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Music. 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.
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Prepare yourself for some good conversations with amazing guests, a dash of Jesus and a touch of the Woo, woo, and probably a swear word or two.
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If you're ready to stop trading your time for money and enjoy your interior design business, you are in the right place.
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I'm your host. Michelle Lynn, you
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Michelle, hello, everybody. Hello, hello. Welcome back to the design for the creative mind podcast. I am your hostess, Michelle Lynn, and today I have dee, dee dewine Holloway. She is the founder and the principal designer of dewine design based out of Florida. So Didi, I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for Thanks for joining us. Yes, thank you so much for having me. I'm super excited now, remind me, we're in Florida. Are you? We are in Central Florida, in Orlando, but we travel. We travel further out from just Orlando, we Tampa, all around the, you know, Central Florida area. But honestly, I'm willing to go wherever the design needs. Absolutely. You pay for a beach house in San Diego, I'll be there. You pay for me to go to The Hamptons. I'll be there. Yes, yes. We just finished a beach house in Orange Beach, Alabama. So fun. A new build, yes, yeah, no. How did you get involved in design?
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I got involved in design so I have been an artist my entire life, and I've always wanted to go to design school, but I went through graphic design in when I went to the Art Institute of Dallas. So first I studied at Texas State which is southwest Texas State University, and went, Yeah, oh, we did
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1990 I went from 86 to 90, which I'm aging myself, but you know, well, that's okay, because that's those are almost the years that I was in school, but he's younger than I am. I'm a little bit of a cougar,
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so yeah. So I studied there first, and then I went on to art school for two more years in Dallas, and I studied graphic design. And so I've had, I've always been very interested in design, and I moved to London after that, and I did graphic design as a freelancer and became a mother and wife and all the things while I lived in London throughout the 90s. So, so fun, so fun. So basically, creativity is in your blood. It is my mother's an artist as well. So definitely, definitely been passed down. Yeah, came by. It, honestly, that's fun. And then, when did you start your firm, dewine design? So my firm started officially in 2010
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I sadly went through a divorce and went out, you know, I'm in my my own home now, and I've got my children and all things. And I was like, you know, I've been doing this for neighbors and helping people and and it's time to get paid, right? I think so many of us start that way. Yes, yes. So yeah, I decided it's time to, you know, I'm perfectly capable of earning a living doing this, and I'm tired of doing it for free, so I came up with little design packages, which I'm so embarrassed to even think of
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how much I was charging for those in those days. But I was steadily busy, and in that time, I came up with the concept to start refinishing cabinets. So keep the cabinets that you've got, add the carpentry, like, you know, bigger crumb molding or light rail or panels on the side, and we'll refinish it for you. And so I got really good at painting cabinets. We had them sprayed, but I was really good at installing I am a mad girl with the drill. Let me tell you, I cannot. I love that. That doesn't surprise me.
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So I made a great little living from that, and I would add a design package to my homeowners that were like, We need new countertops and faucets and sinks and yada yada. And I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna do this for you for an additional
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X number of dollars, X number of dollars. And they would be like, Oh, that's a no brainer. I'm on it. And I'm thinking to myself, geez, you know, I'm doing all this work for 1000
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$1,000 for that package. Oh, wow.
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Oh, wow, yes. So I gotta, I have to say that I'm sure our audience is all listening. And some are saying, Oh, wow, 1000 bucks. I can get $1,000 for that. And then others are going, I know I can charge more. So we've and then there's the others that are listening like myself and saying, been there, girl, been there. Isn't it crazy to look back. It is. But honestly, those early years paved the way for who I am today and the business person that I am today. And I look back and I have, I have clients back from those days that are calling me now, and we already did their kitchen. They might have moved or now they want to rip it all out and and they have have heard that we've grown. We have our studio here and all that. And I'm like, come on in. I want you to have a meet and greet. Let's, let's do the meet and greet here at the office. Or, or or, you know, or, or have a, you know, I want to, I want to introduce you to what we do now. And they're like, oh my gosh, you know. And the prices have changed, and they still say, yeah, yes, because they know and love you, yes, I love that. I love that. So you started in 2010 is what you said, right? Yeah. So now you are 2010, 20, 2014, years in business. Yes. What has been a game changer for you as you've as you've grown up into that designer that your old clients are probably really, really proud of. Yeah, yes, I've heard that that they are, honestly, Michelle and again, not being paid for this. But you changed everything. Literally.
