Shows
The Interior Design Business CEO123. Nancy Ganzekaufer & Desi Share 6 Ways to Leverage Your Time to Increase Your ProfitI'm joined by fellow interior design business coach Nancy Ganzekaufer for a collaborative conversation about six actionable strategies to make the most of your time. From planning your days for maximum efficiency to using AI to streamline communication and project proposals, these tips will help you work smarter, not harder. None of these strategies will take much time to implement, but they can have a huge impact on your bottom line. If you're ready to optimize your time and boost your profits, this episode is for you. Get full show notes, tr...
2025-02-2640 minThe Interior Design Business CEO{Last Chance} Win a 1:1 Coaching SessionNovember 6th is your last chance to win a 1:1 coaching session! It's simple and quick to enter. All you have to do is: Leave a rating and review wherever you listen. Click the link below to submit a quick form with your info OR send Desi a screen shot on Instagram: @desicreswell Submission form link: https://forms.clickup.com/f/84j8c-4722/HR98ZECH3SEBGKLGR6
2024-11-0100 minThe Interior Design Business CEO74. ROE (Return on Energy) is the New ROI (Return on Investment)The acronym ROI (Return on Investment) is typically used in the business world, and the process of examining whether or not your investments are providing the return you hoped for is a wise business practice. We all want to aim to make investments that will compound in future returns, but I believe this concept extends beyond the financial realm. It's about getting a return on your energy (ROE). And this week, I'm inviting you to consider how ROE is the new ROI and how maximizing your ROE has the potential to transform your interior design business.
2024-03-2017 minThe Interior Design Business CEO73. The Magic of a 90-Day PlanIf you don't currently have a supportive plan that's going to move you in the direction of your goals over the next quarter, there has never been a better time to start using the framework I'm offering you today. A 90-day plan is what I use to plan in my business and my recommendation to all my clients, and in this episode, I'm showing you how 90 days could change everything in your interior design business. Listen in this week to learn the magic of using a 90-day plan, and why creating a thriving interior design b...
2024-03-1323 minThe Interior Design Business CEO72. Why You Should Set Low ExpectationsWhat is it that you consistently say you want to do but aren't taking action on? How might the expectations you've set for yourself and your business be hindering your progress? And, while it sounds counterintuitive, how could lowering your expectations be the solution to getting what you want? I invite you to re-evaluate your expectations and consider lowering them if they're preventing you from taking the action you say you want to. Hear how high expectations hinder your growth, progress, and success, and a process you can follow to begin embracing the idea of l...
2024-03-0622 minThe Interior Design Business CEO71. Transitions in Your Calendar: A Secret Time ThiefWhether you're switching locations, activity types, or even the roles that you perform in your day-to-day life, these are transition points that you must be aware of. If you constantly feel behind and run into planning issues, identifying your transition points is the secret to setting yourself up for success, and I'm showing you how this week. Discover how transitions steal so much time in your day when you're not aware of them, and my top tips for identifying and minimizing the transitions in your schedule. Hear why traditional time blocking doesn't work effectively, what h...
2024-02-2818 minThe Interior Design Business CEO70. Your Role as Designer CEO: Ready for Your Next Evolution?I recently read Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz, which got me thinking deeply about the mindset required of any CEO. So much of stepping into the role of CEO is about continuously upgrading your level of thinking to support the next iteration of your business because the growth of the business hinges on your personal development. Hear why you are required to grow as business owner as your business expands. Whatever the next level looks like for you, I'm offering the three types of strategic thinking y...
2024-02-2114 minThe Interior Design Business CEO69. Pep Talk: True Measures of ProductivityWhat is the most valuable way to measure productivity? There are numerous apps or websites to learn how to be more productive, but in this episode, I discuss how to measure true productivity and explain my recommended approach. Discover how to measure true productivity in the most valuable way and how you can help your clients by working on your business. Learn about methods for measuring true productivity, the benefits of adopting a zoomed-out view of your business, and key strategies for increasing productivity effectively. Get full show notes and more inf...
2024-02-1416 minThe Interior Design Business CEO68. Establishing Builder Relationships with Mark WilliamsAs an interior designer, the relationships you cultivate with builders are crucial. How do you find a builder to work with? And when you find someone you want to collaborate with, how should you approach them? To address these questions and explore the connection between interior designers and builders, I'm excited to welcome Mark Williams to the show. Mark is the owner of the high-end boutique design firm Mark D. Williams Custom Homes here in the Twin Cities, building higher-end homes in the $1.5 to $6 million range. He is also the host of The Curious Builder P...
2024-02-0755 minThe Interior Design Business CEO67. When to Say No to YourselfSaying no to our clients is a struggle most designers face. It comes up so often in my practice that I teach a whole module on this topic inside my program. While learning to say no to our clients is a vital skill, today we're flipping this concept on its head by delving into when you should consider saying no to yourself. Discover why you sometimes have to say no to yourself, and instances from my own life and from my clients' lives of when it's appropriate to say no. Learn what to expect when y...
2024-01-3129 minThe Interior Design Business CEO66. Thought ErrorsOne of the biggest things that gets in the way of fostering a mindset that serves our lives and businesses is thought errors. These are beliefs that often generate uncomfortable emotions and lead to unwanted behaviors and undesirable results. To release them, you must first be able to identify them, and I'm showing you how on this episode. Learn what thought errors are and how they might be showing up in your interior design business. I'm sharing the pitfalls of not challenging your thought errors, how to begin seeing your thought errors clearly, and why l...
2024-01-2419 minThe Interior Design Business CEO65. Why You Should Plan to FailPlanning to fail isn't about pessimistic thinking or being overly critical about how you can't hit your goals. It's about using the potential of failure as part of your planning process. Whether you use it in the context of your big-picture goal-setting or in your daily or weekly planning, planning to fail not only radically increases your chances of achieving your goal, but also improves your experience of pursuing it. Hear why planning to fail is the secret to creating success faster with increased enjoyment along the way. I'm highlighting how we unwittingly make the pu...
