LuAnn Nigara

Today With Dr Colleen Mullen (Coaching Through Chaos Podcast): I’m so excited to re-share this incredible conversation I had with Dr. Colleen Mullen on her podcast, Coaching Through Chaos. Colleen and I dive deep into the journey behind Window Works, what it really takes to build a business that lasts, and the mindset that’s helped me through over 40 years of entrepreneurship. This isn’t just for interior designers—this episode is for any business owner who’s ready to get serious, show up with purpose, and take ownership of their success. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos (and who hasn’t?), Colleen’s questions help pull out the key lessons that will bring you clarity and direction. ⁠Check the ⁠ Coaching Through Chaos Podcast ⁠!⁠ LuAnn Nigara is the co-owner of Window Works in New Jersey for over 30 years now, but she is probably most known now on a larger scale for her expertise on building, growing and sustaining a business. She hosts The Well-Designed Business Podcast, is a well-known speaker at trade shows and leads workshops. Her expertise lies in helping others, including established business owners, develop the fine skils necessary to have their business prepped to withstand the ebbs and flows over decades! Her expertise is also now captured in the book, A Well-Designed Business. In this episode, LuAnn shares a decision made at 18 that put her on the trajectory to business success; why systems are so key to a successful business, how she grew and shifted over the years, and why some businesses just can't succeed. PLEASE CHECK OUT LuAnnNigara.com to discover all the ways you can benefit from LuAnn's expertise. If you are enjoying The Coaching Through Chaos Podcast, and you want to stay connected and want to chat about the episode, just follow us at Coaching Through Chaos on Facebook. If you want to interact with Colleen more personally or stay up-to-date on her other podcasts and happenings, you can follow or friend her on: Facebook Instagram Twitter Listen to Shrink@Shrink to learn about love and life through the movies every month. If you are a woman, interested in building your personal leadership qualities, check out Dr. Colleen's book: Stop Bitching, Just Lead! The 60-Day Plan for Embracing Your Inner Leader If you want to work with Colleen for personal 1:1 coaching to help you conquer the chaos in your life, just reach out through CoachingThroughChaos.com click on the Contact page. Thanks for listening!

Today With Rebecca Hay (Resilient by Design): You know I’m usually the one asking the questions—but in this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting on the other side of the mic as a guest on Resilient by Design, hosted by my friend and fellow podcaster Rebecca Hay. Let me tell you—it was such a fun, thoughtful, and energizing conversation. We talked about all the things I love most: how to build a strong, profitable business, why you must know your numbers, and yes—why markup is not optional in this business. (Seriously, if Baskin-Robbins gets a markup on ice cream, why wouldn’t you as a designer?) Rebecca shared how A Well-Designed Business® helped her back in the early days of running her firm—and I was truly touched. And of course, we got into the mindset work that really separates successful entrepreneurs from the ones still spinning in circles. I’m so excited to re-air this episode for you. Big hugs to Rebecca for inviting me and allowing me to share it with all of you here. ⁠Check the Resilient by Design Podcast !⁠ Today is one for the books! I am thrilled to speak with the Queen of podcasting herself, LuAnn Nigara, and bask in her wisdom. LuAnn describes her inspirational career trajectory and how her business has evolved in the last 4 decades. She shares nugget after nugget of wisdom as she highlights the importance of quieting down, cultivating an inner voice, visualizing goals and how to listen to that intuition (and a few select advisors) to move forward into success. I am beyond excited and inspired after this conversation and I know you will feel the same, a perfect introduction into 2024! LuAnn Nigara Website Instagram LuAnn University LuAnn’s Podcast Network A Well-Designed Business® Window Treatments For Profit with LuAnn Nigara The Inner Edit: Wellness for Digital Creators podcast. New England Home and Interiors The Silva Method This episode is sponsored by Devix Kitchens

