing in the interior design industry: teaching interior designers how to run the business of an interior design business. She now engages in private coaching and leads an in-depth, 12-month group coaching program, both options focus on teaching designers profitable processes, systems, strategies, and mindset needed to run a streamlined, profitable interior design firm.

Her motto is simple: we rise by lifting others.

Thank you to our sponsor for their support!

Satanoff Insurance is focused on client connections and customized coverage … Be sure to tell them we sent you!

Connect with Michelle

To stay in touch with Michelle, please follow her on Instagram and join our Free Facebook Community!

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Email me!

Podcast edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC.

If you are interested in help with starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing your podcast, you may email Haili Murch at [email protected] or you can click on one of the links below to book a call:

Need help launching a podcast? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/hailimurch/podcast-launch-discovery-call

Current podcaster looking for monthly support with your podcast? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/hailimurch/podcastmanagement

Current podcaster needing to rebrand and revamp your show or feel stuck and don't know what to do next? Our Podcast Relaunch Program might be a good fit for you. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/hailimurch/podcast-relaunch-discovery-call

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: Hello, everybody. Welcome back to the podcast. And yes, I know I say this every time but I'm so glad you're here because my guest today is a total badass. Okay, get ready for this bio. Rachael Bozsik is an international keynote speaker and the in-demand elite personal branding coach behind some of the nation's most talented interior designers from LuAnn Niagara, Sandra Funk, Kathy Kuo, and more. From Harvard Business School to Forbes, Rachael has been recognized as the “go-to” Elite personal branding coach for luxury interior designers. With an extensive background in monetizing personal brands, women seek their strategic expertise when they are ready to land consistent luxury clients, exclusive press, and 7-figure partnerships. Think - being positioned as the "go to" for luxury new builds, press in Elle Decor, paid speaking at High Point Market, and partnership with luxury architects who fill the pipeline for you. With the truly innate ability to build lucrative brands, over 40 press outlets and 30+ Universities have requested Rachael as a speaker to share her distinguished craft. And here she is on my little ol' podcast.

Rachael Bozsik: Hi. Thank you for having me. I'm excited.

Michelle Lynne: I'm excited too. And it's funny, just before we started recording, we were talking about how we have some mutual friends. And it's just such a small world.

Rachael Bozsik: It is. The design industry is small. And it's fun.

Michelle Lynne: Yes, it is definitely fun. And I think that that's a good point, just starting off, is that because the design industry is so small, it's imperative that we manage our reputation. And just really, you know, just be cognizant of it. It's not just about the business, but it's also about the other designers and the energy that you send out. So I'm going all over the place. But let's talk about, so what exactly do you do? That's a lot of stuff. And I think I understand it, but if you were to break it down

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah. So in short, I work with women, interior designers, and I support them to really monetize their personal brands. So my clients come to me when they're in a position in their business where they are like, I am exhausted working on so many small projects, or working with a ton of clients. I want to go from 30 clients a year, 40 clients here, whatever it is, down to like 10. How do I do it? I want less clients, more money. And I am behind the scenes of positioning these women for luxury. And then we do the four Ps, it's press, positioning, sometimes it's paid speaking, 20-30%, and then those partnerships.

Michelle Lynne: So give me an example of a client that you helped with those four Ps.

Rachael Bozsik: Well, I love that because you and I were just chatting about this like two seconds ago, before we hopped on. You were mentioning that you were on a flight to IDS. And you connected with one of my clients, Robin Burrill, who's going to be speaking at your Summit coming up.

Michelle Lynne: Yes.

Rachael Bozsik: So Robin, literally two days ago was here with me in Chicago. We do intensive coaching days, I call them Luxe Days, they're in Chicago or Charleston. And she came to me where she was like, you know, listen, I'm at a point in my career where I really want to work with clients that give me the full scope of their home. I want everything from design to construction, studs to styling, I want to own it. Right?

Michelle Lynne: Yes, and I can totally her hear saying that too.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, so I will get with a woman, and I'll say okay, so how are we going to do this? The first thing is positioning you in the luxury market in Dallas, as the go-to for this. Let's talk about press. Let's talk about getting you featured in AD, Better Homes and Gardens, and really making sure that you're known as the go to, and for her, partnerships. So who fills the pipeline for those types of clients is architects, builders, Realtors. So how do we form the relationships with those individuals, let's say a luxury real estate broker, so they will fill the pipeline for her? That's a perfect example.

