Grow Your Design Biz Blog

The Perfect Time

Mary — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:33:37 +0000

My life is filled with moments that are always crazily connected. At the very least, it makes everyday events a lot more interesting as I wait to see how it is all going to connect and come together – I call these moments “God Moments.” [For a great book based on one man's life/business and on how we are all connected through God you might want to check out Synchronicity by Joseph Jaworski].

When these moments happen, it reassures me that I am where I am supposed to be, doing the things I am supposed to be doing.

This week my moment was about – of all things – making phone calls! And yes, it can apply to you too. It all started with a phone call of my own.

1. Last Thursday I called a past client and was very happy when she was ready to start another series of consulting calls with me.

2. The next day my handyman called to tell me he didn’t have any work, and what should he do. I often coach him on business practices, and I often tell him he needs to reach out to past happy clients – those clients are your best source for new work or new referrals. I asked him how many past clients he had reached out to (this is an ongoing discussion with us, so I knew the answer) and yep, not one. I told him I wasn’t going to talk to him anymore until he called 3 past happy clients. I also told him this call was easy to do – ask about their past work, and ask if they have any new work.

3. Jokingly he says to me – So Mrs. Larsen, I know you love your backsplash, do you have any other work around the house, cabinetry, handyman, painting that you might want to have done?

4. And I DID – I had been meaning to call him for several weeks about some cracks in my ceiling – and had totally forgotten so I lined up some work for him that weekend.

5. About 30 minutes later he called me back and said - it worked, it worked! The very first client he called said she didn’t know he did all those things, and she had a whole list for him to do.

6. Then one of my consulting clients called for her weekly call. I asked her what she had done since our last call to try to get some work and she said – you mean besides pull my hair out? So we talked about the fact that she has never not once in her 6 years of business – beyond initial follow up right after a project – called a client to see how they were doing and was there anything she could do for them or was there someone “just like them” that they would introduce her to by facebook or email to see if she could help them. I told her the handyman story for encouragement.

7. All of these things took place between Thursday and Tuesday.

8. And Tuesday morning I received a marketing newsletter from one of my favorite marketers - Art Sobczak – titled “Here’s the Best Time to Call a Prospect.” I swear I burst out laughing. A list of the BEST TIME to call someone. Talk about reassurance that I am in the right place, doing the thing I am supposed to do! Here is a link to his newsletter – you might want to check it out for even more ideas. And here’s a little secret – the real answer for calling a past great client is any time – because you need to take action to make action happen in your business.

9. My favorite tip from his list – A buyer wishes they could find a vendor (replace designer for the word vendor) who “gets it right the first time”. Ah, I love that!!!

So. How long has it been since you CALLED a past client? How long has it been since you reached out rather than waited for someone to call you? Don’t overthink it -just pick up the phone and call. Really. That simple. And comment below and let me and everyone else know how it goes – I’m confident it will be great.

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

Could it be Another Little Present?!

Mary — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:48:06 +0000

Last week I gave out some great tips on making m*oney in your business, one of which was - for one week accept all the f*ree money that comes your way – such as a friend offering to buy dinner. (For the whole article and to see that suggestion in context, click here. )

On that note, I have some great news for you if you are a workroom to the design field fabricating window treatments, bedding, etc.

My very good friend Susan Kostelecky, the host of the Custom Sewing Institute, has teamed up with the Helser Brothers, the great purveyors of awesome window hardware, finials, and poles, and the Helser Brothers are GIVING AWAY the last available seat to this year’s Custom Sewing Institute Creative Camp! All you have to do is say why you should go to camp in 50 words or less (and pay for your travel) and YOU could be the lucky winner. (You’ll want to check out the rest of their blog too – they are funny guys!)

The online application needs to be filled out before the 15th, so you do need to get right on it. Click here to enter. And talk about f*ree m*oney – this is worth $1250.00!

Pictured here are a couple of projects from last year’s event – this is good stuff! Be sure to contact www.csisews.com directly to get on their waiting and newsletter list.

