0:02
Welcome to design 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 Lynn.
0:49
Hey, everybody, happy day. Welcome back to the design for the creative mind podcast. I am looking forward to introducing you to my guests today. I have met these lovely ladies a few years ago and have had multiple interactions with them. And I'm just so impressed that I know you will be too. So today we are talking with Porsche Williams and Amy Robinson of the prototype. They are a concierge service specifically for interior designers. They're experts in streamlining and elevating client experience for interior design firms through personalized service, gifting and a host of other services that have proven to move the needle forward in their clients businesses. So if you're ready to stop wearing all of the hats in your business, so that you can focus on design and growth again, this episode is perfect for you. So welcome Portia and Amy. Thanks for being here, y'all.
1:43
Hi. Thanks. Great.
1:45
Thank you so much.
1:46
Oh, my gosh, this is so much fun. Absolutely so much fun. And this, I think could have been done in person. We're over zoom today. But they're local to Dallas and work with individuals and business firms over throughout the nation. You guys have points everywhere, right? So if y'all are listening and thinking, Oh, I can't use them. No worries. They're good for all of you all.
2:10
The US and Australia. Oh, you've
2:13
got Australia to know that keeps you busy. Thankfully, none of it's like lifetime. So you can actually get some sleep and get the work done during our timezone. So let's talk about the client experience. What do you guys do? And then we'll dig into some of the actual questions. But let's talk about how you offer that service to your clients. What is it in a 30,000 foot overview.
2:38
So 30,000 foot overview is that we help you focus on design, there's a lot of things that happen in the business, a lot of the decisions to be made on a day to day basis, a lot of interactions that you have with clients, with your team with your trade partners and vendors. And we help to take the things that are essential to operating and growing the business. We take those things that don't require design work. And we take care of those essential tasks. It's a myriad of things. We have 12 services, officially. But the big thing is that we understand that it's a lot. And we're here to help you make it feel easier and more doable. Absolutely.
3:18
And especially in full disclosure, y'all. We're in talks and are just bringing onboard the prototype at m l interiors group. And I just think that this service in general, we're using them for a variety of different things. But the service in general is so useful, not just for a design firm that has multiple employees. But if you're a solopreneur, y'all just outsourcing some of the shit that you guys do at the prototype is like it's a no brainer. And I'm not getting any compensation for saying nice things. Yeah, thank you for saying that. Yeah, for those of you who listen to the podcast for any length of time, I think one of the things that I bring to the table is that I shoot straight, and I'm not going to be introducing crap for services, that they just don't get invited to the podcast. So I'm not gonna say anybody has not been invited, but we don't take everybody. Fortunately, me how do you guys help designers determine like whether the client is a good fit, because what works for me might not work for the designer next door.
4:22
That is that makes a lot of sense. And that's totally true. So there's a few different things that we look for when we're helping to determine if a client is a good fit. One, we get to know why the project is important to the client and what's driving their desire to move forward with the project at that particular time. That's really important too. We do our best to find out the client's budget. So we found that people rarely want to say the budget that they have in mind initially, either because they don't know what things cost or because they think if they say a high number, the designer will bend it off and have a field day with or money, but it is. So it's really important to be transparent about this from the beginning. And we often talk about how we build clients or how on on the behalf of our clients firm, how they build clients, realistic budget guidelines, and then any project minimums, those are really important to educate clients on. And then
5:24
but with all of that, like with all the different clients that that you guys have.
5:27
So during our onboarding process with a new design firm, we learn all of that information so that we can confidently speak to the value and the practices of that design firm. So although we're an outsourced service, a potential client wouldn't have any idea that we're not an internal member of that design firms team. So we do a lot of work on the front end when we're onboarding to make sure that we can speak in your voice and communicate the right the right information, and educate clients. But the last two, the last two things that we look for, and help determine and helping to determine if they're a good fit, is also making sure that the decision makers for the project are present from the beginning. That's super important. And it really decreases any misunderstandings and gets ahead of any complications later, later down the road on the project. And then the last thing is we educate the potential client, on the design firms unique value process, and projects that are an ideal fit. It's a two way relationship, and it requires trust. And we don't want that the relationship to be we want to be honest, without being transactional, we want to make sure that potential clients understand what makes sense for that particular design firm as well. That
6:49
makes sense. So you guys go through and do an extensive interview with the design firm you represent, take copious notes, and then use that brand voice and specific details when you're basically screening prospective design clients.
