Profit Is A Choice

034: BUILDING HEROISM IN BUSINESS WITH SCOTT BEEBE Scott Beebe is the founder and head coach of My Business on Purpose and he's the host of the My Business on Purpose podcast. He loves to liberate small business owners from the chaos of working in their business and helps to get their lives back by assisting them in articulating and implementing intentional vision mission values, systems and processes.  TOPICS MENTIONED: Preparation Vision Direction THOUGHTS FROM SCOTT: Your vision story is never anymore than 90 to 95 percent complete. The hardest time is to set aside the time, but you still need to block the time. Sit down for 2 to 3 blocks of time free of distractions. When you have things written out, you become “possessive” of it. Every business should have 5 corner stones: Vision, Mission, Unique Core Value Set, Team Meeting Structure, ad Hiring Process. The unique core values should drive everything. Most businesses are started with a product first mentality and not a vision centric mentality. The hiring process does not end the day you make the offer. Identify gaps in the business that need to be filled. Revisit the vision when considering hiring someone. You have to budget all roles to be hired. We are not running non-profits. We are running for profits. During the first live interview, you should only focus on the vision, mission, values, and culture. Sometimes, you just have to let things burn within your business. SOCIALS: Website: www.mybusinessonpurpose.com Website: www.letyourbusinessburn.com Facebook: My Business on Purpose RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Vision Story Template - Download Now! PIAC EP. 009 - Listen Now! Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Business Done Differently by Jesse Cole Finding Your Yellow Tux by Jesse Cole Let Your Business Burn by Scott Beebe Correct Your Cash Flow - Download Now! Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Now!

Joining me today on the podcast is Stacey Brown Randall—a returning guest and someone you're going to love hearing from again. Stacey has been on the show twice before, and today she's back to share insights from her brand-new book, The Referable Client Experience. You may also know her as the author of the multiple award-winning book Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, and as the host of the hugely popular podcast Roadmap to Referrals. Beyond her work as a consultant and coach, she's also a wife and mom of three, bringing a grounded, real-world perspective to everything she teaches. In this episode, we're diving into what it truly takes to create a client experience that naturally generates referrals—without the awkward asks or uncomfortable scripts. You won't want to miss this conversation. Topics Mentioned: Emotional Connection Client Experience Consistency in Connection Referral Strategies Key Thoughts:  The Referable Client Experience Book Overview This book explores how businesses can create a client experience that generates referrals. The focus is on being a referrable business to begin.   Enhancing Client Referral Experiences   It is important to create a referable client experience beyond just delivering results. Understanding how people feel when referring others, not just the results, highlights the need for a repeatable process to ensure consistent positive results . Focusing on client feelings is crucial for generating referrals.   Client Experience Emotional Design      Intentionally craft a client experience to align with desired outcomes. "Ideal Client Reaction Script" involves identifying 3-5 key emotions or reactions clients should experience and ensuring your process is crafted to achieve these outcomes. Enhancing Client Experience with Consistency Having a repeatable process allows for consistency in approach and delivery. Clear SOPs that are documented encourages the client experience to be analyzed from start to finish. AI and Human Connection AI has a place in client experience models, but it cannot replace human connection. Identify which touch points can be automated, and which should be done by a human.   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   Contact Stacey: Email: stacey@staceybrandall.com Instagram: @staceybrownrandall Facebook: Stacey Brown Randall YouTube: Referrals Without Asking LinkedIn: Stacey B Randall Website: Stacey Brown Randall   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions The Referable Client Experience by Stacey Brown Randall

296: How Insurance Builds Wealth: Key Benefits for Financial Growth Today I'm joined by Susan Glass and Caitlin Raad of The Glass Group, experts in helping individuals, families, and business owners build financial security and confidence through smart insurance strategies. Susan and Caitlin specialize in showing how different types of insurance can be layered to protect not just a person—but their family, employees, and business as a whole. I've had the pleasure of meeting with both of them several times, and every conversation has uncovered new insights into how insurance can be used as a tool for stability and growth. So even if the word "insurance" makes you think of that class you wanted to sleep through in college, trust me—this episode is one you won't want to miss. Topics Mentioned: Insurance Future protection Wealth Employee retention

