On today’s podcast we are talking about trust. What is it, how to tell if you have it, and why it matters.

With us on the podcast today is the Trim Queen – Jana Platina Phipps. Jana is an expert in all things trimmings and as the title of this episode of the podcast, she believes embellishment is a creative form of self-expression. Jana will share with us her start with embellishments and where it has taken her. Topics we cover include unexpectedly finding a passion that you were not actively seeking, stepping out in faith and not fear, and pivoting when needed. This was such a fun conversation and I know you are going to enjoy it.

With me today is Jennifer Smith of JLS Designs in middle Tennessee (just outside of Nashville).  Jennifer began her business almost 20 years ago focused on window coverings. She now offers design services to her clients as well. 

Jennifer has a vast portfolio of clients. She has completed design projects for Fortune 500 executives, some of the country’s most talented music and athletic industry professionals and hundreds of families to meet their home design and decor needs.  Her expertise and attention to detail has helped clients renting one-bedroom apartments and owners of multimillion-dollar estates. Her work has transformed area homes, schools, and office suites across the region. 

Jennifer is an active member of the Window Coverings Association of America where she serves on their board of directors. She is also an active member of the Williamson County Business Chamber (Williamson Inc), Professional Drapery Workrooms in Middle Tennessee, Drapery and Design Network, and America’s Window Covering Buying Network. She also has a monthly design column featured on the online daily news resource for all things stylish in your life, Style Home Page. 

Ashley Uhl is the owner of Ashley Uhl Consulting which offers client service consulting for designers. Ashley has been cultivating a love of service her entire lifetime. Traveling extensively throughout the world early on in life, she developed an incredible respect, understanding, and interest in the five star service she encountered.

Wow, I cannot believe that we are a year into this podcast journey of Profit is a choice. I am not sure if you all heard my beginnings in podcasting – but I started investigating a podcast in 2016. At that time, I determined the amount of time it would take was time I did not have available – so I shelved it. Then in 2018, I was able to create sustainable time in my calendar to create and produce the podcast. And now – here we are. On this episode we are going to do a year of review and highlights – so much goodness has happened this year and I was reminded of the value this podcast has brought into the world as I looked back. 

Joining me today is Courtney McLeod. She is the founder and principal of Right Meets Left Interior Design, an award-winning Manhattan-based full-service design studio.  An avid colorist at heart, Courtney draws from a kaleidoscopic toolbox of texture, pattern, and color to create rooms evocative of one emotion above all others - joy. Her work has been featured in print both in the US and abroad - including the cover of Aspire Design + Home Magazine and Luxe Magazine. She has been named a 2019 Style Spotter by the High Point Market Authority and included on the 2019 list of emerging designers by Luxe Magazine.  Courtney is an S. Harris brand ambassador. 

Cat French, founder of Catherine French Design, LLC., runs a full-service interior design studio located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and a Specialization in Historic Preservation. After teaching the Environmental Design Studio at UNCG and giving presentations on interior design and historic preservation at several State and National conventions, Cat decided to open her own business and launched Catherine French Design, LLC – just a few short years ago. Her clients include executive-level professionals, Physicians, Authors, and Professors, and are located all across the East Coast, ranging from luxury new construction homes to relaxing condos by the sea. Cat is known in the professional community as a trusted, reliable designer that will get the job done on time and within budget. 

On the podcast today is Emily Moore. She owns and operates the Bean Countery which is a Certified Profit First full-service accounting and advising firm.

What started as a side hustle to save her soul from Corporate Finance has grown over the past decade.  It is now a full-time passion of hers to meet entrepreneurs where they are and improve their business finances and overwhelm so they can live the life they crave. 

Today's podcast is another solo episode. In it, we're going to talk about confidence. It is really a big topic and one that I think we can all say is important as business owners. As well as, talk about how confidence relates to our profitability.

On the podcast today is Emma Carole Paradis and Kim Carole, the owners and designers of Impeccable Nest, based in Bedford, New Hampshire. They are a mother-daughter team with a love of design. Originally from a beach town in California, now in New Hampshire, they bring a Southern California cool and a New England tradition to their design.

