Top 10 Ways to Fully Enjoy & Experience the Holiday Season

/

As the internet begins to make jokes about Mariah Carey starting to defrost and holiday songs play overhead, it’s the perfect time to prepare for the season ahead. With a bit of intention and forethought, you can make the most of your holiday season. Here are ten tips to do just that!

1. Plan Ahead

Do your future self a favor and lock in your major plans ahead of time, outlining any prep work you need to do and creating lists, so you don't feel frantic as the dates approach.

2. Have Fun Decorating

Few things get people into the holiday spirit like seasonal decorating around the house. Get inspiration from Pinterest and other blogs, starting with our post on Simple and Elegant Holiday Tablescape Options!

3. Make Room for New Traditions

It can be liberating to remember that you're not bound by all the old holiday traditions you don't care for, and it can be a lot of fun and meaningful to create new ones with family or loved ones, such as new recipes or activities.

4. Choose Thoughtfulness Over Price

Not only can it benefit your wallet to not try to impress with the most expensive gifts, but the most memorable gifts are the ones that tell the person that you've paid attention to their interests and that they’ve been on your mind.

5. Be Intentional About Sharing

Sometimes it takes extra effort to arrange games to play together or create a space to share stories. If that's important to you, be sure to take the initiative and make time for it. Let your enthusiasm be contagious and allow others to add to the holiday bucket list!

6. Indulge in Moderation

When it comes to eating during the holidays, find a balance that makes you feel good. It's a time to enjoy, so indulge guilt-free, but pay attention to when your body tells you it's time to stop or introduce more nutritious foods.

7. Pick Your Battles

When certain relatives tend to stir up tension every year, don’t let it surprise you anymore. Brace yourself, set boundaries where you feel it’s important, get comfortable saying no, and try to let the rest go.

8. Tap Into Your Generosity

The holidays are a time when sharing and abundance are missed even more by those with less. Consider local volunteer opportunities or invite people you know who don't have family to celebrate with.

9. Get in Touch with Nature

Embrace the season by appreciating how the natural world changes and what winter has to offer. Whether it's playing in the snow, enjoying outdoor sports, or picking a sprig of holly berries or pine to make a wreath.

10. Take Time for Yourself

While one of the highlights of the holidays is the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones, it can be intense and exhausting. It's healthy and good to allow yourself some relaxing time alone to recharge your batteries in the midst of it all.

Happy Holidays!

xx, Danae

Tips for a Smooth Client Onboarding Process

/

Onboarding is the process of welcoming and familiarizing your new client with your company and the project journey ahead. After signing the contract, it's the first point of in-depth contact, so it's time to anticipate needs and exceed expectations. The onboarding process is all about forging a relationship with your client. They want to feel heard, informed, and taken care of, throughout the project process. While many interior design clients may not be repeat customers, their experience with you from the earliest phases will define your company's reputation and also unlock the potential of word-of-mouth marketing.

At a glance, a successful client onboarding process:

  • keeps competitors at bay

  • gives you the opportunity to upsell or cross-sell services

  • helps you set expectations and avoid scope creep

  • allows you to build a loyal client community

  • provides insights into how to keep improving your business methods

Now, let’s look at several ways you can ensure a smooth client onboarding process.

Get to know the client and personalize their journey

Ask your client to answer a short online questionnaire to identify their pain points. Organize a meeting with the team to introduce yourselves. This is a personal touch that will facilitate future communication and demonstrate your commitment to the project. Follow up with a welcome email to your client to tell them how much you are looking forward to working with them and briefly outline the next steps that were discussed in the meeting.

Avoid information overload

While it’s vital to be transparent and make information accessible to the client, the goal is to streamline the process and facilitate the experience. So walk them through the main points and give them access to a Client Dashboard, where they can refer back to information like the contract, process outline, design options, and anything else that may be relevant. This will reduce unnecessary back and forth, give clients peace of mind, and prevent oversights that can lead to unmet expectations as the project progresses.

Include visual and interactive material

In the same spirit as the previous point, you can make the experience lighter and more enjoyable by incorporating different forms of media and interaction. Having videos on your website and social media allow clients to know you and understand better how you work. Consult a UX Design pro to fine-tune the format and functionality of things you send to clients: questionnaires, documents, inspiration images for feedback, or furniture options.

Stay available

Although you need to have a defined scope of work that includes a limited number of site visits and meetings, it’s important that clients can count on you to respond in a timely manner and resolve their concerns. That excellent service is one of the aspects that will have the greatest impact on the overall feeling and memory of the client’s experience. And it's what they’ll talk about when they recommend you to their family and friends.

Train and communicate with your teammates

The first step of onboarding is to be clear about who will be responsible for each step of the process. Everyone on your team should understand their role in order to keep things flowing, avoid redundant work and communications with the client, and so that no detail falls through the cracks. This kind of professionalism shines through to clients.

Celebrate small victories

Even if clients are well-informed, the interior design project process often turns out to be more complex and stressful than one might imagine. That's why it's so important to point out and celebrate project milestones with them along the way. This good energy will come across in your communication and site visits, helping to make the journey more enjoyable and convey confidence in the progress.

Review your onboarding practices

Be sure to write down all the steps you want to include in your client onboarding process. It should be detailed enough to be able to hand this process off to someone who is able to execute it. Put the process in a neat document, so that you can make any revisions over time and simply go through the steps each time a new client comes on board.

The chances of maintaining a positive relationship with a client are infinitely higher when you conduct a thorough onboarding procedure. While creating a successful onboarding plan may require some work upfront, it will ultimately save your team time and make your business run more smoothly.

xx, Danae

New Courses Available at Elite Design Assistants!