Michelle Lynne: I love that.

Rachael Bozsik: I just saw her, yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Yes, I know, it's such a small world. So what are some ideas? Like, if somebody's just starting, or somebody's wanting to build their bank account so they can invest in somebody like you, what are some ideas for them to position themselves? Like, where do you start?

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah. So I think the first thing is really recognizing that there's power in niching down. I always tell my clients, actually I was featured, or I had an article with AD recently, and I was quoted in saying, people don't pay top dollar for general experts. Meaning there's a lot of people calling themselves designers, that is positioning yourself as a general expert, and you're not that. So start asking yourself and looking around like what clients do I really enjoy working with? What sorts of projects do I really thrive in? Is it historic homes? Is it people with new builds? Is it individuals that are buying their first property? I had a client that we niched down and she just does luxury six-figure playrooms. Right? I have other clients that yeah, there's a niche down. You know, I have clients where we really specialize in luxury new builds custom homes, or I have clients where we do multigenerational properties, or clients where we'll say it's historic homes, or clients were at second and third family homes. So I would say step one is really looking around and identifying like, what groups do I really enjoy serving, because people, I will say it again, people don't pay top dollar for general experts. And if you want to work with less clients more money, your power is going to be in your niche.

Michelle Lynne: Well, that makes, because a lot of people are afraid to niche down because they think that they're going to limit their market. But you're right, people are going to pay top dollar, because I'm not going to do a six-figure playroom. I mean, I'd like to, but people aren't going to hire me to do that. They're gonna hire the expert at that.

Rachael Bozsik: Right. And I always tell my clients, like when you don't declare your brand, other people are going to declare it for you. When you don't declare it, other people declare it for you.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, that's powerful.

Rachael Bozsik: Isn't that good? Well, it's the truth. And honestly, I've been sharing this a little bit on social recently, but my fiancé was involved in a massive accident. About three months ago, he was on his bike and got hit by a car. He's okay, no head, no neck, no back or spine injury, like we're okay. But he just got out of a wheelchair like it's been a storm. But the reason why I'm bringing this up is because I think there was a great metaphor and something that I'm using often with my clients. So when we got to the hospital, the first thing that started happening was, we were on the floor with everybody and anybody, right? They were like just trying to figure out what was going on. We had the nurses, we had doctors, we had ER, like we had EMS, like all that. Everyone was there. And what do I do? Naturally, I act like a pitbull, right? Like, I'm like, I don't know anyone here. I don't trust anyone here, and I'm panicked, right? And then it felt like a decade later, but honestly, it was probably like 30 minutes, we got brought upstairs and we had a surgeon come in. And he said, Listen, I'm a specialized hand trauma surgeon. So all of these wrist breaks, elbow break, leg breaks, that's not me. But I want to specifically talk about the hands. I'm here at Northwestern and I've done thousands of these surgeries. I do these surgeries for top pianists in the world, like we are going to get you moving your hands. This is my specialty. So I'm using this example because, because what do I start to do? I start to take a deep breath. I started becoming like the brand ambassador like salesperson for this guy. I'm like texting all my friends and family being like, you guys, he does the top pianists. He's like the top at Northwestern. And now I'm like, Oh my gosh, I would like sell everything to make sure we get in with this guy. So the difference is, is floor number one, there are general practitioners. Floor number two, specialized surgeon. Specialized surgery is where your money is, specialized surgery is where clients trust you, specialized surgery where the recognition in your work. I help my clients go from general practitioner to specialized surgeon. That's the best way to say it.

Michelle Lynne: Absolutely. That is a great example.

Rachael Bozsik: Isn't that such a good metaphor?

Michelle Lynne: Yes. So thank goodness your fiancé’s okay. Holy crap.

Rachael Bozsik: He is totally okay; it was a ride. It was a ride. But like from that it just like just goes to show like, when you're spending big dollars, you want to make sure that you're in the hands of someone that says, this is my expertise. So it goes back to what we were just saying like, if you don't declare your brand, the market will declare it for you. Meaning you're gonna have referrals that are smaller, you're gonna have random people reaching out for projects that don't align. So if you're a new interior designer, I would start looking around and thinking, Who do I enjoy? Who do I enjoy, and then what do I enjoy? And honestly, like, the majority of my clients are in a position where they've played around in their business a little bit, so some of them are like, as you mentioned, like big time, big name interior designers. But then I also have like, a big, big section of my clients that are up and comers, and they just haven't figured it out yet. So I would say like, take a deep breath, just start observing, I do a lot of work helping my clients to figure out that niche and positioning that niche. But you can start looking around yourself.

