Ask Us Anything: Dwayne Bergmann on how to purchase another designer's firm
Dwayne Bergmann joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who recently received an offer from the principal of her firm to purchase the business. Naples, Florida–based Bergmann jumps in with advice on how to assess the financial health of a firm that’s on the market, a breakdown of the two most common types of business acquisitions and how a simple pros and cons list can help identify the challenges that lie ahead when it comes to leading a firm.LINKSDwayne BergmannKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
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1:06:53
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1:06:53
How Luis Fernandez structured his firm to foster creativity
Luis Fernandez’s boundless creative energy led him to a career in architecture, fashion, and ultimately, interiors. Now, he’s intent on pushing the limits of his craft with new challenges, like designing in the metaverse and some special side projects that have no client attached to them. Along the way, he is establishing airtight systems to guide his firm’s output even as his inspiration runs wild.LINKSLuis FernandezKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
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54:30
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54:30
Ask Us Anything: Michael Hilal on how good photography drives growth
Michael Hilal joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer about how to prioritize project photography after missing out on the opportunity to shoot a great job. San Francisco–based Hilal explains how he knows when it’s time to photograph a project, why he no longer feels the pressure to photograph everything he designs, and how to strategically leverage a firm’s best work to further your business goals.
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41:25
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41:25
Anne McDonald’s roadmap to investing in yourself
Anne McDonald made a big push a few years back to take her firm to the next level—toward bigger projects, more robust budgets, and new opportunities. The process required not only refining her team, but also learning to trust her own abilities. On this episode of the podcast, the Minneapolis, Minnesota–based designer shares why bringing on a CFO has helped her look toward the future, how she is navigating a shift towards smaller projects, and how her team is adjusting to a new pace of work.LINKSAnne McDonald Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
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41:55
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41:55
Ask Us Anything: Jean Liu on the best way to use credit cards for purchasing
Jean Liu joins the show to answer a question from a designer who is wondering whether or not to pass along vendor processing fees to clients. The Dallas–based designer jumps in with advice on communicating additional fees to clients in a pre-invoice estimate, the value of using credit cards as a form of consumer protection and preparing for tariff-related fees.LINKSJean LiuKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Business of Home's editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen talks to interior designers about nurturing creativity, finding a firm’s financial footing, setting goals and discovering their own version of success as a result.
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