2024-01-1720 minThe Interior Design Business CEO64. Big-Picture Planning for 20242024 is officially here, which means I'm spending time thinking about big-picture future planning for my business and those of my clients. This week, we're specifically exploring the power of zooming out to a larger vision of your interior design business so you can zoom back in to create an actionable plan for 2024. Discover what becomes possible when you first zoom out to consider the bigger vision for your business, and then zoom back in to create a roadmap for the year. I'm showing you what future planning for your business looks like, and walking you t...
2024-01-1012 minThe Interior Design Business CEO63. 2 'Whys' That Fuel a Thriving Interior Design BusinessThe New Year is here, which means you're probably starting to envision what 2024 is going to look like for you and your business. But before you start setting and planning out your goals, there's one thing I always recommend doing to all my clients, and it's to define your 'whys' in your business. Join me this week to hear how identifying your two whys will guide everything you do and creates a thriving interior design business. I'm showing you the reason you need to consider why your business exists, both for you and your clients, a...
2024-01-0316 minThe Interior Design Business CEO62. Looking Ahead to 2024: Reflect, Celebrate, and Decide with IntentionOur human brains tend to laser-focus on what's next, so if you find yourself completely dismissing 2023, ignoring where you might have fallen short, and overlooking everything that was wonderful, you're not alone. All of it is worth acknowledging and celebrating, and this week, you'll learn why this matters more than you think. Join me this week as I highlight the power of celebrating the close of 2023 and transitioning into 2024 with purpose and intention. Hear why celebration is a key skill you must cultivate, my top tips for being intentional about what would be meaningful for y...
2023-12-2714 minThe Interior Design Business CEO61. Write Your Own Permission SlipAs a business owner, there's likely always something more you could be doing or getting ahead on. When we're used to going a million miles an hour, learning to give ourselves permission to do whatever we want is an acquired skill, but it's one that's worth practicing if you want a thriving business and a lifestyle outside of work that you love. Join me this week as I invite you to question what you need to give yourself permission on. Hear why answering this question honestly is critical, even if you're not ready to act o...
2023-12-2016 minThe Interior Design Business CEO60. One at a TimeThis week, I'm sharing a business philosophy called One at a Time that will help you make progress with more ease. When it feels like so much should and could be done at any given moment, One at a Time is the secret to taking action, and can be applied across the board, no matter the task at hand or stage of business you're currently in. Discover what the One at a Time approach entails, how you can apply this concept to the goals you're setting for your business in 2024, and why it makes taking a...
2023-12-1312 minThe Interior Design Business CEO59. Leading with Your Future SelfSelf-leadership as a business owner is something I discuss often with my clients, and it's a key step in the Out of Overwhelm process. Whether it's your level of confidence, how you plan, or make decisions, leading with your future self has a well of wisdom, guidance, and reassurance to offer, but you first have to learn how to tune into her. Hear why leading with your future self is an important tool that can help you make decisions, set goals, and align yourself with the business you want to build. I'm showing you what h...
2023-12-0617 minThe Interior Design Business CEO58. When Your Day (Or Week) Is DerailedEffective problem-solving is a vital skill you must cultivate as an interior design business CEO. Whether you're currently facing a derailed calendar or not, learning how to save yourself time and create space in your business will always serve you, and today, I'm showing you how to be prepared for any obstacle that comes your way because the truth is, it's inevitable. Discover how to get back on track when your day or week is derailed. I'm inviting you to consider the empowering thoughts you want to take on when things don't go as planned, w...
2023-11-2927 minThe Interior Design Business CEO57. CEO Transformation: Isabella Patrick's Journey to SuccessOn this special episode, I'm speaking to my Out of Overwhelm client, Isabella Patrick. She is the CEO of Isabella Patrick Interiors Inc.: a woman-owned and women-led full-service residential interior design and decorating firm located in Manhattan. I invited her on to celebrate her growth with all of you, and she's offering her thoughts on how Out of Overwhelm transformed her experience of being a business owner. Hear the powerful impact committing to group coaching has had on Isabella's business, and why she decided to come back to Out of Overwhelm for a second round. S...
2023-11-2259 minThe Interior Design Business CEO56. Pep Talk: What Story Are You Rehearsing?All of us have stories running through our minds that define who we are, how we show up, and what we think we're capable of, and some of them simply aren't serving you or your business. The more you rehearse a story about yourself, the more ingrained it becomes, and the more you automatically begin to take action from that place. If your stories are producing outcomes and experiences you don't want, it's time to consider dropping them, and I'm showing you how. Join me today as I invite you to examine how the stories y...
2023-11-1517 minThe Interior Design Business CEO55. Time Management Mistakes: Are You Setting Yourself up for Failure?A business that runs like a well-oiled machine always starts with you and how you manage your time. There's more to effective time management than just using a particular planner, app, or tool. Time management is the first foundational pillar of running a thriving interior design business, so if you know this is an area you're struggling with, listen in. Discover the top three time management mistakes I see that are preventing interior design CEOs from staying in the driver's seat of their business. I'm offering the solutions to these mistakes so you can stop s...
2023-11-0820 minThe Interior Design Business CEOFREE MASTERCLASS: The Complete Roadmap to a Profitable, Efficient Interior Design Business.Join me on November 17th (11am - 12:30pm Central) for a brand new (free!) masterclass: The Complete Roadmap to a Profitable, Efficient Interior Design Business. Building a thriving business that supports your personal and professional goals doesn't have to be complicated when you focus on just four foundational pillars. No matter what stage you're at in your interior design business, you'll use these four, foundational pillars as your roadmap to balance your business now and grow it in the future. During this free masterclass, you'll learn to: Identify the top mistakes that keep you spinning your wheels Get focuse...