On a related but different note, I mentioned last week that Verizon has revamped all of its pricing, but you have to call and find out if the new pricing will benefit you. And one of our readers – thanks Michelle! – posted that AT and T is doing the same. So if you use either of those cell providers, be sure to get in touch with them.

Be sure to apply for Helser Brother’s great give-away – if you are a workroom, nothing should be holding you back. Let me know how it goes!

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

It’s Like a Little Present

Mary — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:10:08 +0000

Not surprisingly, the topic that I am most asked to help other designers with is … big drumroll here - “How Can I Make More Money Doing What I Love?” And not surprisingly there are a myriad of ways to answer and address that question.

One of the exercises that I use with a lot of my clients centers around a personal mindset change – and believing that what you are looking for – more profits – is out there for you. This simple exercise can help you come to believe just that.

This is important because the way you think about things is the way you provide solutions to things. So getting a new perspective – saying the money you want is there – allows your mind to come up with solutions to getting that money – as opposed to the “solutions” that show up when you don’t believe the money is there.

As “they” say – it’s all in your perspective.

So your challenge: For just one week – anytime *f.r.e.e.* money shows up in your life – take it. If you see change on the ground, lean down and pick it up. If a vendor says we are shipping for free this week and you know you need to order someting – do it now. If a friend says, hey, let me pick up lunch – let them. For one solid week.

The idea behind this is that you will begin to see that yes, the money is out there. It is there for you. And that perspective might just be the thing you need to start coming up with new ways to answer the age old question – How Can I Make More Money.

My tiny little present to you this week is for those of you who use Verizon. Maybe you have heard or seen over the past couple of weeks that Verizon has revamped all of their programs and pricing schemes. After hearing several of their ads, most of which sounded to me like they were for new customers, I got curious enough to call. And good golly – just for the asking – my service INCREASED AND my monthly cell phone bill DROPPED by a full $30 a month. Because I called looking for that free money.

I am under the impression that Verizon is NOT changing their pricing for people who may already be paying a higher price for the same program – I believe you have to contact them. So – on your week’s worth of free money - make contacting Verizon a priority – you’ll be glad you did.

I’d love to hear what your week’s worth of free money does for you and your mindset – leave a comment.

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

Work Less and Make More Money Article

Mary — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:20:03 +0000

I am very pleased to say that I was recently featured in the latest issue of Window Fashion Vision magazine. It was on my favorite topic – helping women in the design field make more money – and not just give all of their talents away.

This was one of those great articles where I was asked to submit the article, went to bed that night, and woke up with a whole LIST of things that can be done. I love it when that happens.

In fact, that was one of the reasons I went into consulting with people in the design field. I started having ideas about how to make my business better and more profitable show up in the middle of the night - and -those ideas worked. It’s very cool.

Just click HERE to enjoy the article in full – I know you’ll like it. And please leave me a comment and share what you think!

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

Stilettos and Ladders

Mary — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:13:48 +0000

One of my favorite things about vacation is the ease in which I get through many books – lots fiction, lots non-fiction, lots completely work related. This past week I had the great pleasure to read Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos - 10 Strategies for Stepping Up to Success and Satisfaction at Work by Lynette Lewis. It was suggested to me by my fabulously talented sister Nancy McGuire who runs a consulting business that helps organizations with leadership development. Turns out that a lot of the issues that face women in the corporate arena face women in ANY work situation – even little orgs like my business and potentially a lot of yours, such as home staging, redesign, drapery design and interior design.

The book is GREAT (and I highly recommend it as a gift to any woman in the corporate world who needs a bit of encouragement and support) and was filled with very valuable lessons. But ONE thing really really REALLY stood out for me, and was found in Lynette’s opening remarks on page 4.

” We are all waiting and yearning for something”

Regardless of the situation we are in – how great it seems to be or even how bad – we are all always waiting and yearning for something.

Lynette goes on to say it is the tension between our VISION (that thing we are yearning for) and the Challenges of WAITING that often bring discouragement and stress. And I don’t know about you – but yes! Waiting for the vision to become reality DOES bring discouragement and stress.