7:06
Absolutely. We also do role plays, too, with the designers who was whoever was previously doing the intake calls to really understand any nuances with that particular firm, maybe particular questions that have been asked in the past that we can confidently answer and really just understand that firms voice.
7:27
Oh, that's fantastic. And I that's interesting, because that discovery call, that's one of the things that we're outsourcing to y'all soon. It's one of the it's funny, because that's our bread and butter, right? Like, I'm not returning those phone calls, or Debbie's not returning phone calls. Duh, yeah, money on the table. And it bruises your reputation if you're not returning phone calls. But for whatever reason. It's just a challenge sometimes to pick up the phone and call them and it's Lord knows I'm not shy. I'm happy to talk to these people. But just sometimes it's and then the follow up if they're playing phone tag, and so forth. So you guys are doing the phone tag too, right? Absolutely. Yeah, that's awesome. How do you look at this? These are all the questions that I'm going to be asking, we'll be saving time on my onboarding call. Do you use our phone number? Because I've got like an app that you guys can just use? Or do you use your phone number? And how does that work?
8:18
Yeah, so we often will incorporate Google Voice if the company doesn't already have something? If you do, we're happy to jump in with whatever you currently have. But we can establish a Google Voice number for you. That's local to whatever area code you're in. And that's where we'll be making and receiving those calls. Yeah,
8:36
that's awesome. So it's seamless. You guys are just an extension of the company. Absolutely. Yeah. So so it's almost like hiring a recruiter. So back in the day, I used to be in a recruiting for more to to Porsche. Now
8:47
not in recruiting. But as a business owner, I feel like I've recruited a lot over the years. Yeah,
8:53
there was somebody I was talking to the other day, and we both had a background in recruiting. And I was like, that's what we did is we were an extension of the corporation that we were recruiting for. What are some of the red flags that you guys have come? I'm sure you've done about 100 million discovery calls? Are there any red flags that you see consistently?
9:10
Yeah, there are a few red flags. So one, questioning the consultation fee if your design firm has a consultation fee, that's something to look out for. Also, yeah, also a lack of trust or wanting to be overly involved in the process. So that may show that people aren't willing to let go and let you do your job. And it also could indicate a lack of respect for your expertise as a designer, also unrealistic timelines and budgets. And that can speak to a lack of knowledge around working with the designer because a lot of people haven't worked with designers before. That's why the education piece is important. It's not necessarily a deal breaker, but it's important to know that and then, something else that we mentioned earlier, the decider the decision makers in the process being on it opposite ends of the spectrum, that's a red flag or one, one part of the decision making duo is like just not on board doesn't understand the value doesn't, isn't invested in going through your process, that can be a big red flag. And then lastly, this is something that we do, we try to find out through the discovery Hall and making it conversational is somebody that doesn't outsource anything, or doesn't have support in other areas of their lives. So this really helps us Yeah, it helps us understand how much control they're willing to give up. And, and we asked, we find out that information through asking questions about their lifestyle and family dynamics.
10:44
That's very interesting. Just not just kick overcoming some of those red flags on the front end, saves the designer a headache in the future. Yeah, it really does, which is what the so we do a qualifying call. And then we dive into a virtual meet and greet. And I teach this in my rolling in the dough workshop. Have you guys been in a chance to rolling in the dough? We
11:07
haven't yet. But we are looking at attending, hopefully in the next before July.