2023-11-0702 minThe Interior Design Business CEO54. 50% Less Email in Your Interior Design BusinessDid you know that the average interior designer spends two to three hours per day in their inbox? Email communication can get chaotic and sloppy very quickly. If you resonate with that feeling of being weighed down by your email inbox and it seems like they pile up every time you look away, you're in the right place. Discover one simple tweak that will cut your emails by 50% and free up hours of time that you can spend getting the most important things done in your business. Hear how your inbox is blocking you from b...
2023-11-0121 minThe Interior Design Business CEO53. Faulty AssumptionsAre you aware of the assumptions you're currently holding onto about your business, clients, and goals? Our assumptions are not the same as universal truths, even though they might feel like it. What if the only thing holding you back from running your business in the way you want is just a faulty assumption? Discover what faulty assumptions are and how to spot them in your life and business. Hear how your assumptions are a reflection of your belief, why you have the power to challenge your automatic assumptions, and how to begin dismantling the a...
2023-10-2513 minThe Interior Design Business CEO52. Time Tracking TroublesTime tracking is the secret to making your business a joy to run. It's a simple way to ensure you're in control of not only your time but the amount of money you create in your business, as well as the level of enjoyment you experience of your clients and projects. However, time tracking is a habit many interior design business CEOs feel resistant to, and it's hindering them in more ways than one. If you know that time tracking is a practice you need to implement, but you've tried it and stopped because it w...
2023-10-1818 min
The Design You PodcastHow to Stop Burning Time & Energy in Your Business with Desi CreswellIf you're an interior designer or any kind of creative entrepreneur and you feel like you've got way too much on your plate, this episode is for you. My guest today is Master Certified life and business coach Desi Creswell, and she has been where you are. However, she changed course and now runs a successful business from a beautifully clear headspace, and she's here to share how to find where your time and energy are going to waste in your business. Tune in this week to discover where the time and energy leaks are i...
2023-10-1239 minThe Interior Design Business CEO51. Playing the Long GameWhile playing the short game gives us dopamine hits that feel amazing, the truth is that the trade isn't worth it when you're working towards a goal in your business. Instead, the long-game mindset is the secret to any type of success you want to create in any area of life or business, and I'm showing you how to adopt this approach. Discover what playing the long game means and why committing yourself to the long game matters. Hear how I use the long-game approach in my own business, why the long game gives you c...
2023-10-1127 minThe Interior Design Business CEO50. Pep Talk: Waiting for Perfect Conditions?Conditions and circumstances in our lives rarely align perfectly. We're almost guaranteed to have obstacles come up in our schedule or not be in the mood to do what we know we want or need to do. And if you're always waiting or wishing for perfect conditions to arrive, you're going to be waiting a long time. Learn what the trap of waiting for perfect conditions can look or sound like and how to start recognizing this pattern for yourself. I'm showing you why you don't have to wait for perfect conditions to get a l...
2023-10-0412 min
The Curious Builder#30 Desi Creswell | Desi Creswell | Reclaim your SparkDesi Creswell, an interior designer turned life and business coach, shares how experiencing a career burnout from trying to balance her new life as a mom with her business helped reclaim her spark. She discusses how the switch flipped once she made the transition to coaching, and why this path was a more fulfilling option to her. With the mindset of giving the advice she needed herself when she was first starting out, she guides her clients to what's right for them and a healthier mindset to view their work with. She reminds us to approach relationships like the...
2023-10-021h 07The Interior Design Business CEO49. Turn Ideas into ActionWhen you attend conferences, events, webinars, or consume podcasts or courses that offer a learning opportunity, do you get overwhelmed by the amount of information and potential action steps presented to you? Do you feel excited in the moment and take lots of notes, only for all of it to go to the idea graveyard just like everything else? This week, learn how to turn new ideas and strategies into action, and even better results. Hear the dangers of consumption without action, how to set yourself up for success before you even consider taking action, a...
2023-09-2728 minThe Interior Design Business CEO48. 3 Systems Myths Debunked with Katie McFarlanWhether you're worried about getting started with systems in your business, think you don't have the time, or aren't sure if your team will get on board with new software and procedures, you're in the right place. This week, I'm here with Katie McFarlan from Dakota Design Company to debunk three systems myths that are preventing you from implementing and using systems to their fullest potential. Katie and I explore the three biggest myths about systems in your interior design business and how taking action on these now can start generating momentum, providing you and y...
2023-09-2044 minThe Interior Design Business CEO47. How to Stop ProcrastinatingWhether your flavor of procrastination looks like choosing to do anything but work, or what I call "procrasti-working," I'm here to empower you with tools for navigating procrastination so you can notice it and stop it in its tracks. There are a few reasons you might be tempted to procrastinate, and I'm laying them out on this episode. Discover how to stop procrastination from holding you back from the business and life you really want. Hear the difference between putting something off versus active procrastination, why procrastination currently feels out of your control, and how to...
2023-09-1320 minThe Interior Design Business CEOStop Putting this Off - Create Time NowHow many unfinished projects do you have weighing on you? Your notebook is full of ideas from the last training you attended. You often think to yourself "I should do this to improve my business." Your inbox is full of downloads but that's where it stops. Designers, it's time to take your to do list and consider it done. Join Master Certified Life & Business Coach Desi Creswell for To Do To Done, a five week coaching intensive. You'll learn to free up time for things you wish you could get to...
2023-09-1102 minThe Interior Design Business CEO46. Arrival FallacyIf you find that you never actually let yourself enjoy the success you've created, you have likely fallen prey to a term called arrival fallacy. It's a cycle of belief that can be challenging to opt out of, but the good news is we can learn to work with its presence, and I'm showing you how this week. Discover how arrival fallacy often shows up for interior design business owners and why we continue to participate in it, even when we know it doesn't serve us. Hear what happens when you acknowledge the existence of a...