The book is intended to help you become more satisfied in your what you do with the majority of your time -work - and the 10 lessons shared can help you do just that. The first several chapters work on the theme of “Finding Meaning in the Job You Have NOW!” – not yearning and waiting for a better job or a better situation that will surely bring you that meaning – but finding the meaning in your current job. Later chapters work on moving from “Great Ideas to Dreams Come True. ”

I think the final chapter is one of my favorites – “Different than What I Thought – Better than What I Imagined.” Cause really – when does IT show up just like you thought?

Having just been through a serious case of burnout (and taking a good 10 days off to cure it!) this book was just what I needed – a compassionate look at appreciating and enjoying the work you do now, as you prepare for what comes next – since we are all “waiting and yearning” for that elusive “something.”

What is it that you are “waiting” for – what do you think it will “get” you – and is there maybe, maybe, just a chance that what you have now is giving you some of what you are waiting for? When you find some of that in where you are now… perhaps the wait won’t feel so long. Feel free to leave a comment!!

Have a great week!

-Mary Larsen

Understanding and Graciousness

Mary — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:09:40 +0000

As I mentioned last week, I have been going gang busters for months now and it has become crucial that I take that much needed break – which I will be doing starting Friday.

One of the things that I mentioned that happens to me when I am stretched too thin is I get “dumb” and make lots of little mistakes and create a lot of general nuisance for myself and others around me.

This has happened several times over the past week, ranging from going to a showroom to pick things out for a client and not having the client’s file with me, to setting up conference calls with my old and new mastermind groups and completely messing up the scheduling, resulting in way too much confusion and way too much email back and forth to get things straightened out.

So it’s irritating and a big bother for everyone involved but yes, eventually this stuff starts to have an impact beyond annoying and into downright unprofessional. Which is what happened yesterday.

Over a year ago a former student of mine loaned me some material knowing that I would enjoy the information. I did enjoy the information, and was happy she had shared. In the meantime, I did NOT return the material to her (I can’t even imagine what excuse I came up with in my head) it just sat in my bookshelf where it has always sat. Until I remodeled my kitchen – which is next to my office – so the next thing you know nothing is where you think it is. Which I didn’t know til Monday, when my student called and said hey, drop my stuff in the mail to me. So I marched right to my bookshelf – and it’s gone. It’s not there. And it’s not there in that way that I am 99% sure that I am never going to see it again.

I was just sick about it. Talk about not being considerate! Here a STUDENT of mine who is willing to look to me as a mentor loans me her personal things and I was not considerate enough to return them promptly and THEN actually lose them! For real! I went into damage control mode and was able to track down another copy of the material for her – but that’s not the point. The point is:

She was crazy understanding and unbelievably gracious when I told her what happened (and as I expressed my complete embarrassment and unprofessionalism). And later as I reflected I realized I had not been the same to her in regards to her things. And. EVERYONE who I have been infringing upon in my state of “stretched too thin” has been incredibly kind and gracious. So. My request of you this week is to reflect on your behavior – are YOU being as kind as gracious as you can be? Not in just your personal life but your business life? Are you being understanding of your clients in this shakey economic time? And are you being understanding of yourself?

My thanks and gratitude to those of you who have been and consistently are kind, gracious and understanding. I strive to be the same.

Have a great week,

-Mary Larsen

Get Me A Kit Kat Bar! Or at Least a Break.

Mary — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:05:01 +0000

I need a break. I wish it could be as simple as the Kit Kat candy bar commercial - imagine humming the “break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!” little ditty - it kind of brings a smile to your face.

However, I have found over the past week that though I have eaten a dozen Kit Kat bars and many other delectable chocolates – it’s not that easy. I truly, really need a break. And perhaps not surprisingly, one of the outward signs that I actually do need a break is the amount of chocolate I am consuming!

So here’s the deal – nothing new to a lot of you. I have been going virtually non-stop since last November. Yes, I have had a couple of slow weeks and a couple of great vacations – but it has been all out for many, many months as I have been working on the 2nd edition of my book, putting together a complete online training system for home staging and redesign INCLUDING actually filming a staging and redesign, as well as keeping up with design clients and have made a serious attempt at moving a whole piece of my business online. And as the saying goes – what comes up, must come down, and I need a break.

