Creative Ideas to Connect with Your Clients During The Quarantine

Right now, we are all asking the question: “How do we get clients during the quarantine?!?" 

Here's a crazy idea - connect with the ones who already know and love you! 

Their vacations have been canceled and they are spending A TON of time looking around their homes realizing that the ONE SPACE you didn't design, needs some serious TLC. 

Here are a few creative ways to connect with your clients and show them how much you love them during this quarantine...

(1) DROP A GIFT

Who doesn't love a random gift? We are ALL going through some stressful situations right now and a little gift is just the thing that can brighten someone's day. 

Here are some ideas:

• A bottle of their favorite wine
• A cutting board if they like to cook
• A fun board game if they are home with the kids
• A coffee table book – leave a note on how to style it!
• A gorgeous plant – leave a note telling them which room it...

Hey hey - have you heard? I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Emi Kirschner, the founder of the Tribe of Leaders, on her podcast. It was such a fun conversation, and we talked all about processes and how they will change your business so you're running your business (instead of the other way around).

Here is what Emi said, and then click through to hear what we actually discussed. I promise it's worth your time!

"Michelle Lynne, a highly creative interior design professional. She is the owner of ML Interiors Group and the founder of Designed for the Creative Mind, a company that teaches interior designers how to run their business instead of their business running them.

Click here to listen.

"She shares valuable insights into growing a strong team and putting your business on autopilot. No matter where you are in your business, Michelle's tips will help you take the next steps to profitability and freedom."

HIGHLIGHTS

• How did Michelle got started in the design career
• ...

Why is it so dang hard for us (women in business) to ask for help? 

Mm-hm. I know you can relate. 

Seriously, we help everyone around us all the time... but when was the last time you remember asking anyone - ANYONE! - to help you? 

I totally get it, and I talked about that and more on the popular podcast Wings of Inspired Business with my friend, badass, and serial entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock.

You won't want to miss this minisode because I share my top 3 pieces of advice for women in business, and specifically, interior designers just like you. 

You'll be able to use these insights to get inspired, feel empowered, and start moving forward with your business goals TODAY.

I always love talking with Melinda, who focuses deeply on the connections between personal and business growth. As you may know very well by now and as I talk about all the time on my blog, you simply can't expect to grow your business without some major personal growth happening...

When do you know if it’s time to get a bank account for your business?

When do you know if it’s time to get a bank account for your business?  The moment you decide on opening your business, that’s when.

Once you’ve confirmed your business name, get an Employer ID number (EIN) and use that identification to open a business account (instead of your social security number).

Having your separate business banking account will make it easier to run your business.

When you are just starting your business, it might feel like it makes sense to run your transactions through your existing (personal) account, but eventually, you’ll have too many transactions to know what is coming or going. 

You can collect payments directly into your business account, and then pay your bills direct from the professional account. Managing your cash flow is much easier when the funds are not mingled.

Improve the image of your business.

When you’re in business,...

Real Talk Design (Podcast) & I Take a Deep Dive Into Processes & Pricing Models

This was such an enjoyable conversation with Michelle Binette of the Real Talk Design Podcast... it was like a conversation with a girlfriend in the same industry who UNDERSTANDS the ins and outs of running your own interior design business. The only thing missing was the face to face energy that comes from chatting over coffee (or wine). 

We cover my backstory (which many of you know by now), the way I had to change my business model and mindset when a major pivot in my business was required. And how darned surprised I was when I discovered how HARD it was to run an interior design business. (Man, there are a LOT of details!)

Looking back, it's amazing how much can change in 5 years!

Wondering how to explain to your client how you charge for your services? 

Michelle got me to loosely role-play how I deliver the message of my pricing with the client - so you can listen...

Planning for Disasters (Like The Coronavirus)

We really do need to apologize to 2019 for the way we treated it and ushered it out the door with such glee. It’s only March and 2020 is shaping up to be a doozy thanks to the coronavirus. 

Look, I won’t sugar coat it: Your interior design business is pretty much guaranteed to be negatively impacted. 

We are a luxury service industry. And when people tighten their wallets, luxury services are often one of the first to go. In the months ahead, you are likely to see fewer clients and more modest projects than you typically do. 

If you haven’t already, now is the time to really look at your emergency plan and make sure you have a long-term guideline when it comes to your business. Natural disasters happen, economic downturns happen, viruses happen. And they all provide an atmosphere that is unpredictable at best.

How To Be Prepared

With public health officials telling everyone to stay home — and work...

IT'S TIME: The Quarterly Financial Check-in

Is it just me, or is this year already FLYING by? 

The past two months have been hectic for me with a move — and designing the new house that goes along with that — not to mention launching my course again. 

And now — bam! Suddenly, it’s March and the plants outside are looking greener and less drab. Spring will be here before you know it!

But that also means there’s a deadline looming: The end of the first quarter. 

You know what you need to do. It’s time for a quarterly financial check in on your business. I know it sounds like a pain, but trust me, doing these every three months is the way to go. 

Here’s what you need to do and why:

Take account of where your business is right now

If you’ve followed my advice (you have, right?!), then you did a year-end review of your business, including setting goals for the year ahead. 

But that doesn’t mean things...

You are one in a million... It's time to act like it!

Meet Your Best Investment: Yourself

As women and designers, we are constantly bombarded with what we “should” look like, what our designs “should” look like, what we “should” be doing, how we “should” act. 

First, I want you to toss the word “should” from your vocabulary — RIGHT EFFING NOW.

No one should tell you what to do, how to act, how to look — and that means you as well.

There is no one else in the world like you — and that is a great thing. I want you to feel the power that comes with being YOURSELF.

In the social media age, it can be incredibly intimidating to do that. You’re always seeing examples of other people’s lives that lead you to think maybe you should be doing something else. 

But remember what I said a few weeks ago — comparison is the thief of joy … and that Instagrammer who appears to be...

Let's Talk About YOUR Energy

We’ve talked about confidence, we’ve talked about processes, now it’s time to talk about energy.

No, I’m not talking just about how amped — or not you feel — about a project ... or how much coffee you need in the morning to feel like you have any energy at all.

I’m talking about YOU — who you are, how you interact with others, whether you’re calm and cool or enthusiastic and bubbly, or perhaps a mixture of all the things.

It’s that space where you feel your best and work your best.

Everyone’s energy is different, and that’s FINE. You will be effective no matter what energy you possess once you understand it a little more and learn to harness it.

Because here’s the great thing about having processes and confidence in your business: It allows you to be more authentically YOU. And you’re pretty damn great, right?! (Yes, you are.)

Now let’s dive into some...

Confidence is Key

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, practice and patience (with yourself). But you can start building on it right away, little by little, step by step.

Last week we talked about overcoming imposter syndrome and gaining the confidence you need to charge what your designs are worth. 

Now it’s time to turn to the processes that will help you get there.

Why Create Repeatable Processes

I’m a die-hard advocate of creating repeatable processes in your interior design business. 

Why? It builds confidence to charge what your designs are worth and it helps you better manage your projects. 

Doesn’t that sound like a great foundation where you can begin to feel less like an imposter? It sure does. 

Over time, you’ll find you’re more and more comfortable charging for not just the final design you provide your clients but the EXPERIENCE you are giving them. 

That’s because you’re...