2023-09-0618 minThe Interior Design Business CEO45. Your Desires & DoubtsMy clients often have some idea of what they desire. They know there is more that they want to achieve, but their vision isn't crystal clear or specific enough for them to begin taking deliberate action. Add to that the inevitable doubt that comes with wanting to bring a bigger vision to life, and they can find themselves stuck, lacking inspiration, and operating from survival mode. Discover how to navigate your desires to grow your design business and the inevitable doubts that will arise along the way. Hear why desires and doubts go hand-in-hand, how t...
2023-08-3021 minThe Interior Design Business CEO44. The Truth About To-Do ListsAs the CEO of your interior design business, you might be unwittingly turning your to-do lists into an enemy, when in fact, it can be an amazing partner in making effective use of your time. I present five truths about to-do lists, and how recognizing these truths will offer you a great deal of freedom with your time. Learn why it's important for you to determine your own definition of "enough," three questions to ask yourself when creating your to-do list, and how to partner with time to make any kind of time management approach wo...
2023-08-2318 minThe Interior Design Business CEO43. 4 Essential Communication Methods for Client RelationshipsBetween drawings, contracts, emails, and conversations, both written and verbal, with staff, clients, and vendors, communication is a crucial part of your business and bringing your projects to life. I took several communication classes when studying for my degree, but I know this isn't the case for everyone. Discover four essential ways to communicate in your interior design business. These communication tips apply to both written and verbal communication and are intended to reduce frustration, confusion, and make the experience of running a project better for both you and your client. Ge...
2023-08-1617 minThe Interior Design Business CEO42. When Things Go WrongEven though we know that all designers miss the mark or have oversights sometimes, we secretly hope it never happens to us. You can do your absolute best and still have things go wrong, and the truth is this is just part of running a business. If you're holding yourself to a standard of perfection or believe you can plan enough to avoid all problems, listen in. Discover why there is so much to be gained when things go wrong in your design business. I'm showing you how to release the pressure of perfection, the s...
2023-08-0923 minThe Interior Design Business CEO41. How to Manage AnnoyancesWe can all agree that running and growing an interior design business can be filled with some (or many) annoying parts. What can we do when we experience those humps that keep us stuck? Is it possible that we might be making the challenges in our business even more annoying? Hear why wishing challenges away isn't an effective strategy, how to begin accepting the annoyances in your design business, and why embracing them is the key to running your business with more ease. Get full show notes and more information here: ht...
2023-08-0214 minThe Interior Design Business CEO40. 4 Birthday Reflections for a New EraI'm not someone who is particularly big on birthday celebrations, but as I head into my birthday weekend, I've realized that this is a great time to reflect on and glean lessons from another year that's passed. I share four birthday reflections from the past year and how you can take these lessons and apply them to your own life and business. Hear the value of encountering the same lessons time and time again, and how to decide what you want to do with them when they emerge in your life. Get...
2023-07-2616 min
Only Girl On The JobsiteTake Back Time: Time Management with Desi CreswellHere we are mid-summer - if any of you are like me, you're finally starting to relax and take a moment for yourself. What that also means is you may be putting things off. So today, I am so excited to welcome my friend Desi Creswell back to the podcast. This is her third time sharing her expertise with fellow interior designers, and it is because of an ah-ha moment I had while listening to Desi's podcast The Interior Design CEO, that inspired me to invite her back on. She did an entire episode called T...
2023-07-251h 14The Interior Design Business CEO39. Changing Your Business LensWhether or not you wear glasses in your everyday life, you know that they have the ability to make everything look crisp and clear or blurry and out of focus. Many designers fail to realize that the lenses they currently wear are optional. If your lenses are making your life and business more challenging than necessary, you might want to consider trying on a different pair. Hear examples of how your current lenses might be manifesting in your life and business right now, and why exploring your lenses will leave you empowered and in control, r...
2023-07-1914 minThe Interior Design Business CEO38. 3 Ways to Be More ProductiveAs a designer, you wear lots of different hats in your business. You also have multiple moving pieces that need to be addressed, sometimes simultaneously, which is why designers often fall into a cycle of panic and overwhelm. You need an organized way to approach your work. I offer three highly effective approaches for getting your work done. Hear how these three strategies will help you and your team stay calm, organized, and focused, how I apply these methods in my own business, and why utilizing different approaches helps you be more productive and fine-tune h...
2023-07-1215 minThe Interior Design Business CEO{Free Workshop} Business DetoxSummer is in full swing and it's time to detox what's dragging you down. Join me for a brand new, free workshop with MyDoma on July 13th (12-1pm Central). I'll guide you through your summer business detox to lessen your load so you can strategically make more progress on your projects and business goals. The Summer Business Detox is an interactive workshop where you will: Get clear on what you want your summer business to look like Prioritize your projects so you get the most important things done Use the power of constraint to focus your time and energy ...
2023-07-0601 minThe Interior Design Business CEO37. Reclaim 5 Hours Per Week - Part 2Discover the three things that needed to shift internally for me to reclaim five hours per week while continuing to serve my clients, produce weekly content, and execute a full launch for Out of Overwhelm. Hear why you have to combine the strategies with the mindset to effectively reclaim more time and how evaluating your self-concept and your relationship with your business will create huge ripple effects. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/37
2023-07-0519 minThe Interior Design Business CEO36. Reclaim 5 Hours Per Week - Part 1Clients inside Out of Overwhelm can absolutely reclaim five additional hours per week. Not only does that create a compounding result of time saved over the years and the financial impact of being more effective with their time, but it also impacts how they're able to care for themselves when they aren't stretched so thin. Hear the key strategies I use to reclaim five hours a week and where the mindset piece comes into play in this process. Make sure to tune back in next week to learn the less tangible approaches that will make r...
2023-06-2821 minThe Interior Design Business CEO35. The Later HabitWe're all familiar with that little (or sometimes loud) voice that presents itself when we've planned to do something, and we really don't feel like it. Whether later means tomorrow, after the summer, or next year, the later habit shows up in the everyday execution of your business tasks as well as in the long-term planning of your business. I introduce you to the later habit and explore how it might be showing up for you. Hear how to recognize if the later habit is one of your patterns, why using willpower to follow through i...