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What a game changer it was to make the decision to invest in hiring a business coach. So obviously, you know, I will sing your praises, you know, forever more, but a hiring a business coach and increasing your education is so important, and now I'm addicted to it. I love that. I love having a coach and having somebody to mentor me and help me to see goals that I didn't see for myself, that they have already been there, done that, and can say, Hey, did you think of this? Yeah, the coach, it's so worth it. So I love that, yeah, because you went through the bakery a few years ago, and you've continued in your coaching journey. As you've grown, you find different coaches to fulfill those needs. Yes, exactly. It's so important because somebody's walked the walked the path before. Let's make it easier. Yeah? Well, I mean, why not? Why? Why recreate the wheel, or struggle with the wheel when somebody else can guide you through that? Or if you've got questions, you're like, oh my gosh, I didn't even think to do that. So yeah, well, and you have been so wonderful. So y'all
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Didi went through the interior design business bakery a few years ago, and now you are actually a master coach with us, with all things Kitchen and Bath. So you give back, yes. And honestly, I feel like that is a calling. I never dreamt that I would enjoy or have in my life, and I love being part of your team, but i i Can I see people like they were messaging me, like instant messaging, and, you know, through, you know, DMing and whatever, and asking me questions. And I'm so happy that I now have like, kind of a platform that I can guide them, and it's all in one so I'm not getting a gazillion because I don't mind doing that. I don't mind giving back. And they were literally my peers that were part of, you know, my my group, yeah, and so they were asking me questions, and I'm just, I have, you know, some knowledge to share, so I'm happy to do that. Okay, she says, some knowledge, but you are ridiculously amazing genius, especially in the kitchen and bath realm. So let's, let's talk about that. Because so you and I did, we have one or two phone calls before you joined the bakery. Um, you. So I will say, and I know there's listeners out there that are doing the same. I was a lurker, and I literally had done your launch pad the, you know, the that week of the free training, had done it four times. So I times, yeah, I only thought, too, that's hilarious. I had literally, and on the fourth time, I was like, Okay, this is ridiculous. And I talked to my friend Tricia, who later joined and I said, I'm going to make a phone call with Michelle, because this is silly. It's silly. My brother was like, you just do it already and stop being so dumb. And so we had 130 minute phone call, and I just felt like, you resonate with.
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Me, I feel like you and I, if we were in Dallas, we would definitely be friends, because we'd be trouble. Yeah,
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yes, we would just be trouble, yeah. Well, we are friends now. But anyway, I,
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you know, after our phone call, I went on and I signed up. Yeah, that's so with that, you have gone from kitchens and baths, yes, I'm going down this path of full furniture. So
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let's share with the listeners, because what I really want people to understand this is not like you're not getting paid. This is not a promotion for the interior design business bakery. This is just who I am and what we do with that you were doing kitchens and baths. How did you feel about adding full service furnishing to your business? I was so scared. I was so nervous. I reached out to Debbie, and Debbie called me. She did a zoom with me, yeah, and literally spent an hour going through and I was like, oh my god, Debbie, how am I going to remember all of the different wholesale vendors? How am I going to get relationships with everyone? How am I going to make money doing this is like blowing my mind right now, I overwhelming, don't know how I'm going to wrap my head around it. And she was like, Okay. And she's very you know, business, business, here we go, and this is what we're going to do, and it's fine. You're gonna make money at this trust the process. So I went through all of the modules, and I made sure I read them, took notes all of the things, and we've had three furnishing jobs now, and our revenue has skyrocketed, like, I'm, like, we are just under which I'm, I've got a whole month, and I'm, I'm going to handle this month, but we've got a whole month to get there.