Michelle Lynne: No, I love that. And in fact, in my paid program, my mentorship, The Interior Design Business Bakery, one of the first exercises is riches is in the niches. And drilling down to determine, who do you like working with?

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, because it's so important.

Michelle Lynne: You don't have to work with everybody.

Rachael Bozsik: No, and you shouldn't be right for everyone, either.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, my gosh, yeah, that was a big aha moment when I was a baby in business. It was just, I wanted to please everybody. And now it's just like, that ain't gonna work. You're not going to like me for that.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah. And I think it's hard as women to number one, be able to say no, right, in a lot of ways. And then the second thing I see, because I only work with women. So I see this all day, every day, them having a hard time with self-promotion. And if you're the specialized surgeon, there's really an art and there's a science to the self-promotion. If this hand surgeon didn't tell me that he does trauma surgery for hands, I wouldn't have the same trust. So there's really an art and a science to it. And in addition to figuring out the niche, another big thing that I do with my clients I think is so incredibly important, is making sure that you're marketed as the go to. I always tell my clients, in the luxury market, they're buying you first and your portfolio second.

Michelle Lynne: Absolutely.

Rachael Bozsik: So why are you credited for that niche, becomes the next section. You can't just be like, and I'm doing luxury playrooms, right? Like, okay, that's great. I'm glad you found a niche. But part two of it is like why you over everyone else? Or you want large custom? Guess what, sister? Same with everyone else. So why you, becomes the second piece.

Michelle Lynne: I love that. And it's true. Oftentimes, we shrink, for a variety of reasons. So you were talking that you also work with individuals who are just kind of up and comers. What stage would you suggest you start thinking about press, positioning, partnerships? I guess that's three of the four Ps.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, yeah. So I always tell my clients, the sooner we can figure this out, the more success you're gonna have. Right? The sooner you niche down, the sooner you start getting press, the more success you're going to have. So I see women at various stages in their business. Usually, they're at a point where they've worked a few years in their business, you know, they've hired their first employee or virtual assistant or whatever that looks like. And now they're ready to really be taking themselves to the next level. So they're not like day one in business by any means, but like, they have some images in a portfolio that I can help them rebrand and remarket and putting together marketing packets for them.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, I love that. In fact, you and I were talking before we hit record that one of my bakers had come to you.

Rachael Bozsik: Yep.

Michelle Lynne: Your program, as a client. And that was fun to hear. Because I think that you're right, once you kind of feel like you have your feet, you can start owning your

Rachael Bozsik: Then it's like, how can I start making some serious cash, becomes the question. Yeah. I'm always like, how are we monetizing you, sister? Like, that's what I'm concerned about. So it's like, they do some projects, right? Like, they have experience as a designer, they know how to handle you know, doing proposals and whatnot and the installs, and then they're like, Okay, I am tired. I'm working with too many clients; how do I work with less? Sometimes it's two years into business. You know, oftentimes I'm seeing around two or three years and then I'm oftentimes seeing I'm 15, 20 years in business, it just depends.

Michelle Lynne: It's also just knowing the options, because when I got into interior design, I didn't know. Like, I didn't know what I didn't know. And back in the day, there weren't people who were out there talking about it.

Rachael Bozsik: Sure.

Michelle Lynne: So, I was just thinking, where was Rachael in my career like 10 years ago?

Rachael Bozsik: You're sweet to say that. Robin said that to me the other day and it just, it means so much to me. Because I feel like I get to work with the most talented in the industry, like the most creative, incredible women. And then I come in and I'm only tweaking, you know, five to ten percent. I'm not tweaking your blueprints, I'm not telling Sandra Funk how to design a room, right, but I'm coming in and I'm changing it. And that's where your money is. So it's really powerful for me, because I feel like I get to help women take care of their families. I get to help women create a legacy, and really market themselves in a way that feels powerful and in alignment.

Michelle Lynne: And I also think that what you said is like, you're not tweaking everything. It's just a few degrees here and there.

Rachael Bozsik: No, I am not your systems coach, I am not your financial coach. I am like, let's get you less clients, more money.