11:14
Yeah, we so we've got a rolling in the dough workshop coming up in July, I was just looking at the dates, I can't find it on my phone right now. But it's how to qualify, quote and close, badass clients. So you can bake your profits into your project. So a lot of what you talk about is exactly what we teach. And it's fantastic that you're taking that across the country and Hal across the globe now, and doing that for other designers and taking your experience because I'm sure the way you do it today is a little bit probably it's a little bit different. But a lot improved from the first discovery call you did for another client years ago. How long have you
11:53
been in business since 2016? But we started working with interior designers in 2020.
11:58
That's right, because you literally started as the concierge service for like corporate
12:04
executives and leaders, and we still have that arm of our business. But we have really developed a niche and and an expertise with interior design firms. And are we it's just been awesome. Yeah.
12:15
Yeah, this industry is definitely can benefit from your background and your professionalism. So that's exciting. What else would so how do you explain the benefits of outsourcing what you guys do to luxury design firms? Or maybe like some designers that are maybe just getting started might not consider themselves a luxury design firm. But what you do brings that touch to it? Absolutely.
12:43
Yeah. So some benefits to outsourcing would be it definitely saves time and stress. So as Portia mentioned, before, we understand we've come to understand that designers wear so many different hats and are often stretched so thin. So helping them offload tasks that don't require design expertise is really helpful. So we help clients with everything from project management, communication, gifting past client engagement, strategic partnership development path to lead follow up for any of those that may have fallen through the cracks, even back end tasks, like intake workflow and template creation, email marketing, we've helped some firms with as well, among several other things. So we like to say just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. And you certainly don't have to do it. All right. This
13:37
is one of the reasons why I think that we like the three of us really clicked because that's what I mean, that's like y'all just because you can do it does not mean that you need to because that's not where you make money. If you're running a design firm, you need to be designing and marsali. Yeah,
13:53
even think about what your time is worth and interior designer, let's say who charges $1,000 for a two hour consultation is literally taking their own money out of their pocket when they're spending that same two hours, doing all of these lead follow ups sending appointment reminders, tracking down those who haven't paid the consultation fee, talking to prospective clients that might not even be a good fit for the firm. Let's Yeah, that makes sense. And
14:19
you just feel so scattered. Sure. Because you're like in the middle of the zone designing they're like, oh, shit I supposed to call Bob back. Yeah,
14:26
absolutely. Yes. Right. And by that time, maybe Bob has already found someone else or it really,
14:31
absolutely. So what Okay, so let's talk about that the client experience can be diminished. If the principal designer IE, or the CEO, like myself, is in charge of the new leads, and the Client Onboarding. Thankfully, we've got a good onboarding process. And by the way, I'm going to put a quick plug in here for Sightmark, which is a badass software to keep track of all your leads, and schedule your follow ups and your follow up tasks. But just because you have this badass software side Mark does not mean that you're doing it. So you have to have somebody that is responsible for it if that person responsible is the principal designer or CEO, what have you guys seen as you've taken these? So do you have any really good stories? Like we're designers have crashed and burned? Like I could probably tell you like, that's something that I haven't followed up on. But there's there are pitfalls, and potential risks to having the principal designer or CEO doing it. What have you seen? Yeah,
15:32
we've had some clients that choose to do path lead, follow up leads that have fallen through the cracks. Maybe they weren't, they were just really busy at the time for the past, let's say six months, four months, whatever it might be. And they've had several leads that some of them have never even been called. Yeah, they just didn't have time, they were too busy doing all of the other things. Some of them maybe had been reached out to one time. And so we're able to come in, fortunately, and pick those up. Some of them might have been from a really long time ago. But hey, it still doesn't hurt then at that point to just say, still thinking about you. Just curious, are you how's the project going? Is it done? Are you still looking for help to see if maybe you could catch any of those and get any of those benefits as well.
16:11
And they might have hired another designer that stinking it up? Yeah, yes,
16:15
yes, we have seen that happen, too. And people that have just decided to put their projects on hold for whatever the reason might be. And then you might call them at a good time where they're actually like, you know what? Okay, we could start this now. So that's helpful. And potential risk
16:29
is just loss of money. Like you're just leaving money on the table. Absolutely.