295: Avoiding Common Mistakes When Charging Premium Rates Raising your prices can feel like a bold move—but what happens when your premium rates don't deliver the results you expected? In this episode, we're uncovering the most common mistakes entrepreneurs and service-based professionals make when charging high-end prices. Learn how to identify the gaps in your pricing strategy, communicate your value effectively, and attract clients who are ready to invest at your level. If you've ever wondered why your premium pricing isn't landing the way it should, this conversation will show you exactly how to fix it. Topics Mentioned: Profitability Premium Value Brand Alignment Strategic Pricing and Brand Differentiation Key Thoughts:  Align premium rates with premium outcomes. Value must match the pricing.   Align your brand identity, messaging and presentation with the premium pricing to avoid client distrust.   When pricing and brand and value alignment is done well you will not feel the need to apologize or over explain the cost.   Target a specific audience instead of trying to appeal to everyone.   Create transparency in your pricing and billing practices with open and clear communication.   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Pricing Without Emotion® Coaching Program

294: Find the Habits Driving Your Business Discover how uncovering your thinking habits can unlock your greatest potential. In this episode, we sit down with Liz Taylor—former Motorola mechanical engineer turned serial entrepreneur, certified health and Enneagram coach, and Habit Finder specialist. With over 24 years of business experience and coaching since 2015, Liz shares how identifying the thought patterns that drive or derail success can transform high-achieving business owners. Learn how Habit Finder reveals your strengths, exposes hidden roadblocks, and helps you align your God-given talents with your passion for lasting growth. Topics Mentioned: Habits Strengths Growth mindset Listening Key Thoughts:  Exploring Habit Formation The Habit Finder Test combines strengths assessment with habit analysis to increase self-awareness. It it important to focus on present progress rather than future goals allowing yourself to enjoy the journey.   Understanding Shaping Habits   Habits are repetitive actions that can be shaped by identity-based approaches rather than just external triggers. Thinking habits, which are often unconscious, can either serve as protective mechanisms or become sabotaging patterns. The goal is to replace negative thinking habits with positive ones.   Truth and Growth in Business      Explore the path from your habits and how they form thinking patterns. Personal growth is necessary for business growth.        Habit Finder Assessment The Habit Finder Assessment is a 10-15 minute tool that uses 36 mathematically valued statements to identify thinking patterns and habits. The assessment measures six different habits, three external (connections with others, physical creation, and structure) and three internal (mental creation, personal fulfillment, and self-worth) with results showing how individuals naturally think and behave under pressure.        Entrepreneurial Habits and People Management Habit Finder can provide insights intro entrepreneurial tendencies, such as resistance to discipline and obsessive thinking, which can be a strength and a potential pitfall.   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   Contact Liz: Email: liz@legacycoachinggroup.com  Instagram: @Coach Liz Taylor Website: Coach Liz Taylor   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Podcast Episode 35: Play to Your Strengths

293: Unblock Your Cash Flow: Strategies to Free Up Money Fast Have you ever hit a point where your design business cash flow just isn't flowing? The truth is that money doesn't always stay steady—it moves in and out, up and down. In today's episode, we're digging into how interior designers can get the money moving again with quick cash flow wins, plus a long-term cash management strategy for financial stability and growth. Topics Mentioned: Profitability Financials Pricing Strategy Key Thoughts:  We just make much better decisions when we've had good rest, good sleep practice, good eating and health, and then those things start to go away because of the worry and the stress that comes from not having enough money. As we all know, one of the number one reasons is that small businesses fail is lack of cash and lack of cash flow management.  Michele Williams    Start asking is there anything that we need to do on our side as the business to satisfy a need that would allow that money to be paid.  Michele Williams    If you're not billing directly dollar to dollar, penny to penny, it can be very easy to get underwater on that so that you're absorbing more cost because you don't want to pass them along to the client, and after a while you're eating into your profitability.  Michele Williams    Cash flow is usually enhanced by ensuring that we've got the right pricing, that we're monitoring the cost of the product and the cost of running the business, and then that leads us to profitability.  Michele Williams    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Pricing Without Emotion® Coaching Program    