Michelle Lynne: Absolutely, you're the specialist.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, I had a client recently, and she made about $600 grand in her business last year, and she just closed $600 grand in the past three weeks, from us doing her consultation call scripts and editing. So she was sitting on it, we just had to rework it. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Well, and that's also part of it is that, you know, if you're flying, and you're flying from Hawaii to New York City, if you're off by just a couple of degrees, you're gonna end up somewhere in Canada.

Rachael Bozsik: I know, right? And it's hard to view yourself as a consumer, it really is. And I sit in the personal branding space all day, every day. But even when, you know, I'm auditing my programs or website, I'm always looking to other women to have their insight because it's hard to view yourself as a consumer. It really is.

Michelle Lynne: Absolutely. So who will you consider as a client? Like, does every interior designer that contacts you, are they a potential client for you?

Rachael Bozsik: Good question. Yeah. So the first thing that I look for is a woman that's ready to run, and she's ready to run quickly. Because how I work is I'm developing all of her notes, right? Like, I'm literally handing over 30 pages. I'm like, here's your copy and paste pitch template to send to the press. Here's your website audit. Here's your consultation call script. Like, here is your business plan, like 30 plus pages.

Michelle Lynne: Amazing.

Rachael Bozsik: Right? Here you go, here's your marketing. So I want a woman that's going to run and she's going to run quickly. I'm only working with about three clients a month. So I become incredibly invested in my women. I'm behind the scenes being like, you have a call with who? Say this, don't say this. And then I'm like, how did it go? Tell me everything. Spill the tea, right? So number one, that's incredibly important. Typically, my clients are making over $500 grand a year, sometimes less, sometimes $300 let's say, but they have been just moving and growing incredibly quickly. It's really like that spot where they're like, things are working, things are moving. I've hired a few people or maybe have a VA, I'm getting some larger projects, and they're like, I want more of it. How do I do it? That's when they're really coming to me.

Michelle Lynne: I love that. That makes perfect sense too. Because it's like, let's just put the frosting on. It just makes the whole process sweeter. That's why I call my program, The Interior Design Business Bakery.

Rachael Bozsik: It's really adorable. I like it, yeah. So they're around then. Sometimes, like I said, sometimes it's three years that they're in. And sometimes that's happening at 10 years. It just depends on the woman. But they're typically, like over I would say around $500 grand, maybe a little bit less. But like quick, quick, quick movers.

Michelle Lynne: Well, you're not inexpensive. So you need somebody who's got a little bit of loot in the bank and willing to understand that it's an investment.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, my client's really looking at the work with me, as she's gonna make it back in upgrading someone on a light fixture, right? Like, in the next work together, or my client's looking at my work being like, oh my gosh, like, I'm gonna go get my largest client as a result of our work together, it pays for itself, and then I have the tools forever.

Michelle Lynne: Absolutely. And that's something that a lot of people have a hard time getting their mind around. It's not an expense, it's an investment.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: So when you can take somebody and they will, you know, take their money and increase it exponentially, that's not an expense. An expense is a new printer.

Rachael Bozsik: Sure. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: But you and I do the same thing. It's like, my program's not inexpensive. But if they could turn around and make that money back in a short period of time, and then raise it exponentially over the next year, same thing with you.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, I always look at it, as like, what are you willing to pay to skip a five-year learning curve? I say to my clients, you want to double or triple your sales in a year? And you want to be featured in AD and Wall Street Journal and New York Times and your largest clients to date, what are you willing to pay for it?

Michelle Lynne: Right.

Rachael Bozsik: You know, I coach virtually at $9,500 and I coach in-person at $15,500. I'm like, is that worth like, right under $10 grand for you to get your dream client and get featured in AD? But it just depends, right? Because if you're in an early stage of your business and super overwhelmed and you know, you have to figure things out and you're scared to jump in, then the answer's no. And that's okay. I think that we meet women where they're at when they're ready, which I think is an important thing too.

Michelle Lynne: I love that. Yes. Because it does, it takes courage.

Rachael Bozsik: It does. It takes courage to really believe and invest in yourself and say, I'm ready to run and I'm gonna take advantage of the support that I'm getting.

Michelle Lynne: Right. And knowing that you're out there.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, yeah.

Michelle Lynne: So, talk to me about partnerships. Because I don't fully grasp, I've just heard a variety of different things. Tell me what,

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, what am I considering a partnership?

Michelle Lynne: Yeah. And what are different options for designers?