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But, yeah, we are just under what my what my goal for this year was, and yeah, next year, I think we're going to top that, but it's the furniture that's, I mean, right, yeah. And now let's also clarify, it's not just the revenue. It's the profit margin that that that brings the profit margin that that brings and, and, I mean, girl, I literally, you have a on the on the bakery module. You have a whole thing of how you break down, how you get to our what the profit is, it's a, it's a whole formula, right? I have that up for my team so that we can look at that when we're when we're going through, making a scope of work, so that we can figure out, like, where we need to be with everything. Oh, I love that. Yeah, so it's amazing. Yeah, I absolutely love that. Yeah. And are you still scared of?
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No, the only thing I'm I'm scared of is, and we've had things come in that weren't like, needing to be replaced, and all of our vendors have been amazing. I haven't had a problem. My receiver is great. I'm still developing that relationship, I think the only thing that worries me is, if something comes in, it's installed, and then something goes wrong, that's my only fear. But, yep, but that's also the beauty of developing relationships with your vendors, because if something, let's just say it was a couch, sofa, and one of the legs fell off, yeah, and cracked and broke, and somebody landed on their booty. You can just call the vendor and hopefully they work hand in hand with you to resolve the issue, right? So, yeah, that's, that's the beauty of, I think working with vendors versus, like, ordering through Wayfair or whatever, because there's no conversation there right now, I am a huge proponent for vendor relationships, whether they're my wholesale vendors from, you know, all my furniture lines, but also pro source, all of my people in, you know, on the build side, all those vendors as well my class guy and all the people I love that personal relationship Where I can call them, they're like, hey, dee, dee, what can we do for you? Love that well, you and just when you were when we first met, and you were talking about your relationships with your construction crew, like you've had them around forever, so your relationship development is is off the charts. Yeah. So I love that. I really love that it makes it easier when I'm doing a remodel, that I can call my guys and I know I when I'm selling a job, I already know it's going to be amazing. I know the work that they do, and you know, even with a mistake, I know that they'll fix it. I know that they're going to come back if something goes wrong. So, but what I'm trying to do my next goal is to branch out. So I've actually had some meetings with some local general contractors and builders here in Orlando, and honestly, I have a whole new team now.
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In Orange Beach, and he is a developer that is developing all this area, but I now have new relationships with those people as well, which I'm like, hey, you know, why stay just here? If I can do this remote and just fly in for site visits, let's try it. That doesn't suck, especially going to the beach. Yeah. So what are your growth plans? Are you going to grow a large team? Are you going to stay boutique? Are you going to go global?
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I am going to dewine. Design is going to stay boutique. And I feel like there's just a beauty in staying small and but not thinking small, not playing small good, but staying staying petite. Now, when I say like, we will grow our team. So right now, we're a team of three, a design team here in the studio.
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But what I'd like to do is, you know, Josie is is amazing. She is doing her senior designer role very well, but what I would like to do is get her some support and then perhaps elevate Cameron into a junior designer role, whether she's also part of a sport, maybe hire another senior designer, but keeping it not huge. I'm not interested in, you know, 1520 people running around in here drive me insane. But as far as goes, and obviously, you know, my accountant's part of our team, and you know, there's, there's team that isn't, that don't work right out of this office, but I don't want it get too big for the britches, but makes sense. Yeah, it's also having done both, you know, and we've kind of become a little bit more tiny but mighty in the last couple of years. I think that there is something special for the boutique exclusivity when you're selling your services as well, because you can't start a project immediately, they have to wait. And it just kind of makes the anticipation and the
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the the luxury aspect of it, it's kind of like when you order a new car and you have to wait for it, yes, but you get that custom leather seating inside. It's all worth the wait. And then you get in and you smell it, and it's like, oh, yes, this is good? Yeah, exactly. Yeah. We we do have a weight, and we always let our clients know that there's a weight that, you know, I get that you've just bought a new home and you're closing at the end of the month, but no, we won't be able to start your project. And honestly, even if we could knock out a design in two weeks, which we can't our contractors are all busy because we have the top of the top guys, and the guys that I use are already booked, and so we would love to work with you. However, let's go through our process and do it right so that you're not rushing and making choices that aren't going to work for you a year from now because you rushed it. I love that. Have you lost any business, per se? For people who didn't want to wait, you know, on occasion, they'll say, oh, that timeline doesn't work for us. And you know what, I'm I send them on their way. Tell them, good luck. Please reach out if something changes and you want to re talk with us, because we would love to work with you, but it's just it's probably not a good fit for now, because our timelines aren't aren't coordinating. However, I have had people jump in on a project and and not wait for us and then call us back and say, you really are. We are so disappointed, and we wish we would have waited. And I love that, you know, and I don't like to hear that they're sad or they're upset about something, but I'm like, Well, you know, we are worth the wait, and you know so. But we just finished a job that she signed in May of 2023,
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and we just finished her project now because she waited right until this May to start. Oh, that's That's amazing. Were you afraid when you first went on, like, a wait list? I was scared shitless that people would say no and I'd be out of business.