292: Hospitality is Profitable for Everyone Welcome to today's episode! With me is Rick Campos — a recovering interior designer, podcast host, and design business coach. Rick is certified in Coaching the Unreasonable Hospitality methodology, and we're diving into what it really means to go beyond service and show up with true hospitality. Stick around for practical insights and action items you can start using right away in your interior design business. Topics Mentioned: Hospitality Community Intentionality Listening Key Thoughts:  Recognizing where the client touch points are and recognizing the likes and the wants and the desires of that individual client actually slows us down enough to make it an intentional meeting so that we can make sure we're touching all of the things that matter to them.  Michele Williams      I have tested the theory, and it does work because it means you're listening, and all of a sudden that evokes an emotion, a feeling, and that's what makes a true impact. It's what makes an ordinary moment extraordinary.  Rick Campos    The nice thing is you can build it into the business and it's not an accidental. These things are very thought out and planned for even within individual budgets. Michele Williams    Those are the moments that we focus on, that we drill into. Not the big moments that everyone else is paying attention to because everyone else is already doing it. It's those little moments that's going to set you apart.  Rick Campos    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   Contact Rick: Email: rick@designbizsurvivalguide.com     Instagram: @Designbizsurvivalguide Website: Design Biz Survival Guide   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Secret Service: Hidden Systems That Deliver Unforgettable Customer Service by John R. DiJulius III Banana Ball: The Unbelievably True Story of the Savannah Bananas by Jesse Cole 7 Days Out on Netflix, SE 1; episode 7

291: 3 Ways to go from Hobbyist to Interior Design Professional Welcome to the show! Today we're diving into how to go from hobbyist to professional—whether you're in interior design or building any creative business. We'll cover three powerful areas that can transform your journey: mindset, boundaries, and intentionality. So, grab a pen and paper, and let's reflect—where are you still showing up like a hobbyist, and where are you ready to level up and own your role as a professional? Topics Mentioned: Mindset Boundaries Intentionality Sustainability Key Thoughts:  When we have the mindset of a professional, we're certainly going to create a boundary to make sure that we're making a profit or we're not going to engage in the work. Michele Williams   Being intentional about what we do, having these mindsets that we talked about of a very professional mindset, creating good boundaries, all of those things start to move us into that proactive stance instead of a reactive stance. Michele Williams   Having a very intentional, clear focus of what you're doing really creates grounding, it creates trust, it creates an environment where people can get behind it and kind of push that boulder uphill with you because they all know that they're pushing in the same direction. Michele Williams   Sustainability shows up because we have sustainable processes, we have sustainable team dynamics, and we have sustainable profitability. Michele Williams   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber

290: Self-Care is Profitable for You and Your Business Today's guest is Katie McDonald, a powerful self-care strategist who helps high achievers get things done without coming undone. After overcoming her own burnout, Katie now guides others from constant doing to intentional being. If you're feeling overwhelmed or running on empty, this episode is for you. Topics Mentioned: Burnout Self-care Strategy Accountability Key Thoughts:  We're so used to quieting ourselves and our needs so that we can focus on others, that we don't give ourselves permission to turn around to even ask ourselves what do you want. Michele Williams   Much like when an interior designer goes into a space, empties it all out, we need to empty it all out. Our bloated schedules empty it all out. Clean out a closet? Empty it all out. And then curate intentionally one thing after another, choose what you let back in. Katie McDonald   I will say the one thing that I had to learn early on is when I asked the question, I couldn't say, okay, achiever Michele, you've asked the question, now get up and go do something. You have to sit there and listen. Michele Williams   Celebrate any progress, celebrate any learning as growth opportunity and then you'll show up for more growth opportunities. Katie McDonald   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   Contact Katie: Email: katie@katiemcdonaldspeaking.com  Instagram: @_bnourished Website: bnourished.com LinkedIn: bnourished   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now!

289: The Entrepreneurial Journey Welcome to today's episode, where we dive into the entrepreneurial journey—from the spark of an idea to building a business with real impact. We'll explore the key stages of growth, the evolving challenges at each step, and what it takes to succeed along the way. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward. Tune in, take notes, and discover where you are on your entrepreneurial path. Topics Mentioned: Strategy Visionary mindset Investment Management Key Thoughts:  There is no shame in where we're starting from. The only shame that comes is if we stay there too long out of fear or not doing something so that we never progress. Michele Williams   I think people underestimate how much time that truly takes to own that role of CEO visionary. Yes, you might not be knocking off tasks for one of your projects, or for one of your design projects, but it takes true time and intention to get into that visionary mindset and really predict what's to come. Courtney Bramlett   When we are thinking about moving forward and strategy, I would say the more that you can build it in from the beginning at least the idea of strategic thinking, which means this business is more than what is happening today. Michele Williams   The best strategizers can strategically think through their daily task and how to align it to that vision state, and that takes time and practice and by allowing yourself that time to even do it. Courtney Bramlett   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz

288: Invest in Yourself for Business Growth Today on the podcast, we're joined by Kacey Graham, owner and principal designer of Boehm Graham Interior Design. From working alongside her mother on over 17 interior design show houses to leading her own successful design firm, Kacey shares her inspiring journey of business growth. We'll dive into the key investments she made in herself and her team to build a thriving interior design brand. Topics Mentioned: Self investment Growth Hiring Excellance Key Thoughts:  I needed someone that really had a different energy and a different experience base, business mindset, and financial backing. Enter Michele Williams, Scarlet Thread Consulting. I remember crying and going, I can't afford to hire her, and it was kind of like I slapped my own face and said I can't afford not to hire her. And that was the best decision I ever made. Kacey Graham   Everything's building blocks. So, we can't skip over those heavy, difficult pieces. Whether it's in organization or marketing or financials, we've got to put the basic building blocks together. Michele Williams   It's going to be an evolution. Much like our homes are our workshop, our businesses are always evolving and always improving. That should always be the goal. Kacey Graham   You've got to have your thumb on the pulse of what's happening in the economy because hiring somebody to do something today that we hired three, or four years ago the price would be completely different. Historical data informs the future. Michele Williams   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Kacey: Email: kacey@boehmgrahamdesign.com   Facebook: Boehm Graham Interior Design  Instagram: kacey.graham Website: www.boehmgrahamdesign.com References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth

287: The Hidden Costs of Winging It in Your Design Business In this episode, we unpack the hidden costs of winging it in your design business. Michele shares why flying by the seat of your pants can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and financial messes. She dives into the power of intentional planning, strategic hiring, and clear marketing—all rooted in a strong, future-focused vision. If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing, this one's for you. Topics Mentioned: Missed Opportunities Peace Process Being Intentional Key Thoughts:  When I was winging it, I realized there was a huge cost to me, to my peace, to my time, and certainly to my money. Michele Williams   We're working on the wrong initiatives, the wrong plans, and things that might support us in the short term, but not in the long term. Michele Williams   I would like to work with an intentionality on where I'm going, what I'm doing, who I'm doing with, and how I'm going to show up in the world, because that brings me peace. Michele Williams   The goal here is to really be able to have an intentionality in what we are doing so that as we do it, we know that we are checking off those tasks and those goals that are moving us closer to the business that we want to become. Michele Williams   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Business Growth

286: Profitability of Working with a Family Member On today's episode, we're joined by Beth Meyer and Abby McLane of Beth Meyer Design, a mother-daughter team specializing in luxury residential interiors. Featured in Southern Home and LUXE, they've built a trusted brand through elegant design and smart business growth. We'll explore how they started working together, their approach to profitability, and the benefits of running a family-based interior design business. If you're looking for real strategies to grow your design firm, this one's for you. Topics Mentioned: Strategy Organization Technology   Key Thoughts:  That was the whole reason I started the coaching practice as having come from burnout myself. When I get those calls, my heart feels for that, because I've been there, and I know what that feels like. The exhaustion and the mental load and the emotional turmoil, it's real and it's heavy. Michele Williams   I went back to the strategic plan where we are in structuring the company and roles and SOPs. You're giving them the tools they need to do their job well. You're not just giving them expectations that they really can't meet. Beth Meyer   There is something about your daughter or your mom in the business having your back in a different way that gives you the courage to continually push forward. So not only does iron sharpen iron to keep each other accountable and focused and better and growing and all the things, but there is something about the courage that one person lends to another person to move forward. Michele Williams   Our goals are the same and we have done a deep dive into our missions, our values, and all the things. When we are both pushing each other, it's built-in accountability to reach those goals. Abby McLane   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Beth and Abby: Email: abby@bethmeyerdesign.com Facebook: @bethmeyerdesign    Instagram: @bethmeyerdesign    Website: https://bethmeyerdesign.com/  You Tube: Beth Meyer Design   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! Click here to read the transcript for this episode.

285: The Top 5 Profit Drains in Your Interior Design Business   Welcome to the podcast! Today, we're diving into the five biggest profit drains that can silently sabotage your interior design business. If you've ever wondered where your money is going or why your profit margins aren't where they should be, this episode is for you. Grab a pen and paper—because you'll want to take notes on how to boost profitability and take control of your money management starting today.  Topics Mentioned: Pricing   Financials  Ideal Client  Managing Cash Flow Effectively  Key Thoughts:  You cannot sell more of something at a really bad price and continue to make money, a bad price is a bad price.  Michele Williams    An ideal client is somebody who has the same value statements that we are coming in with as the company and there's a value continuance between us and that client.  Michele Williams    The more we're fighting people, processes, or not knowing what the numbers are, the more it's going to cost us the profits and the money, but also the profitability of peace in our lives.  Michele Williams    Know how money comes in, know how revenues are recognized, know how profit is recognized, and know when you need those funds.  Michele Williams    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions Metrique Solutions - Free Month Promo Code How to Build, Manage, and Execute on a Business Strategy course beginning August 2025 sign up now! Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