/

As a successful business owner, I’m sure you realized early on that in order to grow, scale and be successful you really need to be a lifelong learner. We are always learning and growing and strengthening our skills. If you are looking to polish your skills and/or learn new ones we’ve updated our courses page with some amazing new courses offered by industry partners.

The Standard, created by Sandra Funk at House of Funk, is an amazing course that teaches you step-by-step how to streamline your process and grow your firm into a luxury design business while giving yourself more freedom, creativity, and a job. This is the only program of its kind that not only provides a proven pricing model and turkey processes, but also the strategy, and tangible methods behind attracting and retaining luxury clients. This course is only open for enrollment twice per year! You can reserve your spot here, the next enrollment most likely will be around March 2023.

Chief Architect for Interior Designers is a Teachable-hosted course series, Kelly Fridline will broaden your knowledge of Chief Architect, Home Designer Pro, Sketchup, and Enscape. Kelly is an architecturally-trained designer and holds a Master of Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and almost a decade of professional experience, with 5 years working with Chief Architect software. Finally — a course specifically tailored to the Interior Design industry! You can either take the 6-course bundle or take the courses individually. The bundle is available here.

If you want to pick and choose from the individual courses, they are:

Chief Architect for Interior Designers – this is perfect for beginners.

Home Designer Pro – learn the ins and outs, and you’ll learn more than just the basics.

SketchUp Pro Organic 3D Modeling – Advanced 3D modeling in SketchUp Pro.

SketchUp Pro 3D Modeling – A full course on 3D modeling in SketchUp Pro.

SketchUp Free for Beginners – Learn 3D modeling in the SketchUp Free program.

Enscape for Interior Designers – Learn how to render in Enscape and create renderings that will make your clients say WOW!

We also have a Passive Investing course in the stock market for interior designers who are interested in learning how to increase their wealth. The course teaches you the ins and outs of starting your own brokerage account, and how to choose which stocks to buy and when to buy them. This course is perfect for those who are interested in learning how to get their money to make more money. Check it out here.

We are still working on passive investing in real estate and hope to see more information on that coming soon!

If there is something you are looking for in particular that you don’t see here let us know. We are always eager to help interior designers grow, scale, and create the business of their dreams!

xx, Danae

SEO Tips for Interior Designers & Remodelers

/

Jason Lockhart From Kitchen and Bath Marketing Solutions (KABMS.com) Gives Tips and Tricks For You To Get Noticed Online

Search Intent

You must produce the kind of content that users are seeking if you want to be found on Google. Aligning your content with search intent is what is referred to as, and it's arguably the most crucial aspect of SEO. If you sell kitchen cabinets online, for instance, you might want to rank for the phrase "Efficient storage & waterproof kitchen cabinetry." Your initial thought might be to make a product category page where you can list all the waterproof cabinets and effective storage solutions you offer. But if it's not what searchers are looking for, doing this would be a mistake. Regional search shows the top-ranking pages in Google for this keyword is a listing of blog posts, as you can see here.

Image: Google Ranking Websites based on Searcher Intent

Crafting Title Tags

The primary purpose of the title tag is to describe what the website's visitors and search engines can expect from it, in the most concise way possible. The significance of title tags includes:

Initial Impressions:

When conducting a search, the potential visitor will typically notice your title tag first. Consequently, this is your chance to leave a good impression.

Leverage Your Brand:

People believe in brands. Ensure your brand name is prominently displayed in your title tag if you are a household name in your industry. Once more, this encourages the click and increases traffic.

Search Engine Bots:

Additionally, remember that Google (and other search engines) considers your title tag among other things.

Image: Title Tag Truncation in SERPs

Page Experience

In 2021, Google updated the mobile page experience. The business started rolling it out on desktops in February 2022. The following are the components it has for desktops:

  • Core web vitals

  • No intrusive interstitials (Intrusive interstitials and dialogs are page elements that obstruct users' view of the content, usually for promotional purposes)

  • HTTPS (Network Security Protocol)

Although page experience indicators like Core Web Vitals are crucial for SEO, it's important to maintain perspective. One of more than 200 ranking factors is Core Web Vitals. They won't likely be a particularly strong signal, but if they're subpar, it's always worth fixing them to improve the experience for your visitors.

Image: Google Search Console Reports on Core Web Vitals

Want to know more? This information was provided by Jason Lockhart at Kitchen and Bath Marketing Solutions. They offer specialized digital marketing solutions for the Interior Design and Home Remodeling Industry. Kitchen and Bath Marketing Solutions offers a complete suite of digital marketing services to help interior designers and home remodeling professionals boost their brand recognition, promote their services, and convert casual onlookers into customers. Our services include but are not limited to: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Reputation Management – Customer Relations Management System (CRM) – Campaign Tracking – Public Relations (PR) – Consulting.

 

Visit their website KABMS.com and feel free to connect for a free consultation call.

xx, Danae

Simple and Elegant Holiday Tablescape Options

/

With a whole array of fall and winter celebrations on the horizon, preparing to host a meal at your home can be both exciting and stressful. These are special occasions that call for a little extra love when it’s time to set the scene, so I've lined up some simple and elegant ideas to help you make your dinner table beautiful and ready to welcome guests.

LAYER LINENS

Play with combinations of a tablecloth, table runner, and place mats, or use all three.

@magiclinen

ADD A GREEN GARLAND

Place an even scattering of seasonal fruits and gourds on top for color.

Lings Moment

FILL UP A LANTERN

Protect the candle flames and fill in the rest of the space with decorative details.

IG @sanctuaryhomedecor

SERVE DECOR ON A STAND

Use a cake stand to hold a centerpiece made up of seasonal decor.

IG @deeplysouthernhome

REMEMBER TO LOOK UP

Use the vertical space to hang a stunning DIY arrangement over the dining table.