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You know, Michelle, I didn't get scared. I just, I just kept making sure that it was a paid wait list. I gave them the option that this is the pay part, that that is non refundable, and if you're willing to, you know, wait, we'll keep you busy with things that we continue to send. We don't leave them in the quiet. We continue to send them questionnaires, or, you know, we send them ideas or things like that. But we are active. We let them know we're actively working on other projects right now, and when it's your turn, you will have 100% of our focus so that you're going to get what you're paying for. And they're like, great. So.
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People have actually learned. I don't know if people have heard about that, but a lot of people are saying, we don't want to start until the summer, but we're reaching out now because we heard you have a wait list, and I'm like, hot dog. We got you right in in June, and we don't have anybody for that, but we have time to get there.
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today that's www.mysidemark.com,
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are you using the cash flow spreadsheet from the bakery?
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I would say honestly, no, but I would love to look at that, because we added it to the frosting. But the reason why I'm asking is because, and I didn't mean to put you on the spot. It's just lines of if you you when, because when you see your projects slated out, and that's like, you've got your retainer now, your non refundable, and then the balance later and whatnot. It's really nice to be able to see it on paper, so that you can take a look ahead and see where your cash flow is, yes, where it's going to be, because then you can also, you obviously know what your design fee is going to be and when you get paid for that. But then you can also estimate for furnishings and your margin there and so forth. So you can say, okay, look, we need to have somebody. We need to have another project in the fall. So that's what we're looking for now, it's like somebody for the fall, because you can get out when you do your network is, I don't want to ask you how you've been getting your business, but when you're doing that, you can, you can be speaking specifically, and it's almost like manifesting a new project. Oh, I love that. You know,
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yes, yes, yes, yes. So check in the frosting. It's in the frosting. I think like in the first part of the section, perfect. I will absolutely get that out. Because December we have, we have a full house that we're designing. We're in design phase right now, but it's actually like a
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we don't have any job sites that we have to visit. We we can just be here in the office, have our, you know, peppermint lattes and and have Christmas music on, and relax a little bit. But time that I can look at that cash flow, I'll have Cameron get that out, and then we can put that to use. Because that I love, that, that that sounds awesome. It lets you feel like you're in more control, yes, because you're seeing things on paper. So let's talk about that. How are you getting your business? Are you networking? Are you like what or what do you So, what are you doing for business development, as well as your professional development
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well? So I hired Cameron coming up to almost a year, and Cameron has been doing like our operations. She's also at she's our design assistant for the office, but she's been doing amazing things in our operations, kind of behind the scenes, and she has handled our social media like a champ, and has really gotten more out there. So we're still growing our followers right now, but she has really made a very interactive social media, which is awesome. It's so, I mean, that's great, yeah, it's great. So I love that we are still largely word of mouth. Um, we just got a referral this morning. It sounds like she's moving and she wants to have just design work, just the Oh, yay. Those are so fun, I know, so I'm she goes. We might need a bathroom, and we definitely need a kitchen, but the kitchen's going to be next year, perfect. So I don't have to have contractors. So and then so next up, I'm going to do a rebrand, actually
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rebrand us a little bit.
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I'd like a new logo. I need to update our our website was, like redone two years ago, but I feel like we've outgrown it, and I want to get away from it's reading a lot that we're remodelers. I don't want that. I want that we're luxury interior designers that do full service so that's what I'm looking for. And our
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we have some old pictures even on our website that I just want off. I just
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like.