Rachael Bozsik: Okay, so two groupings on partnerships that my clients fit into, one or the other. Public-facing partnerships. I have clients that want the HGTV show, and we are pitching them for HGTV. I have the clients that want the Rizzoli book deal, I'm helping them get the book deal. I have clients that want a licensing line with Kravit. Public-facing partnerships, I'd say about that's 20, 30% of my clients.

Michelle Lynne: Is there a lot of money in it?

Rachael Bozsik: It depends, it depends on what the deal is, what it looks like, and then how they're using it as leverage later, right? Like, there's big money to be made in having like a Target licensing line. But in order to get to a Target licensing line, there's smaller steps that you take to get there. In many cases, it's a woman that I meet, and she has a personality. And she is someone to, you know, really, really, they walk in the room, and they are just like a star and you just absolutely adore them. So I recently had a client and she was a public-facing partnership. Once again, that's like probably honestly, like a fourth of my clients. The other grouping of the clients are fitting into partnerships where I'm viewing them as pipeline-filling partnerships. Not public, pipeline-selling partnerships. So partnering with individuals that fill the pipeline for you. So we'll use Robin as an example, just because you and I were both chatting about her. Right? Robin's husband does tons of renovations, so they are natural partners to fill each other's pipeline. However, there's a lot of other interior designers that aren't married to someone in the same field as them.

Michelle Lynne: Right.

Rachael Bozsik: So if you are a luxury interior designer or wanting to step into the luxury market, you partnering with luxury Realtors, luxury builders, that when they see someone that matches your specialized surgery, whatever that is, right? That you're declaring, they go ahead and they give you the call. Okay, so it is like having like five people around you. It might be two builders, one Realtor. It could even be a yacht salesman, depends what market you're sitting in, right? Or my client that we just have her specializing in playrooms, we have concierge pediatricians, we have principals at those like six-figure nursery schools, and those individuals are pipeline fillers. So I have conversations with my clients of how do we approach these individuals? What do we say to them? How do we pitch yourself? What marketing materials do they get? And what do they get for referring you, and it depends.

Michelle Lynne: I love that.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, so they're pipeline fillers. And I always tell my clients, my goal with them is that they're sitting behind a velvet rope. And like, I want to trademark that, and I asked my lawyer and they're like, you can't trademark velvet rope. I always say it in a sense of you're sitting behind a velvet rope. And your goal when you're positioned as a specialized surgeon, is that people fill the pipeline for you. That you have the builder calling you saying, oh my gosh, Katie, I have this dream client. They're building this home. And it's really you know, X, Y and Z, which matches you. I talked about you. I sold you. I told them that you were in Better Homes and Gardens and House Beautiful, and they're so excited to connect with you. You're like pretty much at the finish line. You just got to do the call. Yeah. So that's a lot of my clients. Big, big, big money comes from is us strategically setting up partnerships.

Michelle Lynne: And that makes perfect sense. We used to have our studio right outside of a private airport. And I'm like, how do I get in there? Yeah. Yeah, that would have been a perfect opportunity.

Rachael Bozsik: Right. But you want to make sure before you go after partnerships, because I see women do this often and they're just like, Hi, I'm a designer, and I'm like, oh, no, right? That's like everyone else. You've got to tell them who you are, what your niche, is what you do. And then it's always helpful to have the press behind you. So if you want to go to that private airport, it's very nice for you to have New York Times behind you. Or AD or Elle Decor. Right? Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: It just gives you some street cred.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, that's really the work that I do is helping women figure out like, what is her special factor? What is this niche that we can make money on? And how do I help her market herself? So we can really get her into a position where it's less clients, more money. So similar to how designers walk into the room, and I see this often where they're like, look at the fireplace and they're like, let's flank it this way with two sofas and do this, they almost get a download. I get a similar download, but it's just monetizing a woman. It's just in a different market.

Michelle Lynne: That's amazing.

Rachael Bozsik: It's fun.

Michelle Lynne: What did you do before this?

Rachael Bozsik: So I sold my previous company. So I went to High Point University in North Carolina. So I've been in the design industry for a long time. I used to, when I was like 17, 18-years-old be setting up market and being like, can I buy a floor sample and like putting it in my bedroom. I'll take the scratch and dented. I like probably imported like ten Regina Andrews lamps at the time, like very cute.

Michelle Lynne: That's hilarious.