Today With LuAnn Nigara: “Maybe” feels polite. Safe. Hopeful. But in sales? It’s a silent killer. In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, I break down the 6th Deadly Sales Sin: mistaking vague responses for real opportunities. You’ll learn why “maybe” doesn’t pay the bills, how to stop waiting in limbo, and the exact scripts to lead your client to a clear yes—or an honest no. If your pipeline is full of “we’ll think about it,” this is your wake-up call. Listen now and take back your power at the close. A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Audiobook : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-Order Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LuAnn’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Talk Friday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other Resources: This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chairman of the Board⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with LuAnn Nigara! <a href="ht

Today With Carol Cox (Speaking Your Brand): So… you’ve been asked to give a keynote. Cue the excitement—then the panic. I get it. Keynotes aren’t your average “share some tips” kind of talk. They’re about stepping up, owning your message, and taking your audience on a journey. And trust me, it takes work. In this episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast, I joined Carol Cox for a deep-dive debrief of the keynote I recently delivered at a major industry conference. We talk through: Why I was invited—and why I said yes The three-month process I used to prepare The one thing I underestimated (and wouldn’t next time!) How I approached memorization and transitions The real message I wanted to leave the audience with If you’re thinking about stepping into the keynote spotlight, or just curious about what it actually takes to deliver one that hits home, this episode is for you. It’s honest. It’s actionable. And yes—it’s all the behind-the-scenes I wish someone had told me before I got started. Check the Speaking Your Brand Podcast with Carol Cox LuAnn University - Join Now! If you’ve been asked to do a keynote talk at a conference – or one of your goals is to do a keynote – this episode is going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to prepare and deliver a keynote. Keynotes are meant to be inspirational and aspirational, which is different from a standard business presentation or breakout session where you’re sharing tactical, step-by-step things that people can do. Instead, in a keynote, you want to take the audience on a journey, weaving in your own stories and experiences, and sharing with them your big idea. In this episode, I talk with one of my clients, LuAnn Nigara, and we do a debrief of the keynote she recently gave at a large industry conference. You’ll hear about the process we went through to create the speech, how LuAnn felt on stage, and LuAnn shares with us some things she would do differently. I knew she would nail her keynote – and she did! You’ll love LuAnn’s energy – she was a lot of fun to work with and to have on the show. Let me tell you about LuAnn’s background: She is an award-winning window treatment authority, host of one of the most popular podcasts for the design industry, A Well-Designed Business, and overall business dynamo. She has a multi-million-dollar window treatment business in New Jersey, which has serviced over 24,000 customers over the past 35 years. Be sure to subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. I have more training and coaching calls coming up, including on TEDx talks and pitching the media, so this way you’ll automatically get the new episodes. And share this episode with a friend, especially if you know someone who will be doing a keynote or wants to in the future. Highlights: Why LuAnn was invited to do a keynote How LuAnn prepared for the keynote, starting 3 months ahead of time until a few days before What LuAnn felt like she needed the most help How LuAnn and I worked together to create her message and keynote speech How LuAnn decided to start her keynote Lessons she learned and what she would do differently next time LuAnn’s decision to memorize her talk and how she went about doing that The importance of really knowing your transitions between sections The feedback she received after her keynote The core message from LuAnn’s keynote Links: Connect with LuAnn on her website at <a hr