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Have four projects that really highlight what we do. And, you know, leave it at that, but, I mean, I've got a lot that I can choose from, but, yeah, I'm still kind of working on where we are with business development.
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I can't rely on the word of mouth forever, right? You know, because sometimes that just dries up and you're like, oh my gosh, but we have a pretty healthy paid pipeline right now, so pretty much a lot of next year is booked, which is great, because that gives you time to put these other systems in place. Yes, yeah, and not have to feel like you're scrambling, yes, so yeah. So it's like a timing thing. I'm trying to get this I need to do a brand shoot. There's a, there's a girl here in Orlando that does a fabulous job. So I would like to personally go and do that with her, just me. Because every time, I always bring the team. But I think this one I want to do just me. I'm trying to develop a CEO mindset, and, you know, I really want to implement that in and so we'll see. You know, that's fantastic. Well, your name's on the door. My name is on the door. Yeah, I pay all the bills Exactly, exactly, so put your face up there. That is super fun. Are you?
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Do you do much like networking and professional organizations or anything like that. Or is that something you're pursuing? Um, you know, I, I do want to do more networking. I try to, you know, I'm part of IDs, the interior design society, so I try to make those, you know, I try to, so I'm going to the one in New Orleans that's coming up, that the Congress coming up, and I try to be a part of things like that. I'm looking at AISD, a
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as ID, yeah.
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And so we have a chapter in Orlando. So, yeah, I'm trying to up my networking game. I feel like I've been, I've been scrambling the seat past year, in a hard year, and this year, part of my,
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you know, self growth is to do more networking. I am very active in our Rotary International so I have that, but I wouldn't call that a networking per se. It's more service above self. We definitely do a lot of service projects for the Orlando area. So I've been in that since 2015
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Oh, that's amazing. I personally struggle getting out and just being nice to people. So anything that you're doing is fantastic, but I think it's also the consistency of, like, if you've been doing rotary Since 2015 like, they know who you are. They know what you do. You don't have to go out and network and hand out your business cards, because people are going to say, oh, Didi does that. I know her, yes, well. And we are in a small so Orlando is huge, but East Orlando and Avalon Park in general. This whole east Orlando area is small ish, and so I feel like dewine design has been out there since 2010
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it's easy, it's easy to remember to wine sign. And, you know, I feel like a lot of people know who I am. Here we have, actually, we have a wine walk on Thursday that I'm doing through the Rotary. That's my event that I've been doing since 2015
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So, yeah, so that makes sense, yeah, that's so fun.
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So I think when I saw you in High Point, one of the things that you were talking about is being in the room with other other people, yeah, expand on that just a little bit for people who weren't privy to our conversation. Yeah. So I feel like being in the room, joining these design, you know, groups and society and and all of that, and going to high point if you can, and going out and meeting as many people, but also going to panels and listening and be a part of the group. Be in the room. You know, you're you're getting a lot of of informative, you know, knowledge, but then you're also meeting people. I've met people from all over the world, literally, at High Point, just recently, and we're all following each other, and, you know, on on social media, and it's so fun to kind of reach out
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and make and make those connections. Well, yeah, no, it was just, it was nice being that we I think a lot of it is that
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it's nice because you can up level your business by being in the room with other people smarter than you, or smarter in a certain Avenue, but also
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feeling like you're not alone.
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Yes, because this is such an industry that can be like you feel like you're on an island. Yeah, even with a lot of years experience or or being in the business, I there's.
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I still look at people and think, oh my gosh, you know, would I have can I ever get to that level? Can I ever, and she's only been doing this for the past five years, and, you know, and I try not to compare, I just
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be friendly, meet new people, listen to what their experiences are, and try to get as much from that as I can, and, you know, and hopefully I can inspire other people as well, you know, I don't, I don't really know a whole lot, but, you know,
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I'm gonna call a BS on that one.