284: The Hidden Costs of Employment s    Joining me is Jessica Harling, founder of Behind the Design. Jessica is a seasoned expert in employee and process development, specializing in recruitment, training, and change management for design organizations. Her work helps businesses streamline costs, increase productivity, and develop high-performing teams.​ In this episode, we'll discuss practical business strategies for interior designers for effective hiring, onboarding, and retention to ensure your team thrives.​ Enjoy the conversation! Topics Mentioned: Employment Strategy Accountability Employee Training Key Thoughts:  Fears are normal. How we analyze them and deal with them is determinate based on the strategy that we have for our business.  Michele Williams   You still need, as the manager, the owner, to be able to either prepare or have an oversight over that plan and not just delegate or dump it to another person and not know what they are covering.  Jessca Harling    We're not executing with success. We're executing within the moments of the day, and what feels good today, but today's feel good might not line up with tomorrow's plan and goal.  Michele Williams    Look at the strategy of the process, the finances and things like that before you make a reactive decision to jump and add someone on.  Jessica Harling    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Jessica: Email: jessica@gobehindthedesign.com  Facebook: @BehindtheDesign Instagram: @GoBehindtheDesign Website: GoBehindTheDesign.com LinkedIn: @BehindTheDesign References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go

283: Implementing Profit First with Success    Welcome to the podcast! Today, we're talking about Profit First—a powerful money management system that is proven to boost interior design business profit. If you're making money but never seem to keep it, or constantly juggling funds, you're not alone.  We'll show you how Profit First helps you separate money with purpose, avoid the "robbing Peter to pay Paul" cycle, and make smarter financial decisions. Whether you're just launching or scaling your design business, this episode is packed with strategies to help you pay yourself first and grow a more profitable interior design business.  Topics Mentioned: Profit First Money Management Sustainability  Financial Strategy Key Thoughts:  What Profit First is really trying to do is put you in the mindset that we want the business to live within the means of what the business can afford to live in, so that we're not spending money that the business truly doesn't have. Michele Williams    It is being able to separate out your money into bank accounts where it can then be looked at in smaller chunks with a purpose in mind, so that we're not overspending on the wrong things.  Michele Williams    The more that we can plan for profit and be very clear on where the money is coming in and going out, the more that we have the power to actually use those numbers to move us forward.  Michele Williams    The very first thing is to truly understand how money flows in and out of your business, and that means the amount, the timing, and the revenue recognition.  Michele Williams    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    Master Your Profit course Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Profit is a Choice episode 248: All Roads Can Lead to Profit Profit is a Choice episode 189: Reviewing Your Profit First Strategy Profit is a Choice episode 092: How to Start Profit First with No Profit in Your Design Business A Well-Designed Business-The Power Talk Friday Experts by LuAnn Nigara

282: Design Mentorship for Beginners     Welcome to today's episode. I'm thrilled to have Rebecca Ward with me. Rebecca is an award-winning interior designer based out of Sacramento, California, and she's truly dedicated to nurturing emerging talent in the design industry. Not only does she host the Design Curious podcast, but she also runs a mentorship program called My Design Mentor. Rebecca focuses on answering those essential early questions for anyone looking to build their business in interior design. In this episode, we'll discuss the many paths people take into the industry and the common questions new designers face as they start their careers. Tune in for valuable insights on how to kickstart your journey and make smarter business decisions in interior design. I hope you enjoy our conversation!  Topics Mentioned: Mentorship  Community  Sharing information  Support    Key Thoughts:  Those hard lessons sometimes are the best lessons that are getting our attention. They're sometimes painful along the way.  Michele Williams    I see mentorship as this is something that I'm still actively doing. I'm still learning in my business. I'm still learning the best way to do things, and as I do it, I adjust, and I share that information.  Rebecca Ward   I think when you really love people, it's easier to be willing to want to help and to give than to say, well, I fell, so it's normal you fall.  Michele Williams    There are a lot of hard things and I want to make sure people are aware of going in with their eyes wide open before they get into the career, but I also talk about the great parts of it, but I want them to have a realistic view.  Rebecca Ward    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Rebecca: Email: rebecca@rwarddesign.com Instagram: @rwarddesign Facebook: @rebeccawarddesign Website: https://rwarddesign.com/  LinkedIn: rwarddesign Pinterest: rwarddesign X/Twitter: rwarddesign You Tube: @rwarddesign References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2GO Design Curious Podcast E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber 