16:33
Absolutely. Yeah. And so another, okay, sorry, another benefit of outsourcing would be, especially for luxury clients, is they don't expect to work with the principal designer every step of the way, having a client intake specialist take that initial call, really shows that they have a support system backing them. And they're not just that one, man or woman show doing it all. And luxury. Yeah, and luxury clients are ready to make a significant investment in their projects, they have the expectation of interacting with other professionals that have clear systems and processes in place. And if you already have clearly defined processes, how helpful that is, and having someone like us be able to uphold those and make sure that we are following the process is really important.
17:22
That means let's I want to say just one thing about luxury design firms. Even if you don't consider yourself a Luxury Firm, interior design is a luxury service. Yes, like Amy was just saying about like, clients that are ready to invest significantly in their home and their living space, it's important to them, and it's a luxury service. So they have higher expectations.
17:47
I think that's a huge point. Because one of the things that I teach both in my paid program, the interior design business bakery, and then also, in the rolling in the dough workshop, that's again, I can't find it on my phone to give you guys the date. And because it's going to line up with the publication of this podcast, but is that professionals hire professionals, the people who can afford an interior designer, are going to be leaders in their industry. So they're looking for another professional to handle their project. It's just, you know, go to just anybody to do your hair, you don't get to just anybody to change your oil or fill your cavities, you need to hire somebody who's a specialist in that area. So by having that extended assistance, even if it is, quote, unquote, just outsourced, it really positions your firm in a completely different frame and adds credibility immediately. Yes. So for the little solopreneur, you get a bump in your credibility and immediately. So hopefully, you're a good designer. And we can
18:55
also help guide them too. And just having worked with so many different design firms around the US and the world now is we're able to offer that advice, even to newer designers to say, Hey, have you thought about this? This could be done a little bit differently? Would you consider doing this? Can we try this for a while has been really helpful as well.
19:14
That's yeah, that's the buy one get one free? Yeah, your service get a get like a little coaching for free. That's fun. Yeah. Yeah. So you were talking earlier that just because you can do something doesn't mean you need to, what are some of the day to day tasks that you guys have seen that you've been able to that are essential? Because I think sometimes as business owners, and you guys probably know this as well, sometimes things just they seem like you need to do it. But if you don't, nobody really notices. But then there are the essential tasks. What are some of those that we don't need to be doing as designers? I
19:48
would say this beyond the client intake and following up with leads. Engaging with past clients is really important. We've done this on behalf of clients. And it's been really helpful. Just to keep in touch, it speaks to the importance of really building relationships, that's the most important thing in business is building relationships. And people make decisions based on how they feel majority of the time. So even if you did a killer job on a project, if that client didn't enjoy working with you, they're not going to refer you. So when you we can help to keep that relationship active. And that generally leads to more referrals and repeat business and loyalty. And people coming back to you and referring you to their friends. Also, gifting is something that is essential to the client experience. And it's often I think designers know the importance of it, and a lot of them do it on their own, but they don't have a system for it. So it feels like that thing that fell off the list because I had all the other things going on. So we're able to come in and help put a system to make the difference to make the gifting, effortless and identify additional points during the interior design project timeline where it makes sense to gift.
21:09
I love that and we go ahead,
21:12
and gifting doesn't just have to be for clients that that the firm has now it can be for past clients, even ideal past clients, to keep you top of mind. This could be for trades that you would just be lost without you just love working with them. And it doesn't even have to be something big, it could just be a recognition to show them that hey, I enjoy working with you. Please don't ever leave me.
21:34
Exactly. And refer me to other projects. Exactly.
21:38
But it's such a valid point. Because as like, that's what we do for our girlfriends, right. And that's what we do for our loved ones. So taking that into business is a huge, duh. But until you do it, it just seems like it's not there in front of your face. And then when you start gifting, we were just talking about this with Debbie yesterday, because we have our steps that we'll be sharing with you guys on an Asana board. So it's just at this point, this is where you send them a gift. Sometimes you just look at it. You're like, Oh, I'll get to that tomorrow. And then tomorrow comes and then it's like, oh, well, I don't have time I'll get and then three weeks later, you're like, Dude, you just missed the whole point. I'm not throwing Debbie under the bus. She said yesterday, she goes, I suck at it. It's just one more thing to do. And it doesn't feel productive. Yeah. So having you guys do it is going to be awesome.