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I'm gonna call BS on that one. Yeah, no, that's silly. Silly. Silly. Because I think that just taking your knowledge and being able to develop that in the coaching aspect that you've done has just been such a blessing, and hopefully you recognize how much you do know, and your generosity to share it and give it back, and just saying that you know you're you can be tiny but mighty in a boutique firm, it's not all about like being a McGee and company, right? I mean, God bless them. I admire them. I, you know, I, I definitely, I still like to have my hand in things. And I feel like the larger you get, the harder it is to be a part of and and, you know, although I do love the idea that I could go away for Thanksgiving for an entire week, and know that my company is literally in great hands here back in the office. You know, that's amazing and very empowering, because it used to only be me. I couldn't, you know, I was bringing my laptop everywhere I went. Yeah, it's exhausting, yeah. But you've also empowered your people to be able to make decisions and even make mistakes in a safe environment. Yes, which isn't always easy, no, and honestly, it took me a while to get there. It took me a while to start delegating and feel confident in my delegation, so that I knew that Okay, so I've asked Josie, I need this, this, this and this done. Here's your deadline. I don't care if you do it at midnight, just whenever you want to get that done. Just get it done, you know, just and then Cameron, I need these posts, you know, and and come up with your own thing. And she does. And even though, Thursday morning, when she's, you know, getting ready with her family to have Thanksgiving. I see the post come through for our social media, and it's like, dang, I'm proud of my team. They're good. That's awesome. It goes back to your relationship building too. Yeah. So that's that could be a whole other podcast is, how do you develop relationships with your trade partners, your contractors, your team, all the things, yes and
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yeah, I'm, you know, I'm trying to remember that I am the boss and I'm not everyone's friend. So sometimes, you know, I have to be like, Okay, guys, this is my these are my expectations. And moving forward, this is what I am looking for from you guys, and I hope that you guys realize that I love you, but I am also your boss, and I meet everybody on the same page as this, but I feel like I don't really have to reprimand anybody. They're all good. Yeah, that makes sense, but everyone's small. It's kind of like being a mom. It's like, look, we can have fun. I can be your friend, but at the end of the day, I'm your mama, right? Yeah, so get in line or get in gear. So, okay, so in a perfect world, what would you want to spend more time doing, like just in general, it could be maybe more designing, but it could also be laying on the beach in Fiji, I feel like I live at the beach. So I so I'm not I am a beach girl, but I feel like I have the beach is 30 minutes from here, so I would probably like to play more tennis. I play I give myself Wednesday, it's work from home Wednesday here in the office. So the girls are working from home that day, and I'm on the tennis court. So I play in the morning, and then I will work the rest of the afternoon. I think, to be honest, right now, I would love to get less in. I feel like sometimes I'm in the daily minutia of things, and I would like to clear that away and do actually more designing. There you go. So, yes. So what I've done is I'm taking we have a
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be a really beautiful beach house, starting the design work in St Augustine, which is about two hours away. And I have taken on the kitchen for my own self. I just want that for myself. Oh, fun, yeah. Kind of getting back to your basics, your roots, yes. Yes. So I'm trying to get very innovative and get away from white cabinets and just all the I want to do some different things. So I can't wait to watch that unfold. Yes. So this client is like, yes, I want all the sprinkles. I'm like, awesome. So, yeah, fun, fun. So if you weren't designing.
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Yeah, what would you be doing like if you did not have dewine design? Well, I would be playing a lot of tennis.
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I would definitely like to be traveling. I really, really love traveling. I went to Europe
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last summer, and I love I love it.
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I would spend, you know, more time making my home. I feel like I make everybody else's home done and complete and beautiful. And I look at my house and it's cute, believe me, it's very cute, but like, I could redo the kitchen. I would love to redo a few things so
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we've got a bathroom gutted right now because I was like, Gary, get in there and get that bathroom and I'll get all the stuff sent to the house. So that's his project. That's fun. Yeah, that's fun. Yeah. And so y'all Gary is her husband, yes, who is also your cabinet maker? Yeah, he does all of our, he does all of our. He owns a cabinet company, so he does all of our cabinetry and carpentry and things like that. But he also was in the house like flipping business for 25 years. So he is a full he can do everything. It's amazing. How did you meet him?
