Episodes

Whether you’re a sole practitioner or running a large interior design firm, technology can help it operate more smoothly, efficiently and reliably. From managing projects to finances to human resources, technology can standardize policies and procedures, speed up access to information and documentation, and ensure proper compliance with laws and regulations. No matter if you are a tech newbie, a tech pro or a technophobe, you can find products and services to suit your abilities and the needs of...

Who are you designing for, yourself or your clients? Of course, you have a desire and an obligation to deliver the best design outcome for your clients. But they can choose from any number of designers. Rather than try to morph to accommodate the tastes of each individual client, be your authentic self and find the clients who want what you have to offer. In this episode, Gail talks with Kati Curtis, founder and principal designer, Kati Curtis Design in New York, New York. Regarded as one of NY...

Who cares if your business fails? Hopefully, you do. But are you paying attention to what’s going on in your business, especially on the financial and operations management side? That’s where many small businesses fail. Often it’s the unexpected calamity that can undo a business. You need to put safeguards in place and keep a close eye on your cash flow and reserves. Because nobody really cares if your business succeeds but you. In this episode, Gail talks with Philip Allen, chief operations of...

With two working spouses, finding a career-marriage balance can be difficult. When taking on a business partner, negotiating work styles and roles can be tough. So when spouses decide to go into business together, one might expect the challenges could be exponentially greater. Some couples, though, find a way to make it work. Some even find it rewarding. In this episode, Gail talks with Karen B. Wolf and Matt Brown of K+CO Living interior design, based in Short Hills, New Jersey. Karen is the o...

Business partnerships have something of a bad reputation. And not without good reason. An estimated 70 percent of all business partnerships eventually fail. On average, partnerships last no more than eight years. A majority last five years or less. However, with the right formula and constant care, partnerships can survive and thrive for many years. In this episode, Gail talks with Christi Barbour, founder and partner, Barbour Spangle Design in High Point, North Carolina, which specializes in b...

Drawings, plans and renderings have always been an integral component of the interior design process. Beginning in the early 2000s, advances in computer technology and software made it possible to create stunningly realistic detailed renderings of architecture and design projects. Soon followed 3D, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) renderings. These allow viewers to immerse themselves in a space before any construction has started. They can be a powerful tool for presenting your vi...

Decisions around compensation are some of the most difficult issues employers have to deal with. How do you determine what is the right level of compensation for a given position? How do you ensure compensation is equitable and fair across your entire team? To what extent should external factors such as inflation and market conditions bear on compensation levels? Aside from salary and basic benefits, what other forms of compensation should you be offering to attract and retain the best employees...

Four years ago the interior design industry came to a grinding halt as the pandemic swept the globe. And then, almost as quickly, the industry began to bounce back. Again, to most everyone’s surprise, it went from bounce to boom. Amongst all that turbulence came a lot of changes. Today’s interior design industry is not the same as it was four years ago. With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, designers can expect more change ahead. In this episode, Gail talks with K...

The launch of ChatGPT to the general public in November 2022 ushered in a new era in the ever-expanding reach of technology into the workplace and our daily lives. Suddenly people with no technical skills or knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) could easily query an interactive assistant to perform various types of research, to synthesize large bodies of information, to generate content and images based on existing models, and more. Today, ChatGPT and other AI tools are used in many industr...

For small business owners, selling their business often is the biggest financial transaction they will ever undertake. It can be a highly emotional and stressful time. Sellers need to be prepared to undergo a multi-stage process that will demand a substantial amount of their time and attention. In this episode, Gail talks with William Lieberman, founder and managing partner of The CEO’s Right Hand, a boutique financial and human resources services firm based in New York. Among its other service...