2023-06-2121 minThe Interior Design Business CEO34. Your Design Fees: Value Created vs. Time SpentAre you working way more than you want in your business while not making the amount of money you expect? Is your business generating the revenue you desire, but you still find yourself working more hours than ideal? Whether you charge your design fees by the hour or have a flat fee, this mindset leads you to set your fees in a way that results in overworking and under-earning. No amount of scaling your business, hiring help, or productivity hacks will solve this issue. The good news is, I know what will. Hear why trading d...
2023-06-1425 minThe Interior Design Business CEO33. Your Coaching Questions Answered: Ask Me AnythingWhether you need guidance on navigating a difficult conversation, saying no to a client that's not the best fit, overcoming procrastination, or any other support you require, this is your chance to receive personalized help directly from me. Discover what the Ask Desi feature of my online community offers, and how you can begin using it to submit your questions and get the support you need. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/33
2023-06-0714 minThe Interior Design Business CEO32. Pep Talk: Low-Energy DaysTired of the midday slump? Struggling with finding the motivation to kick-start your mornings or push through low-energy moments? Whether you're coming off an intense creative session and need some rest or simply experiencing an unexplained dip in energy, tune in to discover effective strategies to manage low-energy days without sacrificing productivity or peace of mind. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/32
2023-05-3108 minThe Interior Design Business CEO31. How to Get a Return on Any Investment You MakeThe decision to invest in your business often brings up hesitation and fear, especially as it relates to brand-new investments that seem like unknown risks. Investing both time and money in your business is significant. If all you can think about is what you're going to sacrifice or how much it'll cost you, you're in the right place. Hear my decision-making process behind investing in my business. I'm sharing why you have to consider the role of the human brain when it comes to your investment decisions, and how to empower yourself to not only ge...
2023-05-2420 minThe Interior Design Business CEO30. Wanting to Escape to Loving Your Business with Stephanie BrownThere is a real emotional component to what we do as interior designers, especially as it relates to being an entrepreneur. Stephanie Brown found herself falling out of love with her business and experiencing escapist thoughts, even considering changing industries altogether. She decided things needed to change, and that's when she joined Out of Overwhelm. Stephanie shares the challenges she was facing in her business when she first found Out of Overwhelm, and some of the biggest shifts she's made since joining the program. Hear the areas of focus Stephanie needed to work on to c...
2023-05-1744 minThe Interior Design Business CEOYou're Invited to Coaching & CoffeeYou're invited to join me for Coaching & Coffee, a free event to celebrate open enrollment for Out of Overwhelm. Session 1: Create Focus, On Demand May 18 (11am - 12pm Central) Session 2: Delegation ROI May 23 (10:30am - 12:30pm Central) Work with me live, get your Out of Overwhelm questions answered, and be entered to win a coffee gift card! To sign up at no cost go to www.desiid.com/askdesi
2023-05-1501 minThe Interior Design Business CEO29. Take Control of Your Time with Sarah LangtrySarah Langtry is the owner of Interiors by Sarah Langtry and a residential interior designer based in Ontario, Canada. She was no exception to the experience of feeling out of control around her time and schedule when she first found me. She was overwhelmed and found herself procrastinating without understanding why, but she turned it all around and she's letting us know how. Sarah offers her experience of being in Out of Overwhelm. We're also exploring how Out of Overwhelm helped her take control of her time and schedule, be more profitable, and had ripple ef...
2023-05-1035 minThe Interior Design Business CEO28. Protect Your Time & EnergyWhere are you losing time and energy in your business? It's common for designers to believe they don't have enough time, especially when it comes to the more visible tasks in your business like appointments, proposals, invoices, or client communication. However, hidden areas of your business consume your time and energy, and when you can fix them, everything else becomes more manageable. Discover the hidden time and energy leaks you may never have noticed in your business. I'm sharing how to spot the leaks that are present in your interior design business, and showing you h...
2023-05-0318 minThe Interior Design Business CEO27. Mindset MythsMindset is becoming more and more of a hot topic. I've seen this to be true in the last few years and want these conversations to continue to grow. However, there are common myths around mindset that are holding you back from fully experiencing the benefits of using these tools. Hear what maintaining mindset is really about, why it's a practice that is ever-evolving with you, and the three myths we have to dismantle so you can see the impact it can truly have. Get full show notes and more information her...
2023-04-2618 min
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business PodcastPower Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Out of Overwhelm: Why Time Management Begins With Your MindsetToday With Desi Creswell: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. In today’s sponsored show, I’m sitting down with Desi Creswell, a friend of the show, Power Talk Friday expert, and creator of Out of Overwhelm—a six-month, intimate group experience for interior designers that will take you from overwhelmed & stressed to in control and profitable. What really impresses me about Desi isn’t just her ability to teach people time management skills. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, the skills, tools, techniques, and practices are only half of the puzzle. Desi’s real ability l...
2023-04-211h 17The Interior Design Business CEO26. What Office Hours?Part of being a business owner is the benefit of a flexible schedule, but the habit of always being available can quickly snowball into overwork, overwhelm, and dysfunction in your business. This is the power of setting office hours, it can help you organize your energy to times you are on and times you are off. This week, I outline why it is so transformative to set office hours and the impact it has on your business and personal life. When you have a Framework to work within, you will find and feel so much m...
2023-04-1913 minThe Interior Design Business CEO25. People Pleasing or Customer Service?As interior designers, customer service is an important part of what we offer. However, if we're not careful, customer service can soon turn into people pleasing. I see this all the time with my clients so it's time to get super clear on the differences between high-touch customer service versus people pleasing. I'm showing you how to see where you fall on the spectrum of customer service to people pleasing, and I'm sharing the impact on your business and your profit of confusing these two concepts so you can decide how you want to move f...