Today With Jaime Masters (Eventual Millionaire): Welcome to A Well-Designed Business. Today’s episode is a little different—in the best way. I’m not behind the mic as the host… I’m in the guest seat.Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being invited onto some truly outstanding podcasts—conversations that dive deep into business, leadership, mindset, and the real-life lessons I’ve learned through decades in this industry.In this special crossover series, I’m excited to bring a few of those guest appearances to you. When the roles are reversed, the conversation shifts—you’ll hear fresh perspectives, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights that don’t always surface when I’m the one asking the questions.If you enjoy what you hear today, I encourage you to explore the host’s show as well. You’ll find links to their podcast and the original show notes below. Check the Eventual Millionaire Podcast with Jaime Masters: https://eventualmillionaire.com/a-well-designed-business-with-luann-nigara/ Check Their Show Notes! Here’s what you’ll learn from LuAnn about A Well-Designed Business: – How to avoid feeling stagnant without the need to jumping from project to project all the time. – Your body always tells you when you’re working too hard. Discover how LuAnn recognizes the signs before it’s too late! – How to master the work-life balance when you’re running a business with your spouse. – Can you “get it all done”? without actually needing to get it all done? – Do THIS to save your business from getting haywire. – How to “trick” yourself into feeling on top of things again. – The single most important question you must be asking yourself every single day. (It’s not what you think.) Tune in and listen: A Well-Designed Business With LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website: LuAnnNigara.com

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Today, we dive into the fundamental truth that questions are the answers in sales, inspired by sales master Tom Hopkins. Learn how to transform your sales approach by asking strategic questions that create connections, clarity, and commitment with your clients. We’ll emphasize the importance of continuous learning and offer practical tips for improving your sales process. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to take action and elevate your selling game. Tune in and discover how to turn every conversation into an opportunity for success! A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠⁠⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠ Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠⁠⁠ Audiobook : ⁠⁠⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠⁠⁠ Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts ⁠⁠⁠ Pre-Order Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 ⁠⁠⁠ Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ LuAnn’s ⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Power Talk Friday⁠⁠⁠ Like Us: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Other Resources: This podcast supports the ⁠⁠⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about it ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ ! ⁠⁠⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Chairman of the Board⁠⁠⁠ with LuAnn Nigara! ⁠⁠⁠Exciting Windows!⁠⁠⁠ Coaching and more!<a href="https://www.wcaa.org/schol

In episode 70 of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain continues his insightful conversation with Luann Nigara, a leading figure in the interior design industry. They delve into key aspects of running a successful design business, including mindset, pricing, and branding strategies. Luann shares her journey, emphasizes the importance of being unapologetically yourself, and discusses the value of professional guidance. They also address common industry challenges such as client objections and effective communication. Listen in for practical advice and strategies to elevate your design business to new heights. 00:00 Introduction to The McClain Method Podcast 00:23 Welcome and Episode Overview 01:22 Continuation of Conversation with Luann Nigara 03:24 Branding and Professional Guidance 05:10 Mindset and Pricing Strategies 08:40 Practical Tips for Designers 11:24 The Importance of Practice and Preparation 16:40 Value and Credibility in Design 23:17 Debate on Markup Pricing 25:18 The Importance of Pricing Transparency 25:58 The Value of Service in Pricing 28:20 Establishing Systems and Processes 29:08 Communicating Value to Clients 31:15 Setting Clear Expectations and Boundaries 32:49 The Importance of Budget Discussions 36:30 Understanding Client Needs and Value 43:23 Final Thoughts and Industry Wishes More on Luann Nigara: LuAnn's Website: https://luannnigara.com/ LuAnn's IG : https://www.instagram.com/luannnigara/ John On A Well Designed Business: Episode 472 : https://luannnigara.com/472-john-mcclain-running-his-firm-from-two-coasts-makes-systems-and-tools-critical-2/ Episode 844 : https://luannnigara.com/844-john-mcclain-turn-failure-into-success-2/ Text Me a Message! Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method , head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaind

The McClain Method Podcast Episode 69: Get Out of Your Own Way: Lessons from LuAnn Nigara In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain welcomes LuAnn Nigara, a pioneer in the interior design business world. They discuss LuAnn's journey from helping her husband start Window Works to becoming a celebrated media personality with her podcast 'A Well-Designed Business.' LuAnn shares how she identified the need for business education among designers, her strategies for launching and monetizing her podcast, and the vital role of having a business plan. She also touches on the importance of personal health, the significance of her husband Vinny's support, and the lessons learnt from various stages of her career. This episode is packed with insights and stories that highlight the importance of planning, persistence, and believing in one's vision. Tune in next week for part two, where LuAnn discusses specific strategies for building a successful design business. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts 00:29 Welcome to the McClain Method Podcast 02:07 Guest Introduction: Luann Nigara 03:52 Luann's Journey to Success 08:06 The Importance of Self-Care 20:19 Founding Window Works 30:48 Losing Patience with Design Details 31:51 Searching for a Retirement Business 33:47 The Birth of the Podcast 35:11 Investing in the Podcast 37:03 Challenges and Successes 44:21 Vinny's Skepticism and Support 52:11 Expanding the Brand 58:29 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode LuAnn's Website: https://luannnigara.com/ LuAnn's IG : https://www.instagram.com/luannnigara/ John On A Well Designed Business: Episode 472 : https://luannnigara.com/472-john-mcclain-running-his-firm-from-two-coasts-makes-systems-and-tools-critical-2/ Episode 844 : https://luannnigara.com/844-john-mcclain-turn-failure-into-success-2/ Text Me a Message! Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method , head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: <a href='https:/

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Every entrepreneur faces moments where fear and overwhelm stop you in your tracks. In this powerful episode, LuAnn Nigara dismantles the myth of fearlessness and introduces her proven "Business Bravery" approach developed over 40+ years of entrepreneurship. You'll learn practical strategies to take action despite uncertainty, including the morning intention that transformed LuAnn's business mindset and concrete steps to move beyond paralyzing self-doubt. Featuring real-world examples of business owners who pushed through fear and succeeded anyway, this episode delivers straight-talking advice and an actionable toolkit to break through overwhelm and make progress today. Stop waiting to feel ready – listen now and discover how to cultivate courage when facing business challenges. A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara ⁠The Power Talk Friday Tour⁠ ⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠ ⁠http://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠ Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠here⁠ . To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: ⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠ Audiobook : ⁠ The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action ⁠ Book 2: ⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts ⁠ Pre-Order Book 3: ⁠ A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 ⁠ Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s ⁠Website⁠ LuAnn’s ⁠Blog⁠ ⁠Power Talk Friday⁠ Like Us: ⁠Facebook⁠ | Tweet Us: ⁠Twitter⁠ | Follow Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ | Listen Here: ⁠Podcast⁠ Other Resources: This podcast supports the ⁠Savvy Giving Design Coalition⁠ . Learn more about it ⁠here⁠ ! ⁠AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project⁠ ⁠AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design⁠ ⁠Chairman of the Board⁠ with LuAnn Nigara! ⁠Ex

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Hey friends—today we’re getting real about a critical part of running a profitable business: qualifying leads. Because let’s be honest—most of us are either letting go of clients who could have been ideal, or we’re wasting precious time on ones that were never a good fit to begin with. In this episode, I’m sharing three real-world stories from my own business journey that reveal the hidden opportunities in client interactions you might be misjudging. These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re lessons hard-earned from decades of experience, and I want you to learn from them, not repeat them. You’ll learn how to: Spot a sleeper opportunity disguised as a “tire-kicker.” Avoid the time-suck of clients who’ll never convert. Reframe your qualifying mindset to one that protects revenue and positions your business for sustainable growth. This isn’t about saying “no” faster—it’s about saying “yes” smarter. So let’s sharpen your lead-qualifying skills—because your future revenue depends on it. LuAnn Nigara’s Ah-Ha Moments: “Qualifying is not about shutting the door. It’s about asking the right questions so we can make an educated guess on whether we should open the door or not.” - LuAnn “I’m not going to sell you knock-off products here to save a few bucks, and now what? The home you come to for peace and recreation has broken blinds that need servicing every time you show up here?” - LuAnn “Don’t you ever qualify a person, in or out, based on how they look when they walk into your store. Treat every person like your next VIP client—because they just might be.” - LuAnn A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows! What’s new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here . To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook : The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/well-designed-business-interi