IG @aprilyentas

SPICE UP THE PLACE CARDS

Tie sprigs of rosemary or cinnamon sticks for an aromatic touch.

IG @camillestyles

USE GLASS MARKERS

These accessories embellish the spread and help guests keep track of their glass.

Diana Sian Crafts on Etsy

GIVE A GIFT

Surprise each of your guests with a small on-theme party favor.

Events by L

FOLD THE NAPKINS

Make a fun design like a pine tree shape using this tutorial to help you.

IG @marthastewart

START A CONVERSATION

Place a couple of decks of conversation starters on the table to break the ice.

Salted Family on Etsy

 
 

Tips to create the perfect tablescape:

  • Stick to a color palette of 2-3 colors

  • Elevate the look with fine glassware and cutlery

  • Take the meal menu into account when planning the table layout

  • Don’t clutter the table too much or block guests’ view of each other

  • Keep a safe distance between candle flames and other flammable objects

 

Cheers!

xx, Danae

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

In an effort to offer the best services and products possible, we are interested to know what you want! How can we help you? Please take a few moments to complete this survey so we can help you grow and scale your business even more in the New Year.

Introducing Metrique Solutions: A NEW Financial Software for Interior Designers to Help Increase Profits

/

I know you are busy building your empire so I’m here to keep you educated on what’s new and beneficial in the interior design industry! Today, I am sharing information on the new financial software for service-based businesses called Metrique Solutions.

Metrique was developed by someone you may already know - Michele Williams, an interior design business coach who is also a strategist, profitability consultant, podcaster, author, and speaker. Michele combined her background in financial software development, business ownership, and coaching & consulting to create the perfect financial software for service-based businesses.

So what does Metrique Solutions do?

Metrique integrates with all of your most loved financial tools and puts all your money data in one easy to understand dashboard.

Metrique will build your confidence at it:

  • Provides interactive visuals of your business's financial performance.

  • Makes creating a budget so much easier.

  • Knows if you stray from your budget.

  • Tells you which stats you should be watching.

  • Simplifies your income statements.

  • Highlights your most important financial trends.

  • Includes built-in security for all users.

Metrique will help you build your business because it:

  • Uses data from other platforms.

  • Tracks conservative / aggressive budgets automatically.

  • Compares your current financial year with prior year.

  • Gives you a revenue breakdown graph.

  • Tracks your employee billable time.

  • Works with American and Canadian currencies.

FEATURES & BENEFITS – Understanding what Metrique can do.

  • It isn’t a billing software or a project management tool. It is the motherboard of the empire you are building!

  • It works with both American and Canadian currency.

  • It will upload your data from other platforms.

  • It will compare current financial year with prior financial year.

  • You will know right away if you stray from your budget.

  • It will track employee billable time.

“As a business advisor to entrepreneurs with mixed or ‘complicated’ relationships with money I knew there had to be a simpler, more aesthetically pleasing way to analyze and truly understand financial data,” Michele Williams CEO & Founder of Metrique Solutions shares.

‘What you don’t know won’t hurt you’ doesn’t apply to business growth and many of Michele’s clients were suffering from this lack of knowledge and ensuing lack of confidence.

“Metrique Solutions started as a spreadsheet that I gave to my private coaching clients. It was incredibly helpful at increasing profits, not just revenue, in their businesses – but I wanted it to be even easier to use, prettier to look at and simple to understand. Today, Metrique is a full-fledged software program that can be used by any service-based entrepreneur who wants to grow, scale and create a legacy business,” Michele explained.

If you are interested in learning more about Metrique, please click my affiliate link here. https://www.metriquesolutions.com/?via=danae

xx, Danae

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

In an effort to offer the best services and products possible, we are interested to know what you want! How can we help you? Please take a few moments to complete this survey so we can help you grow and scale your business even more in the New Year.

Gifts to Get Your Design Clients: Elite Design Assistants Guide for Client Gift-Giving

/

Throughout the design project journey, we forge relationships with our clients by sharing the very personal process of creating their home. And because an interior design project often spans several months or years, you are a fixture in each other's lives throughout the passing of the seasons. So whether you want to offer a thoughtful gesture to celebrate the winter holidays or a token of appreciation at the end of the project, a small gift can go a long way in acknowledging your clients and strengthening those relationships.

Gifts to clients should not be outrageously expensive, but you should budget for them in your company's financial planning. Even if the project has come to an end, it's worth this small final investment, because it will impact how clients remember you and speak about your firm. It also just feels good to give. Here are some ideas of gifts you can get your design clients.

COFFEE TABLE BOOKS

A fabulous go-to gift which is aesthetically pleasing and can be personalized to their interests.

DRINK THERMOSES

A practical choice for your coffee or tea drinking clients who are always on the go.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

A gorgeous touch to liven up your client’s space, whether they’re already moved into their new home or not.

PLANTS IN A BEAUTIFUL POT

If your clients are some of those people who can never have too many plants, it’s an easy win.

SERVING TRAYS WITH GOURMET FOOD ITEMS

Gift them a nice decorative wooden board and with a selection of delicacies to try, like a cheeseboard.

BOTTLES + BARWARE

Find out their drink of choice to pop open and celebrate, and consider adding accessories like a set of coasters.

FANCY SOAP

Nothing ruins a fantastic bathroom design like a tacky soap bottle, so treat them to a pretty dispenser and great-smelling hand soap.

CANDLE SETS

Timeless and warm, surprise them with a large candle in a lovely container, a set of holders, or accessories like a snuffer and wick trimmer.

PREMIUM SLIPPERS

A cozy detail that makes walking around their new home feel a bit extra luxurious.

SOMETHING FOR THEIR PET

If they are obsessed with their pet, they might get the most joy out of receiving a beautiful engraved collar or set of food and water bowls.