22:29
So we have a sift, we have a system for it. And we do a gifting meeting with our clients to determine the best points during the project to do gifts. them and we come up with some ideas, we asked a lot of questions and we encourage them to ask questions, so that we can make sure that the gifting is that only high end, but it's personalized, that's really important that it's personalized. And so it shows that you've been paying attention while you've been in their home for the past year and a half. And you know that they are like ut Longhorns for life, right. Yeah, something like that, just to make sure just to show that you are paying attention and that you want it to be helpful and meaningful for them.
23:16
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 behave. 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 designed for the creative mind.com forward slash business dash bakery. Check it out. You won't regret it
24:40
I cannot wait to have you guys like leading this for us because it's going to elevate us even more just plus having a set of outside eyes. I don't know about y'all but from a business perspective. Do you get tired of looking at your own? You're just gonna say looking around shit that makes me want to turn around and look in the potty but not like that. Yeah, I mean, your own stuff.
25:02
Yeah.
25:03
Somebody else give me some ideas.
25:05
Apps. Yeah, that's why it's so important to have biz besties. And like other people and like your bakery group that are going through some of the same experiences that can just put a fresh set of eyes on things, it's super beneficial. Because entrepreneurship business can be lonely. It's, what did they say? It's like lonely at the top, lonely
25:24
at the top. Even when you're not at the top, it's lonely in the valleys. It is
25:28
it is. And so having somebody that can understand and empathize with what you're going through and can bring a fresh perspective is really valuable. I love that.
25:36
When do you strategize for your business? The two of y'all. Do you guys have regular meetings where you're like, Okay, this is what's working, this isn't what's working? And what does that look like?
25:45
Oh, yeah, we meet once a week, usually for an hour, sometimes an hour and a half, as well as probably talk on the phone every single day. Well, just things that come up all the time, through slack through text through phone and all of it. So we'll spend some time just on the to do's list. And just ideas for moving the business forward, what's going well, what can be tweaked, as well as just also looking at each client, how are things going with everyone, any anything needs to change, as well. And
26:18
typically, we do that, typically, we do it over zoom. But most recently, last month, we came to studio works and use the conference room to meet in person and just get things on paper or whiteboard in front of us that helps to fuel the creativity as well,
26:36
that I can appreciate. I'm a total paper person. For me too. It just makes it easier in my brain. I think sometimes. Now you guys have a team. So it's not necessarily the two of y'all all day, every day handling my discovery calls, ordering gifts and doing all the things. What does that look like for for your clients? So let's say you have an I'm just making this up like you have three or four people on staff? Do you try to match up whoever does the discovery call with maybe who has this similar voice to a client? Or is it just like a round robin is okay, at Susie's turn, she gets assigned to this client? A
27:17
great question. So we now have five people on this side of the business just dealing with interior design firms. That includes Portia and I but we have three others on our team as well. And each firm that we have as a client has a specific person that is their client and take an experience. So they stay with them the whole way the whole time. Yeah. So they meet monthly, and every two weeks to start for the first few months just to get there'll be more questions and things like that with the information transfer and everything to get started. But after that we have monthly meetings for about an hour via zoom with the team. And then usually it's myself and then whoever the client intake specialist is, but they take the discovery calls, they're handling the day to day, if the firm the designer has a question, or the client intake specialist has a question there. They have a direct line of communication throughout the week. That's fantastic.
28:08
Yeah. So if you are assigned Susie, Susie is with you the whole time. Yeah.
28:14
I know the others if Susie goes on vacation, because we all need work life balance, right. So we we cross train someone else on the team, we have SOPs for each design client that has a really thorough look at how to conduct the discovery calls, what software to use, what you know what collateral they have, that we usually share with clients. So we also do that cross training to make sure that as a client, they experience isn't compromised at all, if someone needs to be off for or have a baby we've had we have two prototype babies in the past year. Jessica and Amrita both had little babies. And so having that cross training was vital, absolutely not have an interruption in the business processes.