Rachael Bozsik: Yes. So I went to High Point University. I studied design. I was a licensed Realtor very, very young in my career. I became a licensed Realtor at 20. And just was always obsessed with professional development. I used to do marketing for Ro Sham Beaux, Hooker Furniture, and Phillips Collection. I was doing all of their book signings, right, with like Carleton Varney, What's New, What's Next, New York Design Center, High Point Market. I was organizing all the parties, book signings, and really was Marketing and PR behind some really interesting brands. And then I ended up this is like, I'm gonna try to really condense it. But along the way, saw really, young women that were in college that were so incredibly talented. I went to a design school. So lots of interior design women, right or fashion girls that were saying to me like, wait, how did you get this really cool job? Like going to New York City and going to Dallas and Vegas? And how do you do it? So I started organically coaching college women to really position themselves and their brand to land their dream jobs. So I'd be like, what do you really good at? How can we market you? How can I get you ready for the interview? And then all of a sudden, I started landing dream jobs. And I was like, Okay, I'm on something.

Michelle Lynne: There's something here, I need to monetize myself.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah. So at 22, 23 I started a private coaching practice called The Brand Girls. And I had a team of seven that were really training and teaching my methodology across the country. Spoke at, you mentioned 30 universities, it was actually 75 universities. And I was partnering with Oprah's Leadership Academy or speaking at Cornell, or Teen Vogue was bringing me in on their events. And it was incredible from a mission perspective. I mean, we are taking girls from, you know, trailer parks in Kentucky to working their dream job at Vogue. And what was incredibly interesting to me along the way was, they were so incredibly talented. They had the GPA, they had the leadership skills, but they just didn't know how to market themselves. Same thing with the clients I work with now. They're so incredibly talented, they just don't know how to market themselves.

Michelle Lynne: That's amazing.

Rachael Bozsik: So I ran that company for years, I used to keynote speak in my heels, like all across the country, coaching women, you know, ended up selling that company. And along the way, my girlfriends who were also in the design industry, of course, were saying to me like, wait, how did you get that feature? Or like, how did you get that partnership? So I started organically coaching my girlfriends, connecting in the industry, going back to all my contacts, back to my university days. And then that's how I do the work now. So now I'm production behind the scenes of some really incredible women, showing them what I did with my career. It's really, I'm saying like, I've done it before. I didn't want to be so public facing like I used to be, and now let me show you how to do it with your business.

Michelle Lynne: Right. I love that. And it just goes to show that when you find like your secret sauce, your superpower, you know exactly that this is where you're supposed to be.

Rachael Bozsik: Oh my gosh, it just feels so in alignment, doesn't it? I'm like, it's always been my calling to like, look at a woman and be like, this is what makes you awesome. Let me help you monetize it and reach those opportunities. It's special to me.

Michelle Lynne: That's very cool. And I think a lot of people listening can understand that from a design standpoint, because I mean, how many times do I get a phone call, hey, can you come over and help me rearrange my furniture? Tell me what I need to do here and there. I used to work for wine.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, yeah. No, I know though.

Michelle Lynne: I can, you know, sell me a vineyard.

Rachael Bozsik: Totally, right? I remember back in my university days when I started my first company, I was like, oh my gosh, I spent like $18 on groceries a week, I bootstrapped that business, and I was like a Bacon Turkey Bravo at Panera was like, I will coach for an hour. But like, everyone goes through the stages of trying to figure it out. Yeah, and I think that's what makes the story so beautiful, you know, for everyone as entrepreneurs. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, that is too fun, too fun. Rachel, I could sit here and talk to you forever. But instead of going down the bunny trail of more business, I also like to have some fun. So the next segment is a quick, rapid fire Q&A session, just so that we can all get to know you a little bit better.

Rachael Bozsik: Okay.

Michelle Lynne: Okay. So when was the last time you laughed until you almost peed yourself?

Rachael Bozsik: Oh my gosh.

Michelle Lynne: We're starting off with a good one.

Rachael Bozsik: That's such a good one. Honestly, it's been a rough past few months with the accident. But I had a girlfriend that called me, and we were just cracking up, so maybe like two weeks ago? Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Yeah, probably a nice relief at that point.

Rachael Bozsik: Yes, yes. Thank God for girlfriends. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Amen to that. Where do you find inspiration?

Rachael Bozsik: Oh my gosh, homes. I'm obsessed with real estate. I spent two hours on Zillow a night. I'm not kidding. We're looking for our dream home right now, so Zillow it is.

