Posts by Pearl Collective
Teamwork is the Ultimate Shortcut
I’ve frequently heard busy designers say, “if only I could clone myself.” If only. I admit I’ve often wished I could add more hours to the day. I wish. As the old song says, wishing and hoping won’t get you where you want to go. You can’t clone yourself or add more hours to the…
Read MoreA Successful Business is Your Real Art
If I were to ask you how do you think of yourself, as an interior designer who has a business or as a business owner who offers design services, what would you say? Most designers I know consider themselves interior designers first and foremost. They happen to have a business because they prefer not to…
Read MoreBrand Evolution
In today’s podcast, Gail and Erin relate the brand journey their business has been through over the years. Recently, as they developed a 10-year vision for the business, they realized they would need to re-brand once again to reflect new aspects they are adding and how the business will change.
Read MoreWhat is Relationship Marketing?
By far the way most design firms acquire new clients is through referrals. Most of those referrals come from satisfied clients. But there are only so many of them. So if you’re looking to grow your business, how do you increase the number and frequency of referrals? You can do it through what I call…
Read MoreYour Home Away From Home at Market
With so much to see and so much territory to cover, it can be a challenge for weary designers to find a place to roost at High Point Market. Universal Furniture has got you covered, with food, drink, a place to store your stuff, learning events, welcoming staff, and a huge showroom offering something for everyone. In this podcast Gail and Erin chat with Neil Mackenzie, vice president for marketing, Universal Furniture, High Point, North Carolina.
Read MoreKnow Your Numbers
In this podcast, Gail is joined by Nick May, host of the interior design business podcast “The Chaise Lounge”. Do you know how much profit your business is making? Do know what your business is worth? Do you know how much you owe and how much is owed to you? If you don’t know where your numbers are, you could be heading for big trouble.
Read MorePlanning for Profit
It’s called the bottom line, but for a business owner it should be top-of-mind. I’m talking about net profit, the money that you get to keep after all the bills, salaries, taxes, insurance, and other expenditures have been paid. If you’re not reaping a healthy profit for your labors, you’re probably underpaid and you could…
Read MoreDream Bigger Sooner
Great accomplishments begin with grand visions. Give yourself permission to dream big and go for it. The sooner you begin, the sooner your dream will come true. In this podcast, Gail and Erin talk with interior designer Cheryl Stauffer, CEO and principal, Crimson Design Group.
Read MoreExcited by Fear
Do you shy away from a new challenge or task, afraid you might make a mistake or not succeed? Don’t block that fear or succumb to it. More than acknowledge it, welcome it. It’s trying to tell you something. In this podcast Gail and Erin talk with interior designer Lori McRae, co-founder and partner, Frederick McRae Ltd.
Read MoreWhy Half of New Businesses Fail Within 5 Years
Did you know that nearly half of all new businesses fail within the first five years and nearly two-thirds within the first ten years? Even more shocking to me was learning that 60 percent of all small businesses are NOT profitable, and of those 30 percent lose money every year. In many cases, it’s not…
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