29:03
That's how we market ml interiors group is buy one get two free, because yeah, Julianne is our lead designer right now. But if she does when she goes on vacation, Debbie can pick up when Julianne is out. And then it worst case scenario comes up that I can handle like a site visit or something on occasion. Yeah. But yeah, it's so important because as the client, I don't want it to slow down because Susie goes and lays on the beach in
29:30
Fiji. Hopefully, that's all I want to go I want to go and see and see you next time.
29:34
I know, right? We do. We call it the Fiji factory. The way we run ml interiors group and I know you guys run it the same way is that we have our SOPs, which is standard operating procedures, and we have it all written down. Get back I used to say so yeah, if somebody gets hit by a bus, then we can pick up and maintain the project when they're recovering. But at the end of the day, I don't want to put that on anybody like who knows what you're going to manifest. So now We say, if somebody wins the lottery and goes to lay on the beach in Fiji, then we can pick up where we were, where they were while they're laying there. So we call that the Fiji factor, everything needs to be written down in the same place in the exact same order for every single project every single time.
30:17
Yeah, and that's something that we also do for clients, when we're working on their processes in their discovery call and their workflows, we will document that so that they can add it to their existing SOPs that if any, anything happens, they have access to that information.
30:35
I think that's fantastic. Because if something does happen, or they need to train somebody, so they have somebody cross trained, then you guys have already done the documentation for us. That's
30:45
yeah, added bonus. So we help
30:47
with other back end tasks as well. We even have helped several firms create different templates, things like that, that then they have and they can use for forever. We another thing that a lot of firms have utilized is follow up Friday communication. So something that takes time, and it could be a task that is easily handed off. So we will reach out to all clients that they're currently working with and just give them an update. Hey, Monday, here's what happened Friday, here's the kind of plumber come on Friday at two o'clock, is that good for you? And they can either do this on a working doc or leave us a voice memo. And then we'll email each of those clients, just as one less thing for you to do you
31:30
guys are probably saving lives by doing that. Because I mean that sometimes I think that the designers are sitting in traffic composing these emails or these texts, when they should be driving. So look at the contribution you
31:44
guys are making. Saving lives. I love it. Oh, that's
31:47
funny, changing tax. What would you guys be doing right now? If you were not? What let's say if the prototype did not exist, what do you think he would be doing? Because you both are so good at what you do. And just so organized. Like, I I love smart women, and y'all are the epitome of that. So I'm so excited to just have met you and be able to like hang out in the same circles. But what would you be doing if the prototype never got started?
32:15
Thank you for saying that. That's you, I would I can echo that same sentiment, like you are a huge inspiration, juggling and starting net and taking the risk for creating all of these different
32:29
don't recommend it. spend some more time with me girl, you'd be like what what the hell is going on in her brain? I take that back.
32:38
I love it. I love it. I would say if I had never started the prototype, I would probably have started some other business honestly. And I think that business would be a really a eclectic boutique, full of beautiful things from my travels all around the world. Things that are just really pretty that you don't necessarily need but it just makes you smile. Yeah, I love little things like that.
33:07
No wonder you gravitated towards designers. Yeah, I
33:10
love I don't have the talent for it personally, but I just love visual things aesthetics and
33:16
and you've got entrepreneurship in your blood. It sounds like Yeah,
33:20
I think it developed it. I don't have my family. It's I don't come from a line of entrepreneurs. But once I understood it, once I had a better understanding of it. I feel like this is just, I'm suited for it, and a lot of ways. But I it's important to understand like where, where I lack in certain ways. And so that's why me and Amy work together so well, because we're at complete opposites. But we balanced each other really well. And we both bring a lot to the table. And we have a shared commitment to the success of the prototype and the happiness and decreased stress of our clients. So it works really well. That's
33:59
amazing. Love that. Amy, what would you be doing? Yeah,
34:02
and my previous life in Chicago suburbs. I was a high school teacher for 16 years. So I loved it. When we moved since I have small kids. And moving to Texas was quite the change from Chicago, I decided that I was going to try to not work. And that's just not for me. And so I quickly learned that I needed to find something and I was okay with taking a break from education for a little while. And then I found Porsche and the prototype and I absolutely love it. And I think if I just hadn't found the prototype, I would still be an education probably I would have become a college professor, I think and continue to work with older students. Yeah, so
34:45
yeah, now you're teaching designers at how to get their shit together. So you're still in education, babe. A college professor hon. So we'll have to start calling you Professor Amy.