GOODS FROM LOCAL ARTISANS

Support local makers by gifting handmade ceramics or a nice hand towel set.

And finally, a few more tips on the do's and don'ts of giving gifts to clients.

DO

  • Accompany the gift with your logo on a brief handwritten note signed by your team.

  • Consider allergies or dietary preferences when sending edible or drinkable gifts.

  • If you can’t or don’t want to purchase a gift for your client, it’s still much better to send a beautiful card on their birthday or holiday than nothing at all.

  • Include your vendors on your card mailing list, particularly smaller businesses you work with.

DON’T

  • You don’t have to give the same gift to all your clients; each one should be somewhat proportional to the scale of that project.

  • Don’t assume which holidays your clients celebrate, and make sure you find out before specifying the occasion.

  • Don't give something that makes it seem like your project was delivered incomplete, like another sofa cushion.

Happy gift-giving! xx, Danae

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

In an effort to offer the best services and products possible, we are interested to know what you want! How can we help you? Please take a few moments to complete this survey so we can help you grow and scale your business even more in the New Year.

Trend Forecasting: Most Popular Interior Design Trends Forecasted for 2023

/

Can you believe how fast 2022 has flown by? The interior design industry is already forecasting trends for 2023 and you know what that means… the end of the year is near!

Someone with either a crystal ball or ESP has spoken …here are the most popular design trends of the future.

Nature

As nature continues to be connected to wellness, 2023 will be full of organic and cozy materials. Think cotton, clay, velvet, wool, ceramic, and wood.

Instagram-able Walls

Yes, you read that correctly. A wall in homes that are so amazing they are Instagram-worthy! These perfect statement walls will be for video calls, Instagram and whatever social media comes in the future.

Arches

Arches are not only a renaissance architectural feature they are softer and will be returning to furniture, decor elements, and doorways.

Digital Realism

Think cyberpunk, neon lights, and geometric shapes. Many people are living in the Metaverse and they love it so much they want their real-life décor to mimic what they see in cyberspace.

Funghi Décor

This iconic 70s revival is known for its whimsical effects applied in shapes and prints.

Instagram-able Lounges – Hospitality

Businesses want to be seen on social media, too. They will go for more eye-catching interiors worth sharing!

Lavender

Lavender is predicted to be the star color for 2023!

Luxury Monochromatic

Used in kitchens and bathrooms along with golden accents.

Private Spaces

Now that we do EVERYTHING at home now, people desire more private spaces for work, school, fitness, etc.

Reinvented Heritage

A design trend that will merge classic decors with fashion design.

Have you seen any other trends for 2023?

xx, Danae

Shop the Look for the Best Works Bags for Interior Designers!

/

It’s time to go purse and bag shopping! We have compiled some of the best bags and purses we know of for busy interior designers like yourself to take to client visits, work site visits, and even to the grocery store.

Click the SHOP NOW button below to buy your favorite bag!

Happy Shopping!

xx, Danae

Creating Vision Boards for Your Life and Business

/

As interior designers, we are no strangers to composing material boards or mood boards. The unique combination of images and textures we create tells a story about our vision for the project ahead. As we progress, they can serve as a reference point to return to, helping us stay consistent with our concept and keep us on track to achieve it. So why not do the same with your business or personal life?

A vision board is an inspirational board created with photos, images, clippings, phrases and words that represent the ideal lifestyle you want to reach or the goals you want to achieve. There’s no perfect formula to making a vision board, because it’s completely personal to you.

The most hands-on approach is a physical vision board, which you can make with a classic cork board or wire wall grid, among many other options. But you can also create a digital board made with an app such as Canva, and make it your desktop and phone background. Attach photos you’ve taken yourself, cut out magazines, or find images or quotes online. You may already have an existing collection of aspirational images on Pinterest to get you started.

Life Vision Board

Creating a vision board is an excellent exercise in its own right. Think of places you want to go, inspirational people whose energy you would like to channel, phrases that encourage or resonate with you, milestones on the horizon, objects that have meaning to you, or even fashion photos that inspire you. You can include images that evoke your values in relation to family and friends, spirituality, hobbies, projects or health. Anything that represents the life you want to lead in the future: near or a little more distant.

Business Vision Board

As with your life vision board, ask yourself what values or keywords represent your company, as well as the kind of work environment you’d like to cultivate with your team. Is there a number that represents a goal you have for this year, like a number of projects you’d like to complete? What image would represent your expansion goals? You may also like to work in your corporate fonts and colors in a creative way. Creating a vision board can actually be a great opportunity for team-building, as well, as you put your heads together to add insights.

While it’s important to be grateful for what we have and give ourselves credit for how far we’ve already come, having a vision board will help you to focus on where you want to go and how you want to continue growing. So the most important thing is that your vision board is somewhere you’ll see it often, such as at home first thing in the morning, or in plain view from your office desk.

Just as with all goal-setting, it’s best to choose attainable targets for yourself. Aim high, but if you overload your board with impossible objectives, it will only serve to discourage you rather than fulfill its purpose. Looking at your vision board should make you feel good and contribute to a more positive outlook. So don’t wait till the New Year to reflect on your goals. It's just a matter of dedicating a little time and creativity; nothing you're not willing to do to achieve your dreams, right?

xx, Danae

Make Life Easier With Menu & Grocery List Planning

/

One day you spend three hours in the kitchen only to see your creation disappear in ten minutes. Another day you open the fridge and find it empty and end up grabbing fast food. Another day you go shopping for ingredients for a recipe and when you get home you realize you already had many of the ingredients, plus yesterday's leftovers. If this sounds all too familiar, the good news is that the solution is easier than it sounds.