2023-04-1221 minThe Interior Design Business CEO24. Pep Talk: It Won't Take THAT LongHow often do you avoid doing something that you know is necessary or will be great for your business, but continue to push it off because you think, "It's going to take so long"? This is a challenge that comes up for my clients frequently so it's time to tackle it head-on. I offer you four different ways to handle the it's-going-to-take-so-long mental roadblock. Hear how to fact-check your brain when it offers this thought, and why doing this will not only help you reclaim your time but get the results you want sooner.
2023-04-0511 minThe Interior Design Business CEO23. Two Types of ConfidenceConfidence touches every aspect of your business. Whether you're working on managing your time, your team, creating systems, or deciding on pricing, confidence is a critical part of being a CEO. Discover the two types of confidence you need to cultivate as a creative business owner, and why it's important to distinguish between the two. I'm sharing how to call on the confidence you need in any given moment so you can get into action and start creating evidence of what you're capable of. Get full show notes and more information her...
2023-03-2921 minThe Interior Design Business CEO22. Automated DecisionsAutomation often makes us think of processes or technology to save time, but today, I'm approaching the automation conversation from a different angle: automating decisions in your life and business. I'm sharing how to use automated decisions to save your highest level of thinking for effective problem-solving, instead of using your mental bandwidth to make decisions about mundane day-to-day aspects of your business. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/22
2023-03-2217 minThe Interior Design Business CEO21. Delegating Without MicromanagingYou're busy, you have a business to run, you want to take things off of your plate, and delegating is a core skill in making that happen. But what is micromanaging and where is the line between delegation and micromanagement? I'm sharing some common delegation challenges, how to spot where you're micromanaging, and I'm showing you how to allow your team to think for themselves while they contribute value to your business. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/21
2023-03-1522 minThe Interior Design Business CEO20. Take Time Off from Your Interior Design BusinessMy clients want to learn how to manage their time and take back control of their schedule, which includes stepping away from their interior design businesses from time to time. However, they're afraid of telling their clients about taking a break or simply believe it's impossible to do so as someone who calls the shots. The truth is, taking time off from your business boils down to three things and I'm sharing what they are with you this week. You'll hear why the skill of creating space and time just for you is priceless and w...
2023-03-0825 minThe Interior Design Business CEO19. Where is Your Time, Money, and Attention Going?I'm letting you behind the curtain in my brain, sharing how I audit my investments of time, money, and attention as the CEO of my business, and showing you how you can start to use a new understanding of these resources to create better results with more ease. Discover how I've optimized my business to get better results with less effort by doing a resource audit. I'm also sharing the details of an experiment I'm undertaking around no longer marketing on Instagram, and how you can apply the same principles in your own business.
2023-03-0122 minThe Interior Design Business CEO18. How to Recession-Proof Your Interior Design BusinessThere are three pillars you need to implement that will help you find success in a recession, and a handful of skills you need to support those pillars. Whatever your thoughts about the economy are, whether you're worried about a looming financial crisis or not, I'm showing you how to protect your business so you can deal with anything that comes your way. Find out the two categories I see designers falling into when it comes to dealing with uncertainty in general, how to build business relationships in a recession, and how to become the c...
2023-02-2224 minThe Interior Design Business CEO17. The Secret to Being Present: Mini MomentsWe can all relate to that feeling of being pulled in a million different directions, like when you're thinking about work when you're with your family and vice versa. But you want to experience and enjoy all the areas of your life, and that's where presence comes in. I'm helping you expand your view of how you define presence so you can experience more of it. Building your capacity for presence is one of the most important productivity tools available to you, so I'm showing you how to develop the skill of staying in the m...
2023-02-1523 minThe Interior Design Business CEO16. How to Stay MotivatedTune in this week to discover how to stay motivated, and how to create your own motivation so you aren't waiting around hoping it will just appear. I'm showing you how to get clear on the thoughts that are leaving you feeling unmotivated, and giving you some helpful thoughts you can use to generate the motivation required to move your business forward. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/16
2023-02-0817 minThe Interior Design Business CEO15. Excellence vs PerfectionismConfusing excellence with perfection is something that trips up a lot of designers in running their businesses. It can manifest as procrastinating starting or finishing projects, being absolutely crushed when a client doesn't love your selections, or offering revisions outside of your job scope, just to name a few. This week, discover why not understanding your perfectionism means you're leaving money on the table and how to start defining excellence for yourself so you can stop measuring yourself against an impossible standard. Get full show notes and more information here: https://ww...
2023-02-0117 minThe Interior Design Business CEO14. Making Empowered DecisionsWhat are the decisions that you're making day in and day out that just seem to happen by default? Are you craving a fresh start instead? Join me this week to discover why redeciding is a great opportunity to look at the decisions that have contributed to the results you have in your life and business, and go all-in on decisions that you love. I'm sharing examples of decisions you can revisit, and my process for choosing decisions with your eyes wide open. Get full show notes and more information here: http...
2023-01-2515 minThe Interior Design Business CEO13. How to Make Business SimpleWe use simplicity and specificity all the time in our work as interior designers. So, why does planning for the business side of being an interior designer feel so complicated and overwhelming? Tune in this week to discover the importance of simplicity and specificity as you plan for the future of your business. I'm sharing how to stop spinning in indecision and uncertainty so you can create a plan to get into action and gain momentum by always knowing your next move. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www...
2023-01-1826 minThe Interior Design Business CEOInvitation to Plan Your Year with Me!Join me for a two-part group coaching experience where we will set your 2023 goals and make a plan to achieve them. Goal setting can feel overwhelming. There are so many things you could do and so many things you're told you should do. It's difficult to know where to start and what will make a difference in your unique business. This is why I want you to join me for a brand new interactive coaching workshop, Create Your 2023 Roadmap. I'll guide you to create a...