34:56
All right. Yeah.
34:58
Prof. Is there any piece of wisdom that actually no, let me ask you this. So this is my own selfish question. What are you reading these days? You have any good books that you would recommend whether it's personal professional, what are some of your favorite books?
35:14
I just finished effortless. Porsche recommended it actually by Greg favorite bone. That was great. Have you heard of it?
35:22
I haven't. Who's it by
35:23
Greg McCune? Hey, E. O wn, I believe.
35:28
Okay. Yeah,
35:30
really just a good read an easy read. But that basically just saying like, working harder, doesn't mean working better. Right? Find ways to work smarter.
35:40
Girl, I'm gonna download that book right now and listen to it on repeat. I'm gonna put it on while I sleep. So I feel like so good. Yes, that's a skill I'm trying to learn. I'm just, I was raised. Like you're the first one in the office. And you're the last one to leave. And I'm still trying to undo that in my own life. And I'm taking specific steps to do so that sounds fantastic. Yep. What else?
36:03
I will say. So first effort. Effortless is great. The first book by Greg is called essentialism. And that is that was like the first mind blower. And so that's a great book. But what I'm super excited about actually today, one of my favorite authors, Rachael Rogers comm comes out with a book called Million Dollar actions. And I'm super excited to read that her first book was called we should all be millionaires. Oh, do they have that? Why? Yes. laughed, cried. Just was fired up reading that book. And so her the newest one comes out today. So I will be using my audible credit to download that.
36:46
That is awesome. And you know what? I bought that we should all be millionaires. I have not read it. It's packed and in between houses right now. But I will pull that one back out when I unpack it.
36:57
It's really good. Yeah, yeah, it's really good. And she Yeah, she just makes great content for women business owners, because we really should all be millionaires.
37:05
Damn, Skippy. Yeah. And then I'll meet you in Fiji. Exactly.
37:09
Exactly.
37:10
Do you guys read for pleasure? Or do you just read for business? Yeah, I
37:15
do. Not as often as I would like, what does the professor read? But yeah, good question. So I actually was looking for a book club when I moved here to Texas three years ago, and I couldn't find one. So I started one. And I was Yeah, and I put it out there to all like, the town that I live in a group and I had so many people interested. I had to be selective. But I have a core group of 10. Now we've been going strong for about two years. We meet once a month, we we go round robin, as to who selects the next time. It's who's hosting, and they pick out of any genre they want. They have three, we vote. And then that book wins. And we read it or set. Yeah, for that month. Next month. We meet again. Yep.
37:58
So what's one of the what are one or two that have? I told you? This is selfish? I'm reading so many have there been any that have just stood out in the last couple in the last year? Then
38:08
Nightingale? Oh, yeah. No, that's funny.
38:11
The chick I talked to on the podcast yesterday, Danielle, I don't know if she's coming out before after you. She also mentioned it in the night. And Gail, it said
38:19
is good, though. I have read that. Yes. That would be probably my favorite one. Yeah.
38:23
Have you read her new book? The women? No, no,
38:27
my mother in law just told me about it the other day, though. She said, You must read. Yeah, yeah, definitely. That's on my list.