For some reason, planning ahead can seem like a daunting chore, but when it comes down to it, isn't the hassle of not planning worse? Investing just a little time at the beginning of each week will save you time and money, and help you eat healthier and live more relaxed. If you're up for giving it a try, read on.

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

  • What day of the week you are going to plan the menu and do the shopping.

  • How much time you have to cook.

  • The days you will eat out or take lunch to work.

  • If you have kids who eat lunch at school, check the menu for that week to avoid repeating dinners.

  • Whether you will plan breakfasts and snacks, or focus on lunches and dinners.

CREATE YOUR MENU LIBRARY

Mindful menu planning also ensures a more balanced diet. Although nutritional guidelines are constantly evolving, you can follow the principles of a source you trust to include plenty of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. One such model is known as the "Harvard Plate," which maps out healthy proportions and examples of vegetables, proteins, grains, fruits and oils. With this starting point, you can begin to build a collection of well-rounded meal menus. An example would be fish with wild rice and green beans, cooked with olive oil, and fruit salad for dessert.

You can store your menu ideas in digital format, write them on cards, or hang a poster in your pantry. You may want to organize your menu by categories, such as meat, fish or vegetables. Magazines, food blogs and Pinterest are good places to start for inspiration. Over time, you'll add more options, and this will take the work out of thinking about meal planning and grocery shopping each week.

PLAN YOUR WEEKLY MENU

Before you sit down to choose the meal menus for the week, take inventory of your fridge, freezer and pantry to see what needs to get used up to avoid waste. Now, what recipes do you have that could incorporate those ingredients? Can you include several recipes that are different but share common ingredients? Write down the remaining ingredients you'll need to complete the week's recipes, either in a note app like Google Keep on your phone or on paper. Then, there are countless templates on Canva you can edit and print off to display your weekly menu. See what format works for you, print out a dozen copies and grab one to jot down your menus each week. Another option is to laminate a copy and use it as a reusable dry-erase board and hang it on your fridge.

GET COOKING

To save time during the week you can prepare several dishes in advance or cook some foods and have them ready in the fridge just to heat and eat. You can allocate a couple of hours on a day that suits you and advance dishes for the week. This is known as batch cooking, and it can be a lifesaver when you get home late and the last thing you want to do is stand in front of the stove.

The best way to save time in the long run is to prepare the main dishes that you can store in the fridge or freezer. Or, you can just make a large batch of rice or pasta, or whatever base you’ll be using in different recipes throughout the upcoming week. Dishes that break down rapidly, like certain salads, you can chop up the same day you eat them, but thanks to your thoughtful planning, you’ll have all the ingredients on hand and ready to go!

Especially at first, you might find that you have leftovers that you don’t want to throw out, or things will come up that will throw your plan off-kilter. Don’t let this put you off the idea of meal planning, because with a bit of practice, you’ll start to get a better idea of portions and flexibility. And remember, you'll probably still waste less food than if you didn't plan your groceries.

FINAL TIPS

  • Save your old menus and write the date on them. This way you can repeat the plans and quickly find seasonally appropriate menus in the future!

  • If you have never done it before, it may take you longer to do this planning, but you’ll see that once you’ve done it a couple of times, it will become a built-in habit and make your meal prep a breeze!

xx, Danae

Passive Income Ideas for Interior Designers

/

Whether you feel like you've hit a financial ceiling, want to scale your business, or are simply interested in making more money, the prospect of passive income is an exciting one. Fortunately, interior design is a profession that offers numerous strategies for generating passive income.

The idea is to establish revenue streams that flow in the background with minimal effort on your part. It's important to remember that there is an initial investment of time to get it up and running and, depending on the strategy, there may be more or less maintenance. But if you set it up correctly from the beginning, you will find it to be quite rewarding.

Here are some effective passive income ideas that you can consider introducing into your business.

Digital Downloads

Selling digital downloads is one of the most popular ways to create passive income. Although it requires a significant time investment, it requires little to no monetary investment. You can create downloadable products such as gallery wall templates, e-books, guides, or pre-made mood boards. Try to opt for content that will stay fresh and relevant in the long term to maximize your earnings.

Courses

Whether you decide to sell a course on your own website or on another platform like Udemy, you will find customers or budding designers who want to know your design tips and tricks. Create a high-quality product with thoughtful content of value and attractive, cohesive graphic aids. If you sell your course on a third-party platform, you may benefit from more traffic. If you sell it on your own website, you’ll have total control over the price you charge.

Affiliate Marketing

The good news is that most major brands have an affiliate program with which you receive a commission for each sale that comes through your recommendation, such as through a link from your blog. This is a passive income opportunity with high earning potential and no need to get involved in the actual sales. The main challenge may be to work on the SEO of your site so that more customers find you in the first place.

Sponsorships

If you already have a large social media following, vendors may offer you their products so that you can market them or simply speak well of them (in exchange for a commission or one-time payment). They may even ask you to become a brand ambassador. Such an agreement may include specific kinds of posts or content, so it’s important that what you’re promoting is in line with your brand.

Online Shops

When it comes to e-commerce as passive income, you generally resell products rather than selling your own. It can take some time to get this set up on your website. Alternatively, you can use an affiliate program like SideDoor or Shopify to add items to your online shop and earn a substantial commission. In either case, you’ll need to advertise and leverage social media to attract customers.

Membership Sites

A membership site offers valuable information for a monthly or annual fee. As an interior designer, you must decide whether your expertise is better targeted to other designers or to consumers. As with digital downloads and courses, you’re sharing your knowledge in an accessible way. It’s one of the more time-consuming methods, which requires excellent marketing and customer service. But once it’s up and running, it can be a highly lucrative source of passive income.

