Sara Lynn Brennan

In Episode 59 of the Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain continues his insightful conversation with Sarah Lynn Brennan. They delve deeper into the creation and ongoing success of Sarah's design showroom, 'All Things Home,' located in North Carolina. Sarah shares the unplanned journey of opening her showroom, how strategic partnerships played a vital role in its development, and the innovative business model designed to make luxury design accessible. The discussion also covers practical advice for interior designers looking to build strong brand partnerships, understanding market needs, and creating diversified revenue streams. Tune in for a masterclass in growing your design business and fostering meaningful industry relationships. 00:00 Introduction to The Designer Within Podcast 00:56 Recap and Introduction to Part Two with Sarah Lynn Brennan 02:07 Sarah's Journey to Opening Her Own Showroom 03:44 Building Partnerships and Overcoming Challenges 05:09 Creating Accessible Luxury Design 08:51 Balancing Full-Service and Retail Offerings 18:38 The Importance of Strategic Partnerships 23:32 Masterclass in Growing Your Business 24:22 The Power of In-Person Meetings 24:56 Offering Solutions and Building Relationships 27:26 Deliverables: Physical and Experiential 28:04 Setting Expectations and Milestones 34:57 Balancing Business and Personal Life 38:19 Final Thoughts and Gratitude MORE ON SARA LYNN BRENNAN: Website : https://saralynnbrennan.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/saralynnbrennan/ Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this f ree 39-minute training for interior designer s and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 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 (o

In this episode of the 'Designer Within' podcast, John McClain interviews Sara Lynn Brennan, a successful interior designer who transitioned from being a middle and high school science teacher to running her own multi-million dollar design business. Sara shares her early business mistakes and emphasizes the importance of establishing structured processes and having hard conversations with clients. She discusses her journey from DIY projects to handling large-scale renovations, the evolution of identifying luxury clients, and the significance of clear, value-driven client communication. Sara also highlights the pivotal role of social media in maintaining visibility and attracting clients. The episode includes a deep dive into Sara's business approach, client management strategies, and her perspective on authenticity and transparency in the design industry. 00:00 Welcome to The Designer Within Podcast 02:18 Reflecting on 2024 and Planning for 2025 04:01 Introducing Sara Lynn Brennan 05:09 Sarah's Journey from Teacher to Designer 07:59 The Importance of Processes in Business 16:19 Finding the Right Clients 27:32 Attracting the Right Clients 28:34 Sharing Your Story and Processes 29:16 Navigating Social Media During COVID 30:25 The Power of Authenticity 38:01 Defining Luxury Clients 41:47 Understanding Client Needs 46:26 Balancing Boldness and Sensitivity 51:17 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode MORE ON SARA LYNN BRENNAN: Website : https://saralynnbrennan.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/saralynnbrennan/ Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this f ree 39-minute training for interior designer s and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 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

Getting published in magazines can be huge for an interior designer’s business? So how has one designer, who’s only been in the biz 18 months, been published so much? Find out on today’s episode! Sara Lynn Brennan is an award-winning entrepreneur, CEO and Principal Interior Designer at Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors, the first and only full-service interior design firm in Waxhaw, North Carolina who specializes in transitional design. She and her design-build team take spaces from bare bones to beautiful by utilizing her exclusive, approachable and stress-free design process, transforming and renovating homes from start to finish. She’s also been published in magazines a bajillion times. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [5:30] How much is a bajillion? [7:25] Why Sara niched her design style [10:23] What do you do if your client doesn’t like your style [14:15] How Sara landed her first publication [18:50] Sara still sends out her own pitches [21:15] Patience with editors [24:00] Send your vision boards [28:05] What Sara does to promote her publications [30:30] Credibility boost [34:00] Applause for Sara [37:12] Whut up, Wingnut? Connect with Sara Lynn Brennan Sara Lynn Brennan Sara on Facebook Sara on Instagram Resources & People Mentioned LuAnn Nigara Amy Flurry The Lean Startup Wingnut Social Media Lab Build relationships Sara first got started publishing her work in magazines by first focusing on her own home. Her very first feature was her own house, and from there she was able to establish a relationship with that editor so her client work could be featured as well. And how did she do that? By making it very easy for the editor to work with her. She keeps in touch with editors to foster a relationship, and she lets them in early in the process, sharing vision boards so they know what she’s working on for their upcoming editorial calendars. How does getting published change things? The short answer from Sara is that it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been good for business, but she says she hasn’t seen any clients come through her door saying, “I saw you featured in this magazine.” But the benefits go beyond direct client bookings. For instance, Sara throws events in her hometown, so people can “meet the designer” who has just been featured in a magazine. And getting into magazines has helped her establish her aesthetic in a clear and easy-to-communicate way. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social www.WingnutSocial.com On Facebook On Twitter: @WingnutSocial On Instagram: @WingnutSocial Darla’s Interior Design Website Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes , Google Podcasts , or TuneIn