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I met him through a mutual friend. And I really wasn't dating at the time, but they were like, you know, just meet each other. You guys are single. You're kind of in the same industry. Yeah, maybe you guys would would fit for, I don't know, a flip. And I'm like, Okay, I've done some flips. So I met Gary, and we bought a house together right away, and it was a 4600 square foot home that literally had the Tyvek paper flapping outside. Oh my gosh, there were animals living inside. The roof was caped in the pool was like black, green and in Orlando, or anywhere in Florida, there's a body of water, there's probably a gator, and there was no Gator, but there were snakes, and it was scary. Oh my gosh. We bought it, we took it down to the studs, we renovated it, and we sold it. So that was our first we got to know each other working on a project. Oh, that is so awesome. And the fact that you dovetail so well together with your projects, we actually really, work really well together. And as long as if, if Gary, if it's Gary's job site, meaning if it's a flip project we're working on together, I respect that Gary is the boss on his job site, right? My job and my job site, and I'm running that show, then Gary is so respectful to me, and it's amazing. It's kind of cool, you know, because I'm not the GC, I'm not GC ing it, but kind of I am definitely running the Yeah, you're the lead. I'm the lead. Yeah. Oh, I love that. Yeah, Gary. Gary is very good. Yeah. So fun. All right, so here's a selfish question on my part, yeah, and that is, What books would you recommend reading in 2025
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oh, like anything, whether it is just for pleasure or professional. Um,
38:18
well, I'm addicted to reading, so I have a book on my Kindle and a book in my audible at all times. So I know it's a lot of noise. People say, turn off the noise. But again, I walk outside, I listen to Audible, and I drink my coffee and I read my Kindle. I'm reading fourth wing right now, which is like kind of Game of Thrones, ish, dragony. It's not, I don't know if it's for everybody, but I love it really good. You're
38:44
putting me on the spot because I'm, I know, right? Oh, we've read so many good ones. I will say, beneath a scarlet sky was incredible, and it's historical fiction. Oh, I love that. It's about,
39:02
it's about
39:04
a boy that was in Italy during like Mussolini and the German occupation of Milan and all of that. Wow. That is an amazing book. And I would say read it, because it's coming out as a movie starring Tom Holland, and I would definitely read it and then watch the movie. Oh, good, good, good, good. Well, now that I know how addicted you are to reading,
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simply be texting you and saying, Okay, I'm ready for another book. I have a million of them, and honestly, when I have a second, I'll look and send you some other books that I've read. Yeah, because I love the historical fiction and just all the things, even the fantasy, so much fun. Oh yeah, yeah,
39:46
I'm loving it, but my daughter recommended it. Oh, good, good, good, good. Well, Deedee, I know that our listeners have loved everything that you've had to say. How can they learn more about you? Fall.
40:00
You see those amazing kitchens and now furnishing designs, yeah. So they can find they can find our website at dewine design com,
40:12
very straightforward. All of our socials are at dewine design, and they can find us on Instagram.
40:21
We're on where, where are we Instagram and Facebook, and we have a house account. It's a little, you know? Yeah, ditto. I know we have a house account. I don't really use it, but we still, we get that. We get that little award every year. So, you know, that's always nice. That is always nice. It's good. It's good for branding and marketing. I will make sure that that information is in the show notes. Y'all. It's real simple. It's D, E, W, I, N, E, dewine, so it always reminds me, and this is going to date myself. You remember Fantasy Island, the plane, the plane. Yeah. Fine. No, I do. I do. When I was in school, I always had coaches that were my history, and it's like d1 is that you talking? Yes, that is
41:09
too funny. My sister from another mister, I know, I know.
41:13
Oh, y'all. That's too funny. Well, for those of you listening, if you are interested in receiving encouragement, business tips,
41:25
updates on events and things along that line through text. Please go ahead and text bestie, the word bestie to 855-784-8299,
41:36
and I'll reach out to you, maybe I don't know, two to three times a week, no spam. I promise no spam. But again, it's 855-784-8299,
41:46
and you'll hear from me on the regular.
41:49
I look forward to seeing you soon. Didi, I don't know when or where, but thanks so much for being here. Thank you so much for having me, Michelle. This is such an amazing this is another bucket list item checked off, but thank you so much for having me. Oh my gosh, absolutely. Well, for those of you listening, choose to be great today and every day we'll see you next time. Yes, thank you.
42:13
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 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 fun. I promise you'll enjoy it. And finally,
42:41
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 you
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