Michelle Lynne: So fun. Stalking it. So what is your favorite color? And what do you think it says about you?

Rachael Bozsik: I'm split between a mauve and a forest green. I'm gonna go with a forest green. I love everything Ralph Lauren. Cozy intimacy and I think that's just like how I run my life. It's very, very intimate relationships. I'm not a group coach. I'm a one-on-one. I am like, in your field. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Right. Very fun. What was your favorite subject in school?

Rachael Bozsik: Art History.

Michelle Lynne: There's a theme here. If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

Rachael Bozsik: Helping women become and monetize their best self.

Michelle Lynne: So if you won $10 million tomorrow, what would you spend it on? Besides your dream home.

Rachael Bozsik: So I sit on a board of a children's home of kids taken from Child Protective Services. So each year I sponsor 50 girls for Christmas. Anywhere from undies to toys and Barbies and everywhere in between. So I think I would probably start my own children's home. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, that's really sweet.

Rachael Bozsik: They're like my favorite heroes. I ran a summer camp with them last year, like they are taken from the worst of the worst abuse cases, child abuse cases. So it's really special to give them a sense of normalcy, with summer camp and Christmas. So I'd probably do something like that. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Oh that's very cool. Hits my heart right there. Do you have an innie belly button or an outie?

Rachael Bozsik: Innie. That's cute.

Michelle Lynne: What scares the hell out of you?

Rachael Bozsik: Oh my gosh, birds. I hate them. I absolutely hate them. I will cross a street if I see a flock a pigeons, and that's not helpful. I have the pigeons in Chicago. Then when I go to our Charleston place, we have the seagull. So I just can't get away.

Michelle Lynne: Oh my gosh. Circling around. Yeah. What would you pick for your last meal?

Rachael Bozsik: Oh, probably a cheese board. I like the variety. I would do a cheese board. A cheese board, crackers bruschetta, olives. I can't pick one. But I do it all.

Michelle Lynne: You'd be simple. So a charcuterie?

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah. I love it. Yeah, yeah. Whenever my clients come to visit me, you know, and we do our dinners and stuff. I'm always like, do you want a cheese board? For dessert or to start, I'm fine either way.

Michelle Lynne: Just put some honey on it. It could go either way. Oh, that's funny. So last question is, what's the best compliment you've ever received?

Rachael Bozsik: Oh, wow. That I'm a dream maker. That I make women's dreams come true.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, that's awesome.

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, that's really special to me. Yeah.

Michelle Lynne: Agreed. That's fun. Oh, well, Rachael, thanks for being on the show today.

Rachael Bozsik: Thanks for having me. I had a lot of fun.

Michelle Lynne: Yeah, me too. I've just loved everything. I feel like there's a connection. Just, I think both of us serve a lot of women and it's just such a special place to be. So um, tell our audience how or where they can connect with you.

Rachael Bozsik: Okay, well, I'm always on Instagram. I'm taking a little bit of a detox right now. My assistant is doing my posting. So I'm not sure when this is going to air, but it's @rachaelbozsik. If you just want to say hi, I use it as like a scrapbook almost. And if you're interested in working with me and learning more about you know how I work with clients, you can visit my website. It's rachelbozsik.com to apply to work with me and we can kind of take it from there.

Michelle Lynne: And spelling, this is all gonna be in the show notes y'all, but her last name is spelled exactly like it sounds B-O-Z-S-I-K.

Rachael Bozsik: You got it. And Rachael with an extra A.

Michelle Lynne: Oh, you do have an extra A, don't you?

Rachael Bozsik: Yeah, R-A-C-H-A-E-L.

Michelle Lynne: Thanks, mom.

Rachael Bozsik: My sister got the name Claudia. And I got the name Rachael. I'm like, why did she get the special name? My mom said, well, there's an extra A in yours, so I guess that's what makes it special.

Michelle Lynne: That's so funny. Well, I will make sure that all of those details are listed in the show notes so that our audience can reference it. And for those of you who can benefit from even more resources to running the business of running your interior design business, join the growing community on Facebook's private group. Yep, I know, it's Facebook, but it's the best place to run a group. And that is called the Interior Designer's Business Launchpad. And as an extra plug, I'm going to remind you that we're having the Interior Design Business Success Summit coming up in October, the 12th 13th, and 14th, at Dallas Market Center. All of that information you can find on my website, designedforthecreativemind.com. So until 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 a 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.

Back to the Blog