2023-01-1302 minThe Interior Design Business CEO12. 3 Tips for Becoming Self-AccountableWhether you're struggling to follow through on a big goal for your business or you just want to manage your time better, you're in the right place. The skill of self-accountability is what supports your present and future self, and helps you show up for the plans, goals, routines, and habits that you want in your life. And this week, you're going to learn how to start building this skill. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/12
2023-01-1127 minThe Interior Design Business CEO11. 5 Steps to Make Your Goals InevitableIt's the start of a brand-new year, which for many of us means thinking about what we want to create in 2023. It's so fun being in the energy of possibility around setting goals, but actually doing the things required to achieve them is a whole other ballgame. So this week, I'm sharing a simple and repeatable process you can use to set and achieve your goals. Discover some of the most common reasons achieving a goal falls flat and the keys to making the results you want inevitable. Get full show notes and more information he...
2023-01-0433 minThe Interior Design Business CEO10. Before You Set Your 2023 GoalsThere's one essential thing you need to do before setting goals for 2023, and that is to examine your 2022 story. Join me this week to discover how our stories are created, and why it is vital for you to intentionally decide what your 2022 story is before thinking about next year. You'll hear why your story is completely up to you, what happens when you give it intentional attention, and how to start showcasing yourself as the hero of your story. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/10
2022-12-2817 minThe Interior Design Business CEO9. 3 Time-Management Tips for Busy Interior DesignersMany of you are racing to the end of the year, trying to get everything done so you can wrap up 2022 for the Holidays. There's something nice about feeling like you've got the year closed out, but it also often leaves you feeling crunched for time and overextended. If you've got a lot going on both in your professional and personal life as you close out this year, listen in. I'm sharing three of my favorite time-management tips for when you're extra busy so you can leverage the limited time you do have without burning out. ...
2022-12-2121 minThe Interior Design Business CEO8. The Secret to Solving Any ProblemDo you ever find yourself wondering why some problems in your business keep coming up? Maybe it's not getting as much done as you wanted in a day, or having to reinvent the wheel every time an issue comes up. Join me this week to discover how to use curious evaluations to streamline your business for productivity, profit, and sustainable growth. You'll hear why evaluations are the most strategic way to solve any problem in your business, and how to begin using this process for any goal you have right now. Get full show notes an...
2022-12-1420 minThe Interior Design Business CEO7. Becoming the CEO Your Business NeedsWhat does it mean to be the CEO of your interior design business? This is more than just about what you do: it's about who you're being. Tune in this week to see why you're more than a creative. You are a business owner, and the sooner you can start showing up as the CEO of your business, the sooner you can start creating the kind of results you want, whether that's an income goal, working on specific types of projects, setting the schedule that you want, or anything else. Get full show notes and m...
2022-12-0717 minThe Interior Design Business CEO6. Getting Comfortable with DiscomfortMost of us are taught from a very young age that discomfort is bad and something we need to get rid of as soon as possible. Whether it was being told not to cry as a child, or believing entrepreneurship isn't meant to be hard, there's this collective belief that we're supposed to feel good all the time. But as you'll hear in this episode, being comfortable with discomfort is the one trait my most successful clients have in common. This week, discover how to approach your negative emotions, and what becomes possible when you get comfortable with discomfort.
2022-11-3022 minThe Interior Design Business CEO5. The Power of ConstraintWhether you're working towards income goals, building a team, or you just want to create more calmness and joy in your business, constraint is what's going to allow you to start taking consistent action toward your goals, instead of getting caught up in the start-stop of doing something new. This week, I'm showing you how to create a strong agreement with yourself to constrain your core projects, what this looks like in my business, and how to try on the idea of constraint for yourself in your own interior design business. Get full show notes a...
2022-11-2322 minThe Interior Design Business CEO4. Client CapacityDefining your client capacity starts with being clear on how you use your time, making intentional decisions, and of course, honoring those decisions. So in this episode, I'm helping you decide how much you want to work and what kind of money you want to be making, so you can make an informed decision about projects you undertake, how you set your fees, calculate markups, and make that lifestyle balance a reality. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/4
2022-11-1630 minThe Interior Design Business CEO3. Intentional Time ManagementWe need to plan for life because, whether we're ready for it or not, it's happening. As interior designers, we're creatives at heart, so I know a lot of you might be cringing when I mention time management. But the truth is, if you want to be the CEO of your interior design business, intentional planning and time management is non-negotiable. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/3
2022-11-0924 minThe Interior Design Business CEO2. Overwhelm Is OptionalI used to be an overwhelmed interior designer just like you. However, when I learned that overwhelm is optional, everything changed and I was able to view my stress from a totally new perspective. The same is possible for you, so listen closely to discover the secret to feeling calm and in control, even when it feels like everything's coming at you at once. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/2
2022-11-0925 minThe Interior Design Business CEO1. Create Your Ideal Life & Interior Design BusinessWhat I'm sharing today is foundational for building a life and business that support one another, as opposed to being in contradiction, where one area has to suffer for the other to thrive. It's a concept I'm calling Your Life and Business Vision, and it's the crucial first step to a fulfilling, profitable, and sustainable career as an interior designer, so keep listening. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/1
2022-11-0917 minOnly Girl On The JobsiteEnd the Overwhelm in Your Interior Design Business - with Desi CreswellDesigners, if you are ready to tackle the last quarter of the year without overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed, make decisions that support your business AND the lifestyle you want to live, and finally step into the CEO role in your business, then this episode is for you!! Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. An award-winning interior designer, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing h...
2022-09-271h 08
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast777: Power Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Leading from Your Future Self Today with Desi Creswell: Welcome to A Well Designed Business. If you’re anything like me, you have a neverending to-do list. There’s always something else to get done, another box to check, another urgent task to complete. But when we get bogged down in those tasks, it becomes impossible to work on the business. So how do we motivate ourselves to take a step back and work on the higher level needs? Interior Design Coach Desi Creswell shares her framework for getting big tasks done, even if it feels like you’ll never be able to. Learn more ab...