With us today is Eileen Hahn. She is a principal in the San Diego based management consulting firm, Organization Effectiveness Consultants (OEC). She partners with leaders of organizations to establish new levels of performance, financial results, teamwork, and employee work passion. Eileen is a delightful and engaging professional speaker and university instructor. She combines practical knowledge, tools and techniques with warmth and real world examples and experiences.

Joining us today is Monique Becker of The Enlightened Nest (and Becker Home). Monique lives with her husband and sons in rural southeastern Pennsylvania in an imperfectly-perfect Victorian farmhouse. She offers design and custom window treatments to her customers. Monique has studied the psychology of design and shares that with us today. She believes houses are living, breathing entities, and are a direct reflection of who we are as people, and who we can become. 

This is going to be a solo podcast and we're going to be talking about a topic that I keep seeing online and discussing with my one to one clients in private. We will talk about the summer slow down. So we're going to dig into some options on how to handle the summer chaos with maybe kids at home. Also, how not to give up on your business during that time. As well as not missing out on an entire summer of fun with the kiddos. It doesn't really have to be an either or if we can get creative.

Joining me on the podcast today is Kristin Mathis.  She is the owner of Distinctive Windows in upstate NY, a custom drapery workroom. She began sewing as a young woman, and when Kristin purchased her first home, she found a severe lack of quality ready-made window treatments available. Using her natural talent to sew her own window treatments, she fell in love with interior design industry.

On the podcast today is Angie Avard Turner, an attorney who loves pattern and color.  After over 20 years in retail, 14 years in wholesale, and 8 years in licensing, Angie decided to meet a glaring need of creatives—an attorney who was familiar with the needs of creative entrepreneurs and an understanding of the law. 

Joining me on the podcast today is Kae Whitaker, owner and CEO of Kae Whitaker Media Group. Kae specializes in helping service providers create automated marketing systems that close the gap in leads lost, enhance their sales processes and keep customers returning through delivering an amazing experience and increasing client referrals.  

Charles Sedaker is with us for another of the Profit First Success Stories. Cheryl started sewing at age 5 and, by her teenage years, she was already making clothes for other people. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Cornell University and has a Master's from the University of Connecticut - specializing in clothing and textiles.

SeaCheryl Designs began after Cheryl left corporate in 2005, so that she could return to her love of fabric and soft home furnishings. Cheryl has a thirst for continuing education and she uses that to stay up to date on the latest methods and trends in the industry. She's completed courses through WCAA, the Custom Home Furnishings Academy, Workroom Tech and at Custom Workroom Conferences.

Vita Vygovska is joining us today to talk about building businesses that are sustainable, profitable and scalable. She is an award-winning author, speaker, and window treatment specialist.  Her company, Vitalia, Inc.- Fine Window Treatments & Interiors, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management service exclusively for interior designers and architects.  In business for over 13 years, Vita and her team are proud to be experts in their narrow field, providing their clients with superb quality product and excellent communication.  Most importantly, they take off the stress, save time, and provide a peace of mind in the job is well-done.

Mark McDonough is with us today. With over 20 years of marketing expertise growing brands and making them explode online, Mark brings his expertise to the digital world. Mark, along with business partner, Kathleen Bandaruk, are shaping the face of the interior design industry by offering valuable content and tips in their fast-growing Facebook group, Interior Design Marketing. The Tastefully Inspired Agency prides itself on getting small businesses across the globe, fast results on and off social media. Their expert marketing knowledge and lean, scrappy mindset keeps them ahead of the pack.

Mark is proudest of being a father of three amazing girls who inspire him daily. Normally when he is working, he has the youngest on his lap wanting a sip of his coffee. His motto for everything he does is "family first".

On the podcast today is Claire Jefford.  Claire began her award winning Interior Decorating firm in 2011 & quickly grew her business, boasting the highest reviewed design professional in the Greater Toronto area with 100 Houzz reviews. In 2017, Claire started a second business as a Business Coach.

With a background in Human Resources, Claire is passionate about having organized processes, marketing & she also loves creating videos. Audiences love Claire for her authentic personality, her helpful, straight up advice & cheeky sense of humor.