38:32
There was one Amy that we it starts with a Wii that you I think, Oh, it was one of the first varity Yes. Very, very
38:43
twisty. You gotta there's some trigger warnings here. But it is that shouted me back. And that got me back into reading. Yeah. Okay,
38:50
cool, Bear. And then I'm like a FBI, murder mystery thriller, personal book lover. Right now there's a series it's probably cheeky or kitschy or whatever. But it's this theories by Molly black called the Katy winter murders. And there's 12 books are really theories. And I love I love listening. I love listening to books instead of like physically sitting down reading because I'll fall asleep. But it's great to be able to listen to while I'm doing stuff around the house. And while I'm driving. Yeah,
39:28
I'm gonna have more of a commute with my new house. So I've got I re enlisted to Audible for that reason. Oh, good audible this will keep me busy for a while. Yes, girls. Yes. I'm also I actually started putting it on the website as a little book club from because I asked a lot of my podcast interviews that and so just starting to keep track of those. It's nothing's published yet. I think it's up there but there's only one book so other project.
39:56
Audible has like a book club feature. where you can start a book club and invite people and all that kind of stuff. So that can make it maybe make it a little less manual? Hmm,
40:09
good to know, we'll be taking a look at that. Is there any piece of wisdom that y'all would leave with our listener? listeners? Just I know, I'm throwing you like real fast. What do you do anything? Anyone words? I just I know I put you on the spot there. No,
40:23
we've said this before, you don't have to do at all. Let go of things. Learn to let go.
40:31
From the professor. Yes,
40:33
I would say to like you mentioned earlier about designers that are starting off, and maybe they're just they're at the very beginning phases, plan for your client experience before you start, just like you budget for all of the other things in your business budget for and really define what you want your client experience to look like. Because it's easier to start off fresh than fix bad behaviors or back and try to change things after clients are used to being things being a certain way. Even if you don't feel like you're ready for it. Plan for it plan to learn to invest in it. And I think it'll have a you can you can have a better more successful start.
41:16
That's great. The Productivity is huge. And you can adjust it as you go through the process. Yeah, but at least you know what path you're taking. I love that. And I know our audience has loved everything that you guys have shared, tell our audience, how are where can they find you? Yes,
41:32
so our website is www.prototype.net. And you can join our email list there. And then we also have a free resource for you. It's a downloadable discovery called template script. And so if you go to the prototype, the prototype dotnet, backslash D, F, C M, you can download the discovery call script there. And lastly, follow us on Instagram at the prototype lifestyle. We'd love to interact with you there and we share a lot of good information on our email newsletter. And hopefully that template is helpful for you. You
42:12
guys do have a good so the newsletter is not just a bunch of fluff, I'm on it. It's
42:15
good. It's something that we've really been working towards getting more consistent with and leading with value and doing that it's been helpful. That's fantastic.
42:23
Thanks for Craig, thanks for the dfcm page. So dfcm Y'all the prototype.net Right. dotnet backslash dfcm dfcm is designed for the creative mind, just moved a little T out just fine. So thank you, that's super sweet. I will make sure those details are also listed in the show notes for audience to reference. And y'all take for those of you listening, head on over to design for the creative mind.com Click on the workshop link and then check out rolling in the dough. I know this podcast is coming out just before rolling in the dough workshop. It is a five day free workshop, where I walk you through our sales process that we have at MLW interiors group. And we I talked we talked about how to qualify quote and close badass clients and learn how to wrap the profit into your project. We have a we've got concierge as we have workbook. This workshop actually pisses off some other business coaches because the contents better than some of their paid stuff. So I say that proudly, but also to invite you there. So come join us designed for the creative mind, workshop rolling in the dough. So Amy, and Portia, thank you so much for being here. I really hope our listeners have learned something that they can go and apply immediately. But also that they have a resource like yours to fall back on. And I highly recommend that you guys do if not the prototype, find somebody else to do it for you.
43:59
But there's nobody else out there that does it specifically. So
44:03
thanks for being here, y'all
44:04
so much for having us, Michelle, that was great. Hey, y'all.
44:08
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 launch pad. Yeah, I know it's Facebook, but just come on in for the training and then leave without scrolling your feet. It's fine. 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.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