Clues you need a break.

Not feeling great – feeling out of sorts. This is SO OUT OF CHARACTER for people of high energy and motivation that when it happens we REALLY fight it. We often think we can just power through, cause hey! We get through anything and like it! Feeling “not quite right” can be the first sign that you are stretched too thin.

2. Not accepting you are stretched too thin. So this is a double edged sword – you are always stretched – why should today be any different? Usually this is how you love to operate. The operative word there is USUALLY. It is very hard to accept that perhaps at this exact moment we need a break.

3. Not wanting to go to work. It’s an odd feeling when you love what you do but you find yourself dragging your feet, putting things off, sighing all the time how tired you are, doing anything (including watching old episodes of ER – it would have been NYPD Blue but I couldn’t find it!) to put off doing your work.

4. Not accepting that burnout can lead to resentment and actually beating ourselves up for being weak! We can do anything – we prove it all the time. But man do we resist actually accepting and taking responsibility to stop to recharge the batteries. And in fact, can actually be embarrassed or feel guilty to admit it! Now I know there are “real” problems in the world, but burnout leads to resentment which leads to not sharing our gift – and what good will that do?

5. And as mentioned earlier – finding yourself eating a LOT MORE of your favorite foods (in a failed attempt to feel better) and avoiding your daily walk or workout cause again – you’re just too tired.

So this is where I am today and yes – clearly – I need a break. And as I give myself permission to take that break exactly 10 days from now for a full week – and MORE if I need it! - this is what I will keep in mind:

1. Taking a break and NOT WORKING for one week (or more if I need it!) will let me see my business as a whole again, not these tiny little pieces that I have been solely focused on.

2. It will help me regroup and see if the things I am working on are REALLY what my business needs. Or did I just get sidetracked in all of the “stuff” and maybe these things don’t even fit my business plans anymore.

3. It will help me rejuvenate, so that my intuition comes back (I don’t know about you, but I get “dumb” and make lots of mistakes when I am burned out!) and I can use all of my talents at work – not just drive!

4. It will help me appreciate again why I have my own business

5. It will help me move from burn out to appreciation again to be in a position to help other women make more money in their business as I make more money in mine – now what isn’t there to appreciate??!

So do you need a break? What are you doing to keep yourself balanced, centered, and in a state of appreciation? I’d love to know – leave a comment below! Have a great week,

-Mary Larsen

What Being an Expert Will Do for You!

Mary — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:14:21 +0000

So I am totally going to be hitting you all up in the near future so that you will have an opportunity to BE PUBLISHED in either a book, and ebook or a training publication that I am working on.

WHY you want to do this seems obvious, yet I can hear it already – I’m too busy to submit – my things (my pix) aren’t good enough – I don’t have anything new to say – etc, etc – and what I say to that is “baloney.”

(oh wait – don’t forget to register for the 5 f.r.e.e webinar event that is THIS Wednesday the 3rd for the design field – register HERE. )

Let me share a little story – several years ago I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in submitting some ideas to a book on Home Staging. The author found me by searching on line for people who do staging and found my website. (HINT – if you don’t have a website, you are missing out on huge opportunities every day!)

At the time – as is the case so often – I was slam busy. And I put off responding to the request. Luckily (or according to plan) I had put a reminder of the deadline in my calendar, and the day before the deadline dashed off a note saying of course I would be happy to talk to the author.

In the end I was one of 12 or so designers featured in the book – which then led me to authoring my OWN book – which then led me to be featured in TWO MORE books.

Now, why is this important? Because being in a book – being published in SOME WAY give you expert status – and now I am going to share with you just a couple of quick things that YOU get when you are an expert.

One of my favorite online authorities – Nancy Marmelejo of Viva Visability recently shared these quick reasons why YOU need to be an expert and get online:

• Build a credible name for yourself in your niche or industry

• Showcase your expertise

• Connect with prospective clients

• Drive traffic to your website, blog, or articles

• Build a following

• Attract joint venture and strategic alliance partners

• Get known by the media

• Broaden your sphere of influence

These are all GREAT reasons to get what you know and what you can do OUT there. And here’s the ending to my story – over 200 designers were contacted for that first book – only 75 responded at all – and only 25 actually carried through.