Printable Art

Apart from being an interior designer, do you dabble in drawing or painting? Downloadable, printable art is a prevalent feature in decoration and is purchased by interior designers and consumers alike. Sell your work on Etsy, Shopify, or in your own shop in order to make multiple profits on a piece you created just once.

Hopefully, one or more of these passive income strategies have caught your attention and gotten you excited to start earning more! Looking for more help to get started?

In my eBook, Creating Passive & Multiple Income Streams For Interior Designers, I show you how other interior designers earn passive income in all of the above ways and more. You’ll find in-depth examples, case studies, important considerations, resources, and the steps to take to get these revenue streams going yourself.

xx, Danae

12 Ways To Celebrate National Women's Health and Fitness Day!

/

Something so vital deserves a day to celebrate and refocus attention on women’s health and fitness. National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is an initiative organized by the Health Information Resource Center. Each year, on the last Wednesday in September, more than 500 groups participate by hosting events across the country in venues ranging from health clubs to schools to community centers. Topics addressed include breast and cervical cancer, family planning and pregnancy, heart disease, and many more.

There is an old Zen saying that goes, "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day, unless you are too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." This idea could easily be applied to any exercise or wellness practice. It's time to make your health a non-negotiable priority. In addition to participating in an official event, here are 12 more ways you can celebrate National Women's Health and Wellness Day:

  1. Schedule a medical check-up. When was the last time you went for a routine checkup? Even if you're feeling well, it's recommended to visit your doctor at least once a year.

  2. Go for a mammogram. The goal is prevention, so learn how to check yourself, and especially women aged 40 and older or with a family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor to schedule an appointment.

  3. Buy a fitness tracker. Make it easier to be aware of your activity by wearing a smartwatch or activity tracker, which lets you see how much you’re moving from day to day.

  4. Get your partner or family up and moving. Play a game that requires physical activity as a way to bring your loved ones together and get some exercise in without it feeling like a chore!

  5. Get outside and go for a walk or bike ride. Getting some fresh air and having a change of scenery can do wonders for both our physical and mental health.

  6. Dance to your favorite song. Let yourself be spontaneous and channel those bursts of energy and good vibes.

  7. Grab a friend. Some people find it helpful and motivating to have an accountability partner and enjoy their company while you both benefit from doing some sport or activity.

  8. Take care of your mental health. Often more neglected than physical health, but equally important, check in with yourself and consider seeking professional support, even if you don't feel you "need" it.

  9. Reevaluate your diet. Step back and have a look at whether your daily diet is generally nutritionally well-balanced, and consider meal planning.

  10. Get enough sleep. An undervalued part of health and too often sacrificed, there's a reason doctors insist on 7-9 hours of shuteye per night.

  11. Share what you’re doing on social media. If you already enjoy sharing what you’re up to online, why not raise awareness and inspire others to get back in touch with their own health?

  12. Make a commitment. Like all holidays that aim to bring attention to a cause, the goal is to organize your routine in a sustainable way so you can take care of yourself and enjoy a greater quality of life throughout the whole year!

With all the crazy demands of everyday life, health and fitness often get pushed to the back burner. But this day serves as a reminder that you deserve to dedicate time to your well-being, and it’s also going to allow you to put your best self forward for your loved ones, career, and other priorities. And while maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for both men and women, this day recognizes the unique health needs especially for women.

xx, Danae

It's International Coffee Day!

/

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, chances are that you consume it too. According to a study conducted by the National Coffee Association, 7 out of 10 Americans drink coffee every week. Coffee is fuel, it's comfort, and it's even a pretext for conversation or the perfect first date. So pour yourself a cup to sip as you read on about the significance of the celebration of International Coffee Day.

Although coffee has been celebrated nationally for decades in countries such as the United States, Nepal and Indonesia, the first official International Coffee Day date was instituted by the International Coffee Organization in 2015 in Milan, Italy. The idea is to pay tribute to this popular beverage, and also to promote fair trade coffee while raising awareness of the dire situation of coffee producers.

Most coffee travels a long way from small-scale farmers in the "Bean Belt" countries and through the hands of buyers, various middlemen, roasters and distributors, before reaching the shelves of your local store. From the cup of coffee you buy at your neighborhood coffee shop, the average farmer receives only 1% of the profits. With such minimal profits, there isn’t enough to reinvest in labor, land, or equipment, and parents often take their children out of school to work on the plantations in order to survive.

On the other hand, coffee production often brings with it environmental problems from deforestation to high use of water and energy resources and water pollution, all on a large scale. However, certified organic coffee is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. To support ethical standards of coffee production, opting for organic coffee that comes from a supply chain where everyone is paid fairly is an action you can take.

In the health field, there has been plenty of praise and criticism written about coffee, but every day scientists discover more and more benefits when consumed in moderation. Did you know that coffee contains more antioxidants than broccoli? The Harvard School of Public Health found that people who drink coffee are less likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and even depression. Just remember to consume it in moderation, as the FDA recommends staying under 400 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee.

So how can you celebrate International Coffee Day? Here are some ideas for you.

  1. Get free or discounted coffee from one of the many cafés or shops that participate in International Coffee Day.

  2. Gift yourself or a loved one a new coffee mug.

  3. Look for Fair Trade and organic seals on the package before buying or ask the barista about the origin of the coffee.

  4. Try a new brewing method.

  5. Sign up for a coffee subscription to sample different varieties.

  6. Learn how to order coffee in another language.

  7. Try food or drink recipes that include coffee as an ingredient. My favorite is anything chocolate as coffee is known to enhance the flavor of chocolate.

  8. Ask someone out to celebrate the day with you.

Drink up and enjoy this wonderful day!

xx, Danae

It’s Time to Break into the Luxury Market with The Interior Design Standard!