2022-05-271h 20
Be the CEO of Your LifeBalance Isn't Linear w/ Desi CreswellHow do we keep a life-work balance? A lot of us go through the challenges of keeping a life-work balance. Especially for us women, we don’t only balance our careers but we balance our families, leisure, and health. And sometimes it feels like there’s not enough time and we end up overwhelmed. Today, we have Desi Creswell, a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. In this episode, we talk ab...
2022-05-2344 min
Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design BusinessBusiness Coach Desi Creswell Shares How to Build Trust in Yourself - Episode 240Desi Creswell is a business coach who specializes in working with interior designers. As a coach, Desi doesn’t tell you what to do. She asks high-quality questions to help you uncover what you know to be true for yourself that aligns with what you want to create for your business. As she draws that out of you, you will learn to do it for yourself.
In a coaching relationship, you tend to view your coach as a parental figure—someone who has all the answers and knows what’s best. But Desi doesn’t want her clients t...
2021-10-2738 min
Design Biz Survival GuideEp 83 Desi CreswellToday we welcome Desi Creswell, a certified life and business coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich their lives as a whole. In this episode we discuss tips and strategies for prioritization, productivity, and achieving your goals! Click here to download her Interior Designers Get it Done Daily Planner and click here to learn all about her "Out of Overwhelm" coaching program.
2021-10-0945 min
Windowsill ChatsMindset matters. Desi Creswell on how to stop feeling overwhelmed and intentionally create self-defined success.This week Margo brings on Certified Life & Business Coach for interior designers, Desi Creswell. Desi is a former interior designer and found herself at a crossroads when she was exhausted from the hamster wheel and wanted to get out of the hustle in her career, especially as a new mom. From there she found a way to get out of her busy work and became the person she wished she had in the beginning - a coach and mentor for creatives. She coaches designers through mindset tools and practical strategies so that they can make the time to build...
2021-09-2951 min
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business PodcastPower Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Tactics to Beat Burnout and OverwhelmToday with Desi Creswell: Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Desi Creswell, interior design coach and mindset guru shares the common signs of overwhelm and what can be done to combat the overwork that quietly sneaks into our lives when we take our eyes off our work/life vision and start telling ourselves all sorts of stories about why we must stack our day so high it starts to spill over. Pick it apart: [9:51] Desi covers the first few signs of overwhelm: buffering, daydreaming about quitting, and not being excited about your wins.
2021-08-271h 18Only Girl On The JobsiteSupporting Designers - A Talk With Desi CreswellIt is my honor to have Desi Creswell join me today! Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. Today, we are diving into the pain points interior designers face when doing home renovation projects. From designers who are new and want to offer this service to their clients, to designers who have done a few home renovation projects and aren't feeling the confidence that they need to do more o...
2021-08-101h 15
Designed for the Creative Mind™14. Finding The Right Business Coach For You At The Right Time with Desi CreswellDesi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. An award-winning interior designer, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own design practice. After experiencing burnout from an endless to-do list and the competing interests of work and home, she was disheartened by the feeling that she wasn't showing up as her best in any area of life. Desi sought to find solutions within the industry for time-management, wor...
2021-05-3133 min
Designed for the Creative Mind™14. Finding The Right Business Coach For You At The Right Time with Desi CreswellDesi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. An award-winning interior designer, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own design practice. After experiencing burnout from an endless to-do list and the competing interests of work and home, she was disheartened by the feeling that she wasn’t showing up as her best in any area of life. Desi sought to find solutions within the industry for time...
2021-05-3133 min
Second Spring PodcastPerfectionism & Procrastination with Desi CreswellIn today's episode, Kit chats with Desi Creswell. Desi is a former interior designer who became a life coach. In her coaching, Desi focuses on working with creative people and helps them to set achievable goals, eliminate feelings of procrastination and overwhelm so they can be successful in their work and life. In the episode, you will find out about Desi's concept of becoming your own CEO. She will help us determine the origins of our perfectionist tendencies and she will show us the way to tackle them. You will learn how to manage your time, how...
2020-10-2659 min
Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design BusinessDesi Creswell Shares How to Cultivate a Healthy Mindset - Episode 172Are you a designer struggling to cling to a healthy mindset, unable to balance your work and home life? Do you find yourself always focusing on the negative instead of the positive things in life? You’re not alone in your struggles. Desi Creswell has been there—but has found a way out of the muck. If you’re ready to create the life you envision and NOT be overwhelmed with day-to-day operations, projects, and clients—listen to this episode of Wingnut Social.
Desi Creswell is a certified life and business coach who helps interior designers stop feeling o...
2020-08-1238 min
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business PodcastPower Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: Develop Your CEO MindsetWelcome to A Well-Designed Business, it’s Power Talk Friday! Desi Creswell joins LuAnn in a conversation today about breaking old habits and how to think about the same things in new ways. You’ll hear about how important it is to get real about your life by setting goals and expectations that serve you in totality so that you can run both your life and your business in sustainable ways. Get ready for some fantastic a-ha moments! Desi Creswell is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can inte...
2020-06-261h 14
SAID - Something About Interior DesignersDesi Creswell: Thought Control and TransformationIn her practice, life and interior design business coach Desi Creswell helps her clients get out of the state of overwhelm. By empowering them with the tools to shift their mindset and facilitating transformation, she is privy to watching her clients take control of their businesses rather than their businesses controlling them. On the podcast she discusses how to start gaining control over one’s thoughts, why uncertainty is truly a time of possibility and how designers need to get over feeling icky about selling their services at this tender time. She stresses the importance of marketing and visibility an...
2020-04-2346 min
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business PodcastPower Talk Friday: Desi Creswell: How to Create More TimeWelcome to Power Talk Friday! We are delighted to introduce you to Desi Creswell today. Desi and LuAnn speak a lot of the same language! They both know that it takes more than just talent for you to be in a position to share your gift with the world because, as a designer, you need your business to be profitable. This could mean having to improve your systems, processes, or even your education to inspire you and enhance your natural aptitude. Also, the way we think often prevents us from sharing our superpowers because of our mindset problems and...
2019-10-181h 07