Don’t be one of those 200 – be one of the 25!!! More info on how you can contribute coming soon.

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

PS – last chance to register for the 5 F.r.e.e webinar series – I’m teaching a great topic – how to boost your biz through online newsletters! Register HERE

Last Chance and More F.r.e.e!

Mary — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:39:10 +0000

WOW! What a great call Wednesday night! The teleseminar “7 Steps to Boost Your Earnings This Summer!” was just buzzing! People are excited and motivated – so as we talked about – take action!

Don’t forget the VERY SPECIAL DISCOUNT for those of you on the call….. it ends on Friday, May 29th!

www.growyourdesignbiz.com/mastermind.htm

If you missed the fabulous call you can order it here for $10 – the audio download will be available next week and I will send you a link to the program. It is filled with things that you can do RIGHT NOW to boost your summer biz!

AAAANNNNNNDDDDDDDD…..

Another fabulous opportunity for you – I know you are really going to love it!

The Society of Design Professionals is hosting FIVE F.R.E.E. webinars NEXT WEDNESDAY on great fabulous topics (and yes, I am presenting - which include:

DesAnn Collins
Tools for Success

Mary Larsen
Clients through email Newsletters

Jill Butler
Tools for Transforming You and Your Business

Kathryn Bechen
PR Pizzazz: How to Get Free PR for Your Interior Design/Decorating/Redesign/Organizing/Real Estate Business

Diana Hudson Kresnye
Win Clients by Creating Computer-Generated “Design Boards

You can learn about EACH PRESENTATION by clicking HERE, then scroll down the page a bit for ALL the info. For each seminar you can push the “show details” button in the lower right of each descriptor box.

I THINK you need to register for each webinar individually – I know several of the presenters personally – this is going to be good stuff!

Fit it in if you can – and if you can’t make it I think you can get each webinar for $10 or $40 for all five.

Hope to see you on the webinar!

Here’s to Designing Your Success™,

-Mary

5 Quick Tips and Last Chance for F.r.e.e Teleseminar

Mary — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:09:48 +0000

I’ve put the finishing touches on the call for tonight, and I am SO pleased with the information I will be sharing. If you need “7 Steps to Boost Your Summer Earnings” then you want to be on the call. Last chance to register – click here and call in information will be emailed directly to you. Hope to “see you” on the call.

While brainstorming topics for the call, of course there were many things that came up that I would love to share but just didn’t seem to fit the call. So here are just a few additional quick tips that might help you out in your business today.

-Mary Larsen

Quick Tips to Use Now!

1. When Opportunity Knocks – Open the Door. Sadly, a lot of design firms have had to close their doors recently. Are you ready to step in and take their place? How long has it been since you spoke with your client base? Do they think YOU are out of business because they never hear from you? Use this time as a time re-evaluate and change your business – you’ll be stronger on the other side.

2. DON’T. Gggoooo. Slow. You run your business. You make things happen. When you find your clients saying a lot of “let’s wait and see” and slowing down the design process, be prepared to share with them why Right NOW! Is the best time to be doing business. Vendors are quicker than usual – lots of subcontractors are offering special pricing – shipping fees are often being waived – be prepared. Act Fast.

3. DON’T. Gggoooo. Solo. This can be a lonely business. Now is not the time to wallow in self doubt while you wonder what is going on in the rest of the design world. Join a professional group. Meet a new vendor so you can cross advertise. Volunteer for a committee. Support each other, and boost your own biz.

4. Assumptions Make an …. You know the saying. There are plenty of people still working on their homes. There are plenty of people still purchasing. Don’t assume that everyone is looking for a deal. Many people what the BEST. Show your clients the best. Don’t assume to know what they are willing to invest – show them the best, and they will invest.

5. DON’T. Give. Up. This cycle in the design field is just a challenge. You have met many of them in the past – you will meet them in your future. Rise to the challenge. Do your best. Give it everything you got. You will get through – and be stronger on the other side.