/

I love sharing helpful tips, tricks and information that I learn about the interior design industry with you that will help you succeed in running the most fulfilling and profitable business possible. I’m excited to share with you once again a business program that’s goal is to improve the interior design industry one design firm at a time.

The Interior Design Standard, created by East Coast interior designer Sandra Funk (House of Funk), is making a huge impact on a number of interior designers’ businesses across the country.

Why is this program making such an impact? Because the Interior Design Standard is House of Funk’s business structure. That’s right! The program includes a variety of modules with templates, processes, tools and tech for designers to implement the structure into their own businesses. Within each module are videos explaining the ‘why’ behind Funk’s processes, with her personal experiences and lessons learned weaved in.  

The program is delivered in a friendly digital format. Designers receive lifetime access, live virtual community events and access to the ultimate design community: the Standard Inner Circle. “Our mantra is ‘Rise, Designers, Rise’. By helping one designer at a time, we hope to see the entire design industry improve,” says Funk.

I want to tell you a little bit more about the designers that the Standard will benefit the most.

·       They've been in business for at least two years

·       They have at least 2 team members

·       Interior design is their calling - they've got the design stuff locked down

·       They're ready to level up and break into the luxury design market

·       They desire to have more confidence, joy, creativity, freedom... and profit

Of course, the Standard is not exclusive to designers that check every box, but their data and testimonials have shown that this is who has fantastic results with the Standard. 

This program is perfect for any designer who needs organized processes, wants to learn more about how a thriving and successful design practice does it and wants to bring joy and passion back into their business.

They give you digestible video explanations accompanied by Sandra’s process, broken down into step-by-step tasks for you to download and customize for your business. Here are a few of the highlights:

·       Interior Design Services Agreement

·       20+ Client email templates

·       Trade Agreement

·       HR Docs galore (job listings, roles, and responsibilities, employee agreements with office policies, onboarding processes, and more) 

·       Full Service Asana template (100+ tasks of our detailed full service and build/renovate process)

·       Potential Client Asana template (detailed tasks outlining and digging into this process from initial outreach to onboarding)

·       And tons of bonuses that will knock your socks off!

Plus, anyone who signs up using my link below will get our Passive & Multiple Income Streams for Interior Designers e-Book for FREE*!

Enrollment only happens twice per year and the next enrollment period starts today, September 28 – October 5, 2022. Don’t wait! Reserve your spot now at:  https://interiordesignstandard.com/danae

*The FREE e-Book will be sent via email 60 days after payment in full for The Interior Design Standard is paid.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have questions!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

xx, Danae

The Best Social Media Post Ideas for Interior Designers

/

If you aren’t a fan of social media then one of the most time consuming tasks you have can be social media … unless of course you have a social media manager, in which case your life is much easier.

If you are doing all of your social media on your own, below are some tips for higher engagement but first, a few quick tips!

Block out time each month for social media creation and planning. Treat it like a date! No reschedules.

Create a monthly calendar and implement your posts into that calendar.

Using a planning tool such as Planoly or Tailwind, schedule out the entire calendar one time – then focus on your business until your next date with social media.

Schedule to post at the best times of day– what are those you ask? Below is what is recommended for your region.

  • Monday – 12:00 p.m.

  • Tuesday – 9:00 a.m.

  • Wednesday – 11:00 a.m.

  • Thursday – 11:00 a.m.

  • Friday – 2:00 p.m.

  • Saturday – 9:00 a.m.

  • Sunday – 7:00 p.m.

Finally, what you should you be posting for higher engagement.

  • Videos – the shorter the better these days. We’ve turned into a society with extremely short attention spans. A max of 60 seconds used to be recommended, now the powers that be are saying 35 seconds! Get really good at creating great content in 35 seconds or less.

  • Carousels – No time or desire for videos? Create photos that run similar to a video but they are still images, the movement will catch scroller’s attention.

  • Humor – People love funny posts. Be creative, if you are funny let your humor shine! Create posts about what NOT to do as an interior designer, funny things that happen to you in your day or your humorous observations.

  • Unique – Post about unique décor, strange things you find in people’s homes or unique connections to your story or your client’s story.

  • Pets and/or children – People love animals and children. I understand not wanting to post your children so use your own discretion but animals and kids are attention grabbers.

  • Be yourself – Life’s short so now is the time to do whatever you want. Color your hair purple, wear a bedazzled vest or wear funky glasses – people are attracted to those being their authentic selves so get personal. What is unique about you personally? Share it!

I recently saw a real estate investor influencer who was just bored and started dying his hair different colors for fun. His Instagram followers started asking him why he kept coloring his hair and if it was a marketing ploy. He decided he should start looking at the analytics. He found that he had the most engagement on posts when his hair was dyed red or green but overall, he’s had more engagement and made more money this year with dying his hair a different color every few months then he had in all of his previous years of business. Maybe it was a coincidence or maybe it become a fun thing for followers to see what color he’d die his hair next. Or even yet, maybe people were more likely to do business with him become he seemed relatable. No matter the reason, this has worked for him.

At the end of the day if you need social media help, please feel free to reach out by replying to this email.

We are always happy to help!

xx, Danae

THE INTERIOR DESIGN STANDARD

Don’t Miss Open Enrollment Begins for the Interior Design Standard by Sandra Funk - September 28!

This program is perfect for any designer who needs organized processes, wants to learn more about a thriving and successful design practice does it and wants to bring the joy and passion back into their business.

T-Shirts! T-Shirts! T-Shirts! Don't Miss This Seasons Cutest Graphic Tees!

/

I spy with my little eye... these really cool t-shirts that you could buy! Don't miss this season's cutest graphic t-shirts, from business-casual to vintage-inspired. Head on over to our online shop to spy one of your own.