281: Creating an SEO Strategy with Pinterest    On the podcast today is Julia Bocchese, an SEO and Pinterest consultant for small businesses in the creative industry. We're discussing business strategy for interior designers, covering essential strategies for your website, Pinterest direction, and SEO. Julia shares some simple, actionable reminders that will help position your business to be found online. If you're an interior designer looking to improve your digital presence, this episode is packed with expert tips to enhance your strategy and grow your business. Tune in to learn how to effectively optimize your online strategy!  Topics Mentioned: SEO strategy Social Media Management Google Business Profile Website Content Key Thoughts:  Knowing who you are, what you do, who you serve, how you serve them, and being very clear with that on the website is important.  Michele Williams    Whatever blog posts, portfolio photos, or things like that that you have, that's going to dictate your strategy on Pinterest.  Julia Bocchese    What we're really trying to do is create this big communication and feedback loop, that runs through all of our Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all the different socials that we're using trying to keep everything connected in this little ecosystem so that people are staying within your ecosystem.   Michele Williams    In terms of the type of content, I do recommend thinking about what your ideal client would be searching for, and what would be beneficial to them.   Julia Bocchese    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams Contact Julia: Email: julia@juliareneeconsulting.com  Instagram: @uliareneeconsulting Website: https://juliareneeconsulting.com/  LinkedIn: julia-bocchese References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    Financial Courses at Scarlet Thread Consulting CFO2GO Julia's SEO Freebie

280: What Does it Mean to Know Your Numbers   I am so excited to have you join us on the podcast today! I'm going to be joined by Courtney Bramlett, who is the director of marketing and operations here at Scarlet Thread Consulting. She also owns her own company, The Good Sower, and today, we're diving into an incredibly important topic: financial planning for interior designers. Maybe you've heard the buzzword over and over—know your numbers, know your financials—and it sounds great, but it has almost become an irritant, and you're still not sure what it means. Today, we're going to break down what it really means to understand the financials that are affecting your business strategy for interior designers and how these numbers impact your growth. We'll talk about how you can create a solid financial plan for interior designers that will help you grow your company in the way you envision. So, stick around—I'm thrilled to have you here!  Topics Mentioned: Financial understanding Profitability Cash Management Strategic Planning  Key Thoughts:  I think it is important for owners of companies to understand how money is made, how money flows through their company, and how they can determine the money that is left over after everything has been paid for.  Michele Williams    If you don't truly know what each type of profits is, you don't really know how much money you actually get to take home at the end of the day.  Courtney Bramlett   The reason that I focus on gross profit so much is because that is the number one indicator that tells me if I'm selling it at the right price and paying the right amount in cost of goods, but it's also the number that is telling me do I have enough to run the company and do what I need it to do as the owner?  Michele Williams    Profitability is tied to just raising your prices, and of course, that's a piece of it, but there's still a lot more that goes into being profitable.  Courtney Bramlett    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    Understand Your Business Financials in Less than 8 Weeks / New Group Coaching Financial Courses at Scarlet Thread Consulting Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

279: Good Management Leads to Profitability  Joining me on the podcast today is Courtney Bramlett, director of marketing and operations for Scarlet Thread Consulting. We are going to talk about values, how they lead to setting expectations, and having accountability in our firms. It's not every day that we have everything set up so perfectly that everybody comes in and does what they do without questions or confusion about their job. We will talk through some of the things that you can do establish practices that will help your employees or contractors all move forward in the same direction and towards the same goal. So, enjoy and listen in.  Topics Mentioned: Values Vision Expectations Accountability  Key Thoughts:  If we hire the right players, and we can draw the vision for them, they hopefully know what they're getting into, and they're coming in excited and with ideas.  Michele Williams    As you said, when you can get vulnerable as a business owner with this stuff, I think you get more help and you don't feel alone.  Courtney Bramlett    The more that people get constructive, positive feedback, the more they can keep going.  Michele Williams    The only person who suffers when you cannot hold someone accountable or get out of your comfort zone to hold someone accountable, the only one who suffers is you.  Courtney Bramlett    Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   References and Resources: Work with Me Metrique Solutions The Five Dysfunctions of a Team The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni It's Okay to Be the Boss by Bruce Tulgan Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Click here to read the transcript for this episode.