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Understanding and Graciousness

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

Posted in Home Staging, Home Staging Business, Interior Redesign, Interior Redesign Training. Tagged with , , .

By Mary
June 24, 2009

6 comments

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

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.
1.
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

Posted in Home Staging, Home Staging Business, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign, Marketing For Interior Designers. Tagged with , , , , , , .

By Mary
June 17, 2009

5 comments

What Being an Expert Will Do for You!

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

Posted in Home Staging, Home Staging Business, Interior Redesign, Interior Redesign Training, Marketing For Interior Designers. Tagged with , , , .

By Mary
June 1, 2009

2 comments

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

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!

Register for the Mastermind Group NOW by visiting the link below and getting the new improved discount pricing

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

Posted in Decorating Business, Home Staging, Home Staging Business, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign, Interior Redesign Training, Marketing For Interior Designers, Uncategorized. Tagged with , , , , , , .

By Mary
May 29, 2009

No comments

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

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.

Posted in Home Staging Business, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign, Marketing For Interior Designers. Tagged with .

By Mary
May 27, 2009

8 comments

AMAZING Windows and Special Invite

I am back from my whirlwind trip teaching at the International Window Coverings Expo in Atlanta - the Expo was incredible.   One thing you can say about a down economy - the people who are showing up for conferences and participating and investing in themselves - they mean BUSINESS. I met a ton of great people, hosted 2 great classes, got to brainstorm with my industry peer Susan Kostelecky of CSI fame (and then a jaunt to Idaho to see my niece run the hurdles in the HS state track meet - reminded me of the ole days….  ) and as expected it was fab…. all and all, a good trip.

Today I am including a link to the online version of Window Visions Magazine, who hosts the conference.  Grace McNamara is the editor, and I was honored to be her guest at lunch at the keynote luncheon.  (look for pictures soon!)

If you go to page 40-41 of the online magazine, you will see all of the award winning window treatments - and they are spectacular! I know you will be VERY inspired.   Click HERE to check them out!

And if I haven’t done so already, I wanted to make sure you got my Special Invitation, so you can get it on your calendar now. It might just be the thing you need RIGHT NOW for your business. You know how strongly I feel about sharing great information that can help grow your biz - well, this is one of those things! And the best thing - you don’t even have to leave your office to benefit from it! SO,

Please mark Wednesday, May 27th at 7 pm Eastern for your F*.r.e.e. conference call “7 Steps to Boost Your Earnings This Summer”! We’ll cover some great ideas that you can put into play RIGHT now to have a GREAT summer of earnings.

This call is based on the calls I host in the “Designing Your Success Mastermind Program” and I hope that you will love the call so much you are just going to have to join the Mastermind Group that starts in June! We always have a great group - and I know you will get the information and support you need to keep on growing.

There will also be a VERY SPECIAL DISCOUNT for those of you on the call….. so you are going to want to be there.

Register for the call in information now by clicking the following link www.growyourdesignbiz.com/mastermind.htm

Hope to “see” you on the call!

Here’s to Designing Your Success™,

-Mary Larsen

Posted in Decorating Business, Home Staging Business, Interior Redesign, Interior Redesign Training. Tagged with , , , .

By Mary
May 22, 2009

No comments

Stressed? This Might Help!

I just took a week off and I’m about to take another, so yeah.  I’m a little stressed.

And here I am at the EXPO! Literally!

As you read this I am teaching either a “Makeover Your Marketing” class or an “Add Redesign to Your Drapery or Decorating Business” class.

I love mixing both business and design when I am teaching - and I do the same in my personal business.  I do plenty of hands-on decorating, as well as teach and consult with others on how to run their business.  But as it might happen, here I am - a little stressed.  My good friend Elizabeth Hagen is a great organizer and business coach (and speaker!), and I am going to share with you some of her great stress reducing tips from a previous newsletter of hers.  Enjoy!  -Mary Larsen Continued…

Posted in Home Staging Business, Home Staging Training, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign. Tagged with , , , .

By Mary
May 11, 2009

1 comment

Getting the MOST out of Your Conference

This has been an incredible week!

Surely it was the amazing vacation last week - and maybe it’s because I’m taking another vacation NEXT week (not to an exotic island but to Idaho - a very different and good destination!) - but things have just been flying along and man does it feel good!

I’m a big believer that when things are cranking you need to GO with it - and that’s what has been happening today.  I still have to finish up some tiny details for the EXPO in Atlanta next week, but other than that everything I am working on is fun and exciting.

I have a big SAVE THE DATE for you!

Please mark Wednesday, May 27th at 7pm for a f*r.e.e teleconference call “7 Steps to Kick Up Your Earnings THIS Summer” The call will be done in the same format as my Designing Your Success Mastermind Program that starts in June!I hope you will be so inspired by what we share and what you learn that of COURSE you will become a part of the program. Plus, I will give you a great “monetary” incentive to join on the call, so please join me.  I know you will love it.  I’ll have more info out to you soon, but please save the date!

And if you are not yet offering custom window treatments to your clients I am also hosting a webinar about adding Window Treatments to your decorating business - Wednesday May 20th at 4pm - it is going to be a great topic -  learn more about it and register HERE. We’ll also have a couple of great prizes for registrants from Window Vision Magazine and Minutes Matter Studio - you don’t want to miss it!

Because I will be at the Expo next week, today I am going to talk about one of my favorite topics - how to get the most out of a conference.  Enjoy and see you there!

Here’s to Designing Your Success™,

-Mary Larsen

Continued…

Posted in Decorating Business, Home Staging Business, Interior Design, Interior Redesign. Tagged with , , , , , .

By Mary
May 6, 2009

No comments

Getting Back to Work!

I have just returned from a sunny tropical island where I celebrated my big 40th with a bunch of siblings and their spouses. It was an amazing vacation!  You know it is good when everyone wants to stay longer and when you start planning the next one while you are sitting there.  I was double lucky in that when I got back to work I actually “got back to work!”  Turns out I missed you!

But that’s not always the case.  I have had many vacations where getting back to work was the last thing I wanted to do.  So today I am going to share with you some of the tricks I use to help me get back to it!

Continued…

Posted in Home Staging Business, Home Staging Training, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign Training, Marketing For Interior Designers, Uncategorized. Tagged with , , .

By Mary
April 30, 2009

6 comments

Why I Love My Assistant!

So I’m getting ready to rush off to the Dominican Republic with a bunch of my siblings and spouses for my big 40th birthday bash. And as I scramble to get ready, I cannot express enough gratitude for my assistant Linda.  She makes every day of my work better than it would be alone, and is an enormous help. Luckily for me she is willing to do anything I ask - even work as my personal assistant when needed - like this week.

I know you have heard it before - once you take the time to train someone to do the things you don’t like to do - or the things that keep you from doing the things that you love - you are suddenly a lot more free to spend time with clients and the money making ventures of your business. This allows you to make  more money which will more than cover the expense of your asssistant.    But as all things go - you will only hire an assistant when you are desperate to do so. Continued…

Posted in Home Staging, Home Staging Business, Interior Design Business, Interior Redesign, Interior Redesign Training, Uncategorized. Tagged with , , .

By Mary
April 22, 2009

5 comments