Valuable Resource Info for Interior Designers: Answers to the Top 5 Questions I Get From Interior Designers

/

After several years in the industry I’ve realized I get asked many of the same questions so here are the answers and resources recommended to the TOP 5 questions I get!

What project management software is best for interior designers?

This is a hard one to answer because there is no clear-cut answer. Every designer has different needs, wants, and goals when it comes to project management software. While some designers absolutely love MyDoma, others prefer Indema. Many of my clients use Studio Designer while others use Ivy. And then there are Design Files and DesignDocs that are becoming more widely used. As well as those designers that prefer non-specific interior design platforms such as Dubsado or 17 Hats.

The best information I can give is Studio Designer seems to be less user-friendly but a better option for large design firms. Ivy, MyDoma, and Indema are very user-friendly. Ivy is now included in Houzz Pro. MyDoma recently upgraded to MyDoma Next and Indema is still working hard to give designers everything they want in a project management platform.

At the end of the day – all of these are being used and loved by many.

What is the best way to streamline my processes and systems?

There are three things I recommend to designers to best streamline their processes and systems for success.

1.     Hire an online business manager to help you do this

2.     Take The Interior Design Standard course

3.     Hire a business coach specifically for Interior Design 

I’m overwhelmed, how do I begin to determine what to outsource?

First, write down a list of tasks that you do NOT enjoy doing.

Next, write down a list of tasks that feel like busy work.

Lastly, write down a list of tasks that you feel would be easy to outsource.

You will see some common threads among these lists and get a better idea of what you need help with.

If you are interested in working with a virtual design assistant (VDA) on my team, you can always send me those lists and I can further narrow down where to begin and create a plan for you to get started.

How does working with someone on your teamwork?

I match you with a VDA who has the skillsets you desire. You have the opportunity to chat with them before you commit to using our service to ensure it’s a good fit. Our contract is on an as-needed basis, with flat hourly rates, and a monthly invoice. If you are interested in visiting more, please feel free to schedule a call here.

I want to incorporate more passive income into my business, what do you suggest?

I do have an e-Book called, Creating Passive & Multiple Income Streams for Interior Designers, that goes into a lot more detail on this. Still, the best ways to start are by creating templates, courses, shop the look boards, affiliate marketing, website ads, sponsors, and more!

What questions do you have? Please feel free to reply to this email and ask! I am happy to help!

xx, Danae

Get The Most Bang For Your Buck With Value-Add To Property

/

In a sense, any improvement to your or your client’s property will result in a higher property value. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get your money back or make a return on the investment. And, as you will see, it's not just the type of remodeling you do, but the scale and strategy of the remodeling that determines the return on investment. Here are some of the top value-adds that can get you and/or your clients the most bang for the buck.

Improving Curb Appeal

The buyer experience begins well before stepping foot inside a home, and so does the property’s value. Consider some simple landscaping, such as re-mulching, pruning shrubs, and adding a few colorful plants, with potential to recover up to 100% of the investment. According to studies, it is possible to recover roughly 93% of the cost of installing stone veneer and 91% of the cost of a new garage or entry door. New siding or exterior paint also drastically improves first impressions. While not the first place some buyers may look, a restored roof adds significant value to a property, particularly if it has suffered water damage or is simply worn out. Outdoor spaces, such as a deck, patio, or pool, acts as a sort of extension of liveable area, which brings us to the next point.

Increasing Liveable Square Footage

One of the most important factors that determine the value of a property is the liveable square footage. If you have the space and budget, adding to the footprint of your property is a sure way to drive up its value. In particular, additional bedrooms and bathrooms are valued. If that is not possible, you can still increase the value by optimizing the space you do have. This can be accomplished by opening up common living areas, as the new generation of homebuyers generally prefers open floor plans. You can also remodel neglected areas, such as the basement, in order to add to the total area that is truly liveable.

Strategic Kitchen and Bath Remodels

Kitchens are known to be one of the focal points of a home, but note that a basic makeover gives an 87 percent return on investment while a major kitchen redesign only yields about 80%. A light makeover for your kitchen could include painting cabinets or putting in new doors, upgrading large appliances and countertops, or installing more modern cabinet hardware. Bathroom remodels work similarly. A superficial bathroom remodel can mean up to a 102% return on investment! Prioritize regrouting tiles and replacing mirrors, fixtures, and caulk around the shower, tub, and toilet areas.

Updated Systems and Energy Efficiency

Make sure that your electrical and plumbing installations are working properly so that they don’t detract from the sale value. While not necessarily an aesthetic improvement, upgrading HVAC, water heaters, and windows will provide the highest returns. Between the growing interest in more environmentally friendly options and the long-term savings associated with more efficient energy, buyers are increasingly attracted to these types of upgrades. Be sure to detail the benefits when marketing your property so buyers understand what they are getting.

Fresh Paint and New Floors

One of the most effective and budget-friendly upgrades is a fresh coat of paint. Opt for light neutral shades. It will work wonders for brightening up darker areas and breathing new life into not only walls, but cabinets, trim, and exterior. On the other hand, hardwood flooring is highly valued by many buyers today, and when installed properly, it can increase the selling price of a home by around 2.5%.

Home Staging

The objective of home staging is to make a property more appealing, thus increasing its value. Professional home stagers strategically organize and furnish the property in such a way that viewers can project themselves in the space and better see its potential. According to a recent study by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, staging can contribute to a 20% boost in the sale price. Besides that, staging accelerates the sale of homes by three to 30 times compared to unstaged competitors.

Determining exactly which upgrades will get you the most bang for your buck requires a study of your property’s weak spots and the local market and demand. Working with a local realtor can help you to decide what upgrades make the most sense to invest in so your home or your client’s home meets the expectations of buyers in your market.

Happy Value-Adding!

xx, Danae