I've talked to so many designers lately who are finding this sudden stop in all their activity hard to take. After all, our business is usually go-go-go, right?! Some people want to fill that time with lots of to-do lists and others are feeling like they can't get off the sofa. Neither one of...

If you're like most small business owners right now, you're having to make some tough decisions. You may be deciding whether you should break a showroom lease. You're probably navigating all of the loans, grants, and programs available to small businesses right now. And... you may even have to...

Wow - we didn't see that coming. Just when you think you've planned for everything, a pandemic hits and packs a major punch to the economy. Everyone is feeling it - like we have been run over by a train we didn't see coming. So now what? What do you do when your business dries up overnight and...

The kitchen really is the heart of the home - and in today's world, that heart is even more important. So how do you take a kitchen design from good to oh-my-gosh?! I have 4 sure-fire ways to give your clients a kitchen that really will function for them - and they are all about communication!

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It's one of the most uncertain times we can remember for business. The economic picture is uncertain, lives are disrupted, and your clients are nervous. So you should just stop everything, too, right? WRONG!

Marketing is something you can't stop. Because when the world gets back to a new normal,...

It is so common to have an energy slump in the middle of the day that snack food and beverage companies use the idea to sell their products. And I can tell you that I definitely have low-energy times - ok, sometimes I even have low-energy DAYS! But in our biz, we need to keep cranking for as many...

Running your own business is TOUGH! I know, I've been doing it for over 20 years and it can still be challenging. When you're trying your best to hit your goals, you can feel like you're running on a hamster wheel - like you may never get to that success you want. And the scariest part??...

If you notice a serious competitor in your market, you might find yourself frustrated or even a little freaked out. After all, this is your turf! That can lead to frantic changes to your billing or rethinking EVERYTHING you're doing because you think they're going to take your business! Right?!...

It's one thing to get yourself motivated and super-productive, but when you're working with a team, you want them operating at their very best, too! Part of being a boss is helping keep your team on track, without micro-managing them. (I know! I am always a bit guilty of this!!) And I have some...

I've talked many times about how important great communication is with your clients. But... it's too easy to forget that it's EXTREMELY important with your team members, too! That includes contractors, subs, assistants, architects and anyone else working on the project with you. One...

There are so many weeks when I wish there were 26 hours (or more) in a single day!! Sometimes I feel like someone sped up the clock and I'll never get everything done. If you feel like that, too, you know that being as productive as possible is the one thing that will slow it all down. But HOW to...